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Future Supermodel Of Queens
Gisbelle Flushing
native Gisbelle certainly isn’t new to the world of modeling – she’s
been at it since age six, when her mom entered her into a number of beauty
pageants. Her
modeling career really got going at age 12 when she was asked to be
photographed for some catalogs. Gisbelle
doesn’t mind seeing herself in print but expressed an interest in getting
on the runway even though she doesn’t have the height for it, she said. Of
modeling, the energetic young Queensite said, “I love it. There are so
many people that are gonna say things about it, but it’s the best
thing.” Gisbelle
explained that she draws inspiration from her favorite models including
superstars Heidi Klum, Tyra Banks and Nikki Taylor. Although
a big modeling career may be on the horizon, Gisbelle has her feet on the
ground and is a student at LaGuardia Middle School, where she is taking
classes in history, science, art and English. When
she’s not busy modeling or studying – “I study a lot,” Gisbelle said
– you might find her enjoying the day at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. Her
favorite Flushing Meadows Park spots include the Queens Museum of Art, the
Queens Zoo and the Unisphere. Gisbelle also enjoys shopping at Queens Center Mall, rollerblading, exercising and using the computer. Queens Home For Prize Picture One of the most cherished, touching and well-known images snapped in the aftermath of the World Trade Center attacks is of the three New York City Firefighters carefully raising an American flag over the rubble of the Twin Towers – a gesture of hope and pride in the middle of desolate debris.
The
original print, first featured in the New Jersey daily newspaper the Bergen
Record and taken by the paper’s photographer Thomas Franklin, a
piece of American history, and has its home in the offices of Whitestone
pharmaceutical distribution company Kinray Incorporated. The
photo, which has been reproduced endless times and has become a symbol of
American strength after Sept. 11, was purchased by Kinray President Stewart
Rahr for between $8,000 and $9,000 during a Christie’s charity auction
of Sept. 11 memorabilia. The photo is signed by the photographer and three
firefighters pictured – Danny McWilliams of Long Island, Billy
Eisengrein of Staten Island, and Queens Firefighter George Johnson of
Rockaway. Kahr, who built a special room near the entranceway of his Whitestone office for the photo, has held several memorial services for fallen heroes in the wake of Sept. 11, and recently donated $25,000 to the families of four lost uniformed officers on the anniversary of the tragic day, stared at the photo recently and said, “Isn’t it great?” Star
Couple In Queens For 9-11
Actress Susan Sarandon and actor/hubby Tim Robbins spent the day at Squad 288 and Hazmat 1 in Maspeth on the anniversary of Sept. 11, offering their condolences to the friends, family and colleagues of the victims who perished in the attacks. The unit, which lost 19 firemen, was the hardest hit in the entire city.
Sarandon,
born Susan Abigail Tomalin, of Jackson Heights returned to Queens to join
firefighters in a time of remembrance.
Sarandon and Robbins have actively been involved in 9/11 tribute
events and on Memorial Day, held a special performance called “The Guys”
for victims of families and firefighters at Lincoln Center sponsored by the
AFL-CIO. Written
by Columbia University Professor Anne Nelson, the play is
“roughly-based” on true events about a fire captain that lost eight of
his men to Sept. 11 and seeks the help of a journalist, played by Sarandon,
in writing the eulogy for the men.
At
exactly 8:46, all 343 names of lost firefighters and EMT personnel were
called over the loudspeaker of the Maspeth Firehouse.
After the salute, Sarandon and Robbins joined families and the
firefighters for a breakfast of eggs, potatoes, pancakes, and french toast. Jerry
& Jessica
Favorite Queens College Alum Jerry Seinfeld, 48, is going to be adding to his comic repertoire — in approximately nine months. According to published reports, Seinfeld’s wife Jessica Sklar, 31, a former PR rep for Tommy Hilfiger, is pregnant with their second child.
Seinfeld
has been busy with other parenting projects lately.
His new children’s book “Halloween,” is due out next month.
Also next month, Seinfeld’s behind the scenes documentary
“Comedian” — about the former sitcom star’s return to stand-up —
will be debuting in theaters.
According to published reports, Seinfeld himself funded the project. Seinfeld
is also shooting two more American Express commercials and returning to the
stand-up circuit shortly.
Old
Reporters...
Former
Conf contributor Tim McDarrah, now "VegasBeat"
scribe in the Los Vegas Sun, created a beaut for his new
readers when he concocted: ‘American Idol’s’ Clarkson for
president?’ McDarrah
reports, "More votes were cast for "American Idol” than for an
American President. "According to Fox Television, approximately 110 million votes were tallied for Kelly Clarkson or one of the other hopefuls during “American Idol’s” smash summer run. That’s more than the 103 million votes cast in the 2000 presidential election." God's Love & Jim Who knew being a city councilman could be so much
fun?
Jamaica Hills’ Jim Gennaro gave such a
good speech at the Jamaica Muslim Center at its Sept. 11 anniversary memorial
that three young boys from the audience asked him for his autograph —
separately.
One local pundit jokingly accused Gennaro, who had
once referred to himself to a QConf scribe as “the handsome
guy you spoke to the other day,” of paying the kids to perform the
flattering act in the presence of a reporter.
The requests however, seemed as sincere and
heartfelt as Gennaro’s speech.
He opened by saying “I’m home,” then saying
the phrase “This is my house” five times — in a row.
Several times he asked the audience if he can keep coming back to the
Muslim Center, to get filled with the “God love” the center’s members
give him.
They repeatedly shouted: “Yes!
Yes! Come back!”
It was quite a scene.
One person in the audience was expecting the councilman to run into the
crowd and start hugging everyone.
E-MAIL your items to: conf@queenstribune.com
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