FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM APRIL 12, 2018 • THE QUEENS COURIER 29
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This undated photo shows the exterior of the
Glendale public library at the corner of Myrtle
Avenue and 73rd Street. Note the decorative
likenesses of William Shakespeare and other
world-renowned authors and playwrights at
the top of the building. The library’s set to
close tomorrow, April 14, as the Queens Borough
Public Library begins an 18-month overhaul of
the entire building, modernizing it for generations
of readers to come. Send us your historic
photos of Queens by email to editorial@qns.com
(subject: A Look Back) or mail printed pictures
to A Look Back, The Queens Courier, 38-15 Bell
Blvd., Bayside, NY 11361. All mailed pictures will
be carefully returned to you.
Ridgewood Times archives/Courtesy of the
Greater Ridgewood Historical Society
letters & comments
SUNNYSIDE BIKE LANE
PLANS ARE A PLUS
I am writing to urge Queens
Community Board 2, Council
member Jimmy Van Bramer and
all Queens residents to support the
Department of Transportation proposal
to install protected bike lanes
on Skillman and 43rd avenues in
Sunnyside.
Although I don’t live in
Sunnyside, I have a stake in this
matter: I bike on this route twice
every day between my home in
Jackson Heights and my workplace
in Manhattan, and these two streets
in Sunnyside are easily the most
stressful part of my commute.
Among the many dangers on this
corridor: being right-hooked by car
drivers who make fast turns off the
avenues; having to swerve around
cars double parked in the bike lane;
and being pushed off the bike lane
by car drivers who drive in the
Skillman bike lane as they approach
Queens Boulevard trying to beat the
light. Protected bike lanes, including
the bi-directional protected bike
lane along the railyard, will signifi -
cantly reduce these risks.
A look at the bike map of western
Queens makes clear that these two
avenues are a critical East-West corridor,
and really the only way to get
to the Queensboro Bridge for hundreds
of cyclists from Sunnyside,
Woodside, Jackson Heights, East
Elmhurst, Corona and other neighborhoods
who use these lanes daily
and the thousands who might use
them if they were safer.
Sadly but not surprisingly, the
debate on this safety plan has centered
around parking loss. But we
should not forget that in western
Queens, less than half of households
even own a car (based on
NYCEDC 2012 data). In fact, across
all Queens households, only 38 percent
of workers drive or carpool to
work (based on U.S. Census Bureau
2015 Community Survey) — and
this average rate is likely signifi -
cantly lower in more urban western
Queens.
It therefore seems reasonable and
equitable to make this critical East-
West corridor safe for all users, of
all income levels, rather than amplifying
the privileges of a minority of
more well-off car owners.
Bike infrastructure saves lives
— NYCDOT and federal statistics
prove that over and over and
over again. Importantly, the evidence
in NYC and elsewhere shows
that protected bike lanes reduce
pedestrian and motorist injuries
and deaths more than bicyclists,
since the changed geometry slows
down speeding drivers and shortens
crossing distances.
Th e same reports also show that
bike lanes are very benefi cial for
businesses since they make streets
more inviting for strolling and
shopping.
Angela Stach, Jackson Heights
STATE BUDGET DEAL IS
BIG LOSS FOR TRANSIT
We should not celebrate
Governor Andrew Cuomo and the
state Legislature passing a budget
on time. It is a terrible April Fools’
joke on taxpayers who will be stuck
with the tab.
Th e budget includes a revenue
shortfall of $4.4 billion, which still
needs to be resolved. Cuomo claims
to have increased the level of MTA
funding. Virtually all of these $400
million plus are being allocated
toward fully funding the emergency
$836 million “NYC Transit Subway
Action Plan” to deal with the ongoing
crises. Th at will still leave virtually
all of the $5.8 billion outstanding
balance still owed toward his
original $8.3 billion promised back
in 2015 to fully fund the MTA $32
billion 2015 - 2019 Capital Plan.
It appears Cuomo has kicked the
can down the road once again for
coming up with close to $5.8 billion
in 2019. Th is would be the last year
of MTA’s current fi ve-year capital
plan. Th ere appears to be no
money included toward his promised
$7.25 billion share toward fully
funding the $29 billion Gateway
Tunnel project.
Larry Penner, Great Neck
VETERANS DESERVE
BETTER AT THE VA
I fi nd what has been happening at
the Veterans Administration (VA)
over the years to be quite troubling.
Millions of veterans depend on the
VA for their health care.
Former Veterans Aff airs Secretary
David Shulkin was fi red, in my
opinion, because he wasn’t getting
the job done. President Trump has
selected Admiral Ronny Jackson as
new VA Secretary. I hope he might
turn the Veterans Administration
into a well-oiled machine that can
truly help many veterans in need of
better care.
As reported, there are 360,000 VA
employees and 9 million vets under
their care. Th ere are about 47 percent
of VA care users who are 65 or
older. Some need angioplasty and
suff er from heart problems as well
of cancer.
I’m 69 years old and a Vietnam
era veteran of the U.S. Navy and am
very concerned with what’s happening
at the VA. What has happen
at the VA, I feel, boils down
to one thing: political bureaucracy
over the proper care of our veterans
who gave their all to protect what
we all hold most dear, and that is
our freedom.
Th ey deserve better and should
get it.
Frederick R. Bedell Jr.,
Glen Oaks Village
Email your letters to editorial@
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Editor) or leave a comment to any
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to Letters to the Editor, 38-15 Bell
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are subject to editing. Names will be
withheld upon request, but anonymous
letters will not be considered
for publication. Th e views expressed
in all letters and comments are not
necessarily those of this publication
or its staff .
Morning meditation helps
relieve high school stress
BY CHRISTINA SAMA-BOMMARITO, M.A.
As I begin my work day at Th e Mary Louis Academy,
my primary goal as the school psychologist is to make
certain that each young woman starts her day with a high
level of self-esteem and confi dence.
Each day, I see smiles and hear laughter, but also at
times I hear discussions about the challenging curriculum
and anxiety over homework and exams. In my experience
working at other schools, I have seen a recurring concern.
Although students fi nd a way to handle the academic curriculum,
they struggle to cope with the challenges to overcome
the personal obstacles they face.
As a school psychologist employed by the Program for
the Development of Human Potential, an agency part of
the Department of Education-Diocese of Brooklyn, I see a
common theme among youth in our society: the diffi culty
to cope with feelings of anxiety and depression caused
by a multitude of contributing factors.
Some of these factors include, but are not limited to,
social and parental pressures, technology and social
media, and maintaining a balance between school work
and extracurricular activities.
No student should have to begin her day with any level
of anxiety. So, I thought what eff ective techniques can be
utilized to reduce levels of anxiety? I researched how to
teach these young women how to cope with their issues
and/or how to simply begin the day feeling more relaxed.
My research led me to have an open discussion in
the beginning of the school year about implementing
a school-wide meditation program with Principal Sr.
Kathleen McKinney, Assistant Principal Ann Cordes,
and the faculty. With enthusiasm, assistance and support
of the administration and school community, a program
was implemented.
Once a week, school-wide, for ten minutes, a guided
meditation session begins over the public address system.
Breathing techniques and muscle relaxation exercises are
taught. Ten minutes is spent in silence refl ecting on students’
overall well-being and faith. Th e response from all
participants has been overwhelmingly positive and can be
seen throughout the building.
Aft er several sessions, I conducted interviews with the
students to obtain feedback on these sessions. One student
Senior Kristen Brody stated, “I have felt calmer, and
having 10 minutes to relax helps me to refocus and concentrate.
Also, it made me realize the importance of selfcare
and how just taking time for myself ten minutes a
day has made a positive impact.”
Another student Junior Caroline Farrell describes meditation
as “a break we all need at some point in our day.”
She described meditation as “pressing the virtual pause
button during the day.” She expressed that it has strengthened
her faith and brought her closer to God by viewing
meditation as a form of prayer and self-refl ection.
Sophomore Ashley Jordan Matthews states “I feel that
I am always trying to meet the expectations of others and
being careful with what I am doing because I don’t want
to mess up.” Th e self-affi rmations at the end of meditation
have boosted her self-esteem and self-confi dence. As
she sees the good qualities she possesses and not just the
imperfections.
Overall, the students of Th e Mary Louis Academy have
reported reduced levels of stress, a rise in academic performance,
positive change in their sleeping patterns, and
a greater sense of well-being and mental health. Sister
McKinney has received positive feedback from students,
faculty, and staff members.
I have quickly learned throughout my career how crucial
it is to take time out of your day to take care of yourself
and engage in positive self-talk and self-affi rmation. I
end all my meditation sessions by reminding you that you
are powerful, you are smart, you are capable, and above
all you are loved!
A LOOK BACK
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