4 The Courier sun • MARCH 24, 2016 for breaking news visit www.qns.com Photo courtesy of A Better Jamaica Kindergarteners use gumdrops and toothpicks as part of a hands-on science lesson during an after-school program sponsored by A Better Jamaica at P.S. 48. HANDS-ON LEARNING FOR JAMAICA KIDS BY ROBERT POZARYCKI [email protected]/@robbpoz Young students at one Jamaica school are on the fast track to a better education courtesy of community organization A Better Jamaica. Kindergarteners at P.S. 48 on 155th Street are participating in the new Carver Scholars Program, which A Better Jamaica launched on March 14 to provide enhanced education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) to local students. The four-week after-school program is modeled after the NASA MUREP Aerospace Academy Program at York College, and some of the academy’s students are working closely with the Carver Scholars Program to instill an interest in STEM subjects in students at an early age. It’s free to all participants. Much of the program engages youngsters in interactive lessons, providing a hands-on learning experience that many studies have found to have boosted engagement and knowledge retainment among students. “The key to our program’s success is that it is 100 percent hands-on,” said Greg Mays, founder of A Better Jamaica. “It’s important that we give participants the opportunity to experience science, not just hear or read about it.” P.S. 48 Principal Pat Mitchell remarked that it is “critically important that we give our scholars opportunities that are similar to those afforded scholars in wealthier neighborhoods.” A Better Jamaica offers a host of other community programs year-round, including Family Movies in the Park, the AirTrain Jazz Festival and Jamaica311.com, a community website. Visit www.abetterjamaica.org for additional information. Queens state senator passes on Congressional race and will instead seek re-election BY ROBERT POZARYCKI [email protected]/@robbpoz He’d rather be in Albany than on Capitol Hill. State Senator James Sanders announced on March 15 he would run for re-election instead of challenging Congressman Gregory Meeks for his Fifth Congressional District seat. Sanders, who represents the 10th Senatorial District covering much of southeast Queens, had formally explored a Congressional campaign, noting that he “wanted to rid the complacency, mediocrity and ethical lapses from yet another elected seat that has been preventing real improvements from being enacted in our neighborhoods.” What changed Sanders mind, he told residents on March 15, was his confidence that Democrats would take control of the state Senate away from the Republican majority in the November general election. Democrats already control the Assembly and the governor’s mansion, and a Democratcontrolled state Senate would give the party a mandate to fulfill its legislative agenda. “My desire has always been to serve the largest amount of people possible, and at this moment, staying in the Senate accomplishes that,” Sanders said. “Now that we can turn our statehouse into a functioning weapon of progressive change for our neighborhoods and for our people, I will make sure to utilize it to create a better reality for all of you — the ones that I grew up with, the ones that I have never abandoned, and never will.” But the incumbent state Senator is facing a challenge from another Democrat, Community Board 12 Chairperson Adrienne Adams, who announced her campaign last month. In a statement to QNS on Thursday, Adams said Sanders’ “career aspirations were not factored in my choice to run.” “My campaign isn’t about running against Senator Sanders,” she said. “I am in the race for NYS Senate in the greater interest of the well-being of the residents of southeast Queens.” Sanders, a former City Council member, successfully challenged state Senator Shirley Huntley in September 2012 and won the seat unopposed the following November. He handily defeated two primary challengers in September 2014 en route to being re-elected. The Queens Courier and the Mayor’s Office are proud to present a weekly column in which Mayor Bill de Blasio answers your questions about issues that concern you the most. If you have a question about anything going on in the city, in your neighborhood, or on your block, we want to hear from you! Email us at editorial@qns. com and Mayor de Blasio will get you an answer! What are the homeowners’ responsibilities for maintaining their sidewalk, and what kind of penalties could they face if the city finds that their sidewalks are broken? Unless a tree is the cause, it is the property owners’ responsibility to repair a damaged sidewalk. If damaged by a tree, a property owner can file a report with the Department of Transportation or 311 and the city will address the problem. If a sidewalk is damaged, a property owner might be issued a violation. If you received a violation, you may take one of the following actions: • If the defects marked on the violation don’t exist on your sidewalk, you should appeal the violation. If you can’t find the marked defects, then you may appeal the violation by requesting a reinspection within 45 days of the original inspection date. The re-inspection may be scheduled up to 45 days after you make the request. • If you agree with the Notice of Violation, you should get a sidewalk construction permit and sidewalk contractor licensed by the Department of Consumer Affairs. You can get more information about sidewalk repair and maintenance, including tips for hiring a contractor, at www.nyc. gov/sidewalks. • If you do nothing, the city MAY hire private construction firms to make the repairs and bill you for the cost. There are individuals who sell used cars and park them on city streets rather than in driveways or lots. Are they allowed to do that? How can residents report illegal car sales on public streets? A business that sells used cars, trucks and/or motorcycles must have a DCA Secondhand Auto Dealer license. Based on the State Vehicle and Traffic Law, a person that sells five or more vehicles in a calendar year and/or displays three or more vehicles for sale at the same time or within a calendar year and on their property, requires a license. It is illegal for Secondhand Auto Dealer to offer to sell vehicles parked partially or completely on the sidewalk or street. Curbstoning is the common term for the process of selling cars on the street without having a license from the city or state. New Yorkers should report curbstoning to the NYPD. Could you explain the city’s grading system for restaurants and bars and why they’re important to consumers? How often are restaurants inspected and graded? The Health Department conducts unannounced inspections of restaurants at least once a year. A restaurant’s score depends on how well it follows city and state food safety requirements. Inspectors check for compliance in food handling, food temperature, personal hygiene and vermin control. Each violation of a regulation gets a certain number of points. At the end of the inspection, the inspector totals the points, and this number is the restaurant’s inspection score — the lower the score, the better the grade. The Health Department’s grading system not only represents effective and transparent public policy, but promotes a uniformly high standard regarding restaurant cleanliness and safety. Ask the MAYOR
SC03242016
To see the actual publication please follow the link above