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....November 25, 6:19 PM |
| Stephanie Returns
Stephanie Rodriguez Home: Rosedale Age: 17 Height: 5’3’’ Weight: 100 lbs Stats: 32-24-32 Only a year ago, Rosedale’s eye-catching Stephanie Rodriguez graced this page, and in 12 short months the hardworking beauty has gotten more than her foot through the door. Between fashions shows and photo shoots, Stephanie has squeezed television and film auditions into her hectic high school schedule. She knew, though, that her childhood passion for dance and acting would be the key to opening the doors, she said. As a young girl, she got her first taste of film as an extra in “Stuart Little 2,” and believed it was only the beginning. Since being featured in QConf, Stephanie has found herself on the same set as Jamaica’s own hip hop star Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, for his new film “Get Rich or Die Trying,” where she appears in several scenes, including a key frame, as an extra. The most exciting time she had performing was in front of a television camera with AJ from BET’s “106 & Park” for the show’s New Year’s Eve taping, she said. “It was totally awesome. I love dancing and it was a pleasure working on this project,” said Stephanie. While modeling is certainly still on the top of her list, dancing and acting are her inspiring forces. “I have become more focused on acting and dancing as I’ve grown older, because it enriches my soul and every part of my being,” Stephanie explained. “I consider acting, dancing and modeling an art form because it transforms our emotions.” Stephanie said besides her parents who have taught her to always have determination and perseverance, QConf can also be thanked for filling up her calendar over the past year. “Once someone sees you have been featured in a newspaper and have a tear sheet, more doors are open,” she said. “I couldn’t believe how many people approached me after I was featured on the Queens Tribune. It was an awesome experience” |
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| Reporter's Journal
It’s no secret that reporters love to hear a good tip, but stories can involve some sort of confrontation – some stranger than others.
After recently finding out that a home in Oakland Gardens was having outdoor garage construction work done without approved plans, a reporter was dispatched to see what the bricklayers were up to. After being told that the owner wasn’t home, there were no work permits and no one around spoke English, a reporter began to photograph the house from the sidewalk and from across the street. Shortly after, a worker walked from the property, had a brief conversation with nearby landscapers and as the reporter packed away his belongings inside his car, several landscapers surrounded the car and used their blowers to cover the reporter’s car with leaves. As the reporter yelled one of the landscapers attempted to blow the leaves off the car, and as the reporter drove away the windshield wipers did a better job. As they say, payback’s a bitch and within the week, the Department of Buildings will be paying a visit to the site to see just how well that new garage is coming along. |
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| Ja Rule’s First Bat Mitzvah
Jamaica homeboy Ja Rule performed at his first Bat Mitzvah party in Miami last weekend.
The “coming of age” party was for 13-year-old Amber Ridinger, daughter of JR Ridinger, founder of Market America. Ja Rule performed “Livin’ It Up” and “Always on Time.” “I’m Uncle Ja,” the Jamaica rapper said. “I’m really here just to scare all the little boys, the little 13-year-old bad boys that try to hit on little Amber.” Singer Ashanti also performed at the extravagant party that is said to have cost nearly $1,000,000. The eighth-grader and aspiring fashion designer wore a $27,000 Dolce & Gabbana gown and debuted her line of rhinestone-studded club clothes, Gossip, via a runway show. (photo caption qconf2.jpg) Hollis' Ja Rule |
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| Top Of The Hill
Diatiema Hill, who averaged 10 points, seven assists and three steals a game for Francis Lewis High School last season, has signed a national letter of intent to join the University of Massachusetts women’s basketball team.
She currently ranks second in school history in steals, assists and three-point field goals made. She has helped to lead Francis Lewis to an 84-9 record the past three seasons combined. Hill, a 5-foot-8 guard, was named second-team All-City last year and was honorable mention All-City as a sophomore. She is also a two-time All-Queens selection by both Newsday and the Daily News. You can reach us by email at Conf@QueensTribune.com |
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| Imagin-Asian TV
Culinary showdowns on “Iron Chef” and re-runs of Bruce Lee flicks won’t be the only places New Yorkers will be seeing Asians on their television screens anymore. The often media-marginalized culture, by way of Time Warner Cable’s Ch. 560, will be transmitted into nearly 910,000 homes across the tri-state area.
Imagin-Asian TV CEO Michael Hong, who grew up in Queens, and who has seen the station reach Himalayan heights in Los Angeles, decided it was time to bring his creation back home. The network will carry series and films from around Asia and in several languages. For the monolingual Americans, there’s nothing to fret, all programs on the channel will have English subtitles and at times an English-speaking host. Imagin-Asian will even have exclusive series like “Uncle Morty’s Dub Shack,” an Asian-flavored show Hong describes as a mix between the Beastie Boys and “Mystery Science Theater 3000.” But don’t expect the network to be the equivalent to BET. “If they can tell the difference between a Korean-American and a Chinese-American, then [the channel] has done its job.” |
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| Crook Honored
Real estate mogul Thomas Kontogiannis had done some bad things in his life, but apparently he’s done some good as well. In both cases, it’s money that makes all the difference.
In 2002, Kontogiannis pleaded guilty to defrauding District 29 out of millions of dollars in a contract rigging and non-delivery scam involving computers. He didn’t serve any jail time but was ordered to pay restitution totaling $3.35 million. Apparently, he has also continued to give generously to several charities he didn’t steal from. One of those charities, the Cooley's Anemia Foundation of Flushing, honored Kontogiannis on Friday for his contributions to the cause. Even during the midst of his trial, Kontogiannis never lost his good humor, and has taught us, people are still willing to recognize a crook as long as he’s a really nice guy and writes checks. | |||||||||
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You
can reach us by e-mail at conf@queenstribune.com Fax to Conf (718) 357-0972 Or you can reach us by mail: "Confidential" 174-15 Horace Harding Expressway Fresh Meadows, NY 11365 |
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