As proven at trial, in the early morning of May 28, 2008, Suarez followed a 19-year-old woman from the 14th Street subway station to the Spring Street station. Upon exiting the train, Suarez followed the victim, and as she entered her building, he rushed in and followed her to her apartment. Suarez forced her into the courtyard and raped her at knifepoint.

DNA evidence was collected at the scene and was entered into the New York State DNA Database. There were no matches at the time, and the crime went unsolved until Suarez’s information was entered into the system in 2011 after he was convicted for an unrelated crime.

“Using DNA evidence, the skilled prosecutors in our office’s Sex Crimes Unit were able to ensure that this defendant was held responsible for this terrible crime,” District Attorney Vance said.
Suarez is expected to be sentenced Dec. 12.

Former East Village Officer Sentenced to Over 15 Years
Earlier this year, former New York City Police Officer Nicholas Mina, who served in the East Village’s 9th Precinct, pleaded guilty to numerous charges of stealing police-issued firearms and selling them on the underground market. Last week, the Queens resident, 32, was sentenced to 15 and a half years in prison for his crimes.

He was convicted of charges including the criminal sale of firearms, sale of a controlled substance, conspiracy and grand larceny.

After serving on the police force for more than three years, Mina confessed to stealing and selling police-issued guns on the black market for over six months to fund his addiction to prescription drugs.

“The defendant took an oath to protect New Yorkers from criminals. Instead, he worked alongside a gun trafficker in order to feed his drug addiction,” District Attorney Vance said in a statement.
Vance applauded the NYPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau and the Firearms Investigation Unit for its work with the case investigating missing firearms from the 9th Precinct station house and monitoring Mina’s illegal sales of the stolen guns.

AIDS Activists Climb Flagpoles At City Hall Park

Two members of Housing Works, a New York-based advocacy group that supports health-care issues and HIV/AIDS patients, climbed two 40-foot flagpoles at the southern end of City Hall Park in lower Manhattan on Wednesday, Nov. 28, around 10:45 a.m. The activists, wearing helmets and climbing gear, unfurled a 30-foot banner that read “Housing Is Healthcare: House People Living With HIV/AIDS” after quickly climbing to the top of the flagpoles without being noticed by several police officers in the vicinity.

Police arrived soon after, blocking the sidewalk and the area immediately under the flagpoles and calling in a cherry picker to bring down the activists. Other Housing Works activists held signs and cheered on Tony Ray and the other unidentified flagpole climber from the ground.

“I am up here today because of the lack of attention to housing for people with AIDS,” Ray said through a megaphone high above the crowd. “If people with AIDS have a safe place to live and a place for them to refrigerate their meds, they are going to stay healthy.”

The two activists stayed on the flagpoles for around 25 minutes before they were removed peaceably by the NYPD and arrested without incident.

The civil disobedience came shortly before World AIDS Day, a global day to raise awareness of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, which is observed each year on Dec. 1.

Compiled by Aaron Adler and John Friia

SCHOOL HOLDS HOLIDAY FAIR
PS 199 is hosting a Holiday Boutique Fair on Saturday, Dec. 1. Over 30 vendors will sell clothing, toys, jewelry, crafts and other small gifts to benefit the school and victims of Hurricane Sandy. The fair will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the school’s cafeteria at 270 W. 70th St.

CITY ENDS GAS RATIONING
Mayor Michael Bloomberg lifted the city’s emergency regulation of gas purchases on Saturday, over three weeks after Hurricane Sandy crippled the city’s fuel supply.

The rationing, which went into effect on Nov. 10, restricted the sale of gasoline to cars with even-numbered license plates on even days of the month and odd-numbered plates on odd days (excluding taxis, buses and emergency vehicles).

Bloomberg and other elected officials initially thought that supplies would return to normal a few days after the storm, but damage to fuel refineries and shipping networks, in addition to the nor’easter that struck the city shortly after the hurricane, dramatically slowed repairs. At some stations, drivers had to wait for over six hours in police-monitored lines for fuel.

Critics of gas rationing were unsure it would make a difference, but according to Bloomberg, the plan was a success. “The odd-even license plate system not only significantly reduced extreme lines, but also eased anxiety and disruptions for drivers at gas stations across the five boroughs,” he said in a statement.

At the time of the announcement, about 85 percent of the city’s gas stations were operational, up from around 25 percent when the rationing was put into effect.

AUTHOR HOLDS BOOK DRIVE FOR SANDY VICTIMS
Combining her love for books and helping people, author and philanthropist Carol Hollenbeck organized Rebuilding Our Bookshelves, which aims to provide books to libraries, homes and schools damaged by Hurricane Sandy.

Blake Harvey, founder and president of Lawrence Blake Group Intl. and promoter of Rebuilding Our Bookshelves, explained that the book drive will continue through Dec. 16. People interested in donating books can drop them off at the Renaissance Diner, 776 Ninth Ave. at West 51st Street any time of the day. In addition, people can also make a donation to the American Red Cross.
“People can drop off any types of books, because they can be donated to day-care centers that suffered damage and senior citizen homes,” Harvey said. He noted that once all the books are collected, Hollenbeck will reach out to local organizations where the books will go to victims of Hurricane Sandy.

Hollenbeck actively donates her time to many causes on the West Side, and has also worked with victims of domestic violence. With her newly released book True Blondes, she has pledged to donate 25 percent of sales to advocacy groups that help these victims.

SENIOR CENTER REOPENS ON 42ND ST.
Project FIND, a nonprofit that provides housing and services to the city’s low-income seniors, held an open house last week at its new Coffeehouse Senior Center at the Holy Cross Church on West 42nd Street.

The center is a relocated version of the original Coffeehouse Senior Center, a project that began in 1971 for seniors congregating in the Port Authority Bus Terminal and grew into a full-time food program that provides seniors with breakfast, lunch and social activities. The $1.2 million relocation allowed Project FIND to create a space that is fully handicapped-accessible and includes a commercial-grade kitchen. According to the nonprofit, the additional room will allow them to serve 15 percent more elderly residents.

“While the community’s economic demographics are changing and upscale development is happening in areas once unthinkable, the needs of this community’s older adults remain the same,” said Project FIND Executive Director David Gilchrist. “This cohort will increase in lockstep with the aging of the Baby Boom generation.”

City Council Speaker Christine Quinn attended the open house and praised the center’s service to the community. “The Coffeehouse Senior Center is a valuable resource that serves thousands of seniors in my district,” she said. “The new facilities will bring together more people than ever.”

By John Friia

Best place to shop with bros
Brooks Brothers Flatiron Shop, 901 Broadway at 20th Street, 212-228-3580
If you’ve got your boyfriend, brother or any male-type person in tow, bring them to this specialty Brooks Brothers locale, where they’ve got a “man cave” with a photo booth and a foosball table. They can keep themselves occupied and also give suggestions for the men on your shopping list. For Black Friday and Saturday, any purchases made between 9 a.m. and noon are 20 percent off with a MasterCard, 15 percent off with any other payment method.

Best place to find gifts for your eclectic relatives
Kisan Concept Store, 125 Greene St. near Prince Street, kisanstore.com
Kisan offers high-end women’s apparel, children’s clothing, toys and more with a chic and feminine urban twist. Owners Thorunn Anspach and Olivier Bremond have traveled the world to bring their Parisian sensibility to New York through the products they feature. This Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., items including shoes and accessories for women, children and men will be discounted up to 90 percent, so you can find a quirky European hat for Aunt Mindy without breaking the bank.

Best place to go with a gaggle of ladies
Haute Hippie, 9 Prince St. near Bowery,
212-431-0101
Bring your posse of gals to peruse clothing that’s been described as “a little bit bohemian and a lot of rock and roll” while sipping on complimentary mimosas and chomping down cupcakes all day on Friday. The shop runs the gamut from luxe gowns to their more low-key Haute Hoodie collection, so it’s a great one-stop shop for gifts. Plus, in keeping with the shop’s cheeky nature, everything black will be 25 percent off on Black Friday.

Best place to chill the heck out
eBay and Bliss Spas, 568 Broadway at Prince Street
Everyone knows that shopping on Black Friday can be a stressful experience, what with all the energy expended to grab the last faux fur vest on sale. This year, eBay has collaborated with Bliss Spas to offer free mini-manicures, pedicures and foot massages on Black Friday. While relaxing, you can browse eBay on their mobile app and take advantage of their Holiday Collective. The online company has teamed up with big-name designers to offer holiday gifts all under $100; some of the participating designers include Jonathan Adler, Fallon and Tibi.

Best place to shop for gadget lovers
AC Gears, 69 E. Eighth St. near Broadway, acgears.com
AC Gears is basically a toy store for adults, running the gamut from serious technology (did someone say 3-D printer?) to delightful gizmos you didn’t know you needed. They’ve got functionally brilliant iPhone cases, camera equipment, a plethora of timepieces and tons of options under $50. On Black Friday, they will be offering up to 50 percent off on never-discounted electronics, headphones, watches, toys and more.

Best place to buy your way into the hearts of children–and their parents
Dinosaur Hill, 306 E. Ninth St. near
First Avenue, dinosaurhill.com
This independently owned East Village shop stocks unique, intellectually stimulating (but still cool!) games and toys for kids. We’re not in Toys ‘R’ Us anymore, Toto. They also sell handmade children’s clothing, limited-edition stuffed animals, musical instruments, and newborn and toddler clothing. The best part is that on Black Friday, customers who sing “Row Row Row Your Boat” get a 15 percent discount. Warm up those pipes.

Dana DiPrima wears many hats; she is a mother, a wife and the commissioner of the West Side Soccer League since 2005.

As the commissioner, she oversees the league, which has over 4,000 neighborhood youths ranging from 5 to 18 years old. There are nearly 400 teams, with 800 coaches and 500 referees. In addition to learning how to play soccer, the league offers numerous programs to benefit the children’s experience.

“We get to practice and use the fields in Riverside Park, Central Park, Randall’s Island and other fields,” DiPrima said.

Some programs include training from professional coaches and the opportunity to see the New York Red Bulls.

With the belief that everyone deserves a chance to learn soccer, the league offers assistance to families that have financial difficulties. “Around 25 percent of the members have scholarships, paying $10,” said DiPrima.

She explained that “to learn soccer, you have to play soccer,” so the league tries to make sure that everyone participates to the same extent.

Any time there is an issue, such as unfair game time, she explained that people come to her to have the problem solved. It shows how the league and parents want everyone to have the same advantages, and that the WSSL is serious about educating the youths.

The league also gives back to the community. “We leave the nets and goals in the park for the public to use, when we are not using them,” she said.

Soccer has always been one of DiPrima’s favorite sports. She started playing as a child and continued through college. “It normally brings the best of people,” she explained.

DiPrima, 45, said she enjoys the great people she has met—from CEOs to the unemployed, they all share a common thing, their love for soccer.

Not only is the WSSL a great opportunity for children, but it also gives adults who are passionate about soccer a chance to volunteer as referees and coach teams. DiPrima explained that many of the parents remain active in the league even after their children leave.

Her daughter, 11, is still a part of the West Side Soccer League, and has just returned from the WSSL Red Bulls Travel Team. Children on the travel team compete with other travel teams in the area and are coached by New York Red Bulls trainers.

It may seem a little intimidating juggling all the duties of a mom (she also has a son, 14), wife and the commissioner of the WSSL, but DiPrima explained that her family is very understanding, and if there is issue that needs her attention, her husband or children will let her know.

“I love New York. I love the Upper West Side and I love West Side Soccer. I am very honored and this award recognizes everyone else that is involved, working together towards the same goal,” stated a grateful DiPrima.

“Tutti a tavola a mangiare,” chef Lidia Bastianich repeats at the end of every episode of her televised cooking show. The message welcomes everyone to the table to eat, and Bastianich has taken that saying to the next level.

Bastianich can now add Dean of La Scuola di Eataly to her résumé. For the past two years, people have signed up for individual and group classes to get educated in the Italian cooking arena at La Scuola di Eataly, located in Eataly at 200 Fifth Ave.

“Our school expanded in April,” stated Brooke Adams, director of communications at Eataly. There are now two classrooms: La Scuola Piccola holds 20 students, and La Scuola Grande holds 34.

People wanting to broaden their knowledge of Italian cuisine can register for classes and see demonstrations of cooking a wide variety of foods. To complement the meal selections, there will also be a wine pairing when students get to taste what has been cooked.

“We have guest chefs and in-house wine experts,” Adams said.

To ensure that the students remember what has been prepared, La Scuola di Eataly gives everyone who registers a folder filled with all the recipes from the class, wine notes and the opportunity to walk around Eataly to become familiar with the different ingredients.

The classes are divided into different categories, including Chef’s Kitchen, Food and Language, Spotlight on Artisanal Products and more.

If you are looking to immerse yourself completely into the Italian culture, La Scuola di Eataly offers a Food and Language course, which teaches basic Italian, and how to prepare a selection of dishes. Another course is Parlare, Mangiare e Viaggiare All’Italiana, a four-class series that takes you throughout Italy teaching you the language and different foods, without leaving the classroom (the fall session is already full, however).

The Chef’s Kitchen series brings in guest chefs to cook some of their signature dishes with wine pairings. One of the latest classes in the Chef’s Kitchen is Getting to Know Gnocchi, which discusses the history of gnocchi going back to the 16th century and will include them in prepared dishes.

Some of the past chefs who have been part of Chef’s Kitchen have included Mario Batali, Joe Bastianich and Lidia Bastianich.

Walking through Eataly, the 58,000-square-foot Italian market, may seem intimidating, and visitors may be unaware of what is offered. The Spotlight on Artisanal Products class educates people about the unique items that can be found throughout Eataly. Some of the classes involved within the series include fresh fall pasta, cheese and wine, beer and Italian chocolate.

Registration for the fall classes is currently open. Classes for the coming year will be posted in the next few weeks. The price of each class varies but normally is $60 to $125 per person.

By John Friia

For the past 13 years, people visiting the August Wilson Theatre, located at 245 W. 52nd St., have seen Natividad Nery welcoming patrons and keeping the theater clean. To say that Nery likes to help people would be an understatement. Whether working at the theater or taking the subway and walking around, Nery is never shy of extending a helping hand toward individuals.

“I like to serve the people and make them happy,” Nery clearly stated.

Not only are the patrons of the theater respectful and considerate, but Nery also explained that his co-workers are very caring and appreciative. “We all help each other and look out for one another,” he said.

There have been many people that Nery assisted while working at the theater. One time, he vividly remembers, a mother and daughter came to see a production. The daughter was in a wheelchair and the mother seemed worried and unsure what to do in this situation.

Noticing her concern, Nery felt that he needed to do something and went to speak to the mother. He said to her, “Everything will be OK.” The theater had a chair lift to help disabled people get to their places inside the theater. After everyone was settled, Nery went to speak with the mother and told her, “You must not be nervous around you daughter, because then she will feel uncomfortable.”

He recalled that the mother expressed immense gratitude and thanked him for his understanding.

Around three months ago, while Nery was waiting for the subway he witnessed someone fall onto the tracks while a train was approaching the station. Like always, he quickly went into action and realized what he needed to do. With the help of other onlookers, Nery was able to get the gentleman off of the tracks just in time and saved his life.

“If we waited another 30 seconds, the train would have hit me,” Nery said.

Nery came to America in 1983 and has been married for 25 years. The theater cleaner lives in Staten Island with his wife and mother-in-law. He has five children. One of his sons is enlisted in the military and has been deployed to Iraq three times. He is currently stationed in Hawaii. Nery’s other children live throughout the five boroughs.

He’s grateful to receive a Building Worker of the Year Award.

“Thank you to the people that have nominated me. It is very satisfying and motivates us to do what we do,” he said.

By John Friia

Brenda Vauters has been a security guard at Credit Suisse for the past two years, walking around and canvassing the perimeter to ensure everything is in order.

This position requires that Vauters be outdoors most of the time, which is one of the aspects of the job she love because she gets to meet all kinds of people. In the event of an emergency, Vauters is the individual who lets the emergency workers into the building. There are also occasionally protesters outside of the building; when that occurs, she finds out why they are there are and makes sure nothing happens.

By creating a relationship with the people working inside the building, Brenda has quickly become one of the favorite workers, and everyone enjoys stopping to talk with her. “A lot of the workers are very nice, and I talk to them when they come outside to smoke,” Vauters said.

During the summer and winter months, she explained, one of the workers comes down and makes sure she has water when it is hot and a hat and scarf when it is cold, to keep Vauters from getting sick.

She is an active member of her union, the SEIU 32BJ, and has helped negotiate contracts for the workers. “I try to motivate workers to be a part of the union,” Vauters said. She wants them to be aware that the union stands behind the workers.

When she’s not working, Vauters volunteers at local shelters for the homeless. “I like to help people,” she stated. Near her work, Vauters sees a lot of homeless people; she tries to understand them and speak to them with care. Even though her job requires her to move the individuals for loitering, she gives them advice on where to go to stay dry in the rain.
In her personal time, Vauters enjoys spending time with her two children and six grandchildren, the oldest of whom just started college. “I also like going to museums—the Egyptian exhibit at the Met is my favorite,” Vauters said.

Whenever there are new security guards, Vauters is one of the first people to introduce herself and show them around. “I remember when I first started, and no one showed me around. I try to make things easier for them,” she said.

“Everybody loves Brenda,” explained Louis Griffin, a co-worker of hers. “She is the kind of person that puts a smile on your face when you are having a bad day.” Jokingly, he refers to Vauters as the mother of the group, the person who shares wisdom and the lessons she learned with others.

“When people have a problem, I listen to them and try to solve their problem,” Vauters said.

Once a woman discovers she is pregnant, everything changes, from what she can do to what she can eat. When it comes to dietary changes, the goal is to try to eat the types of food that are beneficial for your growing baby.

With such a wide variety of foods to choose from, it may be difficult and confusing to find out what food is best to eat.

According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HSS), pregnant women should add foods that contain protein, iron, calcium and folic acid to their diet, because this is the time when their bodies need those nutrients the most.

Everyone has heard the saying that pregnant women are “eating for two,” but that should not be taken as an excuse to eat huge quantities; instead you should try to consume healthier foods that will be valuable for your child as well as you. During pregnancy, women will gain weight, but the amount varies depending on how much the mother weighed prior to being pregnant.

“Most women need 300 calories a day more during at least the last six months of the pregnancy than they do pre-pregnancy,” says WomensHealth.gov, an HHS project.
There is a special food pyramid that was created to show what foods women are encouraged to eat to supply themselves with the proper nutrients.

Starting off with grains, foods in this category include bread, cereal, rice and pasta. For both vegetables and fruit, as long as they are fresh, they will be healthy for both the mother and child. In the dairy section, low-fat yogurt, skim or low-fat milk are recommended. Finally, in the meat and beans category, a selection of cooked beans and peas, lean beef, shrimp and others will be beneficial.

There are some foods that pregnant women should be cautious about eating: refrigerated, smoked seafood and meat; store-made chicken, egg or tuna salads; some seafood; and herbs used as medicine unless prescribed by a doctor. Moms-to-be are warned to stay away from such foods because they can be contaminated with salmonella and other harmful substances. Seafood—shark and swordfish, for example—can have high levels of mercury, which can damage the child’s development.

The amount of food to consume varies depending on the trimester that a woman is in. During the first trimester, a woman should eat 6 ounces of grains daily, but when she enters her second trimester the amount changes to 8 ounces daily.

Other than making sure the mother is well fed, it is important to remain hydrated during pregnancy. It is suggested that women drink 10 cups of fluid a day. A common belief is that pregnant women shouldn’t drink caffeine, but in reality it is safe to drink small amounts that are less than 200 mg of caffeine a day.

On top of healthy eating habits, it is important to take vitamins during pregnancy. Following the recommended guidelines will allow the mother to properly care for their child and make sure he or she grows and develops properly in the womb.

The leading cause of death for women in the United States is heart disease, and many of the symptoms that signal heart attack in women are different from those experienced by males, sometimes resulting in a fatal self-misdiagnosis.

According to the American Heart Association, 477,900 women died from a heart-related conditions in 2008. The number of fatalities is nearly 12 times greater than the number of women the National Cancer Institute estimates will succumb to breast cancer this year, which is 39,510.

In the most recent summary compiled by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, heart disease was the cause of death for around 219,000 New Yorkers. Nationwide, the American Heart Association estimates that a heart attack happens every 34 seconds.

For men, the warning signs of a heart attack include a feeling of discomfort or pressure in the chest and arms, and shortness of breath. According to the Mayo Clinic, common symptoms of heart disease in women include neck, shoulder, and abdominal pain, shortness of breath, cold sweats, lightheadedness, unusual fatigue, nausea and vomiting.
One of the main reasons it is believed that women have different symptoms than men is that they tend to get blockages in different places. When a heart attack occurs it is caused by the inability for oxygen and blood to circulate through parts of the heart. Women normally have plaque buildup and blockages in smaller arteries, while males usually get blockages in larger arteries. This is why women often have less pronounced symptoms, and they can mistake the effects of a heart attack with other conditions such as a flu or just generally feeling sick.

Many women do not realize that they are having a heart attack, and sometimes wait too long to take action. In that situation, delaying medical attention can be deadly. If a woman is feeling symptoms associated with a heart attack, she should contact 911 immediately—the faster she gets to the hospital, the better chance she has to recover.

Unfortunately, for both men and women there are some heart attacks that show no symptoms of discomfort, nausea or shortness of breath; these are called “silent” heart attacks. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, older people with diabetes are more likely to suffer this type of attack.

As with other illnesses, early detection is key. You can schedule an appointment with your doctor to find out if you are at risk of developing heart disease. If you want to make immediate changes in your lifestyle to improve your health and reduce the risk of heart troubles, you can quit smoking, start eating heart-healthy foods and begin exercising if you don’t already.

Some of the best cardiovascular and heart-surgery hospitals in the country are located right here in Manhattan. Among the hospitals making the annual US News and World Report list are New York Presbyterian University Hospital, ranked at No. 4; Mount Sinai Medical Center, No. 10; and NYU Langone Medical Center, No. 14.

Many people know Mario Batali as the energetic TV chef and restaurateur, but some are unaware of his role as a philanthropist. In 2008, he launched the Mario Batali Foundation, aiming to make sure children are well read, well fed and well cared-for.

Since then, the foundation has worked with numerous organizations that share the same goal. One of those, Books for Kids, has as its mission the promotion of literacy among children in low-income, high-risk communities across the country.

Their latest collaboration is helping to bring a new and improved library to the children of Goddard Riverside. Nearly 70 percent of children enrolled in Goddard Riverside’s daycare center, at 114 W. 91st St., live below the poverty line. The new library will serve almost 100 children in the neighborhood.

“To be able to help children read, to give them this fundamental building block to a successful life, is remarkable. I am ecstatic that my foundation is able to help create a Books for Kids library and champion literacy programs for all children in need,” Batali said at the opening on Sept. 13.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony included a dedication ceremony, book reading and tour of the new library. An animated Batali read the children the Dr. Seuss story “Green Eggs and Ham.” Prior to the reading, the preschoolers showed their own interpretation of the story to Batali and sang “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” for guests.

The new library includes a much larger selection of books and a colorful reading space that invites children in to read and learn. The children will now also have the opportunity to take books home.

“Books for Kids is once again thrilled and honored to have the continued support of the Mario Batali Foundation in the creation of a Books for Kids library in a community in great need on the Upper West Side,” Shawna Hamilton Doster, Books for Kids executive director, said.

Doster explained that Books for Kids wants to bridge the gap for low-income children and give them the same opportunities as other children in the city.

City Council Member Gail Brewer, who represents the Upper West Side, attended the event and explained that she is happy to see the new and improved library, and that Goddard Riverside has always been trying to help the residents.

“There is no question that a library of this magnitude will go far in supporting our school readiness goals for our young children and be a major resource for our families,” stated Stephan Russo, the executive director of Goddard Riverside Community Center.