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Jan. 2–8, 2015 Your Neighborhood — Your News® 75 cents THE NEWSPAPER OF FLUSHING, AUBURNDALE, KEW GARDENS HILLS & FRESH MEADOWS Willets Pt. biz ask city to fi x Mayor extends olive branch rutted roads Summit with police union offi cials follows protest at Ramos funeral BY MADINA TOURE Willets Point United, a group representing businesses and BY BILL PARRY land owners in Willets Point, is Mayor Bill de Blasio met with calling on the city Department the heads of the police unions of Transportation to repair in College Point in an effort to streets and infrastructure in defuse the tension that hovered the blighted area. over the funeral of a slain cop Concerns include the large last weekend when thousands of number of potholes and uneven officers turned their backs as he roads as well as the lack of litter eulogized their fallen brother. baskets and sewers, said Gerald De Blasio left the 2-1/2-hour Antonacci, WPU’s president. meeting with police without The neglected landscape commenting Tuesday. While falls within the northern and PBA President Pat Lynch said eastern ends of the area, partic- he thought the talks helped to ularly 34th Avenue, 126th Place, move things in a “positive direc- 127th Street, 127th Place, 35th tion,” none of the union officials Avenue and Willets Point Boule- would take any questions after vard, Antonacci said. the session ended at the new Po- “It looks like a third world lice Academy. country here and it’s because of A spokesman for the mayor them,” he said. “We need to be said, “Today’s meeting focused able to drive down our streets on building a productive dia- without falling into potholes and logue and identifying ways to breaking our cars and trucks. move forward together. The We’ve gone to the community mayor and police commissioner board about this and they’ve remain committed to keeping got this on their list of things to crime in New York City at his- do, but it just seems like nobody torically low levels, supporting wants to do it.” the brave men and women in The DOT and Community uniform who protect us every Board 7 could not be reached for day, and finding ways to bring comment. The $3 billion Willets police and the community clos- Point Development Plan will en- er together.” tail the building of a megamall The mayor had hoped extend- as well as commercial, retail and ing an olive branch might help residential space on the 62-acre bridge a growing divide after he Willets Point site. heard boos and catcalls Monday The developer, Queens De- at a ceremony for nearly 900 new velopment Group — a joint ven- PBA President Pat Lynch with police union officials leaving closed-door talks with Mayor Bill de Blasio graduates of the Police Academy ture between Sterling Equities and Comissioner Bill Bratton earlier this week at the new Police Academy in College Point. at Madison Square Garden. Continued on Page 32 Photo by Matthew McDermott Continued on Page 34 Clearing up Flushing’s traffi c woes
B ow i n g t o c ompl a i nt s ab out two traffic agents. The group units, commercial space and a traffic created by the Flush- agreed to take the steps to pro- new YMCA. ing Commons construction, vide greater protection to pe- See story on Page 5 the city Department of Trans- destrians as they work on the portation asked the develop- long-awaited multi-use build- ers of the project to install a ing in downtown Flushing temporary walkway and hire that will have 600 residential
A CNG Publication Vol. 24 No. 1 44 total pages McD’s closes on Bell Advocates push for Patrons shocked Big Mac gone after lease not renewed smoke-free housing BY JUAN SOTO smoke gets into an apartment, BY JUAN SOTO it stays there. Hilltop Village in Hollis- The advocate said he pre- There is a McMystery on wood has about 500 smoke- sented his proposal, in col- Bell Boulevard. free apartments. laboration with the Queens The busy Bayside McDon- And for Phil Konigsberg, Smoke Free Partnership and ald’s spot shut its doors unex- a smoke-free advocate, that’s the New York City Coalition pectedly, leaving patrons out the closest one can get to heav- for a Smoke-free City, to seven of their favorite joint to enjoy a en on earth. of the 14 community boards in Big Mac and a flavored coffee. For the past five years, the Queens, and to another one in The operators of the fast Bay Terrace resident has been Staten Island. food restaurant at the inter- pushing for smoke-free multi- The city Department of section of Bell Boulevard and ple-family housing residenc- Health and Mental Hygiene 42nd Avenue packed up every- es. He drafted a resolution estimated the adult smoking thing, leaving nothing behind. with that objective, and he is population in the city is about There is no trace that the Gold- presenting it to community 16.1 percent, up from just 14 en Arches establishment was boards across he borough. percent in 2010. once there on Bayside’s main “You go to restaurants, Currently, there are no laws commercial strip. stores, public indoor places preventing apartment owners “We just don’t know why it and they have a smoke-free and landlords from adopting closed,” said an observer who protective law,” Konigsberg a smoke-free practice, accord- follows happenings on Bell said. “But you spend at least ing to the New York City Co- Boulevard. half a day in your house and alition for a Smoke-free City. Customers were shocked you are not really protected.” Konigsberg knows he is in when they saw the doors Konigsberg said that in the middle of an uphill battle, close. Google Street Views is pretty much the only evidence left that there was apartment buildings, such as but recently his proposition “What happened?” a Bay- once a McDonald's on Bell Boulevard. Google Earth condos and co-ops, smoke from was passed by Community side neighbor asked Tuesday cigarettes can penetrate into a Board 7 in Flushing and Com- afternoon at the restaurant’s cy after Superstorm Sandy. ers and landlords in transition non-smoker’s home through munity Board 11 in Bayside. shuttered door. But the Canadian-based com- and puts them in touch with walls, hallways, vents and The approval is non-bidding. But McDonald’s had the pany, YM Inc., rescued Big M public and private organiza- electrical outlets. “Having He also spoke at CB 6 in clue to solve the enigma. and agreed to pay more than tions “to launch the business- smoke-free buildings is some- Forest Hills, CB 8 in Hollis, “The restaurant closed due $22 million to save the retail es with the right resources.” thing I strongly believe in,” he CB 9 in Kew Gardens, CB10 in to the expiration of the natural stores. The executive director of said. South Ozone Park and CB13 lease and the non-renewal by YM operates more than 600 the Bayside BID said the bou- When Hilltop Village in Queens Village. By next the leasing agent,” a spokes- stores in Canada, including levard is going through some announced the smoke-free man for the McDonald’s Cor- the chain Bluenotes. In New normal changes, including the environment back in 2013, Continued on Page 34 poration said. He added that York City, there were about 15 already completed renovation representatives from Long the multinational is already Mandee stores before Sandy of Dunkin Dounuts, Pizzeria Island Jewish Medical center canvassing the area in hopes hit. Uno and Karma Boutique. and the Queens Smoke Free of finding a new, suitable loca- “The closing of Mandee I He also said the Mexican Partnership, a nonprofit, said tion. understand was a corporate restaurant Cinco de Mayo their goal was to eliminate “We are in the process of decision,” said another source closed at its prior location but cigarette smoke from residen- looking for a new location,” familiar with businesses on opened immediately after at tial housing units in Queens the spokesman said. “We are Bell Boulevard. a new location on Bell Boule- by alerting the public to risks looking forward to the grand Mandee started in the late vard, tripling its size. Its own- caused by smoking. reopening.” 1940s as a family-owned busi- ers inaugurated the Peruvian “Much of the air in apart- Sometime before the Mc- ness out of New Jersey. foodie Piura Restaurant at ment buildings is shared Nuggets and McFlurries dis- A pharmacy also closed re- Cinco de Mayo’s old spot. among the residents,” Yvette appeared from Bell Boulevard, cently on Bell Boulevard. Also new is the Colombian Buckner-Jackson, from the the women’s clothing retailer “Nobody likes to see busi- Mr. Pollo 1 establishment that Queens Smoke Free Partner- Mandee, just down the block, nesses closing,” said Lyle opened at 42-20 Bell Blvd., a ship said at the time. “This also closed. Sclair, executive director of storefront that was closed for air travels through the unit The owners of Mandee, at Bayside Village Business Im- a few years. through vents, cracks, outlets A proposal circulating among 42-19 Bell Blvd., planned to provement District. “But we — it’s a huge issue.” Queens community boards would close shop more than a year try to help,” he said. Reach reporter Juan Soto by Hilltop Village is at 87-50 prohibit people from smok- ago when the parent company, Sclair pointed out the asso- e-mail at [email protected] or 204th St. ing in their apartments. Big M Inc., filed for bankrupt- ciation collaborates with own- by phone at (718) 260–4564. Konigberg said that once AP/Dave Martin IN THIS ISSUE HOW TO REACH US Police Blotter...... 8 Eldercare...... 21 MAIL: 41-02 Bell Boulevard, Bayside, NY 11361 Editorials and Letters...... 12 Borough Beat...... 23 PHONE: Display Advertising: (718) 260-4521 — Editorial: (718) 260-4545 New Voices...... 14 Q Guide...... 25-31 FAX: Advertising: (718) 224-5821 — Classified: (718) 260-2549 The Civic Scene...... 14 Sports...... 35-37 Editorial (718) 224-2934 E-MAIL: Editorial: [email protected] I Sit and Look Out...... 15 Classified ...... 38-43 Display Advertising: [email protected] 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, JAN. 2–8, 2015 FT TIMESLEDGER.COM FLIP Bayside moms take over kid-friendly e-newsletter Macaroni Kid website provides families with information on events in northeast Queens
BY MADINA TOURE ties that can be done at home. it into the calendar. Subscrib- Parents can sign up to receive ers can save events of interest For years, Bayside mothers their free weekly newsletter on the “My Macaroni” page. Beth Rivera and Kym Muscat by visiting www.bayside.com. Bayside Macaroni Kid have been involved in every- macaronikid.com. also tries to give back to the thing from the Parent Teach- “Our goal and mission is community. The owners are ers Association to Girl Scouts to provide our readers with currently giving subscribers of America in their communi- events and happenings in until Dec. 31 to submit their ties. our local area and then more names for two free tickets to a After discovering Macaro- broadly across New York City Big Apple Circus performance ni Kid, a nationwide e-newslet- so it would be sort of a one-stop at Lincoln Center Jan. 8 at 6:30 ter and website that provides shop … rather than Google, p.m. information on family-friend- come to Macaroni Kid,” Ri- Although the target audi- ly activities for parents, they vera said. ence is parents, Rivera said decided to operate the Bayside Rivera, who has a 12-year- the website can help business- chapter and pursue their pas- old daughter and an 8-year-old es in the area bring in more sion for community and fami- son, and Muscat, 42, who has customers. lies. two daughters ages 9 and 13, “From a business perspec- “It’s a chance for us to run took over the Bayside Maca- tive, for businesses in our our own business without a lot roni Kid website Dec. 1 after community who are looking to of the risk and to really dabble the previous publisher/editor target families in our area — into what we really are excited moved to Florida. Mothers Kym Muscat (l.) and Beth Rivera now are running Bayside whether you run a sports pro- about, and that’s our commu- The pair bought the URL gram or put together birthday Macaroni Kid. Photo Courtesy Beth Rivera nity and family,” said Rivera, from the corporate Macaroni parties — our audience of 550 39, co-publisher and co-editor Kid. They fund the website subscribers are your target of Bayside Macaroni Kid. through online advertising. the website, it had about 240 events calendar that includes audience,” she said. Macaroni Kid covers a wide Subscription is free. Though subscribers, but as of Friday, both free and paid program- range of activities for kids, in- the newsletter and website they had 550 subscribers. ming and a business directory. Reach reporter Madina cluding classes, events, shows, started in Bayside, it primar- Their Facebook page had 253 Individuals can submit events Toure by e-mail at mtoure@cn- book review, arts and crafts, ily targets northeast Queens. likes as of Friday. and the pair will then deter- glocal.com or by phone at (718) cooking projects and activi- When they first took over The website features an mine whether the event makes 260–4566.
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TIMESLEDGER.COM NE TIMESLEDGER, JAN. 2–8, 2015 3 FLIP NY to eradicate swans Four charters denied Gov. Cuomo vetoes legislation to save invasive species space at boro schools
BY JUAN SOTO
Mute swans can’t catch a BY MADINA TOURE be.” break. Over at Growing Up Green Gov. Andrew Cuomo vetoed City Schools Chancellor Charter School on 39-27 28th a bill that would place a two- Carmen Fariña rejected four St., 49 percent of students year moratorium on a state- charter schools’ requests to received a score of three or wide plan to eliminate about use public school space in two four on the math exam, while 2,200 of these type of birds. Queens school districts. 32 percent received a score of Many of the swans travel to Two Long Island City three on the English exam. waterways in Jamaica Bay, schools — VOICE Charter John W. Lavelle Prepara- Little Neck Bay and Howard School and Growing Up Green tory Charter School in Staten Beach. Charter School — applied for Island and New Ventures The bill to save the wild co-locations in District 30, but Charter School in the Bronx, population of invasive mute both of their applications were both of which applied for co- swans was a response to a state rejected. location in Queens School Dis- Department of Environmental But the city Department trict 31, were also denied. Conservation project to eradi- of Education approved co- In April, state lawmakers cate these birds by the year location requests for Success passed a law that allows char- 2025. Academy Charter School in ters that are new or are adding “It’s a shame that Gov. Cuo- District 27 and Success Acade- grade levels to seek public help mo has vetoed a bill that would my Charter School in District in getting a school facility, ac- have gone a long way towards 28. cording to the charter center. protecting New York State’s Students at VOICE Charter These schools go through a mute swan population,” said School — which Fariña visited legal process that begins with state Sen. Tony Avella (D-Bay- A plan by the Department of Environmental Conservation will eliminate and praised in September — an official request to the DOE. side), who sponsored the bill. the mute swans by the year 2025 in the state. have done well academically. Charters can either receive co- Avella, who is a member of During the 2013-14 academic locations in a school district the Environmental Conserva- and in 2013 the agency an- ment of native wildlife species, year, 70 percent of students in building or a private building tion Committee in the state nounced the plan to rid the degradation of water quality grades 3 to 8 received a score free of charge. Schools can Senate, said he was “disap- state of the entire population of and potential hazards to avia- of three or four on the math also receive funding to cover pointed” the governor did not the wild birds. The agency said tion.” exam and 39 percent of stu- rental expenses that could cost sign the bill into law. that mute swans first arrived But Avella countered that dents received a score of three up to $2,775 per student during He pointed out the legisla- in New York in the late 1800s, argument by saying “scientific on the English exam, accord- the 2015-16 academic year. tion had “overwhelming sup- but were kept in captivity. data does not back the decision ing to data from the New York The city approved 12 co- port from both the people and The DEC claimed the wild to exterminate the mute swan, City Charter School Center. location requests in total and the Legislature.” swan population causes vari- and public opinion stated time Franklin Headley, princi- rejected another 12 requests. The bill passed both the As- ous problems, including “ag- and again that the mute swan pal of VOICE Charter School Fariña said her decisions sembly and the state Senate. gressive behavior toward peo- must be saved.” on 37-15 13th St., said the DOE were based on ensuring good The DEC said the mute ple, destruction of submerged was receptive to the school’s learning environments and swan is an invasive species, aquatic vegetation, displace- Continued on Page 32 concerns and suggested they equal educational opportuni- seek advice for how to proceed ties for students. on the matter. “Our objective is to lift “They really heard us out up every child, no matter the about the subtleties of what neighborhood they live in or Cuomo vetoes bill to reform our space needs were and the school they attend,” Fari- we got a courtesy phone call ña said in a statement. “These before the letter was issued decisions reflect our focus on just saying that they were not ensuring there is necessary able to provide us with space,” space for school children to Port Authority with Christie Headley said. “But they were thrive while continuing to very concerned about our sit- provide an equitable educa- BY JUAN SOTO oversee the agency who would uation and they encouraged tion for all students no matter replace the actual executive me personally to seek advice of the zip code they live in.” The war is far from over. director and the deputy execu- on what our next steps should Continued on Page 4 The same day that the gov- tive director. ernors of New York and New As part of the reform, both Jersey vetoed legislation that governors would ask for the would overhaul the work of resignations of all board mem- the Port Authority, Democrat- bers. ic Gov. Andrew Cuomo and “The recommendations put his Republican counterpart forward by the bistate panel in New Jersey, Chris Christie, include important reforms unveiled their own plan to re- Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) vetoes a to address the Port’s ineffi- form the agency and make it bill that would overhaul the Port cient and outdated governing more transparent. Authority. AP/Mike Groll structure and will help bring In May, both governors or- new transparency and effec- dered an evaluation of the PA’s Among the recommenda- tiveness to the agency as it structure, management and tions of the panel, made public approaches its tenth decade of operations, setting up the bi- as the governors rejected the service,” Cuomo said. state “Special Panel on the Fu- legislation, is creating a sin- Christie spoke in similar The city rejects a co-location request from Growing Up Green Charter ture of the Port Authority.” gle chief executive officer to Continued on Page 32 School in Long Island City. Google Earth 4 TIMESLEDGER, JAN. 2–8, 2015 BT FT TL TIMESLEDGER.COM FLIP Vandals trash menorah Police investigate case as Hollis restores candelabrum
BY JUAN SOTO together to condemn the van- ceptable,” said City Council- dalism. Halili said the holiday man Mark Weprin (D-Oakland Police were searching for display at Hollis Hills was des- Gardens). “And an act of anti- the individuals responsible for ecrated Dec. 16 and then again Semitism on the eve of Hanuk- vandalizing a menorah twice Dec. 21. kah is deplorable.” in Hollis Hills set up at the in- The menorah was torn The elected officials joined tersection of Union Turnpike down in both instances, shat- the interfaith group by the site and 220th Street by the Chabad tering many of its bulbs. of the menorah. House of Eastern Queens. “It’s a Jewish holiday and “We, as a community, “I lived here for 30 years it’s very disturbing to see wholeheartedly denounce such and this is the first time an something like this happen- hateful destruction of an object incident like this happened,” ing,” said Rabbi Yerachmiel of religious significance and said Zion Halili, president of Zalmanov, of the Chabad will not tolerate it,” said state the Hollis Hills Civic Associa- House. “However, it will not Sen. Tony Avella (D-Bayside). tion. “In our community we stop us from continuing to do “Hate crime against one group have Jews, Christians, Mus- good deeds in the world.” is a crime against all of us.” lims, Hindus, Buddhists and The Chabad House sets up T he H ate C ri mes Task Forc e we all live together in peace the Chanukah candelabrum as is investigating the case. and harmony.” part of the holiday celebration. “I am confident that the The vandalism occurred, “The desecration of this me- hardworking members of Halili said, during the Hanuk- norah is very troubling, and I the 111th precinct will do ev- kah holiday season. ask all Queens residents to join erything they can to bring He pointed out the police me in denouncing these two justice,” said Assemblyman were investigating the two in- disgraceful crimes,” said U.S. David Weprin (D-Fresh Mead- cidents in which the menorah Rep. Grace Meng (D-Flushing). ows). “These deplorable acts was knocked to the ground. “These acts of intolerance of cowardice have no place “This was a hate crime,” he have no place in a civilized so- in our community where we added. ciety and must be condemned live, work and serve,” he said, The menorah, vandalized twice, is part of the Hollis Hills holiday decora- Community leaders, clergy by all.” describing the act as “despi- tions. Photo courtesy Hollis Hills Civic Association and elected officials joined “Any vandalism is unac- Continued on Page 32 Flushing Commons sets up walkway, hires traffi c agents
BY MADINA TOURE Property in March to fund the Traffic agents, along with first phase of construction. a temporary pedestrian walk- The DOT met with develop- way, will now surround the ment staff, who then agreed to Flushing Commons construc- hire two more trafffic agents tion site in downtown to Flush- and set up the walkway. ing to address pedestrian safe- The developers were operat- ty and congestion issues. ing under a plan the DOT had Nevin Jandu, 4 months old, lived in this low-rise apartment complex State Sen. Tony Avella (D- already approved, but adjusted just off the Cross Island Expressway in Bayside Terrace. Bayside), residents and busi- Developers hired two traffic con- their original approach at the ness and community leaders trol agents and set up a tempo- request of the developers. The development group called on the city Department rary pedestrian walkway. of Transportation to push the initially had two flagmen di- Beaten baby dies: DA developers — Flushing-based The first phase of , which recting traffic. F&T Group, the Rockefeller is expected to be completed “They basically asked to BY JUAN SOTO Queens Criminal Court pros- Group, AECOM Capital and by 2017, will open a section of amend their original approval ecutors will bring up more Mount Kellett Capital Manage- the municipal lot as an under- of the plan we had in place and The 4-month-old Bayside serious charges involving the ment LP — to hire traffic con- ground garage is being built. we’ve complied,” Michael Mey- baby who was allegedly beat- death of the baby, identified trol agents to manage traffic It will also consist of 150 units er, president of F&T Group, en by his father died from his as Nevin Janduher. in the area and come up with of market-rate housing and said. injuries, authorities said. A Queens Criminal Court a solution to protect pedestri- 219,000 square feet of commer- Meyer said the DOT may Jagsheer Singh, 28, was judge set bail at $200,000 ans. cial space. consider getting rid of the arrested and charged with when Singh was arraigned on “I think it’s a huge step for- The project was temporari- seven on-street parking spots first-degree assault, but a assault and endangering the ward by DOT requiring the de- ly halted during the recession, because the pedestrian walk- spokeswoman at the Queens welfare of a child charges. veloper to come up with traffic but F&T Group, the Rockefell- way encroaches on one lane of District Attorney’s office said The baby was left alone control agents and install a er Group, AECOM Capital and car traffic. this week those charges “are with his father Dec. 19 when temporary sidewalk,” Avella Mount Kellett Capital Manage- “If it exacerbates the very expected to be upgraded.” the mother, a radiologist at said. “The temporary sidewalk ment LP entered into a part- bad traffic congestion we Singh is due back in court the Long Island Jewish Medi- has already been done. That’s nership and were able to get already have here, if by do- Monday and it is possible that cal Center in Glen Oaks, went quick action by DOT.” $235 million from Starwood Continued on Page 34 during his appearance in Continued on Page 34 TIMESLEDGER.COM NE TIMESLEDGER, JAN. 2–8, 2015 5 FLIP Whitestone teen selected for citywide art show Bronx High School of Science junior among 11 Queens students featured in competition
BY MADINA TOURE pieces from a total of 34 stu- helped me figure out how to dents. The works are on dis- compose a photograph instead Ever since she was a little play at the hedgefund’s offices of being in the right place at girl, 16-year-old Erin Keblish in Manhattan. The students the right time.” of Whitestone was always sur- were honored at a reception Her mother, Tara Keb- rounded by art, her mother Dec. 8. lish, 52, who works at Nassau constantly taking her and her The theme, “Simplicity County Museum of Art, is an brother to art museums. in Complexity,” draws its in- artist herself, in the areas of She took up an interest spiration from the soroban, a drawing, painting and water- in drawing and painting as Japanese abacus dating back color. She would always take a result, but felt stifled when to the 1600s that uses a simple Erin and her brother to art the image that came onto the system of rods and beads to museums such as the Metro- paper was not what she imag- perform mathematical calcu- politan Museum of Art and the ined. That all changed when lations. Museum of Modern Art. she started taking up photog- Erin’s photograph for the And her husband works in raphy. exhibition, titled “6:55,” is a computer-aided design, which “I started to see it as you photograph of a stop sign at involves a mixture of techni- can compose it,” Erin said. “I sunrise. She was running cal and scientific skills, influ- got into more artistic self-por- late for the bus and was rac- encing Erin’s interest in both traits and that’s when I got ar- ing down an icy hill when she Erin Keblish, 16, is one of 11 Queens students selected for the Simplicity art and science. tistic because then I was com- came across the sign. in Complexity art show. Photo Courtesy Tara Keblish “If you expose children posing an entire scene.” “I was writing about the to these things at an early Erin is now one of 11 simplicity of the moment, how School of Science and is inter- phy class, with helping her to age, then they become com- Queens students whose works the sunrise was there and it ested in pursuing a career in understand photography from fortable with them,” Tara Ke- were selected for Simplicity in was just beautiful,” she said. biomedical engineering. She an artistic point of view. She blish said. Complexity V, an exhibition “It kind of made me forget my- considers photography to be also cited American photog- of original artwork from stu- self for the moment.” a hobby but says that science rapher Cindy Sherman as an Reach reporter Madina dents in grades 6 to 12. Keblish, one of two chil- and art are interrelated. inspiration. Toure by e-mail at mtoure@cn- The show, which is a joint dren, was born and raised in She credits Gayle Asch, “She (Asch) would help glocal.com or by phone at (718) effort by ArtsConnection and Whitestone by her parents. the school’s art teacher, who me look at the lines, how it’s 260–4566. Soroban Capital, featured 36 She attends the Bronx High taught her digital photogra- composed,” she said. “She PUBLIC NOTICE A GREAT READ 6$!48&.+# A powerful story of a child caught in the complex 402888PLATINUM DIAMONDS GOLD & SILVER COINS U U social service system, who grows to become WE PAY THE HIGHEST PRICE CASH IN A FLASH IRASGOLDENNUGG a college professor, community leader and a 4C 3 x 5.69 provider of youth services in southeast Queens. Amazon 5 Star Reviews: (O1LDE “This is a brilliant piece G N NU§2 of work touched by GGET excellence.”
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6 TIMESLEDGER, JAN. 2–8, 2015 BT FT TL TIMESLEDGER.COM FLIP Preservationist pens book on central Queens’ celebs BY SARINA TRANGLE
One Forest Hills native is out to document the neighborhood’s crop of stars. Michael Perlman, 32, said Arcadia Publishing noticed his historic pres- ervation work and column in a com- munity newspaper and asked him to author a book on the area’s notable residents. Perlman said he convinced the South Carolina-based historical pub- lishing company to extend the manu- script into Rego Park because histori- cally it was called Forest Hills West and the two nabes had shared roots. The resulting 128-page Legendary Lo- cals of Forest Hills and Rego Park de- tails the lives of some 210 late and cur- rent residents, interweaving historical contexts with biographical facts. The $21.99 book is due out March 2. A book by Forest Hills native Michael “Forest Hills and Rego Park I con- Perlman on the neighborhood’s most fa- REGISTRATION sidered a breeding ground for knowl- mous residents comes out in March. edge and creativity, and I tried estab- The League Starting January 3rd lishing that in my book,” said Perlman, a fourth generation Forest Hills resi- tler is kicking the opponent with both that feels Every Saturday 8am–12pm dent. “I came across more than 400 no- soles of their feet,” Perlman said in a all children Every Monday evening 7–9pm tables… and it was a matter of fitting telephone interview. should be playing (Except Mon. 1/19 will be in as many as possible without sacri- The book also delves into the es- Tue. 1/20 in observance of ficing too much juicy content.” tablishments known to host notables, and having fun Martin Luther King) Perlman said when possible, he such as the West Side Tennis Club, interviewed stars or their representa- which Perlman said was featured in Baseball for boys and girls Through January 26th tives and tracked down descendants Alfred Hitchcock films. for ages 4–17 of those who died via genealogical Eddie’s Sweet Shop, known for its Girls softball available We accept Checks, Money Orders research, perusing archives and on- homemade ice cream, Knish Nosh, for ages 10 and up and Credit Cards. line searches, including following up which specializes in Jewish pastries, on obituaries. For instance, he found and Bickford’s made it in as well. VISIT THE WEBSITE: relatives of Ascan Backus, a German Perlman said Bickford’s, a restau- The Club House immigrant who became known as the rant chain founded by a Forest Hills 25-32 168th Street BaysideLittleLeague.com king farmer of Long Island, which in- Gardens family with a reach compa- Lower Level cluded modernday Forest Hills in the rable to Starbuck’s, had one of the first FOR THE APPLICATION AND INFO 1800s. brand name airplanes. The book hones in on television “During Christmastime and star Ray Romano, the deaf and blind Thanksgiving, they would fly over the activist Helen Keller, fashion designer coastline of New England and drop Donna Karan, Telemundo executive packages of food to all of the light- Julio Rumbaut, musicians Paul Simon house keepers,” Perlman said. and Art Garfunkel as well as other The author said he intends to hold celebrities and the time they spent in a release celebration, and possibly a Forest Hills and Rego Park. book signing. He focused on lesser known facts, “I wrote it for history’s sake and such as the charitable foundation cre- to make my people, my neighbors, ated by Karan or the move pioneered visitors, past residents and future by the so-called Jewish Tarzan, Abe residents more aware,” Perlman said. Coleman, who was the oldest profes- “Hopefully, people who pick up a copy sional wrestler when he died at age of my book will somehow feel inspired 101. to be notable.” “He would travel to Australia, and during one of his tours, he spotted Reach reporter Sarina Trangle by some kangaroos. In doing so, it all led e-mail at [email protected] or by to the drop kick. And it means, a wres- phone at (718) 260–4546.
TIMESLEDGER.COM NE TIMESLEDGER, JAN. 2–8, 2015 7 POLICE Blotter
At the same location 19 years
OIL CHANGE, FILTER, LUBE $ 99 COMPLETE OIL CHANGE 32 INCLUDES: +TAX s Change Oil with Castrol s Check and Fill GTX Transmission s Choice of OW-20, 5W-20, s Check and Fill Power 5W-30, 10W-30 Steering $ 00 s Install New Oil Filter s Check and Fill Washer s Lubricate Chasis Fluid 5Expires s Check Air Filter s Check Differential Fluid 1/31/15 s Check Wiper Blades (Upon Request) Coupon s Inflate Tires to Proper s Check and Fill Brake Fluid Pressure s Install Mileage Sticker Gunman, lower left, circles the car and fires a shot at an off-duty ppolice officer before 130-07 MERRICK BOULEVARD fleeing. NYPD tXXXCMWERXJLMVCFDPN Mon.–Sat. 8 am–6:30 pm | Sun. 11 am–4 pm Masked man sought in S. Jamaica robbery
SOUTH JAMAICA — A masked man cover behind a car and identified him- armed with a gun was being sought by self as a cop. the police after he allegedly attempted According to authorities, the gun- to rob an off-duty police officer near man said he was going to kill the of- $$CASH$CASH$ the intersection of 113th Street and ficer and fired one shot before fleeing Sutphin Boulevard, authorities said. the scene of the incident. According to the NYPD, the suspect There were no injuries. 4=@ pulled a gun on the victim in the ear- Police described the suspect as a ly hours of Dec. 6 and told him not to black man, 5-foot-7 and weighing about move. The off-duty officer ran and took 150 pounds. 2WaVSa5ZOaaeO`SEObQVSaAbO[^1]ZZSQbW]\a=ZRB]ga :O[^a8SeSZ`g>OW\bW\Ua1]W\a/\bW_cS4c`\Wbc`S @SQ]`Ra;caWQOZ7\ab`c[S\ba1O[S`Oa>]QYSbEObQVSa Police seek robbery suspects in Astoria E30CGE30CG ASTORIA — Police from the 114th tured orbital bone around an eye. The / 8 TIMESLEDGER, JAN. 2–8, 2015 BT FT TL TIMESLEDGER.COM FLIP Women stars recall 5Pointz on national list fi rst game at MSG Trust places graffi ti mecca among fi ve sites lost in 2014 BY MERLE EXIT Teammate Gail Marquis went on to make her mark as a History was made on Feb. member of the 1976 U.S. Olym- 22, 1975 when the Queens Col- pic team that earned a silver lege women’s basketball was medal. She also was a member part of the first women’s hoops of the first women’s profes- game at Madison Square Gar- sional basketball team, the den. The inaugural game New York Stars of the Wom- against Immaculata may en’s Basketball League, to call have been a 65-61 loss, but to Madison Square Garden their coach Lucille Kyvallos, it was home court and won a cham- a win for women’s equality in pionship in 1980. Even with all sports. she accomplished, playing on History will repeat itself the Madison Square Garden this Sunday when the two floor with Queens College was teams square off again at MSG the thrill of a lifetime. as part of the Maggie Dixon “I was a teenager on the Classic to commemorate the same court as some of my pro 40th anniversary of the first basketball favorites like Willis game. The game will start Reed, Walt Frazier and Earl at 10:30 a.m. and will be fol- ‘The Pearl’ Monroe,” Marquis lowed by the featured contest said. “And as I was warming between St. John’s University up, I did think about being a and University of Connecticut woman in a man’s world and at 1 p.m. Queens College is 7-2 taking a small step forward to overall and 4-0 in East Coast make it equal for all of us.” Conference play. Sharon Manning went The Knights taking the from player to eventual court again at Madison Square Queens College head coach in Garden brings back fond mem- 1982, and from 1999-2002, she ories to those who were there served as the head women’s back in 1975. Donna Chait basketball coach at the New (Orender) remembers that day Jersey Institute of Technology and the crowd of more than and Fairleigh Dickinson Uni- 5Pointz is remembered along with several places and buildings by the National Trust for Historic 12,000 like it was yesterday. versity. She is currently the Preservation. She can still hear Helen Reddy athletic director of the College singing “I Am Woman” and of New Jersey. She, Maryann BY BILL PARRY rubble and rebar came down significance to many native the sense of importance sur- Jecewiz, and a few of their on top of her. American tribes in the region. rounding the game. other former teammates plan The demolition of 5Pointz “That scared the daylights The Woolworth Building, “That game was truly a on attending the game at Mad- is nearly complete and owner out of me,” Wolkoff said. “Even where the first sit-in protest milestone event in women’s ison Square Garden Sunday. Gerry Wolkoff is pressing after we were allowed back in took place against segregation basketball as well as all of There will certainly be plenty ahead with a construction I was always worried about in New Orleans took place, the sports,” said Orender, the for- of reminiscing going on. project that will see two luxu- the artists.” Mummers Theater in Oklaho- mer president of the WNBA. The year after the inau- ry residential high-rises go up He knew then that the mas- ma and Wheatley High School “To play in the mecca of bas- gural game, Queens College in its place. sive 200,000-square-foot ware- in Texas are also on the list. ketball, to break the gender played against Delta at Madi- He was surprised to learn house complex would have to “There’s a major differ- barrier if you will, was re- son Square Garden. Margaret the National Trust for His- come down. ence between those places and markable. The excitement Wade, coach of Delta, and Rob toric Preservation put the de- In October 2013, the City 5Pointz in that 5Pointz is com- around the game is something Franklin, head of collegiate stroyed graffiti mecca on its Council approved a special ing back,” Wolkoff said. “Just I will never forget.” Continued on Page 32 list of “Five Important Places zoning permit that allowed in a different form. Bigger, We Lost Forever This Year,” Wolkoff to develop the prop- better and most importantly joining the likes of the F.W. erty and after the 5Pointz art- safer.” Woolworth store in New Or- ists tried but failed, to stop When the 47-story and leans, a landmark of the civil him in court, Wolkoff ordered 41-story towers are complete, rights movement; and a sacred an overnight whitewashing of Wolkoff plans to call the com- native American place that is the work put up over the years plex 5Pointz. It will include being turned into a two-mile by as many as 1,500 aerosol 12,000 square feet of studio wide crater by mining. artists. space for the aerosol artists to “That’s crazy,” Wolkoff Demolition at the site be- return. said. “Don’t they know that gan this summer and is now “I’ve been screaming it building had to come down? almost complete. Only a cou- from the rooftop and nobody That place was falling apart ple of small buildings remain believes me,” Wolkoff said. and one woman was nearly facing Jackson Avenue. Now it “The artists will be back be- killed because the place was is remembered by the Nation- cause their canvas will be falling apart.” al Trust, a Wahington-based back. It’s not gone, goodbye Wolkoff is refering to Ni- organization that provides like those other places.” cole Gagne, a jewelry designer support and encouragement who was nearly crushed when for grassroots preservation Reach reporter Bill Parry an outdoor fire escape she was efforts. by e-mail at bparry@cnglocal. Legendary Queens College coach Lucille Kyvallos (l.) accepts a proc- descending collapsed on April 5Pointz is joined on the lost com or by phone at (718) 260– lamation to commemorate the first ever women's basketball game at 10, 2009. Gagne fell 3 1/2 floors list by Oak Flats in Arizona, 4538. Madison Square Garden featuring Queens College and Immaculata. and was wedged between two 2,400 acres of public land that Photo courtesy of Queens College wooden pallets as concrete has cultural and historic TIMESLEDGER.COM NE TIMESLEDGER, JAN. 2–8, 2015 9 Kew’s Kim killer pic The week after Sony pulled the con- troversial political comedy “The Inter- view” from national distribution, the movie opened at a make-shift network of over 300 small movie theaters -- in- cluding three in Queens-- on Christ- mas Day. The Kew Gardens Cinema on Lef- ferts Boulevard had lines arlound the corner for the comedy, starring James Franco and Seth Rogen. A police car was assigned to stay in front of the the- ater for most of the afternoon. Managers there said the first show- ing at 2 p.m. Christmas Day was sold out before the theater opened, thanks to online ticket sales. Two other shows sold out by early afternoon, they said. Movie theaters in Sunnyside and Flushing also elected to show “The Interview.” The movie, meanwhile, has become one of Hollywood’s highest grossing re- leases ever onlime, after Sony decided to release it on several websites, in- Outside the Kew Gardens Cinema, the line for cluding YouTube and Google Play. The "The Interview" stretched around the corner company took in $15 million in rentals on Christmas Day. Photo by Micahel Shain over the holiday weekend. “The Interview” instantly became the most talked-about movie of the anonymous hackers -- traced back to year last month when the North Ko- North Korea by the FBI -- broke into rean government demanded it not be producer Sony Pictures’ computers. shown because it depicted the assas- sination of dictator Kim Jong-un and -- Michael Shain Cuomo veto backs DA’s BY BILL PARRY kids and even prison guards at Rikers Island over the political gamesman- Gov. Andrew Cuomo vetoed a bill ship for the Corrections Officers’ Be- Monday that would have transferred nevolent Association,” NYCLU Execu- jurisdiction to prosecute crimes at New tive Director Donna Lieberman said. York City jails from the Bronx district “We need more accountability at Rik- attorney to the Queens DA. ers, not less, and a wholesale reform The legislation that passed the Sen- of the culture of corruption and abuse ate and Assembly nearly unanimously, that has gone on for too long.” was backed by the guards union at Rik- Johnson and Queens DA Richard ers Island. Brown wrote a joint letter to the gover- Cuomo said the switch would be nor urging that he veto “this ill-advised “unprecedented and unconstitutional” legislation.” A Brown spokesman said, to take jurisdiction away from Bronx “We are gratified by Gov. Cuomo’s veto DA Robert Johnson because Rikers is of the bill.” part of Bronx County even though it is . The Bronx district attorney has connected by bridge to Queens. prosecuted crimes at Rikers Island Supporters of the legislation argued since the county itself was established that moving cases to Queens would in- 100 years ago. If Cuomo had signed the crease efficiency. The Corrections Offi- bill, it would have been the first time cers’ Benevolent Association endorsed in history that the New York state gov- the bill, saying Johnson has failed to ernment had overriden a county’s au- vigorously pursue cases of assaults on thority to prosecute crimes that take its members. place within its borders. The New York Civil Liberties Union applauded the veto. Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail “We’re relieved that Gov. 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Please use our convenient Visit our second location at: Whitestone, NY 11357 FREE Shop-At-Home Service 718-445-9393 97-18 101st Avenue Mon–Sat, 10am–5pm and ask for Ben, or Inez for all your needs Ozone Park, NY 11416 Why Go Out... Our Shop-At-Home Service is only a phone call away 718-445-9393 Not a Hunter Douglas Gallery TIMESLEDGER.COM NE TIMESLEDGER, JAN. 2–8, 2015 11 EDITORIALS SIC TRANSIT As we start the new year, Queens seems to be get- ting some long overdue breaks on public transporta- tion. Just look at any map of the four boroughs — mi- nus Staten Island — and it becomes clear Queens is the stepchild of the MTA. Unlike Manhattan, Brooklyn and the Bronx, Queens does not have a massive network of subways crisscrossing the far corners of the county. In fact, there are vast areas, such as large portions of north- east Queens and southeast Queens, which have no sub- way service at all. Residents in this transit wasteland must rely on buses, dollar vans or their own cars. In October, the MTA announced it was launching a study of bus routes in these underserved neighbor- hoods to evaluate the impact of bus cuts enacted sev- eral years ago on riders. Elected officials hope the state agency will see the need to restore some bus routes and create new ones when the exercise is completed this spring. In Flushing, a notoriously congested transit hub, Queens College has stepped up to the plate and begun offering shuttle bus service between subway stops in Jamaica and downtown Flushing. Students had been wasting precious time cooling their heels waiting at bus stops for far too many years before the college acted. And the MTA, hard as it may be for long-suffering commuters to believe, is on the verge of closing on property near the LIRR viaduct in Flushing that will enable the agency to install elevators to the platforms far above the street. This shabby stop on the LIRR is off limits to the handicapped and elderly who cannot OTHER VOICES climb the steep staircases to reach the trains. The MTA rolled out a new Select bus from Wood- side to LaGuardia Airport that connects to the No. 7 train in 15 minutes, while riders in Jamaica hailed the new streamlined route for the Q114 bus that runs from Protests reaching level of disrespect Far Rockaway to Jamaica. In a stinging blow to the borough, however, the city cut off funds to the Rockaway ferry, which served the The current protesters have who has a female cousin who has fine officers were buried, and transit-starved Rockaways until its last trip in Novem- gone too far with their perceived just finished her Army training they say ‘no.’ This demonstrated ber. The ferry stoppage has quickened the debate on notion of police brutality. Now, and is taking her leave to be with such a lack of respect which I whether to restore the old Rockaway line or turn the in my opinion, a peaceful pro- relatives for the holidays in Whit- find totally appalling. abandoned tracks into a park resembling the High test means exactly that, but that estone, and was suggested to her According to our rights, we Line. has not happened. They have at- not to wear her uniform, for that have the right to life, liberty and But in another take on déjà vu, the MTA has set tacked police officers, smashed might make her a target by these the pursuit of happiness, but aside funds to reopen the LIRR stop in Elmhurst that police car windows, caused traf- anti-establishment fanatics. This these rights would not exist if it was shuttered 30 years ago because the rejuvenated fic jams and attempted to disrupt I find quite troubling where our were not for those who enforce neighborhood now is growing by leaps and bounds. Thanksgiving and Christmas military personal might be con- the laws that are made for our When the fares rise by 4 percent in March, Queens events. They even had signs that sidered targets by these group of protection. straphangers will expect more for their money and the said, “dead cops.” These evil do- evil doers. pressure is on the MTA to deliver better service to the ers have crossed the line. These protesters were asked Frederick R. Bedell, Jr. borough with the most to lose. I have a manager named Ivan to stand down until two of our Glen Oaks Village BRIAN RICE EDITORIAL STAFF ART & PRODUCTION ADVERTISING CEO: Publisher Reporters: Bill Parry, Art Director: Leah Mitch Senior Account Executive: Les Goodstein Sarina Trangle, Kelsey Durham, Kathy Wenk ROZ LISTON Layout Manager: PRESIDENT Juan Soto, Madina Toure Yvonne Farley Account Executives: Jennifer Goodstein ASTORIA TIMES ■ BAYSIDE TIMES Editor Photographers: Nat Valentine, David Strauss FLUSHING TIMES ■ FOREST HILLS LEDGER Designer: Earl Ferrer KEVIN ZIMMERMAN Ellis Kaplan, Norm Harris, Sherri Rossi CLASSIFIED FRESH MEADOWS TIMES Layout: Rod Ivey Suzanne Green News Editor Maria Lopez, Ken Maldonado, Classified Director: JACKSON HEIGHTS TIMES ■ JAMAICA TIMES Yinghao Luo, Caroll Alvarado, LeBert McBean ■ Amanda Tarley LAURELTON TIMES LITTLE NECK LEDGER PAUL JANNACE William Thomas, Robert Cole Enid Rodriguez QUEENS VILLAGE TIMES ■ RIDGEWOOD LEDGER Classified Sales Copy Editor Cartoonist: Tip Sempliner WHITESTONE TIMES OFFICE MANAGER Manager: JOSEPH STASZEWSKI Contributing Writers/Columnists: Linda Lindenauer Eugena Pechenaya Sports Editor Bob Harris, Kenneth Kowald, 41-02 Bell Boulevard Suzanne Parker, Ronald B. CIRCULATION Bayside, New York 11361 RALPH D’ONOFRIO Hellman, William Lewis, Bob Roberto Palacios Main: (718) 260-4545 V.P. of Advertising Friedrich, Prem Calvin Prashad, Sales: (718) 260-4521 Laura Rahill www.TimesLedger.com PROUD MEMBER OF NEW YORK PRESS ASSOCIATION 12 TIMESLEDGER, JAN. 2-8, 2015 BT FT TL TIMESLEDGER.COM READERS WRITE New York City deserves a Walmart In reference to “Chain behind the times. struction contractors and their wage for new employees around mart get a bigger bang for the stores boom in Queens: Re- New York City residents employees. Once opened, there the nation. Promotional op- buck by being able to compare port” (TimesLedger, Dec. 26) continue to be denied the op- are employment opportunities portunities including training prices, quality and service to except for Walmart, once again portunity to shop at Walmart for many workers. Over 6 per- for higher paying managerial other stores. this holiday season, out of due to excuses made by politi- cent of New Yorkers, including positions are common. They Many New Yorkers, poor, work, part-time, single income, cians such as Mayor Bill de Bla- students, housewives, heads also offer health care and other working class, single house- poor, seniors, working and sio, Comptroller Scott Stringer, of single family households, benefits. hold, middle class, and seniors middle-class residents looking City Council Speaker Melissa senior citizens and others cur- Walmart may actually pay can’t afford to pay extra. They for reasonably priced holiday Mark-Viverito, Public Advo- rently out of work along with 6 higher salaries and offer more need the great prices, good gifts had to pay more. cate Letitia James, most mem- percent who have given up look- benefits than some of their quality merchandise, afford- This is thanks to elected of- bers of the City Council along ing, could find employment. competitors such as Target, K- able food, drugs, school sup- ficials who believe they know with numerous fellow liberal The city would benefit by mil- Mart, Costco and BJ’s which plies, clothing and holiday gifts what is best for you. Polls of Democratic Party elected offi- lions in sales, payroll and real- are already here. that Walmart offers. ordinary New Yorkers con- cials and their union allies. estate tax revenue which could Several hundred thousand Consumers have voted, tinue resulting year after year Many other Democratic help fund essential municipal New Yorkers work off the with their feet, all over Amer- and now decade after decade to state Assembly, state Senate services everyone desires. books, full- and part-time with ica making Walmart the No. 1 support the right of Walmart to and Congress members also op- Walmart is the nation’s no benefits. Many existing retail merchant success story open stores in Queens, Brook- pose Walmart opening stores largest private sector employer retailers pay minimum wage it is today. It is time to allow lyn, Bronx, Manhattan and within their respective legisla- with over 1,200,000 employees with no benefits. These same Walmart the opportunity to Staten Island. tive districts, boroughs or any and growing each year. Tens of public officials opposing Wal- compete in the NYC market- Residents in the other 57 place in New York City. They millions of Americans, includ- mart never talk about these place as well. counties outside of New York feel that we should oppose Wal- ing many fellow New Yorkers, abuses. For those “politically cor- City within New York state mart because of substandard own stock in Walmart. The The free enterprise system rect” people, don’t shop at Wal- have had the option of shopping salaries and unfair competi- same is true for the various made our nation great. Eco- mart, but give everyone else a or not shopping at Walmart for tion they would provide against retirement and pension plans nomic growth and the creation choice. decades. The same is true for smaller stores. many people participate in. of wealth comes from business- virtually every other city and Construction of a new Wal- Starting pay averages several es — small and large. Larry Penner state. Only New York City is mart can provide work for con- dollars above the minimum Consumers shopping at Wal- Great Neck Interfering protests violating our Constitution In regard to the current twined with expression and ner (1972), the Supreme Court appropriate cause of the griev- dience,” then he should be im- plethora of anti-police protests association” in instances of stated that a private shopping ance nor the venue to petition mediately recalled from office and marches in New York City obstructing “public passages.” center does not “lose its pri- for redress thereof, have been by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. generally organized by pro- In another case of a state vate character merely because financially victimized. The Even de Blasio’s arrest re- vocateurs such as Mayor Bill law that prohibited trespass the public is generally invited proper place for a petition of cord for disorderly conduct at de Blasio, Council Speaker “committed with a malicious to use it for designated pur- grievances is before the City Long Island College Hospital Mark-Viverito and the Rev. Al and mischievous intent,” Jus- poses.” Council and the state Legisla- apparently discloses a pattern Sharpton, it should be pointed tice Hugo Black, writing for It would appear that the ture in Albany, and the proper of criminal and anti-establish- out that these present activi- a majority of five, concluded present anti-police protests place for assembly is the Stat- ment behavior. Despite de Bla- ties, ostensibly under the Unit- that the Constitution does not and marches on New York en Island and Ferguson courts sio’s request of his entourage ed States First Amendment prevent a state from enforce- City streets, sidewalks, bridg- where the grand juries made of provocateurs to suspend (“right of the people to peace- ment of the general trespass es, tunnels and in shopping their legal decisions not to protests out of respect for the ably assemble”), miserably fail statute: “The State, no less centers and stores (such as indict the police officers who two assassinated police offi- the Supreme Court’s consti- than a private owner of prop- Macy’s), are illegal under the were enforcing the law against cers, another anti-police pro- tutional standards and guide- erty, has power to preserve the federal Constitution, unless criminal offenders. test was held subsequently. lines defining the freedom of property under its control for the state Constitution or state I suggest de Blasio and all Boot de Blasio from public assembly. the use to which it is lawfully courts explicitly transcend these other “civil rights agi- office immediately and call a In Cox v. Louisiana (1965), dedicated” (Adderley v. Flori- the civil liberties of Washing- tators” and anarchists study special election for mayor. Sic Justice Arthur Goldberg as- da, 1966). ton, D.C. (PruneYard Shopping American constitutional law. semper tyrannis (Thus ever to serted for a five-member ma- Further, not every place Center v. Robins, 1980). Further, if de Blasio is or- tyrants). jority that “picketing and constitutes a public forum Public streets and bridges dering the NYPD to refrain parading is subject to (state) under the First Amendment. have been obstructed, and pri- from enforcing the laws apro- Joseph Manago regulation even though inter- In Lloyd Corporation v. Tan- vate stores, neither being the pos Thoreauvian “civil disobe- Flushing Police can protest, too LETTERS POLICY I support citizens peace- by turning their backs on him Letters should be typed or neatly handwritten, and those longer than 300 words may be edited for brevity fully assembling, seeking a re- at Woodhull Hospital. dress of grievances from their If demonstrators can blow and clarity. All letters must include the writer’s name and phone number for verification. Names may be government in the tradition of off steam, then so can our po- withheld from publication if requested, but anonymously sent letters will not be printed. Letters must be Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. lice officers. received by Thursday noon to appear in the next week’s paper. All letters become the property of Queens I also support the NYPD Publishing Corporation and may be republished in any format. expressing their disappoint- Gene Roman ment in Mayor Bill de Blasio Long Island City TIMESLEDGER.COM NE TIMESLEDGER, JAN. 2-8, 2015 13 COLUMNS Looking back on the highlights of 2014 Gi\d safety requirements. of its kind, all New Yorkers, English Language Learners suggest changes to the commu- According to the campaign, regardless of immigration lag significantly behind their nity, including the adoption of :Xcm`e 95 percent of illegal basement status can establish their iden- peers in both English and clay, rather than plastic idols GiXj_X[ apartments are in the outer tity and apply for city services. math standards. and other guidelines intending boroughs and some neighbor- The pilot program is expected Recognizing increasing to reduce the human footprint N hoods in Queens, including to roll out in the New Year. diversity in Queens schools, at the Bay. Sadhana: A Coali- New Voices eighty-two percent of homes Somewhat indicative of the public school students will re- tion of Progressive Hindus, in one Queens community. change in tone at City Hall is ceive two Muslim holidays, as the advocacy group showcased he year 2014 saw the first The campaign views ADUs as how the new administration well as Lunar New Year and in the exhibit, hosts monthly mayoral transition in 12 a foreclosure prevention mea- approached diversity in public the Hindu holiday of Diwali cleanups of Jamaica Bay. years, as Mayor Bill de sure, as most basement apart- schools this year. Breaking as days off from school. The Policing will remain an TBlasio rode into office ments subsidize the incomes with his predecessor, Mayor bill, pushed in the state legis- ongoing concern for immi- with a resounding electoral to homeowners and minor de Blasio appeared amenable lature by the Queens delega- grant communities in the city. mandate. Former Mayor Mi- property owners, while pro- to reforming the Specialized tion and signed by Governor As referenced in town halls, chael Bloomberg had improved viding affordable housing. High School Admission Test, Andrew Cuomo Dec. 17, is a many residents feel that they access to city agencies by man- Keeping with the theme of the examination for entrance nod to Queens, where nearly a are unfairly “over policed” dating 311 be available in six outreach to immigrant com- into the elite high schools quarter of residents are Asian and profiled due to their na- languages and forbade agen- munities, Commissioner Nisha that borough students attend American and celebrate these tional origin or religion. The cies to ask about immigration Agarwal of the Mayor’s Office in large numbers. In the new holidays. Prior to this bill’s most recent Department of status to render city services. of Immigrant Affairs com- administration, proponents of signing, Mayor de Blasio and Justice guidance on racial pro- Yet, with a focus on inequity, menced a “listening tour” and testing reform saw an open- schools Chancellor Carmen filing has given local Sikhs, a the new administration vowed a series of town hall meetings ing, whereas the former may- Farina had indicated their common target for profiling, to expand outreach to the city’s in several Queens neighbor- or had derided such efforts, intent to close school on these pause. The DoJ guidance stops neediest communities. hoods, including one hosted noting, “life isn’t always fair” days. short of banning racial pro- This change emboldened by the Indo Caribbean Alli- when speaking of the students, This summer, the Queens filing at airports and border a coalition of community or- ance in Richmond Hill. Resi- overwhelmingly black and Museum hosted Sacred Wa- crossings. The Sikh Coalition, ganizations to renew calls to dents aired their grievances Hispanic, that do not make it ters, an exhibit on the efforts based in Washington D.C. and create regulations to legalize on policing, mass transit and into these schools. of local Hindus to cleanup Ja- New York continues to work some basement apartments. an access to city services. For While the debate over high maica Bay as well as work to with Sikh communities here The Basement Apartments are many, it was their first face-to- school admissions is ongoing, reconcile traditional beliefs in Queens and across the na- Safe for Everyone Campaign face meeting with a represen- middle schools in Queens and with contemporary environ- tion to protect the civil rights seeks to create the Accessory tative of the city government. the city at large fail dramati- mentalism. The National of travelers by reporting ha- Dwelling Unit, which would Explained at these town hall cally at meeting state stan- Parks Service had been ac- rassment and undue screening legalize select apartments that meetings was the new munici- dards, in spite of an incremen- commodating to worshippers, through the FlyRights mobile have two exits and meet other pal ID program. The largest tal gain on state examinations. but local activists intend to application and outreach. Basement apartment proposal worrying civics Bob This was designed to prevent It is interesting that one 501(C)(3) organization and can and residents came out asking overbuilding and to keep the can often tell which houses are collect money to buy the prop- for a solution to the problems. Harris quality of life the way it is. This rentals because the lawns are erty. Several years ago the city Since then, roundtable meet- n is something the Queens Civic often dirt, bushes aren’t taken illegally sold this cemetery. ings have been held for all the The Civic Congress is concerned about. care of, cars are all over and The non-profit group wants to parties concerned. The dis- Scene It is true that this idea was trash can be found everywhere. raise money to buy this prop- cussion is now whether there proposed half a year ago and If more rental apartments are erty back and restore it as a should be one roundtable for seems to have stopped, but created, then we will probably historic site. For information each airport, which would split he May 2014 newsletter sometimes politicians draw see more of these conditions. contact Yolanda dela Cruz Gal- those concerned, or one round- of the Bayside Hills Civic back under criticism and then I remember reading that lagher at [email protected]. table for all the New York Met- Association Inc., “The bring the plan back months lat- the city has thousands of apart- The newsletter also warned ropolitan Airports. It seems to TBeacon,” and the June er. Civic leaders and state Sen. ment houses and one-family people that tree branches and me that everything is interre- 2014 North Flushing Civic As- Tony Avella are against any houses that were foreclosed. I shrubs will not be picked up lated. sociation Newsletter both had plan to legalize below-ground hope these are being renovated with your regular garbage. articles against the proposal of housing. for the homeless. Oh, if home- Call 311 if you have cut up and GOOD AND BAD NEWS the mayor to legalize basement The R2A one-family neigh- less families are given good tied up branches. It also warns OF THE WEEK: Suddenly, apartments to create more borhoods of Queens have a housing and if the families get that street storage of vehicles the Landmarks Preservation housing for the homeless. certain ambiance and density counseling, then many home- is prohibited in excess of seven Commission announced that Rightfully, Mayor Bill De which would be undermined less children will have a stable consecutive days. Call 311 to re- they wanted to take about 100 Blasio wants to add 200,000 if such a plan was authorized. place to live and study, should port such vehicles. sites they had calendared off affordable units to the city in These one-family districts do better in school and then the The September 2014 News- the city’s list for landmarking. the next 10 years. However, would suddenly become two- schools and the teachers will letter of the Civic Association If they did this then developers changing the existing zoning family districts with greater not be blamed for deficiencies. of Utopia Estates reported that could tear them down. Well, lots in Queens’ current one-family people density, more cars, more The October 2014 Fresh a rally by Queens Quiet Skies of people objected and the LPC neighborhoods would undercut auto pollution, more garbage Meadows Homeowners Civic was held in Cunningham Park then announced they would all the zoning changes made in and recycling cans, stress on Association Newsletter had an against airport noise and air not do this. We have to remem- the past several years. Pow- lawns with temptation to pave article that with the pro bono pollution. At that time air- ber our past in all ways. ered by their civic association, over them, more stress on sew- help of attorney Jerry Iannece, plane traffic from our nearby the R2 one family neighbor- age lines and on schools and the Friends of Brinkerhoff airports was ruining our qual- REMEMBER NEWTOWN hoods were re-zoned to R2A. transportation. Colonial Cemetery, is now a ity of life. Many civic leaders 14 TIMESLEDGER, JAN. 2-8, 2015 BT FT TL TIMESLEDGER.COM COLUMNS Learning something new about people everyday and volunteered in many non- remain nameless) which sup- someone would call me back why the company assented, Kenneth profit organizations and done plies our computer, TV and — after I repeatedly asked to not graciously I should add, Kowald reporting and editing in my telephone sent us our monthly speak with a “higher up”— on but then I wrote to the PSC to salad days — that people are bill. It contained an item for Friday. No one called that day. n thank them. I called to thank people, wherever they are. $49.99 for three hours of paid Surprise! them. Yes, corporations are People are good, bad, indif- TV, at 4 p.m., on Veteran’s Day. On the bill is a number for people and so are so many oth- ferent. They are competent or It appeared this was a prize a complaint call to the New ers. not. They are effective or not. fight or a wrestling match. York State Public Service Com- What is that fellow’s name? I know that may sound Elaine and I have never mission, which regulates such Two years ago, or so, an strange to some people, espe- watched a paid TV item and I companies. I called and im- He said something about 47 unsuccessful candidate for cially those who believe that am certain we would not know mediately got a human being. percent of the population being high office reminded me that the problems in our country how to get such an item if we Bright, articulate, courteous. moochers. He is a dog lover, too, you are never too old to learn may be traced to government tried. Maybe for “Tosca,” but He would get on the case right I understand. I seem to remem- something — or relearn it. activity. I leave that idea for not for a prize fight or wres- away. ber his initials are W.M.R., but His name escapes me, but readers to chew upon. tling. On Monday morning, the he goes by his middle name, he said something along the In olden days, you had one I called the company, which company called me. Still no ad- which has something to do lines of “corporations are peo- company for your electric- has given us good service and to mission of a problem on their with a baseball glove. ple, too.” ity, one for your gas (natural which we have paid our bills on end, but, I should pay the whole I read somewhere that he I’ve thought about that re- or otherwise), one for your time and completely. Three dif- current bill and I would get is thinking of running again cently because of an experi- telephone. Today, thanks to ferent people, over the course credit on the next bill, which I for the high office he sought. If ence I had with a corporation deregulation (which is anoth- of a long call, told me, in no un- await while I write this. he wins, he might find out that and a New York state agency. er story) we seem to be able certain — and, indeed, rude — On Tuesday, the mail con- I know — having worked to pick and choose what we terms that we did this and we tained a letter from the Public government is people, too. for a large corporation, want. Sounds good, but it isn’t had to pay for it. No way, they Services Commission, dated You are never too old to served in the Army, worked always, is it? said, was this their fault. the day before Thanksgiving, learn, W.M.R., or be reminded. in a city agency, served on Just before Thanksgiving, This was the day before informing me they were on the Happy New Year to all state and city panels, worked the company (which shall Thanksgiving. They said case. I leave it to you to decide People! Contact the newsroom: 718-260-4545 • [email protected] Summer Camp Day Aviator Sports and Events Center Floyd Bennett Field, 3159 Flatbush Ave., Make Sure You Visit Us at Our Brooklyn, NY 11234 | Aviatorsports.com Upcoming Open House: 718.758.7518 *Sunday January 31, 2015 TIMESLEDGER.COM NE TIMESLEDGER, JAN. 2-8, 2015 15 THE MANSION AT GOP Club hosts kids Santa and Mrs. Claus came to Bay- holidays with, did arts and crafts, 402873 side early this year, hosting a pizza made their own pizzas and visited with party for some 40 children in need. Santa and Mrs. Claus. DOUGLASTONMANO The Northeast Queens Republican “It’s terrible to think of any child not Club and Uno Chicago Grill, at 39-02 having any presents on Christmas, so Bell Blvd., participated in the Salva- we’re here to help,” Northeast Queens 4C 3 x 11.50 tion Army’s Christmas Wish Angel Republican Club President Kevin Ryan initiative, where volunteers buy pres- said in a statement. “We also realize ents requested by children in need. that poverty is not a Republican issue The program culminated in a Dec. or a Democrat issue. There’s too much QUEENS PREMIER WEDDING VENUE 20 bash at the pizzeria, where children, division in this city lately.” some of whose parents are incarcerat- — Sarina Trangle ed and do not have families to celebrate Please Join Us Sunday, January 11, 2015 No foul play in old bones from 1:00pm - 4:00pm Police determined no criminality from PS 90 Oct. 7. contributed to the five human bones The NYPD initially said the re- unearthed in Richmond Hill this Octo- mains could be up to five decades old. For our Amazing ber, the NYPD said. The medical examiner’s office said The Police Department said it is it is still investigating the bones, but no longer investigating the five, 6 to believes they are decade to centuries 8-inch bones discovered by construc- old. tion crews working across the street — Sarina Trangle [email protected] Featuring DJ Showcase By Also Featuring Vendors For Florist, Photography, Hotel, Spa, Limo’s & gifts Come meet our amazing vendors and taste the wonderful Cuisine the chef and his culinary staff have prepared for you 6320 Commonwealth Blvd. Douglaston, NY 11362 www.thedouglastonmanor.com VISIT SAFERCAR.GOV/THERIGHTSEAT 16 TIMESLEDGER, JAN. 2–8, 2015 BT FT TL TIMESLEDGER.COM The Sanctuary at Mount Lebanon The only Indoor Jewish Community Mausoleum in New York’s Five Boroughs Special Prices and Choice Locations in the All New Building for a limited time s 3INGLE #OMPANION 'RAVESITES s &AMILY 0LOTS s .ICHE 3PACE FOR #REMATED 2EMAINS !FFORDABLE 0AYMENT 0LANS s #REDIT #ARDS !CCEPTED A Not-For-Profi t Cemetery serving the Jewish Community since 1914 -YRTLE !VE s 'LENDALE 1UEENS .9 s WWW-OUNT,EBANON#EMETERYCOM SERVING THE COMMUNITY FOR 30 YEARS ACHOO...... FLU OUCH!...STITCHES WHOOPS....X-RAY Celebrating Kwanzaa 191-20 Northern Blvd. 82-17 Woodhaven Blvd. Bayside, NY 11358 Glendale, NY 11385 (From top to bottom) The Afrikan Poetry Theater drummers with Bill Jacobs set the beat 718-224-8855 718-805-9581 for a Kwanzaa celeration at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center celebration Saturday; Tami Branch-Veira and her daiughter light the candles; and vendors in the lobby have everything Mon.-Fri. 8am-9pm Mon.-Fri. 9am-7pm Sat. & Sun. 8am-7pm Sat. & Sun. 9am-3pm you need for Kwanzaa. TIMESLEDGER.COM NE TIMESLEDGER, JAN. 2–8, 2015 17 18 TIMESLEDGER, JAN. 2–8, 2015 BT FT TL TIMESLEDGER.COM TIMESLEDGER.COM NE TIMESLEDGER, JAN. 2–8, 2015 19 Photo by Bill Parry Saluting Ramos Photo by Bill Parry (Clockwise from top l.) More than 20,000 police officers attended the fu- neral for NYPD Officer Rafael Ramos, including a Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer; NYPD helicopters fly over the funeral in the “missing man” formation; government officials, past and present, standing out- side Christ Tabernacle Church at the end of the funeral to pay their fi- nal respects, include (clockwise from top center) Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Vice President Joe Biden, former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Comptroller Scott Stringer, Rep. Grace Meng, state Controller Tom DiNapoli, Borough President Melinda Katz, Rep. Peter King, U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara and Rep. Steven Israel.; the streets of Glendale were decked with flags and blue ribbons that morning to honor Ramos; the solemn march by an NYPD honor guard from the church to the waiting hearse; a stirring sea of blue awaited the arrival of the hearse at Cypress Hills Cemetery for Ramos’ burial. Photo by Walter Karling Photo courtesy of 108th Pct. Photo by Walter Karling Photo by Walter Karling 20 TIMESLEDGER, JAN. 2-8, 2015 BT FT TL TIMESLEDGER.COM TECHNOLOGY Helping seniors remain independent longer BY JOANNA R. LEEFER unobtrusively track a person’s bathroom. If the person is not here is no place like home! movement around the home 24 back within a predictable pe- Most seniors want to live Sensors can be placed in a bed and note hours a day. These wireless mo- riod of time, the sensor alerts Tindependently for as long when the person lies down and gets up. They tion or contact sensors can be the system to the possibility as possible, but some are forced placed on kitchen appliances, that the person might have to give this up due to concerns can be programed to note when the person cabinets, doorways, windows, fallen. for their safety. As people age walls, and beds and record all Another type of monitor they often face more physical gets up to go to the bathroom. household activities. is the medicine reminder or and mental handicaps. Many The sensors can even be pill dispenser that alerts the are at risk for falls or emer- Personal Emergency Response can signal an outside source programmed to anticipate ac- user to take medications at set gency medical care and fear Services unobtrusively moni- in case of need. If a person falls tivity. For instance, if your times of the day. Some medi- they will be unable to alert tor folks at homes. or fi nds himself in a danger- mother usually sits in a fa- cine devices are programmed anyone. Other seniors begin to A newly published study ous situation, he can press a vorite chair every afternoon, to dispense medications at spe- show signs of memory loss and released by Frost and Sulli- button to call for help. The big- a monitor in the chair can be cifi c times only, so there is no might inadvertently leave the van, a global consulting fi rm gest problem with this technol- programmed to note when she danger that the user can take stove on, or forget to take medi- specializing in high technol- ogy is the user must agree to or is sitting. If the sensor cannot more than one dosage at a time. cations as required. ogy, estimates the Personal remember to wear the device, detect her for a signifi cant pe- These devices can also send Now seniors and their fami- Emergency Response Services and must be motivated to press riod of time, a signal will alert out reminders when medica- lies can breathe a sigh of relief. market earned an estimated the button. Many older adults a central monitoring center tions need to be taken. The re- Many elderly people are able to $1.04 billion in revenue in 2013. prefer to remain unattended and a staff member will call. If minders can be in the form of stay in their homes longer and The fi rm predicts the market rather than alarm a loved one your mother does not answer, visual and, or, auditory alerts. more safely than ever by taking will continue to grow and will when they need help. the center will alert you or an- If the individual does not re- advantage of today’s modern reach $1.46 billion by 2017. More sophisticated technol- other designated person who spond in a reasonable period technology. Newly developed One of the simplest and ogies are being developed that can check on her. of time, an outside service will sensor devices and web-based best-known devices is the med- can solve these problems and Other sensors can be placed call and remind the user. If the programs offer older adults ical alert system. This simple make living around the house in a bed and note when the per- user still does not respond, a and their concerned children device has been available for easier. Companies are creating son lies down and gets up. They family member or assigned ways to live safely at home. years. The alert is worn around customized sensory systems can be programed to note when caregiver will be notifi ed by These high-tech devices called the neck or on the wrist and that can monitor activity and the person gets up to go to the Continued on Page 22 TIMESLEDGER.COM NE TIMESLEDGER, JAN. 2–8, 2015 21 ELDERCARE TODAY too arthritics to bathe themselves. Hec- tor, a robot designed in Europe, is pro- Technology grammed to remind people to take their Continued from Page 21 medicine, and keep track of their read- phone, email, or text. ing glasses. Finally HERB, short for The automatic stove shut off device Home Exploring Robot Butler, designed is hooked up to a stove and monitors by researchers at Carnegie Mellon, movement around it. If the computer can retrieve household objects and do detects that a stove has been on too long simple cleaning. In 2013, Nabisco chal- it will automatically turn it off. lenged HERB’s designers to program Looking into the future, companies it to separate an Oreo cookie, which it are already experimenting with robots did. to take care of everyday tasks for se- New introductions into the Personal niors such as setting up medications, Emergency Response Services market making shopping lists, and performing are becoming more and more creative. minor household tasks. A recent movie It is not likely that we will all have or with Frank Langella called “Robot & even want a caregiver robot that will Frank,” set in the not-too-distant fu- take the place of a home aide or atten- Studio $2,550* ture, shows a robot that is programmed dant. However, there is much hope that Per Month to cook, do basic housekeeping, and as our aging population continues to All-Inclusive* run errands for an elderly man, Frank, grow, these new creations, be they sen- who is beginning to show signs of for- getfulness. In the movie, the character sors, alerts, or robots, will make it eas- Frank, who had been had been a noto- ier for our elders to age more graciously rious jewel thief when he was younger, in their own homes. actually trains the robot to break into a Joanna R. Leefer is a senior care ad- home and steal jewelry. visor/advocate and founder of Elder- Although companies are not likely CareGiving, a service that helps families to develop a robot with that much so- fi nd and get the best care for their aging phistication, there has been some suc- loved ones when family care is no lon- cess in developing machines that can ger enough. She has been working with helpful in performing necessary tasks. seniors and their families for 10 years. In 2010, researchers at the Georgia In- Her book “Almost Like Home: A Family stitute of Technology developed Cody, Guide to Navigating the Nursing Home a robotic nurse that can help bathe el- Maze,” is now available. To order, go to derly patients who are too injured or are http://joannaleefer.com/book-preview. Thank you GuildNet. Taking away the hassles brought back Mom’s smile. Dealing with a loved one’s long term illness can mean handling a lot of hassles, like filling out paperwork. GuildNet’s long term care plans take away the hassles so your loved one can stay safe at home. Call GuildNet – we speak your language. Call 888-722-4040 TTY 800-662-1220 or visit www.GuildNetNY.org 22 TIMESLEDGER, JAN. 2–8, 2015 BT FT TL TIMESLEDGER.COM Borough Beat COMPILED BY PAUL JANNACE Employees from Whitestone-based Vallo Transportation donated 100 new Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer (l.) joined longtime Community Board 2 Chairman The ARISTA/National Honor Society Chapter at toys to The River Fund New York. Pictured with Vallo Transporation em- Joe Conley and other elected officials at the dedication ceremony and renaming of the Humanities and the Arts High School in the ployees are (from l.) Linda DeSabato, president, Vallo Transportation; PS 343 to the Walter McCaffrey Campus. The dedication was a tribute to the former Campus Complex of Cambria Heights completed Swami Durga Das, executive director, The River Fund New York; and (far councilman who represented the neighborhoods of the 26th District from 1985–2001. a Thanksgiving food drive coordinated by Keith right) Shirley Rice, chief operating officer, The River Fund New York. The intersection of 61st Street and Woodside Avenue was recently renamed for the Colantropo. Photo courtesy of the Humanities Photo courtesy of Dominick Totino Photography late councilman. Photo courtesy of Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer’s office and the Arts H.S. The Humanities and the Arts High School in the Campus Complex in Queens Borough President Melinda Katz (r.) and her Elijah Taylor, a senior in the Virtual Enterprise International class in Cambria Heights presented a “Winter Wonderland Holiday Spectacular” staff bid farewell to outgoing Deputy Borough President the Business, Computer Applications & Entrepreneurship High School Dec. 17. The story is told from the perspective of the night custodian Leroy Comrie (l.) Dec. 23. Comrie was elected to the state in the Campus Complex of Cambria Heights, traveled to a trade fair in who knows special things happen around the holidays at O’Mard’s senate in November and begins his term Jan 1. Germany and will also attend the New York City Trade Fair in Manhattan Department Store. Photo by Bob Harris Photo courtesy of Borough President Melina Katz's office this spring. Photo by Bob Harris The Humanities and the Arts High School in the Campus Complex Mathematics, Science Research & Technology High School Eboni Birch and Pelumi Akinde volunteer in the princi- in Cambria Heights presented “The Importance of Being Principal Jose Cruz and guidance counselor Gertrudis pal’s office at the Humanities and the Arts High School Earnest” by Oscar Wild, starring: Jabari Carroll (Lane), Deja Hernandez coordinated Career Day at the Campus Magnet in the Campus Complex in Cambria Heights. The students Gause (Lady Bracknell), Christopher March (Algernon), Taqee Complex in Cambria Heights where 19 people visited class- are shown sorting papers for filing and disposal and are McDaniels (De Chausable), Tyreke Newman (sound technician & rooms and spoke to students about various career choices. supervised by Anna Mooney, the principal’s secretary. Merriman), Claudia Paguay (Gwendolyn), Normanique Pennant Photo by Bob Harris Photo by Bob Harris (Ms. Prism), Paige Richardson (Celily), and Elishama Simmons (Jack). Photo courtesy of the Humanities and the Arts H.S. TIMESLEDGER.COM NE TIMESLEDGER, JAN. 2-8, 2015 23 Spa Castle guest dies BY MADINA TOURE an investigation, which includes in- terviews, an extensive review of Spa An elderly man found unconscious Castle’s safety plan as well as policies in a jacuzzi at a College Point spa died and procedures followed by the person- Sunday, the NYPD said. nel, the spokesman said. Hock Ma, 80, of 68-09 Clyde Street State Sen. Tony Avella (D-Bayside), in Forest Hills, was found uncon- who has been calling on the city Board scious and unresponsive in a jacuzzi of Standards and Appeals to revoke at the Spa Castle on 131-10 11th Ave. the spa’s variance for years, said he in College Point, according to a police would revive calls to reopen the debate spokeswoman. Ma was visiting Spa on the variance. He said a number of Castle with his family. He was taken to violations exist at the spa, including Flushing Hospital in critical condition padlocked fire exits, equipment and where he was pronounced dead. supplies stored in the spa’s parking lot Stephanie Chon, a spokeswoman as well as elevators and stairwells. for Spa Castle, said the company puts Initial opposition to the spa was due a high priority on safety and followed to its proximity to residential homes, standard protocol in dealing with the the height of the building, hours of incident. operation and traffic problems, Avella “CPR was initiated by a certified said. manager and the patron was taken by “They seem to constantly flout ambulance to a local hospital,” Chon the law,” he said. “With the fact that said in a statement. “Safety precau- the media has discovered numerous tions are clearly posted in our facilities health violations and safety violations, and the staff in the area is CPR certi- this is the last straw that has broken fied. Our thoughts are with the family the camel’s back.” Take time to at this time.” The facility has one active city De- Bathing establishments are re- partment of Buildings violation issued be a dad today. quired to have someone on staff with May 3, 2012 for failure to file a bench- CPR certification and spa pools have to marking report of energy use, accord- be monitored regularly by an aquatic ing to DOB data for the facility. supervisor, a city Department of Health The facility has also received seven fatherhood.gov and Mental Hygiene spokesman said complaints between 2008 and 2012, six fatherhood.gov877-4DAD411 in an email. of which have been resolved and one 877-4DAD411 The DOH is currently conducting Continued on Page 34 Do you know a hero of Queens? 402996 Nominate a person who has made a difference HOUSEADQUEENSI in the great borough of Queens 4C25 people6 x will 5.69 have their important work featured in the newspaper and will be feted at a reception gala in their honor. It can be anyone who has had an impact on the borough in any fi eld. Name of nominee: ______ Why are you nominating them? ______ How can we reach you or your nominee for more information? Your name: ______Phone: ______Email: ______ Email your nomination info to: [email protected], or fax this form to: 718-224-5821, Att: Linda Lindenauer Or mail this form to: Queens Impact Awards Nominees CNG — TimesLedger Newspapers 41-02 Bell Blvd., Bayside, NY 11361 Att: Linda Lindenauer 24 TIMESLEDGER, JAN. 2–8, 2015 BT FT TL TIMESLEDGER.COM TimesLedger, January 2–8, 2015 Sudoku 26 Crossword Puzzle 29 Arts & Entertainment 29 Guide to Dining 31 time into a thriving enterprise, er in secrecy to create a spec- SRG Universe, Inc., which re- tacle so grand it can only be leased its latest card game cre- called The Supershow and the ation, The Supershow, geared second is its conversion into ALL FUN toward wrestling fans. the epic story of the Legendary Set in the make-believe, un- Fighting Federation – fictional and derground world of The Leg- characters that create their endary Fighting Federation, own underground wrestling competitors battle for glory federation. using strategic play and dice “Many of The Supershow’s rolling in the game of back- characters and story lines have and-forth action. been developed directly by, or GAMES Players step into the roles of for people who have helped out four main competitors: Snake along the way, through their HOWARD BEACH RESIDENT TURNS LIFETIME HOBBY INTO ROLE-PLAYING ADVENTURE BUSINESS Pitt, The Big Shot, The Rising likenesses and ideas,” said Sun and El Super Hombre. Resk. “The game is intended to BY TAMMY SCILEPPI at Video Game Central, their world, and the youngest player With The Supershow saga stand against the main stream favorite game store, located in to qualify for a world champi- you experience two stories: and is built by underdogs and Howard Beach resident their neighborhood. onship. I had a great run.” The first is the real life jour- those who were not given a Steve Resk, 26, has been a gam- “I grew up on (WWE card Fast forward to the present ney of its creators, a group of shot by larger companies.” er most of his life. game) Raw Deal,” said Resk. and Resk has turned his pas- individuals who came togeth- Continued on Page 6 Between seventh grade and “I was the first player to ever high school he and his brother, play against his brother in a Howard Beach resident Steve Resk (above r.) created a new role-playing card and dice game based on wres- Rich, played a lot of cool games world qualifying event, the tling called The Supershow. Players (above l.) tackle another round of the game at one of The Supershow tour- — mostly sports-themed ones, No. 1 player in New York, naments. This card (top l.) in The Supershow deck shows Super Hombre delivering a blow to his opponent. but even a little Pokémon — the eighth best player in the Photos courtesy of Ashley Espin, Michael Delvalle and Steve Resk TIMESLEDGER.COM TL TIMESLEDGER, JAN. 2–8, 2015 25 Let Us Cater Your Next Party Delicious Homemade Italian Food CHOICE A $13.95 per person | Choice of 5 items 3TUFFED 3HELLS s 4ORTELLINI W -EAT 3AUCE s 2AVIOLI s "AKED :ITI Contact: [email protected] %GGPLANT 0ARMIGIANA s 3AUSAGE 0EPPERS s "ROILED #HICKEN s 3MALL -EATBALLS AUDITIONS ,INGUINI W 2ED OR 7HITE #LAMS s 0ASTA W "ROCCOLI 'ARLIC /IL “The Wizard of Oz” — The Andrean Players MEETINGS announces an open casting call for its May CHOICE B $15.95 per person \ !NY #HOICES FROM ! s !NY #HOICES FROM " production. Everyone auditioning must bring North Shore Playwrights Circle Meeting #HICKEN 0ARMIGIANA s #HICKEN &RANCAISE s #HICKEN -ARSALA a head shot and resume — a photograph and — Formerly known as the Playwrights Circle #HICKEN 0IZZAIOLA s 6EAL #UTLET 0ARMIGIANA s 0ENNE 6ODKA s 4ORTELLINI !LFREDO handwritten resume are acceptable, sheet music with 16 bars of a ballad and 16 bars of Great Neck, this open group features discussion, workshopping and writing Above served with either Antipasto, Garden Salad or Caesar Salad, Stands, Sterno, Napkins, up tempo, and be prepared and dressed to Plates, Cups, Forks, Knives & Italian Bread. Delivered to your home or office. (Min. 15 people) move. exercises for playwrights in Queens and When: Wednesday, Jan. 28; Thursday, Jan. Nassau counties. Let Us Cater Your Party 29 and Friday, Jan. 30, from 7 pm - 9:30 pm; When: Every other Wednesday, 7:30 pm – pick one day 9:30 pm at Our Restaurant Where: Andrean Hall, Northern Boulevard Where: Atria, 96 Cutter Mill Road, Great Neck and 157th Street Contact: Muriel, (718) 225-7382 Starting at $25.95 per person ASK ABOUT OUR INDIVIDUAL TRAYS For more hyper-local Queens 10% OFF news on your computer, DINNER ITALIAN RESTAURANT Valid only for 5 or less Good Food At A Price You Can Afford people per table, smartphone, or iPad, visit Open 7 Days Noon to 11pm Not Good on Holidays. www.AuntBellasRestaurant.com 718-225-4700 UÊ ÌÊÌÊLiÊVLi`Ê 46-19 Marathon Pkwy., Little Neck with any other offer. 2 blocks South of Northern Boulevard TIMESLEDGER.COM Answers in Sports 26 TIMESLEDGER, JAN. 2–8, 2015 TL TIMESLEDGER.COM Two authors talk shop at Astoria book store Boro native Matt Burgess discusses new police procedural ‘Uncle Janice’ set in Queen BY TAMMY SCILEPPI he still gets pangs of homesick- ness for the neighborhood he IF YOU GO Next week Queens native grew up in, which was the in- Q & A with Matt Burgess and author Matt Burgess sits spiration for his new book. and Richard Price down with novelist Richard Burgess describes “Uncle Price to talk about Burgess’ Janice” as “a police proce- When: Tuesday, Jan. 6, at 7 soon-to-be-released work, dural, office comedy, family pm “Uncle Janice,” at the Astoria drama, and coming-of-age sto- Where: Astoria Bookshop, Bookshop. ry, in the middle of the most 31-29 31st St., Astoria Afterward, the former recent economic collapse—a Contact: Jackson Heights resident will hard time for almost every- Website: www. share excerpts from the edgy one; an impossible time for astoriabookshop.com police story he penned, which Janice.” is set in his favorite borough The author explained why and deals with a rather con- he decided to write the book her urgency to make those troversial, hot button topic in and how he got the title. buys, Janice jeopardizes her a humorous way. “This book came out of bar- safety, blows her cover, alien- room conversations I had with ates co-workers, confronts old The war on drugs is fought Former Jackson Heights resident and Queens native Matt Burgess will on some of Queens’ meanest friends of mine from the neigh- demons, and attracts the un- streets by Uncle Janice, a fren- borhood (Jackson Heights) who discuss his new book, “Uncle Janice,” at the Astoria Bookshop with nov- wanted attention of Internal zied young female undercover are now undercover narcotics elist Richard Price. Photo courtesy Darrell Landry Affairs, according to Burgess. cop who is advancing her ca- officers—or ‘uncles,’ as they “’Uncle Janice’ is a low- reer one drug buy at a time. like to call themselves,” said not to mention prestige.” she makes four more buys be- down masterful contribution In a recent interview with Burgess. “It’s such a danger- In the fictional account, one fore the end of the month. Oth- to Urban American lit, charis- the author, who also wrote ous, draining, morally compli- of those uncles turns out to be erwise she’ll suffer a humiliat- matically written with terrific the critically acclaimed novel, cated job that the department Janice Itwaru — a 24-year-old, ing return to patrol, where her sly humor and a joyous dead- “Dogfight, A Love Story,” Bur- promises that if you can last 18 first-generation Guyanese female colleagues will resent on ear,” said Price, author of gess said he never forgot his months you will automatically woman from Queens — who her for failing, and the boys in “Clockers” and a writer for the Queens roots, even though he get promoted to detective. And is at month 17. To her dismay, blue will pat her on the head TV show “The Wire.” “An ad- has been living in Minneapo- with that gold shield comes a Janice’s boss tells her that and say, “Nice try.” dictive read, one of those books lis for years, and revealed that nice bump in salary, of course, she’ll only get her gold shield if According to the story, in you wish would never end.” 213-41 39th Avenue, Bayside, NY, 11361 Tel: 718.215.6470 Visit our website at: aperitifbistrobayside.com Like us on Facebook APERITIF BISTRO WINE BAR in Bayside is proud to announce its Cn]j` Klajejc French Bistro, Lounge, Extensive Wine List, Creative Cocktails & Craft Beers Now serving Lunch, Dinner, & Brunch on Sunday Private Room & Catering Options available for private parties Valet Parking available on weekends TIMESLEDGER.COM TL TIMESLEDGER, JAN. 2–8, 2015 27 Start ’15 by watching the best movies of ’14 BY MERLE EXIT IF YOU GO The Museum of the Mov- Curator’s Choice ing Image wants you to spend the start of the new year in the When: Friday, Jan. 2 through dark. Sunday, Jan. 4 This weekend, the Astoria Where: Museum of the institution presents seven digi- Moving Image, 36-01 35th tal versions of films it believes Ave., Astoria represent notable cinematic Cost: $12/adults, $9/seniors achievements from the past and students, $6/children, year as part of its Curator’s Free/children under 3 Choice series. “We chose films that were Contact: (718) 777-6800 not only among the best of the Website: www.movingimage. year, but also were moving us the art form in a new direc- tion,” said Chief Curator Da- as they travel to and from a vid Schwartz. “All of the films Nepalese temple by way of a we chose are experimental in cable car suspended high over a way, finding new ways of cin- a mountain jungle. The film- ematic storytelling.” makers opt to focus on the Schwartz and Assistant faces of the visitors to tell the Film Curator Aliza Ma picked story. “Manakamana” screens movies from around the world Jan. 3 at 3 p.m., and will be which present audiences with Ellar Coltrane plays a young boy who ages 12 years in Richard Linklater’s movie “Boyhood,” screening at the followed by a discussion with a global vision often lacking in Museum of the Moving Image as part of its Curators’ Choice series. Image courtesy Matt Lankes/IFC Films film critic Eric Hynes. Hollywood. Saturday’s schedule con- Up first is the latest movie around the relationship be- ing of the life of Jiro Horikoshi, 3 at noon. tinues with Swiss director Ra- from legendary French film- tween a man and a woman as the engineer whose airplane Composed of 11 long mon Zürcher’s debut film “The maker Jean-Luc Godard, seen through the eyes of a dog. designs pushed Japan to new shots, Stephanie Spray and Strange Little Cat.” Set within “Goodbye to Language” in 3-D, Japanese director Hayao heights and eventually helped Pacho Velez’s documentary the confines of a cramped Ber- which screens Jan. 2 at 7 p.m. Miyazaki’s “The Wind Rises” sow the seeds of World War II. “Manakamana” follows vari- lin apartment, the director Godard’s film centers is the master animator’s retell- The movie will be shown Jan. ous pilgrims and tourists Continued on Page 6 L^cZI^bZL^cZ7VgL^cZI^bZL^cZ7Vg OFOF DOUGLASTONDOUGLASTON ELEGANT AND TRADITIONAL ITALIAN CUISINE FRIDAYS Major Tom, with his acoustic guitar will strum and sing your favorites SATURDAY SPECIAL ½ price bottles from our finer selection PRIVATE HAPPY HOUR PARTIES (MON.–FRI. | 4PM–7PM) and $ $ CATERING 5 WINE | 5 BEER available (SELECT VARIETIES) for all occasions PLAN YOUR PARTY OR EVENT UP TO 25 PEOPLE www.JimmysBayside.com Jimmy’s Trattoria Ristorante 8dbZk^h^il]ZgZndjl^aaValVnh]VkZ\gZViL>C:VcYV\gZViI>B: 40-45 235th St., Douglaston, NY 11363 Gift Certifi cates 45-73 Bell Blvd., Bayside, NY 11361 s (718) 229-5319 (Just north of the LIRR Douglaston Station) Available Monday–Friday 3:30pm–11pm s Open 6 days a week s Tue.–Fri. 4pm–12am s Sat.–Sun. 5pm–12am Saturday 4pm–midnight s Sunday 1pm–10pm 347-502-7274 s www.winetimedouglaston.com WE ACCEPT ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS Facebook.com/winetimedouglaston s [email protected] 28 TIMESLEDGER, JAN. 2–8, 2015 TL TIMESLEDGER.COM introduce materials and Where: Queens Botanical Where: Flushing Town Hall, assist in art making. No Garden, 43-50 Main St., 137-35 Northern Blvd. registration is required. Flushing Cost: Free THE ARTS ENTERTAINMENT When: First Sunday of each Cost: Free Contact: (718) 463-7700 month, 11 am to 1 pm Contact: (718) 886-3800 Website: www. Where: Noguchi Museum, Website: www. fl ushingtownhall.org For the most up-to-date listing of events happening in 9-01 33rd Road, Long Island queensbotanical.org City Queens, check TimesLedger’s website at Cost: $10 per family/ “Mysterious Lake” GALLERIES & EXHIBITS includes museum admission Workshop — Join this www.timesledger.com/sections/calendar and materials workshop which imagines Bayside Historical Contact: (718) 204-7088 what happens if all objects Society’s Winter Art Norian Maro, presents a When: Wednesday, Jan. 7, Website: www.noguchi.org became living creatures at Show— This annual two- EVENTS performance with singing, at 6 pm night while you sleep. Bring week exhibit showcases dancing and movement Where: Flushing Town Hall, Recycled Children’s objects from home and help Queens artists who work in GingerBread Lane — The about the legendary island 137-35 Northern Blvd. Crafts — Take part in a craft create a short play about various media. world-record setting 1-and- of Leodo. Cost: Clinic — Free, Jam — workshop using recycled and them. When: Through Sunday, Feb. a-half ton, 300-square-foot When: Friday, Jan. 16, at 8 $10/general admission, Free/ re-purposed items. When: Saturday, Jan. 31, at 2 1; Opening reception Sunday, village returns to Queens. pm performers, members and When: Sunday, Jan. 11, from 1 pm for ages 3 - 7; and 4 pm Jan. 18, at 2 pm When: Through Jan. 11 Where: Flushing Town Hall, students pm - 3 pm for ages 8 -15 Continued from Page 29 Where: New York Hall of 137-35 Northern Blvd. Contact: (718) 463-7700 Science, 47-01 111th St., Corona Cost: Free, but online pre- Website: www. ALL KNOTTED UP Cost: $11/adults, $8/seniors, CROSSWORD PUZZLE EACH CACHE SPAN registration is required fl ushingtownhall.org ROLE OGL ED PORE students and children 17 and ONUS PIANOPIECE Contact: (718) 463-7700 SEE MILD ACTOR under TimesLedger Newspapers WH I N E FADE “Beloved Prey” and LAST SEE I NG COLDSNAP Website: www. Jan. 2-8, 2015 AMAT I ROOMY USA Contact: (718) 699-0005 WEEK'S POPS CURDS ST I R fl ushingtownhall.org Moon Princess Song ITO LAPPS SOFAS Website: www.nysci.org ANSWERS DENTURES SERENE Cycle— “Beloved Prey” is By Pete Canty ANTE YENTA OW I NG AINT TAB Spherus — International an opera about a lioness WOOD S T AC K S PURE Astronomy: Quadrantids NOTE SPREE AR I D juggling champion Greg who adopts a baby antelope E-xtra SLAM PRESS TEAS Meteor Shower — Join the and an antelope mother’s Urban Rangers as they seek Kennedy performs a non- verbal show joined by two attempt to rescue her child. Across 1234 5678 9101112 out the Quadrantids meteor Moon Princess Song Cycle aerial acrobats. Kennedy will 1. October birthstone 13 14 15 16 shower, an annual event at is soprano-piano duo Sara lead an interactive workshop this time of year. Heaton and Akiko Sasaki. 5. Floor model 17 18 19 When: Sunday, Jan. 4, at on juggling. When: Sunday, Jan. 18, at 9. Like a retro carpet 6 pm When: Saturday, Jan. 20 21 22 2 pm 13. All-night party Where: Cunningham Park 24, workshop at 1 pm, Where: Flushing Town Hall, 23 24 25 26 parking lot, Union Turnpike performance at 2:15 pm 14. Go off 137-35 Northern Blvd. 27 28 29 30 and 197th Street, Fresh Where: Flushing Town Hall, Cost: Free 16. Stow, as cargo Meadows 137-35 Northern Blvd. Contact: (718) 463-7700 17. Far-reaching 31 32 33 34 35 36 Cost: Free Cost: Workshop — $7/adults, Website: www. societal grouping? 37 38 39 40 41 42 Contact: (718) 352-1769 $4/children, Free/members fl ushingtownhall.org Website: www.nycgovparks. 19. Privy to 43 44 45 46 47 with performance tickets; org Performance — $13/adults, 20. Summer 48 49 50 51 $10/members, $8/children, FILM footware MulchFest 2015 Volunteer 52 53 54 55 Tree Stewardship — $6/member children 21. Draw Curators’ Choice Series 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 MillionTreesNYC needs Contact: (718) 463-7700 — Museum of the Moving 22. Left at sea volunteers to help spread Website: www. Image curators David 23. Director Kazan 63 64 65 mulch to insulate young street fl ushingtownhall.org Schwartz and Aliza Ma 25. Tot's "bakery" 66 67 68 trees. have selected seven fi lms, When: Saturday, Jan. 10, The Moth StorySLAM — including Richard Linklater’s products 69 70 71 from 11 am - 1 pm An open-mic storytelling “Boyhood,” Jean-Luc 27. Marathoner's Where: Travers Park, competition open to anyone Godard’s “Goodbye to mistake? between 77th and 78th 64. Bar Harbor 9. Like a banana 36. Hamlet, e.g. with a fi ve-minute tale to Language 3-D” and Hayao 31. King Kong, e.g. streets, Jackson Heights; and share about the theme, Miyazaki’s “The Wind Rises.” affair, perhaps? peel, say 38. Like pages Astoria Park, 19th and Hoyt “State Lines and Personal Check website for complete 32. Desertlike 66. Learned one 10. Vietnam's capital of an old book, avenues, Astoria Boundaries.” A team of schedule. 33. True partner? 67. Herd member 11. Cherish perhaps Cost: Free When: Friday, Jan. 2 through judges, selected from 37. Like some 68. Iroquoian 12. Rest room sign 40. Breyers rival Contact: rsvp@ audience will pick a winner. Sunday, Jan. 4 milliontreesnyc.org dorms Indian 15. Get ready to Sign up to take part or just Where: Museum of the 41. Testifiers Website: www.nycgovparks. 39. Located 69. Studied drive come by to watch. Moving Image, 36-01 35th 44. Controversial org Ave., Astoria When: Monday, Jan. 26, at 42. Eastern 70. Cupid's 18. Some surrealist Cost: Included in museum coat material 7 pm discipline counterpart works Light Hike: Winter Tree ID — admission, $12/adults, $9/ 46. Pizzeria order Where: Flushing Town Hall, 43. ___ an era 71. Silent assents 24. Prefix with Join the Urban Park Rangers seniors and students 49. Mosque officials as they lead a hike through 137-35 Northern Blvd. Contact: (718) 777-6888 45. Bad day for culture 50. Find Kissena Park, which prior to Cost: $8/general admission Website: www. Caesar? 26. August hrs. becoming a city park was Contact: (718) 463-7700 51. Jets set? movingimage.us 47. Triumphed Down 27. Regatta, e.g. Samuel Parsons tree nursery. Website: www. 52. Remote button When: Saturday, Jan. 10, fl ushingtownhall.org 48. District 1. Planets and such 28. Stratford-___- 11 am KIDS & FAMILY Attorney's request 2. Graph or legal intro Avon 53. Examine Where: Rose and Oak to a jury? 3. Mary Kay rival 29. Requirement 54. Feudal lord avenues, Kissena Park, MUSIC Noguchi Open Studio: 58. Seating section Flushing Drop-In Program for 52. Sicilian seaport 4. Hard to lift 30. "___ Be" Cost: Free Monthly Jazz Clinics— Families — On the fi rst 55. Potting need 5. Goes downhill? (Beatles hit) 60. Claudius's Contact: (718) 352-1769 For anyone interested in Sunday of every month, 56. China setting? 6. Baseball stat 34. First caucus successor Website: www.nycgovparks. learning more about jazz families can explore the 57. Play part 7. "Everything ___ locale 61. Oklahoma city org and having a chance to play galleries and then spend alongside other musicians. time in the education room 59. Play parts go!" 35. Prima donna 62. Fr. holy women Norian Maro “Leodo: Open to high school students making art. Educators 63. Addict 8. Kia model problems 65. No Clue will be on hand to discuss Paradise Lost”— The and older. Clinics is followed #Z('3"TTPDJBUFTttt7JTJUPVSXFCTJUFBUXXXHGSQV[[MFTDPN Korean world music group, by monthly Jazz Jam. gallery connections, TIMESLEDGER.COM TL TIMESLEDGER, JAN. 2–8, 2015 29 SUPER SHOW Continued from Page 25 “I started developing the The game’s basic concept is Legendary Fighting Federa- deeply rooted in SRG’s person- tion, as we waited on WWE,” al story of game development. he said. “After a few months, “It all started when me and we received the news: They two friends came together to couldn’t move forward because develop a trading card game of of contractual obligations.” our own. This one was based At that point, Resk was off mixed martial arts,” said ready to shift The Supershow Resk. “I was in college at the into high gear. time, and we had an incredible In August, the group went run with that.” out to Indianapolis and attend- They arranged photo shoots, ed Gen Con, the longest-run- play test groups and even had ning gaming convention in the several meetings with trading world, where they introduced One of the playing cards in The Supershow deck shows Super Hombre preparing to deliver El Super Smash to card company Topps. their creation to the crowd. his opponent. Image courtesy Steve Resk Topps told the trio that It was such a success, said mixed martial arts and gam- Resk, that by the third day of ers did not seem to them to be the convention his team held a our production costs as well Right now the game is be- launch of a comic book. a good match, said Resk. LFF Championship attracting as help the growth of SRG ing sold in its promotional “By making a comic book, But they were interested in more than 30 players. Universe during our first packaging at hobby and gam- we are able to employ writers developing a card game based Then in November, Resk production run,” said Resk. ing stores on Long Island and and to give more work to the on Vince McMahon’s World and his teammates became “Our production run with of- on Ebay. editing and design teams,” Wrestling Entertainment champions in their own right. ficial packaging and bar codes As Resk continues to grow said Resk. “It is important to business. They started a successful should be available in Febru- his team, which includes an avoid gathering moss and to So even as the three started Kickstarter campaign where ary 2015.” artist in Spain, programmer keep moving. The comics also developing the game and meet- 131 backers pledged $9,451, ex- After fighting an uphill in the Ukraine and writers provide us with a solid founda- ing with WWE executives, Resk ceeding their $8,000 goal. battle to bring The Supershow around the United States, he tion for the possibility of creat- believed he needed a backup “A l l those generous dona- project to fruition, they are plans to expand The Super- ing an animated series some- plan in case the deal fell apart. tions will be used to pay for now celebrating its release. show franchise, including the time in the future.” Polit-Sheer-Form! — The China- based art group attempts to Arts create a framework for collective Continued from Page 29 life in today’s consumer-oriented Where: Bayside Historical China. Society, 208 Totten Ave., Fort When: Through March 8 Totten Where: Queens Museum, New Cost: $10/opening reception York City Building, Flushing Contact: (718) 352-1548 Meadows Corona Park Website: www.baysidehistorical. Cost: Suggested — $8/adults, org $4/students and seniors, Free/ children under 12 Highlights of the Daghlian Contact: (718) 592-9700 Collection of Chinese Art — The Website: www.queensmuseum. full collection contains more org than 1,600 pieces spanning 5,000 years. This exhibit includes 60, MoMA PS1 — Now on display, “The mostly ceramic objects. Little Things Could Be Dearer,” When: Through Jan. 10 “Bob and Roberta Smith: Art Zoé Bruneau stars Jean-Luc Godard’s “Goodbye to Language” 3-D, which is screening at Museum of the Where: Godwin-Ternbach Museum Amnesty,” “Francesco Vezzoli: Moving Image as part of its Curators’ Choice series. Image courtesy of Kino Lorber at Queens College, 65-30 Kissena Teatro Romano,” “Zero Tolerance” Blvd., Flushing and “Samara Golden: The Flat fred Hitchcock. in this story that covers more Cost: Free Side of the Knife.” Movies The weekend screenings than a decade in the life of one Contact: (718) 997-4747 When: Through March 8 wrap up Sunday with two dis- family. Website: www.qcpages.qc.cuny. Where: MoMA PS1, 22-25 Jackson Continued from Page 28 tinctly different stories about Each of these movies has al- edu Ave., Long Island City family dynamics. ready had a theatrical release, Cost: $10/adults, $5/students and finds unexpected magic in the “Stray Dogs,” directed by but Schwartz believes they are Cultural Capsules — An seniors, Free/children under 16 tiny details, such as a moth Tsai Ming-liang, follows a all worth watching again. international exhibition featuring Contact: (718) 784-2084 flitting from room to room and destitute group as they wan- “From Rick Linklater’s artworks that tell the human Website: www.momaps1.org a toy helicopter in flight. The der through a perpetually radical decision with ‘Boy- stories of urban societies, which movie starts at 6 p.m. rain-soaked Taipei. It will be hood’ to make a film over a are often shadowed by the That will be followed at screened Jan. 4 at 2:30 p.m. 12-year period so that we can glittering lights of modern cities. 7:30 p.m. by Alain Guiraudie’s Richard Linklater’s see the actors grow up on When: Through Jan. 15 VISIT US AT film “Stranger by the Lake.” 12-years-in-the-making mov- screen, to Jean-Luc Godard’s Where: Jamaica Center for Arts Guiraudie’s breakout work, set ie “Boyhood” closes out the inventive use of 3-D in Good- & Learning, 161-04 Jamaica Ave., at a popular gay cruising spot, weekend Jan. 4 at 6 p.m. bye to Language 3D, all of the Jamaica TIMES examines the link between sex The director shot the film films in Curator’s Choice offer Contact: (718) 658-7400 and death. The film is being over a 12-year period allow- something exciting and new,” Website: www.jcal.org LEDGER.COM compared to the works of Al- ing the actors to age naturally he said. 30 TIMESLEDGER, JAN. 2–8, 2015 TL TIMESLEDGER.COM Guide toDINING Jimmy’s Trattoria Ristorante 45-73 Bell Blvd., Bayside, NY 11361 213-41 39th Avenue, Bayside, NY, 11361 s WWW*IMMYS"AYSIDECOM s APERITIFBISTROBAYSIDECOM Gallagher’s HAPPY Mon - Fri 11:30 - 3:30PM 82-70 Austin Street Sat & Sun 12 Noon - 4PM HOUR Kew Gardens, NY 11415 43-19 37th Street Complimentary Lunch during Happy Hour Long Island City 2000Indoor Valet Parking s All Major Credit Cards Accepted 718-849-3939 718.361.1348 s www.gallaghers2000.net Aunt Bella’s Restaurant MARBELLA 220-33 Northern Blvd. For Reservations Call Bayside ITALIAN RESTAURANT (718) 423-0100 Fax (718) 423-0102 (3 blocks west of Good Food At A Price You Can Afford AVAILABLE FOR PRIVATE PARTIES & CATERING Cross Island Pkwy.) Entertainment by Harpist Victor Gonzalez -ARATHON 0KWY ,ITTLE .ECK s !UNT"ELLAS2ESTAURANTCOM s Zum Stammtisch www.zumstammtisch.com German & -YRTLE !VENUE s 'LENDALE .9 Bavarian (718) 386-3014 Food G\eeJkXk`fe$C@IICfn\iC\m\c 8[aXZ\ekKfK`Zb\kN`e[fnj )() )++$-*,' {ä£ÓÊ Ê 6 ÊUÊ 9- ÊUÊÇ£nÓÓ{ÓÓää www.bourbonstreetny.com nnn%kiXZbjYXi^i`cc%Zfd A community staple since 1933 L^cZI^bZL^cZ7Vg 40-45 235th St., Douglaston, NY 11363 s 347-502-7274 (718) 672-9696 64-21 53rd Drive s Maspeth, NY www.winetimedouglaston.com Learn more at www.oneillsmaspeth.com SUNDAY BRUNCH Facebook.com/winetimedouglaston s [email protected] To be featured in our Guide to Dining call for information: 718.260.4521 TIMESLEDGER.COM TL TIMESLEDGER, JAN. 2–8, 2015 31 from 34th to 36th avenues and Willets Pt. are bordered on Willets Point Boulevard and 127th Street, but there are no sewers in the area. Continued from Page 1 “They collect sewer taxes,” and Related Companies — has Prestigiacomo said. “There are earmarked 23 acres for a mas- no sewers. How can they collect sive retail, commercial, resi- sewer taxes?” dential development by 2030, She also blamed the city for but the remaining 39 acres will the blight that has plagued the remain untouched for the next area and said the city purpose- 15 years. ly thwarted plans for an indus- The group could not be trial park to leave room for the reached for comment. development plan. “With all the tax money that “They have these 18-wheel- these people have been pay- ers, these great big giant con- ing, they deserve streets,” An- struction vehicles that haul de- tonacci said. “Why can’t we get bris,” she said. “They traverse streets? We get no city services up and down Willets Point like here.” it’s their highway to and from The city now controls 95 per- their dumping sites. cent of the area and roughly 100 The EDC spokesman said businesses have relocated off the area would be remediated the site in the past 18 months, The view down Willets Point Boulevard this week, where a water main break has not been fixed in more than a as part of the redevelopment according to a city Economic plan, which would include the month, local businesses say. Photo by Michael Shain Development Corporation installation of new infrastruc- spokesman. The EDC has also clean-up costs associated with calling on the city to repair the oping this property and what a ture and grades being raised completed off-site infrastruc- the development plan. infrastructure in the area for good job these small business out of the flood plain. He also ture work and the state Depart- In late August, a State Su- the last 20 years, put the blame owners have done literally for said the remediation work ment of Environmental Con- preme Court justice threw out on the EDC and the mayoral ad- themselves for decades, and would continue once the city servation granted preliminary a lawsuit filed by the group of ministrations over the last few now they’re been taken advan- completes land acquisition. approvals for the environmen- park advocates, civic leaders, decades. tage of in my opinion,” he said. Queens Development will tal remediation, he added. small businesses and Avella. He said the city is respon- Irene Prestigiacomo, owner be updating Community Board In November, state Sen. According to the lawsuit, the sible for the blight in the area, of SIJ Inc. in Willets Point, said 7 about the development plan Tony Avella (D-Bayside) called megamall could not legally be contending that they allowed she and other owners have been Jan. 7. on the DEC to reject an appli- built on the proposed site with- the area to deteriorate in order paying taxes for years but to no cation by the developer for the out approval from the state Leg- to pave the way for a rich devel- avail. Reach reporter Madina DEC’s Brownfield Cleanup Pro- islature because it is mapped as oper to come to the area. For example, she pays a sew- Toure by e-mail at mtoure@cn- gram in addition to $40 million parkland on city maps. “It’s unbelievable what a er tax for her property, which glocal.com or by phone at (718) they received from the city for Avella, who said he has been mess the city has done in devel- consists of two lots that run 260–4566. an award in recognition to Ky- Jecewiz said. “The athletic di- audit, restricting lobbying Anniversary vallos for bringing women’s rector said to me ‘You played PA and establishing an inspec- college basketball to MSG and for Lucille Kyvallos. This po- tor general’s office. Continued from Page 9 to national recognition. sition is yours if you want it.’ Continued from Page 4 The PA manages the “I remember my first inter- That is what an influence Ky- terms. three major New York area basketball at MSG, presented view for a coaching position,” vallos had.” “These changes reflect airports, including Kennedy the need for a profound and and LaGuardia, bridges, tun- necessary reimagining of nels and the Path system. For the Port Authority govern- 2014, its operating budget was Last summer, Avella said, were carried out after DEC ing structure, operations and short of $3 billion. Swan DEC agents shot and killed two agreed to revise their eradi- transparency in its oversight The veto also came as swans in upstate New York in cation plan and present it for of the world’s largest trans- the authorities investigate Continued from Page 4 front of people visiting the another public hearing is even portation and commerce net- the lane closing last year at Black River Bay near the Ca- more shameful and most defi- work,” the governor of New the New Jersey side of the A five-week public comment nadian border. nitely warrants an immediate Jersey said. George Washington Bridge. period on the bill led to more In a statement released at investigation.” The changes proposed by The scandal has damaged than 16,000 letters of support the time by Avella’s office, DEC said it would use non- both governors include more Christie’s reputation. for the birds and 30,000 signa- Edita Birnkrant, campaign di- lethal methods to handle the investments in the airports, The New Jersey gover- tures on a petition to stop the rector for the animal advocacy mute swan population elimi- reform of the public-records nor also vetoed another Port plan to eradicate the species. group Friends of Animals, nation plan. and ethic guidelines, mod- Authority transparency bill Cuomo said the DEC plan pointed out, “To say that this ernization of the Port Com- two years ago amid a toll in- will be revised and will in- was a horrific and inhumane Reach reporter Juan Soto by merce facilities to increase crease. clude parts of the bill that he incident is an understatement. e-mail at [email protected] or their efficiency and improve- New York lawmakers said shut down. The fact that these killings by phone at (718) 260–4564. ments to the operating model overriding the veto “is not for Path trains. practical” and promised to But state legislators, at the push for legislation to become same time, promised to fight law. The legislative session in for a law that would trans- Albany ends this week. tolerate these sorts of heinous by phone at (718) 260–4564. form the bistate agency. The Meanwhile, Democrats Menorah crimes against anyone in our bill vetoed by the governors in New Jersey, according to community,” Halili said. passed unanimously in both published reports, said Tues- Continued from Page 5 houses of each state legisla- day that they will attempt to cable.” Reach reporter Juan Soto by ture. override the veto sometime “We do not and will not e-mail at [email protected] or The bill approved by the in mid-January. four chambers would basi- Several Queens lawmak- cally change the whole cul- ers could not be reached for [email protected] ture of the troubled agency, comment. calling for an independent 32 TIMESLEDGER, JAN. 2–8, 2015 BT FT TL TIMESLEDGER.COM Mayor touts diversity Advertise your of newest probie class Clinical Studies in BY BILL PARRY New York’s largest group of The mayor received a warmer re- ception among the Bravest Monday af- ternoon following his icy encounter at community newspapers. the Police Academy graduation earlier in the day. He joined Fire Commission- - Weekly bannered directory er Daniel Nigro on Randall’s Island where they swore in a new class of 320 Probationary firefighters listen to Mayor - Ads will also appear in probationary firefighters. de Blasio and FDNY Commissioner Daniel The new class is one of the most di- Nigro during their swearing in ceremony on Classifieds & Online verse in FDNY history, with 45 percent Randall's Island. Photo courtesy Ed Reed of the recruits identifying themselves as women and people of color. The cer- cent identify as black, 24 percent as emony took place at the FDNY Train- Hispanic and 4 percent as Asian. The ing Academy, where they congratu- class includes three women, which in lated the “Probies” who began their addition to the 44 female firefighters ASK HOW YOU CAN GET first day of training immediately, the actively serving in the field, brings the beginning of an 18-week program. total number of women firefighters to EDITORIAL COVERAGE “We honor and welcome 320 he- 47, the highest total in FDNY history. roes with enormous talent, unrelent- “With each new class of probation- OF YOUR STUDY ing work ethic and remarkable back- ary firefighters, the FDNY grows grounds into the FDNY family,” de stronger and more representative of Blasio said. “This year’s class reflects the communities it serves by adding the rich racial and ethnic diversity of more women and people of color to Call Brian Rice our great city, and I couldn’t be more their ranks,” Nigro said. “Like every proud. On behalf of 8.4 million New class that has come before them, these Yorkers, I want to thank each and ev- new Probies will undergo extensive 718-260-4537 ery one of these heroes for their sacri- training as they earn the right to call fice and for their service.” themselves New York City firefight- Among the entering class, 17 per- ers.” Honoring Your Loved Ones Guiding Your Family With Compassion Sinai Chapels respects all Jewish traditions and customs, has a compassionate staff that is second to none, and has three generations of experience serving New York’s Jewish families. 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An- as they made their way to wait- Bratton called the police pro- Serge Courtemanch of the drew Cuomo, who denounced ing buses. Meanwhile, the resi- Continued from Page 1 test a “stunning show of dis- Lavalle PD, outside of Mon- the recent threats against the dents of Glendale were getting respect” during a national treal, came after his partner NYPD, and said “an attack on their neighborhood back. “You’ll confront all the television appearance Sunday was killed in the line of duty the NYPD is an attack on all Walter Isaksen watched the problems that plague our so- morning. last year. Darren Brown of the of us.” Cuomo followed with a outgoing traffic jam from the ciety, problems that you didn’t “That funeral was held to Royal Canadian Mounted Po- vow of support and pointed out front steps of his home at 71- create,” de Blasio said. From honor Officer Ramos, and to lice traveled from Manitoba, that “75,000 police officers and 06 67th Street. “Don’t get me the audience, someone shout- bring politics, to bring issues where three of his men were National Guardsmen state- wrong, I love the NYPD, but ed back, “You did!” Prompt- into that event was very inap- killed in an ambush. wide have your back every we’ve been on lockdown for ing some applause as well as propriate and I do not support Several hundred made their step of the way.” two whole days,” he said. “A laughter. it,” Bratton said on Meet the way to Glendale in bus cara- When it was de Blasio’s lot of our residents are really The mayor’s comments at Press. “He is the mayor of New vans from Boston. Sgt. Steven turn to speak, he kept his com- fed up that we couldn’t use our the Madison Square Garden York, he was there represent- Dearth of the Hingham, Mass. ments short but to the point. “ cars to go grocery shopping. event were his first since Sat- ing the citizens of New York Police Department said, “We “Officer Ramos put his We had helicopters all night urday’s funeral for slain Of- to express their remorse and had our own experience with life on the line every day so long with searchlights light- ficer Rafael Ramos that drew their regret at that death.” domestic terrorism with the other New Yorkers could live ing up our bedrooms. We love over 20,000 police officers When the uniformed of- Marathon Bombing, but as- in peace, so they could live them but we’re glad it’s over.” from New York and every part ficers began to turn their sassinating police officers is in safety.” he said. “That is Sean Teng and Long Chen, of the United States. The ma- backs on the mayor, they were a whole different animal. I’ve what he believed in. His life two workers at the Manna jority turned their backs to joined by hundreds of officers got to say I’ve been to too many was tragically cut short, but Deli, at 65-04 Central Ave., the outdoor screens as de Bla- from around the country and of these funerals.” his memory will live on in the were sorry it was over. sio delivered his eulogy at the Canada, who were part of the Ramos and Liu, both pro- hearts of his family, his con- “We’ve never had a morn- Christ Tabernacle Church in overflow crowd outside the moted to detective by Bratton, gregation, his brothers and ing quite like this,” Teng said. Glendale. church. were ambushed in Bedford- sisters of the NYPD, and liter- As the only deli for several The mayor did not offer a “It’s been a difficult year Stuyvesant in Brooklyn as ally millions of New Yorkers. blocks, it was jammed, accord- reaction to the silent protest, for law enforcement and every they sat in their squad car Dec. We will not forget.” ing to Chen. “It was unbeliev- choosing instead to keep the department in the country is 20. They were shot and killed The casket of Rafael Ramos able, we had to resupply sev- focus on Ramos’ funeral and feeling the pressure,” Deputy by Ismaaiyl Brinsley in re- was then taken out of Christ eral times this morning,” he the services for his partner, Sheriff Evan Wagner of the taliation for the deaths of two Tabernacle Church, where he said. “And it was fun to meet Wenjian Liu, next weekend. Los Angeles Sheriff’s Depart- unarmed black men by police. was an usher, for full honors, those guys. The amount of sup- In an answer to a request for ment said. “I’m based in East The gunman later killed him- including a fly-over by a dozen port they showed for each oth- comment, a spokesman for the Compton and we’ve been sub- self. helicopters. A motorcade led er was truly remarkable. And mayor said,“The Ramos and ject to some low blows from Vice President Joe Biden by 300 motorcycles made its I’ve never felt safer in my life.” Liu families, our police depart- the community as well. Cops was the first to speak at the way towards Cypress Hills ment and our city are dealing are realists. You don’t go to Ramos funeral, saying, “When Cemetery in Brooklyn for Reach reporter Bill Parry by with an unconscionable trag- these funerals thinking ev- an assassin’s bullet targeted burial. e-mail at [email protected] edy, our sole focus in unifying erything’s going to change. We two officers, it targeted this The huge throng of officers or by phone at (718) 260–4538. this city and honoring the lives go because we’re happy with city and it touched the soul of was slow to break up, many of cording to the complaint, the The baby died after suffer- continue the fight,” Konigb- Baby baby fell from a four-foot-high ing skull fractures, retinal Smoke sberg said. changing table. bleeding and lack of oxygen He hopes his efforts will Continued from Page 5 Singh did not tell his wife to his brain, outlined in the Continued from Page 2 pay off citywide. to work. about the incident, the com- criminal complaint. “The idea is one day to According to the criminal plaint said, until he noticed After Nevin underwent an March, he expects to com- have the City Council approve complaint, when the mother the baby was having difficulty examination at Cohen Chil- plete his Queens community a law for smoke-free housing” came home to their Brian breathing. dren’s Medical Center, doctors boards round. “Some commu- he said. Crescent home in Bayside Nevin was taken to Flush- concluded that the baby’s inju- nity boards find the proposal from her shift at the hospital, ing Hospital Medical center ries were inconsistent with a very controversial,” he said. Reach reporter Juan Soto she went to bed without check- and later transferred to Cohen fall from the changing table, The resolution adopted by by e-mail at jsoto@cnglocal. ing on the baby. Children’s Medical Center. “but rather consistent with CB 7 and CB 11 “provided me com or by phone at (718) 260– Less than two hours after The 202-bed hospital is part of the non-accidental inflicted with great encouragement to 4564. returning from work, Singh LIJ. trauma” to the head, accord- woke up his wife and called “Instead of protecting and ing to the complaint. 911, claiming the baby fell off nurturing this helpless, inno- Days before Nevin died, the changing table. The com- cent baby, the defendant is ac- Brown said that if the baby did plaint said Singh told investi- cused of tragically assaulting not survive his injuries “the mits to allow for the pedestri- gators that he prepared a bot- his son and causing skull frac- charges will be ungraded” Traffi c an walkway and pedestrian tle for Nevin at about 7 a.m., tures and widespread brain against Singh. managers,” a DOT spokes- Continued from Page 5 and then took him into the injury,” Queens District Attor- woman wrote in an email. shower. After the shower, ac- ney Richard Brown said. ing this the traffic becomes “DOT will continue to moni- worse, my understanding is tor the recently implemented DOT said they will monitor adjustments and to observe this and consider the elimi- that they achieve the intend- appeared to be partially con- nesses. This includes signage nation of the on-street park- ed goal of enhancing safety.” Spa castle structed, 12 different pools for price lists, refund policies, ing,” he said. with steps to get to pools but no receipts and gender pricing, a The DOT said it would pay Reach reporter Madina Continued from Page 24 handicap access and one very DCA spokeswoman said in an attention to how the traffic Toure by e-mail at mtoure@cn- classified. small elevator and the facility email. agents and the walkway are glocal.com or by phone at (718) The complaints included not having ramps for handi- The DCA inspected Spa affecting traffic in the area. 260–4566. cracks along the swimming capped individuals. Castle this year and issued “DOT has modified per- pool, no valid occupancy cer- T he cit y Depa r t ment of Con- a violation for missing in- tificate, an inoperative el- sumer Affairs, which does not formation on its price list, evator, cracks on the wall of license spas, is limited only to which they settled for $375, the a spa structure, substandard enforcement of the consumer spokeswoman said. egress options, stairwells that protection law at such busi- [email protected] 34 TIMESLEDGER, JAN. 2–8, 2015 BT FT TL TIMESLEDGER.COM Sports The Year in Review Looking back at 2014’s best in Queens HS sports BY JOSEPH STASZEWSKI The last 365 days brought plenty of highlights, produced many stars and created memo- ries to last a lifetime. TimesLedger Newspapers Aviation coach Mario Cotumaccio, the All-Queens coach of the year, Sports Editor Joseph Stasze- proudly holds up the PSAL championship trophy after the game wski takes a look back at the against Susan Wagner. Photo by Gina Palermo year in Queens high school sports and picks the best of the best. Here is what stands out from 2014: Queens players take Program of the Year: Christ the King The Middle Village school has been a standard of excel- boys’ soccer honors lence in basketball for many years, but the Royals succeed- BY JOSEPH STASZEWSKI All-Queens Boys’ Soccer ed at a high level in numerous Coach of the Year: Mario sports in 2014. The boys’ hoops What a boys’ soccer sea- Cotumaccio, Aviation team won their second straight son it was in Queens. Five years of being in CHSAA and state Federation Aviation made history the title hunt ended up with ‘AA’ crowns and the girls took by upsetting national power Cotumaccio being carried home the Brooklyn-Queens Martin Luther King Jr. in around the field after finally chip. The CK girls’ soccer team the semifinals en route to bringing the crown home. won a third consecutive dioc- Cardozo’s Keith Rogers was named boys’ athlete of the year after lead- the school’s first ever PSAL The 19th-year coach continu- esan title and reached its first ing the Judge to the city baseball title. Photo by Robert Cole Class AA crown. It wasn’t the ally gets the most out of his ever CHSAA state final. The borough’s only champion. team in the post season and boys’ squad finished second Monsignor McClancy won the trend continued as No. 12 in Brooklyn/Queens and the tle, a 21-4 record and a berth in con, MLK and Susan Wagner. its fourth straight CHSAA Aviation dropped the first, school’s football team enjoyed the Catholic state semifinals. He gave his kids both the confi- ‘A’ title and Grover Cleveland fourth and fifth seeds on it revival. Calhoun averaged 24 points, dence and the strategy to make upended Robert F. Kennedy way to the title. Boys’ Athlete of the Year: 9.3 rebounds and four steals it happen. for the PSAL ‘B’ crown. Keith Rogers, Cardozo base- per contest. Best Newcomer: Kevin Archbishop Molloy won All-Queens Boys’ ball Team of the Year: Christ Zepeda, Aviation boys’ soc- Brooklyn/Queen but fell to Soccer First Team: No one player was more the King boys’ basketball cer Fordham Prep in the CHSAA important to his team’s suc- The Royals put together The senior played his first Intersectional final. Bayside F Anthony Baltazar, cess than Rogers as he hit and quite a title run in a season season with Aviation after fo- reached the PSAL semifinals Newtown pitched the Judges to their where the CHSAA was its cusing on working after school for the first time in three Newtown enjoyed one of first PSAL title since 1988. He deepest and most talented in for the first three years. Zepeda years. Those were just some its best seasons in recent was undefeated in 11 starts years. CK beat Cardinal Hayes made an immediate impact. He of the memories made on the years and Baltazar was a and won four playoff games. and Bishop Loughlin en route scored 16 goals, including the field this season. Here are top huge reason why. The ju- Rogers, who allowed just three to a fourth city championship winner against MLK and tied players in Queens who made nior forward netted 25 goals earned runs all season, was in the last five years. It then the score in the final. Zepeda them happen: and dished out four assists the victor in the quarterfinal, took down Queens rival Cardo- never shied away from the big All-Queens Boys’ Soccer to help Newtown reach the semifinal clincher and the zo and Long Island Lutheran to moment and thrived in them. Player of the Year: Kevin PSAL quarterfinals. title game at Yankee Stadium. claim a state Federation Class Best Upset: Mary Louis Zepeda, Aviation D Roko Basic, Monsi- He also drove in the go-ahead AA crown in a year it was far girls’ tennis ends 16-year The senior forward wait- gnor McClancy run against Tottenville in the from favored to do so. CHSAA state title reign ed for the perfect time to join Basic was the rock of the final. Coach of Year: Mario Co- The Hilltoppers had been the Aviation program. Zepe- Crusaders’ defense and part Girls’ Athlete of the Year: tumaccio, Aviation boys’ soc- closing in on this feat over the da excelled in his first sea- of a senior group that has Sierra Calhoun, Christ the cer last three years and finally son of organized soccer. He known nothing but titles. He King No one believed Aviation did what no Catholic school scored 16 goals, including the is the unquestioned leader in Calhoun, who is now start- could win a PSAL Class AA team could for nearly a decade. winner against MLK and the the back, but his tying goal in ing at Duke, etched her name city title, but Cotumaccio, and TMLA topped St. Francis Prep tying score in the final. He the final forced penalty kicks into Royals lore as a senior. he made his team feel it and do 3-2 in the semifinals before also dished out eight assists that the Crusaders eventu- She was named a McDonald’s it. The superb playoff tactician beating St. Joseph Hill for the to help push Aviation over ally won. All-American and led CK to a completed a five-year journey school’s first state crown. the top in the post season. Continued on Page 37 CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens ti- to the top with upsets of Bea- Continued on Page 37 TIMESLEDGER.COM NE TIMESLEDGER, JAN. 2-8, 2015 35 Molloy rebounds to beat White Plains BY JOSEPH STASZEWSKI “It’s a game we were supposed before. The Stanners commit- to win. He got on our case a lit- ted 12 of their 21 turnovers in It only took a few minutes tle bit to pick up our intensity. the second half and allowed for Mike McCleary to see and It brought us to reality.” the Hartsdale school to slip have enough. Stony Brook Prep transfer back into the contest and steal The coach’s Archbishop Chase Audige (nine points) it. McCleary feels this year’s Molloy boys’ basketball team sparked a 19-4 run over the group needs to rely on its was flat and sluggish follow- first and second quarters to shooting, unselfishness and ing a tough one-point loss the give Molloy a 19-6 lead early ball handling if it is going to night before to Woodlands. in the second stanza. The be successful. McCleary called a timeout a Stanners, who led by as many “I believe in this group,” little more than two minutes as 12 points in the first half, McCleary said. “I believe they into a tie game of the Stan- were up 23-13 with four min- have a chance to do well if they ners’ afternoon contest with utes to go before halftime and play the way they have to.” White Plains and lit into his proceeded to go on a quick 9-0 It did all those things starters for their lack or en- run behind the hot shooting against White Plains. War- ergy and urgency. and aggressive play of Audige, ren scored 14 points, shot 5 of “I kind of looked in their D’Ante Warren and Dominick 10 from the field and grabbed eyes and they were kind of Priolo. A beautiful feed from eight rebounds. Center Issac blah, even this morning Mc- Priolo to John O’Connor for Grant tallied 16 points and Cleary said. “We only played a basket with 10 seconds left eight boards. Jason Camus 18 hours ago. I tried to get helped Molloy take a 34-17 ad- chipped in eight points for a them going pregame, it didn’t vantage into the half. Stanners team that turned it work. Then we came out and I “The game just felt easier,” over just 12 times. Luis Carta- felt I had to do that.” D'Ante Warren (l.) and Chase Audige led Molloy to a win over White Plains Audige said. gena led White Plains with 15 It still took a little time Molloy was happy to get points. last Saturday. Photo by Joseph Staszewski for the squad to get going, but back in the win column after “I feel like we are going to Molloy never trailed after that falling to St. Raymond 75-69 go far,” Warren said. “We still and went on to earn a convinc- of Slam Dunk Tournament at “After last night we were before Christmas and blow- have a lot of improving to go, ing 70-48 victory over White the Westchester County Cen- every disappointed,” senior ing a 15-point lead and losing but we are going to grow as Plains in the consolation game ter last Saturday. guard D’Ante Warren said. to Woodlands 58-57 the night the season goes on.” Lewis still not clicking despite early success Joseph squad clicking. Lewis is get- ting used to playing without Staszewski a true center again after the ■ graduation of Chelsea Robin- son. Junior point guard Tali- Block yah Brisco unselfishly vol- Shots unteered to take herself out of the starting lineup three weeks ago to give junior for- t’s hard to fathom a team ward Dominique Williams with just one loss search- more playing time and give ing for answers. That is ex- Lewis a more traditional look Iactly what Francis Lewis is to start the game. It has been doing. The Patriots girls’ bas- beneficial for both her and the ketball team hasn’t returned team so far. Brisco provides to championship form despite a boost off the bench and is being off to a strong start to learning the game better in the season. the process. The defending PSAL Class “I see what mistakes and AA city champions are 7-1 what faults we have and we heading into the new year, but can clean up,” Brisco said. “I neither coach Steve Tsai nor watch and observe what mis- his players are happy with takes we make and why he how the club is playing. The was upset over how we came Patriots had to rally late to out. I take notes in my head on beat rival South Shore, needed how to fix it.” free throws with no time re- For Lewis it is about im- Sierra Green and Francis Lewis are looking to hit their stride in the second half of the season. maining to get the win. It held proving on offense and limit- Photo by Joseph Staszewski on for a victory over Immacu- ing its mental errors. Tsai be- championship pedigree. the piece many believe put dle them,” junior guard Sierra late Conception (N.J.) and was lieves some of that is getting “Partly, it might be resil- them over the top. They have Green said of playing talented blasted by Immaculate Heat the team’s younger players up ience,” Tsai said. “Our girls fared well in games against forwards. (N.J.) just before Christmas. to speed with its veteran core. are also a little bit stubborn. bigger teams. Lewis limited Now, Lewis must handle “None of our games have The good news for him and When it gets close and com- both South Shore’s Brianna the business of limiting its been pretty,” Tsai said. “We the Patriots is that they are petitive, I think our girls can Fraser (Maryland) and Im- mistakes and scoring droughts really haven’t been playing still winning games despite step it up a little bit.” maculate Conceptions’ Sa- if it wants to put itself back on well.” not playing their best and are The Patriots still want mantha Fuehring (Louisville) track again. One thing is for It has the coach tinkering unbeaten in PSAL play. It is a to prove they can win a title to earn victories. sure, there will be no lack of to find something to get his tribute to the team’s guts and without the help of Robinson, “It looks like we can han- effort to make it happen. 36 TIMESLEDGER, JAN. 2-8, 2015 BT FT TL TIMESLEDGER.COM fense. have done without Kilcarr? ish second in CHSAA Brook- Honorable Mention Soccer D Ryan Hoffman, Arch- SFP struggled to score, but lyn/Queens. The dynamic M Mikel Agaraj, Newcomers bishop Molloy were constantly in games be- midfielder also added seven F Julian Cabanillas, Francis Continued from Page 35 The senior has been a stal- cause of his acrobatic saves assists. Lewis M Daniel Corridan, wart in the back for coach and down right refusal to al- GK Julian Rodriguez, M Leo d’Alessandro, St. Archbishop Molloy Andy Kostel, He has helped low any get past him. He will Bayside Francis Prep The senior captain did a make the Stanners one of the be missed next season. The Commodores allowed F Nick Eras, Queens Voca- little bit of everything for the city’s best defensive teams M Juan Carlos Obregon, just one playoff goal in three tional Tech Stanners and always played year in and year out. Hoff- Christ the King matches. Rodriguez was key F Pratik Gurung, Grover with maximum effort. Cor- man’s smarts and physical The Royals had one of their to that. The junior made 109 Cleveland ridan’s poise allowed him to play made him so reliable. best regular seasons in recent saves and let in only eight M Andrew Laurenzano, Holy control play at midfield, He F Michael Jimenez, Bay- years and the dynamic Obre- goals all season to help Bay- Cross was the player the offense ran side gon was a catalyst. The speedy side win the division and F Paul Morales, Monsignor though and had a knack for Bayside wasn’t an offensive senior streaked past defenses reach the semifinals. McClancy key goals juggernaut, but Jimenez made for 21 goals and nine assists D Juan Sanchez, Avia- M Andy Munoz, Christ the D Lucas DoNascimento, the times he scored count. The to help CK finish second in tion King Archbishop Molloy senior scored six times and Brooklyn/Queens. Defense wins champion- D Ronald Orejuela, Bayside DoNascimento was the ver- dished out three assists. Jime- M John Nunez, Christ ships and in Aviation’s case, F Chris Ray, Archbishop satile piece that made Molloy nez tallied the winner in the the King it did. Sanchez was the leader Molloy go. His effort and athleticism quarterfinal and assisted on Nunez was always up for of a back four that recorded F Niko Vasilakos, St. Francis allowed him to cover ground the lone second round score. the big moment. Five of the three playoff shutouts and al- Prep and challenge with the best in GK Chris Kilcarr, St. senior’s 13 goals came against lowed just three goals. They GK Almpertos Zervas, New- the city. DoNascimento could Francis Prep Molloy, St. Francis Prep and held everything together. comers also put up to spark the of- What would the Terriers Xavier to help the Royals fin- Hubert tossed a two-hitter tle certainly didn’t come easy PSAL ‘AA’ city title It sparked plenty of questions Year’s Best and walked just one. She also and without drama. Beach Lewis took home its first and the ire of league coaches. drove in the game’s only run Channel, which blew a two- crown since 1979 and ended Quote of the Year: “The Continued from Page 35 when she came home on a run lead, got a game-saving Murry Bergtraum’s 15-year pressure was on and I tried Best Clutch Performance: Katherine Barbaro single in throw by centerfielder Anto- reign in the process, but the to dismiss it,” said Scholars Nicole Hubert, Mary Louis the first inning after getting a nio Moccia to cut down the po- championship didn’t come Academy’s Felicia Saravo on softball hit to lead off the frame. tential winning run at home. without controversy. The her winning hit to cap a six- The senior single-handly Game of the Year: Beach Senior Kely Aponte sparked PSAL waved its own rule to run seventh inning in the led her team to a 1-0 semifinals Channel vs. Bronx Science, a ninth-inning rally that se- allow Taft School transfer PSAL Class B softball final. “I upset of top-seeded Archbish- PSAL Class B baseball fi- cured the title. and center Chelsea Robinson was scared, but I guess I have op Molloy and helped TMLA nal Story of the Year: Francis to suit up for the Patriots for to hit it.” reach its first final since 2005. The Dolphins’ first city ti- Lewis girls’ basketball wins the first time in the playoffs. ! ! TIMESLEDGER.COM NE TIMESLEDGER, JAN. 2-8, 2015 37 TIMESLEDGER.COM NE TIMESLEDGER, JAN. 2–8, 2015 43 SEE WHAT ATOYOTA GREAT DEAL REALLY IS AT TOYOTATHON IS HERE! CALL TOLL FREE: 800-695-5896 A % V MANY AVAILABLE MANY AVAILABLE AT THIS PRICE! A AT THIS PRICE! 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