Adrift Barges Threaten Bay Updates for BP Pol Urges Corps Bayside Station a SLICE of FLUSHING VANISHES to Remove Boats

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Dec. 11–17, 2015 Your Neighborhood — Your News® 75 cents THE NEWSPAPER OF FLUSHING, AUBURNDALE, KEW GARDENS HILLS & FRESH MEADOWS CB 11 opposes Adrift barges threaten bay updates for BP Pol urges corps Bayside station A SLICE OF FLUSHING VANISHES to remove boats

BY TOM MOMBERG leaking toxins

Community Board 11 voted BY MADINA TOURE unanimously Monday night to recommend that the city U.S. Rep. Joe Crowley (D- deny a zoning variance for BP Jackson Heights) and commu- to make improvements at the nity groups that use Flushing Bayside station, 218-01 North- Bay are urging the U.S. Army ern Blvd., due to alleged vio- Corps of Engineers to remove lations on the property by the two barges in the bay immedi- company’s current tenant and ately. caretaker. The barges arrived in the Nearby residents com- bay in the summer of 2011, plained the operator leasing according to Hector Mosley, the BP station had been con- an Army Corps spokesman. ducting business out of the The Army Corps is waiting convenience store when it was to receive funding and au- supposed to be closed pending thorization from its national inspection, that junked cars headquarters to remove the were being stored in the park- barges. ing lot and the operator had “We expect the funding and been accepting rent for vehicle authority by the end of Janu- storage, all in violation of the ary 2016, which will allow re- business’ zoning variance. moval to be initiated in Febru- BP submitted the applica- ary subject to weather and bay tion to amend the zoning vari- conditions,” Mosley said. ance so that it could do some A Dec. 7 letter about the is- landscaping, reconfigure the sue from Crowley to Col. Da- parking lot, alter curb cuts, vid Caldwell, who is leading replace the underground gas the dredging project, said the storage tank and install a barges present a danger to in- 17-feet-high canopy over the dividuals who use the bay for pumps. business and recreational pur- The application did not try poses as well as law enforce- to extend the term on the cur- ment. rent variance, which is set to Barone Pizza, a staple on Main Street in the heart of Flushing for 45 years, closed its doors this “Styrofoam is leaking expire in 2021. week, another victim of high rent, says owner John Pace (c), watching as Gabriel Rodriguez (l) and from these barges,” he said. Attorney Michael Nac- Tyrese Cofer chow down on some of the final slices he served. Photo by Steve Vazquez “They’re rotting away in the Continued on Page 1 Continued on Page 1

A CNG Publication Vol. 24 No. 50 60 total pages

Get ready, get set, shop! Check out our Holiday Gift Guide on Page 29 for suggestions to help you find just the right something special for everyone on your list. Bayside marks holidays Grodenchik settles Vallone joins BID to lead parade, tree lighting event into City Council BY TOM MOMBERG had been done in the past, BY MADINA TOURE and that’s good, because I Councilman Barry Gro- don’t have to spend a lot of More than 1,000 parents, denchik (D-Oakland Gar- time in Manhattan,” Groden- children, elected officials, dens) was given his City chik said. “I would rather be teachers, residents and school Council committee assign- out here among my constitu- administrators came out for ments this week and has se- ents.” the second annual Bayside Hol- lected community advocate The councilman reopened iday Parade and Tree Lighting and attorney Steve Behar as the same district office used Ceremony on Saturday. one of his top aides. by his predecessor, Mark We- Sponsored by City Council- Grodenchik, who was prin. The office, at 73-03 Bell man Paul Vallone (D-Bayside) sworn in Nov. 28, has been Blvd., Suite 1N, in Oakland and the Bayside Village Busi- appointed to the committees Gardens, is open for con- ness Improvement District, on courts, general welfare, stituent services. To contact the parade ran from Bell Bou- housing and buildings, juve- Grodenchik, who represents levard and 36th Avenue to nile justice, mental health Bayside Hills, Oakland Gar- the Bayside LIRR station and and technology. dens, Glen Oaks, Floral Park, concluded with the lighting of The councilman said he New Hyde Park, Bellerose both a Christmas tree and a was particularly looking and parts of Little Neck and menorah. forward to working on the Queens Village, email bgro- Santa Claus appeared, as committee on mental health, [email protected], or he did at last year’s parade, considering one of the city’s call 718-468-0137. and students from PS 31, St. largest mental health facili- Steve Behar, who served Andrew’s, PS 169, Bell Acad- ties, the Creedmoor Psychiat- as Grodenchik’s campaign emy and the Landrum School ric Center, is in his district in manager in his run for of- of Performing Arts in Whites- Queens Village. fice in the off-year election, tone performed. The NYPD’s After taking part in just announced his resignation marching band performed a couple of stated meetings, from Community Board 11 during the parade as well. Santa Claus appears during the Bayside holiday parade and tree lighting Grodenchik threw a compli- Monday night, to serve as Parade participants also ceremony for the second time. Photo by Julie Weissman ment to the council speaker counsel to the councilman. included U.S. Rep. Grace Meng while addressing a com- Behar ran unsuccessfully (D-Flushing), state Assembly- He also said people living tect us every single day,” she munity board meeting this in 2009 for the seat which is man Ed Braunstein (D-Bay- in the 11361 zipcode will be said. “And they can’t be with week, suggesting his new now held by Councilman side), the New York Cosmos receiving coupon books for their families necessarily, so elected position will truly al- Paul Vallone (D-Bayside). He and the Auburndale Soccer the holidays from businesses we’re very lucky that we get low him to serve the people of also served on CB 11 for about Club. on Bell Boulevard, funded to be here today and be part of Queens. six years and once served as “It is the hub of our commu- through money allocated by this wonderful celebration.” “My speaker, Melissa an advising attorney to the nity and we want to do this pa- Vallone. Borough President Melin- Mark-Viverito conducts a U.S. Securities and Exchange rade so you don’t have to go up Braunstein said that in a da Katz said the holidays are much quicker meeting than Continued on Page 2 to Manhattan to shop,” Vallone big city like New York, Bay- a time for everyone to come said about Bell Boulevard. side can still feel like a small together. Lyle Sclair, the Bayside town due to events such as the “To our families, we wish Village BID’s executive direc- parade and tree lighting. you a very, very special time tor, said the BID partners on “My son Charlie, he’s 3 this year. We love families and holiday lighting around the months old, so he can’t re- our closeness,” Katz said. Bayside LIRR station with ally appreciate this yet, so Public Advocate Letitia the Bayside Business Associa- Paul’s going to have to do this James encouraged people to tion, which has been donating next year and the year after enjoy the holidays and to re- the menorah and the manger that and the year after that,” member to give back. for the last 15 years. Bayside Braunstein said. “It’s a holiday season and Milk Farm, Martha’s Country Meng reminded attendees it’s time to be with the people Bakery and Teaspoon Bakery that they are fortunate to be who we love and to give,” donated pastries for the tree able to celebrate the holidays James said. lighting ceremony. with their families. “I want to thank everyone “There are lots of people Reach reporter Madina for coming out, showing sup- around the world who are Toure by e-mail at mtoure@cn- Steve Behar announces his resignation from Community Board port for what we’re doing here working very hard — our ser- glocal.com or by phone at (718) 11 at Monday's meeting to serve as counsel to Councilman Barry on Bell Boulevard,” he said. vicemen and women — to pro- 260–4566. Grodenchik. Photo by Tom Momberg IN THIS ISSUE HOW TO REACH US Police Blotter...... 10 Gift Guide...... 29-32 MAIL: 41-02 Bell Boulevard, Bayside, NY 11361 Editorials and Letters...... 12-13 Focus on Education...... 38-39 PHONE: Display Advertising: (718) 260-4521 — Editorial: (718) 260-4545 Rhymes with Crazy...... 14 QGuide...... 41-48 FAX: Advertising: (718) 224-5821 — Classified: (718) 260-2549 Mayoral Spin Cycle...... 14 Sports...... 51-53 Editorial (718) 224-2934 E-MAIL: Editorial: [email protected] Queens Line...... 15 Classifieds...... 55-59 Display Advertising: [email protected] Political Action...... 15 Classified: [email protected] TO SUBSCRIBE: Call (718) 260-4521 Copyright©2015 Queens Publishing Corp. FLUSHING TIMES (USPS#03925) is published weekly by News Community Newspaper Holdings Inc., 41-02 Bell Boulevard, Bayside, NY.11361, (718) 229-0300. The entire contents of this publication are copyright 2015. All rights reserved. The newspaper will not be liable for errors appearing in any advertising beyond the cost of the space occupied by the error. Periodicals postage paid at Flushing, N.Y. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the FLUSHING TIMES C/O News Community Newspaper Holdings Inc. 41-02 Bell Boulevard, Bayside, N.Y. 11361 2 TIMESLEDGER, DEC. 11–17, 2015 FT TIMESLEDGER.COM Renovation of Frank Golden Park starts up College Point project to create playing fi eld for Gaelic football club breaks ground

BY MADINA TOURE some of the fences and should itz, $500,000; and Avella, be going in with the machin- $200,000.The second phase of The first phase of a $5.2 ery within the next two weeks, the project will consist of a million project to construct a Mathers said. The first phase full-sized GAA playing pitch. playing field for a Gaelic foot- was supposed to start during The third phase will include ball club in College Point has the summer, but construction a car park and plaza area that started and will be completed permits were not secured un- will allow Shannon Gaels GAA by spring. til Nov. 18. to host cultural and field-day The Shannon Gaels Gaelic “We have over 300 children activities. The last phase will Athletic Association Field of from the ages of four to 18 put in a high-performance Dreams, on 132nd Street and playing these games at Frank floodlight system that allows 14th Road, will have a synthet- Golden Park and the more for year-round use. ic-turf playing field in Frank people out there, the more The second phase is antici- Golden Park for training and children that are seen and the pated to start in the summer scrimmages for players 4 to 18. more local people get involved of 2016, the third phase in the A groundbreaking ceremony with it as well,” Mathers said. summer of 2017 and the final for the first phase of the proj- Paraic Duffy, director-general phase in early 2018, Mathers ect was held Nov. 30. The entire of the GAA; Barbara Jones, said. project will be completed within consul general from Ireland’s Lawmakers and the Shannon Gaels Gaelic Athletic Association broke Since 2010, Shannon Gaels the next three years, according Foreign Affairs Department; ground for the first phase of the Frank Golden Park renovation project. GAA has had permits to play to Colin Mathers, chairman of City Councilman Paul Vallone Photo courtesy of Councilman Vallone's Office the Gaelic games at the park. the Field of Dreams initiative. (D-Bayside) and Borough Pres- The association invested pri- Ireland’s Department of ident Melinda Katz were at the be great, not just for the Shan- by advancing a round ball up vate money to improve and Foreign Affairs and Trade, the ceremony along with state As- non Gaels, but for everyone the field through the opposing maintain the park. Shannon Gaels association semblyman Michael Simanow- in the community that wants team’s goal posts. In April 2014, Shannon Gaels and private funds willunder- itz (D-Flushing), state Sen. green space to enjoy for years For the remaining phases, GAA and the city reached a 15- write the first phase, which is Tony Avella (D-Bayside) and to come,” Vallone said in a Katz allocated $1.5 million; year maintenance agreement expected to cost $1.6 million. City Councilwoman Elizabeth statement. Vallone, $195,000; the City for use of the park. In January, Construction has begun, Crowley (D-Middle Village). Gaelic football, a popular Council’s Queens Delegation, Community Board 7 approved Mathers said, noting that the “This long-awaited revamp- Irish sport, involves 15 players $1 million; Melissa Mark- the conceptual design for the contractor started putting up ing of Frank Golden Park will on each side who score points Viverito, $100,000; Simanow- park’s upgrade.

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TIMESLEDGER.COM BT TIMESLEDGER, DEC. 11–17, 2015 3 Move NY toll plan splits Queens Electeds, community leaders divided over proposal to impose fee on East River bridge crossings

for expenses such as sanita- BY MADINA TOURE tion, police, fire and transpor- tation. Lawmakers and commu- “It’s going to disproportion- nity leaders are divided over ately affect Queens residents Move NY’s proposed tolling and it’s going to disprortion- plan for East River bridges. ately affect small businesses Over the weekend, state and low- and moderate-income Assemblyman David Weprin people that can’t afford it,” he (D-Fresh Meadows), state Sen. said. Tony Avella (D-Bayside), City Alex Matthiessen, Move Councilman Barry Groden- NY’s campaign director, said chik, Assemblywoman Alicia the proposal caps the number Hyndman and others rallied of tolls for commercial busi- against the proposal, which nesses or vehicles at one round- calls for the addition of a $5.54 trip toll per day and that it will cashless toll on the four East create a $350 million dedicated River bridges—the Ed Koch road and bridge fund. Queensboro, Williamsburg, “The system we’ve got is Manhattan and Brooklyn completely broken and these Bridges — if drivers use E- guys (Avella, Weprin) know ZPass or an $8 cash toll. There that and we’ve got a plan that’s would only be electronic toll- been five years in the making ing. and which reflects the input The tolls would be em- of hundreds of thousands of ployed to reduce traffic in the stakeholders,” Matthiessen city and lower transit costs said. for New Yorkers. The plan State Assemblyman David Weprin (l.) and state Sen. Tony Avella (r.) have led the opposition to Move NY's toll- He said Move NY is plan- also would reduce tolls on the ing proposal. Photo by Ellis Kaplan ning to introduce legislation Henry Hudson, Cross Bay, some time during the next leg- Marine Parkway-Gil Hodges Weprin has introduced bridges. Avella has sponsored commuter tax on workers who islative session in 2016 and is Memorial, RFK/Triborough, legislation in the Assembly legislation in the Senate. do not live in the city, half of in the process of drafting the Whitestone, Throgs Neck and that would ban the city from Weprin’s alternative is which will go to the MTA and bill. Verrazano-Narrows Bridges. placing tolls on the East River bringing back the 1 percent the other half toward the city Continued on Page 49 Mayor joins boro Muslims Muslim shopkeeper to condemn terrorist acts assaulted in Astoria

BY SADEF ALI KULLY BY SADEF KULLY AND BILL kill Muslims.’ Once that came PARRY out Hate Crimes reopened the Less than 24 hours after investigation.” Mayor Bill de Blasio spoke The NYPD’s investigation It was around 1 p.m. Sat- about the Muslim community into Saturday’s beating of a urday and Haque was alone as an ally, Sarker Haque, a Muslim shopkeeper in Asto- in his store, the Fatima Food Muslim grocery store owner ria has been reclassified as a Mart on 21st Avenue in Asto- in Astoria, was reading the possible hate crime, accord- ria, when a stranger entered news in the middle of a slow ing to the commander of the and began asking if the mer- afternoon moments when he 114th Precinct. chandise was free. He picked was attacked by a 50-year old The suspect in the attack up a newspaper and looked at Florida man, police said. was arrested and charged a photo of the woman from Haque, who has lived in with assault and criminal the San Bernardino shoot- the city for 16 years, said his mischief, but after a second ing, and then he snapped, ac- attacker said he would kill interview with 53-year-old cording to Haque. Muslims while punching him Sarker Haque, the NYPD’s “Out of nowhere he several times. He was scared At the Jamaica Muslim Center on 168th St., members of the congregation, Hate Crimes Unit was noti- punched my head with his left for his life. welcome the mayor and condemn the recent attack in California. fied. hand,” Haque said in an inter- While federal authorities Photo by Sadef Kully “When my guys first got view with the TimesLedger. in California pieced together there, at no point did he men- “I asked him ‘what’s wrong the reasons behind the fa- the attacks. criticism as terrorist assaults tion there was a religious with you?’ and that’s when he tal shooting that left 14 dead Hundreds of members of on innocent lives in the name epithet,” NYPD Capt. Peter said ‘I kill Muslims.’” in San Bernadino, de Blasio the congregation, the young of their religion grab media Fortune said. “Maybe he was Police said Piro Kolvani, a joined the Muslim communi- and old, gathered to welcome headlines. in shock or there was a lan- 55-year-old resident of Jack- ty last Friday at the Jamaica the mayor at a time when After Queens’ Muslim lead- guage barrier, but since then sonville, Fla., then assaulted Muslim Center to condemn Muslims across the world face Continued on Page 49 the victim has mentioned ‘I Continued on Page 54 4 TIMESLEDGER, DEC. 11–17, 2015 BT TIMESLEDGER.COM New parks initiative NYCHA to be updated looks for fresh ideas Agency CEO outlines challenges in city’s public housing BY TOM MOMBERG initiative’s funds have been allocated for new improve- BY TOM MOMBERG The city Department ment projects at eight exist- of Parks and Recreation is ing parks. Silver guaranteed New York City Hous- asking residents to help it each borough at least one ing Authority Chairwoman find ways to improve parks project. Shola Olatoye faces a unique throughout the city by mak- Once the projects are se- challenge in the city and in ing suggestions about how lected based on community Queens: updating an outdated some of the $50 million input, the department said it model for public housing while from Mayor Bill de Blasio’s would adhere to the typical also trying to make up revenue OneNYC plan should be al- capital design process, which lost because of cuts in federal located. requires community board funding. Parks Commissioner input. Olatoye visited the Editors Mitchell Silver presented the As Silver stressed the im- Roundtable at the Community Parks Without Borders ini- portance of lowering fences News Group’s Brooklyn of- tiative to Borough President and shrubs to open up and fices last week to outline the Melinda Katz and the Queens connect parks with neighbor- progress she has made since Borough Board Monday, hop- hoods to serve as centers of being appointed by Mayor Bill ing community board leaders communities, borough board de Blasio in February 2014. would encourage their neigh- members had concerns for She said that over two- borhoods to take part. the potential impact on thirds of NYCHA’s housing The department launched crime, particularly in larger stock is more than 60 years old, a web page in mid-November parks where visibility is lim- which leaves the agency with where people can make sug- ited. $17 billion in capital needs. gestions on a map. The page, “We’ve been asking for “Our plan is based around http://www.nycgovparks. additional park enforcement updating our funding model org/planning-and-building/ officers and a mounted unit and operating model—and planning/parks-without-bor- to cover Highland Park and underlining this effort is the ders, will only be live for a set Forest Park,” Community question of how we interact period of time, closing to the Board 5 Chairman Vincent with our residents,” Olatoye public after Feb. 28. Arcuri said. “We’ve spent said. “This is the first time tons of money on the (Ridge- A lack of funding is one of we have asked New Yorkers wood) Reservoir, which is not the biggest issues, which has NYCHA Chairwoman aShola Olatoye briefs the editors of throughout the city where really accessible. We need our resulted in tangible neglect of Community News Group on some of the agency's new initiatives. they think we should be mak- parks to be accessible, but we public housing in every corner Photo by Stefano Giovannini ing park improvements,” also need security.” of the city. Parks Deputy Director of Silver said each project In Queens, the result of disrepair. city bought up many of those Planning Steve Leonard said. would deal with specific con- funding cuts can be seen in Olatoye said NYCHA is homes in areas like Jamaica “Not only can you suggest in- cerns, working with the com- the many single-family homes standing ready to work on in past decades, when blocks dividual parks, but you can munity before considering owned and operated by NY- those houses with state Homes of housing were neglected and zoom in on the park and tell keeping gates unlocked and CHA, which whether occupied and Community Renewal attracted little interest from us exactly what you want, ex- removing fences. or abandoned, have fallen into pending federal approval. The Continued on Page 49 actly where you want it.” “This is voluntary,” Silver The initiative specifically said. “If people have discom- aims to improve accessibil- fort about the program to ei- ity and visibility in parks ther lower, eliminate or open throughout the city to make up (fences) and the edges (of LGA fl ight path change wanted them more inviting and to en- parks), we have thousands courage more use and stron- of choices and if there isn’t ger care for the urban green- a level of public support, we BY MADINA TOURE under LaGuardia’s current spaces. will not proceed.” flight paths in the 65 DNL (day About $40 million of the Continued on Page 49 Advocates praised and night average sound level) echoed City Councilman Peter area. This is a measurement Koo’s (D-Flushing) sentiment taken by federal agencies such that the FAA should consider as the FAA over 24 hours. reverting to LaGuardia Air- Susan Carroll, a Flush- port’s old flight paths. ing community advocate and Before 2012, flight paths a member of Queens Quiet were routed over Citi Field, Skies, who is also a representa- the tennis stadium and Flush- tive on the New York Commu- ing Meadows Corona Park but nity Aviation Roundtable, said would be diverted over Flush- City Councilman Peter Koo is call- the Port Authority installed ing during the US Open. But ing on City Planning and the a noise monitor on the roof of in 2012, the FAA approved the Federal Aviation Administration her building on Franklin Av- Flushing flight path for gen- to think about using the old flight enue in August 2014. eral use. paths for LaGuardia Airport. She can hear planes just In a response dated Dec. 2, Photo by Michael Shain about every minute for hours to the Department of City Plan- with noise levels anywhere ning’s draft document of the planes and the resulting noise from 70 to 90 decibels. Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver (l.) and his deputy director of environmental impact state- have caused health concerns “When Councilman Koo planning, Steve Leonard, answer questions from the Queens Borough ment for the proposed Flush- for residents in his district. He spoke out about this, I was Board regarding the new Parks Without Borders initiative. ing West waterfront develop- noted that the proposed devel- very happy to see it because in Photo by Tom Momberg ment plan, Koo said low-flying opment area would be directly Continued on Page 54 TIMESLEDGER.COM BT TIMESLEDGER, DEC. 11–17, 2015 5 City redoubles effort to fi nd serial arsonist

BY GABRIEL ROM

After six weeks of fear and uncer- tainty as an arsonist targets homes being built by Bukharian Jews, city authorities are stepping up foot pa- When you’re ready trols and surveillance measures throughout the beseiged Forest Hills to feel better, community. Community leaders met Tuesday morning with Borough President Me- we’re right around linda Katz, NYPD Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce and a host of other city the corner. lawmakers. Packed into The Bukhar- Gastroenterology and Advanced Endoscopy from ian Jewish Community Center in For- At the Bukharian Jewish Center in Forest Hills, Rabbi Valman Zvulunov (l.), whose Palmadessa & Brodsky est Hills, they offered what reassur- ance they could. house was burned; Rafael Nektalov (c.), edi- “This is something that we take ex- tor of the weekly Bukharian Times; and law- Call us at (718) 461-0163 tremely seriously and the community yer Aron Borukhov say the center is now of- stands together in making sure that fering a $50,000 reward for the capture of or visit QueensGastroDoc.com we find this arsonist that is out there the arsonist. Photo by Michael Shain destroying not only people’s homes, but people’s lives and people’s dreams,” closely with Bukharian community Katz said at a news conference follow- organizations, connected the arsons to ing the meeting. an upswing in global anti-Semitism. On Monday, the NYPD added two “There is a saying that if you open fire sites to the list of suspected arsons up an umbrella in France, you must 241-02 Northern Blvd #1, Douglaston, NY 11362 that now stretches back to Oct. 20. All open up an umbrella in Odessa, too,” of them have targeted Jewish-owned he said. “Well, what is happening in homes under construction in the heav- France is beginning to happen here.” ily Bukharian neighborhood of Cord “If this isn’t a hate crime, then what Meyer. is?” he added. After Tuesday’s meeting, civic and The Bukharians’ explosive popu- religious leaders from the Bukharian lation growth and preference for con- community hugged and shook hands. structing large homes has created long- “Today’s meeting was a very good simmering tensions between them and sign that both the community and the longtime Forest Hills residents. Police Department, Fire Department But Raphael Nektalov, who came and elected officials are all interested to the United States in 1993 after flee- in solving the problem at hand,” said ing political and religious repression Aron Borukhov, a Bukharian commu- in previously Soviet-occupied Uzbeki- nity leader. stan, spoke of his dream to express his Borukhov said community security culture and heritage, building taste in- patrols were being organized in con- cluded, undeterred. junction with the police to monitor the At his office at the Bukharian Jew- sites. He called the patrols a “work in ish Center in Forest Hills, Nektalov progress.” proudly opened a book of historic, long As calls for action from within the abandoned Bukharian homes in Uz- community have grown louder, the bekistan. “See this one? It’s beautiful,” Bukharian Jewish Center announced he said. “Our homes, they were beauti- it will offer a $50,000 reward for infor- ful.” mation leading to the arrest of the ar- State Sen. Toby Stavisky (D-Flush- sonist. The NYPD is also offering up to ing) concluded Tuesday’s news confer- a $12,500 reward. A second video of the ence by connecting the Bukharians’ suspect has been released which shows troubled history of state-sanctioned a hooded male walking near one of the persecution with the current crimes. fire sites on 69th Road. “As I was sitting at the meeting I Deputy Inspector Judith Harrison, was thinking about the conditions commanding officer at the 112th Pre- that brought the Bukharian commu- cinct, said a new command post has nity to the United States,” she said. been set up at 112th Street and 68th “It’s sad that they cannot feel safe in Avenue. their homes anymore, that they left a 1]c\QWZ;S[PS` Harrison said police have a list of disturbing situation in the former So- 29 buildings that are currently under viet Union and they have to face this in >OcZ/DOZZ]\S construction in the Cord Meyer neigh- their new home.” borhood. Lilianna Zulunova, who was stand- Police have not yet provided a mo- ing outside the press scrum, whis- tive for the arsons, but said they do not pered to herself “that’s so true, so very >OWRT]`PgESAc^^]`b>OcZDOZZ]\S believe it is a hate crime. true.” But Manashe Khaimov, who works 6 TIMESLEDGER, DEC. 11–17, 2015 BT TIMESLEDGER.COM Baseball prospect receives $1.5M settlement City gives money to former player hit by car at Flushing intersection when light changed quickly

BY MADINA TOURE settlement was in the city’s best interest.” The city has reached a Mare attended Holy Cross Mare attended Holy Cross HS, $1.5 million settlement with HS, where he played baseball a former Major League base- all four years, including the where he played baseball all four ball prospect who said he was varsity level during his last struck by a car at a Flushing two years, according to Doug years, including the varsity level intersection because he was Manfredonia, his coach at not given enough time to cross Holy Cross. He graduated in during his last two years the street. 2004. On Feb. 10, 2008, Whites- He batted .350 his senior tone resident Joseph Mare, year and was also named the they really don’t improve that applications to have the mat- now 26, was trying to cross the team’s Most Valuable Player, much, but he was an extreme- ter dismissed, saying that it intersection of Francis Lewis according to the official web- ly hard worker and I think he has qualified immunity as a Boulevard and 172nd Street site for LIU Post Pioneers Ath- became a better player every governmental agency but that when the light changed after letics. He was also a standout year and I think that contin- the lawyer was able to estab- 15 seconds. Federal guidelines basketball player and earned ued into his college career,” he lish that they did not conduct indicate that it should have MVP honors his senior year. said. traffic studies there despite taken 27.5 seconds for the light Mare was a third baseman Mare now works as a per- the number of accidents at the to change, given the size of on LIU Post’s Pioneer baseball sonal trainer and gives moti- intersection. the intersection, according to Joseph Mare Courtesy of LIU team from 2005 to 2007, accord- vational speeches and lectures “They didn’t properly test Scott Rynecki, Mare’s lawyer. ing to Pioneers website. His to people who have had trau- them and they didn’t have any Through his lawyer and who hit Mare stayed on the accident occurred right before matic injuries, Rynecki said. proper studies out there. There family, Mare declined to com- scene and contributed an ad- his senior season. “It was our position that were a number of accidents at ment. ditional $100,000. Manfredonia said he was a this intersection was woefully that intersection,” he said. Rynecki said the settlement “This unfortunate accident disciplined player who start- inadequate and that after 12 covers the pain and suffering resulted in serious injuries,” ed out as “a little bit of a late seconds, the intersection was Reach reporter Madina the accident caused Mare as a spokesman for the city Law bloomer” but worked his way changed and he was left out Toure by e-mail at mtoure@cn- well as any future care he may Department said in a state- up. there to be struck by a car,” glocal.com or by phone at (718) need for injuries related to the ment. “In light of the court “Some kids come in as a Rynecki said. 260–4566. incident. He said the driver rulings during the litigation, freshman or a sophomore and Rynecki said the city made

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TIMESLEDGER.COM BT TIMESLEDGER, DEC. 11–17, 2015 7 109 Pct. cops accused of taking bribes: DA

A detective and lieutenant assigned to the 109th Precinct were charged with taking bribes to protect karaoke clubs, the Queens district attorney said.

BY MADINA TOURE tained patrons because Yam had told him he could not make arrests as it A detective and a lieutenant as- was Sung’s “place,” which bothered signed to the 109th Precinct’s Detec- Sung, the complaint said. tive Squad have been charged with ac- When an officer told Sung that a cepting bribes from Flushing karaoke deputy inspector asked him to conduct club owners in exchange for letting another inspection of several karaoke them know when narcotics or vice clubs, Sung told the officer he would units planned to schedule police raids, give Club JJNY an advance warning Queens District Attorney Richard and directed him to transmit the in- Brown said. spection over the police band radio in- The officers have been identified stead, the complaint continued. as Yaytu Yam, 35, a detective who had Sung also told an officer and an- been a police officer since January other individual to tell the clubs not to 2005, and Robert Sung, 50, a lieutenant, have drugs present and close down at 4 according to Brown. a.m. ahead of state troopers arriving, • PEDIATRIC • DENTURES • SEDATION The pair have each been charged the complaint added. with taking bribes as well as being re- Yam forced an officer processing DENTISTRY • MERCURY-FREE DENTISTRY warded for official misconduct, Brown an arrest on Sept. 12, 2014 of two indi- • BRACES- TOOTH COLORED • LASER said. Sung was also charged with ob- viduals who possessed narcotics while INVISALIGN FILLINGS DENTISTRY structing governmental administra- at Club Joyful at 33-46 Linden Place tion, according to the DA. to issue them desk appearance tickets • ORAL SURGERY • METAL-FREE • VELSCOPE VX The NYPD suspended Yam and instead of a misdemeanor charge, the • PERIODONTAL CROWNS (ORAL CANCER Sung and they each face up to 15 years complaint said. THERAPY • PORCELAIN EXAMS) in prison if convicted, he said. The owner of two clubs in the pre- • ROOT CANAL VENEERS • INTRA-ORAL “Instead of upholding the law, the cinct area allegedly paid Yam $2,000 defendants are now charged with tar- per month for three years for protec- • IMPLANTS • NITROUS OXIDE CAMERA nishing their NYPD badges to unjustly tion, the complaint said. ANESTHESIA enrich themselves,” Brown said in a Yam and Sun were arraigned Tues- statement. day and ordered to return to court Dec. EVENING & SATURDAY APPOINTMENTS In December 2013, Yam allegedly 22. Yam was ordered held on $25,000 24-HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICES • 888-228-0687 had a conversation with the owner of bail and to surrender his passport and Club JJNY at 147-38 Northern Blvd. firearms, the DA said. in which he told the owner he would Sun was ordered held on $20,000 notify him about police raids if he got bond or $10,000 cash bail. His firearms 43-07 214th Place 2592 Merrick Road, Suite C paid under the table, according to a were previously seized and he cannot complaint filed by the DA’s office. apply for a passport during the case, BAYSIDE BELLMORE An officer told Sung he conducted according to Brown. 718-225-0515 516-781-9700 an inspection of Club JJNY on Aug. 30, 2014 that recovered controlled sub- Reach reporter Madina Toure by stances and patrons were handcuffed, e-mail at [email protected] or by according to the complaint. phone at (718) 260–4566. www.drsilvermanassociates.com The officer said he released the de- 8 TIMESLEDGER, DEC. 11–17, 2015 BT TIMESLEDGER.COM Cadillac Man gets a place of his own After decades on Astoria streets, homeless veteran lands an apartment with help of friends

BY BILL PARRY neighborhood had become his family and he really didn’t Cadillac Man has come in want to leave them.” from the cold. Thomas Wag- Branca left Cadillac Man ner, perhaps the most famous that morning because she had homeless person in the bor- a business lunch set up with ough, moved into his own John Napolitano, the director one-bedroom apartment after of community development spending most of the last 21 and planning at HANAC, Inc., years living on the streets of the owners of three senior Astoria. assisted-living centers in As- After fumbling with the toria. lock of his new home in the “I told John about Cadillac George T. Douris Tower, Man and he said he just hap- Wagner entered his immacu- pened to have a vacancy in the late, freshly painted and sun- Douris Tower,” Branca said. splashed new home Friday The 184-unit senior living fa- with members of his support cility, with support services, group known as the “Cadillac 24-hour security, senior cen- Care Team,” several people ter, library and rooftop terrace who spent years trying to get had one more thing: a vacant the 65-year-old homeless vet- one-bedroom apartment that eran off the streets for good. was set aside for homeless vet- Known as Cadillac Man, erans. after he claimed he was struck The “Cadillac Care Team” by several of them during a six- swung into action procuring a week stretch nearly 15 years Section 8 subsidy for veterans ago, Wagner became a cause Cadillac Man toasts the first day in his new home after spending most of the last 21 years living on the streets paid for by the federal govern- celebre in literary circles after of Astoria. Photo by Bill Parry ment. penning his memoir, “Land Last Friday, Cadillac Man, of Lost Souls: My Life on the Branca, his friend Cynthia Streets,” which was published Stuart, administrators from in 2009. HANAC and Commissioner After reading Wagner’s Loree Sutton, of the Mayor’s self-described survivors guide Office of Veterans Affairs, to homelessness, film actor stood in a circle in his new liv- Richard Gere was inspired to ing room, toasting him with portray a vagrant in the hit sparkling cider. movie “Time Out of Mind” “This is absolutely mind- last year. Wagner and his girl- boggling, it’s like a dream friend Carol Vogel were Gere’s come true,” Cadillac Man said, guests of honor at the film’s his voice cracking with emo- premiere at the Brooklyn tion. “These people right here Academy of Music. all know how much I love As- “Richard is a real friend toria and now I have a million of mine, we talk often,” Wag- Thomas Wagner sees the 33rd Street viaduct (above) of the Hell Gate dollar view of it.” ner said in the warmth of his Bridge, where he used to live, from his new apartment. Cadillac Man can He was given a bag full of new home. “He once asked me now look out on the streets that once were his home from his 12th-floor towels, sheets and a welcome how much would I need to get apartment in the George T. Douris Tower. Photos by Bill Parry mat with a capitol C as a house off the street and I said nah. warming gift. The man who I couldn’t take money from a wrote of “scattering peanut friend.” die out there. I tried living in The collapse of his second shells” around himself before And so he stayed home- a shelter, but I had a bad ex- marriage soon followed and presence - he’s a beefy 6-foot-1 going to sleep so he would hear less, living mostly in the 33rd perience there. Everyone has Wagner found himself home- with an intense, wind-chapped intruders approach out on the Street viaduct of the Hell Gate a horror story from the shel- less and depressed living in face - many stop and chat.” streets was awaiting the deliv- Bridge, which he can see from ters.” each borough except for Staten A decade later Cadillac was ery of his new bed — the first his living room on the 12th He would not go into specif- Island. In 2001 he stepped off still so much in love with the one he would own since 1994. floor of the Douris Tower, ics as to what he experienced the N train at the Ditmars Av- neighborhood, he refused to “The little things you take the affordable housing for se- but remembered life on the enue station, and he fell in love leave when he had a chance. for granted are luxuries for niors building on Hoyt Avenue streets during the Giuliani ad- with Astoria. Nicole Branca, an assistant street people like me,” Cadillac South. Wagner shared a small ministration. TimesLedger reporter Mat- commissioner at the Mayor’s Man said. “You make do with apartment in East Elmhurst “Whenever it got danger- thew Monks introduced Cadil- Office of Veterans Affairs met what you’ve got - like sleeping for a brief period last year be- ously cold they would give lac Man to Queens readers in with Cadillac Man in Septem- in a cemetery - who’s going to fore the landlord sold the prop- you the choice: shelter or jail,” 2005. After several interviews ber, when she presented him bother you there? Now I’ll be erty. Wagner said. “Many chose with him, Monks wrote: “Ca- with several housing options able to sleep without keeping “I’ve been out there 24/7 jail.” dillac knows hundreds of local that were available to him be- one eye open and when I close with no shelter, living on Cadillac Man began his life residents by name and cherish- cause he served in the Amy my eyes for the last time, I’ll be trains, in factories, even in the in the streets in 1994 after los- es his role as the block’s street between 1968 to 1971. closing them here in Astoria.” mausoleums at St. Michael’s ing several jobs in New Jersey. dwelling concierge. He spends “The apartments that be- Cemetery over on Astoria He was arrested for shoplift- hours each morning greeting came available weren’t any- Reach reporter Bill Parry by Boulevard,” Wagner said. “I ing, which made employment people on their way to work. where near Astoria,” Branca e-mail at [email protected] was convinced I was going to harder to find. Despite the man’s imposing recalled. “The people in the or by phone at (718) 260–4538. TIMESLEDGER.COM BT TIMESLEDGER, DEC. 11–17, 2015 9 Christ the King High School POLICE 68-02 Metropolitan Avenue, Middle Village, New York 11379 (718) 366-7400 Christ the King Community Kicks Off 2015 Blotter Christmas Season with Tree Lighting Ceremony Off-duty cop kills alleged robber: Police Christ the King Community kicked off the 2015 Christmas Season at their Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony last Friday. More than 300 people within the community joined in the festivities. Santa was on hand for pictures SPRINGFIELD GARDENS — An and families enjoyed an indoor Winter Wonderland filled with games, activities, off-duty transit cop who responded to bouncy castles, and hot chocolate. CK’s Musical Theater Group was also on a Craigslist ad about a white BMW for hand, singing Christmas carols, along with performances by the CK Drum Band sale, Monday night shot and killed an and Choir. Fun was had by all! armed robber in Springfield Gardens, police said. The off-duty NYPD transit cop, Me- hbubur Rahaman, told police officials both men tried to take his wallet at gunpoint at which point he drew his weapon and fired several rounds at the suspect with his gun, according to po- lice. Police said a gun was found at the scene Police said the off-duty cop struck one of the suspects, 30-year-old Devon of where an off-duty cop fatally shot Holder from Brooklyn, in the torso and two suspects who he accused of rob- left leg. Emergency responders took bing him in Springfield Gardens. Holder to Jamaica Hospital where he Courtesy of NYPD was pronounced dead. Officers from the 105th Precinct answered a 911 call after 10:30 p.m. from an off-duty NYPD officer in need of assistance near 145th Avenue in Springfield Gardens, according to police. The off-duty cop informed the responding officers he was confronted by two About Christ the King Regional High School Christ the King Regional High School is a private, co-educational Catholic High School with a 4-year college preparatory curriculum. Located in Middle men, one of whom had a gun, according to police officials. Village, Queens, Christ the King Regional High School draws students from all areas. The school is accredited by The Board of Regents of the State of New York and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. Christ the King’s current enrollment is approximately 900 students. The Police said the off-duty officer was taken to Long Island Jewish Hospital for faculty numbers 45. treatment and observation. Christ the King High School is governed by its Board of Trustees: Serphin R. Maltese, Chairman; Thomas V. Ognibene, Vice Chairman; Robert A. According to police officials, the second suspect fled the scene in a white Normandia, Vice Chairman; Bernard G. Helldorfer, Counsel/Trustee; Anthony Como, Esq., Treasurer; Brenda Evans, Trustee; Dolores St. Louis, Trustee; Peter J. Mannarino, Principal; Michael W. Michel, President; Arthur Spanarkel, Financial Advisor; and Veronica Cokley, Executive Assistant. BMW and was still at large as of Wednesday afternoon. More information is available http://www.ctkny.org/. Find Christ the King on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CKCampus. Police said the investigation was being conducted as a crime against the vic- tim of a robbery incident. Police said a black air pistol was recovered at the scene after the incident. QUALITY FOOT CARE FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY: Robbery suspect hits man with gun: NYPD PODIATRIC MEDICINE AND SURGERY SPORTS JAMAICA — Police were looking for a suspect MEDICINE in a robbery outside a storage facility in South Ja- AND FOOT maica Nov. 29. INJURIES Police said after 2 p.m. an unidentified man entered Ace Moving and Storage on 95th Avenue allegedly armed with a handgun. He demanded HOUSE money from a 46-year-old male employee, police CALLS said. The employee said there was no cash and the DIABETIC suspect struck him with the firearm, according to AND police officials. GERIATRIC Officials said the suspect left in a beige-colored FOOT CARE Ford Windstar, driven by an unidentified indi- Medicare vidual. CHILDREN’S Diabetic Police said the employee suffered injuries to FOOT Shoe Provider the back of his head and was taken to Jamaica PROBLEMS Hospital by emergency responders for evaluation. Police say the robbery sus- Police described the suspect as a black male pect (pictured here) fled wearing a black baseball cap, eyeglasses, a black in a beige-colored Ford jacket over a dark-color hoodie, blue jeans and Windstar, driven by an un- white sneakers. identified individual who is Anyone with information in regards to this in- MARC J. FEDERBUSCH, DPM wanted for questioning. cident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Courtesy of NYPD Board Certified in Podiatric Orthopedics Hotline at 800-577-TIPS. 65-34 MYRTLE AVENUE, GLENDALE

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10 TIMESLEDGER, DEC. 11–17, 2015 BT TIMESLEDGER.COM East Elmhurst youth dies in hit-and-run

BY BILL PARRY Fulton delivered those crash, we will find you and startling numbers during punish you to the fullest ex- A young East Elmhurst a hearing by the Council’s tent of the law.” man was struck and killed in Transportation Committee Fulton agreed with the in- the crosswalk of Junction and as they considered two pieces creased penalties for repeat Northern Boulevards in Jack- of legislation, Intros. 603 and offenders. son Heights Tuesday night. 604, introduced by City Coun- “The bill would hold the The driver of a black Toyota cilman Jimmy Van Bramer most irresponsible drivers ac- Camry hit 17-year-old Ovidio (D-Sunnyside). Intro. 603 countable for the basic decen- Jaramillo and sped away, ac- would seek to penalize repeat cy that one would expect from cording to the NYPD. offenders who are found guilty those operating motor vehicles Ovidio was taken to in hit-and-run crashes. Intro. on our crowded streets,” he Elmhurst Hospital Center, 604 would require the NYPD said. where he was later pronounced to expand its existing hit-and- The inspector did not ex- dead. The NYPD’s Collision In- run reporting to the Council press support for the second vestigation Squad was investi- by including data on civil bill, however. Paul Steely gating the hit-and-run. penalties which are levied in White, the executive director It’s a scenario that has been hit-and-run crashes and the of Transportation Alternatives played out at an alarming rate amount paid. spoke in favor of both bills. across the borough, and the “The NYPD’s shocking sta- Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer questions an NYPD Inspector about the “Transportation Alter- city despite Mayor Bill de Bla- tistics really show just how risin number of hit-and-run crashes. Photo courtesy Van Bramer's office natives supports Majority sio’s Vision Zero initiative. important it is for our city to Leader Van Bramer’s legisla- There have been more than punish the 4,000 people who ed the legislation following $2,000 to $10,000 if there is a tion because it will lead to a 38,000 hit-and-run crashes in hit another human being with several hit-and-run crashes serious injury, and $5,000 to uniform, predictable applica- the city so far this year, ac- their vehicle this year, left that occurred in his district, $10,000 if death results. tion of existing penalties for cording to a high-ranking po- them to die on the street and claiming the lives of Luis Bra- “This legislation is not leaving the scene of a crash,” lice official. thought they’d get away with vo, 19; Kumar Ragunath, 64; meant to measure the value Steely White said. “It will also Inspector Dennis Fulton of it,” Van Bramer said. Last and Karen Pheras, 20. of the lives lost, but to act as a give the public comprehensive the Transportation Bureau for year, the Council passed Van Under this law those who forceful deterrent to our city’s data about the scale of the hit- the NYPD revealed that so far Bramer’s Justice for Hit-and- leave the scene of a hit-and- most dangerous drivers,” Van and-run problem in New York in 2015 4,000 of those hit-and- Run Victims Act, instituting run crash without reporting it Bramer said. “We are sending City, which is essential for de- run crashes involved injuries, civil penalties for leaving the to the NYPD would be subject a message directly to hit-and- veloping evidence-based poli- 31 resulted in death and only scene of an accident without to a civil penalty of $1,000 to run drivers: if you hit some- cies to reduce traffic deaths 28 arrests have been made. reporting. Van Bramer draft- $2,000 if a person is injured, one and leave the scene of the and serious injury.” NONO MOREMORE SURGERY?SURGERY? If you have We Now Have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

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TIMESLEDGER.COM BT TIMESLEDGER, DEC. 11–17, 2015 11 EDITORIALS HATE STRIKES OUT

Queens, which prides itself on its diversity, has been the scene of several suspected hate crimes tar- geting Hindus and Bukharian Jews. Fire was the weapon of choice in the torching of Hindu religious flags outside a house in Woodhaven and in the burning of several large houses under construction for Bukharians in nearby Forest Hills. Add to this mix the shadow of terrorism as the ripple effect from the San Bernadino, Calif., attack reached Queens, creating widespread unease in the Muslim community that it could be held accountable for the actions of two radicals. The borough is the epicenter of ethnic integration in this country and tolerance, although not always evident here, has generally been practiced when cul- tures meet in school, work and government. Singling out one religious group as prey sends a shudder through Queens, which has been a safe ha- ven for immigrants seeking freedom from discrimi- nation and persecution for many years. Elected officials gathered last Friday for a “We Are One Rally” on the corner of 89th Avenue and 90th Street to protest the desecration of 40 Hindu flags on Thanksgiving morning. Police described the suspect as a man in a baseball cap who fled the scene. OTHER VOICES After the seventh fire in six weeks destroyed an- other Bukharian building site, community leaders met Sunday and lambasted authorities and the media for not drawing more attention to the serial arsons. The last fire was set early Sunday morning at the The city needs to rethink rezoning future home of a Bukharian rabbi, which was the scene of another suspicious blaze Nov. 15. The Department of City Plan- ers could construct buildings sion hearing mentioned above Members of the insular Bukharian community ning will be holding a public with increased height and bulk will be held Dec. 16 at 9 a.m., believe they have been marked because of growing hearing on Mayor de Blasio’s two in many different zoning areas. at the National Museum of the dissatisfaction in the neighborhood over their quest proposals to increase the number Parking requirements would be American Indian, at One Bowling to build opulent houses, where more modest homes of affordable housing units and reduced or eliminated for senior Green, Manhattan, near Battery once stood. They also fear possible anti-Semitism. senior housing units to be con- housing units in certain areas. Park. People from all over the city Police have identified the arsonist as a man in a structed in our city. The propos- There are other serious problems are encouraged to attend and tes- hoodie, but the NYPD and the FDNY have only be- als, known as “Zoning for Quality with the two proposals as well. tify, or send an opposition letter to gun to add special patrols. and Affordability” and the “Man- It is important for all concerned Carl Weisbrod, Chair, City Plan- At least one Bukharian official was miffed that datory Inclusionary Housing” New Yorkers to let their elected of- ning Commission, 120 Broadway, Mayor Bill de Blasio had gone to the Jamaica Mus- text amendment, have come under ficials know that these proposals 31st Floor, NY, NY 10271. lim Center Friday night to reassure the community much well-deserved criticism. must be withdrawn and re-eval- Let’s hope that the City Coun- they were the city’s allies in the fight against terror Most everyone understands uated with input from all stake- cil, which has the last word on but had not contacted the Forest Hills fire victims. the need for affordable and senior holders. My civic organization, these two proposals, will vote The mosque was jammed with hundreds of wor- housing units in our city. These the Auburndale Improvement them down and follow the lead of ried congregation members and a number of lawmak- two proposals, however, would Association, has garnered almost the majority of community boards ers as GOP Presidential candidate Donald Trump undermine the contextual rezon- 300 petition signatures from local and borough presidents in our ramped up his rhetoric against Muslims. ings that have been accomplished residents opposing these propos- city who have already rejected Queens is an imperfect experiment in mixing cul- over the past several years that als, and has sent those petitions to these two misguided proposals. tures and resolving ethnic differences. Any hate act help protect our communities elected officials and appropriate is a strike against the world’s borough and will not from reckless overdevelopment. city agencies. Henry Euler be allowed to divert our mission. Under these proposals, develop- The City Planning Commis- Bayside

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12 TIMESLEDGER, DEC. 11–17, 2015 BT FT TL TIMESLEDGER.COM READERS WRITE One fare for all commuters won’t work

The proposed New York cost of any New York City ing Main Street No. 7 station ily out of service, the result is is little room for new riders City Council bill that would Transit or MTA Express Bus decide to become regular daily numerous delays and cancel- who might want to take advan- allow New York City residents Service from $6.50 to $2.75 as LIRR customers. What if you lation of trains. Nothing will tage of a free commuter-rail to to pay the same $2.75 fare on well. There are already al- add potentially even more new change until East Side Access subway transfer. If offered, the Long Island Rail Road or most 100,000 NYC residents riders attempting to board to Grand Central Terminal is there are thousands of city Metro North Rail Road as they who travel on weekdays to and a LIRR train at Woodside? open for revenue service. The residents already riding the do to ride the subway sounds from work paying extra to ride There is no way existing Port anticipated revenue service LIRR and Metro North who great on paper, but look at the LIRR, Metro North, MTA Washington branch rush-hour date has slipped on numerous would also want the same free the details. It could have sig- Express Bus or New York City service could accommodate occasions. The MTA sched- transfer. nificant adverse impacts on Transit Express Bus. All are 5,000 to potentially 10,000 and ule calls for a December 2022 The $70 million estimated Queens residents who are al- aware that they are paying for more new Queens customers opening day. Based upon the cost for a $2.75 fare for all ready daily LIRR commuters. a premium service. without adding more trains. previous history of delays and trips for residents within NYC This holds true for offering Existing scheduled LIRR Part of the problem is the recovery schedules, adding up riding on both the LIRR and the same riders a free transfer trains serving Little Neck, cost of $2 million or more per to 11 years’ worth of broken Metro North is just a guess. from either the LIRR or Metro Douglaston, Bayside, Auburn- car or $20 million per ten-car promises, don’t be surprised It is not based upon any con- North to the subway. The bill dale, Broadway and Murray train set. Between design, en- if the first day of revenue ser- crete data. The cost could introduced by Councilman Hill on the Port Washington gineering, procurement, con- vice occurs in 2023, 2024—or easily be $100 million to $200 Daneek Miller (D-St. Albans) branch might be able to ac- struction and delivery, along later. million—or even more. The and supported by Transpor- commodate 1,000 to 2,000 new with inspection and accep- Miller and Rodriguez also MTA had to cut $5 billion out tation Committee Chairman riders if they are spread out tance, it could easily take five want to offer new LIRR and of the pending 2015-2019 Capi- Ydanis Rodriguez clearly over the 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. morn- years for the LIRR to acquire Metro North riders a free tal Program. The MTA has illustrates their lack of un- ing rush and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. additional rolling stock. The transfer to the subway. Ob- no surplus operating dollars derstanding concerning how evening rush-hour trains. LIRR also needs additional viously neither has traveled available to cover these costs. transportation works. Few will have seats. maintenance and storage ca- through either Grand Central Will Miller and Rodriguez Those city residents who Don’t forget that several pacity for any significant fleet Terminal or Penn Station dur- convince Mayor Bill de Blasio already utilize either the hundred to a thousand more expansion. ing rush hours. Both the East to increase NYC’s level of op- LIRR, Metro North, MTA Bus customers may be attempt- In addition, there is no room Side 4, 5, and 6 subway lines or erating assistance to pay for or NYC Transit Express Bus ing to board when the new to run additional trains in or the West Side 1, 2, and 3 sub- this? Don’t count on it. are aware the cost is more Elmhurst LIRR Station opens out of Penn Station during ei- way lines are already operat- than either the bus or sub- in 2018. Can you even imag- ther a.m. or p.m. rush hours. ing at or above capacity. The Larry Penner way. If you agree and follow ine the crowds if only several Penn Station is currently op- same is true to a lesser extent Great Neck the logic of Council members thousand of the daily 66,000 erating at 100 percent capacity for Atlantic Avenue Brooklyn Miller and Rodriguez, there New York City Transit subway during rush hours. If one of Station travelers attempting should be a reduction in the riders who utilize the Flush- the four tunnels is temporar- to access subway lines. There For the NYPD, this has been a terrible year Can New York City be tainly think so. It’s been a ter- murdered. As Lou Turco, up to government officials to those who are sworn to protect harmful to your health? rible year. president of the Lieutenant’s provide a path and various the public, have only embold- Not one year ago, elected But what about us? The Benevolent Association ex- methods for all to engage and ened the criminal element in officials from all levels of gov- murder rate the city is now plained, the hypocrisy is just better their plight in life, unit- our society. Patrick Lynch, ernment were flaunting the up, and shooting incidents too rich. The progressive left ing our citizens and not divid- president of the Patrolmen’s progressive left’s notion that and victims are bountiful. has made it more difficult for ing them. In unity there is Benevolent Association, was police officers were not to be Communities across this city police officers to do their job great strength. Police officers sickened by the tone of the trusted. Whether it was Presi- are sick and tired of seeing po- and in the same vein, caused provide the security frame- rhetoric as he stood shoulder dent Obama, former Attorney lice funerals. Poor judgment a segment of the public to dis- work which allows those in- to shoulder with police officers General Holder or Mayor de and irresponsible, dangerous trust the very people who are dividuals the hope that they mourning the assassination of Blasio, they didn’t miss a beat rhetoric do matter and elected sworn to protect them, thus too can succeed. Crushing the Police Officers Liu and Ramos to bang hard on the drum with officials should take heed in proving that New York City hope of the poor in our city by and then Moore and then Hold- great indignation, fueling dis- all venues and circumstances. can in fact be harmful to your alienating them from their er. Too many deaths lay at the respect for law enforcement And now…they dare to lec- health. protectors is disgraceful and feet of elected officials. in every corner of our nation. ture us on political discourse The city has never been dishonest. Can this type of dangerous in regard to the Planned Par- Shangri-La to those strug- However, elected officials Joseph R. Concannon rhetoric be harmful to your enthood clinic attack where gling, those seeking to build who are sowing the seeds of Retired NYPD Captain health? Police officers cer- another police officer was their way out of poverty. It is discontent and disrespect for Bellerose

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TIMESLEDGER.COM BT FT TL TIMESLEDGER, DEC. 11–17, 2015 13 COLUMNS Have we let our fears run away with us?

But what about this very 15-year-old. Lenore instant? Isn’t crime suddenly The parents who responded Skenazy “surging,” as the headlines In New York City, crime peaked around sounded even more terrified. suggest? They wrote things like, “The ■ The Brennan Center for 1993 and has been going down pretty oldest of my three children is Rhymes Justice at the New York Uni- in kindergarten. They have versity School of Law crunched steadily since then. In 1990, there were lockdown drills. I imagine with Crazy the numbers we’re hearing the fear and chaos of a school about. It found that while the 2,245 murders in the city. Last year shooting. The children, my murder rate is projected to go the number here was 333. son, the life and love that can ave we really all be- up 11 percent in America’s 30 be taken away. How will I live come convinced that largest cities this year—a stat with myself if something hap- we are under constant that does sound alarming— pens to them? I’m so scared.” Hterrorist threat? the numbers are still far lower murders per 100,000 residents,” that simply by stepping out of And another: The New York Times seems than 10 or even five years ago. according to the report, which your home—or, god forbid, let- “Is this the day? Will a to think so. In the wake of the Here in New York, the project- cited FBI and police statistics. ting your child step out of the shooter pick my daughter’s San Bernardino shootings, it ed number of murders by year- “In 2000, there were 13.8 mur- home—death beckons. school because it only has one ran an article titled, “ ‘I Think end is 357. ders per 100,000. Now there are The Times chose to rein- access road? What will she be About It Daily’: Life in a Time That is sad, of course. But 9.9 per 100,000.” force the idea that not only are thinking as she cowers in a of Mass Shootings.” as the report notes, “in abso- So while “Murder Rate we all panicking about mass closet? Or under a desk? Will But is this true? lute terms, murder rates are Up!” makes for a paper-selling shootings, but that this dread she be crying for me?” Seems to me that since 9/11, so low in many cities now that headline, “Americans Far Saf- is normal and perhaps even But the odds overwhelm- we’ve learned we’re made of, if even an increase or decrease er Than They Were 20, 10 and sensible after the California ingly say she will simply go not sterner stuff, then at least of just a few occurrences can Even Five Years Ago!” is just and Colorado murders. It did about her day and take her more rational stuff: We know cause a large change in per- as true. this by surveying the public math test. that violence is random and centage terms.” During the 14 years I spent with an online question: “How Crime is at historic lows. rare. For instance: If one person at the New York Daily News, often, if ever, do you think We are lucky to be living in Yes, rare. Especially here. in a million dies from a deadly my editor would sometimes re- about the possibility of a shoot- such safe times. Until we em- Let’s talk about local crime spider bite and the next year mind me that people read the ing in your daily life?” brace reality instead of the for a sec. two people die this weird, icky paper because “they want to Naturally, the people who headlines, we will not be able In New York City, as in most way, that’s a 100 percent in- know what can kill them.” answered are those for whom to enjoy life or let our kids out- of the country, crime peaked crease. But it’s not as if deadly But that isn’t precisely the this question resonates— side. around 1993 and has been go- spiders are taking over Amer- case. No one is writing thumb- many of them apparently crip- That is a tragedy. ing down pretty steadily since ica. (Yet!) suckers about the fear of heart pled by an all-consuming fear then. In 1990, there were 2,245 The picture gets clearer if disease. Only the most shock- of random violence. Lenore Skenazy is a keynote murders in the city. Last year we think in terms of deaths ing and unpredictable deaths “I would say I think about speaker and the author and the number here was 333. per 100,000. get this kind of treatment. the possibility of a shooting in founder of the book and blog That’s an amazing drop. “In 1990, there were 29.3 And these reinforce the idea my life regularly,” wrote one Free-Range Kids. Don’t play politics with the lives of carriage horses

“Neigh!” to their redemption? Should a horse have no access tarian issue. In 2013, de Blasio than 200 to about 70. Kfd We’re going to make a to pastures, have a nine-hour repeatedly and emphatically Just to be sure, the Coun- 8ccfe naughty list below. These workday, ride between SUV’s said he would solve this issue. cil members must once again N council members should only and taxis honking and blow- De Blasio blames the Coun- hear our voices — we do care Mayoral get coal in their stockings this ing exhaust fumes in their cil. Well, he’s partially right, for all beings. holiday season because they faces? Should animals that get because he does need their So we’re naming the City Spin Cycle are standing in the way of hu- “spooked” by loud sounds be votes to ban this industry, Council “Neighsayer.” Let’s mane treatment of our horses. the victims of an industry that but it seems that if he pushed pressure them for this new pro- tella, Caesar, Blondie, But first, here’s some context. insists upon their backbreak- harder he could have secured posal, which is not perfect but Chris, Doreen, Charlie, In 2013, when candidate ing work so that they can the 26 votes needed to pass the a heck of a lot more humane. Pumpkin, Tickles and Bill de Blasio was running for make a living? law to ban the horse-drawn In Brooklyn: Robert Cor- SOreo are just some of mayor, he vowed to ban horse- There are other ways for carriages in New York City. negy; Rafael Espinal; Daneek the names of New York horses drawn carriages in New York them to make a living, and But good news may be on Miller; Jumaane Williams. that have been killed or in- City. On “Day One,” he said. NYClass, an animal rights or- the way. On Nov. 25, de Bla- In Queens: Costa Con- jured while working. Well, now it’s past “Day 700.” ganization, has come up with a sio proposed a compromise stantinides; Elizabeth Crow- Working, really? That New York has the highest healthy alternative to the ugly that would limit the carriage ley; Karen Koslowitz; Rory would imply choice, right? It’s carriage-horse accident rate and cruel industry. Electric horses to Central Park, keep- Lancman. really no different than an el- in the country. Other cities, cars. Awesome, fancy, cool- ing them off the city’s streets. In Manhattan: Corey ephant in chains in the circus. like Palm Beach, Santa Fe, looking electric that cars can He has also proposed building Johnson. Like the decorated elephant, Las Vegas, Toronto and Salt take tourists on rides through stables inside the park so that In the Bronx: Andy King carriage horses have more Lake City have banned this Central Park and the congest- the horses don’t have to walk Like Mahatma Gandhi pain than pomp in their day. antiquated practice. ed streets of Manhattan. the one to two miles back to said: “The greatness of a na- And why is politics getting Sure, it was lovely to have a The big problem in all of their stables in Hell’s Kitchen. tion and its moral progress in the way of their release from horse take you for a ride when this is that we have political And finally, this compromise can be judged by the way its this prolonged bondage? Which we needed the transportation. gamesmanship interfering suggests reducing the number animals are treated.” Council members are saying But why is it necessary now? with what is really a humani- of working horses from more 14 TIMESLEDGER, DEC. 11–17, 2015 BT FT TL TIMESLEDGER.COM COLUMNS How Queens marked the holidays in 1959

the South. He was one of the 1 deadline for “tombstone” talking traffic signal installed last Americans to leave North promotions, where those re- in Flushing at Main Street and Vietnam as he officially closed tiring are boosted one rank, Roosevelt Avenue. The talking the ICA office there in May because he didn’t think “being signal, a tape recording syn- 1955. called ‘Admiral’ was that im- chronized with the visual traf- n The last veteran of the portant.” He was the first Jew- fic signal, announced the be- Civil War, Walter Washington ish officer to achieve the rank ginning of the flashing “Don’t Williams, died in Texas at the of ‘Captain.’ Walk” period and cautioned In conjunction with the was president of the Neptune age of 117. His body, dressed in The spirit of Christmas pedestrians of the dangers of Greater Astoria Historical So- Engine Company of 25-38 31st a Confederate general’s uni- turned in a twinkle when De- jaywalking during the steady ciety, the TimesLedger newspa- Ave., which manufactured form lay in state in a blue and tective Edward Egan complet- “Don’t Walk” period. Traffic per presents noteworthy events generators and electronics grey casket draped with the ed the transformation from commissioner T. T. Wiley said in the borough’s history equipment. He had gone to Confederate flag. Across the Santa Claus to detective. Egan, the messages were well-heed- Havana to seek patents for an world, American flags flew at who dressed in a standard ed by pedestrians, and that n December 1959, the Board invention which he described half staff, and President Eisen- Santa Claus costume, arrested the audio devices were being of Education was re-evalu- as “the only brushless genera- hower proclaimed a period of 17 persons in four days. Most of tried at crowded intersections ating its school fallout shel- tor in the world.” The Cuban national mourning until Wil- the arrests were in Harlem for before the decision to install Iter program to determine government’s charges against liams’ burial. narcotics violations, including them permanently. whether better—or closer— him were never made public. The first rabbi to volun- a 35-year-old man posing as a Queens moviegoers could shelter accommodations had After hearing the evidence in teer as a Navy chaplain after woman and having 30 bags of enjoy “Anatomy of a Murder,” become available to students. a trial which lasted only five the attack on Pearl Harbor in heroin in his possession. (And starring James Stewart; “A The Board reported that thou- hours, the Cuban military 1941, Captain Joshua L. Gold- they claim the 1950s was a bor- Hole in the Head,” starring sands of Queens students in court sentenced Martino to a berg, rabbi-emeritus of the As- ing conformist decade!) Frank Sinatra, Edward G. 49 school buildings in Queens 13-year prison term. His attor- toria Center of Israel, was to The Christmas season in Robinson and Eleanor Parker; would be without adequate neys planned an appeal. retire from the Navy on Jan. Queens saw bright lights up in “The Mummy,” starring Peter protection in the event of an Mr. and Mrs. Norman 1, 1960. He had made over 87 most shopping districts on the Cushing; “The Bat,” starring atomic attack on the city. Poulin returned from Saigon, crossings of the Atlantic and North Shore. Santa Claus made Vincent Price; and “Pillow About half of the students Vietnam, to Forest Hills. traveled throughout Asia and many appearances. Christmas Talk,” starring Doris Day and would have had to be trans- Poulin was an official with Africa. The rabbi thought that lights lit trees in the yards of Rock Hudson. ported to a suitable location the International Coopera- the main threat to America one- and two- family homes That’s the way it was in De- not more than 20 minutes tion Administration. He was was “softness” of discipline throughout the borough. A gi- cember 1959! away. active in many American Aid at home—in the moral fiber ant 35-foot Christmas tree in Astorian John Martino programs and helped carry of business, in human rela- front of Borough Hall was lit For further information, faced 20 years in prison in out the world-famous “Opera- tions and in general attitude. by Borough President John T. contact the Greater Astoria His- Cuba on charges that he had tion Exodus” in which almost His retirement was caused by Clancey on Dec. 15. torical Society at 718-278-0700 plotted to smuggle refugees a million refugees from North the 64-year age limit. He didn’t “Jaywalking is against the or visit their website at www. out of that nation. Martino Vietnam were transported to bother to do so before the Nov. law,” boomed the voice of a astorialic.org. A presidential race that is breaking all the rules

in the past. The question is, won the nomination and then William will this primary, with two won the two presidential elec- Lewis levels of candidates appearing tions after that. Today we face In Great Britain, national elections for debates, lead to a political a new challenge in the Repub- n atmosphere that is less than lican Party with more differ- by law run for three weeks. I am not Political effective? ent factions vying for power Action Since World War II, it has within party circles. saying that we should adopt that system been the Democratic Party In Congress there are nu- that has been looked upon as merous Republican factions, but the process could be improved. s we observe the 2016 divisive and fractionalized. but they all agreed to compro- presidential campaign That was certainly true in mise thanks to House Speaker at this time, it is cer- 1948 when the Democratic Paul Ryan. system should be worked out During the election cycle every Atainly an unusual Party ran as three different Usually when there are so that the number of candi- four years, the most interest in campaign. In the Democratic political parties with three three or four parties running dates would be more manage- politics is generated. That will Party, Hillary Clinton seems different presidential candi- in a national election, these able. be true next year and the inter- to have the nomination sewed dates. The organization candi- parties have broken off from In addition to this we really est will be put into the election up, as her two opponents seem date, Harry Truman, won the the two major parties, as oc- need a shorter campaign both by the voters. to have no chance of making race by a narrow margin. The curred in 1948 in the Demo- for the primary and general We have a strong democra- significant gains in the polls Democratic Party also had a cratic Party and in 1912 when election. These things could cy in our country, but there is high enough to seriously chal- significant number of candi- a third party emerged, led by contribute to a more effective always room for improvement lenge her. dates competing for the party Theodore Roosevelt. However, election process. as we move forward in the 21st In the Republican Party we nomination in 1972 and 1976. after these campaigns ended In Great Britain, national century. Let us hope that the started out with 17 candidates, The Republican Party dur- the major party candidates elections by law run for three national election next year although a number of them ing the years leading up to won. weeks. I am not saying that we will bring us the best govern- have dropped out. This type 1980 had many, many candi- When choosing party nom- should adopt that system but ment in 2017. of situation has not occurred dates. In 1980 Ronald Reagan inees, some type of democratic the process could be improved. TIMESLEDGER.COM BT FT TL TIMESLEDGER, DEC. 11–17, 2015 15 Queens’ Cannibal Cop Home fully aquitted by court Sweet Home BY GABRIEL ROM A disgraced former Forest Hills cop JUST GOT A LITTLE SWEETER had his acquittal on charges of conspir- ing to kidnap, kill and eat women up- held by the U.S. Second Circuit Court 30 YEAR FIXED RATE of appeals in a decision last week. Gilberto Valle—known as the Can- % % nibal Cop—was arrested in 2012 after 3.625 Rate 3.847APR* his wife discovered Valle’s online cor- respondences in which he mused over plots to kidnap and cook his wife and other women. Valle was convicted of the kidnapping conspiracy in March GILBERTO VALLE 2013 after prosecutors revealed chat- room discussions in which he talked and fantasies are his own and beyond about his cannibalism fetish. After the reach of the government.’” serving 21 months in prison, his sen- Valle’s lawyers lauded the decision tence was overturned by Judge Paul as both a victory for Valle and civil Gardephe in Manhattan federal court rights. in 2014. But prosecutors from the U.S. “The court’s decision today con- Attorney’s Office in the Southern Dis- firms what we have said from the out- trict appealed Gardephe’s decision, ar- set of this prosecution: fantasies, no guing that Valle’s fantasies could have matter how repugnant, are not crimes,” led to real violence. Valle’s lawyers said in a statement. The 31-year-old was an officer for “This ruling is a very important vic- the NYPD, but he was fired from the tory not just for Mr. Valle, who has now force after he was charged with kid- been cleared of all criminal charges, napping conspiracy. but for an open society that treasures A Manhattan federal judge over- freedom of thought and expression.” turned the guilty verdict in July 2014, Circuit Judge Chester Straub criti- saying that Valle’s plot was just a fan- cized his colleagues’ opinion in his dis- tasy. sent. Prosecutors had appealed, but Dec. “This is not a case about govern- 3 two of three appellate judges review- mental intrusion on one’s personal ing the case upheld the acquittal, say- inclinations and fantasies nor is it a ing Valle’s fantasies did not cross the case about governmental punishment line into criminal intent. of one’s thoughts,” he wrote. “Although it is increasingly chal- “It is, instead jury’s determination lenging to identify that line in the In- of guilt for a conspiracy based on defin- ternet age,” Circuit Judge Barrington itive conduct... a police officer’s use of D. Parker wrote, “it still exists and it the official database to obtain, outside must be rationally discernible in order the boundaries of his official duties, to ensure that ‘a person’s inclinations data about a woman whom he knew.” Apply for an MCU Mortgage today! 212-238-3521 | nymcu.org/mortgages Redesign of Principe Park Use promo code: BST raises sport safety concerns

BY GABRIEL ROM “If you allow the kids to hit toward the soccer field, you have problems,” Community members are not yet said Gary Giordano, district manager fully sold on a proposed redesign of of Community Board 5. “But if you face Maspeth’s Frank Principe Park, which the fields towards Maurice Avenue, some say would create safety risks. you will have the issue of balls going * 360 monthly payments of $4.56 per $1,000 borrowed. This APR (Annual The original design from the city over and hitting vehicles.” Department of Parks and Recreation Community Board 5 Parks Commit- was presented during a session held tee Chairman Steve Fiedler presented the APR and monthly payment term will be higher due to PMI (Private Mortgage Dec. 2 by the Parks Department and an alternative plan which he said would Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley (D- have the softball fields face away from Insurance). Rates in effect as of 12/03/2015. Rates and terms may change Glendale). the soccer fields, eliminating safety The proposed design provides for risks. On his own time Fiedler met located in New York and New Jersey. Loans and interest rates are two fully functioning softball fields with a private architect and drew up subject to credit approval. FNMA limits apply. Membership is required. and a soccer field, but safety concerns his own proposal, which, according to arose at the meeting over the proxim- Crowley’s spokeswoman is essentially ity of the two fields. Continued on Page 49 16 TIMESLEDGER, DEC. 11–17, 2015 BT FT TL TIMESLEDGER.COM Renewing Struggling Schools

by Michael Mulgrew The city’s new Renewal program, created with coaches, social workers and other professionals, President, input from stakeholders, is designed to focus on along with professional development for the staff United Federation of Teachers some of the neediest schools in the system. Early on the skills necessary to work with children fac- returns show that many of these schools have sta- ing these challenges. Cities and school bilized and in some cases are started on the road While in 2013-14 nearly one-third failed to meet districts across the to improvement. country have tried a targets for student achievement, the 2014-2015 range of strategies Students in these schools start out with deficits. School Quality Report shows that now 87 percent to deal with the Nearly 20 percent are English Language Learners of the renewal schools are moving in the right problems of poor and almost a quarter are classified as special edu- direction, measured by better attendance, more children and strug- cation. Thousands live in shelters or are doubled family involvement and other criteria. As a group, gling schools. Under former Mayor Bloomberg, up with relatives. Many are hungry, lack winter they showed gains in both reading and math on New York City relied on a “shutdown” strategy, clothes, or have medical needs, including glasses state tests. and hearing aids. Many have parents who are eventually closing 150 schools, including some Many of these schools have a long way to go. unemployed or who work long hours at minimum- that the Bloomberg administration itself had cre- Turning them around is difficult, particularly in wage jobs. ated. the face of years of cutbacks and systemic indif- While Bloomberg’s cheerleaders lauded his Teachers at these schools see these problems ference. These schools will require a multi-year approach, the fact is that many of our schools not as excuses, but as issues that need to be strategic intervention built on sound education – both older ones and those started during addressed to ensure that all kids have an equal practice, including custom-tailored supports for Bloomberg’s tenure – continue to struggle. opportunity to learn. each school’s particular needs. With its Renewal program, New York City is taking on tough work Renewal schools are being paired with non-profit In contrast, the de Blasio administration has that no one in the country has attempted before agencies to deliver services like health care and listened to teachers and members of school com- on this scale. munities. We know that it is difficult, but strug- counseling to students and their families. What’s gling schools can succeed – if provided the proper more, the nearly $400 million the administration support and resources, and a team approach that is investing in these schools over the next three years includes funds for hiring teachers, academic United Federation of Teachers brings all a school’s stakeholders together. A Union of Professionals

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TIMESLEDGER.COM BT FT TL TIMESLEDGER, DEC. 11–17, 2015 17 New Year’s Eve Rosedale girl competes AT THE in Miss Teen pageant DOUGLASTON MANOR BY TOM MOMBERG Thursday, December 31st, Nyah Stevens, 15, of Rosedale is preparing for her first beauty pageant 2015 7:30pm – 1:30am in January, hoping to go from there to representing the state as Miss New York at the National 2016 Miss Teen USA pageant. Stevens is a freshman at Bayside High School, where she maintains a strong academic standing and com- petes on the track and field team. She says pageantry is something she is looking forward to. “I always wanted to do this since I was a little girl,” Stevens said. “It kind of developed from there as I got older. I developed some independence and re- alized I would have to put in the work myself to achieve my goals.” And Stevens has pushed herself as she gets ready to compete in the pag- eant the weekend of Jan. 15 at the Pur- chase College Performing Arts Cen- ter—something she said has helped her gain a sense of responsibility and Nyah Stevens of Rosedale is competing in self-respect. her first pageant for Miss Teen New York in The Miss New York Teen USA pag- January. Courtesy of Sarahdine Stevens eant pushes teenage girls to have poise. NEW YEAR’S EVE MENU It is supposed to be less about compet- needs is sponsors. Her sponsorship s3#25-04)/53#/#+4!),(/52 ing with talent and ability, and more fee of $1,500 goes toward pageant fees, about exhibiting strong personality, room, food and board for the weekend s(/4"5&&%4#/,$$)30,!9 creativity and beauty. of the event. s&%!452).'/52&!-/53453#!.4!",% “I don’t look up to celebrities as Stevens already has the support of much as I look up to my mom and my her family, but the state directors of the s&/,,/7%$"9!.%815)3)4%&/52#/523%$)..%2 other family members,” Stevens said pageant urge contestants to connect when asked what has encouraged her. with and ask community businesses $125 Per Person All Inclusive “Many of my immediate family mem- and leaders to make small contribu- bers are immigrants, and I’ve seen tions to help them on their way. $80 Kids 10 yrs & younger how the women have pushed and Business sponsors can promote worked hard to be where they are… It’s their brands when they become spon- V.I.P Private Room is available min. 75 person guarantee all about how you present yourself to sors, and they are represented as such others as a woman and how you define during the weekend of the pageant. s &)234#/523% s 3%#/.$#/523% your own success.” Potential sponsors can reach out to Absolute Penne A La Vodka Pear & Gorgonzola Salad Stevens said her group of friends Stevens’ parents, Sarahdine and Ty- have been very supportive of her ef- rone Stevens, at [email protected],

s%.42›% s $%33%24 forts to get involved with the pageant. or donate directly at . Filet Mignon & Succulent Chocolate “Symphony” She is currently picking out dresses Prawn Shrimp and practicing public speech in prepa- Reach reporter Tom Momberg by e- s/0%."!2s$*4/02/6)$%-53)# ration for the event. mail at [email protected] or by s#(!-0!'.%4/!34s"!,,//.$2/0!4-)$.)'(4 But one thing the young woman still phone at (718) 260–4573. s7!4#(#/5.4$/7.,)6%&2/-4)-%315!2% SEAN CASEY ANIMAL RESCUE & NORTH SHORE ANIMAL LEAGUE AMERICA 63-20 Commonwealth Blvd. & Adopt A Pet Marathon Pkwy., Douglaston, NY 11363 thedouglastonmanor.com WesPaw Pets Call for reservations: 718-224-8787 44-05 Queens Blvd.

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18 TIMESLEDGER, DEC. 11–17, 2015 BT FT TL TIMESLEDGER.COM
     
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TIMESLEDGER.COM BT FT TL TIMESLEDGER, DEC. 11–17, 2015 19 nyrr.org/openrun Winter solstice onset

BY TOM MOMBERG

The Alley Pond Environmental Cen- ter is preparing for its annual Winter Solstice Star Party from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday. Members of the community are encouraged to dress warmly and come out to experience the astronomi- cal event. The winter solstice has historically been celebrated by many cultures, as it welcomes the rebirth of the sun on the shortest day of the year. The Yuletide 3 event was celebrated by Romans as a day for feasting on Dec. 25—the birth- day of the invincible sun. GET MOVING IN ASTORIA PARK The day was later Christianized, se- The Alley Pond Environmental Center hosts lected to represent the birthday of Je- its annual Winter Solstice Star Party Dec. Everyone is welcome at Open Run sus. But the solstice is an event people 19, conducted by an astronomer to educate of any culture or belief system can rec- participants abou the night sky. ognize and celebrate. NASA Free runs and walks every Saturday at 9 a.m. In the city, where light pollution is Meet us next to the restrooms at the track. prominent, the long dark nights of the constellation; the double open star solstice are the best time of year for cluster Perseus; the Winter triangle of star gazing. stars, which includes the bright star APEC’s solstice party is scheduled Sirius and “the North Star;” as well as two days before the actual solstice what will be left of the Geminid meteor Questions, or looking for more information about volunteering? Contact [email protected] or check out our website, nyrr.org/openrun. and start of winter. Astronomer Mark shower, which is expected to peak this Freilich is set to host the event and Sunday. point out the star constellations only The event is open to APEC members seen in the Northern Hemisphere for a for $9 or $15 for non members. Partici- This program is in collaboration with short time in winter. pants are being encouraged to bring NYC Parks’ Community Parks Initiative. #NYRROpenRun The environmental center said it their own telescopes or binoculars and Copyright ©2015 by New York Road Runners. All rights reserved. #OR_AstoriaPark will have a professional telescope set take the time to ask Freilich questions up so people can observe the Orion about the night sky. Do you know a Student of Distinction? TimesLedger Newspapers and Community Newspaper Group Meng: No ‘Oriental’ term invite your school to participate in our feature highlighting young people who are excellent students as well as BY MADINA TOURE sive and derogatory term that should no longer be used by the federal gov- role models for their younger peers. The House of Representatives ernment,” Meng said. “Nobody in our passed a bill sponsored by U.S. Rep. country, regardless of ethnicity, should Nomination requirements are: Grace Meng (D-Flushing) and U.S. be referred to in an insulting manner Rep. Ed Royce (R-Calif.) last week that by the government. It’s well past time A) That the student excel in academics in addition to removes the term “Oriental” from fed- to strike the legal use of this outdated participation in extra-curricular school activities. eral law. term. It no longer has a place in federal The bill removes all references to law, and I look forward to the day when “Orientals” in federal law and replaces it’s finally gone for good.” B) A nominating letter from your school’s guidance the term with “Asian Americans.” The In 2009, Meng—a member of the counselor and instructors describing the student’s abilities legislation, which was approved unani- New York State Legislature at the mously Dec. 2 by voice vote, is included time—passed legislation into law that and why they would be worthy of this recognition. in the North American Energy Secu- eliminated the use of “Oriental” in all rity and Infrastructure Act. official New York state documents. C) Please make sure that the student’s bio and a recent “The word ‘Oriental’ is an offen- photo are included with the nomination.

D) Categories are: 1) Middle School 2) High School 3) College Toy drive running in Briarwood civic group is accepting toys, games BY MADINA TOURE and books for children up to age 17, but Please send nominations and information to: cannot accept electronic or battery- [email protected], or mail to: The Briarwood Action Network’s operated toys. The collection boxes are fourth annual holiday toy drive for located in apartment buildings and at S. Rossi – 41-02 Bell Blvd., 2nd Floor, Bayside, NY 11361 children living at the Briarwood Fam- Middle School 217 at 85-05 144th St. ily Residence, a transitional housing On Dec. 12, neighbors will have an If you have any questions, you may contact me at: facility in the community, will con- additional opportunity to give to the clude next week. drive by bringing their donations to 718-260-4522 The toy drive, which kicked off Nov. the Briarwood Library at 85-12 Main 16, is ending Dec. 14. The non-profit St. from 2 p.m. through 5 p.m. 20 TIMESLEDGER, DEC. 11–17, 2015 BT FT TL TIMESLEDGER.COM 40 Years of Experience & Reliability WINDOW TREATMENTS CUSTOM DRAPERIES, UPHOLSTERY & MORE OaaKqnB]jp]ope_@eolh]uokbAranuSej`ksPna]piajp=pKqnB]^qhkqoOdksnkki BEAUTIFUL WINDOW TREATMENTS THAT MAKE A HOUSE A HOME

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TIMESLEDGER.COM BT FT TL TIMESLEDGER, DEC. 11–17, 2015 21 Council approves private school security fund

BY TOM MOMBERG vide school security agents for as many of the city’s over 600 The City Council passed a private schools as wanted to bill Monday that would estab- take part. lish a program to reimburse Councilman Daniel Dromm private schools for costs for (D-Jackson Heights), chair- security guards—allowing man of the Council’s Educa- Catholic schools, yeshivas and tion Committee and a former other private schools to pro- teacher, has publicly been in vide strong security for their opposition to any program students. that would put taxpayer mon- The measure passed 43 to 4, ey toward security at private with bipartisan support, and institutions. He cast one of the now awaits Mayor Bill de Bla- four nay votes on the bill. sio’s signature to go into effect Dromm could not be in the next school year. reached for comment on the The bill outlining the recent Council vote on the bill, $20-million-a-year program to but has said previously the city reimburse up to 300 private should not put funding toward and religious schools with private schools at a time when more than 300 students for hir- so many public schools are in ing private security agencies need of additional money. listed as qualified providers The bill was one of the first was introduced shortly after pieces of legislation Council- Thanksgiving. man Barry Grodenchik (D- The bill picked up 45 Coun- Oakland Gardens) got to vote A bill that passed City Council this week replaced a stronger bill that would have funded NYPD school safety cil sponsors, though some of on since being inaugurated officers at all private schools. those sponsors were absent into the Council. He said the when it came time to vote. legislation and bipartisan The legislation that passed support on the bill reflected “Private schools or schools this city are our children and Reach reporter Tom was a compromise on a pre- growing public concerns that of any other denomination they need to be protected,” Momberg by e-mail at vious $50-million proposal, religious institutions may be will be able to apply for fund- Grodenchik said. “We live in [email protected] or by which would have funded and a target for terror or other vio- ing to provide security on the uncertain times.” phone at (718) 260–4573. mandated the NYPD to pro- lent acts. basis that all the children in

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 BT FT TL TIMESLEDGER, DEC. 11–17, 2015 23 Sights and sounds of the season

In Woodhaven, the organizers handed out Santa hats to the youngsters who turned out in the unsually warm weather for the tree lighting right off Jamaica Avenue. Photo by Micahel Shain

In Bayside Hills, the civic association first lit up a king-sized menorah for the first night of Hannukah before the Christmas tree lights were switched on. Photo by Michael Shain

In Bayside Hills, the accordionists from music teacher Linda Holcomb's class at PS 203 play Hanukkah songs as well as Christrmas carols as the sun went down. Photo by Michael Shain

City Council Member Daniel Dromm (c) helps with the Christmas tree lighting duty at Regal Heights The Queens Botanical Garden crowns a daylong holiday celebration Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Jackson Heights. Students from IS 230 and their teacher, Lisa in Flushing with its own tree lighting, tastefully done in green. Mesulam (left of Dromm), provide the music. Courtesy of Council Member Dromm Courtesy of QBG/Anne Tan-Detchkov 24 TIMESLEDGER, DEC. 11–17, 2015 BT FT TL TIMESLEDGER.COM Come to Bay Terrace for the following free events throughout the Holiday Season!

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TIMESLEDGER.COM BT FT TL TIMESLEDGER, DEC. 11–17, 2015 25 Feline heroics earn 104th national recognition After rescuing a cat from a burning home in Glendale, NYPD receives award from PETA

BY GABRIEL ROM of the 104th, saving animals is part and parcel of being a New After rescuing Kit Kat, an York City cop. injured cat, from a burning “To be recognized by an or- home in Glendale, the 104th ganization as large as PETA is Police Precinct is getting na- good for the precinct and good tional recognition from an un- for the department,” he said. likely place. “It’s not all about cops and rob- Last week, PETA, a na- bers all the time. We are here tional animal advocacy orga- to help everybody, from the lit- nization, bestowed the men tlest cat to whoever else is in and women of the 104th with distress.” the Compassionate Police De- A picture of the distressed partment Award. As a further feline receiving oxygen from token of the group’s apprecia- an officer from the 104th went tion, a box of vegan cookies is viral on Twitter, showing a also in the mail. gentler side to daily police “We hope your team’s effort work. will inspire others to come to “A lot of people like cats ap- the aid of animals in need,” parently,” Wachter said. the letter from PETA Presi- Wachter announced the Kit Kat, who was rescued from a Glendale house fire in November, has been restored to health and is back at dent Ingrid Newkirk read. award at the precinct’s daily home with her owner. “Thank you again for your roll call and said that especial- compassion.” ly around the holiday season, sponded to the fire at 88th a special oxygen chamber and next to a TV set. A third fam- The award also comes after the rescue story boosted offi- Street, near 81st Avenue, but rushed to a veterinary hospi- ily cat, Bo, was found dead in the 104th rescued another cat cer morale. no other injuries were report- tal, along with another feline a bathroom. stuck in a sewer main earlier “It shows the officers that ed. Firefighters were able to survivor, Jinx. The two cats are in good in November. Officers opened the small actions that we do resuscitate Kit Kat with small One of the cats was saved health and have been reunited the main and found the cat, can have a real positive ef- breathing units on the side- after being spotted under a with their owner, officials at a which was hidden from sight. fect,” he said. walk after she passed out from pile of moving laundry, while BluePearl Veterinary hospital For Mark Wachter, captain Some 60 firefighters re- smoke. Kit Kat was then put in the other was found huddled in Forest Hills confirmed.

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28 TIMESLEDGER, DEC. 11–17, 2015 BT FT TL TIMESLEDGER.COM 2015

Gift shopping with an artistic touch Queens Museum gets heated this weekend with its Warming Up Winter Holiday Market

BY TAMMY SCILEPPI ing in the land of ice and snow. Miki must now be the family Shopping, live performanc- provider, and must persevere es and art form a seasonal against the North Wind. trifecta when the Queens Mu- Other acts on tap include a seum holds its Warming Up concert by the Corona Youth Winter Holiday Market this Music Project and perfor- weekend. mances by the children’s ma- More than 65 vendors will riachi group, Academia De be on hand hawking artwork, Mariachi Nuevo Amanecer, handmade crafts, books and and by the Ecuadorian youth other one-of-a-kind gifts. dance group, Ñukanchik Llak- “This is a time to connect ta Wawa Kuna. with artists and artisans in “As a museum, we feel this borough. To celebrate the committed to Queens and the joy of making and creating,” people in this borough, and we Silvia Juliana Mantilla Ortiz, know first-hand, the amazing Queens Museum artist servic- creative and cultural produc- es coordinator, said. “We have tion that in all shapes and professional artists, as well as forms enriches our neighbor- folks from our communities hood,” Ortiz said. “Let the fes- who make beautiful things in tivities begin.” their spare time. We invite you to support them and get unique gifts for the holiday season.” IF YOU GO The market is divided into Warming Up Winter Holiday eight areas sorted by category. Members of the children’s mariachi group, Academic De Mariachi Nuevo Amanecer (middle Market In “A Little Bit of Every- row), will perform as part of the Queens Museum Warming Up Winter Holiday Market this weekend. thing,” shoppers will find Photo illustration courtesy Queens Museum When: Sunday, Dec. 13, from 1 baked goods, CDs, jewelry and pm–5 pm even pickled vegetables. Other artist Susan Varo and her My second year in the holiday ping till you drop, or just in Where: Queens Museum, New spots will be dedicated to home Works of Art, LLC. market. need of a quick break, the York City Building, Flushing goods, clothing, jewelry, skin She will be selling original The popular all-things- museum has plenty of family- Meadows Corona Park care, books and paintings. hand-painted holiday cards, Queens website featuring por- friendly, live performances Cost: $8/adults (suggested), A section labeled “Curiosi- art-inspired notebooks and traits of locals, will be launch- Younger audience mem- $4/seniors (suggested), Free/ ties” will offer the out-of-the- acrylic paintings in various ing several new products at bers will probably get a kick children 18 and under ordinary items, like henna sizes, as well as 6-inch-by-6- the market and selling “a out of the Queens College Pup- Contact: (718) 592-9700 tattoos. inch original oil paintings. limited supply of everything” peteers performing “Miki and Website: www. In the books, cards and Flushing-based QNS MADE from their online shop: hats, T- the North Wind.” The story queensmuseum.org print section, shoppers will creator Amy Wu and her staff shirts, pins, bags and more. revolves around young Miki, find Elmhurst-based visual are looking forward to their When you are done shop- whose father has gone miss- TIMESLEDGER.COM BT FT TL TIMESLEDGER, DEC. 11–17, 2015 29 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE Give the gift of relaxation from Blue Bungalow Wrap up the holidays with everything from facials to massages at Rockaway Park spa

BY TAMMY SCILEPPI a full circuit of non-invasive make fun of me because I get cosmetic treatments, with the so excited when I find some- High-tech gadgets, design- latest technology, along with thing new,” she said. er handbags, sparkly jewelry pure and active natural skin- For 23 years, Rorke had a and name-brand items make care ingredients. It strength- successful design career, but awesome gifts, but as stress ens the muscles in your face, at age 50 or so, she decided it levels rise, some New Yorkers and enhances the skin’s natu- was time for a change to rein- are opting for a relaxing expe- ral glow. vent herself, so she went back rience over stuff this holiday Blue Bungalow Spa’s mas- to school and got her esthetics season. sage therapists are some of license. Blue Bungalow Spa & Well- the best in the city and have “I’ve always loved making ness at Beach 116th Street quite a list of clientele. All are people happy and feel good in Rockaway Park is a great New York state licensed and about themselves, and this place to relax, de-stress and certified. And all therapists type of work is like therapy rejuvenate. are now trained in different for me also. We all have things Clients enjoy much-needed forms of energy healing to en- to deal with in life, and some- down time in a serene envi- hance the treatment. times, it’s quite difficult…this ronment, while benefiting “In between your treat- journey we are on. If we can from cutting-edge technology. ments of a facial or massage, just take a little bit of time out And specials abound. you can use our Infrared to take care of ourselves, we “You can buy a shirt, scarf Sauna, and I could go on and can handle the stresses in life or any gift…anywhere, any- on about the benefits,” Rorke a little easier,” she said. time. But to give someone the said. And everyone on her team gift of one hour in a place to to- Blue Bungalow Spa owner Patricia Rorke (front, r) and her staff photo- Prices for treatments start is like family. tally relax and feel good about graphed at the Rockaway Park spa. Photo courtesy Blue Bungalow Spa at $60, and budget-friendly “Our staff is mostly local themselves, is priceless,” package pricing is offered. and some of the therapists owner and lead esthetician, some, holistically wonderful also developed her own skin “Every product we sell is have worked at prestigious Patricia Rorke, said. “We are workshops to our clients.” fitness program, designed to something I have used and so thrilled to offer some awe- The creative spa owner has target all layers of the skin. It’s fallen in love with. The girls PUBLIC NOTICE DIAL-A-BALLOON Professional Balloon Delivery & Decorating PLATINUM U DIAMONDS U GOLD & SILVER COINS Serving the Tri-State Area for Over 30 Years We Pay the Highest Price Cash in a Flash >O`bg 0OZZ]]\a T]`OZZ]QQOaW]\a

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TIMESLEDGER.COM BT FT TL TIMESLEDGER, DEC. 11–17, 2015 31 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE Let Us Cater Your Next Party Delicious Homemade Italian Food Select a gift to tantalize

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TIMESLEDGER.COM BT FT TL TIMESLEDGER, DEC. 11–17, 2015 33 Man dies after colliding SPECIAL with bus near St. John’s

BY MADINA TOURE The 44-year-old male operator of the bus was taken to Elmhurst Gen- 20 Month CD A 60-year-old man driving the eral Hospital with minor injuries and wrong way on a Hillcrest street in a 64-year-old female passenger on the front of St. John’s University died after bus was taken to Queens General Hos- he crashed into an MTA bus Monday pital with minor injuries, police said. night, police said. The bus driver and A preliminary investigation re- a female passenger on the bus suffered vealed that the Ford was traveling injuries. westbound on Union Turnpike when At about 8:30 p.m., police responded it veered into the eastbound lanes and to a call of a motor vehicle accident at collided head-on with the bus, which % the intersection of Union Turnpike and was traveling eastbound in the right 174th Street, according to the police. lane on Union Turnpike east of East The accident involved a 2004 Ford 174th Street, police said. Sedan and a 2011 MTA New York City The identity of the Ford’s driver APY* Transit bus, police said. was pending family notification and The operator of the Ford was pro- the investigation was ongoing by the 1.25 nounced dead at the scene by EMS, of- NYPD’s Collision Investigation Squad, ficials said. a police spokesman said. “The university was saddened to Kevin Ortiz, an MTA spokesman, Minimum opening deposit is $500 learn of a tragic occurrence on Mon- said the structure of the bus may have day night that resulted in a fatal car ac- saved lives. cident outside one of our main gates on “The overall structural integrity Union Turnpike,” the university said of the bus was able to prevent an even in a statement. “The entire St. John’s further tragedy by protecting the bus community mourns the loss of life and operator and customers on the bus,” 30 Month CD our thoughts and prayers go out to the Ortiz said in a statement. victim and his family.” Driver charged in three deaths % of car crash victims in Bayside

APY* BY TOM MOMBERG years in prison. According to the police investiga- 1.50 The Jackson Heights woman who tion from the July 1 incident and the drove into another car, killing a moth- resulting criminal charges, Burns al- er and her two daughters, in a Bayside legedly was speeding while driving Minimum opening deposit is $500 crash in July has been charged with northbound on 210th Street behind MS manslaughter, the Queens DA said. 74, and crossed the double-yellow line Deborah Burns, 46, had allegedly on the road into oncoming traffic, be- Visit your local branch driven recklessly at excessively high fore coming up on the Horace Harding speeds in a 25 mile-per-hour school zone, Expressway service road. DA Richard Brown said, based on the The crash data from the on-board or open online today! police investigation into the incident. computer of Burns’ 2006 Ford Explorer “This frightening crash happened indicated she was traveling faster than right in front of a school and could 60 miles per hour just seconds before have been even more horrific if stu- striking a Toyota Camry carrying a dents had been present at the time,” family of five from Flushing, accord- Brown said in a statement. “This is an- ing to the criminal complaint. www.ridgewoodbank.com other example of how deadly motor ve- The Camry spun out of control and hicles can be and the consequences of struck a tree, the complaint said. The climbing behind the wheel of a car and three passengers in the rear seat of the engaging in reckless behavior. The de- Camry died as a result of the accident. fendant is now facing a long prison sen- Susanna Ha, 42, and her daughter tence, if convicted.” Angelica Ha, 10, died at the hospital Burns was arraigned in Queens within hours of the crash, and her other Criminal Court this week after the crim- daughter, Michelle Ung, 8, died days inal complaint was filed with the DA. later in the hospital as a result of her in- She was arraigned on three counts juries, according to the complaint. Susanna Ha’s father, Young Ju Ha, *Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is as of November 14, 2015, and is subject to of second-degree manslaughter and change without notice. Maximum deposit is $250,000. FDIC regulations apply. The three counts of criminally negligent 74, who was driving the Camry, and bank is not responsible for typographical errors. Substantial penalties for early homicide, as well as two counts of mother, Chung Ock Ha, 67, who was felony assault and two counts of reck- in the front passenger seat during the withdrawal. Fees could reduce earnings. Member FDIC less driving, the DA said. Brown said if crash, survived but sustained severe she is convicted, she could face up to 15 injuries. 34 TIMESLEDGER, DEC. 11–17, 2015 BT FT TL TIMESLEDGER.COM Did You Know? That property owners and their insurance companies are responsible if you are injured by a dangerous condition.

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TIMESLEDGER.COM BT FT TL TIMESLEDGER, DEC. 11–17, 2015 35 Putting the holiday spirit into action

Getting ready to the march in the Second Annual Children's Parade down up Bell Boulevard, the contingent Bayside's version of the Rockettes get a kick line going for the Children's from PS 41 rolls out its banner. Photo by Julie Weissman Parade on Bell Boulevard. Courtesy of the Bayside BID

At the Queens Center Mall, state Sen. Jose Peralta distributes toys to non-profits and shelters as part of his Holiday Toy Drive. Twenty local organizations received gifts to give away. Courtesy of State Sen. Peralta

Councilman Paul Vallone, Thomas Grech of the Queens Chamber of Commerce and Santa Claus celebrate the Little Pammy Fawkes shows off her local-interest T-shirt at the Bayside tree lighting in Whitestone with some of Christmas' biggest fans. Courtesy of Councilman Vallone holiday parade. Photo by Julie Weissman 36 TIMESLEDGER, DEC. 11–17, 2015 BT FT TL TIMESLEDGER.COM LATE “It’s the most Wonderful Time of the Year”

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TIMESLEDGER.COM BT FT TL TIMESLEDGER, DEC. 11–17, 2015 37 EDUCATION Early start for computer classes Schools are pushing to bring technology to all students beginning with kindergartners

oday’s youth are well search tools. A technology versed in transitioning device that will position your their computers and student to be successful now Tphones from school to and in their transition to col- home, and futurists believe lege and career is the perfect that will be even more neces- holiday gift. sary in coming years. Cost-effective technology That is something to con- such as the Intel processor- sider when buying technology powered Chromebook is be- devices this holiday season. ing embraced by entire school Project Tomorrow’s recent districts for its fostering of Speak Up Data shares that streamlined education allow- “students in a blended learn- ing faculty and IT administra- ing environment — utilizing tors to communicate with stu- both physical books and on- dents at school and at home. line digital resources — are As a bonus, your student can more likely to self-direct their also use a Chromebook to so- learning outside of school.” cialize with friends and en- Personal learning devices gage in fun learning apps and are once again projected to be popular gaming sites. popular gifts this season. The “This is a whole new defi- best tech device options allow nition of what school looks your student to learn and play like,” Alice Keeler, Google for anytime, anywhere and in any A group of second-grade students take a computer science class. Schools in New York City and San Francisco Education certified innovator, environment. have committed to offering computer classes to students in all grade levels. AP Photo/Elaine Thompson said. “Students can ask ques- The critical items to con- tions by posting to the stream sider are devices that allow in Google Classroom 24/7, and full access to learning appli- hour batteries, keyboards friendly weight, powerful loading videos and access to since other students have ac- cations. You also want 9-plus easy connectivity, a backpack- browsers that allow for fast- school assignments and re- Continued on Page 39

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38 TIMESLEDGER, DEC. 11–17, 2015 BT FT TL TIMESLEDGER.COM EDUCATION

Members of PS 154’s Green Team received an award for their sustainable initiatives during a ceremony at the Flushing school last year. Schools see green HAVE YOU FOUND THE YOU IN YOU? when they recycle Green teams are forming at el- schools recycled more than 51 million ementary and high schools all over bottles and cans since the program the country and reinventing the way kicked off in 2010. their communities view waste and re- School recycling programs provide cycling. structure and incentives for teachers Students and teachers build sheds and PTA parents so they can take recy- and design bins to house hundreds of cling to the next level at their schools. collected bottles and cans. They use Recycle rally, for example, provides their schools’ daily announcements to curriculum, guides and performance share original songs and music videos reports, plus multiple opportunities to about how to drop it in the bin. earn supplies and rewards. Devoted teachers, such as Drew What You Can Do: Johnson of Salem, Ill., are leading the In addition to helping your kids re- way by advocating for the creation of cycle cans and bottles, there are sever- these groups and empowering stu- al steps you can take at home to make dents to become leaders themselves. the world a greener place, including: An avid recycler, Johnson first • Look around the house for plastic introduced recycling to his school containers that can be upcycled to cre- in 2010 and today he co-sponsors the ate something new. school’s Green Clean Recycling Team • Turn off lights when you leave a alongside teacher Kari Thackrey. room to conserve energy. The duo oversees a group of 30 stu- • Plant a garden or tree in your dents who have rallied the school and backyard. community to collect thousands of • Use both sides of a piece of paper beverage containers to date. when taking notes or creating art- Leaders are shining at schools na- work. Throw scrap paper in a recy- tionwide, their success rewarded and cling receptacle instead of a trash bin. measured by organized school recy- • Beautify your neighborhood by cling programs, such as PepsiCo’s Re- organizing a garbage pickup. cycle Rally, whose 1,500 participating You’ve earned a high school degree, but you need more to take that fi rst step forward. Find your niche and move ahead through NYUSPS Professional Pathways. Earn a Diploma that is specifi cally designed to provide you with in-demand The Intel-powered Chromebook addresses that need for multitasking skills in a growing fi eld. Learn from industry professionals, Computers with several advantages over ARM and in as little as one semester, gain the competitive edge Continued from Page 38 process-based models. through online career development modules that prepare In a report last year, those advan- you for the job market. It’s the fastest, smartest way to cess to the stream, students are able to tages included a 57 percent longer bat- learn from and help each other.” tery life while web browsing, 46 per- reach your full potential. The ability to handle such multi- cent less waiting to read a textbook or tasking is projected to serve youth take notes online, 47 percent less wait- Apply today at sps.nyu.edu/diplomas07 well in the coming decades as technol- ing to do math homework online, 50 or call 212-998-7200. ogy evolves, according to a 2012 survey percent less waiting to create an Eng- by the Pew Research Institute. lish presentation, 46 percent less wait- Basic Project Management • Bookkeeping • Construction Administration More than 50 percent of respondents ing to team up in science class and 100 Medical Coding • Residential Property Administration • Residential Real agreed that by 2020, “the environment percent more frames per second while Estate Brokerage • Restaurant Operations and Guest Service itself will be full of data that can be re- rendering an anatomy situation. trieved almost effortlessly, and will be That’s partly why school district IT New York University is an affi rmative action/equal opportunity institution. arrayed in ways to help people young specialist Kyle Pace calls it “the big- ©2015 NYU School of Professional Studies. and old navigate their lives.” gest no-brainer in education.” TIMESLEDGER.COM BT FT TL TIMESLEDGER, DEC. 11–17, 2015 39 40 TIMESLEDGER, DEC. 11–17, 2015 BT FT TL TIMESLEDGER.COM Sudoku 42 Crossword Puzzle 44 Guide to Dining 48

TimesLedger, December 11–17, 2015

Dan McCarthy (l-r) on violin, Aya Hamada on harpsichord and Anneke Schaul-Yoder on cello, rehearse for the upcoming Queens Consort concert in Jackson Heights. Photo courtesy of Ben Rezendes and Elise M. VanderKley BAROQUEGOING FOR Queens of Consort perform holiday music on period instruments at Yuletide concert

BY TAMMY SCILEPPI group has performed this style of Eu- formed the group earlier this year, which are shorter and have different ropean classical music for years. along with longtime Sunnyside friend strengths for the repertoire they per- These days you don’t come across “We are inspired to bring authentic Margret Hjaltested, who plays baroque form than bows for modern stringed many musicians who have a particular period instrument performances to the viola. They asked the other members instruments. interest in Italian baroque music and Queens community,” founding direc- — Dan McCarthy, Aya Hamada and Smith said they are all looking for- have the ability to play period baroque tor and baroque violinist Claire Smith Anneke Schaul-Yoder — to join them. ward to the group’s evening Yuletide instruments at baroque pitch. Bermingham, said. “We value histori- Now the core group contains two concert on Dec. 19 at St. Mark’s Church But it seems clear that the conser- cally informed performance practices violins, one viola, one cello and harp- in Jackson Heights, where they can vatory-trained musicians in the group to study and recreate the original in- sichord. Their stringed instruments share their love of ancient music with Queens Consort do. tentions of the composers and strive to have gut strings and are set up in the the community. Three members come from the Juil- reflect this in our music.” traditional baroque style, and the “We feel the concert – requested by liard School in Manhattan and the The Jackson Heights resident musicians play with baroque bows, Continued on Page 47 TIMESLEDGER.COM TL TIMESLEDGER, DEC. 11–17, 2015 41 PRODUCTIONS fi rststringplayers/ “First Frost Festival” — For its fi nal “A Christmas Carol” — Titan Theatre Co. festival at the Chain Theatre, Variations presents a new production, with music, of Theatre Group presents a series of comedy the Charles Dickens’ holiday classic tale of performances, one-act plays, a visit from redemption. The Usual Rejects and their movie parody When: Through Dec. 20 and a new version of last year’s live radio Where: Queens Theatre, 14 United Nations production of “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Ave. South, Flushing Meadows Corona Park When: Through Dec. 18 Cost: $18 Where: The Chain Theatre, 21-28 45th Road, Contact: (718) 760-0064 Long Island City Website: www.titantheatrecompany.com Cost: $15 Contact: (866) 811-4111 “All in the Timing” — First String Players Website: www.variationstheatregroup.com presents this collection of one-act, mostly comic, plays by writer David Ives, which focus on language and wordplay, MEETINGS complications with romantic relationships and the meaning of life. North Shore Playwrights Circle Meeting When: Friday, Jan. 8 and Saturday, Jan. 9, at — Formerly known as the Playwrights Circle 7 pm; Sunday, Jan. 10, at 3 pm of Great Neck, this open group features Where: Our Lady of Mercy, 70-01 Kessel St., discussion, workshopping and writing exercises Forest Hills for playwrights in Queens and Nassau counties. Cost: $10 When: Every other Wednesday, 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm Contact: (718) 268-6143 Where: Atria, 96 Cutter Mill Road, Great Neck Website: www.sites.google.com/site/ Contact: Muriel, (718) 225-7382

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Answers in Sports

42 TIMESLEDGER, DEC. 11–17, 2015 TL TIMESLEDGER.COM Love is in the air at Queens Library Romance authors share trade secrets at annual Langston Hughes Literary Arts Festival

BY MADINA TOURE for 10 years. Alicia Evans, president and Renowned African-Amer- founder of the Sugar & Spice ican romance novelists dis- Club, moderated the panel. cussed everything from how The authors fielded questions they get inspired to creativity about how they got into ro- in romance writing at the sev- mance writing, what makes enth annual Langston Hughes the genre appealing and how Literary Arts Festival at the they keep their romance sto- Langston Hughes Community ries fresh. Library in Corona over the Hill said it can be challeng- weekend. ing to come up with new ideas The panel, titled “For the for sex scenes, which must be Love of the Words: Master Sto- written in a way that is not rytellers” featured Rochelle sleazy given the genre’s ro- Alers, author of “Cherry Lane” mantic nature. and more than 50 titles; Donna “I think the biggest thing Hill, author of “My Love at that I have is, you write enough Last,” who is considered the romances, how many ways one of the early pioneers of the can you have sex?” she said, African-American romance jokingly. “OK, so on the table, genre; and Renee Daniel Fla- in the hallway, in the beach, in gler, an award-winning writer the kitchen, on the floor, what and creative writing teaching else can I say? That’s the most artist. difficult part to write.” Alers has visited the li- For Flagler, romance is the brary multiple times, saying perfect genre simply because that it is like “coming home.” “love rocks.” Flagler teaches creative writ- “It’s real and it is power- ing courses at the library ful and I’m a champion of it throughout the year and Hill A panel of African-American romance authors discuss their passion for romance writing. because I don’t think it gets worked for the Queens Library Photo by Madina Toure Continued on Page 46

ORATORIO SOCIETY OF QUEENS ANNUAL HOLIDAY CONCERT Making Spirits Bright! Sunday, December 20, 2015 at 4 pm “Messiah” Part I Selections Holiday Favorites Queensborough Performing Arts Center 222-05 56th Avenue, Bayside, NY TICKETS: $35; $30 seniors (62+) and students with ID; $10 children (12 and under). To order tickets, visit our website www.QueensOratorio.org or call 718.279.3006

David Close Geraldine McMillian John Easterlin Vaughn Fritts Cantor Jerry Korobow soprano tenor bass-baritone guest artist artistic director & conductor

TIMESLEDGER.COM TL TIMESLEDGER, DEC. 11–17, 2015 43 HEY, HEY, HEY! RUN, DON’T WALK, Holiday Happenings TO THE FUNNIEST FEEL-GOOD COMEDY ON BROADWAY! GingerBread Lane — Experience Jon When: Friday, Dec. 11, at 6 pm Lovitch’s 500 square feet of gingerbread Where: Union Turnpike and 220th Street houses, businesses, parks and a boardwalk, traffi c island which has just been certifi ed with its third Cost: Free “ONE OF THE BEST COMEDIES consecutive Guinness World Record for the Website: www.hollishillscivic.org OF THE PAST QUARTER CENTURY. largest gingerbread village. IT’S BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE When: Through Jan. 9 31st Annual Langston Hughes Kwanzaa Where: New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Celebration — This day-long event includes I HEARD AN AUDIENCE LAUGH AS HARD AS IT DID. Corona music, arts and crafts, African folktales and I LAUGHED TOO AND SO WILL YOU! Cost: $15/adults, $12/seniors, students and stories. children ages 2 - 17 When: Saturday, Dec. 12, from 10 am - 8 pm IT’S SO FUNNY!” Contact: (718) 699-0005 Where: Langston Hughes Library, 100-01 Northern Blvd., Corona - THE WALL STREET JOURNAL Website: www.nysci.org Cost: Free Hollis Hills Tree Lighting — The Hollis Contact: (718) 990-0700 Website: www.queenslibrary.org Hills Civic Association will hold its fi rst tree lighting ceremony with carolers, free hot chocolate, holiday candy and donut holes. Continued on Page 46

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44 TIMESLEDGER, DEC. 11–17, 2015 TL TIMESLEDGER.COM York College slips into ‘Intimate Apparel’

BY VALERIE VICTOR talk to the actors afterwards. “I liked it a lot. I like the drama,” In Lynn Nottage’s 2004 play “In- Dom Jones said. “I like the cast, and timate Apparel,” a black seamstress most of all, it has very strong acting. dreams of opening her own business in It’s a classic tale, a woman falls in love early 20th-century New York City. too fast.” The period piece touches on issues The cast and the director want the of race and gender, but its main focus is audience to enjoy the experience and on the lead character and her struggle walk away with a number of different not to give up on her goals. messages. “We did research on the year 1905 to “What the audience will take away prepare for this play. It’s about an Af- from this is that not everything will rican-American woman in New York end up how you think it will,” Alvaro City during a time when women were Rivera, who plays the character Mr. at the bottom of the totem pole,” Janice Marks, said. “Even though things are Capuana, the play’s director, said. “We going in one direction, it can go in an- really needed to understand the time other direction.” and the period to really have the actors portray these characters well.” The plot develops as the main char- IF YOU GO acter Esther, a seamstress played by Danielle Taylor, works to open a beau- “Intimate Apparel” ty salon, and describes everything she encounters throughout the process. Alvaro Rivera (l) and Danielle Taylor appear in an scene from “Intimate Apparel” playing at When: Through Saturday, Dec. 12 “We really want the audience to see York College through Saturday. Photo by Valerie Victor Where: Milton G. Bassin Performing the yearning and diversity in the char- Arts Center, York College, 94-45 Guy R. acters. The strength and the dreams, Brewer Blvd., Jamaica and the hope the characters have de- story. reviews to date. Cost: $10/general admission, $7/ spite the world being against them,” “The seamstress falls in love and “I liked the way it’s set up, how they students with CUNY ID Capuana said. “We want to get them gets her heart broken, and everything portray feelings, it was very realistic,” Contact: (718) 262-5375 to dream that unfulfilled dream we all that happens after that is a sight to Shabeena Sameed, 19, said. “I think it’s Website: www.yorkpac.com have as human beings.” see,” political science major Marianne a great life experience.” Nottage even throws in a little ro- Tiesler-Megna said. During a recent performance, many mance and betrayal to flesh out the The play has received plenty of good of the audience members stopped to

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TIMESLEDGER.COM TL TIMESLEDGER, DEC. 11–17, 2015 45 “Quartet No. 14 in D minor,” Richard Lanham — This as well as classic holiday family concert includes Novelists Holiday carols. performances of Christmas Continued from Page 43 Continued from Page 44 When: Saturday, Dec. 12, at carol classics. 3 pm When: Saturday, Dec. 12, at enough credit,” she said. Jingle Bell Jazz — Linda Where: Jamaica Library, 3 pm, and Saturday, Dec. 19, Alers, who described Ciofalo and Co. present 89-11 Merrick Blvd. at 3 pm writing as a “sedative,” traditional holiday music Cost: Free, but tickets, Where: Dec. 12 at Laurelton is working on a project with a jazzy twist. available on Eventbrite.com, Library, 134-26 225th St.; Dec. that features romance When: Saturday, Dec. 12, at are required. 19 at Queens Village Library, for baby boomers, who 2:30 pm Contact: (718) 990-0700 94-11 217th St. are sometimes deemed Where: Ridgewood Library, Website: www. Cost: Free too old for passion. 20-12 Madison St. queenslibrary.org Contact: (718) 990-0700 “Unfortunately, one Cost: Free Website: www. of my editors ... thought Contact: (718) 821-4770 Jingle Bell with queenslibrary.org they were too old for Website: www. love,” she said. “So I said, queenslibrary.org ‘OK.’ I couldn’t give it to her. I just couldn’t give Hands on History: Winter it to her. Baby boomers Wonderland — Learn how need love, too. So I was John Crow Alexander, a community associate for the the holidays were celebrated able to find an editor Langston Hughes Community Library, shares the library’s in 19th century Queens. Make who’s a baby boomer history. Photo by Madina Toure a snowfl ake and scented and was more than will- ornament. ing to take it.” right here at Langs- School and the Move- When: Saturday, Dec. 12, Langston Hughes ton Hughes Library,” ment It Led.” from noon - 3 pm Community Library John Crow Alexander, MK Asante, an au- Where: King Manor Museum, and Cultural Center is a community associ- thor, filmmaker, rap- Rufus King Park, Jamaica recognized as a liter- ate for the library, said. per and college pro- Avenue and 153rd Street, ary landmark by United “Your Harlequin books, fessor, presented his Jamaica for Libraries. It is the your DVDs, CDs, VHS, memoir, “Buck: A Mem- Cost: Free first public institution those were first circu- oir.” Kwame Alexander, Contact: (718) 206-0545 named for the famed lated here at Langston a poet and author of 18 Website: www.kingsmanor. poet and author of the Hughes Library, before books, presented his org Harlem Renaissance. any other place.” book, “The Crossover.” “Most of the things The event kicked off Radio show host and Route 9 Ensemble: that are now very com- with a presentation by blogger Flo Anthony Standards and Holiday monplace in libraries author Mary Bounds discussed her journey Highlights — The string SEE THE LIGHT throughout the country on her book, “A Light as a writer and her lat- quartet will perform standard chamber music, Celebrate the end of Hanukkah with a menorah light- and the world in many Shines in Harlem: New est works. including Schubert’s ing in Hollis Hills, Sunday at 4:30 p.m. cases were started York’s First Charter

46 TIMESLEDGER, DEC. 11–17, 2015 TL TIMESLEDGER.COM of what early music was all Consort IF YOU GO about when they experienced The Queens a hauntingly beautiful per- Continued from Page 41 formance of 17th century Ve- St. Mark’s Church and com- Consort, Yuletide netian baroque composers, or munity – will be a beautiful Celebration composers who influenced the way to help celebrate the spirit Concert Venetian baroque composers of the holiday season, and living at the time. The con- just days before Christmas,” When: Saturday, Dec. 19, 7 pm cert program was inspired by Smith said. “For the perfor- Where: St. Mark’s Church, 33- Smith’s then-recent travel to mance, we will include two 50 82nd St., Jackson Heights Venice and other regions of recorder players as guest art- Cost: $15/general, $10/ Italy. ists, friends Daphna Mor and students, wine and food With television perfor- Lewis R. Baratz. The addition reception in the Parish Hall mances on “Late Night with of the recorders will add a nice after concert David Letterman,” “Saturday texture for the music we are Website: www. Night Live,” “The View” and programming.” queensconsort.com others under her belt, Smith Audiences will hear ancient has been featured in a variety music, specifically written of venues on both modern and for Christmas by Arcangelo chamber music and orches- baroque violin. Cellist Schaul- Corelli, Marc-Antoine Char- tral settings in many differ- Yoder appeared in a televised pentier, Johann Christoph Pez ent ensembles. Over the years, performance of Lincoln Cen- and Giuseppe Torelli, as well they have given performances ter’s, “American Songbook” as early Christmas carols. in Queens, Manhattan and series on PBS. During the baroque era beyond: at concert halls, in- “We were overwhelmed by (between 1600 - 1750), church cluding Lincoln Center, Carn- our audience support at our music featured the contrasts egie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, on first two concerts, and felt of solo voices, chorus, and or- Broadway; on television; and incredible support and enthu- chestra. And in instrumen- in professional recordings. In siasm from the audiences in tal music, the period saw the fact, Smith has been concert- both boroughs,” Smith said. emergence of the sonata, the master of the Astoria Music “It was particularly important suite, and particularly the Society orchestra for the past to us that we had a good turn- concerto grosso, as in the mu- 10 years. out in Queens because our sic of Corelli, Vivaldi, Handel The group’s inaugural intent is to bring early music and Bach. concerts took place in mid- to this borough where we live. All professional musicians, October, when 90 people came We are committed to bringing both on baroque and modern to their Manhattan concert quality baroque performances instruments, the close-knit and 120 attended their Queens to this community and con- Co-founding director of Queens Consort , Cla ire Sm i th B e r m in g ha m (a b ove), members of Queens Consort performances, according to sider ourselves the first early plays the violin. Margaret Hjaltested (top), the group’s other co-founder, regularly perform together in Smith. There folks got a taste music group for the borough.” plays the viola. Photo courtesy Ben Rezendes and Elise M. VanderKley

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TIMESLEDGER.COM TL TIMESLEDGER, DEC. 11–17, 2015 47 Guide toDINING

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48 TIMESLEDGER, DEC. 11–17, 2015 TL TIMESLEDGER.COM have been against it are the Verrazano and by 48 percent people who represent the Bay- on Henry Hudson, Cross Bay now available through its Move NY side area, the David Weprins and Gil Hodges, Matthiessen NYCHA Section 8 housing voucher Continued from Page 4 and the Tony Avellas of the said. Continued from Page 5 program, in which families world and Barry Grodenchik,” Avella called the proposal developers. pay no more than 40 percent The proposal has received he said. “nothing more than a tax on The daughter of a Nigeri- of their adjusted monthly in- support from about four dozen The plan would bring eq- those who can least afford it.” an immigrant said occupied come toward rent. elected officials, including uity to the cost for commuters “In an economy where houses that NYCHA owns The city housing agency state Sen. Jose Peralta (D-East and improve the transporta- the middle class has been have not gotten the mainte- not only provides public hous- Elmhurst), City Councilman tion infrastructure, he said. squeezed dry, real people will nance they need. The agency ing, but leases out commer- Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Sun- Mayor Bill de Blasio has absolutely struggle to pay for works with nonprofits like cial property and provides nyside) and City Councilman said he wants to have a bigger this policy and we should not Habitat for Humanity and the affordable housing as well. Donovan Richards (D-Laurel- conversation with stakehold- be putting them into that po- Restored Homes Housing De- As the city’s largest single ton) as well as Make Queens ers in the metropolitan area sition where they have to,” he velopment Fund Corporation landlord, NYCHA is actively Safer, the Riders Alliance and about how to strengthen the said in a statement. to help those families, some looking for ways to take its Transportation Alternatives, MTA for the long term, ideas Borough President Melin- renting the houses, restore current stock and create new according to Matthiessen. he said have been looked upon da Katz has also opposed the homes and get on a path to commercial and residential Peralta, the first lawmaker negatively in Albany and plan. homeownership.As for the units that it can lease to cre- to support the proposal, said would be hard to achieve. 110 abandoned single-family ate revenue. the Assembly is not consider- The proposal would in- Reach reporter Madina homes in southern Queens Olatoye said while NYCHA ing the commuter tax and that crease traffic speeds inside the Toure by e-mail at mtoure@cn- under NYCHA’s care, Olatoye is the largest such organiza- the opposition is coming from central business district by as glocal.com or by phone at (718) said she is awaiting approval tion in the country, it is also northeast Queens where pub- much as 20 percent, reduce 260–4566. from the federal Department the most outdated. It used to lic transit is limited. tolls by 45 percent on the RFK, of Housing and Urban Devel- be that federal funds helped “The people so far who Whitestone, Throgs Neck and opment for funds to repair balance the budget to provide them. That approval was ex- housing and transitional ser- pected to come by the end of vices to people and families this year, but Olatoye said who needed it. Now NYCHA she now anticipates that it needs to start making money munities suffer.” they worked hard, enjoyed will come early in 2016. off some of its properties to Muslims Blasio pointed out there their families and had big “We just need to get them reduce the costs of running were 1.6 billion Muslims dreams for their children to off our balance sheet and into public housing. Continued from Page 4 across the world and almost a do great things, just like every the hands of organizations To improve the quality of ers condemned the attacks in million across the city. individual in this country. that can use these homes to life for residents, she said the Paris and California, the may- “[Muslims] are law-abid- “This is absolutely his- start low-income families’ agency needs to set up new or was welcomed with loud ap- ing, good people and the few toric,” said 29-year-old Mu- pathway to homeownership,” revenue streams to maintain plause. who have chosen a different hammed Salahuddin, rom Olatoye said. properties and establish bet- “This city is a stronger path does not define them,” he Jamaica. “The feeling was When she was appointed, ter communication and col- city, because every kind of said. always like we weren’t being Olatoye said she was handed laboration of data with the po- community exists here. We are DeBlasio said violence heard. We were being mar- a $2.5 billion operating bud- lice and other city agencies. a stronger city because of the against any community is not ginalized. The racism has not get deficit. She said making “I don’t think you can just Muslim community here. This tolerated and would be pur- always been direct. It has been up the difference requires put this same way of doing community wants a relation- sued as a hate crime by the small, carefully crafted com- efforts on two fronts: actively things back together,” Ola- ship with the city.” he said. NYPD. ments. But as a Muslim you pursuing as many federal toye said. “We will need a He said New Yorkers should The Jamaica Muslim Cen- try to understand where the funding and grants as the completely new model—some- reject the notion that the city ter, also known as Masjid Al- other person is coming from agency can and pursuing a thing that will be unique to could be torn apart by racism- Mamoor, is a multi-purpose -- people are scared but so are different model for generat- New York but borrow models driven fear. mosque that caters to religious Muslims. We are scared, too.” ing revenue. and ideas from other cities.” “This Muslim community studies, prayers, celebration, NYCHA was able to cut of New York City is an ally in after-school programs and Reach Reporter Sadef Ali costs last year by farming out Reach reporter Tom the fight against terror,” he food service for all denomina- Kully by e-mail at skully@cn- the work to private contrac- Momberg by e-mail at said. “We need to be clear. The tions at 85-37 168th St. in Ja- glocal.com or by phone at (718) tors on 10 different restora- [email protected] or people of this community de- maica. 260–4546. tion or construction projects by phone at (718) 260–4573. sire peace and harmony and Many Muslim men at the understand a sad fact: When event, who feared a backlash acts of terror occur, all com- against the community, said While opening up those Parks parks might appeal to both law-abiding citizens and Continued from Page 5 criminals, the commissioner Besides the fund for the said the initiative is more According to a Meghan Crowley said. That money, and eight new projects, the other about making the best use of Principe Lalor, spokeswoman for New the redesign process in gen- $10 million is supposed to be park space, removing dead York City Parks, the syn- eral, aim to address flooding dispersed to more than 30 space and making it more Continued from Page 16 thetic turf used for the fields issues at two of the baseball current capital improvement accessible—trying the strat- Parks’ design flipped. Many of provides a uniform surface fields and replace the other projects the department is al- egy out in just a few parks to those at the meeting favored for multiple activities and is two with a soccer field. ready working on. start with. Fiedler’s design, according to easier and more cost-effective Much of the park has not Those current projects “In terms of safety, there a Crowley spokeswoman. to maintain. The Parks plan seen any significant upgrades have already been funded, is something called crime The Parks Department said would also have the existing since its inception in the 1980s. but in addition to what those prevention through environ- it would take the comments asphalt track reconstructed The last major capital project site plans already call for, en- mental design. We’ve met from the planning session for and painted, along with new for the park was done in 1996 trances could be improved or with the NYPD—what helps further consideration in its fi- site amenities that include which included a $3 million added, while adjacent spaces the park is better visibil- nal design plan. installation of drinking foun- upgrade to the playground, and edges of the parks could ity and more eyes from the “The park hasn’t seen any tains and trash receptacles. tennis and basketball courts. be more visible, lush and in- street—good uses pushing significant renovations in In December 2014 Crowley viting with money from the out bad uses,” Silver said. over 25 years,” Crowley said. allotted $5.7 million to update Reach reporter Gabriel Rom Parks Without Borders fund, “There’s a lot of drainage prob- the park’s four baseball fields by e-mail at grom@cnglocal. he said. Reach reporter Tom lems with many puddles, even and construct a running track. com or by phone at (718) 260– Silver said the suggestions Momberg by e-mail at in the warm weather. It wasn’t The current track is lined with 4564. the department gets from the [email protected] or well thought out in the initial asphalt and is not suitable for public will also be considered by phone at (718) 260–4573. construction.” an ideal running experience, for those existing projects. TIMESLEDGER.COM BT FT TL TIMESLEDGER, DEC. 11–17, 2015 49 50 TIMESLEDGER, DEC. 11–17, 2015 BT FT TL TIMESLEDGER.COM Sports Royals rout Loughlin Ashlie Howell’s triple-double fuels 19-point win for CK

Francis Lewis senior guard Taliyah Brisco looks for a layup against Truman. Photo by Michael Shain

Despite sloppy play, Ashlie Howell (c.) contributed 22 points, 11 rebounds and 10 blocks to Christ the King’s winning effort against Bishop Loughlin Monday. Photo by Louise Wateridge

BY JOSEPH STASZEWSKI mates saw it and kept going to days and to come out with that Lewis beats Truman her to exploit it. type of performance in the Christ the King coach Bob “I was really hyped for second half is good,” Mackey BY BRANDON MAUK 22 lead into the break. Lewis Mackey said in the preseason her,” Louisville-bound guard said. (3-0) knew it had to slow the that senior center Ashlie How- Sydney Zambrotta said. “She The Royals’ zone defense Francis Lewis coach Steve pace of the game down and ell was the key to his team’s was grabbing rebounds, go- forced the Lions (3-1) to take Tsai simply did not like how play together instead of forc- year, especially with injured ing back up. She was going jump shots they didn’t make his team played, even though ing shots. star forward Kaela Kinder out for spins and moves I’ve never or to drive into Howell’s out- that play resulted in a win. “I don’t know what that until at least January. seen her do before.” stretched arms. The effect of The Patriots missed easy was, especially in the first The 6-foot-3 Howell proved Howell, who has scholar- that was negated at times be- shots, turned the ball over, half,” Tsai said. “But I told him right against Bishop ship offers from St. Peter’s, cause of the Royals’ turnovers. and almost surrendered a the girls, for us it’s always Loughlin in a battle between Mount St. Mary’s and Robert CK’s back court is young and late double-digit lead, but next play. This game was just two of New York City’s top Morris, shot 8 of 10 from the inexperienced once you get they still managed to rack up about survival.” teams. She recorded the first free-throw line and sparked past the ACC-bound pair of a 59-54 victory over Truman In the third quarter, Lewis’ triple-double of her career a 12-2 fourth-quarter run that Toussaint and Zambrotta. in PSAL girls’ basketball two stars took the game over. with 22 points, 11 rebounds put the game away. CK went “Second half, I know my Monday. Taliyah Brisco scored seven of and 10 blocks. Howell tallied from leading by 10 after three team needed a boost,” Howell “We have a system in her 15 points in the first four 17 of those points in the second to 52-32 on a Dominique Tous- said. place,” Tsai said. “Some of minutes of the second half to half to help turn a tight contest saint layup with 4:40 to play in Loughlin was able to turn the stuff we were doing is give Lewis a 9-2 run. into a comfortable 66-47 road the game. its own miscues and missed definitely not what we advo- “We all talked to each victory in CHSAA Brooklyn/ Zambrotta scored 14 points jump shots into transition cate as a program.” Francis other at halftime, we built Queens girls’ basketball Mon- and dished out eight assists points, and the Lions pulled to Lewis (3-0) struggled in the each other up,” Brisco said. day. and the Virginia-bound Tous- within 34-28 with 1:17 to play first quarter, turning over “We spoke over all the wrong “I tried to fill in her spot saint added eight points. Bran- in the third. the ball 10 times in the pe- things that we did and that’s and more,” Howell said. dy Thomas chipped in a team- But the Royals—with plen- riod, and neither team scored why we came out stronger.” The Royals, defending dioc- high 19 rebounds. Milicia Reid ty of help from Howell—pulled until about 2½ minutes in. After Truman built its esan and CHSAA state cham- paced Loughlin with 18 points it together in time to leave Truman led 7-5 at the end of lead back to four, it was Sierra pions, led just 29-22 at the half and was the only Lion in dou- Brooklyn with an important the first quarter. Green’s turn. The senior, who before Howell asserted her ble figures. CK, playing its win. Both teams shot the ball finished with a game-high 26 dominance on both ends of the fourth game in five nights, is “The past year I’ve been better in the second quar- points. hit three three-point- floor. She took full advantage off to a 3-1 start because others in a shell,” Howell said. “I’m ter; Truman (2-1) closed the ers to give Lewis a four-point inside with Loughlin sopho- have stepped up in Kinder’s breaking out of that shell frame on a 7-0 run in the fi- lead early in the fourth. more forward Zaria Dorsey absence. now.” nal two minutes to take a 29- Continued on Page 552 out with an injury. Her team- “To play four times in five TIMESLEDGER.COM BT FT TL TIMESLEDGER, DEC. 11-17 51 Ex-Dozo star Rhoomes Queens-born boxer is excelling at Fordham loses Barclays bid BY JOSEPH STASZEWSKI hard shots and picked up the pace. A solid right in the fifth Joseph Will Rosinsky couldn’t round opened up a deep cut Staszewski fully size up Joe Smith Jr. over Rosinsky’s left eye and hampered him for the rest of ■ The Ozone Park native couldn’t build off a strong the bout. Block start and lost a unanimous “I wasn’t in pain, but when decision, 98-92, 97-93, 96-94, to the blood goes in your eye, it Shots the bigger and harder-hitting kind of blurs your vision,” he Joe Smith Jr. in a light heavy- said. “I kept wiping it to get weight bout at Barclays Cen- it out of my eye. I didn’t want Ryan Rhoomes is exceed- ter Saturday. The fight was to show that it was bothering ing his own expectations. part of the undercard of the me, but I had no choice.” The Fordham University middleweight title fight be- Smith, who has sparred senior forward is one of the tween Danny Jacobs and Pe- with Rosinsky regularly, most efficient and productive ter Quillin. dominated the middle rounds. big men in the country in the “I was boxing better in Rosinsky said nothing took early season, after a solid ju- the first couple rounds,” him by surprise, other than nior campaign. The former said the 5-foot-8 Rosinsky. his jab being a little better. Benjamin Cardozo star, who “His size played a role in the Rosinsky eventually averaged 6.4 points and 8.6 re- later rounds. He’s a big guy, a found his footing again in the bounds a contest last year, got tough guy. He had a lot of lit- seventh and ninth rounds. right to work with first-year tle elbows, hitting right at the He returned to throwing head coach Jeff Neubauer and belt line, which was smart. the combination punches he his staff once they took over in The refs didn’t catch it.” landed early, but Smith con- late March. He’s been a differ- Rosinsky (10-3, 10 KOs), nected on too many power ent player since. who now lives in Lynbrook, shots in between. “They forced me to be a clearly won the first two Rosinsky said he enjoyed better player,” said the 6-foot- rounds, thoroughly outbox- the night despite the loss. A 8, 235-pound Rhoomes. “He ing the long-armed, 6-foot- large contingent of fans made wanted more out of me than I tall Smith. The Archbishop their way down with a huge wanted for myself. I just had to Fordham University's senior forward Ryan Rhoomes is off to a strong Molloy and Queens College banner from his Engine Com- perform.” start this season. Photo by Robert Cole grad was super aggressive, pany 234 in Crown Heights. And so he has. landing some well-timed Rosinsky brought a flag from Rhoomes is averaging 15.7 Neubauer said Rhoomes is play. He has become a better combinations. Things were the group to the ring and had points and 7.6 rebounds per unselfish by nature and often defender also. Rhoomes’ im- going the way he wanted. the numbers on his trunks. game over his first seven con- passed to his teammates too provement has helped Ford- “The plan the whole time The experience was memo- tests. He tallied 20 points and much out of the post instead ham to its first six-game win- was to pretty much box him,” rable. 10 rebounds in a win over of asserting himself. He ag- ning streak to open a season the Brooklyn firefighter “I think it is even more borough rival Manhattan and gressively attacked the basket since 2000. said. so now that I am a fireman,” followed that up with a career- against St. John’s and yelled The team and personal suc- But the tempo of the fight Rosinsky said. “A lot of then high 26 points and 12 boards to at the crowd in celebration of cess has Rhoomes thoroughly changed after Smith (20-1, 16 showed out for that and more help the Rams rout St. John’s. each big hoop. enjoying his senior season KOs) landed a sharp right in firemen showed up. I had He is doing this while shoot- “I just think I have been after three straight losing the fourth round. Smith then fun.” ing an astonishing 75 percent trying to score every time I get campaigns. The possibility of began landing numerous from the field, which leads the the ball,” Rhoomes said. defeat doesn’t enter his mind nation. Rhoomes got to that point any more, just doing whatever “He’s taking the right by being in the gym consis- it takes to win. shots,” Neubauer said. “He is tently for eight months. Neu- “When I went out to play getting to his spot on the floor bauer said they worked on St. John’s, I didn’t even think and scoring the ball.” his patience when he catches about losing,” Rhoomes said. The upswing has come the ball with his back to the “My team has my back, my thanks to a retooling of basket. It’s not just the quick- coach has my back. I just have Rhoomes’ post game and a est shot or quickest pass any a lot more confidence this rebuilding of his confidence. more, but the best shot or best year.”

Truman took advantage of After forcing a missed Lewis’ anxious play. A 9-0 run, three-point attempt in the fi- Lewis capped by a three-pointer by nal seconds, Brisco iced the Continued from Page 51 Dyona Davis, made it a two- game at the free-throw line. “We started listening to point game with 25 seconds Perhaps much of Lewis’ our system and trusted [coach left. struggles was due to the new Tsai] and we started playing Green went to the line with makeup of the roster, with as a team,” Green said. 11.1 seconds remaining and hit players taking on new roles be- Lewis used a 15-2 run in both free throws to push Lew- cause of the loss of key players the fourth to go up 56-45 with is’ lead back up to four. from last year. Three games less than four minutes left. “The pressure, we’re not in, the Patriots still consider But instead of using the shot used to that yet,” Green said. themselves a work in prog- clock to take time off down the “We started rushing. We have ress. Ozone Park native Will Rosinsky (l.) dropped an eight-round deci- stretch, they began to press new girls, so we’ve got to adapt “We’re all still trying to sion to Joe Smith Jr. at Barclays Center last Saturday. with shots. to it.” play together,” Brisco said. Photo by Steven Schnibbe 52 TIMESLEDGER, DEC. 11-17 BT FT TL TIMESLEDGER.COM SJU gives Mullin fi rst MSG win as coach

BY STEPHEN ZITOLO it,” St. John’s Coach Chris see more of that as the year points and corralled six re- is coached by former St. John’s Mullin said. “It’s nice to win. goes on.” bounds in the half. It was part assistant Glenn Braica. St. John’s has been consis- But there’s a lot of stuff we His club did not pull away of his best game to date. Sima, Redshirt junior forward tently inconsistent this season. need to do better.” from St. Francis in the second who Mullin called a tough kid, Christian Jones pitched in 13 The trend continued on The Red Storm men’s basket- half. Ten second-half turn- shook off the effects of a dislo- points and nine rebounds to Sunday afternoon at Madison ball team (5-3) had trouble get- overs almost doomed the Red cated pinky on his right hand help Mullin get his first vic- Square Garden as the Red ting things going early on both Storm, as the Terriers made in the first half to score 17 tory as a coach in Madison Storm escaped with a 63-56 vic- ends of the floor. Turnovers a late second-half run to close points and grab 10 rebounds. Square Garden. It only added tory over St. Francis College continued to hurt the Johnnies within 57-55 with 36 seconds “It was really painful be- to his collection of fond memo- at the MSG Holiday Festival. on offense as the Terriers (3-5) remaining. Johnson again cause my finger was dislocat- ries from the World’s Most Fa- The win marked the 1,800th in capitalized on the sloppy play. stepped up and sealed the game ed,” Sima said. “But when they mous Arena. program history for St. John’s, With a little more than 6:00 left with a left-wing jumper and put it back in, it was way bet- “I love this place,” Mul- making them only the ninth in the first half, the Red Storm later sank two free throws. It ter. It didn’t affect me at all. lin said. “I always have and I program in the nation to reach were down 23-14 before finally was a bounce-back win follow- I think I played better in the always will. I think I enjoyed the historic mark. taking control of the game. ing a loss to Fordham. second half.” playing here more than coach- “Tonight wasn’t a pretty St. John’s dominated the Freshman center Yankuba Yunus Hopkinson and An- ing, but it was another new ex- game, but we will learn from remainder of the first half by Sima was also a key to holding tonio Jenifer each scored 10 perience.” going on a 19-2 run to return off the Terriers. He scored nine points for St. Francis, which into the locker room with a 33- 25 lead. Graduate student Du- rand Johnson led the charge with 10 of his game-high 19 points during that run. Mul- lin hopes it is a sign of things to come. “I think he can develop back into a consistent offen- sive presence,” Mullin said of Johnson. “He’s been up and down this year and frus- Durand Johnson hit key shots to trated at times, but the layoff help coach Chris Mullin win his first is something you can’t under- game at Madison Square Garden. estimate. I thought [Durand] Photo by Gina Palermo was big tonight and we will

TIMESLEDGER.COM BT FT TL TIMESLEDGER, DEC. 11-17 53 board’s decision to approve opposition from neighbors and his customer and the person Zoning the plans for improvement, new knowledge that the cur- Store owner who called 911. He was also because the complaints the rent operator has been storing sure of what triggered the at- Continued from Page 1 community has had with the totaled and junked cars in the Continued from Page 4 tack. mias, speaking on behalf of operator were unrelated and parking lot and on the street, the Bangladeshi Muslim. “He did it because he saw BP, pointed out that the ap- could not be made worse by the committee chairman rec- “I ran behind the counter the newspaper,” Haque said. plication to alter the original improving the site. ommended at the last minute and tried to call the police, “He looked at that photo for zoning variance granted when The community board zon- that the board turn down the but he came behind the coun- at least 2 or 3 minutes. I don’t the petrol giant took the sta- ing committee met with Nac- application. ter and started punching me want this to happen to any- tion over from Getty in 2011 is mias in May and brought up a The vote by the community many times,” Haque said. “At one, doesn’t matter religion, only to make improvements to few concerns in the details for board was unanimous. The ap- one point he fell on top of me color, man or woman.” the site. the improvement plans, which plication is supposed to go be- and I thought this is where Elected officials in Asto- Nacmias noted there have BP addressed. One of those fore Borough President Melin- he’s going to kill me. This ria were appalled by the at- been issues with the current concerns was the operator was da Katz at a zoning hearing in went on for 7 to 8 minutes tack. tenant and operator of the gas using mobile storage units on the coming months, along with when a regular customer of “In our neighborhood station and automotive service the site for auto part storage the recommendation from CB mine came in and saw blood and our nation, we pride center, which he is trying to and office space — which were 11 to deny the application. coming from my eye, my nose ourselves on our diversity resolve with BP in an effort to removed after complaints and my mouth.” and tolerance,” state Sen. Mi- possibly find a new candidate were filed. Reach reporter Tom Haque said the customer, chael Gianaris (D-Astoria) for operations. The committee initially rec- Momberg by e-mail at a Hispanic man who did not said. Hateful rhetoric leads to But he said the issues with ommended the board approve [email protected] or by want to be identified, helped hateful and violent acts that the current tenant should have the plans because its concerns phone at (718) 260–4573. him hold down Kolvani un- must be denounced and dealt no bearing on the community had been met. But in light of til police arrived. They were with aggressively.” called to the scene by a pass- City Councilman Costa erby, who heard Haque’s Constantinides (D-Astoria) rofoam bursts out of the holes, autopsies—on birds in the screams for help. said, “This targeted assault it Barges putting the ecosystem in dan- bay for his nonprofit, Coastal “I was terrified, I really unconscionable. This crime ger, she explained. Preservation Network, and was,” the shopkeeper said. is the antithesis of what Asto- Continued from Page 1 “That’s a bay that’s al- that he finds yellow foam from Haque was rushed to Mount ria is all about. The strength middle of the water. This is ready in danger, that’s already the barges in their digestive Sinai Hospital Queens where of our community lies in our not an environmental dump compromised because of all tracts. he was treated for bleeding, diversity. This small business yard.” the raw sewage that the city “I’m more concerned about bruising and a dislocated left owner is part of the fabric of The Army Corps said continuously releases into the environmental impact and elbow. our community and we all Caldwell and U.S. Coast Guard it whenever there’s a heavy the biological impact on eco- “When I came home, I told condemn this hate crime.” Capt. Michael Day recently rain,” Rosa said. systems,” Cervino said. my wife and she was scared,” Kolvani was charged with signed a joint memorandum Randy Ng of the DCH Drag- He also said some contrac- Haque said. “I didn’t tell my assault and criminal mis- concluding that the two rusted on Boat Club, which is part tors strip barges of their metal kids because I didn’t want chief, according to the NYPD. barges are deteriorating and of the Guardians of Flushing and sell it because the metal is them to be scared.” He was given a desk ticket falling apart. The owners of Bay, a coalition of dragon boat worth a lot of the money. Haque was back in his store and told to report to court on the barges are not yet known. clubs at World’s Fair Marina, Sean Dixon, Riverkeeper’s Tuesday nursing the injured Jan. 12. Mosley said the Army said that despite an annual staff attorney, said the organi- elbow and a black left eye. The investigation by the Corps will work with a com- cleanup of the creek by the zation’s patrol boats take wa- He was still sore and ap- NYPD’s Hate Crimes Unit mercial marine salvage con- Parks Department and the ter quality samples in the bay preciative of the help from continues. tractor, a private contractor Empire Dragon Boat Team, and creek twice a month, also that specializes in salvaging the barge problem is beyond looking to see if there are any ships, which will develop a community groups’ purview. Clean Water Act enforcement for LGA as well as the John plan for removing and dispos- A week before Thanksgiv- issues, he said. Noise F. Kennedy, Newark Liberty ing of each barge, Mosley said. ing, one of the barges cut loose “It’s good to see all those International and Teterboro Crowley met with Friends and started wandering off, Ng people turning back in and Continued from Page 5 airports—formed the round- of Flushing Creek, a nonprofit said, noting there are worries diving in to help make it bet- the past, Flushing has taken table. organization that wants a res- about a piece that has drifted ter,” Dixon said. a back seat to Bayside as far “Noise compatibility toration of the creek, at the end by itself. The Army Corp’s ongoing as speaking out about this studies, also called Part 150 of August and Riverkeeper, a “If there’s another bad dredging project in the bay— issue when we’re impacted studies, may result in recom- watchdog organization that storm or high wind, where (is) which will deepen the naviga- even more,” Carroll said. mendations for mitigating works to protect the Hudson that barge is going to end up?” tion channel to about 15 feet “I think it’s about time that aircraft noise,” the FAA said River and its tributaries, at Ng said. “And a lot of fear is and remove 166,170 cubic yards Flushing took the lead in say- in a statement. the end of September. that it’s going to be in the area of sediment from the water—is ing you have to come up with Warren Schreiber, chair- Alex Rosa of Friends of where people own their boats, expected to be complete at the a better way.” man of Community Board 7’s Flushing Creek said Styro- including the private cruise end of the month. Koo said the FAA has not aviation committee and vice foam is typically put into emp- ships that are over there.” conducted a comprehensive president of Queens Quiet ty holes in barges to keep them James Cervino, chairman Reach reporter Madina review of the flight paths ap- Skies, said Koo’s statement afloat. of Community Board 7’s en- Toure by e-mail at mtoure@cn- proved in 2012 and he keeps starts a “much-needed” con- But when barges are aban- vironmental committee, said glocal.com or by phone at (718) his patio door closed because versation and credited U.S. doned, the metal rots and Sty- he performs necropsies— 260–4566. of the noise. Reps. Grace Meng (D-Flush- “The noise problem was ing), Joe Crowley (D-Jackson not that bad in Flushing, Heights) and Steve Israel (D- announcing his resignation, from going into a place where but after that (2012) every Melville) with being vocal on Grodenchik but said just as the community it shouldn’t be. We fought day,they fly over downtown the issue. board works on the ground lev- something we were told was Flushing,” he said. “By the But he does not expect the Continued from Page 2 el to improve the quality of life a done deal. But it was bad for Sheraton Hotel area, you can FAA to revert to the old flight Commission. in northeast Queens, he can do our community, so we came actually see the airplane fly- paths, noting that they do not “I am going to miss being more in his new position in the out and fought it, and we won,” ing over and sometimes you notify CB7 of whether they a member of this board. Over City Council. Behar said. “I will still be here worry about it hitting the will alter paths as develop- these six years, we have given Referring to the School (at the meetings), but I will be roof of the hotel.” ers need a determination of input on a lot of issues to elect- Construction Authority’s re- representing the council mem- The FAA said changes to no hazard from the FAA and ed officials and city agencies,” versal of a plan to purchase ber.” flight patterns would result the PA. Behar said. “This is really de- the Bayside Jewish Center to from a collaborative effort be- “They do issue that deter- mocracy at work. We represent build a new high school, Behar Reach reporter Tom tween the Port Authority and mination, but they don’t tell the community and we speak said he is leaving the commu- Momberg by e-mail at the FAA and that the PA— us if they’re going to alert for the community.” nity board on a positive note. [email protected] or by which is conducting airport the flight tracks,” Schreiber Behar was remorseful in “We helped stop a school phone at (718) 260–4573. noise compatibility studies said. 54 TIMESLEDGER, DEC. 11–17, 2015 BT FT TL TIMESLEDGER.COM

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