Happy 100th birthday
It’s not every day someone turns 100.
Lord Benjamin Burney, fondly known as “Uncle Ben” by everyone who knows him, celebrated his 100th birthday with a big party at Antun’s. He was born on May 31, 1910 in New York City and has lived in St. Albans, across the street from Rochdale Village, for the past 55 years.
His oldest daughter, Sylvia Burney Walker, described her father as a self-made man. He had a rough beginning, raised by foster parents without a lot of opportunities. He dropped out of school at 13. His first job was at Bellevue Hospital, where he worked his way up to mechanic in charge of all the electrical and mechanical boilers in the laundry department. During his 37 years there, he received several awards for loyal and outstanding service.
Burney married his high school sweetheart, Lucille, in 1935. They celebrated their 75th anniversary this year. They raised three children and have six grandchildren and one great-grand child. They have been members of the Greater Allen AME Cathedral for over 55 years.
Burney Walker characterized her father as a quiet giant who loves his family and has always been kind to people.
50 Cent gives back
Rapper Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson held a "Forever Young Day" at Baisley Park on Saturday, June 26 to promote healthy living and prevent childhood obesity in the neighborhood where he grew up.
“Forever Young” introduced kids to the basics that taught them how to have fun and be active, rather than playing computer games. Sport-like activities included relay races, batting and tennis clinics, double-dutch and hop scotch. Partner organizations included the Arthur Ashe Foundation, The You Can Go To College Committee, The Nicole Paultre Bell "When It’s Real It’s Forever" Organization and Waves of Health.
Jackson said kids are spending too much time on the computers and childhood obesity rates are skyrocketing. He said he always stayed active as a kid, playing basketball or boxing. Though he didn’t perform, there was a marching band, as well as free food that promoted health consciousness.
Assemblymember William Scarborough commended Jackson for encouraging kids to stay out of trouble and exercise.
Crowley visits Colombian civic
Congressmember Joseph Crowley toured Centro Civico Colombiano’s (CCC) new computer lab on Monday, June 28, to see how the $50,000 he secured in federal funding has been put to use.
The CCC’s computer center is used by the community for after-school activities, homework preparation, General Education Development (GED) high school equivalency training, citizenship prep tests and job training programs.
“The Centro Civico Colombiano plays a vital role in the Elmhurst community, and the computer center it has set up is a resource for so many families in the area,” Crowley said. “During my visit, I was delighted to see firsthand how the $50,000 I secured for the CCC has been put to good use – providing students with a safe place to focus on their studies and complete their school work, as well as helping adults access job training and GED classes.”
Free college prep
LaGuardia Community College is offering a free college prep workshop on Wednesday, July 21 that will show prospective college students how to apply for financial aid and scholarships.
Participants will find out what documents are needed to apply for financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) program and will learn how to access the application via the Internet.
In addition, the presenter will provide parents with a handout of scholarship websites available for families.
The two-hour session, which begins at 6 p.m., will be held on the college’s Long Island City campus at 31-10 Thomson Avenue. Though the workshop is free, participants must register to attend. Room numbers will be given upon registration.
To register by phone, call 718-482-7244; online at https://www.peopleware.net/ace; or in person in room M-141, located in the college’s Joseph Shenker Hall at the above address. For more information, call 718-482-5966.
Golf outing for school
The School for Language and Communication Development (SLCD) will hold their 11th Annual Golf Outing on Monday, August 16 at The Creek in Locust Valley. The event also celebrates the school’s 25th Anniversary.
The School for Language and Communication Development provides special education services to children with language disorders including those along the autism spectrum continuum. For information on the school visit www.SLCD.org.
Proceeds benefit SLCD schools in Glen Cove, Woodside and the newest school location in Richmond Hill. Registration and brunch begin at 10 a.m., along with an open driving range for all participants. The official shotgun-start time is at noon.
Tickets are $600 each or $2,300 per foursome. Tickets for the steak and lobster fest are $200 per guest. Sponsorships are still available. For more information on sponsorship opportunities please contact Kelly Peters at 516-609-2000, Ext. 214.
