58 The Queens Courier • FEBRUARY 13, 2014 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com Photo Courtesy Flushing House Robert Costello – Abraham Lincoln Presenter Katz commits to restoring Pavilion BY KATELYN DI SALVO [email protected] Borough President Melinda Katz is saying yes to saving the iconic New York State Pavilion. The NYC Parks Department presented plans last fall for both restoring, or in the alternative, tearing down the deteriorating 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair figure. Cost estimates to fix the Pavilion, which includes the Observation Towers and the Tent of Tomorrow, start at $43 million. An option to knock it down would cost about $14 million. During a tour of the site on Thursday, February 6, Katz said that $14 million should be spent on repairing, not destroying it. “Let’s take that money and put it towards this project,” she said. Other local politicians, civic and cultural leaders, community board members and Parks Department officials joined Katz on the tour to get a closer look at the site. Repairs include the cable roof system in the Tent of Tomorrow, the concrete columns and stabilization of the wood pilings in the Tent, as well as basic utility work, said Meira Berkower, director of planning for the Parks Department. Katz said she will be forming a task force, consisting of elected officials, community leaders and advocates, who will meet regularly to create a plan for the Pavilion’s future. “Give me a month to figure out the ‘who what where and when,’” she said, adding it’s important to restore the outside for “safety reasons.” People for the Pavilion, an advocacy group for the site, is excited Borough President Melinda Katz, while on a tour of the New York State Pavilion, said she wanted to save the site. about the participation of the borough president and other local electeds in the project. “Moving forward, we want to continue to raise the profile of the building and educate the community, said People for the Pavilion member Matthew Silva. “We will be doing public programming celebrating its 50th anniversary so people can see what happened here 50 years ago.” One of the group’s co-founders, Christian Doran, who was also on Thursday’s tour, suddenly passed away over the weekend. Its members and Katz vowed to continue his work to preserve the Pavilion. “I will work diligently to fulfill Mr. Doran’s wish that the Pavilion Photo courtesy of Queens Borough President’s Office never be torn down,” Katz said. “We would absolutely not be where we are today without his hard work. The idea of moving forward without him is painful, but we are going to continue in his honor,” members Silva and Salmaan Khan said in a statement on the group’s Facebook page. Photo courtesy of Kim Cody Kim and Marlene Cody still know how to keep the love alive after almost two decades of marriage. Courier’s Valentine Contest Winners Kim and Marlene Cody: 38 years of wedded bliss BY CRISTABELLE TUMOLA [email protected] Thirty-eight years of marriage, and Kim and Marlene Cody still hold hands. Their long marriage follows a short courtship. The Whitestone couple tied the knot after only six months. “And they said it wouldn’t last,” Marlene, 56, said. Though she was born and raised in Whitestone and her husband moved there when he was three, they didn’t meet until they were young adults. The first time Kim, 62, saw Marlene was when he was working as a rookie cop at a carnival in the parking lot of Shea Stadium. But the two did not officially meet until a year-and-a-half later, in the summer of 1975, at the Whitestone Pool where Kim was a lifeguard. By December they were married. Almost two decades later they have two sons, William, 36 and Jason, 31, and six grandchildren, ranging from eight weeks to 10 years old. Marlene stayed home to raise her children, while Kim worked his way through the NYPD, retiring as a detective in 1995. The two now volunteer together for the Greater Whitestone Taxpayers Civic Association. Kim is the president and his wife is the vice president. Though the two at times “agree to disagree,” they enjoy working together. They also put a lot of work into their relationship. “Every marriage is a series of ups and downs, and when you are with the ups, enjoy, and when you are with the down part of it, work through it,” Kim said. On weekends they like to go on “adventures,” such as motorcycle rides, trips to the beach and fishing on their boat. “We enjoy each other’s company after all these years. As a matter of fact we finish each other’s sentences,” Kim said. As the winners of The Queens Courier Valentine’s Day Couples Contest, they will receive a gift certificate to Christie & Co. Salon • Spa. Flushing House Hosts Special ‘Presidents Day Interactive Performance’ President Abraham Lincoln, portrayed by professional presenter Robert Costello, will perform on Saturday, February 22 at Flushing House. They are proud to host this event for prospective residents, families, for current residents and the public at large. This FREE event will be held on the Rooftop Atrium and runs from 2 to 4 p.m. “Mr. Costello has a unique way of making you feel that you are in the presence of Abe Lincoln,” said Robert Salant, Flushing House director of community relations. “Over the years, he has appeared before many and varied audiences. He looks and dresses like Lincoln, gives speeches of the martyred President, and interacts with the audience. He has won acclaim for portraying the man who rose from humble beginnings on a rural farm, to become our 16th President.” This event is happening because of the residents’ interest in history. Several years ago James Driscoll became a Flushing House resident. A former Queens historian and President of the Queens Historical Society, he authored Flushing, New York: 1880-1935 (Postcard History Series), and many other popular books on history. “When Jim first came here, he gave talks on history to residents,” Salant said. “Several residents recently told Jim we ought to honor Abe Lincoln, he brought this to management’s attention, and the rest is just history!” All are welcome. Come enjoy music, appetizers, refreshments, and Robert Costello. Free parking is on premises. Seating is limited, so please RSVP by calling 718-762-3198, ext. 3014. Flushing House Independent Living for Seniors is located at 38-20 Bowne Street, Flushing. Rendering courtesy of NYC Parks Department Architectural firm Perkins + Will created one plan that would modify the site and add event spaces and landscaped paths.
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