Flushing YMCA open house
FLUSHING – The YMCA of Flushing is opening its doors to prospective members and curious onlookers on January 8 from noon to 4 p.m for an open house.
There, one will be able to see a demo of youth karate and basketball classes. One can try out and join the other classes being offered including teen weight training, core conditioning, break dancing, belly dancing and the Latin fusion dance exercise, Zumba.
Sneakers and exercise clothing should be worn to teen weight training, core conditioning, belly dancing and Zumba classes.
Tours will be given throughout the day, and interested participants can meet personal fitness coaches.
All branches of the YMCA of Greater New York will be waiving their joiner’s fee until January 31.
The YMCA of Flushing is located at 148-36 Northern Boulevard, Flushing, NY 11354. For a complete schedule, call 718-961-6880.
EWSIS Banner Ceremony
FLUSHING – Still a fairly new contender in Queens academics, The East-West School of International Studies (EWSIS) will show off its new banners that feature quotes from prominent thinkers and philosophers including Mother Teresa, Mohandas Gandhi, Akio Morita and Max Ehrmann.
Since its opening in 2006, the school’s enrollment tripled to 600, with its first high school graduation taking place last year. The school has received straight A’s for the past two years in city school progress reports. Of the graduating class, 64 went on to college, and the one remaining student enlisted in the Navy.
The ceremony will take place at the school on January 13.The school is home to students from 6th to 12th grade.
For more information about the school, call 718-353-0009 or visit www.ewsis.org.
Students named semi-finalists
HOLLISWOOD – Three students from Yeshiva University’s High School for Girls were recently named semifinalists in the Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology.
The students, Rachel Shapiro, Ayelet Abelow and Helene Sonenberg, were presented with New York State Assembly citations commending their achievements by Assemblymembers Rory Lancman and David Weprin.
“We are enormously proud of these students, and we need more young leaders like them who are passionate about the sciences to lead our country and economy forward with innovative new technologies,” said Assemblymember Lancman.
Abelow and Sonenberg’s research investigated whether gold nanoparticles had an effect on cancerous bone-building cells in mammals to improve chemotherapy effectiveness. Shapiro’s research focused on using dental pulp stem cells, found in teeth, to repair damaged tissue.
Part of Jewel Avenue renamed
FRESH MEADOWS – A strip of Jewel Avenue is now known as Rabbi Sholem B. Kowalsky Way in honor of the late community leader.
The street, located between 169th Street and 170th Street, was renamed when Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg signed the bill into law.
“For half a century, Rabbi Kowalsky was an influential spiritual leader who guided countless Queens residents,” said Councilmember James F. Gennaro, who sponsored the street renaming legislation. “Although Rabbi Kowalsky has passed, this street in his name will continue to guide Fresh Meadows residents and the Young Israel of Hillcrest congregation.”
The rabbi founded Yeshiva of Newark in 1942, and then came to Queens in 1959 to serve as the rabbi for the Young Israel of Hillcrest in Fresh Meadows. There, the synagogue became the largest Young Israel in the city.
Current rabbi for the Young Israel of Hillcrest, Rabbi Richard Weiss, praised Kowalsky as a “catalyst” for both spiritual and physical development for the Hillcrest Jewish community.
“It should be noted as well, that Mrs. Shulamith Kowalsky, the Rabbi’s wife, served an indispensable role in Rabbi Kowalsky’s realization of his vision,” said Weiss.
Free forum on co-op/condo rights
BELLEROSE – The Alliance of Condo and Co-op Owners and Councilmember Mark S. Weprin will hold a free forum to discuss the rights of co-op shareholders and condo unit owners.
A panel will review the board’s role, the role of management and the rights of both shareholders and owners. The panel will comprise of Larry Simms, president of the alliance, and attorneys Lucas A. Ferrara and Steve Dobkin.
“Co-ops and condos make up a considerable portion of the housing in Eastern Queens,” said Weprin. “Co-op shareholders and condo unit owners need to know their rights.”
The forum will take place at Public School 186Q, 252-12 72ndAvenue, on Wednesday, January 19 at 7 p.m.
