The Forum West 08 2014

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • February 20, 2014 | 1

VOL. 13 • NUMBER 8 • FEBRUARY 20, 2014

Image courtesy QueensWay Connection

A worldwide architecture competition drew ideas from around the globe as to what the future could hold for an abandoned rail line that runs from Rego Park to Ozone Park, with the winner outlining a proposal that includes exercise space, public art and educational facilities. See Page 25

VISIONS OF QUEENSWAY

Bike Lanes Land Approval from CB 5

Page 3

Nabbed! 104th Cops Honored for Thief Take Down

Page 14

Waging War on Pedestrian Deaths

Pages 5

2 | THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • February 20, 20142 | THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • February 13, 20142 | THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • January 2, 2014 2 THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • October 25, 2012


Decked out in a pink tutu, a shirt embla-zoned with her name, and a nearly perpetual smile, Valentina Allen celebrated her first birth-day last week - a milestone in anyone’s life, cer-tainly, but particularly so for the young Howard Beach girl who is bravely battling a rare congeni-tal heart defect.

Born Feb. 15, 2013 with hypoplastic left heart syndrome - a birth defect that leaves her with a severely underdeveloped left ventricle - Valentina’s story is one of the power of human resiliency. Since being born a little over one year ago, she has undergone two major heart surger-ies and faces one more in a year or two - after which her family and doctors expect her to live a normal, primarily hospital-free life that could even include physical feats that those of us with a fully functional heart would be hard pressed to accomplish.

“The oldest person with what Valentina has is 26 now - she was born when these surgeries first came out,” said Danielle Allen, who lives in Howard Beach with Valentina, her 2-year-old daughter Victoria, and her husband Ryan. “She has been a gymnast and is a skier - she lives a completely active, normal life.”

Over the past year, the Allen family has spent much of their time going back and forth between Queens and the Children’s Hospital of Philadel-phia, where Valentina has undergone her two ma-

jor heart surgeries. During this time, Danielle and Ryan Allen were able to take time off to be with their daughter and stay in a hotel near the hospi-tal - but they stressed that they met many families who were not able to afford the same.

That is where a fundraiser this Sunday, Feb. 23, at 10 a.m. comes into play. The Allen fam-ily will donate the funds raised during the Lift-a-Thon and Cardio-a-Thon to the Children’s Hos-pital of Philadelphia’s social work department, which in turn helps families be able to stay with their babies during surgeries; to the hospital’s car-diac child life program - which aims to make chil-dren’s hospital visits a little more enjoyable with games, arts and crafts, and music; and cardiac re-search because, as Danielle Allen said, “hopefully Valentina will get to grow up, get married, have babies, and live a long, fulfilling life - which, if she was born 30 years ago, she probably wouldn’t have been able to.”

Gold’s Gym is located at 157-05 Cross Bay Blvd. The fundraiser is expected to last for several hours.

The fundraiser almost immediately follows Valentina’s first birthday - an occasion which Danielle Allen was, upon discovering her daugh-ter’s defect, told may never happen. When she was 18 weeks pregnant, doctors told Danielle Allen that they couldn’t see the four chambers in Valentina’s heart. After sending the mother for a

two-hour fetal echo, it was recommended to the 28-year-old that she should abort the baby.

Danielle and Ryan Allen decided to seek a second opinion and flew to Boston, where doc-tors told them the baby had a 75 percent chance of living until the age of three. Finally, the family

went to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where medical personnel said they’d be able to perform three heart surgeries - the first at three days old, the second at six months, and the third at two to three years old.

Overwhelmed by this news, Danielle Allen said the news confirmed what she had hoped for more than anything: Her daughter had a chance at life.

Along with having hypoplastic left heart syn-drome, Valentina also has heterotaxy, a congeni-tal defect where major organs are distributed ab-normally in the body; and asplenia - which means the little girl has no spleen.

“It’s overwhelming,” Danielle Allen said. “People will say, ‘You’re 28 years old - how are you dealing with this?’ I found the best hospitals. I didn’t care what it was going to cost me - I was doing this for my baby.”

Despite the two heart surgeries - as well as an-other surgery to correct where her intestines were placed - one would have a difficult time knowing such a little person has been up against so much.

“She’s a happy, happy baby,” Danielle Al-len said. “She’s so happy and so easygoing. She’s amazing.”

The fundraiser will be held at Gold’s Gym at 157-05 Cross Bay Blvd. at 10 a.m. on Feb. 23. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/GoldsGymHB

Photo courtesy Danielle AllenValentina Allen, 1, of Howard Beach was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and has already undergone two major heart surgeries, but, with new technology, she is expected to live a long and healthy life.

Howard Beach 1-Year-Old Inspires Fundraiser For Children Battling Heart Defects

By Anna Gustafson

Saying the government needs to do more to better protect Jamaica Bay and the Rockaway peninsula from future storms, U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) urged federal officials to sup-port five separate projects totaling $17.5 million that he said would prove crucial during future weather events like Superstorm Sandy.

Stressing that Jamaica Bay acted as a natural barrier during Sandy, somewhat softening the storm’s blow, Schumer is asking the federal De-partment of Interior, or DOI, to funnel millions into projects that would make the bay a more effective buffer against future coastal storms, as well as making Rockaway’s coastline more resil-ient, the lawmaker announced last week.

“Superstorm Sandy wrought tremendous damage across the communities surrounding Ja-

maica Bay, but the damage may have been even worse were it not for Jamaica Bay’s natural ability to act as a shield against storms,” Schumer said in a statement. “Sometimes our best defense against Mother Nature’s wrath is actually Mother Nature itself, and these five projects will take what is al-ready a natural storm defense and make it even more effective at protecting the homes and liveli-hoods of thousands of New Yorkers.”

The requested $17.5 million for the five projects is part of the city’s official application to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Hurricane Sandy Coastal Resiliency Competi-tive Grants Program, through which more than $100 million in grants will be awarded through-out the region affected by Superstorm Sandy.

“These five projects are exactly what this grant program was created to fund, and I am urg-ing the Department of Interior to give these the

green light as soon as possible,” Schumer said.The projects Schumer is supporting include

the Sunset Cove salt marsh and maritime forest restoration, Rockaway East resiliency preserve, Spring Creek salt marsh and coastal upland restoration, Jamaica Bay head of bay oyster res-toration, and Jamaica Bay bathymetric and sedi-ment model.

“This grant money is critical to safeguard-ing one of New York City’s most amazing and productive natural assets,” said city Director of Resiliency Daniel Zarrilli.

The $5 million Sunset Cove salt marsh and maritime forest restoration project will restore about six to seven acres of salt marsh, enhance four to five forest acres, and construct berms on Broad Channel Island.

Another $5 million is being requested for the Rockaway East resiliency preserve, a dune construction and beach habitat development project in Arverne that would result in a better protected coastline.

The $5 million Spring Creek salt marsh and coastal upland restoration would restore and enhance 11 acres of salt marsh and 16 acres of coastal forest and scrubland in Spring Creek Park, where extensive marshland has been filled and remaining marshed are degraded by debris.

The Jamaica Bay head of bay oyster restora-tion project would be located in the northeast-ern end of Jamaica Bay and would establish a self-sustaining oyster population that would fil-ter the water. The constructed oyster bed would protect the adjacent shoreline from erosion and future coastal storm surges. Again, this project would be $5 million.

A $1 million Jamaica Bay bathymetric and sediment model project would develop and test a model to illustrate and understand sediment transport in Jamaica Bay and its environs.

Photo courtesy NYC Parks DepartmentA proposed $5 million project for Spring Creek Park would restore and enhance 11 acres of salt marsh and 16 acres of coastal forest in the northern portion of Jamaica Bay.

Schumer Pushes Feds For Jamaica Bay Funding Homework Heroes Will Help Students

For FreeAn organization dedicated to using tech-

nology to help students with their homework will give a live demonstration at a Parents Meeting at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catho-lic Academy (111-10 115th St. South Ozone Park) at 6:30 PM on February 24, 2014.

Homework Help Heroes aims to provide Internet-based help through the use of a tablet or touch enabled computer to any student who needs help and has access to the Internet. This help is to be provided free of charge to anyone who needs it.

Having enlisted over a dozen volunteer teachers so far to help students, they intend to launch Homework Help Heroes on February 25th

Although the program is launching at OLPH, it is free and open to any student who needs help, as well as any teacher who wishes to volunteer. The group hopes to be able to enlist a greater number of teachers with a wide vari-ety of skills as more schools adopt the program.

With all the concerns surrounding the adoption of Common Core standards the group feels this is an effective way to help those students who are having difficulty. The majority of the current volunteers are trained in the Common Core Curriculum and thus qualified to help those students who need help in this area.

Using a tablet allows us to provide access to teachers who would not normally venture be-yond their local area to provide help. The fact that students can go back and replay the help sessions to further reinforce the lesson is also a big plus.”

Homework Help Heroes is currently re-cruiting volunteers and encourages those with an interest in becoming involved to contact them via email at [email protected] or by telephone at (347) 693-8308.

4 | THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • February 20, 2014

FORUM PAGE 4 SOUTH

By Phil Corso

Mayor Bill de Blasio used the same kind of language he employed throughout his campaign as he unveiled his $74 billion budget proposal, frequently throwing out phrases like “progres-sive” and “fair shot” for a plan that landed nods of approval from borough and city leaders.

“There's nothing mutually exclusive about being both fiscally responsible and economi-cally progressive,” de Blasio said. “This may sound counterintuitive to some, but we need a balanced budget and a strong and stable govern-ment to facilitate our fight against inequality.”

The mayor’s budget proposal hit a lot of the same talking points he used to get elected, like expanding prekindergarten and after-school programs. Such budget items almost routinely hit the chopping block in years past under his predecessor, Michael Bloomberg.

Another byproduct of Bloomberg’s budget-ary past included the potential nixing of several Queens firehouses. The fiscal dance became an almost annual occurrence in the former mayor’s latter years, and Councilwoman Eliza-beth Crowley (D-Middle Village) said she was thrilled to see the mayor change the financial tune.

“The mayor’s preliminary budget restores funding cuts Bloomberg made to the FDNY, which is vitally important,” she said in a state-ment. “It also expands funding for homeless prevention and early childhood and after-school learning programs. I look forward to working with the de Blasio administration to ensure that the 2015 budget is fair and balanced.”

City Comptroller Scott Stringer took a deeper look into the numbers and found that unlike most years, the budget was balanced for FY 2015 prior to the release of the preliminary

budget, which allowed de Blasio to set aside new revenue. Those savings included $1 billion into the Retiree Health Benefits Trust Fund, and $300 million to the general reserve.

“The preliminary budget for fiscal year 2015 contains a double dose of good news,” a spokes-man for the nonprofit Citizens Budget Com-mission said. “There is more money than had been anticipated, and it will be put to prudent use.”

The spokesman said de Blasio utilized ad-ditional tax revenue to restore $1 billion to the Retiree Health Benefits Trust Fund, established in 2006 to build reserves to fund the city’s re-tiree health liability. The commission was also pleased to see the mayor increase the reserves set aside in future years from $300 million to $600 million annually.

De Blasio also set some money aside for new policy initiatives, including a municipal ID system, $52 million towards relieving New York City Housing Authority of the burden of pay-ing for its own police protection, $35 million for unanticipated snow removal costs, and capping rental costs for those with HIV/AIDS who live in city-supported housing.

On the topic of union contracts, de Blasio faced some criticism over allocating no money to giving city workers raises as he was still antici-pating contract negotiations with city unions.

“Negotiating contracts with the city’s work-force is a complex and daunting task, but it is critical that we resolve these contracts if we are going to achieve real balance,” Stringer said. “We have always faced budget challenges in this city and we have overcome those challenges by working together. I am confident that we will find ways to keep the city growing, ensure work-ers are compensated fairly and maintain New York’s status as the greatest city in the world.”

Photo Rob Bennett/NYC Mayor's OfficeMayor Bill de Blasio issues the preliminary city budget for fiscal year 2015 at the City Hall's Blue Room last week.

Mayor's First Budget Leaves Borough Leaders Hopeful

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By Anna Gustafson

As Mayor Bill de Blasio’s adminis-tration focuses on dramatically decreas-ing pedestrian fatalities throughout the city, Queens residents are urging city officials to bring relief to the borough - particularly to major thoroughfares recently named as some of the state’s most dangerous places for walkers.

The Tri-State Transportation Cam-paign, a nonprofit policy watchdog organization, said in a new analysis of statistics from the National High-way Traffic Safety Administration that Woodhaven Boulevard, Northern Bou-levard, Queens Boulevard, and Union Turnpike were the most dangerous in the borough for pedestrians. Addition-ally, the group reported that these four major roads were some of the most dan-gerous in the entire downstate region.

The new analysis found there were 115 pedestrian deaths in Queens from 2010 through 2012 - during which time there were 683 pedestrians killed on roads in the 12 downstate New York counties. Overall, 1,236 pedestrians were killed in the tri-state region during the same time period.

Between 2010 and 2012, there were eight pedestrians killed on Woodhaven Boulevard, five on Northern Boulevard, five on Queens Boulevard, and five on Union, according to the report.

“These findings make it clear once again that we need to redesign our most dangerous arterial corridors,” said Paul

Steely White, executive director of Transportation Alternatives. “We can save lives by building complete streets with protected bike lanes, wider side-walks and pedestrian safety islands.”

De Blasio this week unveiled his de-tailed “Vision Zero” report that is part of a citywide initiative to significant

curb pedestrian deaths, and the mayor has said he aims to bring that number down to zero within a decade. The plan includes decreasing the citywide speed limit and redesigning roads that com-munity members and city officials label as particularly worrisome.

De Blasio’s plan “must also include

more consistent traffic enforcement, more thorough crash investigations, and home rule, so we can lower speed limits and increase the used of speed cameras,” White said. City officials said all of these are part of the mayor’s initia-tive.

While the Queens roadways were labeled as the most dangerous in the borough, it was Suffolk County that had the most dangerous road for pedestri-ans in the entire downstate area - as well as the tri-state region, according to the analysis. There were a reported 16 pe-destrian fatalities on the county’s Route 25 - otherwise known as Jericho Turn-pike - between 2010 and 2012, with half of those deaths occurring with the 11.5 mile stretch from Centereach to Ridge.

While decreasing deaths is a daunt-ing prospect, transportation advocates said it can certainly be accomplished.

“Pedestrian fatalities are tragic but they can be prevented,” Campaign Staff Analyst Renata Silberblatt said. “Complete streets policies have to move from passage to implementa-tion of more life saving traffic calming projects on roads throughout New York.”

Woodhaven, Queens Blvds. Listed As Two Of The Most Dangerous Roads In New York

Photo courtesy NYC Department of TransportationQueens Boulevard and Woodhaven Boulevard, pictured here where the two intersect, were named as two of the most dangerous roads for pedestrians in downstate New York by the Tri-State Transportation Campaign.

By Anna Gustafson

Reducing the citywide speed limit from 30 miles per hour to 25 mph and expanding the use of speed and red light cameras throughout the five boroughs were two propos-als detailed in Mayor Bill de Blasio’s “Vision Zero” action plan that he and his administration rolled out Tuesday afternoon as part of an ef-fort to significantly curb pedestrian deaths.

“We refuse to accept the loss of children, parents and neighbors as inevitable,” de Blasio said at a press conference in Manhattan. “We are focusing the full weight of city gov-ernment to prevent fatalities on our streets. This will add up to much more than changing intersections or issuing violations. It’s about each of us taking greater responsibility every time we get behind the wheel or step out onto the street. Our lives are lit-erally in each other’s hands - and to-day we begin the work of living up to that responsibility.”

The mayor joined Police Com-missioner Bill Bratton and city De-partment of Transportation Com-missioner Polly Trottenberg, among other administration and elected of-ficials, for the announcement that de Blasio was releasing the Vision Zero plan - the culmination of a month of efforts on the part of city repre-

sentatives to develop new strategies to make streets safer, ranging from lowering the citywide speed limit to increasing enforcement against speeding and failure to yield to pe-destrians.

The effort, which follows the mayor’s meeting last week with fami-lies of victims of fatal pedestrian ac-cidents, including a number from Queens, comprises new legislation, changes to city policies, public edu-cation, and community outreach.

“More than 20 lives have been lost in our streets so far this year,” de Blasio said Tuesday. “The statistics are sobering. Being struck by a car is the leading cause of injury-related

death for children younger than 15. It’s the second leading cause of injury-related death for our senior citizens.”

Last year, de Blasio pointed out, there were 333 recorded homicides - and 286 traffic fatalities.

“Those two numbers are shock-ingly similar,” the mayor said.

One of the proposed changes includes slashing the citywide speed limit from 30 mph to 25 mph - some-thing for which the mayor will need to receive the blessing of Albany to implement. Numerous studies have shown that the likelihood of an in-dividual surviving after being hit by a vehicle moving at 25 mph is far

greater than had they been run into by an automobile traveling at 30 mph.

Additionally, de Blasio and Brat-ton said they plan to expand the use of speed and red light enforcement cameras. The city currently has the authority to deploy red light cam-eras at 150 intersections and speed enforcement cameras at 20 spots. Building on the recent success ex-panding these surveillance programs, city officials said they will work with state leaders to authorize wider use of camera enforcement. Since speed enforcement cameras were activated last month, the city has issued nearly 4,000 speeding tickets.

In addition to speed limits and cameras, city officials are proposing developing borough specific street safety plans - for which the DOT will work with area elected officials, com-munity boards and other stakehold-ers to address dangerous locations. They will target 50 locations per year for extensive redesign.

De Blasio noted he also aims to expand neighborhood “slow zones,” and the DOT will work with com-munities to identify and implement 25 new arterial slow zones and eight new neighborhood slow zones that use signage and calming measures like speed humps to minimize speeding.

“Over the last five years, it’s ap-parent that 70 percent of incidents involving pedestrian fatalities in-volved the issue of speed or failure to yield,” Bratton said. “And that - the department’s efforts going forward will focus very significantly on those types of violations, speeding viola-tions and failure to yield to pedestri-ans at intersections.

“We will be enforcing many rules and regulations, but that is the one we feel - coupled with the technology that’s being acquired, increased red light cameras, etcet-era - that can have the quickest and most significant impact in reduc-ing...pedestrian fatalities,” Bratton continued.

With Focus On Pedestrian Deaths, Mayor Calls For Lower Speed Limit And More Speed Cameras

Photo courtesy Rob Bennett/NYC Mayor's Office

Mayor Bill de Blasio meets last week with families of city residents who have been killed in pedestrian accidents.


OverviewHypoplastic left heart syndrome is a com-

plex and rare heart defect present at birth (con-genital). In hypoplastic left heart syndrome, the left side of the heart is critically underdeveloped.

If your baby is born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, the left side of the heart can't effectively pump blood to the body, so the right side of the heart must pump blood both to the lungs and to the rest of the body.

Medication to prevent closure of the con-nection (ductus arteriosus) between the right and left sides, followed by either surgery or a heart transplant, is necessary to treat hypoplas-tic left heart syndrome. With advances in care, the outlook for babies born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome is better now than in the past.

SymptomsBabies born with hypoplastic left heart syn-

drome usually are seriously ill immediately after birth. Hypoplastic left heart syndrome symp-toms include:

Grayish-blue skin color (cyanosis)Rapid, difficult breathingPoor feedingCold hands and feetBeing unusually drowsy or inactiveIn a baby with hypoplastic left heart syn-

drome, if the natural connections between the heart's left and right sides (foramen ovale and ductus arteriosus) are allowed to close, he or

she may go into shock and may die. Signs of shock include:

Cool, clammy skin that may be pale or grayA weak and rapid pulseAbnormal breathing that may be either slow

and shallow or very rapidDilated pupilsLackluster eyes that seem to stareA baby who is in shock may be conscious

or unconscious. If you suspect your baby is in shock, immediately call 911 or your local emer-gency number.

When to see a doctorIt's more likely that your baby would be di-

agnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome either before birth or soon after. However, you should seek medical help if you notice that your baby has the following symptoms:

Grayish-blue skin colorRapid, difficult breathingPoor feedingCold hands and feetBeing unusually drowsy or inactiveIf your baby has any of the following signs of

shock, call 911 or your local emergency number right away:

Cool, clammy skin that may be pale or grayA weak and rapid pulseAbnormal breathing that may be either slow

and shallow or very rapidDilated pupils in the eyesLackluster eyes that seem to stare

Understanding Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome


By Anna Gustafson

Sebastian Oseff was wise beyond his years.

A student at PS 232 in Linden-wood, the elementary school boy was known to his family and friends as a bright spot in a world that can be daunt-ing in its darkness. Described as charis-matic, intelligent, and an “old soul” who stopped at nothing to make sure those around him were happy, Sebastian lost his battle with brain cancer at the age of 8 years old on March 16 last year - but his presence, his friends and family said, will forever be felt.

To honor Sebastian, his friends from PS 232 are holding a fundraiser for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a volunteer-driven charity dedicated to raising money for life-saving childhood cancer research, exactly one year from the day the world said goodbye to Se-bastian, March 16.

“This is a very important event that I am very proud to be part of,” said PS 232 student Benjamin Sorrentino. “My best friend Sebastian passed away on March 16, 2013 from brain cancer, and I miss him very much. I’m shaving my head on March 16, 2014 to honor him and in memory of him. I hope, by doing this this, I can help raise enough money to help other children survive cancer. I

hope other people will come out and support the cause.”

As part of the fundraiser, which will take place at 1 p.m. at the Royal Cutz Barbershop at 102-51 Jamaica Ave. in Richmond Hill, Sebastian’s friends are shaving their heads - a move meant to show solidarity with children who have lost their hair while fighting cancer.

“I am doing this because Sebastian was a great friend,” PS 232 student An-

thony Pepe said. “He was nice and al-ways gave compliments. This means a lot to me, and I wish he was still here. I am doing this in memory of him and to try to help other kids that have cancer.”

Both Anthony’s and Benjamin’s mothers, Carola Pepe and Beth Sorren-tino, are helping to organize the event.

The funds raised on March 16 will go to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, which has, since its inception in 2005,

raised more than $127 million to sup-port childhood cancer research.

Sebastian’s mother, Jennifer Oseff, of Lindenwood, said she and her hus-band are incredibly touched by the stu-dents’ efforts honoring her son.

“It’s bringing hope and awareness to people,” she said of the fundraiser. “The gratitude my husband and I have for people extending themselves and going out of their way is priceless.”

Oseff stressed the importance of funding childhood cancer research, noting that cancer “affects people of all walks of life and all ages.

“It’s soul destroying,” she said.But, Sebastian’s mother said, such

an event is a reminder of the power of friendship and connections to one an-other.

“It gives a true meaning to the word community,” she said. “That these chil-dren who I’ve learned to adore would do that, that they’ve fought so hard for my son, is so important.”

Saying how difficult it has been for Sebastian’s friends to grieve for their young friend, Carola Pepe noted how important this event is for the com-munity: It is, she said, a chance to bring a bit of the same light that Sebastian once brought to the world.

“He was my old soul,” Oseff said of her son. “I could go on for hours about what kind of a child he was. He was an individual who had so much to offer, gave so much, and far exceeded his years in terms of intelligence and humor.”

You can help the students raise money on March 16.

For more information, visit http://www.stbaldricks.org/events/mypage/11116/2014.

Event will be held exactly one year after the 8-year-old passed away

Anna Gustafson/The Forum NewsgroupU.S. Rep. Grace Meng and Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley sponsored a veterans’ forum this week to address a bevy of issues, including healthcare options, education and training opportunities, mental health counseling and home loan programs.

What if the worst thing you think could happen does, and you are widowed, separated or divorced? What if life changes in the blink of an eye? How do you cope? How do you deal with the grief, loss, and pain? What do you po-litely tell those well-meaning people in you life who want to help you cope and start over? It’s not easy. It’s never easy. It hurts… it feels like life is broken and can never be fixed.

You don’t have to hurt alone, and although life may never be the same, it can be good again. Beginning Experience can help, it starts with one weekend. The Beginning Experience weekend is for widowed, divorced, or separated individuals. The program helps single-again persons emerge from the darkness of grief into the light of a new beginning and move into the future with re-newed hope. Turn the pain of loss into an ex-perience of positive growth. On the weekend you’ll meet people who have gone through the same things you are going through. They know

how you feel because they have felt it and lived through it. They will share with you how they came to terms with their loss and how they’ve moved forward with their lives. More impor-tant, they listen.

Beginning Experience isn’t a singles club. The weekend program transforms lives. It makes a real difference. Participants develop healthier family relationships and they begin to deal with the pain of their loss, their anger, and so much more. In fact, independent research published in the Journal of Divorce and Remarriage shows that the impact of the Beginning Experience weekend is more profound and longer lasting than that of support and informational groups for the single-again.

The next weekend for the New York area is February 28, 2014 - March 2, 2014.

For more information, contact John (516)822-0635, Jim (718)474-3779, or Karen (201) 736-8200.

Facing the End of Life as You Know It?

The 106th and 102nd precincts are teaming up to offer a domestic violence seminar.

The seminar will be held Feb. 20 at the Fairfield Pavilion, located at 131-10 101 Ave. in Richmond Hill. It will take place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

"Domestic violence is a major prob-lem," said 106th Precinct Deputy Inspec-tor Jeffrey Schiff. "We'll give the A through

Zs on what domestic violence is."The event will include presentations by

Deputy Chief Kathleen O'Reilly, the com-manding officer of the domestic violence unit; Sgt. Diana Silverstein, of the 102nd Precinct's domestic violence unit; Sgt. Nikki Lawrence, of the 106th's domestic violence unit; and the Queens District At-torney's domestic violence bureau.

The event is free and open to the public.

NYPD to hold domestic violence seminar in Richmond Hill

Expires 02/27/14 Expires 02/27/14 Expires 02/27/14 Expires 02/27/14

Expires 02/27/14

$28.95

Ps 232 Students Remember Sebastian Oseff With Cancer Fundraiser


Questioning Global

WarmingDear Editor,This has been one of the most

brutal winters in over a decade. Since it began I haven't heard the words "global warming" once. I'd like to know where Al Gore and all the others who claimed to have evidence that winters such as these were going the way of the dinosaur and the VCR.

Probably they escaped to some warm weather location, or maybe, like most liberals and progressives, they keep a low profile when their theories are disproven.

Edward RiecksHoward Beach, NY

Decreasing Teen Pregnancy

in NYCDear Assemblyman Rich-

ard Gottfried, I am writing to see if you can

shed some light on a comment you made in the New York Post in an article on the declining abortion rate in New York City. You told the reporter the follow-ing: "You have more acceptance of sex education and responsi-ble use of contraceptives. That's why we're seeing positive reduc-tions."

Assemblyman Gottfried, I am curious to know why you think sex education and use of contraceptives are the reason for the decline. It is certainly not an implausible claim, but I am wondering if you have any evidence to support it.

The CDC has been tracking a consistent trend in delayed sexual initiation among teenag-ers and a decrease in the pro-portion of individuals who have had more than 5 sexual partners in the past 12 months. Mean-while, contraceptive usage has remained quite static. If nothing else, an application of Ockham's Razor would incline one to look toward decreased sexual activity before crediting contraceptive use for a decline in abortion in New York.

In either case, though, I won-

der whether there is any data to support the claim with respect to the particular situation of New York City. Regarding sex educa-tion, when members of the New York City Parents' Choice Coali-tion met with Deputy Schools Chancellor Kathleen Grimm re-

garding the City's controversial sex education mandate and Plan B distribution program, she told us plainly that no effort was be-ing made to measure the effect of either program on teen sexual activity or pregnancy rates. In-deed, she told us that to do so would be a violation of student privacy, a claim we found per-plexing.

If no tool has been used to measure the impact of the sex education programs in the City Schools or to measure the im-pact of the City's contraception distribution program, on what basis can one claim that such programs are having an impact on pregnancy rates or abor-tions? I understand that Deputy Chancellor Grimm has an ardent faith that the programs are ef-fective, a faith which I presume you share, but I wonder whether either you or Ms. Grimm think faith is a sound basis for public policy.

If I am mistaken and the City of New York has collected data which makes a compelling case that sex education as prac-ticed in the City of New York or increases in responsible contra-ceptive use are the cause in the decline in pregnancy and abor-tion in New York City, I invite you to join me in calling for the City to release such data imme-diately for public examination. If I am not mistaken, I invite you to join me in calling for the City to begin collecting such data in order to move its public policies from their current faith based platform onto a sounder footing based on social science.

As such data collection methods are developed, I would encourage the City to consider establishing an evidence crite-rion for sex education program in the schools to replace the ideological criterion currently in use. This would bring us a long way toward our shared goal of decreasing teen and unplanned pregnancy and abortion in New York City.

Greg Pfundstein

PresidentChiaroscuro Foundation

A “Perfect” Proposal

Dear Editor, For the first time, I found

some idea on de Blasio's Liberal agenda just perfect - municipal ID cards for the undocumented immigrants who live and work in New York City illegally. If

implemented, it would facilitate civil and criminal prosecution of alien miscreants who work off-the-books defrauding the tax departments of the city and state, and who are criminal per-petrators of domestic violence, rape, muggings, robberies and murders in New York City. Fi-nally, since the card holders' data would be kept on govern-ment file, it could be readily hacked by the federal National Security Administration for the deportation of all illegal immi-grants. Therefore, the benefits would indeed be immense for the majority of legal citizens in the United States, but only if the ID card includes citizenship sta-tus. Of course, de Blasio would conveniently omit that data to protect the guilty?

Joseph N. Manago

Briarwood

Please: A More Functional City

Government

Dear Editor, Drip, drip, drip your tax dol-

lars are going down the drain. Have you see all the "Don't Let Tax, Water, Or Repair Charges Come Between You and Your Property" full page ads in your daily and weekly neighborhood newspapers?

Even worse, was the 108 page recent supplement that ap-peared in the New York Daily News on Monday, Feb. 10. It lists line by line the name of every New Yorker who owes real es-tate tax water sewer, emergency repair or other property - relat-ed charges "the city of New York may sell a lien on your property" advertisement. Is this the best way the NYC Departments of Finance, Environmental Protec-tion along with Housing Pres-ervation and Development can spend taxpayers dollars?

Why can't all three agencies compare their respective lists of people who owe money with those filing city and state tax returns? Surely the technology exists to place a lien on any tax refunds? You could also extend citizens the courtesy of a tele-phone call or letter or e-mail informing them of their overdue obligations.

What's next, will the city send out marshals going door to door serving subpoenas?

Larry Penner

Great Neck

A Plea for Better

Transportation

Dear Mayor de Blasio,I am writing to you as a

citizen, as a life-long resi-dent of the Rockaway Penin-sula, and as president of the Queens Public Transit Com-mittee, whose goal is to im-prove transportation options throughout the borough.

First, let me welcome you as the mayor of our great city. In your campaign you prom-ised positive change to help our city, including, in particu-lar, improving the livelihoods, the neighborhoods, and the opportunities of New York’s “90 percenters.” I was en-couraged that you expressed

a commitment to focus on the needs of the often neglected “outer boroughs” of the city.

It is to help you achieve this goal that I am asking you to support an open, detailed, and fair study of the Rockaway Beach Line. The line’s right of way, which is owned by New York City, has remained large-ly intact since deactivation. Assemblyman Phillip Gold-feder, State Sen. Tony Avella, and U.S. Reps. Gregory Meeks and Hakeem Jeffries have all called for reactivating the line. In addition, Queens Com-munity Boards 14 and 5 have endorsed reactivation of the Rockaway Beach Line by lop-sided margins.

And here’s the reason why: the Rockaways and south Queens have been ne-glected for decades. Our communities have been

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If you have a serious injury on the job and file a claim for Workers’ Compensation benefits, at some point you most likely will have to at-tend a hearing before the Workers’ Compensation Board. The hearing process can be daunting to many first-time attendees as you don’t know what to expect, what to bring, or in many cases, even what to wear.

Those who have attended hear-ings are upset that they have to wait for a long period of time in a huge waiting room, only to be rushed in and out of the hearing courtroom, or “part,” in a matter of minutes. They complain that while sitting inside a hearing “part,” the parties are all speaking in codes and abbre-viations, and that they can’t under-stand what occurred. By providing information now on the hearing process, I am hoping to alleviate some of that overwhelm and confu-sion.

When I first started practicing Workers’ Compensation law, the Board regularly scheduled hearings for any and all outstanding issues, including need for treatment and/

or surgery. Most injured workers had numerous hearings before the Workers’ Compensation Board with the same judge presiding, and in many times, the same in-surance representative. Hearings were scheduled every three to four months till the case was resolved, which could take about two years.

Today, however, things are radi-cally different. Most times, medi-cal requests are dealt with admin-istratively. The medical treatment guidelines lay out specifically what is pre-authorized if certain medi-cal conditions apply. If the treating doctor wishes to pursue treatment outside the scope of the treatment guidelines, he must make a request that may be authorized or denied. These requests and denials are all done through paperwork and the injured worker unfortunately has very little to say in the matter.

The amount of hearings has de-clined tremendously, so if you are not represented by an attorney, you need to be prepared. Put together a file. Make sure any administra-tive decisions have established all of the injuries you are claiming. If not, you need to tell the judge that you have a claim for other sites and you will be directed to produce medical documents where appro-priate. While your treating physi-cian should be submitting regular medical reports to the Workers’ Compensation Board and insur-ance carrier, you always should have your own copies of your medical

records, including diagnostic stud-ies. You are entitled to reimburse-ment for mileage and prescriptions related to your claim. Bring copies of bills and mileage requests if the carrier has failed to reimburse you for these expenses. You should bring copies of all pertinent paper-work with you to proceed with your claim. Do not ever come late to a hearing, but bring reading material as very few cases start at the time indicated. If you are late, however, the judge probably will not recall your case; you will have to wait for a rehearing. You should be dressed appropriately and while a suit is not required, be mindful of the fact that you are appearing in a court room. The key to being your own success-ful advocate is to be prepared, be polite, and be patient.

Catherine M. Stanton is a senior part-ner in the law firm of Pasternack Tilker Ziegler Walsh Stanton & Romano, LLP. She focuses on the area of Workers’ Com-pensation, having helped thousands of injured workers navigate a highly complex system and obtain all the benefits to which they were entitled. Ms. Stanton has been honored as a New York Super Lawyer, is the past president of the New York Work-ers’ Compensation Bar Association, the immediate past president of the Workers’ Injury Law and Advocacy Group, and is an officer in several organizations dedicat-ed to injured workers and their families. She can be reached at 800.692.3717.

LEGALLY SPEAKING

EDITORIALEvery year in the United States there are about

13,400 children who are diagnosed with cancer - with approximately one in 300 boys and one in 333 girls developing cancer before their 20th birthday, according to the American Childhood Cancer Organization.

It is difficult to comprehend such stagger-ing statistics - behind which are thousands upon thousands of stories of parents spending sleepless nights in hospitals, children battling diagnoses no one should have to face, and countless family mem-bers having to say goodbye to those for whom they would have given their lives if asked.

You’d be hard pressed to find anyone who doesn’t know someone who has fought cancer, or who has done so themselves, and it is often a story of bravery and hope and, sometimes, profound loss.

The stories behind these statistics are well known to those in our community, with many of us knowing exactly what it is to hear we have, or or someone we love has, cancer. We know what it is to fight and to sometimes feel like giving up and to fight again. And it is always incredibly difficult, no matter who is going through the fight, but it is a dif-ferent kind of battle when a child is involved.

The Lindenwood community knows this too well - last March 16, an 8-year-old by the name

of Sebastian Oseff died after losing his fight with

brain cancer.While he had only reached the third grade, Se-

bastian was wiser than those decades older - he was funny and charming and extremely intelligent. He loved his friends and his family

more than anything. One of his closest friends said Sebastian would freely hand out compli

ments, making all those around him feel special.He was, his mother said, an old soul.And, like so many children, Sebastian is some-

one who everyone wishes was still here, dirtying jeans while playing with friends and raising his hand in class and kissing his parents goodnight.

It’s impossible to make sense of a child dying

- and his classmates, just 8- and 9-years-old them-selves when their friend passed away - had to come to terms with a concept that those decades their se-nior have trouble understanding. But, the students at PS 232 have truly responded in such an inspiring way - and on March 16 of this year, on the one year anniversary of Sebastian’s death, they are holding a fundraiser to collect money for childhood cancer research.

The fundraiser will take place at 1 p.m. at the Royal Cutz Barbershop at 102-51 Jamaica Ave. in Richmond Hill.

Being a part of a community can truly be an amazing inspiration - and residents are not only doing a fundraiser for childhood cancer research, but individuals are also holding an event in Howard Beach this Sunday to aid children with heart condi-tions.

Inspired by Valentina Allen, a beautiful 1-year-old girl from Howard Beach who was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome - which basically means a heart that is only half functional, the event will begin at Gold’s Gym at 157-05 Cross Bay Blvd. at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday.

We are calling on the community to step for-ward and say: It’s time we no longer have to say goodbye to those we love the most or visit them in the hospital. Let’s make sure our children can live the lives they deserve.

Making Sure Our Children Lead The Lives They Deserve

Letters Cont'd

struggling in terms of economic opportunity, access to jobs, and in attracting local development, busi-nesses, and employment. One of the key reasons is poor transporta-tion. It takes longer to travel from the Rockaway Peninsula to mid-town Manhattan than it does from Long Island, Westchester, and many parts of New Jersey.

Travel between north and south Queens is a nightmare. People must travel either through Manhat-tan or take several buses to reach destinations in their own borough. South Queens has developed such a reputation for poor access that its location was a prime impediment to Governor Cuomo’s Genting conven-tion proposal. If people can’t get to their destinations quickly and eas-ily, why should they invest here?

Unfortunately, there has been for decades a small, influential groupthat has blocked the restora-tion of the Rockaway Beach Line. Many in this group live near and enjoy both LIRR and subway access to midtown Manhattan. Is it fair for a small group of people to block the ability of Rockaway and south Queens residents to obtain more ac-cess to jobs and education, and to develop their communities?

For some reason, the news me-dia has focused solely on restor-ing the LIRR. There are, however, several subway options that would benefit more people from all walks of life. A new subway line could originate from both Far Rockaway and Rockaway Park and run along the A line to a point north of the Aqueduct/Conduit Avenue subway

station. There is sufficient capac-ity, and no alterations to the A line would be needed.

The new subway could then proceed on the abandoned Rocka-way Beach Line to Rego Park/63rd Drive. There, a station could be built that would be only four min-utes away from the IND 63rd Drive station and the Rego Park malls. There is enough space for a joint LIRR/subway station. In addition, two limited bus services could be created. One could head north to Citi Field, the new mall, Fort Totten, and LaGuardia Airport, forming a complete north-south Queens link. A second could run along the Long Island Expressway, past Queens College to the busy commercial Main Street, Flushing district. With one fare and one transfer, people could easily travel within Queens, encouraging the growth of small businesses and job creation.

In conclusion, Mr. Mayor, the opportunity is there to provide jobs and to enable local develop-ment and access to jobs, while at the same time reducing excessive travel times, traffic congestion, and pol-lution. We ask you to endorse this study and urge Gov. Cuomo to do the same.

Philip McManus

President Queens Public Transit

Committee Rockaway Park


By Anna Gustafson

Little did Deborah Dillingham know when she first stepped into a Forest Hills elementary school years ago to drop her children off for kin-dergarten that she would be embarking on a for-ay into Queens’ educational landscape that has led her to be Borough President Melinda Katz’s recent appointee to the city Panel for Educa-tional Policy.

Almost immediately after dropping her chil-dren - who are now 14 and in public high schools - off at PS 101 in Forest Hills to launch their kin-dergarten career, Dillingham met the school’s Parent Association president - and she quickly became an integral part of the school’s fabric.

“I thought at the time, my involvement was going to be just raising money for the school,” Dillingham said. “I didn’t know what the issues were until then, but I sat on the school leader-ship team and became intimately involved in the issues. Small class size was one of my initial fights.”

She went on to serve the city’s educational system in a number of different capacities, in-cluding as the Queens borough appointee to District 28’s Community Education Council,

for which she served as president until last week. Dillingham was also a member of the Queens Borough President’s Parent Advisory Commit-tee, the District 28 Leadership Team, and the schools chancellor’s Parent Advisory Commit-tee.

It is this background that Katz said led her to appoint the Forest Hills woman as her repre-sentative on the PEP - a decision-making group dominated by mayoral appointees that votes on education plans for the city’s public schools, in-cluding closures and co-locations.

“Through her extensive work with our city’s school system, Deborah has shown she has the knowledge, savvy and commitment necessary to be an outstanding member of the Panel for Educational Policy,” Katz said. “She cares deeply about our children and the schooling they re-ceive and has the track record of making sure our kids get the best education possible.”

Under the mayoral control legislation, which was passed by the state Legislature in 2002, the PEP was formed. During Bloomberg’s tenure, the 13-member group landed scathing criticism from parents, educators and lawmakers alike, who accused the body of being a rubber stamp for the former mayor because he appointed the

majority of the panel. The mayor’s appointees never voted against a proposal supported by Bloomberg, while the representatives from the borough president - who each select one ap-pointee for the PeP - frequently fought the ad-

ministration on everything from slashing prin-cipals’ budgets to closing large community high schools, such as Jamaica High School.

The mother of three children - a 14-year-old who attends LaGuardia High School of Mu-sic & Art and Performing Arts in Manhattan, a 14-year-old who is a student at the Frank Sina-tra School of the Arts in Long Island City, and a 12-year-old who goes to the Professional Per-forming Arts School in Manhattan - Dillingham said she hopes the new PEP will be more recep-tive and stressed that she hopes to help parents “navigate this incredibly complex system” that is the New York City public schools.

Additionally, she said she plans to advocate for much-needed funding and the restoration of programming for the borough’s schools, which, under Bloomberg, were forced to make drastic cuts to such areas as art and music and foreign language.

“Each school has its own challenged, and every student has a different need,” Dillingham said. “I don’t believe in a cookie cutter educa-tion, but I do believe all children should have a gym and a playground and a music room and a library and a science lab. Most of all, they should have great teachers.”

Photo courtesy Deb DillinghamDeb Dillingham, a longtime education advocate from Forest Hills, has been selected as Queens Borough President Melinda Katz's appointee on the city Panel for Educational Policy. premiums.

From Classroom Size To Foreign Language, Queens' Newest PEP Member Vows To Fight For Education

By Anna GustafsonFollowing the recent deaths of two school-

children killed in traffic accidents, two state lawmakers - one from Queens and the other from Staten Island) - are sponsoring legisla-tion to increase the number of school crossing guards.

Assemblyman Michael DenDekker (D-Jackson Heights) and state Sen. Diane Savino (D-Staten Island) have joined forces to co-au-thor a bill that would require a school crossing guard be placed on each corner of a city block

on which there is a public or private school with students in kindergarten through eighth grade. It would also require additional crossing guards on the opposite corners of these inter-sections if the roadway has four or more traffic lanes.

“We cannot expect children to cross high-traffic roadways with no supervision from a crossing guard,” DenDekker said. “I want to protect the children of New York City and put an end to completely preventable accidents, such as those that caused the deaths of two

children in my district last year.”In December 2012, 11-year-old Miguel

Torres was struck and killed by a hit-and-run truck driver while crossing 80th Street and Northern Boulevard in Jackson Heights. Tor-res had been walking to school at the time of his death and was just steps away from IS 145 when he was killed.

Almost exactly one year later, 8-year-old Noshat Nahian was hit and killed at 61st Street and Northern Boulevard in Woodside while he was walking with his sister to PS 152.

Both Torres and Nahian were crossing the street unattended.

“This legislation furthers my commitment to our children,” Savino said. “Crossing guards play an essential role in keeping students safe while walking to school, and children also look to them for security on dangerous city streets.”

In 2013, 173 pedestrians were killed in traffic-related accidents in New York City. Cur-rently, there are no requirements for additional crossing guards in high-traffic areas bordering schools.

Student Deaths Prompt Lawmakers To Advocate For More School Crossing Guards

By Anna Gustafson

Despite Mayor de Blasio’s major push for residents to back his proposal to raise taxes on city residents annually making $500,000 or more to pay for pre-kindergarten for all 4-year-olds in the five boroughs, a new poll reported that the majority of state voters are backing Gov. Cuomo’s competing proposal that would entail using state funds to pay for a universal pre-K initiative in New York.

According to a Quinnipiac University poll released last week, voters statewide sup-por 76 to 20 percent using state funding for universal pre-K, with support at 59 to 35 per-cent among Republicans and 91 to 7 percent among Democrats.

While residents don’t seem to see eye-to-eye with de Blasio on his proposal to in-crease taxes to pay for the initiative - a plan for which the mayor would need the blessing of Albany to do - voters did overwhelmingly throw their support behind the idea of pre-K. A total of 78 percent of voters said universal

pre-K would be “very effective” or “some-what effective” in improving education for New York’s children, and 74 percent said the program would be very or somewhat effec-tive in putting poor children “on a path out of poverty,” according to the poll.

Additionally, voters in New York City were more split over the two proposals than their peers statewide, with 49 percent of city residents siding with Cuomo and 40 percent with de Blasio. The poll, conducted by tele-phone from Feb. 6 to 10, reached 1,488 vot-ers across New York.

“Just about everyone in this most liberal of states likes universal pre-kindergarten, and they think, overwhelmingly, that kids will learn and that it will help them out of poverty,” said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. “But voters prefer Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s no-new-taxes approach to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s tax-the-rich plan to pay for those new classes.”

File photoThe majority of New York voters said they favor Gov. Cuomo's plan to use state funds to pay for an expansion of pre-kindergarten in the state, as opposed to Mayor de Blasio's proposal to increase taxes on the city's wealthy denizens.

Most Voters Side with Cuomo on Pre-K, Poll Says


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Rarely has a story involving a plow truck and a restaurant storefront ended with the words, “It could have been worse.” But Forest Hills’ Exo Café at 70-20 Austin St. bounced back quickly after a city plow propelled a trashcan into the front of it last week.

A NYPD spokesman said the plow was driv-ing more than 50 miles-per-hour on Austin Street last Thursday night when it slammed into a street side garbage bin, launching debris, ice and snow into the front of the building’s winter vestibule, shattering windows and injuring four,

owner Peter Kambitsis said.“There are usually more people standing in

the vestibule reading the menu, or just walking in or out,” the owner said. “I’m happy there wasn’t more damage than there actually was. I’m at a loss for words.”

The owner said he had just gotten home when he received a frantic phone call.

“I heard a lot of chaos in the background,” he said. “I ran back as quickly as I could.”

The accident ended up costing the owner more than $50,000 in repairs but he said he was

still thankful the cost did not include human lives. Exo was only closed for the remainder of last Thursday night and half of Friday, but opened up just in time for the slew of more than 100 Valen-tine’s Day reservations already in the books.

Cleanup crews hit the restaurant the same night, Kambitsis said, and triple-checked to make sure it was structurally safe after the acci-dent. And aside from a few remaining upgrades to the storefront, Exo’s owner said the restaurant was safe and operating at its normal capacity.

“Not opening was not an option,” Kambitsis

said. “Now we are up and running.”Video footage of the accident showed the store

front’s windows being smashed in as if a bomb had gone off outside. Several patrons were sitting just on the other side of those windows when the accident occurred. Four people were left injured and treated with minor cuts, police said.

A spokesman for the Sanitation Department said the agency was undergoing an investigation into the accident and would take all necessary steps to discipline the operators of the plow truck.

By Kerry Goleski

With a winter filled with excessive snowfall and freezing temperatures, a number of new concerns surrounding safety and sanitation have arisen for Forest Hills and Rego Park, with a par-ticular focus on the issue of snow removal.

During last Wednesday’s Community Board 6 meeting, Chairman Joseph Hennessey high-lighted concerns about snow removal.

Hennessey said that the snow removal is “unfortunately not happening.” He cited the most prevailing concern as snow removal at the bus stops.

“They have people shoveling the stairs for the subway, why not for the bus stops?” he asked.

Joe Raskin, a representative of the Metropoli-tan Transportation Authority, addressed issues pertaining to the MTA subway and buses.

Raskin said, “It’s been a rough winter—it’s not just the snow—it’s the cold weather.”

“I hope this is the first and last year that I hear the term polar vortex,” he continued.

Raskin addressed the bus stop snow removal issue, saying that “As far as the cleaned bus stops, that has never been our responsibility before.”

“In addition, the bus shelter area is supposed

to be cleaned by the franchise of Cemusa” hired by the Department of Transportation, Raskin continued.

The Sanitation Department takes care of the snow removal in the space in front of the bus stops.

“This should be brought to the DOT and sanitation,” Raskin said.

One board member highlighted the safety aspect through her own experience, saying “I have to go out into the middle of traffic, to get onto the bus because I use a scooter. She noted the bus cannot go the curb because of the piles of snow.

Board members agreed that there needs to be a conversation surrounding bus stop snow

removal.“Every single day we have calls into the office

about snow removal,” CB 6 District Manager Frank Gulluscio said.

Last Tuesday, Gulluscio said he followed up about the bus stop snow removal but has not yet received a response.

Raskin also addressed an issue with the bus routes.

“We have had a lot of complaints about buses keeping schedule,” Gulluscio said. “Later in the day, they start catching up, but they are still backed up.”

“If you notice a spot where this is happening a lot let me know and I’ ll pass it along,” he added.

Members of the board cited issues with the Q60 and Q23 in the winter.

Raskin said there have been changes to the way the buses can warm up each morning, con-tributing to the hold up. The buses cannot just sit and run their engine for environmental rea-sons; they have to turn the engine off, meaning it takes longer for the buses to warm up in the morning and each time they have to be turned back on.

“This winter has had a major impact on us, before the snow even falls,” said Raskin.

Photo by Richard YorkCommunity Board 6 members said they have a number of safety concerns following snow buildup in the Forest Hills and Rego Park area.

CB 6 talks snow removal concernsThe Winter Hits Hard in Forest Hills and Rego Park

By Kerry Goleski

A string of burglaries on Queens Boulevard in Forest Hills and Rego Park have had police from the 112th Precinct looking for the perpetrator for months now.

During last Wednesday’s Community Board 6 meeting, Capt. Thomas Con-forti, the precinct’s commanding officer, announced that there has been a persis-tent string of burglaries in the area.

“This burglar is going into these multiple dwelling (apartment build-

ings) along Queens Boulevard,” Con-forti said.

Due to this one string of incidents, Conforti reported that burglaries are up a significant amount this year.

The 112th Precinct report states that burglary is up 141.7 percent since last year, with 29 burglaries in the area so far this year versus 12 burglaries by this time last year.

They do not have much information on the perpetrator besides the fact that these burglaries are happening in the area when a fire escape window is open.

“We don’t know what he looks like,” Conforti said. “It could be one person it could be multiple.”

“The unfortunate thing is he vic-timizes four or five or six apartments at the same time,” the captain contin-ued. “He is going in through the back and through the fire escapes.”

The nature of the crime seems to be the same each time, with Conforti say-ing, “He has entered through an open fire escape window that wasn’t locked.”

He said he planned on apprehend-ing the perpetrator as the police

department has done in the past. He also said, there is increased surveil-lance in the area but that officers can-not be everywhere.

“He seems to react as we survey each area he hits,” Conforti said.

The commanding officer gave advice on how to protect yourself and others from being targeted by the burglar.

“Please keep your fire escape win-dows locked” and “If you see someone walking on a fire escape, give us a call,” he said.

112th Precinct Reports Spike in Burglaries Following String of Apartment Break-Ins

City Plow Pummels Forest Hills EateryFile Photo

Photo courtesy Exo CafeA NYPD spokesman said a plow was driving more than 50 miles-per-hour on Austin Street last Thursday night when it slammed into a street side garbage bin, launching ice and snow into the front of Exo Cafe.


By Phil Corso

It was a fitting tribute to a man who worked hard for his home borough as Chris-tian Doran’s friends and family flooded a Bellerose church for his funeral mass.

Doran, who died suddenly from an asth-ma attack last week at age 28, helped start the preservation organization People for the Pavilion with hopes of protecting the iconic site of the 1964 World’s Fair in Queens. And while his life may have been cut short, those who remembered the Maspeth native spoke of a man whose life proved true the notion of quality over quantity.

“We are celebrating a short, but fulfilling life,” said Msgr. Edward Ryan, who spoke at Doran’s Friday morning funeral at St. Gregory the Great in Bellerose. “His life was a life of giving and a life of appreciating the beauty of helping others. While he was alive, he lived.”

Doran was in the public eye just days be-fore his death, participating in a walking tour of the pavilion alongside Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, who has vowed to fulfill his goal of keeping the area preserved.

"Over the past months, we have been lucky enough to have had the opportunity to become friends and partners with Chris-tian Doran," said People for the Pavilion’s Salmaan Khan and Matthew Silva in a state-ment. "If you had the opportunity to speak

with him, you knew he was special. He was someone who could share his passion in a way that could excite absolutely anyone, and he had a knack for comfortably engaging those around him."

When he was not working to save the Queens Pavilion, Doran also worked as a sound engineer at Queens Theater in the Park and was known to be a passionate lover of music.

His brother, Sean Doran, gave a touching glimpse into his brother’s life, reading some words their father Steve had prepared for the mass.

“Tian [Christian’s nickname] was our spirit, our drumbeat, our heartbeat, our joy, our baby, our love,” the letter read. “He lit up a room, made everyone smile and was the most loving person we have ever known.”

Ryan also pointed out the February edi-tion of The Gregorian, the church’s monthly newsletter, which happened to feature an early moment of Doran’s life in its “Great Gregorian Moments” section. Page seven of this month’s issue showcased an old family affair photo of Doran, then only seven weeks old, in the arms of his father Steve.

Some photos of the young Doran show-cased a Willy Wonka tattoo on his right shoulder. It was only fitting that his funeral mass ended with the entire room joining together to sing, “Pure Imagination,” the an-them of the 1971 film.

Facebook photo Christian Doran, a Maspeth native and co-founder of People for the Pavilion who died at the age of 28 last week, was remembered as someone who lived life to its fullest.

Family, Friends Gather To Remember Christian Doran

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By Phil Corso

The 104th Precinct recognized two of its top cops for bringing justice to a man who almost got away with knocking down and choking a woman walking with her baby – all just to steal her cell phone.

Precinct Capt. Charles Manson told the hero-ic story of officers Paul Bergen and Brian Lesn-iewski at Tuesday night’s monthly meeting of the 104th Precinct Community Council Meet-ing at Christ the King High School in Middle Village before awarding them honorary plaques. The captain said that while cell phone thefts were not uncommon throughout the city, this particular attempt left an impact on him because of the circumstances.

“We make a lot of good arrests, but this one caught my eye because of the victim,” Manson said.

Manson said the woman was pushing her 3-year-old baby in a stroller on Nov. 13 around 9 a.m. in Ridgewood when 40-year-old Juan Pavor ran up behind her, choked her and stole her cell phone. Bergen and Lesniewski pursued Pavor and found him waiting for the nearby M train,

where they arrested him.The captain described the collared criminal as

a Hispanic homeless man with a series of previ-ous arrests already under his belt. And if not for the quick thinking of officers Bergen and Lesn-

iewski, he would still be at large, Manson said.“We really appreciate what the council does

to recognize these officers,” Manson said. “We make a lot of arrests, but every now and then, one stands out when an officer goes the extra

mile to get the bad guy.”In his monthly crime update, Manson said his

officers reported more than half of the 30 pubs and bodegas targeted over the past two months were caught selling alcohol to underage patrons. The precinct has a three-strike rule in regards to illegally selling booze and was acting accordingly to bring those numbers down, the captain said.

As for other crime numbers, Manson said the precinct was making headway in curbing robber-ies, burglaries and stolen cars since the turn of the new year. For the month of February, the captain said his cops brought crime numbers down almost 12 percent with reductions in every category but grand larceny autos.

There has also been a recent rash of phone scams not only in the western Queens 104th Precinct, but throughout the city, Manson said. Such crimes have been contributing largely to the Police Department’s overall crime statistics.

Manson said some of the most vulnerable victims to phone scams were the elderly and immigrant populations and he urged all resi-dents to remain vigilant against any kinds of calls soliciting personal information like credit card numbers or anything of the sort.

Photo by Phil Corso104th Capt. Christopher Manson, center, honors Officers Paul Bergen, left, and Brian Lesniewski for their exemplary police work at the precinct's community council meeting on Tuesday evening.

104th Pct. Honors Top Cop Vigilantes

By Phil Corso

Maspeth High School’s first varsity basketball team can sum up their inaugural season in one word: perfect.

The school’s first-ever boys varsity team capped off its eight-game season with an unde-feated record this month, putting the new school on the map in the Public School Athletic League. Team coach Anastasia Bitis said her group of 15 teens not only showed up and played their hearts out, but showed great maturi-ty in getting there.

“This season was highly successful for us,” Bitis said. “We were able to attain the goals we set for ourselves and build our foundation. I believe the fact that we beat all of our opponents by more than 20 points really defined our season.”

At the beginning of the season, Bitis said she told her team she wanted an undefeated season as her Christmas present. In response, the head coach said her team played well against teams of all sizes – including some in higher divisions - at the high level of play they needed in order to win while still maintaining composure.

“They put their trust in me because I strongly believed that we had a special group of players. I knew we would be able to do this from our first scrimmage when I initially saw this team come

together on the court,” Bitis said. “That was my goal for us from the beginning. This season was all about sending a message and making a statement.”

Her top players included Paolo Tamer, who netted 12 points and over four assists per game, Damian Piszczatowski, who secured 16 points

and 10 rebounds per game and Ryan Rodriguez, who captured nine points, three assists and seven rebounds per game.

Bitis said her new team was comprised of mostly underclassmen, meaning they did not measure up to some of the other teams in terms of height and build. That was why the coach said

she focused heavily on conditioning and speed during team practices throughout the season so their work ethic could propel them to glory.

But it was not all easy riding, the coach said.“I think it was difficult for the players to not

become complacent since we were not being challenged in our regular season,” Bitis said. “I had to continuously talk to the team about set-ting the tone for next year when we advance in division play. It's difficult to play hard and prac-tice hard day in and day out knowing that this season

could not go past the regular play.”Bitis said it was important her players stayed

humble as they geared up for another season next year. Her coaching catch phrase has been that records do not mean anything until the sea-son is over, and Bitis said she made sure her players know they will need to bring it even harder next year.

“We are very much looking forward to next year and the elevated play we will face. We are not graduating any of our players, which is extremely beneficial. I think that the team is excited and has already set high goals for next season,” Bitis said. “We are definitely planning on making a playoff run and potentially even win our division.”

Photo courtesy Anastasia BitisMaspeth High School's first-ever varsity basketball team boasted an undefeated record this season.

Maspeth Basketball Goes Undefeated

By Anna Gustafson

The state Department of Environmental Con-seration’s plan to kill all 2,200 wild mute swans in New York by 2025 - including potentially shoot-ing, gassing, or decapitating them - is drawing vehement criticism from state Sen. Tony Avella (D-Bayside) and animal rights advocates, and the Queens lawmaker has introduced a bill to prevent the eradication of these white water birds.

“I was horrified to learn that our state wildlife agency would make such an extreme, unfounded proposal and do not believe that the DEC has provided evidence to justify the elimination of these beautiful swans,” Avella said.

The lawmaker’s bill, filed Feb. 10, would require the DEC to demonstrate that actual dam-age to the enivironment or other c=species have been caused by the mute swan population across the state. The DEC’s proposal to kill the swan population came after state officials argued that

the large birds are “potential hazards to aviation” and have displayed “aggressive behavior towards people.”

The public has until tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 21, to give input on the plan.

“The public outcry has been severe,” Avella said. “Many New Yorkers do not want to see mute swans eliminated and animal advocacy organiza-tions, wildlife experts, rehabilitators and others have also joined the chorus of opposition.”

Among those who have joined Avella in his criticism is the Friends of Animals, an animal rights organization that has been protesting the DEC’s proposal since it was announced in December.

Friends of Animals’ NY Director Edita Birnkrant said that her organization is asking Gov. Andrew Cuomo to issue a state proclamation rec-ognizing March 10-16 as Swan Appreciation WEek.

“DEC’s hateful attitudes towards mute swans

must be reversed - they are out of step with the very residents of New York whose tax dollars fund the agency,” she said.

Numerous animal rights advocates, including those at Friends of Animals, have pointed out that the mute swans compose about half of 1 percent of the state’s more than 400,000 waterfowl - there-by creating only a minor impact on the state’s ecosystem.

“My professional opinion is that these public disputes about mute swans are overblown and unnecessary,” said Donald S. Heintzelman, an ornithologist and expert on Northern migratory swans. “These birds do not cause catastrophic damage, although most state wildlife agencies have engrained in their official mindsets the notion that mute swans should be destroyed merely because they are non-native species that might compete with native tundra swans and more rarely trumpeter swans.”

“Furthermore, arguments that mute swans are

aggressive, and also consume large amounts of submerged aquatic vegetation are greatly over-blown - and represent bad science,” Heintzelman continued.

Photo courtesy Friends of AnimalsState Sen. Tony Avella and animal rights advocates are calling for a moratorium on the state Department of Environmental Conservation's plan to eradicate all 2,200 wild mute swans in the state by 2025 and declare them a "prohibited invasive species."

State Should Not Slaughter Mute Swans: Queens Pol, Advocates


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Open House and Presentationsfor the Howard Beach Community:

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Open House: 3:00-9:00 pmDeployable flood barrier demo: 4:00-5:00 pm

DEC Presentation: 7:00-7:30 pmFormal Presentation: 7:30-9:00 pm

Monday, March 3, 2014

Presentation for the Senior Community of Howard Beach:

Peter J. Striano Residence155-55 Cross Bay Blvd

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CLOSETS


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CROSSWORD SUDOKU

SOLUTIONS

CLUES ACROSS 1. Int’l. language specialist’s org. 6. Filament container 10. Amounts of time 14. Double curves 15. Clumsiness 17. Incapable of compromise 19. Mekong River people 20. Chinese broadsword 21. Rescue squad 22. Cablegram (abbr.) 23. Mold-ripened French cheese 25. Don’t know when yet 27. Rivulet 30. Wild Himalayan goat 32. Astronaut’s OJ 33. Scientific workplace 35. Xenophane’s colony 36. Exchange 38. Semitic fertility god 39. Chit 40. Sylvia Fine’s spouse Danny 41. Sole 42. Benne plant 44. Small amount 45. Sodas 46. Sino-Soviet block (abbr.) 48. UC Berkeley 49. Express pleasure 50. __ Paulo, city 53. History channel’s #5 show 59. Divertimento 60. Ridge on Doric column 61. Pastries 62. The “It” Girl 63. Hand drum of No. India

CLUES DOWN 1. Labor 2. North-central Indian city 3. About aviation 4. The sheltered side 5. Salem State College 6. Twofold 7. Unusually (Scot.) 8. Floral garland 9. Birthpace (abbr.) 10. Tooth covering 11. Confederate soldiers 12. Signing 13. Point midway between S and SE 16. Ground where each golf hole begins 18. A lyric poem with complex stanza forms 22. Atomic #73 23. Thin wire nail 24. Ancient Germanic alphabet character 25. Jupiter’s 4th satellite 26. Woman’s undergarment 28. African antelope 29. Afrikaans 30. Vietnamese offensive 31. Expression of sorrow or pity 32. Scot word for toe 34. Journalist Nellie 36. Compress 37. Whiskies 38. Feathery scarf 40. White clay for porcelain 43. Keeps in reserve

Here’s How It Works: Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine

3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!

Please find the solutions to THIS WEEK's puzzles below. Come back every week for more puzzles and brain teasers.

44. Infectious lung disease 46. Draws off 47. Chinese chess piece 48. Parrot’s nostril opening 49. Once more 50. One from Serbia 51. Fleshy, bright seed appendage

52. Plural of os 53. The horned viper 54. Japanese apricot tree 55. Taxi 56. Bustle 57. Feline 58. Malaysian Isthmus


THE HAPPENINGSThrough March 30

Señor Satchmo

Louis Armstrong House Museum

34-56 107th St., CoronaRecords, magazines, and unpublished photographs tell the tale of Satchmo’s 65 concerts in five countries during his first

South American tour.

Thursday, Feb. 20Howard Beach

Senior Center Art Class155-55 Crossbay Blvd.

The Howard Beach Senior Center will offer art classes with a certified teacher from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., as well as from

12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.All individuals age 60 and older are welcome to attend.

The center is located on Crossbay Boulevard across from Waldbaums. For more information, call (718) 738-8100.

Exercise at Ridgewood Older Adult Center

59-14 70th Ave., Ridgewood 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.Seniors age 60 and older are welcome to attend the one-hour Richard Simmons exercise activity each Thursday beginning at

10:30 a.m.For more information, please call Karen at the center at

(718) 456-2000.

Writing Club Queens Library at Seaside

92-25 Rockaway Beach Blvd. 12 p.m.The writing group at the Seaside Library

meets every Thursday at noon. For more information,

call (718) 990-8502.

Computers for BeginnersQueens Library at Ozone Park

92-24 Rockaway Blvd.All adults are welcome to attend the free computer courses: introduction to computers, Microsoft Word, the internet, and email. Space is limited, and preregistration is required. To register or for more information, please call (718) 845-3127.

Friday, Feb. 21A Night with Dancers

Queens Council on the ARTS

37-11 35th Ave., entrance on 37th

Street, Astoria7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Queens Council on the Arts’ “3rd Space” presents an evening with Queens-based dancers and choreographers, who will be performing works in progress.

Artists and the culturally curious are invited to participate in an evening of movement and discussion, to help workshop works in progress, and gain unique insight into the artistic process. Dancers are especially encouraged to join this unique networking

and community building opportunity.Admission is $5.

Co-Dependents Anonymous Meeting for Women

Resurrection Ascention Pastoral Center85-18 61st Rd., Rego Park 10 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

Women are welcome to this self-help meeting every Friday. The gathering is for women only and those participating will remain

anonymous.

Howard Beach Senior Center Bridge

155-55 Crossbay Blvd.The Howard Beach Senior Center offers a variety of bridge playing experiences. There is supervised bridge on Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and duplicate bridge is offered on

Fridays from 12:45 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.The Howard Beach Senior Center is now located across from Waldbaums on Cross Bay Boulevard and is open to anyone 60

or older. For more information, call (718) 738-8100.

Yoga in Howard Beach

Howard Beach Senior Center155-55 Cross Bay Blvd. 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

All seniors, ages 60 and over, are welcome to attend yoga with Charlie Roemer every Friday morning.

For more information, call the center at (718) 738-8100.

Yoga at Ridgewood Older Adult Center

59-14 70th Ave., Ridgewood 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.Seniors age 60 and older are welcome to attend a yoga class

with Rosemarie Augoustatos every Friday.For more information, please call Karen at the center at

(718) 456-2000.

Job Search Help and Computer Training

Queens Library at Ridgewood 20-12 Madison St.Are you having a tough time finding a job? Do you need help formatting your resume, creating an email account, deciding which jobs to apply for, or filling out job applications online? Visit the library during drop-in hours for individual assistance. Drop-in hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays and from 11 a.m. to

3 p.m. on Fridays.Preregistration is required at jobmap.queenslibrary.org.

Please call (718) 990-8625 for more information.

Dance Fitness for AdultsQueens Library at Richmond Hill118-14 Hillside Ave. 5:30 p.m.

Instructor Narupa Deonarine teaches easy-to-follow dance steps to increase cardiovascular fitness and tone your body. Space is

limited, and participation is on a first-come, first-served basis.For more information, please call (718) 849-7150.

Saturday, Feb. 22Broad Channel Fire Dept. Dance

American Legion Hall209 Cross Bay Blvd., Broad Channel 8 p.m.

The Broad Channel Volunteer Fire Department will hold its 109th Officer’s Installation Dance. Catering will be done by the All American Channel Market, and there will be music during an evening that the vollies say is about “good food, great friends

and memories.”Tickets are $45 and are available in advance or at the door. Please call (718) 474-6888 to reserve a spot and ask about the special couples getaway raffle. All of the proceeds from the evening go to keep the BCFVD ready to serve and protect the

community.

Sunday, Feb. 23Overeaters Anonymous

Long Island Consultation Center97-29 64th Rd., Rego Park 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Overeaters Anonymous holds a weekly meeting every Sunday. The meeting is designed to address weight loss and eating

disorders.For more information, please call Martin at (718) 937-0163.

Civil Rights Drama, ‘Freedom High,’ at Queens College

Queens College, Kupferberg Center for the Arts65-30 Kissena Blvd., Flushing 2 p.m.

“Freedom High” explores the impact of the brutal deaths of civil rights workers James Chaney, Michael Schwerner and Queens College student Andrew Goodman in June 1964. They died during Freedom Summer, an effort by hundreds of black and white volunteers from across the country to help black Americans register to vote in the segregated southern United States. Many, like Schwerner and Goodman, were New Yorkers. The three young men were kidnapped and murdered in Mississippi in a

case that drew national attention.The play tells this story through the eyes of Jessica Kuplevsky, a white woman who signed up to register black voters without

understanding the dangers she might confront.Following its 2007 premiere, “Freedom High” moved to Queens Theatre in the Park, becoming the first QC production to travel to a professional venue. Since then, writer Adam Kraar and director Susan Einhorn have continued to collaborate on a revised script, which will get its first staged readings in Goldstein Theatre at

Queens College’s Kupferberg Center for the Arts.An additional reading will take place in Manhattan at the Theater

for the New City at 155 First Ave. on Feb. 24 at 7:30 p.m.Tickets to all the performances are free.

Monday, Feb. 24Woodhaven Cultural &

Historical Society MeetingNeir’s Tavern 87-48 78th St., Woodhaven 7 p.m.

The first evening meeting held by the Woodhaven Cultural & Historical Society will feature Queens historian and author Jason Antos, who will give a slide presentation of his book, “Queens:

Then & Now.”This presentation, which is free to members of the public, consists of slides from the earliest days of Queens' development, paired

with photos from the exact same location today.Neir's Tavern can trace its operations back to 1829, when it sat directly across the street from the Union Course racetrack, which hosted the famous horse race between American Eclipse and Sir

Henry, a race seen by more than 60,000 people.


We'll show you how to have a good time... Enjoy your community.

Civil Rights Drama, ‘Freedom High,’ at Queens CollegeQueens College, Kupferberg Center for the Arts

65-30 Kissena Blvd., Flushing 10 a.m.“Freedom High” explores the impact of the brutal deaths of civil rights workers James Chaney, Michael Schwerner and Queens College student Andrew Goodman in June 1964. They died during Freedom Summer, an effort by hundreds of black and white volunteers from across the country to help black Americans register to vote in the segregated southern United States. Many, like Schwerner and Goodman, were New Yorkers. The three young men were kidnapped and murdered in Mississippi in a

case that drew national attention.The play tells this story through the eyes of Jessica Kuplevsky, a white woman who signed up to register black voters without

understanding the dangers she might confront.Following its 2007 premiere, “Freedom High” moved to Queens Theatre in the Park, becoming the first QC production to travel to a professional venue. Since then, writer Adam Kraar and director Susan Einhorn have continued to collaborate on a revised script, which will get its first staged readings in Goldstein Theatre at

Queens College’s Kupferberg Center for the Arts.An additional reading will take place in Manhattan at the Theater

for the New City at 155 First Ave. on Feb. 24 at 7:30 p.m.Tickets to all the performances are free.

Job Search Help and Computer Training

Queens Library at Ridgewood 20-12 Madison St.Are you having a tough time finding a job? Do you need help formatting your resume, creating an email account, deciding which jobs to apply for, or filling out job applications online? Visit the library during drop-in hours for individual assistance. Drop-in hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays and from 11 a.m. to

3 p.m. on Fridays.Preregistration is required at jobmap.queenslibrary.org.

Please call (718) 990-8625 for more information.

Exercise at Ridgewood Older Adult Center

59-14 70th Ave., Ridgewood 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.Seniors age 60 and older are welcome to attend the one-hour Richard Simmons exercise activity each Monday beginning at 10:30 a.m. For more information, please call Karen at the

center at (718) 456-2000.

Jewelry Making in RidgewoodRidgewood Older Adult Center

59-14 70th Ave., Ridgewood 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.Seniors age 60 and older are welcome to attend a jewelry making

class every Monday.For more information, please call Karen at the center at

(718) 456-2000.

Computer Class for SeniorsRidgewood Older Adult Center

59-14 70th Ave., Ridgewood 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.Seniors age 60 and older are welcome to attend a computer

class every Monday.For more information, please call Karen at the center at

(718) 456-2000.

Tai Chi in Howard BeachHoward Beach Senior Center

155-55 Cross Bay Blvd. 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.All seniors, ages 60 and over, are welcome to attend the tai chi

classes, taught by Elaine Fleischman.For more information, call the center at (718) 738-8100.

Howard Beach Chair AerobicsHoward Beach Senior Center

155-55 Cross Bay Blvd. 10:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.All seniors, ages 60 and over, are welcome to attend chair

aerobics with Charlie Roemer.For more information, call the center at (718) 738-8100.

Game Night at Richmond Hill Library

118-14 Hillside Ave., Richmond Hill 5 p.m.Children ages 6 to 12 and their families are invited to the Richmond Hill Library’s game night that is held every Monday

evening. There will be board games, puzzles and Legos.For more information, call the library at (718) 849-7150.

Tuesday, Feb. 25Managing Legal Affairs

Howard Beach Senior Center155-55 Cross Bay Blvd. 10:30 a.m.

The Howard Beach Senior Center will conduct a “Managing Your Legal Affairs” seminar, given by Brady and Marshak, LLP, attorneys

at law. The event is open to the age of anyone 60 and over.

Caregiver Support GroupQueens Community House

108-25 62nd Dr., Forest Hills 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.Do you provide help to a family member, friend, or neighbor? Could you use some help yourself? The Queens Community House provides free support group services. For more information and to register, please contact Anne Attanas at (718) 268-5960,

extension 226.

Afternoon Bingo in Rego ParkRego Park Jewish Center

97-30 Queens Blvd., between 64th and 65th roads 1:30 p.m.Come play bingo at the Rego Park Jewish Center every Tuesday afternoon in January and February. There are cash prizes and friendly games. Everyone age 18 and over is welcome. Doors open at 1:30 p.m., the early bird game is held at 2 p.m., and regular games begin at 2:15 p.m. A $4 admission includes 12

games.There are also special games, including Jackpot, Early Bird Share the Wealth game, Diamond Share the Wealth game, and Tri-color

game, for an additional charge. They are all paper games.There is a progressive jackpot bonus - win the jackpot in 55 or less numbers, and bonus ball games. A food concession is

available, and there is no smoking.For more information, call the center at (718) 459-1000.

Wednesday, Feb. 26Mardi Gras with The Sisters

Roma View160-05 Cross Bay Blvd., Howard Beach 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The School Sisters of Notre Dame Educational Center in Woodhaven is holding their annual Mardi Gras Celebration at Roma View. Tickets are $75 per person, which includes dinner,

dessert, an open bar, and more. For more information and to make reservations, please

email [email protected] or call (718) 738-0588.

Mid-Winter Taste for City HarvestResorts World Casino New York City

110-00 Rockaway Blvd., South Ozone Park 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The Mid-Winter Taste for City Harvest is a special tasting event featuring food, wine, cocktails and celebrity appearances. All proceeds from the event will benefit City Harvest, the world’s first food rescue organization that is dedicated to feeding New York

City’s hungry men, women and children.The evening will include live music from the Rakiem Walker Project, giveaways, and food, as well as special appearances by

celebrity chefs Todd English, Ming Tsai, and Chris Santos.Tickets are $100 per person and can be purchased at: http://

www.rwnewyork.com/entertainment/mid-wintertaste.

Wednesday, March 12Learn How To

Build Your Own BusinessQueens Council on the Arts

37-11 35th Ave., Astoria 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Queens Council on the Arts invites you to learn how to build and cultivate relationships with individual donors. Good fundraising is all about cultivating relationships to build deep connections. In the current economic climate where government and foundation support are growing increasingly competitive, fundraising from

individuals is more important than ever. This two-part interactive workshop with fundraising consultant Dara Silverman is designed to help participants learn how to strengthen and grow their base of individual relationships for themselves, their arts organization, or art project - today and for years to come. Topics include the development cycle, how individual artists fund-raise, tracking current and prospective donors, making an individual donor plan and practicing making asks. The first ten individuals to register for both workshops will have the opportunity to create and submit fundraising plans for review by the facilitator during the second session of the

workshop. Admission is $10.Following the March 12 event, there will be another session on

Wednesday, April 9 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Sunday, March 30St. Stan’s Rosary Altar Society

Annual Champagne BrunchSt. Stanislaus Kostka Roman Catholic Church

57-15 61st St., Maspeth12 p.m.

The St. Stan’s Rosary Altar Society will hold its annual champagne brunch fundraiser, during which there will be delicious food, great

prizes and unlimited champagne.Tickets are $17 each. To purchase a ticket, please call the church

rectory at (718) 326-2185 and ask for Charlie.The last day to purchase a ticket will be March 20.


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108 CALYER STREET LLC, a domestic LLC, filed with the SSNY on 12/11/13. Office location: Queens County. SSNY is designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to The LLC, 56-02 Maspeth Ave., Maspeth, NY 11378. General Purpose.

SUSAN SEEFIN LLC, a domestic LLC, filed with the SSNY on 11/26/13. Office location: Queens County. SSNY is designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to The LLC, 39-32 44th St., Sunnyside, NY 11104. General Purpose.

BROWN PAPER TICKETS LLC, Authority filed with the SSNY on 12/11/2013. Office loc: Queens County. LLC formed in WA on 05/19/2003. SSNY is designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to:The LLC, Attn: Legal 220 Nickerson St., Seattle, WA 98109. Address required to be maintained in WA: 220 Nickerson St., Seattle,WA 98109. Cert of Formation filed with WA Sec. of State, 801 Capitol Way S., Olympia, WA 98504. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

HALF A SUITCASE, L.P. was formed as a Limited Partnership (LP) in NY. The office is located in the County of Queens. The Cert. of LP was filed with the Department of the State of NY on 11/18/2013. The Secretary of the State of NY (“SSNY”) is designated as agent upon whom process against the LP may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process against it served upon him to: The LP, 83-26 Lefferts Blvd, Apt. 3-E, Kew Gardens NY 11415. The latest date on which the LP is to dissolve is: 12/31/2093. The name and address of the General Partner is available from the Secretary of State. The purpose of the LP is any lawful act.

Notice of Formation (LLC). Name: TRADITIONAL HANDICRAFTS LLC Articles of Organization filed with SSNY on 01/02/14. Office location: Queens COUNTY. SSNY Designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to: 40-70 CASE

STREET 2ND Floor Elmhurst, NY 11373. Purpose: Any lawful activity

PARKASH 2255 LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 1/2/14. Office in Queens Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to 172-14 89th Ave., Jamaica, NY 11432, which is also the principal business location. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Lion Grove Asset Management LLC Authority filed SSNY 10/21/13. Office: Queens Co. LLC formed DE 8/23/13 and is currently active. SSNY design. agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served and shall mail copy to 7511 110th St. #3H Forest Hills, NY 11375. Cert of Form. filed DE SOS, P.O. Box 898, Dover, DE 19903. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of 30-30 45th STREET REALTY LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 1/22/14. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 36-44 13th St., Long Island City, NY 11106. Purpose: any lawful activity.

Notice of formation of NAKORN REALTY, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secy. Of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/29/2013 Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated for

service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC. SSNY shall mail process to 34-11 62ND STREET Woodside, NY 11377. Purpose: any lawful activities.

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF FANSPECTRUM LLC. Arts of Org filed with Secy of State of NY (SSNY) on 4/13/13. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process may be served and shall mail copy of process against LLC to principal address: 30-26 41st street, #3L, Astoria, NY 11103. Purpose: any lawful act.

Notice of formation of Z & L RIVIERE, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secy. Of State of NY (SSNY) on 08/02/2013 Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC. SSNY shall mail process to 39-15 Main ST Suite 301, Flushing, NY 11354. Purpose: any lawful activities.

Notice is hereby given that a license, number 1276059 for wine and beer has been applied for by the undersigned to sell wine and beer at retail in a restaurant under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 37-18 Main Street, Cellar, Flushing, NY 11354 for on-premises consumption. DOS Enterprises, Inc. d/b/a River Japanese Cusine

E & ET Management, LLC, Arts of Org filed with SSNY on 01/17/14. Office Location: Queens County, SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: The LLC, 98-05 67th NY 11374. Purpose: to engage in any lawful act.

FREEMAN SOLUTIONS, LLC, a domestic LLC, filed with the SSNY on 11/06/2013. Office location: QUEENS County. SSNY is designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to The LLC, 9049 171st street, apt1, Jamaica, NY 11432. General Purpose.

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Notice of Formation (LLC). Name: LIU Pavilion Gallery, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 9/26/13. Office in Queens Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to 7310 41st Ave, Woodside, NY 11377. Purpose: General.

SHINIA E LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 01/09/2014. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Diamanto Theodoropoulos, 31-47 41 Street, Astoria, NY 11103. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

FAST FOOD ON FIRST, LLC. Articles of Org. filed with NY Sec. of State (SSNY) on 012/23/2013. Office in Queens County. SSNY has been designated service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of process to 21-53 75th Street Elmhurst, NY 11370. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF REQUEST GLOBAL INITIATIVES LLC. Arts. of Org.filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 02/04/2014. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: the LLC, at PO Box 650104, Fresh Meadows, NY 11365. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF GOLDEN TIME C, LP. Arts. of Org.filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/22/2014. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 36-36 MAIN STREET, 6F #605, FLUSHING, NEW YORK, 11354. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF DUSHANBE LLC. Arts. of Org.filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/29/2014. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 6350 Wetherole Street, Unit 4H, Rego park, NY 11374. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of 30-30 45th STREET REALTY LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 1/22/14. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 36-44 13th St., Long Island City, NY 11106. Purpose: any lawful activity.

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF REQUEST SINGULAR PRODUCTS LLC. Arts. of Org.filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/17/2014. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 2728 Thomson Ave. 805 Long Island City, New York, 11101. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

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A snow-covered landscape can be a pictur-esque sight. However, a roof covered in snow is something no homeowner can afford to marvel at. That's because accumulating snow and ice very well could push a roof to its breaking point, even if the roof was sound before the winter ar-rived.

According to The University of Arkansas division of Agricultural Cooperative Exten-sion Service, the water content of snow can range from 3 percent for very dry snow to 33 percent for wet, heavy snow. A roof may only be able to support 12 inches of wet, heavy snow before it is pushed to its breaking point. Snow can be quite heavy, weighing around 60 pounds per cubic foot. When heavy snow arrives, ho-meowners should do their best to safely clear their roofs of snow.

The threat of snow causing a roof to collapse has many homeowners floundering. While having snow build up on the top of a house is dangerous, so, too is climbing up on a slippery roof to push off the snow. As winter approaches, many emergency officials urge people to clear their roofs and decks to minimize structural collapse. But how does one do it safely?

Steep-pitched roofs tend to be the easiest to deal with snow and ice problems because a snow rake is usually effective. A snow rake is just what it sounds like. It is a metal device on a telescoping pole that can be extended to drag the snow off of the roof.

Homeowners may need to use extension ladders to reach taller parts of the roof. A sec-ond person can remain below to steady the ladder and ensure it doesn't tip over on a slick

surface.It is not adviseable to climb up on the roof

directly and shovel the snow off. The added weight of a person may be all that's needed to cause a roof to collapse, potentially resulting in grave injury and considerable roof damage. A snow-covered roof also can be slippery, which could result in a person falling off the roof. Any-one who does not feel secure removing snow from the roof can hire a professional service to do so. Just be sure the service is properly li-censed and insured.

In addition to removing the snow from the roof, here are some winter weather home care tips.

* Clean the gutters to remove any debris so that gutters will not become blocked and form ice dams on the roof. In addition, keep gutters

and drains free of ice and snow.* Add insulation to attic floors to prevent

heat from the home escaping to the roof and causing ice dams that freeze when snow melts. In addition, make sure the attic is well venti-lated so that the temperature inside will remain consistent with outdoors, further preventing snow melt.

* Melted roof snow can leak into homes or pool around foundations, causing rot and other problems. Keep an eye open for any leaks.

* If you live in an area prone to heavy snow-fall, a metal roof may be a good investment. The slippery roof causes snow and ice to slide off. Special features at the end of a metal roof break up the snow before it reaches the ground, pre-venting large, heavy piles of snow from causing injury when falling to the ground.

BEWARE:Snow on your roof can be troublesome and dangerous


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by Phil Corso

Queens residents have been grappling over what to do with a 3.5 –mile stretch of abandoned railway running from Rego Park to Ozone Park for years, and a series of more than 100 proposals helped pique their interest thanks to a worldwide architecture competition.

The Emerging New York Architectures com-mittee of the American Institute of Architects New York chapter rolled out its winners of the Queen-sWay Connection: Elevating the Public Realm contest this week, showing a glimpse into what could become of the abandoned railroad line. The contest accepted ideas from over 28 countries and selected five winners – four of whom won a sub-stantial amount of cash.

The ENYA prize of $5,000 went to Carrie Wilbert of Paris, France for her QueensWay Steps design. Second place honors and $2,500 went to Nikolay Martynov of Switzerland for the Queens Billboard design, and an additional $1,000 went to third place’s Song Deng of Toronto, Canada for the “Make It Grow It” design and New Mexico’s Jes-sica Shoemaker, who received the student prize for her Ebb and Flow design. Hyuntek Yoon – the only New Yorker to receive a prize, was given an honorable mention for his “Upside Down Bridge” design.

Sean Rasmussen, co-chairman of the ENYA committee at the American Institute of Architects, said the contest was about generating ideas and enriching the conversation of what could be at the QueensWay site. Applicants were tasked with the designing an entrance from the street to the el-evated Ozone Park station in such a way that was minimally invasive, environmentally sustainable and overall feasible.

“It is about young architects trying to address a certain architectural problem, which is how to create a gracious transition from the street level up to rail level at the site,” he said. “This project was our opportunity to explore that problem and we hope that the ideas generated in all of the entries will help influence the future of the QueensWay development.”

Rasumussen said the committee picked Wil-bert’s work because of the subtle sensitivity she used in appropriating an existing parking lot ad-jacent to the QueensWay to create an urban plaza and place a welcoming staircase next to that plaza. The goal, he said, was to minimize disruption to existing tenants and take advantage of the existing space.

Up until this point, the QueensWay debate has centered largely around local community input, Rasmussen said, and stood a chance to benefit from a more global solicitation of ideas. It was a

practice Rasmussen said has become common practice for the ENYA committee, which sets out every two years to pick a spot in

New York City and contribute to the larger

discussion that happens within the architectural community.

Some big borough groups have been weighing in over how to utilize the space, including Friends of the QueensWay, which wants to see the site transformed into a borough version of Manhat-tan’s High Line and applauded the wide crop of architectural submissions in the contest. Other residents, particularly a number in Woodhaven, have been opposed to any development at the site, while others yet want to see the railway reactivated.

"It's incredible to see inspiration drawn from around the world in conceptualizing innovative ideas that showcase the QueensWay's potential to revitalize neighborhoods and improve the quality of life,” a spokeswoman for Friends of QueensWay said in a statement. “The Friends of the Queen-sWay is grateful to everyone who participated in this competition and looks forward to continu-ing to gather input as we seek to create a one of a kind cultural greenway for the Queens com-munity."

Images courtesy QueensWay Connection competitionPeople from around the world submitted applications for possible ways to utilize 3.5 miles of abandoned railroad running from Rego Park to Ozone Park. This design, created by Carrie Wilbert, of Paris, landed first place.

Contest officials said they hoped the competition would help to generate ideas about the possible transformation of the abandoned rail line.

Architecture Contest Shows Glimpse into QueensWay’s Future

By Anna Gustafson

For decades, the iconic TWA Flight Center at JFK International Airport greeted many a passenger to a space that many have described as an architectural manifestation of modern-age travel - but it has been largely unused since clos-ing in 2001 despite the Port Authority pouring millions of dollars into renovating it.

Talks to turn the terminal, which TWA used from 1962 to 2001 and which was named a historic landmark in 1994, into a hotel and conference center reportedly fell through ear-lier this year. However, advocates of revitalizing the unique architectural space were optimistic about the site’s future after Port Authority Ex-ecutive Director Patrick Foye said his agency would be reopening the terminal to the public. At an event at the TWA center two weeks ago marking the 50th anniversary of the Beatles’ arrival at JFK, Foye told an enthusiastic crowd that he aims to have the space play a far larger role than it does now - the site will occasionally be the host of a celebration or forum but does little more than that.

Foye said that the Port Authority “painstak-ingly worked to renovate this building, and we are excited to say it will be open again soon.”

While the executive director did not spec-ify what exactly was envisioned for the TWA terminal, he did say that the approximate $20 million the Port Authority spent on renovation work unveiled in 2011 would not go to waste.

In 1956, the TWA commissioned a Finnish-American architect, Eero Saarinen, to design the flight center at what was then called Idlewild Airport - the facility was named after John F. Kennedy almost immediately following his as-sassination in 1963.

Opened in 1962, the concrete and glass structure that is suggestive of a bird was covered

in more than five million porcelain tiles and was one of the first terminals to have enclosed passenger jetways, closed circuit television, a central public address system, and baggage carousels. It had a number of well-known eat-eries, including the Constellation Club, Lisbon Lounge, and Paris Cafe.

Following the terminal’s closure in 2001, JetBlue constructed a new Terminal 5 situated behind the Saarinen building, and a number of borough history enthusiasts, including former flight attendants at the Beatles event, said the space should include a permanent exhibit show-casing the history of Idlewild, JFK and TWA.

Additionally, a number of former Pan Am flight attendants urged Foye to also commemo-rate Pan American World Airways - the largest international air carrier in the U.S. from 1927 until its collapse in 1991. The former attendants advocated for a structure reminiscent of the iconic Pan Am terminal - the air company’s flag-ship structure - at JFK, which was torn down in 2012.

File photoThe executive director of the Port Authority recently said he hopes to revitalize the TWA Terminal space, though it is unclear what is in store for the building that remains largely unused.

At Historic TWA Terminal, Thoughts of Revival



Although he might not have his name embla-zoned on a jersey, Howard Beach attorney Scott Baron is certainly a star in the eyes of the many un-fortunate and underprivileged children he helps every year.

In fact it’s hard to distinguish whether he has earned more accolades for achievements in his law practice or for his philanthropic works.

But for as many charitable works as he per-forms throughout the year, the NBA cares week-end still remains at the top of the list of his per-sonal favorite endeavors.

This year Scott joined with NBA Stars, during All Star Weekend to participate in a Kaboom Play-

ground Build. The Day of Service was part of 35 events that the NBA Cares All-Star Community Caravan hosted from Feb. 13-16.

NBA Cares is the league’s global social respon-sibility initiative. Through the program, the NBA, its teams and players and superstar civilians like Baron, have donated more than $230 million to charity, provided more than 2.8 million hours of hands-on service to the community and created more than 860 places where kids and families can live, learn or play.

"There is nothing that feels like this," said Bar-on. Commenting that being hands on and actually working in the communities that most need help

is one of life's most rewarding experiences.Last year he travelled with his family to Hous-

ton for the event with his wife and children. When asked what prompts him to continue making the trip every year and work on so many community service projects, his answer was immediate. "We are a very fortunate family, and everyday we take time to consider those who are less fortunate and try to do something to impact their lives in a posi-tive fashion. That's how I live my life," Baron said, "and that's how my children have been raised."

This year Baron joined with the likes of NBA players Carmello Anthony, Kyrie Irving, John Wall and Damian Lillard for three days in New Orleans,

where Six Algiers families got all-star treatment when NBA All-Stars and BBVA Rising Stars part-nered with Rebuilding Together New Orleans and Kia to perform vital repairs to their homes on Le-boeuf Street.

The rebuilding event was part of the NBA Cares Community Caravan and one of three All-Star Days of Service that took place in the New Orleans area that day.

Spending time in New Orleans and helping in a rebuild really struck a chord with Baron who was severely affected by Hurricane Sandy. "It gives you a whole new outlook on life," he said. "If you don't help others after that, you never will."

Local attorney joins with NBA stars at Cares WeekendJUMPING THROUGH HOOPS FOR CHARITY

The playground build was organized by KaBOOM! , a national non-profit that envisions a great place to play within walking distance of every child in America.

Hndreds of volunteers spent most of the day following instructions to build the pre- fabbed playgound to be enjoyed by local children.

Standing pretty level with Kyrie Irving of the Cleveland Caveliers

Kaboom playground builds are one of many partners the NBA joins with all year long to give back to communities most in need all across the country.

Hobknobbing with Portland Trail Blazers Damian Lillard

With John Wall of the Washington Wizzards

Taking a break with hometown favotie NY Knicks, Carmelo Anthony

28 | THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • February 20, 20144 | THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • February 6, 2014

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The Forum West 08 2014

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