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....October 20, 1:46 PM |
| St. John's Salsa
Arlene Pena
Richmond Hill Age: 19 Height: 5’5" Weight: 125 Stats: 36-24-30 NYPhotoByNick Dancing into the spotlight from Richmond Hill, Arlene has been a fixture in modeling since 2002. “I get to express myself artistically,” she said. “I’ve never been nervous in front of a camera because I’ve been performing since the age of 12.” Currently a dance instructor for Hart to Hart Entertainment, Arlene flourishes as a salsa dancer that can move on the floor. “I can break it down,” she says. With Hart to Hart, she teaches kids and couples how to dance for their Sweet Sixteens and weddings. Arelene’s main goal is to start her own entertainment company that allows for “all angles of media,” including modeling, dancing, music and other forms of artistry. More than just a pretty face in front of a camera, Arleen is pursuing a Communications degree at St. John’s University. She is also a double minor in film and business. She said she enjoys attending St. John’s and feels that she is receiving her money’s worth on a good education. Currently living in an apartment she shares with some of her SJU co-eds, Arlene has taken a big liking to the borough of Queens. She loves going to the different dance clubs around the city. “I’m actually thinking about moving here indefinitely,” she said. “I love the fact that you could go to Jamaica Estates, where it’s peaceful and quiet, and then you can go to Jackson Heights or Jamaica Avenue, where it’s lively like Manhattan. It’s the best of worlds.” |
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| Poker Face
In a recent business story on Queens-raised corporate raider Carl Icahn, Time magazine recounted a story he told about gambling in Las Vegas.
“He was at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas a few months ago and played poker with professional gamblers. In a $40,000 game, he wound up as one of two players left in a hand of seven-card stud. Icahn had two pair; his opponent was showing four to a straight. “The pro tipped off Icahn that he had seen his cards and said that because Icahn was an amateur, he felt obliged to tell him so. The pro then bet the table max: $4,000. Icahn, who had been about to fold, announced to the table, ‘I learned a long time ago that in big business and big poker, there ain’t no nice guys,’ and called the bet. His two pairs prevailed.” Icahn, who has wheeled and dealed his way through corporate America, making himself a millionaire many times over, began his corporate ventures with money he won in the Army – playing poker. |
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| Romano Vs. Drescher
Hillcrest High school classmates Fran Drescher and Ray Romano may now be two of the most recognizable comedy faces in the country, but if you asked the former star of The Nanny, she would tell you it wasn’t always that way.
Drescher was recently quoted on the Softpedia Web site as saying Romano was a bit on the dorky side when it came to high school popularity. She said (and readers can do it in her unforgettable voice), “Ray was not even cool back in those days. He wasn’t popular, he wasn’t cool and now he’s like so popular and everything.” The Nanny could be right, as she has been in the past when she was told to lose her distinct Queens accent. She refused and became famous for the nasal twang. On the other hand, she could just be ticked off at all of Romano’s Emmy Awards – she has been nominated twice but never won, where as Romano has won for his acting and for his show. |
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| Rafer Alston's Next Chance
From the courts of Cardozo High School in Bayside to the NBA, Rafer Alston has been a presence in basketball for a long time. Problem is that much of the time he is more a presence because of his attitude rather than his skills.
A trade from the Toronto Raptors to the Houston Rockets is sure to make the point guard, who many consider “hot-headed,” a happy man. The move comes after Alston, 29, was involved in several controversies last year. He threatened to quit the team and the NBA and was suspended for two games by the Raptors after he walked out during a practice. He regularly quarreled with head coach Sam Mitchell and to many in the Raptor’s organization was an all-around pain in the neck. Yet the NBA’s Web site still calls Alston a “playground legend” while he was playing as a child in Queens. Let’s hope the Rockets have lots of patience, otherwise this schoolyard legend could be headed to the Principal’s office. |
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| Shedding His Old Image
Laurelton-born rapper and actor LL Cool J, a hip-hop veteran, has been rather vocal recently about his views of today’s music. He feels that the gangsta end of rap music is being over-marketed and giving the genre a bad reputation.
“I think that message-wise, it’s lacking balance. A lot of people get the wrong idea about what hip-hop is all about, because you really only get one side of it promoted continuously, which is the more aggressive, gangster end of it,” said Cool J. “So many people who are not really used to rap or don’t know anything about it think that’s all there is.” While widening his audience with a successful movie career,Cool J has matured from his former cocky, muscle-bound image. After busting out lyrics like “I’m rocking my peers, puttin’ suckers in fear, makin’ the tears rain down like a monsoon, listen to the bass go boom” from his early ‘90s hit Mama Said Knock You Out, Cool J's music has evolved into a smoother R&B flavor. Just keep the Kangol hat, okay? |
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