Western Queens News Briefs

Summer Performing Arts Festival

FLUSHING – Queens College will celebrate the return of the sun with its second annual Summer Performing Arts Festival from June 13 – July 3. Part of a larger City University of New York (CUNY) initiative, the QC festival will feature poetry, music, dance and theater events showcasing the talents of its students, alumni, faculty and staff. Over 100 QC students are expected to participate in this year’s program. Seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The festival kicks off with ‘A Night of Poetry’ – the first in a series of three Monday Night Workshop productions on June 13 at 6 p.m. featuring works by emerging student poets in Rathaus Hall Performance Space. For more information, call 718-997-5597.

Luncheon with Commissioner Robert W. Walsh

SUNNYSIDE– The Sunnyside Chamber of Commerce invites all members to a meeting on Tuesday, June 14 at 12:30 p.m. sharp featuring guest speaker Commissioner Robert W. Walsh, the head of the Small Business Services (SBS).

Walsh graduated and has a master’s degree from Fordham University, worked for Mayor Ed Koch’s administration and has since been appointed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg in 2002. He currently heads 64 Business Development Districts (BDDs), 100 local development corporations to promote grassroots economic development and 11 Empire Zones.

The luncheon will be held at Dazies Restaurant at 39-41 Queens Blvd with a cost of $20 per person.

For more information, contact the Sunnyside Chamber of Commerce at 718-784-8437.

Foundation’s Innovative Leadership Award

LONG ISLAND CITY – Ed Koch, the 105th Mayor of New York City and John Vogt, Queens native and White Castle Executive received the LaGuardia Community College Foundation’s 2011 Innovative Leadership Awards for their significant contributions to higher education. Vogt, a committed friend and supporter of LaGuardia was the former Foundation chairperson and founder of the LaGuardia Foundation’s White Castle Scholarship, which has provided LaGuardia students with tuition assistance since 2006.

Greek Heritage Night at Citi Field

WESTERN QUEENS – State Senator Michael Gianaris, Assemblymember Aravella Simotas and City Councilmember Peter Vallone, Jr. received New York Mets Spirit Awards at Citi Field’s annual "Greek Heritage Night." The western Queens representatives were presented with plaques before the first pitch of a game between the Mets and the Atlanta Braves, in a ceremony sponsored by the Save a Young Life Foundation – an organization dedicated to supporting programs which are geared to benefit children and local communities. The foundation’s goal is to support individuals, families and organizations through some of life’s darkest hours and bond communities together in an effort to bring hope and joy to those who need it the most.

“I commend the Mets for honoring the wonderful diversity of our borough by celebrating different heritages throughout the season,” Simotas said. “As a Greek American, I was honored to be part of this event and to support the Save a Young Life Foundation, which does so much for children of all backgrounds.”

Bayside pitching talent

BAYSIDE – Bayside High School senior, Kaitlyn Klein, represented her school proudly in the inaugural Mayor’s Cup Softball Game. The game placed PSAL’s All-Stars against the All-Stars from the CHSAA. The PSAL won the game 6-2. Klein pitched two scoreless innings bringing her solid three year career in Bayside blue to an end.