22 The Queens Courier • january 9, 2014 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com QUEENS WELCOMES NEW YEAR’S BABY BY ANGY ALTAMIRANO aaltamirano@queenscourier.com The city’s first New Year cry was heard throughout Elmhurst Hospital Center, as Tenzin Choetso was welcomed into the world. Tenzin was born to parents Metok Dolma and Choegyal Dorjee one second after midnight on New Year’s Day at Elmhurst Hospital Center. The couple, both from Tibet and now living in Woodside, also have another daughter. According to a hospital representative, the 6 pound, 11 ounce baby girl received a name given by the Dalai Lama. The parents reportedly put in a request to the Dalai Lama for the baby’s name while Dolma was pregnant, and the Tibetan spiritual leader responded by giving the name Tenzin, meaning “to conquer the wisdom of Buddha.” His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama was given the name Tenzin Gyatso. “We are thrilled and excited that one of the first babies of 2014 was born at Elmhurst,” said Elmhurst Hospital Center Executive Director Chris Constantino. “Our staff is overjoyed.” Tenzin is not Elmhurst Hospital’s first “New Year’s baby.” In 2013, at exactly midnight, another baby was born at the hospital. Photo Courtesy of the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation Parents Metok Dolma and Choegyal Dorjee welcomed their new baby daughter, Tenzin Choetso, one second after midnight on New Year’s Day at Elmhurst Hospital Center. Toyotas targeted by thieves BY MELISA CHAN mchan@queenscourier.com Toyota Sequoias have become the target of a costly new crime trend in northeast Queens. Thieves are stealing catalytic converters off the bottom of the SUVs in the 111th Precinct and selling them for the precious metals Photo Courtesy of Toyota Thieves in northeast Queens are starting to target Toyota Sequoias for their catalytic converters. PROPOSED REZONING TO HELP OVERCROWDED CLASSES BY ANGY ALTAMIRANO aaltamirano@queenscourier.com One middle school in Jackson Heights may soon be less crowded. The Department of Education (DOE) announced proposed rezoning changes to move the boundaries for enrollment at I.S. 145, located at 33-34 80th Street, and I.S. 230, located at 73-10 34th Avenue in Jackson Heights. The changes would take effect for the 2015-2016 academic year. Under the rezoning, the boundaries for I.S. 230 would expand to serve a new annex located at 74-03 34th Avenue, slated to open in September. The new building is expected to accommodate 420 middle school students. After the rezoning, about 120 incoming sixth graders from I.S. 145 would be zoned for I.S. 230 in the 2015-2016 school year. No current students will be affected. According to the DOE, this plan was developed through work with Community Education Council (CEC) 30 in an effort to address the needs of the community. “This rezoning plan reflects a year-long collaboration between the Department and the CEC to create a proposal that best addresses the needs of the entire community,” said Harry Hartfield, DOE spokesperson. “Any final approval of the plan will be decided by the CEC for District 30.” Isaac Carmignani, co-president and chair of the zoning committee of CEC 30, said the rezoning would bring The Department of Education announced proposed rezoning plans to move the boundaries for I.S. 145 and I.S. 230 in Jackson Heights. some relief to the overcrowding of I.S. 145, which together with I.S. 230, is part of District 30 which suffers from a chronic overcrowding problem. I.S. 145’s sixth grade is currently 948 seats and after the rezoning, the number would drop to between 815 and 835. I.S. 230’s size would increase from 350 seats to between 460 to 480. “It doesn’t change the fact that they are going to still be tightly packed schools,” said Carmignani. “We all are looking at the bigger picture.” Other schools that might be affected by the rezoning include P.S. 69, P.S. 149, P.S. 212 and P.S. Map Courtesy of the Department of Education 222 in Jackson Heights, P.S. 228 and P.S. 148 in East Elmhurst, and P.S. 152 in Woodside. A public meeting to discuss the proposed rezoning changes and learn more information on how it will affect students will be held on Monday, January 13 at 6 p.m. at I.S. 145. “What we are trying to do is have as much community engagement as possible,” said Carmignani. “We’re looking forward to continue working on this issue as the months and years go by.” For more information, you can contact CEC 30 at 718-391-8380 or email cec30@schools.nyc.gov. inside, like platinum, the precinct said. The needed device that prevents engine exhaust gasses from polluting the environment is worth at least $200 to criminals, police said. But replacing the converter can set car owners back at least $1,000. “It’s a new thing,” Deputy Inspector Jason Huerta said. “It’s very expensive, and you’d have to get your car towed.” Four catalytic converters have been taken off Toyota Sequoias in the last two months within the precinct that covers Bayside, Douglaston, Little Neck, Auburndale, Hollis Hills and Fresh Meadows, Huerta said. The crime, difficult to prevent, happens in about one minute, according to the executive officer. At least two vehicles have been tampered with on residential streets and even driveways. It sounds like “a very loud rumble” when the car is started without a catalytic converter, Huerta said. The deputy inspector said parking in well-lit areas, being aware of surroundings and checking on cars, even while at home, could help avoid the theft.
QC01092014
To see the actual publication please follow the link above