30 The Queens Courier • MAY 16, 2013 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com Photo Courtesy of Montefiore Medical Center Sarah Barrett Wren and her son, Christopher, of Bayside went on a medical mission to Haiti. Outdoor seating still in question at popular restaurant BY ANGY ALTAMIRANO [email protected] It seems Alobar still has to overcome a few more hurdles before getting the chance to use its backyard space this summer. The popular restaurant, located at 46-42 Vernon Boulevard in Hunters Point, has not been allowed to offer customers outdoor seating as a stipulation of its liquor license. Alobar’s owner Jeff Blath met with Community Board 2’s City Service and Public Safety Committee on Wednesday, May 8 to discuss opening the backyard space to customers. Blath previously told The Courier his business loses thousands of dollars when the weather is nice. He said turning down customers who request an outdoor table pushes them to other establishments. Committee Chair Patrick O’Brien said it was a good meeting since Blath listened to recommendations and was open to working with the community board. “He understands the concerns, and we are sensitive to any business,” said O’Brien. “We want to hear both sides of it.” O’Brien noted that residents have strongly voiced their opposition to opening up Alobar’s backyard seating area because of the noise it would cause. The committee neither approved nor denied the proposal, but suggested Blath work with sound engineers to see if there is something that could muffle sounds from his backyard. The committee also asked Blath to consider offering only brunch or lunch in the backyard if it ultimately gets approval. The committee would also have to make sure Alobar can legally use the space for the intended reasons, O’Brien said. The body is scheduled to continue discussions on Alobar’s backyard at a June 12 meeting. Blath did not respond to multiple phone calls as of press time. Mom and son’s mission of hope BY MELISA CHAN [email protected] A Bayside mother and son duo took their humanitarian efforts overseas in a medical mission to Haiti. Sarah Barrett Wren and her 18-year-old son Christopher teamed up with about 30 others for an eight-day journey in late January to help the poor. The group of clinicians provided health check-ups to about 1,200 locals. Nova Hope for Haiti organized the trip. The non-profit group is dedicated to providing medical assistance to the impoverished country. “It’s an incredible and inspiring experience,” Barrett, 55, said. “It really gives you a chance to use your skills and expertise on people who wouldn’t otherwise have access to care.” The nurse practitioner has made the trip at least four times, but it was a milestone for her teenage son. “It was just really eye-opening because it’s just a completely different world there,” said Christopher, a graduating senior at Chaminade High School in Mineola. “Everything we have, we take for granted over here, and they have nothing over there,” he said. “You go over there and see kids begging food. It just makes you feel so lucky for what you have.” Christopher, who is going to Colgate University in the fall, was considering a pre-med track before the trip. He said his week of volunteering sealed the deal. “This just really makes me want to do it,” he said. “It definitely did change me.” SEAWALL TO BE RESTORED Local officials, community groups and residents gathered to break ground on the restoration and improvement of the Queensbridge Park Seawall last week. Along with reconstructing 1,190 linear feet of seawall, the $6.65 million project will include a six-foot wide waterfront promenade with benches and plants as well as a small pier at the north end. “The much-anticipated repair of the Queensbridge Park Seawall will provide additional storm protection for the Long Island City community, while also improving their access to the waterfront,” Parks Commissioner Veronica M. White said during the Friday, May 10 event. The seawall protected Queensbridge Park in Long Island City from high tides and covered some of the mechanisms and underwater cables that keep a number of subway lines in order. It is currently blocked off by a chain-linked fence due to deterioration. “For too long, the only view of this waterfront has been through a chain-linked fence,” said Congressmember Carolyn Maloney. “Queensbridge Park will now be a gateway to the waterfront instead of a dead end.” Restoring the seawall will serve recreational purposes for residents. It is also designed to guard against natural disasters such as Sandy. The project, managed by the NYC Economic Development Corporation, will reconstruct the seawall using large rocks. They will protect the shoreline by absorbing and deflecting waves while lessening the effect of erosion, the Parks Department said. The restoration and improvement is funded through allocations from Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Borough President Helen Marshall, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the MTA. “The project will make this area safer, greener and more attractive while providing more protection from storm damage in the event of another hard-hitting superstorm like Sandy,” Marshall said during the event. “Today we celebrate the beginning of the project as we look forward to its completion.” Photos Courtesy of the NYC Parks Department
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