woodside herald 2 3 12

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2012 THE WOODSIDE HERALD PAGE 1

VOL. 78, NO. 5 WOODSIDE, L.I.C., N.Y. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2012 FREE

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St. Teresa Parish Center, 50-22 45th Street, Woodside

REPUBLICAN GOP MEETING

‘Equal Access’ Campaign Gains Momentum

Another SchoolForced To Close

Fundraiser a Success!Woodside On The Move/Woodside Soccer Academy

(continued on page 5)

by Jon Storck

Last Sunday, more than 3,500people marched over the BrooklynBridge in support of legislationthat would allow houses of faithscontinued equal access to publicschool buildings during after-school hours.

Last December, a ruling by theU.S. Court of Appeals effectively“evicts” more than 60 houses ofworship from schools after Febru-ary 12, barring intervention fromthe State. Our campaign to remain

is based on the inconsistencies inthe ruling and an appeal for thewelfare of our communities.

The Court affirmed that theConstitution protects activitiessuch as “prayer, singing of hymns,and religious instruction” withinschools. It even went as far asprotecting “worship” itself. How-ever, it denied the right to a “wor-ship service” where these activi-ties take place. The Court’s con-cern was that children might as-sume that their school had trans-formed into a house of worship

during the time of the “worshipservice.” If the Court deems NYCchildren less smart than every othermajor municipality, including Chi-cago, L.A., D.C., and Detroit(where equal access remains) andunable to differentiate between achurch and a school, what makesthe Court think that the same chil-dren could tell the difference be-tween merely an event where“prayer, singing of hymns, and re-ligious instruction” take place anda “worship service?”

Corpus Christi School in Woodside, will close at the end of the2011-2012 academic year in June 2012 due to rising debt andlow enrollment.

In a January 12th letter to parents, Msgr. Denis Herron, temporaryadministrator, and Robert DiNardo, principal, explained that the schoolis “facing a $73,000 deficit this year” and that Corpus Christi Church isno longer able to subsidize the school. “Our main focus now must be todo everything we can to care for our children,” they said in the joint letter.The school “will be open and continue its program of excellence until thevery last day of school in June.” Plans are underway for transitionalassistance to neighboring Catholic elementary schools.

Monday, Feb. 6@ Nak Won Reformed Church, 41-20 Queens Blvd.

Please use the side entrance on 42nd St. All Republican Members Are Invited!

The First Fundraiser introduc-ing the Soccer Academy to theWoodside community was wellattended by families from PS 11and PS 152, neighbors, sponsorsand elected Officials. Council-man Jimmy Van Bramer was thefirst to speak, praising the work ofWoodside On The Move (WOTM)and welcoming the Woodside Soc-cer Academy (WSA). The eventwas hosted at Extravaganza, spaceand the food donated by JohnMesser, the owner of the club andone of the founders of the Acad-emy. Sponsors included The FreshAir Fund, discussing the opportu-nities for parents to register theirchildren in their Summer Camps

and Friendly Town programs.Other presenters included repre-sentatives from H&R Block andNyack College. Donations in-cluded tickets from the ThaliaSpanish Theatre to their newTango Show; a gift certificate fromOttomanelli’s; Museum passesfrom Con Edison and gift certifi-cates from Carvel. WSA CoachYohan Viafara spoke of his expe-rience as a professional player inColombia’s First Division teamsand his commitment to teach thebest soccer skills to all the chil-dren registering for the Spring andSummer Soccer camps. OscarVillada, President and Founder ofthe Academy and Adrian Bordoni,

Executive Director of WoodsideOn the Move presented a plaqueto John Messer and one to AlVolpe, WOTM Board member anda founder of the Academy, fortheir support in making theWoodside Soccer Academy a re-ality. Mr. Bordoni thanked thesupport of the sponsors, his Board,his staff and asked for the attend-ees to save the date of April 15thfor the Academy’s First SpringSoccer Festival. All children inattendance received a gift bag anda delicious Lunch was served bythe cordial and hard working staffof Extravaganza.

(Continued on Page 3)


FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3 , 2012THE WOODSIDE HERALDPAGE 2

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

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Fighting The Department Of Education

Legislation to Raise Minimum Wage

Senator Michael Gianaris isfighting the New York City De-partment of Education’s (DOE)proposal to overhaulunderperforming public schools,believing the plan to be detrimen-tal to students’ ability to receivethe education they need. LongIsland City High School andBryant High School are two ofthirty-three New York City pub-lic schools scheduled for ex-tremely invasive remodeling oftheir faculty and functioning.

Gianaris visited Long IslandCity High School and Bryant HighSchool, both in Long Island City,during the schools’ respectivepublic parents’ meetings to re-view the DOE proposal.

“I grew up in the public schoolsystem and attended Long IslandCity High School. The public edu-cation I received gave me the toolsI needed to succeed – a testamentto the fact that these schools work,”Gianaris said. “As negotiationscontinue, we must ensure that thestudents remain our priority anddo not needlessly suffer because ofpolitical posturing. I urge all par-ties to resume their negotiationsand keep the interests of our chil-dren at the forefront of their minds.”

Both Long Island City HighSchool and Bryant High Schoolhave been marked as “PersistentlyLow Achieving” schools. As partof the DOE proposal, Long IslandCity High School is designated as

“Turnaround” model, which, if theproposal passes, would completelyredesign or replace the school, in-cluding replacing at least half ofthe staff.

Bryant High School is desig-nated as “Transformation” model,which would change the school byoverhauling instructional and stu-dent support services by creatingnew incentive and teacher evalua-tion systems.

Senator Gianaris believesunderperforming schools need im-provement but not at the expense ofthe students. The DOE’s drastic pro-posal does not factor how such anextreme overhaul of the publicschools would affect attending stu-dents and how they learn.

Assembly Member MichaelDenDekker (D/WFP-Queens)joined Assembly SpeakerSheldon Silver, Assembly La-

bor Committee Chairman KeithWright, and other AssemblyDemocrats in introducing legis-lation into the New York StateAssembly that would raise theminimum wage to $8.50.

“Every day,” AssemblymanDenDekker said, “we’re con-fronted by the stark reality thatthe rich are getting richer, andthe poor are getting poorer. Fortoo long now, too many NewYorkers have worked longhours for pay rates that aren’tkeeping up with the cost-of-living. New York State is anexpensive place to live, and myhope is that this legislation will

help many of our workers andtheir families break the cycle ofpoverty by being paid a moreequitable wage.”

The legislation - A.9148 -calls for the minimum wage toincrease to $8.50 in January of2013. The minimum wage willbe indexed, requiring an increaseeach year to adjust for inflationaccording to the Consumer PriceIndex (CPI). Indexing will be-gin January of 2014.

The legislation will also setwages for food service workerswho receive tips at $5.86. Thiswage will also be indexed annu-ally to adjust for inflation.



Parking Meter Changes in LIC 24 New Trash Baskets

Awarded For SupportWoodside Town Hall Meeting

Wednesday, February 15th 7-9PMSt. Sebastian’s Parish Center, 39-60 57th St. Woodside

Topic: PUBLIC SAFETYHosted by: Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer

For Info & To RSVP: (718) 383-9566

On February 1st, CM Van Bramerjoined officials from the Depart-ment of Sanitation (DSNY) on thecorner of 46th Street and 48th Avenueto announce the placement of 24trash baskets throughout Sunnysideand Woodside. The announcementcomes after constituents came for-ward requesting the need for moretrash baskets along secondary streetssouth of Queens Boulevard.

“The placement of these trash bas-kets south of Queens Boulevard helpsfacilitate the cleanliness of the neigh-borhood and improves the quality oflife for community residents,” said theCouncil. “I want to thank DSNY forworking with my office to help pro-vide both the residents of Sunnysideand Woodside with their requests.”

Van Bramer has also fought forthe DSNY to increase collectionsthroughout the 26th District. In De-cember, the Council Member an-nounced additional street sweep-ing in Woodside, Sunnyside andLong Island City and the place-ment of 24 new trash baskets.

Borough Chief Thomas Albano, Queens WestBorough, CM Jimmy Van Bramer, DistrictSuperintendent Michael Gonzalez, QueensSanitation 2 District Garage.

On Friday, January 27th, CM Jimmy VanBramer joined Maura McCarthy, QueensBorough Commissioner of the Departmentof Transportation, business owners and com-munity leaders to announce the reduction of12-hour parking meters in Long Island City.

The parking meter changes come aftercommunity residents and businesses re-quested the need for short-term parking.Van Bramer worked with the Department ofTransportation to help ensure parking ac-commodations were made available to cus-tomers looking to gain accessible spaces.

“Long Island City is not a parking lot,”said the Council Member. “It is a thrivingcommunity where thousands have come tolive and where we are seeing many busi-nesses open every month. For Long IslandCity residents and businesses this is a wel-come announcement.”

Parking in Long Island City is a highpriority issue for both businesses and resi-dents in the area. The parking meter changeswill help generate better flow for shoppersalong the developing business corridor.

“Adjusting meter regulations can go along way toward increasing parking optionsfor Long Island City residents, visitors and

businesses, and we are glad to work closelywith local elected officials to make parkingeasier,” said Maura McCarthy, DOT QueensBorough Commissioner.

CM Van Bramer has made the reduc-tion of long-term parking meters a priorityin the district. Since taking office, VanBramer also announced short-term me-tered parking was being added and park-ing regulations were adjusted alongQueens Boulevard in Sunnyside, makingparking more accessible for motorists,especially to customers of local businesseslining the corridor.

On January 28th, CM Jimmy Van Bramer visited St. Raphael’s gym to take in the youthbasketball league’s winter games. While at the event Van Bramer was honored for hissupport of St. Raphael’s youth basketball league.

Since becoming elected, the Council Member has allocated funding to the youthbasketball league at St. Raphael’s which has helped reduce registration fees and provideuniforms for the community’s future athletes.

“It is basketball leagues like St. Raphael’s that help instill teamwork, leadership skillsand a sense of work ethic in our community’s youth,” said Van Bramer. “I am honored toreceive this plaque and will continue to support St. Raphael’s youth basketball league as itplays a pivotal role in the development of youth in our neighborhood.”

(continued from front page)

Fundraiser a Success!Woodside On The Move/Woodside Soccer Academy

Oscar Villada, CM Jimmy Van Bramer & Yohan Viafara



QEDC Celebrates Entrepreneur Space’s 1st Birthday

Houses Of Worship MeetingIn NYC Public Schools

Residents DeserveNotice

In order to save New York City resi-dents from unnecessary confusion and dis-ruption in their daily lives when they areconfronted with lengthy and unexpectedneighborhood public works projects, NYSSenator Joseph Addabbo, Jr. (D-Queens)is pushing his legislation (S.5023A) thatwould require the City to notify peoplewhen their area is going to be seriouslyaffected by construction work, breaks inutility service, or other significant infra-structure repairs and interruptions.

“A timely ‘heads up’ could save us allsome big headaches and aggravation when itcomes to navigating closed streets, prepar-

ing for utility service disruptions, gettingback and forth to work or school, and other-wise confronting problems associated withbig construction projects in our commu-nity,” Addabbo said. “If we have time toprepare for projects like this, we’ll have abetter chance of making the adjustments weneed to get through them safely and with aslittle frustration as possible.” Under thesenator’s bill, the City would need to providethree days’ notice to residents living withina half-mile radius of construction, repair orother public works project. Adequate signagewould need to be offered, as well as informa-tion about the expected duration of the project,general details about the work, and whetherany utility service will be affected. Smallprojects that are expected to last less than 48hours would not be subject to the notificationrequirements unless utilities would be dis-rupted. “Forewarned is forearmed,” said thesenator, “and my legislation will not onlymake life more convenient for our residents,but safer for people whose health or welfaremight be threatened by unexpected utilitylosses.” The legislation is now under con-sideration by the NYS Senate’s StandingCommittee on Cities.

The Queens Economic DevelopmentCorporation, 10 elected officials, two com-missioners of city agencies and more than400 other attendees from around the BigApple celebrated the Entrepreneur Space’sfirst anniversary on Jan. 25, 2012, with freefood made by clients, a festive atmosphereand a 20-year-old cake from Hollywoodactress Elizabeth Taylor’s 60th birthday party.

Located at 36-46 37th St. in Long IslandCity, the Entrepreneur Space, which is af-fectionately known as the “Incubator,” offi-cially opened on Jan. 19, 2011. This 12,500-sq.-ft., NYC Economic Development Cor-poration-sponsored food-and-business hubfeatures a fully equipped commercialkitchen, offices and classrooms that entre-preneurs can rent at below-market rates asthey build their businesses. To improve out-

Wednesday, February 15th @ 6:15PMVFW Post, 52nd St & Queens Blvd.

Membership Drive Call: 718-937-2448

Ladies Auxiliary Post 2813

Monthly MeetingMonthly Meeting

flower petals and green leaves – was ondisplay in a glass case (see attached pho-tos). The pastry was made for Liz Taylor’s60th birthday party, which took place atDisneyland in February 1992 with BarryManilow as the master of ceremony. Inaddition to Elton John, Melissa Manches-ter, Jon Voight, Henry Winkler, DavidBowie, Gregory Peck, Stevie Wonder,Dionne Warwick, Joni Mitchell, RichardGere and Cindy Crawford, acclaimed au-thor Jane Scovell, who helped La Liz writethe book Elizabeth Takes Off, attended theceremony…and kept her serving of cake.Recently, Scovell donated her sweet por-tion and its display case to the Incubator.

“I wanted a special remembrance of theoccasion, something unique,” said Scovell.“I knew I’d found my memento when anindividual, round, milk chocolate frostedbirthday cake was distributed to each guest.Putting aside all thoughts of eating it, Igently wrapped my treasure in a violet papernapkin, brought it back to the hotel and

Queens Borough President Helen M. Marshall, Queens Economic DevelopmentCorporation Executive Director Seth Bornstein, acclaimed author and cake donatorJane Scovell and Entrepreneur Space Director Katherine Gregory.

comes, QEDC also offers a wide array ofbusiness counseling, technical assistance andfinancial classes to clients on site.

Currently, the Incubator has over 155clients, including various bakers, an em-ployment firm and a tutoring service. Dur-ing the party, more than 30 clients – includ-ing sweets maker Goldleaf Toffee; artisanjams and preserves company Josephine’sFeast; and vegetarian seitan gyro manufac-turer Taft Foodmasters — provided freesamples of their creations. Plus, the Mu-seum of the Moving Image donated 300passes providing two admissions to its cul-tural center for the price of one adult.

Until its mid-party unveiling amidchants of “Happy Birthday,” the 20-year-old chocolate cake – roughly four inches indiameter and adorned with sugary, purple

placed it in a Ziploc bag. The next morning,clutching an insulated bag containing thecake, I flew back to New York, where itimmediately went into my freezer.”

Assemblywoman Margaret Markeyadded: “I am delighted to salute the QueensEconomic Development Corporation onthe first anniversary of its EntrepreneurSpace. In one short year this project hasdemonstrated how new businesses can benurtured and grown and the enormouspotential it has for creating jobs and boost-ing the Queens economy.”

“I want to congratulate QEDC andExecutive Director Seth Bornstein on thesuccess of the Entrepreneur Space,” saidAssemblywoman Catherine Nolan. “Thisprogram has allowed many small busi-nesses in Western Queens to get the sup-port they need to succeed. After manyvisits to the incubator, I am very im-pressed with the programs they offer andhope they continue to help small busi-nesses in our area to get their start.”

Statement by NYC Council Member Daniel Dromm:The Founders of this country in their wisdom declared in the First Amendment that

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibitingthe free exercise thereof” by prohibiting the establishment of a state religion.

Resolution 1155 calls upon the government to directly aid religious worshipservices by providing “maximum access” to public schools. I believe having state-established worship spaces is unconstitutional and utterly anathema to the principleson which this country was founded. Having the NYC Department of Education serveas the landlord for houses of worship entangles our government in issues best left tobelievers not to bureaucrats. I am proud of standing up when the religious liberty ofgroups in my diverse district was threatened. I will similarly stand up against anyweakening of the constitutionally protected marketplace of religious ideas by havingour public schools turned into churches.

(Map on Page 6)

Release of the New 34th Assembly District LinesAssemblymember Michael DenDekker (D/WFP-Queens) issued the followingstatement in connection with the issuance of the new 34th Assembly District lines:

“I am pleased to see that the 34th Assembly District will still encompass the samevibrant and inclusive populations. These neighborhoods are some of the most diverse areasin the city, and according to a recent snapshot report by NYS Comptroller Tom DiNapoli,have economically fared better than the rest of New York City.”State Senator Michael Gianaris issued the following statement in connectionwith the issueance of the new 34th Assembly District lines:

“With this brazenly political proposal, Senate Republicans have done more in one dayfor the cause of fair and independent redistricting than advocates like myself accomplishedafter years of advocacy. Senate Republicans return us to the days when Albany was the mostdysfunctional capital in the nation by bringing Tom DeLay’s brand of politics to New York.The people of this state will not stand for it, and neither should we.”



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WOTM Annual MeetingOn January 26th, Woodside On the Move hosted its Annual Meeting at The Kettle;

Heather Strafer, Board Chair and Adrian Bordoni, Executive Director, presented a plaqueto Assembly Member Marge Markey, a lifetime achievement award for her support to theWoodside community. In attendance to share in the celebration were CouncilmemberJimmy Van Bramer, Assembly Member Michael Den Dekker and District Leader JohnSmyth. Patrick, from The Kettle presented a generous donation for the Spring and SummerConcert series hosted every year by Woodside On The Move. This year the concert serieswill be sponsored by local businesses and will include Irish Music, Mexican and Colombianfolklore and other styles highlighting the ethnic diversity of our community.

(continued from front page)

‘Equal Access’ Campaign Gains Momentumby Jon Storck

Furthermore, houses of worship do not “take over” the school when there. In fact, oftenthey rent different space within the school simultaneously with other groups. In addition,the Court apparently does not find it potentially confusing for children when NYC schoolsrent space from churches nor when many of the school holidays are in observance ofreligious holy days.

More importantly, evicting houses of faith will hurt the communities in which theyserve. In addition to the loss of work for custodial and security staff, the schools could losemany volunteers and contributions. Regardless of whether one tolerates religion or not, thefact remains that houses of faith invest greatly in their communities. One statistic showsthat the value of all contributions by religious organizations to NYC is as much as $1.8billion yearly. Obviously, contributions by those affected by this ruling is only a portionof that. However, during a time of budget cuts, every dollar invested in schools andcommunities is vital.

This past Thursday, there will be a public hearing at the City council on this issue. Inaddition, the State Senate is expected to vote in favor of our legislation this week after itsEducation Committee unanimously approved the bill last week. However, the Assemblyis taking a very cautious approach. Next Monday, I and other Clergy and City Councilmembers will be in Albany bringing our case to the capital but time is growing short. Wedo not yet know Assemblywoman Nolan’s position on the issue. And as of today, theAssemblywoman has yet to commit to meeting with us while we are there, though she hasdirected her staff to meet with us.

We are not asking for special treatment. This is not a conservative or liberal issue. Noris it limited to any denomination or faith. The swath of supporters covers those fromKorean, African-American, and Latino backgrounds as well as from both political parties.We are asking only for equal access and the right to worship.

Assembly Member Michael Den Dekker, District Leader John Smyth, AssemblywomanMarge Markey, WOTM Executive Director Adrian Bordoni and City Clerk MichaelMcSweeney.

WOTM Executive Director Adrian Bordoni, Patrick from The Kettle Restaurant andAlphonse Volpe, WOTM Executive Board Member.


FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3 , 2012THE WOODSIDE HERALDPAGE 6(Map from page 4)

Free WorkshopsFor minority-and women-owned business

owners and “financial boot camp”The Queens Economic Development Corporation in the upcoming weeks will offer

free certification opportunities to minority and women business owners who want to getmore clients. The QEDC will also facilitate a “Boot Camp” on financing and marketing.

Minority and Women Owner CertificationQEDC’s M/WBE (Minority/Women Business Enterprise) Certification Workshop

will help participants register with New York City and New York State as minority- orwoman-owned businesses. Open to those who have been in business for at least oneyear, this certification is a great way to attract public agencies as clients, and EmpireState Development Corporation representatives will be on hand to provide informationon the certification and procurement process.

Colombia native Amparo Connors, president of Allied Personnel Services in ForestHills, obtained the M/WBE classification in 2007. Soon thereafter, she got her second-biggest contract with the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, which had found her on afederal M/WBE database.

The workshops will take place from 10 a.m. to noon as follows: Jan. 26, QueensChamber of Commerce, Bulova Center, 75-20 Astoria Blvd., Ste. 140, Jackson Heights;Feb. 11, Assemblywoman Grace Meng’s Office, 136-20 38th Ave., Ste. 10A, Flushing;and Feb. 23, Queens Chamber of Commerce, Bulova Center, 75-20 Astoria Blvd., Ste.140, Jackson Heights.

Financial Boot CampQEDC’s other training sessions, entitled “Financial Projections Boot Camp 101,”

will consist of three classes. The first one deals with the theoretical principles offinancial projections, and participants will learn about such issues as best businesspractices and common pitfalls. The second class will revolve around the case study ofa business that sells products and services, looking at projections for annual, quarterlyand monthly periods. During the third class, participants will develop and work on theirown business projections, using the case study as a model.

Open to individuals who are in the business world, Boot Camp 101 will also helpattendees become more familiar and comfortable with Microsoft Excel through the useof financial statement templates. There is a $75 fee for Boot Camp 101, which will takeplace from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on three Wednesdays — Feb. 1, 8 and 15 — at theEntrepreneur Space, 36-46 37th St. in Long Island City.For more information or to register, call 718-263-0546

Auditions ForThe Musical

GypsyTuesday, Feb 7th & Wednesday

Feb 8th. Callbacks TuesdayFeb 14th 7:30 – 10:00 PM

Performances: May 12, 13, 19 ~FSF Community Theatre Group,41-60 Kissena Blvd, Flushing

Directed by: Mark Lord ~Musical Dir. by: Paul L. JohnsonWe Need: Dancers and Singers –Ages 10 - adult; Stage Crew 16+

For Info call: (516) 354-5210

Night OfChance

The Mary Louis AcademyParents Club will be holdingits annual Night of Chance onFriday, March 23, 2012 at 7PM. in the school cafeteria(176-21 Wexford Terrace, Ja-maica Estates, NY, 11432).This year’s theme is CasinoRoyale. The cost is $25 perperson, which includes food,drink and dessert. The eventwill feature live auctions, si-lent auctions and raffles. Formore information, pleasephone (718) 297-2120.



DIVORCE WITH CARE

THE LAW OFFICE OF

Jocelyn Ciechanov4141 41st Street - Suite 3E

or at a location convenient to you

Call: 917 995 5228 for an appointment

Be Heard!Please send your Letters to the

Editor to P.O. Box 7097Long Island City, N.Y. 11101 or

simply email them [email protected]

Acting Out at SCS

Dear Editor:Ryan Jerome was enjoying his first trip to New York City on

business when the former Marine Corps gunner walked up to asecurity officer at the Empire State Building and asked where heshould check his gun. The security officer called police and Jeromespent the next two days in jail. The 28-year-old with no criminalhistory now faces a mandatory minimum sentence of three and a halfyears in prison. Jerome has a valid concealed carry permit in Indianaand visited New York believing that it was legal to bring his firearm.He was traveling with $15,000 worth of jewelry that he planned to sell.

Residents of Queens County are fortunate enough to have a DistrictAttorney who supported the establishment of a veterans’ court andapproaches his sworn duty with common sense and the courage toexercise the “reasonable person standard” regardless of political conse-quences.

DA Brown of Queens County recently resolved a similar case witha Disorderly Conduct charge. The Queens Council Veterans ofForeign Wars respectfully request that the New York District Attor-ney follow DA Brown’s example of common sense public service andlesson the charge to Disorderly Conduct, which would allow Ryan toseek an adjournment in contemplation of a dismissal.

It is unconscionable that this City would allow this young Marineto be criminalized because he mistakenly thought his Second Amend-ment Rights would apply to New York City. Rights that are God givenand enumerated in the Constitution. Rights which are the SupremeLaw of the Land. But more importantly Rights he fought to protect anddefend against all enemies foreign and domestic, when 99% of hisfellow countrymen turned their backs and refused to serve. Again weask that the New York District Attorney lesson the charge to Disor-derly Conduct.

Organization Information: Queens County Council VFW is asubordinate unit of District No. 1 Department of New York. Themission of the 2.1 million members of the VFW and its Auxiliary isto foster camaraderie among United States veterans of overseasconflicts; to serve our veterans, the military, and our communities; andto advocate on behalf of all veterans.

Contact Information: Adjutant/Past County Commander MarvinR. Jeffcoat SFC, USA (RET), Queens County Council Veterans ofForeign Wars 50-55 45th Street, Woodside, NY 11377 (347) 841-4335, [email protected].

Sincerely,Marvin R. Jeffcoat

Thank You DA Brown

In Response To Letters:‘Stores Needed’ & ‘Sunnyside Pool’

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

of the Woodside Herald.

Letters To

The Editor

Dear Editor,I read Paul Slapikas letter in last weeks issue of Woodside Herald

on January 27th and I wanted to remind him and other communitymembers that the Sunnyside Chamber’s website has a section entitled‘The Good Old Days.’ We are still looking for more pictures… Helpus save our past!

Anyone interested in donating old pictures of the neighborhood,please contact Luke Adams at (718) 784 8437.

Thank you to Alice Havlina and Warren Boyen, two wonderfullocal historians who helped us with information regarding some of thephotographs. John and Mike Leahy and their family have provided uswith great pictures and information from 1915 that would have beenlost without their family history. The next time you go through yourold pictures and documents, remember the Chamber. Don’t let any-one throw out the pictures you so carefully preserved over the years!

We are looking for pictures of John F. Kennedy at the SunnysideGarden Arena, Mayor Jimmy J. Walker opening the SunnysideGardens Park on May 18, 1926, Gleason Centennial Hotel, MillerHotel, the Sunnyside Pool, Sunnyside Theatre, 43 St. Theatre,Knickerbocker Laundry Building, Jay Guild Tennis Court at 45th St,and anything else you may have of interest. Sometimes even ordinaryphotographs of daily life are the most interesting of all!

So come visit sunnysidechamber.org and help keep our past a live.Sincerely.

Luke Adams, Sunnyside

My car went toHeaven!

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SCS is pleased to host Queens Council of the Arts 2012’ SPARC“Artist in Residence” Robin Benson at our Center for Active OlderAdults. Starting Sunday, February 5 from 1 to 2:30 p.m., Robin will teacha FREE interactive and immersive 24 weeks class in Theater Production.Participants will create a piece of original theater while exploring thefundamentals of the dramatic arts. The class culminates in a publicperformance of the piece. Topics include explorations of theme, reminis-cence and improvisation, character development, production design andconstruction, publicity, and more. For more information, contact (718)784-6173, ext. 412. Sunnyside Community Services is located at 43-3139th Street, Sunnyside, NY 11104.Queens Council of the Arts’ SPARC (Seniors Partnering with ArtistsCitywide) is a community arts engagement program that placesartists-in-residence at community centers across the five boroughs.

Don’t ForgetYour Paper!



THALIA SPANISH THEATREPresents: Tango 5 Senses/Sentidos

Explore the five senses as experienced by loversin the close embrace of Tango. It’s TANGO likeyou’ve never heard, seen, felt or tasted before!

January 27th – March 18th

Fridays & Saturdays @ 8PM, Sunday @ 4PM

SPECIAL EVENT!!TANGO 5 senses WORKSHOP, our first-everTango dance workshop taught by CarlosParedes and Carolina Jaurena. SaturdaysFeb. 4th – March 10th from 5pm - 6pm. SPACEIS LIMITED – SIGN UP TODAY!THALIA SPANISH THEATRE41-17 Greenpoint Avenue, Sunnyside (Queens)Information & Tickets (718) 729-3880Pictured in Photo: Carlos Acuña and MarianaParma. Photo Credit: Benjamin Briu

No-Cost Breast Cancer ScreeningsSaturday, February 18

Queens Pride House, 76-11 37th Avenue, Jackson HeightsWednesday, February 22

Sunnyside Community Services, 43-31 39th Street, LICWednesday, February 29

P.S. 199, 39-20 48th Avenue, LICTo make an appointment for a no-cost Mammogram at one of these locations or formore information, please call Maria at: 1-877-628-9090

St. Pat’s For All ParadeSunday, March 4th @ 1PMRegister your group to march in celebration of Irish heritage and culture.

2012 St. Pat’s for All Parade Information:www.stpatsforall.com,[email protected] (718)721-2780

Remembering: Pat DolanQueens Library invites the community to join Borough President

Helen Marshall and the Kew Gardens Hills Civic Association at anevent celebrating the life, work and friendship of Patricia Dolan, thelate civic leader and library champion.

Wednesday, February 15th from 6 - 8pmQueens Library at Kew Gardens Hills, 72-33 Vleigh Place. All are

welcome and admission is free. The community will share remembrancesand unveil a plaque to recognize Pat’s special commitment to the QueensLibrary at Kew Gardens Hills. For further information, phone 718-261-6654.

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