Woodside Herald 5 22 15

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FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015 THE WOODSIDE HERALD PAGE 1

VOL. 82, NO. 21 WOODSIDE, L.I.C., N.Y. FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015 FREE

SERVING SUNNYSIDE-WOODSIDE AND LONG ISLAND CITY

108th Pct CommunityCouncil Meeting

SCS, 43-31 39th Street, Sunnyside

Tuesday, May 26th @ 7PM

by Crystal Wolfe

NYC is built on a foundation ofsmall business to sustain itself.There are roughly 130 million U.S.workers employed by small busi-nesses. In America, small busi-nesses employ half of all private-sector workers and 39% of high-tech jobs as well as 60%-80% ofthe new net jobs annually. Though

FIRST NEIGHBORHOODLIBRARY BRANCH TO BE

BUILT IN QUEENS INOVER 20 YEARS

by Crystal Wolfe

The ambience of P.J. Horgan’srestaurant makes you feel as ifyou’re on a galley-ho ship of oldon the wild Atlantic coast. With itsdark wood timber beams, dim light-ing, multi-colored stained glasslamps reminiscent of Tiffany’s,eclectic antiques and artwork, cozybooths and varied accent colors ofrich Irish greens it’s been a long-time favorite for residents. Not tomention its delectable Irish fareand charming staff.

But due to a small kitchen firelast April P.J. Horgan’s on 42-17Queens Blvd in Sunnyside is cur-rently closed for business. Outsidesources have said its owner JohnMurphy will probably reopen in acouple months after clearance withhis insurance claim. John Ciafone,the owner of the building, hasstated, “P.J. Horgan’s will reopen.Because of the massive construc-tion project it may be difficult forthem to do business. If we com-plete the project before the expira-tion of their lease we will considerrenewing them. However if theirlease expires and our constructionis not completed, then we will notbe in the position to renew theirlease because we can then incor-porate that piece into the mainbuilding.” (continued on page 4)

there was a net decline of jobs inNYS from 2009 to 2010, firmswith 1-4 employers actually cre-ated more net new jobs than largebusinesses lost. Here in Queensevery small business counts. Ev-ery small business was started assomeone’s dream, and every smallbusiness that closes has a price.

(continued on page 7)

On May 16th, New York CityCouncil Majority Leader JimmyVan Bramer, Queens BoroughPresident Melinda Katz, Congress-woman Carolyn Maloney, New

York City Department of Designand Construction CommissionerFeniosky Peña-Mora, BridgetQuinn-Carey, Interim Presidentand CEO of the Queens Library,and local families broke ground onthe institution’s newest branch, theHunters Point Community Library,in Long Island City.

(continued on page 7)

SEE PAGE 8


FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015THE WOODSIDE HERALDPAGE 2

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

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Crystal Wolfe, Mary Caulfield, Peter A. Ross, Rob MacKay

CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS AND PHOTOGRAPHERSJoe Gurrado, Robert Flanagan

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NOLAN

SUNNYSIDE FREE TREE GIVEAWAY

Introducing Bipartisan FILM ActRep. Joe Crowley (D-Queens,

the Bronx), Vice Chair of the Demo-cratic Caucus, announced he joinedReps. Doug Collins (R-GA), JasonSmith (R-MO) and Linda Sánchezin introducing the Facilitating In-vestment in Local Markets (FILM)Act, a two-year extension of fed-eral tax incentivizes to encouragedomestic film, television and the-atrical productions, which are in-creasingly moving overseas. Thebipartisan House members intro-duced their bill to increase globalcompetitiveness of a major Ameri-can industry and to create U.S. jobs

and economic growth, they said,emphasizing that foreign govern-ments are offering aggressive in-centives to attract productions.

In New York City, it is esti-mated that major motion pictureshooting on location contributes$225,000 every day to the localeconomy and film production em-ploys 130,000 people. Accordingto the Broadway League, live the-atre directly supports approxi-mately 87,000 jobs and contrib-utes approximately $11.9 billionto New York City’s economy.

“From the iconic Kaufman

Astoria Studios in Queens to thebright lights of Broadway, there isno question that the film, television,and theater industries contributegreatly to the culture of New York,”said Rep. Crowley. “But, what’salso critical is the economic impactof these industries, including creat-ing good paying jobs, pumpingmoney back into local economies,boosting tourism, and more. I’mproud to join my colleagues in in-troducing legislation that will helpensure these important industriescontinue to make investments herein the U.S.”

On May 16th, New York City Council Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer sponsored a free treegiveaway at Queens of Angels Church in Sunnyside. The event was organized by the New YorkRestoration Project. Photo: CM Van Bramer is joined by Amanda Nasner, Special Projects Coordinator,New York Restoration Project volunteers and residents from the 26th Council District.



LIC’S CLOCKTOWER

LANDMARKEDby Crystal Wolfe

The historic Long Island City ClockTower located at 29-27 Queens Plaza Northwas unanimously voted by the LandmarksPreservation Commission on Tuesday, May12th to become a landmark building. Oncethe tallest building in Queens before theCitigroup Building in 1990, its 14-stories,gothic gargoyles, and 4-faced illuminatedglass clock face is now protected from beingtorn down, with a skyscraper erected in itsplace which would block the skyline for theresidents of Long Island City.

Designed by Queens native Morrell Smithin 1927, the LPC judged the iconic buildingworthy of landmark status for being of theborough’s most well-known structures rep-resenting a historic period of development inLIC. In November, the Clock Tower build-ing was sold to Property Markets Group for$31 million. Reportedly plans were being

made for demolition of the iconic building,formally called the Bank of Manhattan Build-ing, but the community and officials likeVan Bramer managed to procure a hearingwith the LPC to get it landmarked.

Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer wrote aletter himself to the LPC last year to safe-guard the building. “I have long supportedthe designation of the ‘Clock Tower’ as alandmark. I am pleased the LPC agrees withthe community and myself to preserve thishistoric structure. I was proud to help givethis community coordinated grassroots cam-paign additional support to ensure the ‘ClockTower’ Building stands for another 90 years,”Van Bramer has stated. The online petitionto landmark the building had a goal of 1,500electronic signatures and ended up with wellover 1,600.

Landmarks Preservation CommissionChair Meenakshi Srinivasan said in a publicstatement: “For nearly a century, the QueensClock Tower building has been one of LongIsland City’s most recognizable structures,greeting hundreds of thousands of commut-ers as they enter the borough. The Commis-sion is proud to recognize this iconic build-ing, which represents a significant period ofdevelopment in Long Island City.”



718-729-3772

So after the fire and the ques-tionable renewability of the lease,P.J. Horgan’s time in the commu-nity may be coming to an end.

Originally the building held theDime Savings Bank, the SunnysideCenter Cinemas (the only localmovie theater), the dentist Dr.Arthur Kubikian and P.J. Horgan’s.P.J. Horgan’s would be the lasttenant of the building to vacate.John Ciafone has stated he plans todevelop the site by building on topof P.J. Horgan’s in order to con-struct a high-rise apartment build-ing retaining retail stores on theground floor. In December of 2014Ciafone stated he expected thedemolition of the building by June2015. When Ciafone was con-tacted in regards to the SunnysideCenter Cinema closing its doors hesaid P.J. Horgan’s was okay where

PJ’s Horgan’sLast Meal?

(continued from front page)

it was. But with the precariousposition of the restaurant, whichcould be incorporated into the newbuilding project, the indefiniteamount time of construction isgoing to take, or even exactly whenit’s going to start leaves more ques-tions than answers.

“It is becoming more and moredifficult to believe Mr. Ciafone re-garding his plans for the space onceoccupied by the Sunnyside Cinemaand P.J. Horgan’s. The former ownerof the theatre, Mr. Prashad said thathe had been going back and forthwith Mr. Ciafone for months as hewaited for him to make up his mindabout what to do with the theatre,”said Pastor Jon Storck of the GraceFellowship Church in Sunnysidewho was one of the two activists thatheaded up the rally to save theSunnyside Center Cinemas at theend of last year. Ty Sullivan, Direc-

tor of Marketing and social media,local community activist and host ofTuesday night Trivia every week atBar 43 was also a rally leader to savethe Sunnyside Cinema, which closedits doors in January.

“Mr. Ciafone could do a lot torepair the damage he has done tohis entry to the neighborhood,”Storck continued, “by just beingmore forthright and revealing theplans he has for creating afford-able housing. This is an issue ofwhat is right and just for the resi-dents of our neighborhood, manyof whom will be forced out of thecommunity they have called homefor many years.”

“Our fervent hope is not to loseP.J. Horgan’s but that repairs willbe completed and the popular andauthentic pub stays until the end ofthe lease, and if the lease is notrenewed, it will reopen elsewherein Sunnyside. John Murphy is anhonorable and wonderful fellow,an officer of the Chamber, and hisauthentic Irish pub and restaurant

is one of the pluses of our smalltown in the big city,” stated theDirector of the Chamber of Com-merce Pat Dorfman.

On a personal note, P.J.’sHorgan’s is a particularly senti-mental place for this reporter. Itwas the first Irish pub I was ever in,the first restaurant I dined in uponmoving to the neighborhood lessthan a year ago and the first time Ihad Irish curry and which instantlybecome one of my favorite meals.The service and food at P.J. Horgan’sis simply lovely and the communitywill be very sorry if it has to go. Wewish the best of luck to Mr. JohnMurphy in any and every future en-deavor and hope that it will reopenin the next couple months and thatwe will be able to continue enjoyingits ambience and Irish cuisine longpast the expiration of the lease agree-ment in June 2018.



CROWLEY

MARKEY

CAPO



SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONSIndex No.: 706566/2014Date of Filing: April 2, 2015SUPREME COURT OF THESTATE OF NEW YORKCOUNTY OF QUEENSREVERSE MORTGAGE SOLUTIONS,INC., Plaintiff, -against-FRANK BROWN AS HEIR ATLAW AND NEXT OF KIN OFMARGARET E. REAVIS;TANYA COGDELLO-BURKEAS HEIR AT LAW AND NEXTOF KIN OF MARGARET E.REAVIS; TROY REAVIS ASHEIR AT LAW AND NEXT OFKIN OF MARGARET E.REAVIS; JOHN DOE 1THROUGH 50; JANE DOE 1THROUGH 50, INTENDING TOBE THE UNKNOWN HEIRS,DISTRIBUTES, DEVISEES,GRANTEES, TRUSTEES,LIENORS, CREDITORS, ANDASSIGNEES OF THE ESTATEOF MARGARET E. REAVISWHO WAS BORN IN 1921 ANDDIED IN 2008, A RESIDENT OFTHE COUNTY OF QUEENS,THEIR SUCCESSORS ININTEREST IF ANY OF THEAFORESAID DEFENDANTS BEDECEASED, THEIRRESPECTIVE HEIRS AT LAW,NEXT OF KIN, ANDSUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OFTHE AFORESAID CLASSES OFPERSON, IF THEY OR ANY OFTHEM BE DEAD, AND THEIRRESPECTIVE HUSBANDS,WIVES OR WIDOWS, IF ANY,ALL OF WHOM AND WHOSENAMES AND PLACES OFRESIDENCE ARE UNKNOWNTO THE PLAINTIFF;CAVALRY PORTFOLIOSERVICES LLC AS ASSIGNEEOF CAVALRY SPV I, LLC ASASSIGNEE OF CHRYSLERFINANCIAL SERVICES LLC;CRIMINAL COURT OF THECITY OF NEW YORK; NEWYORK CITYENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLBOARD; NEW YORK CITY

Batavia, New YorkVirginia C Grapensteter, Esq.ROSICKI, ROSICKI &ASSOCIATES, P.C.Attorneys for PlaintiffBatavia Office 26 HarvesterAvenue Batavia, NY 14020585.815.0288 Help ForHomeowners In Foreclosure NewYork State Law requires that wesend you this notice about theforeclosure process. Please read itcarefully. Mortgage foreclosure isa complex process. Some peoplemay approach you about “saving”your home. You should beextremely careful about any suchpromises. The State encouragesyou to become informed aboutyour options in foreclosure. Thereare government agencies, legal aidentities and other non-profitorganizations that you may contactfor information about foreclosurewhile you are working with yourlender during this process. Tolocate an entity near you, you maycall the toll-free helplinemaintained by the New York StateBanking Department at 1-877-BANKNYS (1-877-226-5697) orvisit the Department’s website atwww.banking.state.ny.us. TheState does not guarantee the adviceof these agencies. 5/1/15, 5/8/15,5/15/15, 5/22/15

PARKING VIOLATIONSBUREAU; NEW YORK CITYTRANSIT ADJUDICATIONBUREAU; PEOPLE OF THESTATE OF NEW YORK;QUEENS SUPREME COURT;SLM EDUCATION CREDITFINANCE CORPORATION;WELLS FARGO BANK, NA;NEW YORK STATEDEPARTMENT OF TAXATION& FINANCE; UNITED STATESOF AMERICA - INTERNALREVENUE SERVICE ; UNITEDSTATES OF AMERICA O/B/OSECRETARY OF HOUSINGAND URBANDEVELOPMENT;; ‘’JOHNDOES’’ AND ‘’JANE DOES’’ saidnames being fictitious, partiesintended being possible tenants oroccupants of premises, andcorporations, other entities orpersons who claim, or may claim,a lien against the premises,Defendants.TO THE ABOVE-NAMEDDEFENDANTS: YOU AREHEREBY SUMMONED toanswer the complaint in this actionand to serve a copy of your answer,or, if the complaint is not servedwith this summons, to serve aNotice of Appearance on thePlaintiff’s attorney(s) withintwenty (20) days after the serviceof this summons, exclusive of theday of service, where service ismade by delivery upon youpersonally within the State, orwithin thirty (30) days aftercompletion of service whereservice is made in any othermanner, and in case of your failureto appear or answer, judgment willbe taken against you by default forthe relief demanded in thecomplaint. NOTICE YOU AREIN DANGER 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 against

Notice is hereby given that alicense #1285859 for restaurantwine and beer has been appliedfor by the undersigned to sell wineand beer at retail in a restaurantunder the Alcoholic BeverageControl Law at 58-28 RooseveltAve, Woodside, Queens. For onpremises consumption. E.Krystal’s Pastry Shop Inc.

you and filing the answer with thecourt, a default judgment may beentered and you can lose yourhome.Speak to an attorney or go to thecourt where your case is pendingfor further information on how toanswer the summons and protectyour property.Sending a payment to yourmortgage company will not stopthis foreclosure action.YOU MUST RESPOND BYSERVING A COPY OF THEANSWER ON THE ATTORNEYFOR THE PLAINTIFF(MORTGAGE COMPANY) ANDFILING THE ANSWER WITHTHE COURT.YOU ARE HEREBY PUT ONNOTICE THAT WE AREATTEMPTING TO COLLECT ADEBT, AND ANYINFORMATION OBTAINEDWILL BE USED FOR THATPURPOSE. TO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANTS: Theforegoing summons is served uponyou by publication pursuant to anOrder of the Honorable Kevin J.Kerrigan of the Supreme Court ofthe State of New York, signed onMarch 26, 2015, and filed withsupporting papers in the Office ofthe Clerk of the County of Queens,State of New York.The object of this action is toforeclose a mortgage upon thepremises described below,executed by MARGARET E.REAVIS, to COUNTRYWIDEBANK, FSB, ITS SUCCESSORSAND/OR ASSIGNS bearing dateJanuary 2, 2008 and recorded inCRFN: 2010000173442 in theCounty of Queens on May 24,2010. Thereafter the aforesaidinstruments were assigned toReverse Mortgage Solutions, Inc.by assignment of mortgage datedJuly 2, 2014.Said premises being known as andby 179-15 134th Avenue, Jamaica,NY 11434.Date: March 16, 2015

1st Annual College Fair

LEGAL NOTICE • LEGAL NOTICE • LEGAL NOTICE • LEGAL NOTICE • LEGAL NOTICE • LEGAL NOTICE • LEGAL NOTICENotice is hereby given that anOrder entered by the Civil Court,Queens County on APR 23, 2015,bearing Index Number NC-000179-15/QU a copy of whichmay be examined at the Office ofthe Clerk, located at 89-17 SutphinBoulevard, Jamaica, NY 11435,grants me (us) the right to: Assumethe name of (First) HUDSON(Middle) RAJANTA (Last)GINTINGS My present name is(First) DICKY (Middle)RAJANTA (Last) GINTINGSAKA DICKY R GINTING AKADICKY GINTING (infant) Mypresent address is 56-12 43RD

AVE. APT 1C, Woodside, NY11377 My place of birth isINDONESIA My date of birth isJuly 15, 1999

Notice is hereby given that anOrder entered by the Civil Court,Queens County on APR 20, 2015,bearing Index Number NC-000157-15/QU a copy of whichmay be examined at the Office ofthe Clerk, located at 89-17 SutphinBoulevard, Jamaica, NY 11435,grants me (us) the right to: Assumethe name of (First) TANIA (Last)ALAM My present name is (First)CHAMPA (Middle) RANI (Last)KAR AKA CHAMPA R KAR Mypresent address is 61-17WOODSIDE AVE #6E,Woodside, NY 11377 My place ofbirth is BANGLADESH My dateof birth is May 04, 1982

Notice is hereby given that anOrder entered by the Civil Court,Queens County on APR 23, 2015,bearing Index Number NC-000175-15/QU a copy of whichmay be examined at the Office ofthe Clerk, located at 89-17 SutphinBoulevard, Jamaica, NY 11435,grants me (us) the right to: Assumethe name of (First) NATHALIA(Middle) ALEJANDRA (Last)VARELA My present name is(First) NATALIE (Middle)ALEJANDRA (Last) VARELAAKA NATHALIE ALEJANDRAVARELA, AKA NATALIE A.VARELA My present address is60-06 43rd Avenue, Apt. #4B,Woodside, NY 11377-4938 Myplace of birth is QUEENS, NYMy date of birth is June 30, 1986

Hosted by Variety Boys and Girls Club-Want to go to college?

-Want to learn how to pay for college?-What’s the difference between a university and a college?

GET KNOWLEDGE ABOUT COLLEGEJoin us for an afternoon of life changing information for the entire family. Come meet and greetcollege admission counselors from New York private and public colleges and universities. Learn

how to prepare for and achieve a college education.Parents and Guardians are welcomed!

May 23rd from 11am-3pm21-12 30th Road, Long Island City, NY 11102

Join the

SUNNYSIDEDRUM CORPS

Become Part Of Your Neigborhood’s History

(718) 786-4141



SAVING THESadly, when you buy your

medication at a big box pharmacylike Rite Aid, this undercuts thefabric of that foundation the citywas built upon. There’s nothingwrong with a $6 coffee at CaffeBene or Starbucks, but every timeyou go to these chain cafes it takessomething away from the Aub-ergine Café’s, Copper Kettles andPete’s Grills, which were built andrun on the American dream. NYCwas once at the heart of this dream:where anyone who came here orwas born here could make some-thing of themselves through edu-cation, hard work and vision.

Every time you dine in a localrestaurant instead of a chain likeSubway, McDonald’s or Taco Bellyou are contributing to the healthof that dream. When landlords arecharging so much for rent onQueens Blvd, too much for localsmall businesses to maintain, weall think about how sad it is. Thelandlords want to get as muchmoney as they can from rentingthese facilities which only busi-nesses like banks and chain storescan afford. They have that right.But we have the right to spend ourmoney in a way, which benefits usin the long run.

Whether we realize it or not,we are contributing and support-ing big business because it is ofteneasier and more convenient to shopat a CVS Pharmacy instead of thelocal pharmacy. Our mom & poppharmacies can get the samegrooming items and take the same

Van Bramer has played a piv-otal role in helping secure nearly$30 million to begin constructionfor the Queens Library’s neweststate-of-the-art branch. Once com-plete the 22,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art library, designed by re-nowned architect Steven Holl, willbe located at Center Boulevard and48th Avenue, next to Gantry PlazaState Park in Long Island City. Thenew library will serve the new resi-dential community that is growingup on the East River in Long IslandCity. The project will feature apublic art installation, reading gar-den, rooftop terrace, reading roomsfor all ages, a gallery, performancespace, a children’s area and sweep-ing views of the New York City’sskyline from the East River. Cus-tomer service is expected to beginin 2017.

HUNTERSPOINT

LIBRARYBRANCH



AMERICAN DREAMinsurance and offer them at thesame prices. Ask them. Go inwith a list of items you buy oftenand small pharmacies will orderthem for you, often for less thanthe chains. The chain stores over-all also harvest our personal infor-mation for their own purposes,not to create a relationship or forour benefit. They are not mem-bers of the Chamber of Commerce,and they do not contribute to localcivic groups.

We will lose more of oursmall hardware shops as we shopmore and more at Home Depot.Do we save money? Often wedo, but it is often impossible tobuy a small amount of some-thing so when we want that, wego to the hardware stores.

So what’s the difference be-tween our saving money and thelandlords making as much moneyas possible? It has the same unfor-tunate result…the slow and con-sistent demise of the small busi-nesses making up a big part of theAmerican Dream.

Big business is important andcan be a good thing too. But it isnice to have a choice. How muchof big business will we support atthe expense of small business? InSan Francisco they regulate thebig businesses and give it distancefrom the smaller businesses. Whycan’t we in NYC find a system thatsustains ALL business? If moneyis the ONLY goal then we will loseout on some of the things that makethis country great.

If community is also the goal,then it is important to support localbusinesses, the Sunnyside Cham-ber of Commerce and local civicorganizations like thee Kiwanis,the Lions, the United Forties, theenvironmental programs seekingto protect and preserve the land,local churches with service pro-grams bettering the community.

Every individual is a part of thewhole. Every voice counts. Everydollar spent counts. Rememberthat next time you buy your $6

Starbucks coffee or any item youcould get for less, close by. Re-member the Sunnyside Center Cin-emas, the only local movie theaterwith affordable prices here thatclosed its doors in January. Re-member the cost of losing a localtheater we could walk to and seefirst run movies with our families.Dentist Dr. Kubikian took care ofSunnysiders and evenManhattanites who traveled herefor his care for his whole profes-sional career. As our retail mom &

pops close one by one along theBoulevard and Greenpoint Av-enue, remember it is our doing, notjust the property owners and effectof rezoning.

Support small businesses be-fore it is too late, which makeup the unique charm of neigh-borhoods like Sunnyside, “thesmall town in the big city,” asthe Sunnyside Chamber slogangoes. Remember the importanceof the American Dream, whichis priceless.

“The new Hunters Point Com-munity Library is an example ofour commitment to expanding ac-cess to free services and vital pro-gramming that have upliftedQueens residents for decades,” saidNew York City Council MajorityLeader and Chair of the CulturalAffairs and Libraries CommitteeJimmy Van Bramer. “For over 15years I have worked with theQueens Library to shepherd thisproject to this glorious day. Withthe $4 million I secured we willcreate a brand new state-of-the-artbeacon of learning in the heart of agrowing community that has longdeserved its very own neighbor-hood branch.”

“The new library will be trans-formational, for the community andfor the skyline. Queens Library isgrateful to the many, many stake-holders and advocates who cametogether to move this importantproject forward. The new QueensLibrary is truly the work of manyhands and many hearts,” saidBridget Quinn-Carey, Interim Presi-dent and CEO, Queens Library.

Van Bramer secured $3 mil-lion to construct the Queens

Library’s newest state-of-the-artbranch in Long Island City. Oncecomplete the project will be lo-cated at Center Boulevard and 48thAvenue, next to Gantry Plaza StatePark. The 21,500-square-footbranch which was designed by re-nowned architect Steven Holl willfeature a reading garden, rooftopterrace, reading rooms for all ages,a gallery, performance space, achildren’s area and sweeping viewsof the New York City’s skylinefrom the East River. Public serviceis expected to begin in 2017. Coun-cil Member Van Bramer has alsopledged to allocate an additional$1 million toward the completionof construction.

In addition to Queens Libraryat Hunters Point, the constructionproject includes construction of thepermanent ranger station at GantryPlaza State Park. The new rangerstation will be a 1,260 square footbuilding, which will include a re-ception area, park manager’s of-fice and patron bathrooms. Thebuilding is situated with easy ac-cess from 47th Road and the parkmanager’s office will overlook thepark’s peninsula lawn.

Local KiwanisClub To GiveAway FundsThe Kiwanis Club of Woodside is

currently accepting applications for its2015 Scholarship Program. The awardis open to all graduating high schoolseniors who live in the 11377 zip codeand/or members of the William CullenBryant High School Key Club, regard-less of residence.

To apply, a student must submit afinal high school transcript showinggrades for all years, and a copy of SATscores. Selected candidates will thenbe called for an interview. To requestan application, contact 516-431-0100or [email protected].

CULTURAL PLANSIGNED INTO LAW

On May 18th, Mayor Bill deBlasio signed into law– Intro. 419-A, in relation to a comprehensivecultural plan. Under the legisla-tion introduced by Council Mem-ber Steve Levin and MajorityLeader and Chair of the CulturalAffairs Committee Jimmy VanBramer New York City will be-gin to analyze their current cul-tural priorities, determine how dif-ferent communities are beingserved and how they propose to

improve these services, study thecondition of cultural organiza-tions and artists in the city today,and plan how New York City canremain an artist friendly city in atime of skyrocketing rents and avariety of economic pressures.The plan requires the City to goout to communities throughoutthe five boroughs and find outwhat they want and need in acultural plan and to incorporatethese recommendations in theplan. The legislation also requiresDCLA to establish a Citizens’Advisory Committee, which willadvise the development andimplementation of the plan, andwill review DCLA’s biannual re-ports on the progress of the plan –which are also required by thelegislation. The plan itself will bereviewed and revised every tenyears as necessary, and the CACwill be dissolved after makingrecommendations following itsreview of the second biannualreport, or after five years. Thisbill was passed during the StatedMeeting on April 28.

“Today is an important dayfor the cultural vitality of ourCity.” said Council MajorityLeader Jimmy Van Bramer, Chairof the Committee on Cultural

Affairs. “The signing of the Cul-tural Plan legislation will initiatethe development of a compre-hensive cultural plan that will layout a blueprint for increasing ac-cess, opportunity and equity sothat all New Yorkers may havemeaningful engagement with cul-ture and the arts. I thank and con-gratulate Council MemberStephen Levin, Department ofCultural Affairs CommissionerTom Finkelpearl and the entirecultural community for rallyingbehind this legislation which willstrengthen our entire City.”

“There’s no doubt New YorkCity is a cultural center of theworld, and the arts are essentialto our economy, our schools,and our vibrancy as a city. Weare committed to ensuring allNew Yorkers have access tocultural activities, and this com-prehensive plan will help unifyour initiatives aimed at liftingup all New Yorkers through artsand culture,” said Mayor deBlasio. “I want to thank SpeakerMark-Viverito for her leader-ship; Council Member VanBramer, the Chair of the Cul-tural Affairs Committee; andCouncil Member Levin forsponsoring this legislation.”



by Crystal Wolfe

On Tuesday, May 19th Sunnyside’santicipated annual food festival held itsmost successful 2015 Taste of Sunnysideyet. In the 5th year Sunnyside ShinesBusiness Improvement District held, over600 people participated in the sold outevent to walk beneath the elegantly litblock-long white tent of the elevated 7Train at 46th Street and Queens Blvd inthe very heart of Sunnyside. Twenty-sixof the best neighborhood restaurants werefeatured; bringing together the uniqueflavors of its diversity and drawing outits residents in the common bond ofculinary delights.

“Bringing all the flavors of Sunnysideinto one visible food festival is an amazingopportunity for local residents and visitorsalike to discover their new favorite restau-rant, and a great way to help promoteSunnyside as a restaurant destination,” saidRachel Thieme, executive director ofSunnyside Shines. Many of the local politi-cians also joined the night to partake in thedelectable smorgasbord of foods Sunnysiderestaurants have to offer, including BoroughPresident Melinda Katz, Councilman JimmyVan Bramer, CB2 Chairman Pat O’Brien,DOT Chairman Joe Conley, and Chamberof Commerce President Rigoberto Cardoso.

Diners who wanted to beat the crowds

THE TASTE OF SUNNYSIDEreceived early entry with a VIP ticket for$60 at 5:30pm. General admission to theevent at 6:30pm was $35. The guests’savored authentic flavors fashioned by themost create chefs in New York City. Themulticultural restaurants represented thecuisine from around the globe, allowingdiners to travel the world without ever leav-ing the charm of Sunnyside, Queens.

Graceful flamenco dancers from Thalia’sTheater provided exotic entertainment forthe crowd that watched as the dancers toldstories with the passionate, powerful move-ments of their bodies. Two other bandsplayed as well, the “Sunnyside Social Club,”a jazzy swing band with lots of pop andpizzazz that fired up the crowd to move andgroove and a local brass band the “Under-ground Horns” filled the tents with celebra-tion, adding color and the fun flavor offabulous music and dancing to the evening.

To coincide with the Taste of Sunnyside,Sunnyside Shines is offering a “shop local”promotion. Customers who download a Tasteof Sunnyside Shop Local Discount Cardwill receive deals with participating busi-nesses running from April 8 through May31, 2015. The discount card can be down-loaded at www.tasteofsunnyside.com. In thewords of Jimmy Van Bramer, “And tomor-row dine at your local restaurants, and thenext day and the next—until next year!”

Photo Credit: Michael Rapp

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Woodside Herald 5 22 15