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To Advertise E-mail [email protected] or call 718-729-3772 VOL. 76, NO. 24 WOODSIDE, L.I.C., N.Y. FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2010 25 CENTS SERVING SUNNYSIDE-WOODSIDE AND LONG ISLAND CITY On Tuesday, June 15th Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer, Community Board 2 Chairman, Joseph Conley and concerned neighbors joined forces in an attempt to save Woodside Triangle Park in Woodside, Queens. The once thriving parcel of greenery was recently in the works to be Woodside’s newest Community Park, however despite calls for patience for a capital funding request to be approved in July, developers have annihilated the once vibrant landscape and all that is left are piles of dirt. RALLY TO SAVE WOODSIDE TRIANGLE PARK Assembly Budget Action Provides NYC with Funding to Keep Maspeth and Woodside Senior Centers Open “We win fight to keep critical programs like senior centers and summer youth em- ployment,” says Assemblywoman Markey Assembly action also cuts $375 million to reduce 2010-11 budget deficit Assembly- woman Marge Markey (30th District- Maspeth) reports that legislation just adopted by the Assembly provides the City of New York with funding it needs to keep opera- tions open at many NYC senior centers, include two local ones, SelfHelp Maspeth Senior Center and Woodside Senior Center. (continued on page 3) Council Speaker Quinn Declares Aug. 26 th A Day of Service for Mother Teresa Invites all New Yorkers to Volunteer in their Communities City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, along with Council Members Pete Vallone, Jr, Ydanis Rodriguez, Jimmy Vacca and other Council Members gathered today to invite all New Yorkers to honor Mother Teresa’s 100th birthday by making a com- mitment to volunteer in our communities. She also called on New Yorkers to light up their homes and businesses in honor of the inspiring woman. (continued on page 3) JIMMY VAN BRAMER CELEBRATES OUR FLAG AS THE GRAND MARSHAL IN THE KIWANIS-SUNNYSIDE FLAG DAY PARADE On Saturday, June 12th Council Mem- ber Jimmy Van Bramer marched the streets of Sunnyside, Queens as the Grand Marshal in their annual Kiwanis-Sunnyside Flag Day Parade. Residents and community organi- zations marched along Greenpoint Avenue in what is being called their largest turnout ever, following the beat and melodies of the N.Y.P.D’s Marching Band and the Scottish Blowpipes. The parade concluded in the Joseph Sabba Park, where everyone gath- ered around the historical monument and some decided to share stories and sing songs about what America and the American Flag mean to them. “Such patriotic displays of pride are what our great nation is truly about,” said Council Member Van Bramer. “It is an honor to be your Grand Marshal today and be a part of such a great community tradition.” AARP Chapter 1640 Meeting June 22 nd @ 11:30am at St. Teresa’s Roman Catholic Church Auditorium located at 50 th Ave. and 44 th St., Woodside. Parking is available between the church and school. Men and women age 50 and older are eligible and welcome for membership. Inter mittent Lane Closur es Greenpoint Ave. Bridge June 14th - June 25th 7AM-3:30PM Queens Harvest Food Co-op slated to open near the end of 2011, is entering its second year of planning and is recruiting members and volunteers to help make the project, which will bring healthy, affordable food to western Queens, a reality. The next general public meeting will be held on Monday, June 21st from 7:00-9:00 pm, at Queenswest Arts Loft, 21-25 44th Ave, Suite 105, L.I.C. You’re Invited… “Smart Choices in Retirement” Seminar July 14th at Saint Teresa Church Auditorium 10 am - 11:30 am If interested please call Vincent Renda at 718-361-1306 to RSVP by July 7 th (SEE PAGES 4 AND 5 FOR PHOTO COVERAGE)
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Page 1: Woodside Herald 6 18 10

To Advertise E-mail [email protected] or call 718-729-3772

FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2010 THE WOODSIDE HERALD PAGE 1

VOL. 76, NO. 24 WOODSIDE, L.I.C., N.Y. FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2010 25 CENTS

SERVING SUNNYSIDE-WOODSIDE AND LONG ISLAND CITY

On Tuesday, June 15th Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer, Community Board 2 Chairman, Joseph Conley and concerned neighborsjoined forces in an attempt to save Woodside Triangle Park in Woodside, Queens. The once thriving parcel of greenery was recently inthe works to be Woodside’s newest Community Park, however despite calls for patience for a capital funding request to be approvedin July, developers have annihilated the once vibrant landscape and all that is left are piles of dirt.

RALLY TO SAVE WOODSIDE TRIANGLE PARK Assembly BudgetAction Provides NYCwith Funding to Keep

Maspeth and WoodsideSenior Centers Open“We win fight to keep critical programs

like senior centers and summer youth em-ployment,” says Assemblywoman Markey

Assembly action also cuts $375 millionto reduce 2010-11 budget deficit Assembly-woman Marge Markey (30th District-Maspeth) reports that legislation just adoptedby the Assembly provides the City of NewYork with funding it needs to keep opera-tions open at many NYC senior centers,include two local ones, SelfHelp MaspethSenior Center and Woodside Senior Center.

(continued on page 3)

Council Speaker QuinnDeclares Aug. 26th A Day ofService for Mother Teresa

Invites all New Yorkers toVolunteer in their Communities

City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn,along with Council Members Pete Vallone,Jr, Ydanis Rodriguez, Jimmy Vacca andother Council Members gathered today toinvite all New Yorkers to honor MotherTeresa’s 100th birthday by making a com-mitment to volunteer in our communities.She also called on New Yorkers to light uptheir homes and businesses in honor of theinspiring woman.

(continued on page 3)

JIMMY VAN BRAMER CELEBRATES OUR FLAG AS THE GRANDMARSHAL IN THE KIWANIS-SUNNYSIDE FLAG DAY PARADE

On Saturday, June 12th Council Mem-ber Jimmy Van Bramer marched the streetsof Sunnyside, Queens as the Grand Marshalin their annual Kiwanis-Sunnyside Flag DayParade. Residents and community organi-zations marched along Greenpoint Avenuein what is being called their largest turnoutever, following the beat and melodies of theN.Y.P.D’s Marching Band and the ScottishBlowpipes. The parade concluded in theJoseph Sabba Park, where everyone gath-ered around the historical monument andsome decided to share stories and sing songsabout what America and the American Flagmean to them.

“Such patriotic displays of pride are whatour great nation is truly about,” said CouncilMember Van Bramer. “It is an honor to beyour Grand Marshal today and be a part ofsuch a great community tradition.”

AARP Chapter1640 Meeting

June 22nd @ 11:30am at St. Teresa’sRoman Catholic Church Auditorium

located at 50th Ave. and 44th St.,Woodside. Parking is availablebetween the church and school.

Men and women age 50 and older areeligible and welcome for membership.

Intermittent Lane ClosuresGreenpoint Ave. Bridge

June 14th - June 25th7AM-3:30PM

Queens Harvest Food Co-opslated to open near the end of 2011, is entering its

second year of planning and is recruiting members andvolunteers to help make the project, which will bringhealthy, affordable food to western Queens, a reality.

The next general public meeting will be held onMonday, June 21st from 7:00-9:00 pm, at

Queenswest Arts Loft, 21-25 44th Ave, Suite 105, L.I.C.

You’re Invited…

“Smart Choices in Retirement”Seminar

July 14th at Saint Teresa ChurchAuditorium 10 am - 11:30 am

If interested please callVincent Renda at 718-361-1306

to RSVP by July 7th

(SEE PAGES 4 AND 5 FOR PHOTO COVERAGE)

Page 2: Woodside Herald 6 18 10

To Advertise E-mail [email protected] or call 718-729-3772

FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2010THE WOODSIDE HERALDPAGE 2

Attorneys-At-LawMarc Crawford Leavitt

JOSEPH N. YAMANER*IRA R. GREENBERG

Paul E. KersonJohn F. Duane

THE BENJAMIN SHAW PROFESSIONAL BUILDING

45-29 47th Street - Woodside, New York 11377718-729-0986

MIDTOWN OFFICE: 228 E. 45TH STREET, 17 FL., NYC 10017

Serving the Community Since 1947*We speak Spanish, Hebrew & Turkish

43-11 Greenpoint Ave., Sunnyside, NY 11104Telephone (718) 729-3772

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS AND EDITORSDouglas Kennedy, Luke Adams, Patricia DorfmanCONTRIBUTING ARTISTS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS

Luke Adams, Patricia Dorfman

Marlene Sabba ............................................................... Publisher

Sherilyn Jo Sabba ................................................................. Editor

these discriminatory, the Demo-cratic Majority has taken action toprovide equal opportunity and ac-cess for those with disabilities inall aspects of daily life.

The plan includes:An expansion of polling loca-

tions that follow the accessibilityrequirements of the Americanswith Disabilities act.

Equality for those with physi-cal disabilities in regards to faresfor public transportation.

Holding insurance compa-nies accountable for their lackof timeliness in reimbursingthose who purchase their wheel-chairs out of pocket.

Ensuring those with disabili-ties are not discriminated against

Keep Your Teeth for a LIFETIME!For a FREE Exam & Consultation

REMBRANDT 1-HR. WHITENINGDR. ARTHUR H. KUBIKIANDR. LOUIZA PUSKULIAN

DENTISTRYDENTISTRYDENTISTRYDENTISTRYDENTISTRY

Office Hours: Weekdays: 9:30 a.m.- 6:30 p.m.Saturdays: 9:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.

IRT #7 BLISS STREET - 46TH STREET

REASONABLE RATES - CHARGE CARDS ACCEPTED

We are pleased to be participating members with the following Dental Insurance Programs:• Empire Blue Cross/Shield • United Concordia • Horizon Health Care• Delta Dental USA • Dental Benefit Providers • Rayant• First Ameritas • Aetna • Qualident• MetLife Preferred • Guardian Dental • GHI-Pref Plus

43-34 43rd STREET, SUNNYSIDE, NY 11104

Call: (718) 786-3842

AVAILABLE:

QUEENS BOROUGH PRESIDENT HELENMARSHALL CONGRATULATES NEW

CITIZEN AT CITIZENSHIP/NATURALIZATIONCEREMONY AT QUEENS CENTER MALL

On Flag Day, Monday, June14th. In center is Ms. AndreaQuarantillo, New York DistrictDirector of the U.S. Citizenship& Immigration Services and (R)City Councilman DannyDromm. A total of 32 childreneligible for citizenship were onhand for Monday’s ceremony.

BREAKING BARRIERS:Sweeping Legislation

Improves Services For PeopleWith Disabilities, Puts An End

To Discriminatory PracticesThe Senate Democratic Ma-

jority announced the passage of acomprehensive 9-point package oflegislation providing New York-ers with disabilities expanded ac-cess to polling places, transporta-tion and medical equipment, aswell outlawing discriminatorypractices in employment, housingand public services.

Those with disabilities face dis-criminatory practices in many dif-ferent parts of their lives; city busdrivers refuse to stop and pick upthose in wheelchairs because ofthe time it takes to operate the lift,qualified individuals are passedover at job openings and landlordsdeny individuals from rentingplaces to live.

After decades of Albany fail-ing to establish basic rights against

when seeking services—includ-ing programs and activities—frompublic entities.

These reforms take the mostsignificant step in decades towardsensuring equal treatment and pro-tection under the law. The Ameri-cans with Disabilities Act of 1990(ADA) attempted to resolve dis-crimination issues on the Federallevel by requiring employers toprovide suitable accommodationsfor disabled employees, as well asprohibit discrimination in wagedetermination, hiring and firing.However, the ADA actually causedemployers to be more discrimina-tory in selecting employees for fearof lawsuits under an ambiguousset of statutes.

MAJORITY ANNOUNCES LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE EXPANDINGOPPORTUNITIES FOR NEW YORKERS WITH DISABILITIES

B.P. HELEN MARSHALL HONORED DEPARTMENT OF SANITATION

Borough Chiefs Dou-glas Marsiglia (L) ofQueens West, and LorenzArfsten, of Queens Eastfor their efforts and all sani-tation workers “for theirefficient performance inkeeping our roadways ac-cessible during the harshwinter of 2009/2010.”

NeedMore

Business?

Call 718-729-3772

We Can Help You

Page 3: Woodside Herald 6 18 10

To Advertise E-mail [email protected] or call 718-729-3772

FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2010 THE WOODSIDE HERALD PAGE 3

She says the funds were included inemergency extender legislation that wasadopted Monday night as part of a budgetpackage that includes over $325 million inreductions to human services ($175 million)and mental hygiene ($150.2 million) pro-grams for the coming year while restoringfunding to vital local services.

“We fought hard to restore criticalprograms that had been chopped out ofthe Governor’s Executive spending plan— and we won. Our budget restorationshave preserved funding for such vitalprograms as senior centers for some ofthe city’s most deserving citizens,” saidAssemblywoman Markey.

These include restoration of full discre-tionary Title XX funding that will help savesenior center services in New York City.More than a third of centers in the city,including ones in Maspeth and Woodsidedepend on this funding for their operations.The restorations also included $72.7 mil-lion in Temporary Aid to Needy Familiesinitiatives, which will help fund the Sum-mer Youth Employment, Career Pathways,Advantage Schools and SUNY/CUNYChild Care programs.

“The severe economic downturn andthis unprecedented fiscal crisis have forcedus to accept reductions to programs andservices we deeply believe in,” said Assem-blywoman Markey. “However, I am proudthat we were able to win restorations thatwill keep senior centers open and restorecritical funding for our youth.”

Statements...

Assembly BudgetAction Provides NYCwith Funding to Keep

Maspeth and WoodsideSenior Centers Open

(continued from front)

At a recent rally on the steps of City Hall, Mirela Sujak, director of Sunnyside Community Services’ after-school program at PS 150, encouragesMayor Bloomberg and the City Council to restore the $12.2 million for after-school programs that was cut from the city’s 2011 budget.

Fighting To Save After School Programs

OPHTHALMOLOGY- BOARD CERTIFIED -

“Celebrating 22 Years….”

Hablamos español

45-58 43rd StreetSunnyside,N.Y. 11104

Phone718-786-0024

185 MadisonAvenue2nd Floor

(corner of 34th Street)

N.Y., N.Y. 10016Phone

212-685-2600

MEDICALAND

SURGICALTREATMENT

OF EYEDISEASES

ManyInsurancesAccepted

DEBRA S.GUTHRIE

M.D.

“The ‘donuthole’ has beengiving New Yorkseniorsheartburn forfar too long, butrelief is on theway thanks tothe new healthcare reform law.246,000 New

Also joining the Speaker was DiahanneBilling- Burford, Chief Service Officer forNYC Service, the city’s volunteer agency.

This announcement comes after the fi-nal decision made by the owners of theEmpire State Building that they will notlight the building to honor the legacy ofMother Teresa and her work in the city andaround the world.

“The Empire State Building can go aheadand light their building how ever they want,I’m putting a light in my window for MotherTeresa,” said City Council Speaker Chris-tine C Quinn. “The Empire State Buildingdoes not have final say on how MotherTeresa’s life should be honored. That’s whywe in the Council are inviting all New York-ers on August 26th, light up their own win-dows, homes, businesses in blue and whiteas a tribute to her. If you can’t light up yourhome then we ask that you take part of thatmorning, afternoon, or evening and giveback to those who are less fortunate. We askthat New Yorkers consider spending sometime that day volunteering at a soup kitchen,mentor a young person, visit a senior centeror sign up at the City’s volunteer websitewhere you’ll find many, many places inNYC where you can participate. Lightingup the Empire State Building as a tribute toher would be great. But honoring such aninspiring woman does not have to be limitedto a single building.”

Council Speaker QuinnDeclares Aug. 26th A Day ofService for Mother Teresa

(continued from front)

Yorkers were caught in the donut hole lastyear. The health reform package that Iwas proud to support will give $250checks this year to seniors in the donuthole and a 50% discount on brand-nameprescription drugs next year. And in 2020,the donut hole will be plugged forever.”

“I’m grateful and proud that SpeakerPelosi, following the recommendations ofChairman Frank, has appointed me to theconference committee to resolve theHouse and Senate versions of thefinancial stability legislation. I will workwith the Chairman to ensure that thisconference is fully transparent andachieves the goal we all share: preventingthe kind of meltdown that the financialsystem— and the nation— experienced inthe fall of 2008, and that triggered thisbrutal recession.”

-Rep. Carolyn Maloney upon beingappointed to the Financial Stability

Conference Committee yesterday.

-Rep. Carolyn Maloney Applaudingthe $250 Checks Headed to

Seniors Caught in “Donut Hole”

COUNCIL MEMBER JIMMY VAN BRAMER TO RALLY WITH QUEENS RESIDENTS TO SAVE OUR LIBRARIESOn Friday, June 18th Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer will unite with elected officials and Queens Residents in front of the Queens Library at Sunnyside, in the final push to save ourlibraries. Children from I.S. 125 will also join the Council Member to rally in support of the libraries they’ve grown up in.

WHEN: Friday, June 18th at 11:30 A.M.WHERE: Steps of the Sunnyside Community Library (4306 Greenpoint Avenue, Long Island City, NY 11104)

Page 4: Woodside Herald 6 18 10

THE WOODSIDE HERALD FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2010FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2010

This year’s Flag Day Parade coverage was brought to you by last years Grand Marshall and our AMAZING photographer, Luke Adams.

The 42nd Annual SunnysideKiwanis Flag Day Parade

The 42nd Annual SunnysideKiwanis Flag Day Parade

Page 5: Woodside Herald 6 18 10

To Advertise E-mail [email protected] or call 718-729-3772

FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2010THE WOODSIDE HERALDPAGE 6

SUMMONS AND NOTICE OFOBJECT OF ACTION STATE OFNEW YORK SUPREMECOURT: COUNTY OF QUEENSACTION TO FORECLOSE AMORTGAGE INDEX NO.:30249/09 HSBC BANK USA,NATIONAL ASSOCIATION ASTRUSTEE FOR WELLS FARGOASSET SECURITIESCORPORATION, MORTGAGEPASS- THROUGHCERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-AR3 Plaintiff, vs. MASOODPARVEZ, ROWSHAN ARAPARVEZ, AKM HASANZAMAN Defendant(s) .MORTGAGED PREMISES: 39-24 57TH STREET WOODSIDE,NY 11377 SBL #: BLOCK 1227LOT 69 TO THE ABOVENAMED DEFENDANT: You arehereby summoned to answer theComplaint in this action, and toserve a copy of your answer, or, ifthe Complaint is not served withthis Summons, to serve a notice ofappearance, on the Plaintiff(s)attorney(s) within twenty daysafter the service of this Summons,exclusive of the day of service (orwithin 30 days after the service iscomplete if this Summons is notpersonally delivered to you withinthe State of New York). In case ofyour failure to appear or answer,judgment will be taken against youby default for the relief demandedin the Complaint. The Attorneyfor Plaintiff has an office forbusiness in the County of Erie.Trial to be held in the County ofQueens. The basis of the venuedesignated above is the location

LEGAL NOTICE • LEGAL NOTICE • LEGAL NOTICE • LEGAL NOTICE • LEGAL NOTICE • LEGAL NOTICE • LEGAL NOTICEof the Mortgaged Premises. Datedthis 19th day of May, 2010, TO:AKM HASAN ZAMAN,Defendant(s) In this Action. Theforegoing Summons is servedupon you by publication, pursuantto an order of HON. JANICE A.TAYLOR of the Supreme Courtof the State of New York, datedthe 6th day of May, 2010 and filedwith the Complaint in the Officeof the Queens County Clerk, inthe City of Jamaica. The object ofthis action is to foreclose amortgage upon the premisesdescribed below, executed byMASOOD PARVEZ,ROWSHAN ARA PARVEZ andAKM HASAN ZAMAN dated the30th day of January, 2007, tosecure the sum of $522,250.00,and recorded at Instrument No.2007000114876 in the Office ofthe Clerk of the County of Queens,on the 2nd day of March, 2007;which mortgage was duly assignedby assignment dated the 10th dayof October, 2009, and sent forrecording in the Office of theQueens County Clerk. Theproperty in question is describedas follows: 39-24 57TH STREET,WOODSIDE, NY 11377 SEEFOLLOWING DESCRIPTIONBlock 1227 and Lot 69 ALL thatcertain plot, piece or parcel ofland, with the buildings andimprovements there on erected,situate, lying and being in theBorough and County of Queens,City and State of New York,known and designated on a certainmap entitled, “Hitchcocks Plan forHomes at Woodside, Queens

County, Long Island, on the LongIsland Railroad, JJ. Slater, CitySurveyor, 97Nassau Street, cornerof Fulton Street, New York,December 10, 1867”, filed in theOffice of the Clerk of the Countyof Queens, April 259, 1869, asMap No.23, as and by the Lot No.132 being bounded and describedas follows: BEGINNING at a pointon the Westerly side of57th Street,formerly 4th Street, distant 225feet Southerly from the cornerformed by the intersection of theSoutherly sideof39th Avenue,formerly Stryker, and the Westerlyside of 57th Street; RUNNINGTHENCE Westerly parallel with39’h Avenue, 100 feet; THENCESoutherly parallel with 57th Street,25 feet; THENCE Easterly againparallel with 391h Avenue, 100feet to the Westerly side of 571hStreet; THENCE Northerly alongthe Westerly side of 57th Street,25 feet to point or place ofBEGINNING. Premises known as39-24 57th Street, Woodside, NewYork HELP FORHOMEOWNERS INFORECLOSURE NEW YORKSTATE LAW REQUIRES THATWE SEND YOU THIS NOTICEABOUT THE FORECLOSUREPROCESS. PLEASE READ ITCAREFULLY. SUMMONS ANDCOMPLAINT YOU ARE INDANGER OF LOSING YOURHOME. IF YOU FAIL TORESPOND TO THE SUMMONSAND COMPLAINT IN THISFORECLOSURE ACTION, YOUMAY LOSE YOUR HOME.PLEASE READ THE

SUMMONS AND COMPLAINTCAREFULLY. YOU SHOULDIMMEDIATELY CONTACT ANATTORNEY OR YOUR LOCALLEGAL AID OFFICE TOOBTAIN ADVICE ON HOW TOPROTECT YOURSELF.SOURCES OF INFORMATIONAND ASSISTANCE The stateencourages you to becomeinformed about your options inforeclosure. In addition to seekingassistance from an attorney or legalaid office, there are governmentagencies and non-profitorganizations that you may contactfor information about possibleoptions, including trying to workwith your lender during thisprocess. To locate an entity nearyou, you may call the toll-freehelpline maintained by the NewYork State Banking Departmentat 1-877-BANK-NYS (1-877-226-5697) or visit the department’swebsite atWWW.BANKING.STATE.NY.US.FORECLOSURE RESCUESCAMS Be careful of people whoapproach you with offers to “save”your home. There are individualswho watch for notices offoreclosure actions in order tounfairly profit from ahomeowner’s distress. You shouldbe extremely careful about anysuch promises and any suggestionsthat you pay them a fee or signover your deed. State law requiresanyone offering such services forprofit to enter into a contract whichfully describes the services theywill perform and fees they will

charge, and which prohibits themfrom taking any money from youuntil they have completed all suchpromised services. § 1303NOTICE NOTICE YOU ARE INDANGER OF LOSING YOURHOME If you do not respond tothis summons and complaint byserving a copy of the answer onthe attorney for the mortgagecompany who fi led thisforeclosure proceeding againstyou and filing the answer with thecourt, a default judgment may beentered and you can lose yourhome. Speak to an attorney or goto the court where your case ispending for further informationon how to answer the summonsand protect your property. Sendinga payment to your mortgagecompany will not stop thisforeclosure action. YOU MUSTRESPOND BY SERVING ACOPY OF THE ANSWER ONTHE ATTORNEY FOR THEPLAINTIFF (MORTGAGECOMPANY) AND FILING THEANSWER WITH THE COURT.DATED: May 19, 2010 Steven J.Baum, P.C., Attorney(s) ForPlaintiff(s), 220 NorthpointeParkway Suite G, Amherst, NY14228 The law firm of Steven J.Baum, P.C. and the attorneyswhom it employs are debtcollectors who are attempting tocollect a debt. Any informationobtained by them will be used forthat purpose. 5/28, 6/4, 6/11, 6/18

Letters To

The EditorThe following letters are the opinionsof its author and not necessarily those

of the Woodside Herald.

Daddy-Wishing you a very HappyFather’s Day in Heaven. Imiss you more and more

every day. I love you.–Your Sunshine

THE PENSIONDear Editor,

When my wife Cathie Hall(Kitty to her customers and nu-merous friends) got sick last year,she had to give up the job that sheloved so much, working at ‘GONATURAL HEALTH STORE’ onQueens Blvd. The owner, Phil, toldher that she was entitled to a ‘pen-sion.’ Every day, she could get a 1ounce shot of Wheat Grass, free ofcharge, to help build up her im-mune system. Phil and his wifeNancy were good to their word.Every day I would stop by the storeand all of the staff would knowwhy I was there. They would say‘You are here for the pension,right?’ and I would reply ‘Yes.’

This went on until Kitty be-came too weak. She passed awayon May 23, 2010 I would like tosay THANK YOU to Phil andNancy and to the whole staff at GONATURAL, for the love that youshowed my wife. Such as act oflove and kindness should not gounnoticed.

Thanks for the ‘pension.’Tommy Hall

(Loving husband of Kitty)

THANK YOUKIWANIS

Dear Editor,A special ‘Thank you’ to the

Kiwanis Club of Sunnyside for alltheir hard work organizing the FlagDay Parade.

There were wonderful presen-tations from our youth, seniors andvarious organizations in the area.

I was happy to see that ourVeterans were in the first groupafter the New York Police March-ing Band.

I would like to remind ev-eryone that the Veterans whofought to keep America free,should always be in the frontduring ceremonies.

Marie Konecko

REZONING ANDAFFORDABLE

HOUSING IN NWQUEENS

Dear Editor,Affordable housing is integral

to the rezoning plans for Astoria,LIC, Sunnyside and Woodside.Unfortunately, affordable housingis a euphemism right out of ‘TheWizard of Oz,’ or doublespeak outof 1984. It is subsidized paymentfor someone who cannot afford thetrue cost of his housing.

We are still suffering from sub-prime mortgages, the financial cri-sis caused when buyers of millionsof single-family homes could nolonger pay the mortgages. Theydid not have enough income topay. They should not have obtainedthe mortgages in the first place.Affordable housing is the otherside of the coin of sub-prime mort-gages.

Affordable housing is sub-prime mortgages in multi-familyhousing. Affordable housing is

not self-sustaining, needing moneyconstantly to pay the deficit. It is abubble, just like sub-prime. Sup-pose the City runs out of money, orif Fannie May/ Freddie Mac runout of money. The bubble will col-lapse, perhaps not on the scale ofsub-prime. But it will be disas-trous.

We should stop it.Al Volpe,Woodside

CUSTOMERSERVICE GONE

AWRY

20 year old became openly frustrated.Five minutes later my daugh-

ters photo shoot was over. Gee,that was quick.

We all proceeded out in frontof a computer where the pho-tographer showed me picturesof my squinting beauty. I wantedthem all, messy hair and glow-ing earlobes.

However, reality hits and I muststay within my budget and only getpictures for family members. I askthe girl “How much is your cheap-est package? I need to spend theleast amount of money as pos-sible.” To which she replies “Thatwould be our bronze package,$160.” So I pull out my trustycoupon for 10% off, no sitting feeand a free 10x13 (the whole reasonI decided to use Sears instead ofmy tried and true regular portraitstudio). Well, after tax I still end upowing $166 bucks. That’s prettyexpensive, for Sears, a moderatelypriced department store. $166seemed a bit much for the cheapestprice for a photo.

Driving home from the over-priced, less than stellar service, Icall my husband with the news.“Thats a joke, right?” he asks. “No,that was the cheapest price thephotographer could give me.” Myhusband is a smart man. He tellsme this department store adver-tises sheets of photos for $9.99. Heasks me how many sheets come inmy package? 8 with a free 10x13since I had a coupon. Hmmm. Thatshould be $80 then, no? Unlessour math is off. 8x10=$80. Seemsright to me.

My wonderful husband callsthe studio and speaks to a differentphotographer, the other girls shift

had ended. She explains I pur-chased a package and all packagescome with CD’s and those areworth $200. Excuse me? Did Irequest a CD? Um, no. I requestedthe cheapest package. I was neverinformed of CD’s. Perhaps this iswhere the customer, me, is wrong?Did I fail to ask the golden ques-tion? Which I now know wouldhave been, can I just buy sheets?However, no one explained theproducts and services available.

Luckily, I had the CD in myhand, not realizing exactly what itwas and its expense. We put theCD in and see a few shots of mydaughter. Not all of them are evenhere. What happened to the blackand white close ups? The fadingaround the edges? We look closer.The shots are off center and metalbars that hold up the canvas back-drops can be seen. We need ourmoney back pronto. But, oh no.The customer is not right.

Unhappy with your purchase?That’s too bad. Even though thestores receipt says they will gladlyrefund your purchase within 90days, they won’t. They explain it’sbecause we have the CD and couldhave downloaded the photos. Areyou kidding me? I tell the matter-of-factly rude woman on the phoneI’ll bring it back and I just want mycard credited the $166. She saysno. My husband, now feeling

Dear Editor,Why is it that some stores fail in

the ‘customers always right’ policy?When did the customer start be-coming wrong? Why is it that ourmoney spent on goods and servicesis no longer seen as our money?

A week ago I took my daughterto a large department store’s portraitstudio. Sears. I had made an ap-pointment a few days prior so mysoon to be 2 year old wouldn’t be-come fussy while waiting her turn infront of the camera. Unfortunately,we waited...and waited for forty fiveminutes. Baby earrings ripped outdisplaying red earlobes and prettylittle hairclips torn off revealingcrazy baby hair, then sounds of an-noyance from my daughter becom-ing louder. This session is going tobe rough, I thought.

My daughter squints when shesmiles. A family trait that we findadorable. The photographer, a lessthan classy, unkempt girl of maybe20, voiced how “annoying” it was.When my toddler refused to pose asthe photographer wanted, the untidy

(continued on back page)

Page 6: Woodside Herald 6 18 10

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FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2010 THE WOODSIDE HERALD PAGE 7

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REAL ESTATE

REAL ESTATE FACTSby RITA LOWRY YOUR EYES

by DR. IRVING ROVIN, OPTOMETRIST

OPTICAL

• EYES EXAMINED• PRESCRIPTIONS FILLED

• DESIGNER FRAMES• MEDICAID - MEDICARE

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45-04 46th St., L.I.C., NY 11104 • (718) 784-2580DR. IRVING ROVIN

CLOSED WEDNESDAY

WE NOW ACCEPT MOST UNION PLANS & INSURANCE

SUNGLASS COLOR DOESN’T COUNTIf you have sunglasses and think you are protected from the harmful

rays of the sun, you may have to think again. For one thing, there is noway for you to tell either by the color or the darkness whether theyactually filter out these rays. The color of the lens is not what counts.Absorption of harmful rays depends on the chemical ingredient added to theglass to produce the color. What’s worse is that dark, ineffective sun-glasses reduce visible glare (nature’s warning signal), and they may bemore harmful than wearing nothing at all. Cheap sunglasses are oftenoptically poor, full of distortions, and aberrations, and this can end uphaving terrible consequences. In addition, no plastic lenses can (by thenature of the material) filter out infra-red radiation.

For quality, protective sunglasses, you need to go to a professional.

LOWER RATES WITH

A HIGHER SCORE

Get Your QuestionsAnswered About

Retirementand Social Security

You’re invited...After years of work, you now

have the opportunity to experiencethe retirement you’ve alwayswanted. By taking some time nowto prepare for life in retirement,you’ll be more likely to enjoy ev-erything you’ve dreamed about.

To get started, join us for ourfree Smart Choices in Retirementseminar. You’ll learn 10 principlesto help make your money last withthe goal of providing a stable,steady retirement income. That’sone of the best ways we know tohelp you prepare for the future.

Special guest, Ira Shapiro, Re-gional Director for social securityAdministration will be here to in-form you about social security andto answer your questions aboutsocial security. Seating is limited,so reserve your place today.

Date: 7/14/2010Time: 10am - 11:30amLocation: St. Teresa AuditoriumRSVP: 7/7/2010Vincent Renda, Financial Ad-

visor, 47-01 Queens Blvd., Suite203, Sunnyside 718-361-1306

Lenders are an increasingly difficult crowd to please, so if you’relooking for the best deal on a mortgage, you need a couple ofstrategies to improve your credit score. Lenders use that number todetermine your risk of default, and it may be the single mostimportant factor in your application.

Scores range anywhere from a very risky 300 to a perfect 850.You’ll need a 750 today to get terms a 700 would have gotten you twoyears ago. Begin with a $16 investment at myfico.com, where yourthree reports from Experian, Equifax and TransUnion are averaged intoone representative score.

A Zogby poll reports that one third of all people who request a creditreport find errors. Your score is only as accurate as your information, soscour your report and correct errors immediately. This could boost yourscore by as much as 200 points!

The largest percentage of your score is determined by your paymenthistories, but the second largest factor is your “card utilization rate,” oryour total balances compared to your total credit limits. 10% is the idealnumber (like $2,500 in charges when you have a $25,000 line of credit).

If you correct errors, have an excellent payment history, and get yourdebt-to-credit ratio down, you can expect to save thousands with a lowerinterest rate on your mortgage.

Launch Your “Summertime”Now that summer is officially

here, you may be looking forwardto vacations, barbecues, ballgamesand other events of the season. Buteven while you’re engaged in theseactivities, you can’t forget aboutother aspects of your life — suchas your plans to achieve your long-term financial goals. However,your summer activities can actu-ally provide you with some valu-able lessons on managing your in-vestment strategy.

Here are a few possibilities:Plan your trip. If you’re taking

a long road trip this summer, you’llneed to choose your vehicle, mapout your route, determine how faryou want to go each day and bequite certain of your destination.And, essentially, the same is truefor your investment strategy. Youneed to choose the right invest-ment vehicles, familiarize your-self with your ultimate goals (suchas a comfortable retirement) andchart your progress along the way.

Try to avoid getting burned. Ifyou’re going to spend a lot of timeoutdoors this summer, you mayneed to apply some sunscreen. Butyou don’t have to be exposed to thesun to get “burned” — it can hap-pen in the investment world, too.

However, you can help preventthis from happening. How? Bybuilding a diversified portfolio. Ifmost of your money is tied up injust one type of investment, andthat asset class falls victim to adownturn, your portfolio could takebig hit. But while some invest-ments are moving down, other maybe moving up, so it makes sense tospread your money among a rangeof vehicles appropriate for yourrisk tolerance, investment goals andtime horizon. Of course, diversifi-cation, by itself, cannot guaranteea profit or protect against loss, butit can help reduce the effects ofvolatility on your portfolio.

Keep yourself “hydrated.” Whenyou’re outside on hot days, you canlose a lot of fluids, so you need todrink plenty of liquids to remainhydrated. As an investor, you alsoneed a reasonable amount of liquid-ity. In the severe market downturnof 2008 and early 2009, many inves-tors found they had insufficientamounts of the type of liquid invest-ments — cash and cash equivalents— that held up better than other,more aggressive vehicles. Further-more, if you are relatively illiquid,you may have to dip into your longer-term investments to pay for short-

term emergency needs. Try to al-ways keep an adequate level of li-quidity in your holdings.

Dress for the season. As you goabout your summer activities, youwon’t always wear the sameclothes. On hot days, you mightwant to wear shorts, but on cool,rainy days, you might need heavieritems or even a raincoat. And asyou go through life, you may needto adjust your investment approachdepending on your individual fi-nancial “season.” For example,early in your career, you might beable to afford to invest more ag-gressively, as you’ll have moreopportunities to recover from theinevitable short-term downturns.As you close in on retirement,though, you may need to take amore conservative approach so thatyou can lower your investment riskwhen you need to access yourmoney. So there you have them —some ideas for “summertime in-vesting.” Use them wisely, andthey may be of value to you longafter summer is over.This article was written by EdwardJones for use by your local EdwardJones Financial Advisor located at 47-01 Queens Blvd. Suite 203 SunnysideNY 11104. Phone him at 718-361-1306.

Investment Strategy

Page 7: Woodside Herald 6 18 10

To Advertise E-mail [email protected] or call 718-729-3772

FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2010THE WOODSIDE HERALDPAGE 8

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○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○THE TAMING OF THE SHREW

June 18, 20, 23-26 @ 8pmMatinee June 19th @ 3pm, 7pm

The Secret Theatre4-02 23rd St, LIC(718) 392-0722

THALIA SPANISH THEATRE’S FREEOUTDOOR FESTIVAL/ THALIA AL AIRE LIBRE

Sunday June 20th 1PM to 2PMThomson Hill Park/Noonan Playground,

Greenpoint Avenue between 42nd and 43rdStreets For more information

contact (718) 729-3880

“SIX CYLINDER LOVE,” A PLAY ABOUT CAR LUSTJune 3-June 26, 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday. Sunday

June 13 @ 3 p.m. The Hall at the ANOROCDemocratic Club, 45-23 47th St., Sunnyside,Queens, N.Y. Take the #7 train to 46St/ Blissstation. For reservations, call: 718-361-5858

KIDS DAYJune 19th 10a-2p

LaGuardia Community College E-BuildingAtrium

31-10 Thomson Ave LICNo registration is required. For more

informationPlease call (718) 482-5334.

robbed, calls the regional manager and leavesa detailed message. The regional managernever calls back. We write to customer ser-vice to which they reply with a generatedemail, “We are sorry for your inconve-nience.” June 3rd comes along and accord-ing to my receipt, this is my photo pick upday. I drop my son off at school and marchup to the portrait studio with my daughter intow. Two flights of stairs, winded fromholding my 26 lb daughter, I wheeze out,“I’m here to pick up my pictures”. The girltells me they aren’t ready. It’s been 9 days.They aren’t ready? My receipt says this ismy pick up date and time. “No, sorry. Tryback around 4:30, but we close at 5.” Backdown the stairs and all the way out to thevan, I call my husband. He is livid, we placeanother call to the regional manager. Hedoesn’t answer. We call the girl at the studioand explain how upset we are at our experi-ence. She tells us we can pick up our picturestoday, but they will be glossy computer printouts, same price. Same price? For the overpriced, poorly shot photos that will nowlook like I printed them out myself? $166still? “Yes.” Then I receive an email from

customer service. Your photos will be readyon June 8th. No apologies, no discounts,nothing. I have yet to pick up my daughtersphotos because June 8th isn’t here yet. I willnever visit another Sears Portrait Studioagain. They clearly don’t care about thequality of their photo sessions, the quality ofthe product produced, and whether or notthey inform their customers of productsavailable. Quite frankly, the customer atSears Portrait Studio is never right. At leastwhen I look back at my crooked, squintyeyed, messy haired toddlers picture, I’llremember the story behind it. When friendsand family ask where the clumsy pictureswere taken, they will internalize that Searsisn’t where they will take their children.After all, look at how terrible they look andall that money wasted. Don’t get your pho-tos taken at Sears readers. Find a reputablephotographer that actually cares about thedelicate balance between goods and ser-vices. Especially in the world economy to-day, which I shouldn’t even need to men-tion. I’m a consumer and I’m distatisfiedwith my experience at Sears. Apparently,Sears feels my money is theirs and that’s allthat matters.

CUSTOMER SERVICEGONE AWRY

(continued from page 6)

TaraLong Island City

Spending your money locally, creates jobs&

KEEPS YOUR AREA HEALTHY, WHICHCONTINUES TO BUILD

A COMMUNITY THAT’S WORTH LIVING IN!Local merchants care about YOUR community!

Why should YOU shop local?

Ridgewood Democratic Club Celebrates 102nd AnniversaryOn Thursday June 10th, The Ridgewood

Democratic Club celebrated their 102nd

Anniversary. They are one of the oldestclubs in Queens. The Dinner-Dance washeld at Riccardo’s By The Bridge inAstoria.. The evening started with cock-tails, followed by dinner, dancing and theconferring of the awards. Approximately300 people were in attendance, includingmany dignitaries representing theSunnyside/Woodside area as well as rep-resentation from the many neighbors, busi-ness people and friends of the community.

Sunnyside Chamber President Ira Greenberg, Esq, Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan.Lieutenant Governor Richard Ravitch and Lily Gavin from Dazies Restaurant.

By Luke Adams

Rigoberto Cordoso. Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer, Ira Greenberg, Bruce Bendell.

Councilman Van Bramer with his proudmother Elizabeth.

Michael Gianaris, Brent O’Leary, Kate Brannon Cathy Nolan, Jimmy Van Bramer andDorothy Raymond Morehead.

Assemblyman Michael Gianaris, Assemblywoman Nolan, Congresswoman NydiaVelazquez, Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer, District Leader Tom Bornemann.

Bruce Bendell, Mohammed Daud, Lily Gavin, Cathy Nolan, Nydia Velázquez, Roel VanDer Kooi, Rigoberto Cordoso.

Sunnyside Gardens neighbors, KateBrennan, Ira Greenberg, and DorothyRaymond Morehead.

Roel Van Der Kooi, Regoberto Cordoso, Assemblyman Gianaris and Lily Gavin.

Assemblyman Michael Gianaris, CouncilmanJimmy Van Bramer and Tom Bornemann.

HISTORY ROUNDTABLE-D DaySaturday, June 19 @ 1pm

The Greater Astoria Historical SocietyCall for Info 718-278-0700

WALKING TOUR-Astoria ParkSunday, June 27 @ Noon

The Greater Astoria Historical Society35-20 Broadway, 4th FloorCall for Info 718-278-0700

OPERA COLLECTIVETue, June 22 @ 7pm

Gantry Plaza State Park, 50th Aveand the East River

Queens Chamber of CommerceIntellectual Property Seminar

Thursday, June 24th 8am-10:30amBulova Corp Center, 75-20 Astoria Blvd.

East ElmhurstFree, Call to RSVP 718-898-8500