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....March 29, 4:36 PM |
| Welcome To It's Queens
Toris Okotie
Home: St. Albans Age: 18 Height: 5’7" Weight:155 lbs. www.musecube.com/toris Meet Toris Okotie, a chiseled 18-year-old import all the way from Nigeria. Just over three years ago, Toris left home and moved half way around the world—to St. Albans, of all places—to complete his high school education and work his way into an American university. He eventually graduated from Francis Lewis High School and entered Queensborough Community College, where he studies business administration. In many ways, Toris is just like the thousands of young immigrants who come to Queens for an education and a step forward in life. The difference, however, is that Toris is far more physically attractive than average, and he found a way to make his muscular physique and good looks pay off in modeling. Toris did some modeling back in Nigeria, but nothing as professional as the work he has found since moving to Queens. He has signed on with an agent, and finds frequent work in editorial fashion shoots and advertising campaigns. “Just this Saturday I did a photo shoot. It was a group photo shoot with two other models, an artistic shoot,” said Toris. His inviting visage can also be found in the online ads for an Internet dating service, though you won’t be able to actually meet him through the service — sorry girls. “It’s not really the people you’re going to talk to, it's models,” Toris admits of the deceptively alluring photos on the site. “It’s sort of fake, I guess.” Acclimating to life in Queens has been exciting and challenging for the young Nigerian, though the celebrated diversity of the borough made it easier for Toris to fit in, he says. “When I came to Queens, I was blown away, especially in my high school,” he said. “I was worried that I was going to be different, but everyone was from somewhere else. I fit in completely.” While the cultural complexity of Queens amazes him every day, the one thing Toris can’t quite get over is something most New Yorkers take for granted: Chinese take-out. “I had never had it before,” he explained of his new favorite food. “I don’t think I ever saw a Chinese person back in Nigeria.” “If you are talking about cultural difference, the best place to be is here,” Toris says. “Back in Nigeria, everyone is almost the same culture even though we speak 200 different languages back home.” |
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| Whacked
For the cast of “The Sopranos,” which films in Queens, eating is part of the job.
The cast put out The Sopranos Family Cookbook in 2002, and are constantly eating plates of pasta on the set. Yes, the cast is basically full of experts. So what do the experts think of fellow Queens television star Rocco DiSpirito’s restaurant Rocco’s On 22nd Street, the place that America watched on the reality show “The Restaurant”? In a word – “fuggetaboutit.” In a recent published report, Steven R. Schirripa, who plays Bobby (Baccala) Baccalieri , said with a laugh, “Rocco? C’mon. The guy’s Wonder Bread.” Jeez. But never fear, the Italian food loving Sopranos cast does like at least one Queens spot. Manducatis, a 27-year-old restaurant, was the setting for an early episode of the Sopranos, and according to the cast, the red sauce is legendary. And who’s gonna tell them they’re wrong? |
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| The Village People Hit Queens
Atlantis2010, the premiere gay nightclub of Jackson Heights, has an ever-growing patronage.
Everyone is welcome, said Nestor Romero, the club’s publicist and manager – even cops. Romero said police officers drop by frequently to inspect the club, making sure operations there are always on the up and up. Atlantis2010 is one of the only local clubs with a cabaret license which is prominently displayed for the skulking cops to inspect. But Romero noticed they kept coming back – and not necessarily for inspections. At least not inspections of that kind. Now, Romero estimates, police officers average about 10 percent of his customers. Apparently a number of off-duty cops have made Atlantis their new late night hot spot, a spot that boasts such theme nights like “Steamy Saturdays” and “Pumping Fridays.” Unfortunately, they aren’t allowed to wear their uniforms. |
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| Sinners Repent?
Praise the lord!
Despite a space shortage, St. John’s University is building a brand new church on its campus. The university claims it needed a new church – the old one wasn’t in the best shape. But maybe there’s another reason. Could it be the repeated cases of improper behavior by the college's sports stars? From the lacrosse team rape of 1995 to the recent rape accusation amongst the basketball team, St. John’s has routinely gotten negative headlines because of its, well, sins. So maybe the school decided to build a brand spankin’ new church to remind its players how to behave. Forget the NCAA – perhaps there is a higher authority. |
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| Intolerant, Are We?
Queens may be home to the City’s only all-inclusive St. Patrick’s Day parade, but that doesn’t mean all of its residents support gay people.
Just ask Jamaica native 50 Cent. “I ain’t into faggots,” was a comment the rapper made in an interview with Playboy magazine recently. He said he can’t be around gay people because he is not comfortable with what their thoughts are. Although 50 does not care much for homosexual males, he has no problem with lesbians. During the interview, he added that his mother was bisexual and that he remembered her having a girlfriend when he was eight. “She was real manly,” the rapper said. Okay. |
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| Love Is In The Air?
Don’t throw the rice just yet.
The gay marriage issue brought plenty of people to Queens for the all-inclusive St. Pat’s For All parade in Sunnyside, including this pair. But they’re not ready to walk down the aisle together. Although they look close here, Council Speaker Gifford Miller, the one on the left with the colorful sash, and Assemblyman Mike Gianaris, the one on the right with the lime green tie, are both as straight as can be. And although they are arm in arm here, they may not be on the issue. Miller said gays should be allowed to marry. Gianaris hasn’t said where he stands. Also walking in the parade was New Paltz Mayor Jason West, who’s married over two-dozen same-sex couples. The adventure continues. | |||||||||
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