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Queens’ Largest Weekly Community Newspaper Group

HolidaySHOPPINGSHOPPING& DINING& DINING

GUIDE

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by Josey BartlettEditor

There are lots of holiday con-certs, sales and classes allover the borough.

Grace Church in Whitestone willhost its annual winter festival filledwith choral music, the NYC PuppetTheatre puts on “Santa Claus isComing to Town” in Springf ieldGardens, or if you are looking forsome brain expansion during theholiday season check out “TheChanukah Lights Illuminating aWoman’s Perspective,” a lecture atthe Rego Park Jewish Center.

And these are just a taste ofwhat’s available.

The Forest Hills Choir will per-form English composer John Rut-ter’s Magnificat and seasonal piecesby neighborhood composer BillRyden on Sunday, Dec. 16 at 6:30p.m. at 30-14 Crescent St., in Asto-ria. Suggested donation of $10.

Christ the King High School, 68-02 Metropolitan Ave. in MiddleVillage kicks off the Christmas sea-son with its annual Tree Lightingon Thursday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m.

The Great Neck School of Dancealong with PS 67’s parent teacherorganization will perform a “Holi-day Concert of Music and Dance,”on Saturday, Dec. 8 at 2:30 p.m. atPS 67, 51-60 Marathon Pkwy., LittleNeck. There will be a food andclothing drive for Sandy victims.Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 atthe door. Call (516) 466-3515.

Angelica Harris and The ExcaliburReading Program at 80-17 78 Ave., inGlendale, will be hosting a specialHoliday Celebration on Saturday,Dec. 8 from 2 to 5 p.m. for childrenof all ages. Come in your pajamas fora special reading of “’Twas the NightBefore Christmas” with hot chocolateand a goody bag. There is a $5 dona-tion per child and $5 gifts for childrenaffected by Hurricane Sandy. Call(917) 904-4905.

Martin Luther School hosts itsannual Christmas Craft and Ven-dor Fair on Sunday, Dec. 9 from11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 60-02 MaspethAve. Admission is free. Call (718)894-4000.

Come to the indoor HolidayFlea Market at Mulz Hall, locatedat Jamaica Avenue and 88 Street inWoodhaven, on Saturday, Dec. 8and Sunday, Dec. 9 from 9 a.m. to5 p.m. Call (718) 847-1353.

Visit the LIC Holiday Pop Upwith local glass artist Cindy Avrochon Saturday, Dec. 8 from 12 to 5p.m. at 46-36 Vernon Blvd. in LongIsland City.

The second annual St. CeciliaWinter Festival to benefit of theKathy Boller Music Fund will be

held at Grace Church, 14-15 Clin-tonville St., Whitestone, on Sunday,Dec. 9 at 3 p.m. The cost is $15,$10 for children under 16 and chil-dren under 3 are free.

On Sunday, Dec. 9 at 3 p.m. theSacred Music Chorale of RichmondHill presents its Winter Concert atSt. John’s Lutheran Church, 86-20114 St. Admission is $15, seniorsand students and advance are $12,children free. Visit richmondhillny.com/arts/smc.html

The Myrtle Avenue BusinessImprovement District is sponsoringPictures with Santa at VendittiSquare at Myrtle and St. Nicholasavenues, on Sunday, Dec. 9 fromnoon to 2 p.m. in Ridgewood.Bring your own camera. Call (718)366-3806.

St. Nicholas of Tolentine Parishwill hold an Indoor Flea Marketon Sundays, Dec. 9 and 16 from 9a.m. to 4 p.m. at 150-75 GoethelsAve., Jamaica. Free admission andparking. Breakfast and lunch areavailable. For more information call(718) 591-1815.

Come to the 25th anniversary ofthe Flushing Historic HolidayHouse tour on Sunday, Dec. 9 from1 to 5 p.m. Visit the KingslandHomestead, 143-35 37 Ave.; Voelk-er Orth Museum, 149-19 38 Ave.;Lewis H. Latimer House, 34-41137 St.; Friends Meeting House,137-16 Northern Blvd.; FlushingTown Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd.;and Bowne House, 37-01 BowneSt. Tickets are $10 per person inadvance, $12 at the door and chil-dren under 12 are free. Tickets canbe ordered online at holidayhouse-tour2012.eventbrite.com.

On Sunday, Dec. 9 the Rosary ofSt. Anthony Holy Name Societywill be holding a Holiday Break-fast at the Four Points Hotel, bySheraton, 27-05 39th Ave., LongIsland City. $28 per person. Con-tact Janet Adler at (718) 361-0698for tickets.

The Bayside Hills Civic Associa-tion will hold its Holiday Festivalon Sunday, Dec. 9 at 5 p.m. at BellBoulevard and 53rd Avenue. Therewill be a Christmas tree and Meno-rah lighting, Santa Claus, refresh-ments and entertainment.

The Sacred Music Society ofOur Lady Queen of Martyrs at 110-06 Queens Blvd., Forest Hills, pre-sents its annual Christmas Con-cert at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 9.Tickets cost $25. Children under 12are free. Call (718) 268-6251.

There will be a free ChanukahParty sponsored by the Ben KuylerOutreach Group on Tuesday, Dec. 11at 7 p.m. at the Israel Center of Con-servative Judaism, 167-11 73 Ave.,

Flushing. Call Polly Kuyler at (718)454-4818 or Paul Engel at (516)547-4318.

The Maspeth Republican Club willbe having its annual ChristmasParty on Wednesday, Dec. 12 at 7:45p.m. at the Kowalinski Post, 61-57Maspeth Ave. There will be a raffleand food. The charge is $35 per per-son. Call (718) 894-0335 by Dec. 10.

Holiday Pop: Artisan Marketin Long Island City will be heldon Wednesday, Dec. 12 from 6-9p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 15 from 11a.m. to 5 p.m. at 43-01 21 St., Suite306B (3rd floor).

Dutch Kills Civic Associationwill hold its annual ChristmasParty on Thursday, Dec. 13 at theGrowing Up Green School, 39-3728 St., at 7:30 p.m. Admission isfree, but a small donation would beappreciated.

Come to the Holiday Luncheonon Friday, Dec. 14 at CCNS Bay-side Senior Center, 221-15 HoraceHarding Expwy. Lunch served at11:30 a.m. There will be ice cream,raffles and music for dancing.Reserve now. Donation is $4. Call(718) 225-1144.

Friends of Maple Grove Ceme-tery host Carols ‘n’ Cookies ‘n’Cocoa ‘n’ Cheer, a holiday com-munity gathering with music andtreats, on Friday, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m.at the Center at Maple Grove, 127-15 Kew Gardens Road. Admissionand parking is free.

NYC Puppet Theatre presents aholiday musical, “Santa Claus isComing to Town,” on Friday, Dec.14 at 10 a.m. at Springfield GardensHigh School Auditorium, 143-10Springfield Blvd., featuring holiday

puppets and holiday themes foryoungsters. Cost is $8 per person.

The Community Singers ofQueens will hold a Winter Concertat Church on the Hill, 167-07 35 Ave.,Bayside, on Saturday, Dec. 15 at 8p.m. Tickets are $6. For more infor-mation email csofq@aol.com.

The Sunnyside Community Ser-vices, 43-31 39 St., will host a Hol-iday Bake Sale to benefit its after-school program on Saturday, Dec.15 from 5 to 8 p.m. Tasters ticketsare $20 for adults and free for chil-dren under 13. There will be aniPad raffle and silent auction. Emailinfo@acsny.org.

Decorate the Manor on Saturday,Dec. 15 from 12 noon to 3 p.m. atKing Manor Museum , 150-03Jamaica Ave. Call (718) 206-0545.

Visit the Bohemian Hall Christ-mas Market, 29-19 24 Ave. in Asto-ria, on Saturday, Dec. 15 and Sunday,Dec. 16 from 12 to 6 p.m. Emailevents@bohemianhall.com.

There will be a Children’sChristmas Party on Saturday, Dec.15 at All Saints Episcopal Church,43-12 46 St. in Sunnyside, for chil-dren ages 3-9. Two sessions — 2-3:30 p.m. and 4-5:30 p.m. Space islimited. No charge and free refresh-ments. Call (718) 784-8031.

The B-Sharp LI Branch of theNational Association of NegroMusicians invites everyone to theMessiah Sing-In on Sunday, Dec.16 at 4 p.m. at Amity BaptistChurch, 164-12 108 Ave. inJamaica. Admission is $10.

The Oratorio Society of Queenswill sing excerpts from Handel’s“Messiah” and other Christmasand Chanukah favorites at a holiday

concert celebrating the group’s 85thanniversary on Sunday, Dec. 16 at 4p.m. at the Queensborough Perform-ing Arts Center, 222-05 56 Ave., Bay-side. Tickets are $30, $25 for seniors,$10 for children under 12. Call (718)279-3006, or visit Facebook.

On Sunday, Dec. 16 at 12:30 p.m.at the Rego Park Jewish Center, 97-30 Queens Blvd., Cynthia Zaliksy,executive director of the QueensJewish Community Council, willspeak about “The ChanukahLights Illuminating a Woman’sPerspective,” chaired by NoreenDaniel. A deli luncheon and dessertwill be served. The cost is $10 perperson. Must reserve in advance.Call (718) 459-1000.

On Sunday, Dec. 16 visitors tothe Queens Botanical garden, 43-50Main St., Flushing, are invited toenjoy a Winter Solstice Celebra-tion. Admission is Free.

The Center for Culture theAfrikan Poetry Theatre in Conjunc-tion with National Council ofNegro Women Queens County Sec-tion presents i ts annual galaKwanzaa Celebration Ujamaa onSaturday, Dec. 29 at 1 to 8 p.m. atSpringfield Gardens High School,143-10 Springf ield Blvd. Freeadmission. For more informationcall (718) 523-3312.

Join Santa for Breakfast at theRiverview Restaurant, 2-01 50 Ave.in Long Island City, sponsored by theHunters Point Community Develop-ment Corp. Call (718) 392-5000.

St. Thomas the Apostle HolidayFlea Market will be open this Sat-urday and Sunday, Dec. 8 and 9,from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 88-08Jamaica Ave., Woodside. i

Hear the Oratorio Society of Queens as it presents its Annual Holiday Concert featuring excerpts from Handel’s “Messiah” onSunday, Dec. 16 at 4 p.m. at Queensborough Performing Arts Center. FACEBOOK PHOTO

Don’t miss holiday events in Queensoliday Shopping & Dining GuideH

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by Domenick RafterAssociate Editor

Jamaica Avenue prides itself on beingWoodhaven’s own commercial shop-ping strip. When the holidays come

around, the mile-long stretch of road collo-quially known as “the avenue” that cutsthrough the heart of the community, doesnot shy away from the holiday spirit.

Hanging from the freshly painted sub-way trestle are the city’s trademark streetdecorations, featuring garland, lighted bellsand a Christmas design — Christmas trees,snowflakes, bows, etc.

But the decorations are not where itends. Blaring from bullhorns hanging fromthe tracks are tunes from the Christmascanon: “O Come All Ye Faithful,” “O LittleTown of Bethlehem,” “Silent Night” and“Let It Snow.”

“Oh, there’s music too,” said one shop-per as she stepped off the subway at Wood-haven Boulevard.

Alison Ruiz hopped the J train from herhome in Brooklyn to do some shopping onJamaica Avenue.

“I typically come here for one or twothings, but end up getting almost every-thing,” she said.

Ruiz stepped off the train at 102ndStreet in Richmond Hill and said she plansto walk to Eldert’s Lane on the Brooklynborough line.

“I’ll probably pop into a dozen or sostores at least,” she said.

Among the items in her bag: • A tie for her brother from Karako. • A Brooklyn Nets shirt for her nephew

from Sportslane.

• Christmas decorations from a 99-centstore.

“Maybe I’ll stop for a bite to eat too,”she concluded.

Woodhaven Business Improvement Dis-trict Executive Director Maria Thomson callsJamaica Avenue “The everything avenue.”

“We have everything here,” she said. “Wehave dining, clothing, electronics, you name it.”

Thomson said the reason to spend yourmoney on “the avenue” is that it helps thecommunity directly.

“You should shop Jamaica Avenue becauseit’s local,” she said. “Our stores and business-es are the supporters of the community. Theycontribute toward cleaning our streets,removing graffiti and vandalism, as well aspromotional activities during the year.”

Woodhaven’s Jamaica Avenue is ahotbed of mom-and-pop stores, evenwhile the big names like Rainbow, DuaneReade and Payless Shoe Source do busi-ness on this busy strip. Favorites likeJason’s Toy Store and Lewis’ of Wood-haven are long gone, but old timers likeSportslane sporting goods store, Scat-turo’s supermarket and Schmidt’s Candyare still around.

Schmidt’s Candy, located at 94-15Jamaica Ave., is open Tuesday through Sat-urday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., but acceptsorders at margie@schmidtscandy.com orby phone at (718) 846-9326. However, awalk through its wide candy selectioni s wor th the a f t e r noon t r ip to “ theavenue.”

Thomson noted that small businessesowners often know their customers andshopping at these stores provides a person-al touch.

“Nowhere can you get personalizedattention than at your local businessstrips,” she said.

Only short walks from Jamaica Avenueare other shopping meccas along AtlanticAvenue on the southern end of the neigh-borhood of Woodhaven.

For the past decade or so, one store,House of Holidays, has become a regionaldestination for those looking for holidaydecorations.

Located in the former Lalance Grosjeanfactory building in what is technicallyOzone Park, the store boasts two floors ofholiday items ranging from porcelaindolls to village scenes to light-up SantaClaus heads. i

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by Michael GannonEditor

Sunday was ladies’ day out onthe Austin Street corridor for agroup of friends from Forest Hills.

It was neither fully shoppingnor completely a social gathering.

“A little of both,” said Lucy, awoman in the group.

Lucy’s friends said she hadbeen to Banana Republic, andlong ago broke her amateur sta-tus in the Ann Taylor store.

But full-contact Christmasshopping, consisting of die-hardcustomers, was not yet apparentin massive numbers over theweekend.

Leslie Brown of the ForestHills Chamber of Commercesaid the group’s big push lastweekend was Small BusinessSaturday, a national promotionwith American Express toencourage shopping at local“Main Street” merchants.

“Which I understand was verybusy on Friday,” Brown said in anemail to the Queens Chronicle.

But several shoppers andstrollers this week said they hadnot yet begun their holiday shop-ping in earnest.

At Rego Center on JunctionBoulevard, Jill Fairbanks andRobert Williams of Kew Gardenssaid they are regular customers.

But they also said they werejust starting their December push.

“And we’ll be going right up tothe end,” Fairbanks said.

Williams said the crowds insidethe mall were “OK” but notenough to keep them from findingany items they wanted in stock at

all their destinations, nor enoughto cause even the minor inconve-niences that come with the vol-ume retailers historically hope for

in what is traditionally their mostprofitable time of the year.

“We didn’t have to wait in longlines,” he said. i

Forest Hills, Rego retail just getting started

Shoppers on Austin Street say they have begun hitting stores large and smallfor their holiday gift-giving needs. But the push and the bustle of the bigcrowds had not yet materialized in the first few days of December.

PHOTOS BY MICHAEL GANNON

Traffic at Rego Center was steady this week, but shoppers said the crowdsinside were manageable on Tuesday. H

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Jamaica Avenue in Woodhaven had its halls decked for the holidays even before Thanksgiving. PHOTO BY DOMENICK RAFTER

oliday Shopping & Dining Guide

Gift ideas aplenty on Jamaica AvenueH

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by Josey BartlettEditor

This holiday season instead of goingto large corporations consider the small-er spots owned by your neighbors whocould use the business.

“Business is extra slow right now,” saidshop owner Victor Alvarez of Belle D’Epoque Inc. at 48-06 Skillman Ave. Theshop sells everything from vintage postersto lavender lotions, which will be 25 to 50percent off throughout December.

Joining Alvarez on Skillman Avenue’sshopping corridor in Sunnyside are manybars, restaurants, a children’s boutique,pet shops and vintage stores — many ofwhich make up a group of business own-ers called the Skillman Project, which hasput on several pub crawls and helped outwith the holiday lighting of the avenue onNov. 29.

“We’re always helping each other out,”Skillman Pets owner Abdel Rios said.

For the food lovers on a holiday list theAubergine Cafe at 49-22 Skillman Ave.will have a selection of gift baskets —available in a couple weeks, owner GaryO’Neil said.

Then down the avenue between 48thand 49th streets sits Stray Vintage with itsbig bay window filled with one-of-a-kindpieces and a miniature Mary Poppins playset, created by Sunnyside resident andstop-motion animation producer BrianHaimes. For Halloween Haimes set up acreepy lagoon in the display window —adding a little artistic flair to the shop,owner Dan Glasser said.

For these upcoming holidays Glasserhas filled the quaint store with holidaygoodies he collected throughout the yearsuch as vintage glass-and-paper orna-ments and lots of Christmas records.

The shop is a hot spot for record col-lectors. Once a year Stray hosts a recordfair with a few neighborhood collectorsselling and showing off their rare finds.

“There’s something about listening toholiday classics on a scratchy record,”Glasser said.

There are also antique jewelry boxes,furniture and artworks by Sunnyside andWoodside artists including newspaper-and-paint collages by Amelia Andreze-jwska, which are truly awesome.

Tiny You Children’s Boutique at 46-21Skillman Ave. also supports neighbor-hood artists. Artist Shirley Bomzer cre-ates customized drawings filled with herimaginary cute characters incorporatingthe name, birth date and birth weight of anew edition to any family. Her drawingscan also be found on etsy, the onlinehandmade mecca, by searching shirley-creations.

Tiny You also sells handmade head-bands, jewelry and aprons.

“A local artist made chalkboard place-mats so kids can play while they are eat-ing,” owner Jill Callan said. “There arealso heart necklaces — puffy for the lit-tler kids.They are really cute. And thehandmade aprons come with a little cook-ie cutter and recipe. Another designerfrom New Jersey makes more vintagelooking ones.”

In addition to handmade works TinyYou sells lots of bright red rompers, Santaslippers and cuddly toys — anything tocute-ify a little one for the holiday withprices starting at $5. All these gifts willalso be wrapped at the store for free. i

Skillman Ave. has lots of gift ideas

Sunnys ide res ident Sh i r l ey Bomzersells personalized drawings with a new-born’s name, weight and birthday at TinyYou children’s boutique and on etsy atshirleycreations.

Dan Glasser of Stray Vintage puts on one of the manyholiday records he has for sale in his shop.

PHOTOS BY JOSEY BARTLETT

Shoppers will find lots of cute baby wares, including theseholiday slippers, at Tiny You.H

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by Michael GannonEditor

People shopping along MyrtleAvenue in Ridgewood this weekhad shopping bags full of gro-ceries, school and office supplies,and in one case a pair of pajamasfor an ill spouse who doesn’t likehospital gowns.

None on Tuesday said they wereChristmas shopping, at least not yet.

“This is the worst I’ve seen it inyears,” said one clothing store man-ager who declined to be named.

Others also said things are slow,but are holding out hope for theirsmaller downtown stores in theongoing competition with malls.

Jordan Eddi, who has run AJ’sJewelry since 1988, said his fellowmerchants all talk about feelingthe pinch.

“It’s been tough since 2007,” hesaid.

Thomas Deja, a salesman at Myr-tle Sporting Goods, said early holi-day business has been uneven.

“It comes in dribs and drabs,” hesaid. “Some years it’s good, someyears it’s tough.”

The store sells baseball-stylehats, jerseys and other pro teammerchandise, as well as athleticfootware. He said one thing thathas not been uneven at all hasbeen sales of apparel for theBrooklyn Nets, the NBA franchise

that relocated to the Barclays Cen-ter this season after 35 years inNew Jersey.

“We were getting calls aboutBrooklyn Nets stuff before theyeven had a logo,” he said.

They and Eddi hope there willbe some uptick at the holidays getcloser.

“Jewelry used to be an impulseitem,” Eddi said. “The business haschanged. Now we’re a destinationplace. People shop around, do theirresearch on the Internet.”

One thing that has not changedis the men who come in over thelast few days before the holidaysto pick up something nice forthose special ladies in their lives.

“A lot of guys will buy thingslike earrings,” he said.

And while the National HockeyLeague’s semi-regular playerlockout has once again threatenedto cancel an entire season, it hasnot had that much of an impact onMyrtle Sporting Goods.

“We don’t usually sell a lot of

hockey merchandise,” Deja said.“But when the Islanders move tothe Barclays Center [in 2015], ifthey change their name toBrooklyn, we’re right on the bor-

der. People who live there have alot of pride in Brooklyn. If theIslanders change their name toBrooklyn, we’ll sell a lot of theirstuff.” i

Myrtle Ave. hopes for big holiday finishSmall stores battle the malls

Owner Moon Kim and salesman Thomas Deja of Myrtle Sporting Goods sportBrooklyn Nets hats, which have been flying off the shelves with other Netsmerchandise in an otherwise uneven holiday shopping season.

PHOTOS BY MICHAEL GANNON

oliday Shopping & Dining GuideH

It’s not too late to impress her, guys.Jordan Eddi of AJ’s Jewelry said hissales tend to pick up close to theend of the holidays.

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by Liz RhoadesManaging Editor

With the holidays fast approaching, what tobuy the kids isn’t the only problem. Almost asimportant is what to serve at that special dinner.

The main course probably isn’t the issue— there’s always turkey, ham, a crown roastor standing rib roast. It’s those side dishes,appetizers and holiday desserts that can behard to choose. Below are a few suggestions,one from celebrity chef Ina Garten and therest from various other culinary sources.

ROASTED SHRIMPfrom Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa

• 2 pounds (12 to 15-count) raw shrimp• 1 tablespoon good olive oil• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For the sauce:

• 1/2 cup chili sauce (recommended: Heinz)• 1/2 cup ketchup• 3 tablespoons prepared horseradish• 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice• 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce• 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce

(recommended: Tabasco)

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.Peel and devein the shrimp, leaving the tails

on. Place them on a sheet pan with the oliveoil, salt, and pepper and spread them in 1 layer.Roast for 8 to 10 minutes, just until pink andfirm and cooked through. Set aside to cool.

For the sauce, combine the chili sauce,ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, Worcester-shire sauce and hot sauce. Serve as a dip withthe shrimp. Serves six.

STUFFED MUSHROOMS

• 1 package (3 ounces) cream cheese,softened

• 1/4 cup mayonnaise• 1 jar (6-1/2 ounces) marinated artichoke

hearts, drained and finely chopped• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese• 2 tablespoons finely chopped green onion• 20 to 25 large fresh mushrooms,

stems removed• 1/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs• 2 teaspoons olive oil

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese andmayonnaise until smooth. Beat in the arti-chokes, Parmesan cheese and onion.

Lightly spray tops of mushrooms withcooking spray. Spoon cheese mixture intomushroom caps. Combine bread crumbs andoil; sprinkle over mushrooms.

Broil over indirect medium heat for 8-10minutes or until mushrooms are tender.Yield: about 2 dozen.

CORN STUFFING BALLS

• 1/2 cup chopped onion• 1/2 cup chopped celery• 1/4 cup butter• 1 12-ounce can cream-style corn• 1 cup water• 1 teaspoon salt• 1/4 teaspoon pepper• 1 1/2 teaspoons poultry seasoning• pinch of ground thyme• 1 8-ounce package prepared bread stuffing• 3 egg yolks• 1/2 cup melted butterCook onion and celery in butter. Add corn,

Holiday recipesbring glad tidingsShrimp, ’shrooms, stuffing balls and cookies

continued on page 14

Stuffed mushrooms are a great holiday appetizer.PHOTOS COURTESY TASTE OF HOME

For those who aren’t big on the ’shrooms, cornstuffing balls are another oh-so-filling choice.

oliday Shopping & Dining GuideH

Weill Music Institute

Sponsored by

Free Neighborhood ConcertFriday, December 7 at 7 PM

Simón Bolívar SymphonyOrchestra of VenezuelaThis energetic group of young Venezuelans was a hit when it made its

New York premiere at Carnegie Hall in 2007. Experience the electric

verve as members of this amazing orchestra perform as a chamber

ensemble on Carnegie Hall’s Neighborhood Concert Series.

Flushing Town Hall

137-35 Northern Boulevard (at Linden Place) | Queens

flushingtownhall.org

718-463-7700, ext. 2227Bus: Q34, Q25, Q50

Thanks to New York City Council Member Leroy Comrie for making this concert possible.

carnegiehall.org/CommunityPrograms

Part of the Voices from Latin America festival.Lead funding for Voices from Latin America is provided by grants from the Ford Foundation and The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.Sponsored, in part, by Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ and Mercantil Servicios Financieros.Public support is provided by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Consulate General of Brazil in New York.

Bank of America is the Proud Season Sponsor of Carnegie Hall.Breguet is the Official Timepiece of Carnegie Hall.United is the Official Airline of Carnegie Hall.

Ch

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by AnnMarie CostellaAssistant Editor

It has often been said that it is better to givethan to receive, but what if deciding on the per-fect gift isn’t an easy task? Fear not, the Chroni-cle has taken some of the guesswork out of theshopping experience by highlighting some ofthe cool or even unique holiday items makingthe rounds this season.

Children can have tons of fun with the Dis-ney 250 Feet of Activities set. It comes in sever-al varieties including a princess version and“Cars,” the movie version. It’s more than a col-oring book. There are stickers and banners tohelp complete each scene as well as a set ofmarkers and safety scissors. It is for ages 3 andup and retails for between $15 and $20.

The winter has been relatively mild so far,but that cold air is right around the corner, so beprepared with Duane Reade-brand socks, tights,sheer hosiery, toe covers, foot covers, knee highsand leggings, which come in a variety of stylesand colors. They retail for $3.99 to $14.99.

They may not be unique, but their promotionis. If you really like the way your legs look inthe product, you may want to enter DuaneReade’s “Show Us Some Leg” contest. Itcalls for contestants to upload originalphotos of themselves wearing DuaneReade hosiery via the company’sFacebook page. The gams contestruns through Jan. 7. There are awhole host of prizes.

What holiday would be com-plete without something sweet toeat? Enjoy the soft delectablegoodness of homemade dough-nuts with the Sunbeam DonutMaker. It retails for about $40.

Just turn it on, wait for it towarm up, fill the molds with bat-ter, close the lid and wait untilcooking is completed.

After they have cooled, you canhave fun dressing your creations with frosting,powdered sugar, sprinkles or chocolate drizzles— the possibilities are endless.

If your child is an animal lover, perhaps shewould enjoy the Let’s Play Pet Care Center,which comes in two varieties, either with astuffed puppy or a kitten. The set includes a toy

syringe, stethoscope, medical chart and comespackaged in a portable kennel and is recom-

mended for ages three and up. Each setretails for about $16.99.

When playtime’s over the TwilightLadybug Nightlight from RedEnve-lope is a cute and cuddly way toget a little one to sleep. Thefriendly bedtime companion alsoprojects constellations on theceiling and walls, transforming achild’s bedroom into a planetari-um. It retails for $29.95 and isalso available in a turtle version.

The light can be switchedbetween amber, green and blue,

and to prolong battery life, itautomatically shuts off after 45minutes. The item includes anillustrated star guide, measures

12” x 7 1/4” x 3 1/2” and requires three AAAbatteries, which are even included.

People love their pets, but how many knowtheir pooch’s family tree? Now they can learn itwith the Wisdom Panel Mixed Breed DNA TestKit, priced at around $58. Testing is an easy

continued on page 14

Find out your pooch’sfamily histor y with adoggie DNA kit.

The Let’s Play Pet Care Center is perfect forkids who aspire to be veterinarians.

An activity set that’s 250 feet of fun.

Show off those gorgeous gams in DuaneReade-brand hosiery.

oliday Shopping & Dining GuideHHot holiday gifts and stocking stuffers

Unique items to make the season bright

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by Joseph OrovicAssistant Managing Editor

Bob Coccia sat at his in-store desk,past aisles made of stoves and ranges,with flat-panel televisions showing an

army of Fox News’ Shepard Smith talking inunison. The phone was busy but the shopfloor was empty.

His eponymously named Appliance Center,at 215-03 Horace Harding Expressway, wasdevoid of customers. Usually is, Coccia said.

“It’s been a tough run,” he said. “I’m justtrying to survive the times.”

The plight of Coccia, if it may be calledthat, is common among North Queens’ mom-and-pop merchants this holiday season. For allthe bluster and emphasis on shopping local,entrepreneurs of all stripes from Flushing toBayside are having trouble moving inventoryand keeping their heads above water.

Operations like Coccia’s have been acutelyhit by the economic crunch and competitionfrom online and big-box retailers. Why seekout a small shop with limited wares when aBest Buy or Target can cover most of yourholiday gifts in one trip?

It’s been bad before, but not this bad.“In the 1980s, the late ’80s, it was tough,”

Coccia said. “I don’t think it was as bad asthis though.”

The mechanisms in place to push smallbusinesses in the area have cranked up intogear and thrown a substantial amount ofpageantry behind the concept of shoppinglocally.

The Flushing Business Improvement Dis-trict held its annual holiday lighting ceremonyon Nov. 19, as elected leaders gathered infront of Macy’s on Roosevelt Avenue. A gag-gle of elected officials, local merchants, andeven a day care center chorus attended.

“We’re trying to tell shoppers to stay local,support our local businesses,” said executivedirector of the BID Dian Yu.

Shortly after kicking off the ceremony, Santaand Mr. Met made surprise appearances, givinga thumbs up throughout the proceedings.

State Sen. Toby Stavisky (D-Flushing),Assemblywoman and Congresswoman-electGrace Meng (D-Flushing) and CouncilmanPeter Koo (D-Flushing) were all on hand tourge consumers to stay within the confines oftheir local ZIP code.

“What are we going to tell our parents?”Koo asked the line of children assembledbefore him. “To shop local!”

Bayside’s equivalent Business Improve-ment District has a whole host of events andspecials it holds annually, with the similargoal of propping up its members and promot-ing commerce in the area.

This Saturday, Dec. 8, it will hold its finalSidewalk Sale of 2012, with merchantsputting their wares out for holiday shoppers.That same evening, the BID will host a holi-day ceremony on Bell Boulevard, with aChristmas tree and menorah lighting. Electedofficials will also be on hand, touting thesame message to shop locally and supportsmall businesses.

While the rhetoric and strong presence can-not hurt, many alongNorth Queens’ shoppingstrips are in need of some-thing closer to a Christ-mas miracle, and not alump of holiday coal.

Raj Sawlani, owner ofthe Bayside Smoke Shopat 41-05 Bell Blvd., hasfound while the festivelights continue to burn,fewer customers arelighting up, especiallysince the economy wentbust in 2008.

“It’s a big impact, lasttwo years, business hasbeen down,” he said.

Sawlani’s business hasbeen open for 30 years,26 of which were run

under the auspices of his father. The 26-year-old inherited a wealth of knowledge aboutshopping habits and how to best meet cus-tomers halfway.

Some come in already knowing theirfriend’s or family member’s favorite cigar,plop down the cash and leave, Sawlani said.The non-cognoscenti sheepishly enter askingwhat’s a good brand to buy, seeking recom-mendations. For them, gift boxes with assort-ed cigars, cutters, lighters and other works areavailable.

But none of the sales offerings negateprices inflated by state taxes, to the tune of 75percent on the wholesale price of cigars.

“Taxes are what’s killing everything,”Sawlani said. “We’re still doing business, butit’s not like it used to be.”

For Sawlani’s cigar shop and other busi-nesses that have seen a few decades stretch by,there’s a tendency to reminisce about the goodold days. Times when lines would stretch tothe door, and shelves were hard to keepstocked.

They’ll tell you they’re surviving now.Through resourcefulness, belt tightening androck-bottom pricing, they’re surviving.

But the shopping bags touted along MainStreet in Flushing and aroundBay Terrace include nameslike Target, Best Buy, TheGap and Express. Ask shop-pers passing by where they’llbe doing their holiday shop-ping this year, and they’lllikely name a publicly tradedcompany.

It’s enough to make Antho-ny Cascella’s days even morehectic. He owns a recordshop, Breakdown Records, aliving relic to a bygone erawhen music was ungainly,time-consuming and far fromportable. Shelves are stocked

with vinyl discs that are now retro-chic to ayoung hipster crowd in burgeoning parts ofWestern Queens, like Astoria and Sunnyside.

Cascella’s shop? It’s at 48-09 Bell Blvd.,which requires at least one free MetroCardtransfer to get to, unless you live close enoughto walk anyway. It’s been there for 25 years.

Breakdown Records has had to survive bymodernizing its storefront, essentially takingit online. An eBay store and several otherelectronic retail outlets act as a conduit forcollectors and audiophiles looking for thatLed Zeppelin record to complete their collec-tion. Breakdown has to enter that milieu andtry to stand out.

The online customers pay about $10 onaverage for Breakdown’s records. Making thetrek to Bayside may be worth the trip, sinceyou can get six records for the same price ifyou buy them in-store. But few do anymore.It’s not like it was years ago, before iPhonesand online downloads killed the need todeploy physical energy to buy music.

“Christmastime there used to be a linearound the corner,” Cascella said, pointing toa barren streetscape with minimal passersby.Part of the problem is his ZIP code. “A placelike this would thrive in Astoria,” he said.

But few are contemplating moving. Too cost-ly, not worth the hassle, why bother. The cigarboxes, online sales and circulars are helpful.

And for Coccia’s appliance store, a largelyunwelcome boost came in the shape of Hurri-cane Sandy, which flooded southern Queens.Used to be Coccia mostly sold ranges and bigscreen TVs. Now he’s seeing an uptick indemand for laundry machines, kitchen rangesand refrigerators.

“I hate to be a vulture,” he said, admittingsome guilt at potentially profiting from thestorm. He keeps his prices as low as he canfor those affected by the hurricane. “I workwith the customers, always, to try to helpthem out.”

Coccia admitted slow business is a constantcomplaint, and one he’s been trying to avoid.

“You get into the habit of saying ‘Thingsare bad’ all the time, then one day you lookand realize you’ve been saying that for years,”he said. “It’s gonna be just a matter of timeand things will turn around.” i

Not a customer was stirring ...Facing tough economy, big rivals, merchants hope ‘shop local’ sticks

oliday Shopping & Dining GuideH

Flushing’s Business Improvement District held its holiday lighting on Nov. 19, part of an effort toboost shopping at local small businesses in the neigborhood. PHOTO BY JOSEPH OROVIC

Breakdown Records has been in existence for 25 years, experiencingboth ups and downs. But now the store has largely become a storagespace for an inventory that has gone online. COURTESY PHOTO

A common sight: the aisles of Bob Coccia’s Appliance Store arefull of wares, awaiting customers. PHOTO BY JOSEPH OROVICH

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by AnnMarie CostellaAssistant Editor

The holidays are almost hereand that means shoppers arehitting the stores looking for

that perfect gift. But you don’t haveto go far to find something special orunique. Stores in Laurelton andJamaica are offering some great buysthat are worth checking out.

A good place to start is the Path-mark shopping center at Springfieldand Merrick boulevards in Laurelton.

At Petland Discounts, one cannothelp but be drawn to the GloFish dis-play that is near the front door. Astheir name indicates, GloFish areneon-colored swimmers whosegenetically altered pigment is madebrighter with the assistance of fluo-rescent lights. They are available in avariety of colors — electric green,sunfire red, sunburst orange, cosmicblue and galactic purple.

Petland has several aquariumsspecially equipped for GloFish tohighlight their colors, ranging inprice from $39.99 for a 3-gallontank to $59.99 for a 5-gallon one. Italso offers a 5-pound bag of rain-bow mixed gravel for $5.99 andneon decorative plants from $1.79to $2.99 to complete a colorfulunderwater environment.

“That would be a great gift and Ithink it will sell pretty decent,” saidPetland employee Nixon Beatrice.“GloFish are very vibrant and theymove a lot, so they are fun to watch.And they are a very hardy fish. Mostof the aquatic fish require a waterheater, but they are fine without it.”

The economy may still be strug-gling, but when it comes to the

holidays, people are still willing tospoil their pets, according to Beat-rice. Popular items include dog cloth-ing and Christmas stockings filledwith treats and toys for the four-legged family member.

“Sales have been great,” Beatricesaid. “I don’t know if it’s because ofthe whole Sandy thing and us beingthe only pet store that’s really open inthe area.”

Those looking for Christmas treesand ornaments at a discount can findthem at Dollar.Up. There is a wholewall filled with tree trimming itemsin every possible variety and colorfrom glittery reindeer and butterflyornaments to the traditional ball kind,

and rows upon rows of garland. Eachitem is priced at $1.

Store manager Jason Gonzalessaid the holiday decorations sell sowell that the store typically gets threeshipments of stock for the seasonwith 15,000 items in each load. EarlyMonday afternoon, Gonzalesreceived a new supply of Christmastrees, which range in price from $10and $35 depending on their height.

“Business has been good thisyear,” Gonzales said. “It’s about thesame as last year.”

What holiday would be completewithout something fabulous to wear?At Payless shoe store, there is plentyof silver and gold glitter footwear —in both flats and pumps — as well asred-bowed heels.

Although boots are typically whatsells during the winter season,according to one store employee,women are looking to dazzle at par-ties as well. In order to satisfy thosefashion needs, the store offers a vari-ety of handbags and jewelry to matchthe party shoes.

The sparkle continues at Rainbow,a women’s clothing store, where aneye-catching silver sequined dresssells for only $12.99. Other popularitems, according to manager TanishaMitchell, include velour track suits— with pants and top priced at$12.99 a piece — and winter coatsand blazers.

“We have a lot of nice, fashionableoutf its that aren’t expensive,”Mitchell said. “If you are on a bud-get, you come here and get a nice lit-tle outfit.”

Of course, the holidays aren’t justfor the ladies, and to that end, Auto-Zone has some great deals, especiallyon stocking stuffers. There are Titanbrand items for $4.99 such as a four-piece pick and hook set, a collapsiblemagnetic parts tray, a three-piecesocket adapter set and finger grip dri-vers. For a little extra, one can pur-chase a Titan quick read tape mea-sure or fits-all-Phillips screwdriver,each priced at $7.99.

AutoZone district manager RisaBalkaran said other popular itemsinclude gift cards, tool sets and seatcovers. “For guys who like tools,women come in andbuy the tools forthem,” she said.“Guys also buy stufffor other guys.”

Just a few milesaway from Laurelton,on Jamaica Avenue inJamaica, one can pur-chase some greatmusic at VP Records.The two most popularitems, according toemployee GeorgeCarr, are the GoldenJubilee 50th Anniver-sary Origins ofJamaican Music 4-CDBoxset, which ispriced at $55.99, andthe latest release from

singer Beres Hammond entitled“One Love, One Life,” priced at$18.99. The artist will be making aspecial appearance at the store onSaturday, Dec. 8 from 2 to 6 p.m.and will be signing copies of thealbum. VP Records is located at170-21 Jamaica Ave.

Across the street there is UniversalElectronics and Computers, wheremanager Manny Santos is offering a32-inch Visio-brand flatscreen televi-sion for $179 and a 19-inch Sansuione for $99. But despite the dis-counts, Santos says he is losing a lotof business to big box retailers.

“The big stores take away most ofthe share from small business,” San-tos said. “Walmart and BJs — thoseare the ones that make the money. It’svery hard for us.” i

Clothes, music, pets, tools and more

Petland Discount employee Nixon Beatrice shows off one of the colorfulGloFish aquariums that are for sale at the store. PHOTOS BY ANNMARIE COSTELLA

George Carr shows some of the popular CDs for saleat VP Records on Jamaica Avenue.

Dollar.Up manager Jason Gonzales says discounted Christmas ornaments aregood sellers.

A sparkly silver sequined dress atRainbow is a holiday dazzler andperfect party attire.

oliday Shopping & Dining GuideH

Red and gold shoes at Payless wouldbe show stoppers on the dance floor.

Shopping sparkles in Laurelton, JamaicaH

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by Peter C. MastrosimoneEditor-in-Chief

This year’s Queens Chronicle Toy Drive, our 18th annual, hascertainly been a success so far, and if you happened to come byour office just after a contributor dropped off gifts, you mightthink it’s been a resounding success.

But the fact is donations are down this year, even though theneed is as great as ever, maybe more so.

The decline is more than understandable, given the circum-stances. Five years of a weak economy. Borough unemploymenthovering around 8 percent. Hurricane Sandy.

These aren’t, however, factors the children at the Dove Housedomestic violence shelter in eastern Queens necessarily under-stand. Certainly not the many infants whosemothers fled there with them. Or the homelesskids at the Metro Family Residence in Elmhurst.Or the storm victims in South Queens and theRockaways who were living middle-class livesone day and lost everything they owned the next.

These are the children you’ll be assisting bycontributing to our toy and gift drive.

“I just feel that we should be helping ourneighbors, whether they’re right next door to us or farther away,and there’s a great need to reach out to the victims of HurricaneSandy,” said Marcie Galatioto of the Glendale-Maspeth UnitedMethodist Church, which, along with the Glendale VolunteerAmbulance Corps, will help us distribute those gifts bound forstorm-struck families. “The children shouldn’t be deprived, andparticularly because they lost so much, we should try to make

sure that they have a nice Christmas.”Galatioto — a retiree from the City Department of Homeless

Services who knows need when she sees it — added, “Theirparents can’t deal with everything right now, and I’m sure theyappreciate some help with getting things to the children.”

Many of our readers are giving that help. This week we rec-ognize donors Pat Lynch of Kew Gardens, Robert and KathleenGiglio of Elmhurst, Vincent Ciccia of Flushing, KathyChevannes of Rego Park, Michael Schreiber of Little Neck,Arlene Walsh and John Morstadt of Bayside, Dorothy Adams ofRego Park, Lucille E. of Jackson Heights, Mr. and Mrs. DomMarino of Woodhaven and Peter and Lillian of Brooklyn.

Next week we hope to put your name on the list.Together we’ll be helping hundreds of chil-

dren this year, as always. Many of them are ask-ing for educational games like LeapFrog. Thereare babies whose mothers need disposable dia-pers. There are teenagers hoping for videogames they can play on the Sony PSP orMicrosoft X-Box systems. And so many otherswho’d be happy with a doll, a coloring book, amodel car. In their letters to Santa, they all say

they’ve been good this year! Let’s be good to them.Your gifts — always new and unwrapped, please, so they can

go to the right recipients — may be brought to our office from9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. We’re at 62-33Woodhaven Blvd. in Rego Park, about a quarter mile south ofLong Island Expressway Exit 19, on the east side of the street,one door away from the corner of 62nd Road.

After hours, presents may be dropped off next door at Barosarestaurant, at 62-29 Woodhaven Blvd., or Barosa Brick OvenPizza, at 62-37. Please leave your name and the name of yourcommunity with any gifts brought after hours so we may thankyou along with the donors who come to our office directly.

We’re taking gifts until Dec. 20 so they can go to the childrenby Christmas. Please bring the holiday spirit to life, and call uswith any questions at (718) 205-8000. i

The gifts are great, but so is the needHelp the underprivileged enjoy the holidays

Chronicle intern Trevina Nicholson shows off just a few of the giftsour readers have brought in so far. PHOTO BY PETER C. MASTROSIMONE

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water, and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Pourover bread stuffing and mix lightly. Add eggyolks and shape into 12 balls. Spread inshallow baking pan and pour melted butterover all. Bake in preheated 375 degree ovenfor 15 minutes.

GINGER CREAM COOKIES

• 1/2 cup sugar• 1/2 cup hot water• 1/2 cup molasses• 1/4 cup butter• 1 egg• 2 cups all-purpose flour• 1 teaspoon baking soda• 1/2 teaspoon salt• 1/2 teaspoon ginger• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg• 1/2 teaspoon cloves

Frosting:

• 2 cups powdered sugar• dash salt• 2 tablespoons butter, softened• 2 to 3 tablespoons milk• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Grease cook-ie sheets. In large bowl combine sugar,water, molasses, butter and egg and blendwell. In separate bowl stir in flour and

remaining cookie ingredients and thencombine with molasses mixture until wellblended. Drop by rounded teaspoonfulstwo inches apart on cookie sheet. Bakefor 10 to 15 minutes or until goldenbrown. Remove from cookie sheets imme-diately and cool. For frosting, in smallbowl combine all frosting ingredients andbeat until light and fluffy. Spread overbaked cookies. Makes three dozen. i

Appetizers and dessertscontinued from page 8

It’s hard to beat ginger cream cookies,especially frosted, as a Christmastimedessert. PHOTO COURTESY TASTE OF HOME

three-step process — collect a sample fromthe inside the dog’s cheek with the includedswabs, mail it back to the manufacturer’s lab-oratory in the postage-paid envelope andwithin three weeks you will receive anemailed ancestry report with the results.

Looking for a cute stocking stuffer? TryMini Crime Scene Tape by Accoutrements.It can seal tears or mark off the scenes oftiny crimes, like if someone steals your sta-pler off your desk or eats the sandwich youbrought for lunch. Each plastic dispensercomes with 100 feet of 3/4” wide tape. Itretails for about $7. i

Holiday giftscontinued from page 9

This adorable ladybug nightlight is availableonline at redenvelope.com. COURTESY PHOTO

Make tasty doughnuts with this product fromSunbeam. PHOTO COURTESY AMAZON

Beware! A tiny crime has been committed.Cordon off the area with mini crime tape!

PHOTO COURTESY AMAZON

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Looking for a beautiful, spacious hall for your next event?Our Social Hall is the perfect location.

It accommodates 250 people plus stage space.Convenient to LIRR and 7 subway line

Free on-site parking

Call 718-961-0030or email rentals@freesynagogue.org

Free Synagogue of Flushing41-60 Kissena Blvd. Flushing

New York State and the National Register of Historic Places

www.freesynagogue.org • 718-961-0030 • info@freesynagogue.orgFree on-site parking • Two blocks from Subway/7 train & the LIRR Main St. • Flushing Station

CALENDAR OF EVENTS AT FREE SYNAGOGUE OF FLUSHINGDECEMBER 2012 CLASSES AND EVENTS

Thurs., Dec. 6, 13, 20 Adult Hebrew Class with Cantor Steven Pearlston . . . 7:30 p.m.Wed., Dec. 5, 12, 19 Adult Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:30 p.m

With Rabbi Michael Weisser – P’sukei D’Zimra/Verses of Song and Exploration of Special Liturgy.

Sat., Dec 1 Tot Shabbat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:00 a.m.Sun., Dec. 2, 9, 16 Children’s Hebrew Class . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:30 a.m.Sun., Dec. 2 Family Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:30 a.m.Wed., Dec. 5, 12, 19 B’nai Mitzvah Class . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5:00 p.m.Sun., Dec. 2 Interfaith Symposium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:00 p.m

In our social hall with Monsignor Wetterer of St. Michael’s R.C. Church, Imam Daud Hanif of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Ramaswamy Mohan of Hindu Temple Society, Rabbi Michael Weisser of Free Synagogue of Flushing. Q&A and refreshments to follow

Sun., Dec. 9 Klezmer Dance Party at Flushing Town Hall137-35 Northern Blvd. Flushing. 1:00 p.m. Dancing / 2:00 p.m. Concert Please Call 718-463-7700, ext. 222 for ticket information. A portion of all tickets sales will be donated to Free Synagogue of Flushing Restoration Fund

Thurs., Dec. 13 Chanukah Party at La Fusta RestaurantCandle Lighting, music, fun with friends and good food.Nonmember Couvert: $42.50. Reservations Required

Fri., Dec. 14 Shabbat/Chanukah Celebration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:00 p.mBring your Menorahs. Latke Party following Services.

Wed., Dec. 26 Lunch and Learn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12:00 noonWith Rabbi Michael Weisser.

Please call 718-961-0030 to register for classes.Check our website for updates www.freesynagogue.org

Please see our NEW ADDRESS, as we relocated to our FSF Historical White Building!

136-23 SANFORD AVENUE

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For My House Shall Be Called a House of Prayer for All People

COME AND BE A PART OF YOUR SYNAGOGUE FAMILY ALL YEAR LONG!

Winter is approaching!FREE SYNAGOGUE of FLUSHING, your synagogue,

is still offering Opportunities for you!

Rabbi Michael Weisser Cantor Steven PearlstonDr. Charles G. Agin, Rabbi Emeritus Paul Klein, President

SABBATH EVENING SERVICEEach Friday evening at 8:00 p.m.

INFORMAL WORSHIP & TORAH STUDYEach Saturday at 10:30 a.m. with Rabbi Michael Weisser

MINDFULNESS MEDITATIONEach Tuesday 7:30 p.m. with Rabbi Michael Weisser

Others to be announced.

Frustrated About YourHigh Insurance Rates?!!

LOW DEPOSITS • INSTANT ID CARDSE-Z FINANCING • FREE PLATE PICKUP

GOT A FEW VIOLATIONS?NO PROBLEM!!

Call Us Today For Your FREE QUOTE

718-658-5300FULL CIRCLE BROKERAGE172-02 Jamaica Ave., Jamaica, NY 11432

Excellent Rates Also On:MOTORCYCLE, HOME, LIFE AND

COMMERCIAL INSURANCE

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LONG ISLAND $1,200QUEENS $1,800BRONX $1,900

BROOKLYN $2,200(Yearly Liability Rates) Certain Restrictions Apply

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SUBJECTS OFFERED - ELEMENTARY THRU COLLEGEReading, Mathematics, English, Spanish, French, Chinese, Accounting,

Business, Calculus, Physics, Writing, Trigonometry, Chemistry, US History,Biology, Global History, Earth Science, Algebra, Geometry.

114-64 MERRICK BLVD., JAMAICA

718-291-0922

PREPARATION FOR: • Regents Examinations • P.S.A.T., S.A.T., ACT, and SSAT • Catholic High School Entrance Exam • N.Y.C. Specialized High School Exam • N.Y. State Math Test and ELA Exams • GRE • USMLE • TOEFL • ASVAB • GED • CUNY

A.C.D.VouchersAccepted

PRIVATE TUTORING AT OURCENTER OR YOUR HOME

Weekdays or SaturdayReasonable Rates - NYC Licensed Teachers

ADULTS - CHILDRENComputer Instruction

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Mon. - Fri.

Established In 1973

UNLIMITEDUNLIMITEDTUTORINGTUTORING

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MESPACHTES INDIAN 1638

We Treat You Like Family

(718) 335-1300MASPETHFEDERAL.COM

Merry Christmas &Season’s Greetings

From YourFriends At

MaspethFederal Savings

NO DEPOSIT NECESSARY.Drawing held at each Branch,

Monday, December 17th at 2:00 PM

Name _______________________ Tele #______________

Address__________________________________________

City______________ State___________ Zip___________You Do Not Have To Be Present To Win. Winners Will Be Notified.

Free Holiday Drawing

Holiday Closing ScheduleThe Association will be closing at

3:00 pm on Monday, December 24thand Monday, December 31st

and will be closed onTuesday, December 25, 2012and Tuesday, January 1, 2013.

Have a Happy &Healthy Holiday!

Come visit Santa

at our Main Offic

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in Maspeth on

Saturday, Dec. 15th,

from 9 AM-1 PM

& also enjoy a

Special Holiday

Perform

ance by the

“Goliard Carolers”

from 11 AM-1 PM

BRING DRAWING COUPON INTO ANY OF OUR BRANCH LOCATIONS.

FREEHolidayDrawingAll Branches

Will Be Raffling TwoJumbo Christmas

Stockings

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