Models Of Queens
Birdman Of Sunnyside

Jae
Home: Sunnyside
Age: 36
Height: 5' 9"
Weight: 165
Shirt: 33/34
Waist: 29
Neck: 16
Suit: 42
UModels.com

Light flooded the Sunnyside apartment, a warm breeze billowed the white curtains, and Jaeder Oliveira laughed at the question of the stresses of modeling.

A private personal trainer, a sometimes waiter and a haircutter for fashion models, modeling isn’t Jae’s full-time work, and he says that’s the best way to model.

“When you don’t use it as a full-time job, the work flows,” he explained in his Brazilian accent.

He also advised people hoping to break into the business that they need to “keep an open mind, be open to all offers,” but if they decide to do a shoot – with their clothes on or their clothes off – they need to feel comfortable with the situation and they’ve got to go into the interview with confidence. “The whole thing is energy,” according to Jae.

Jae lives in Queens — with his parrots Algeria and Oliver and his dog Ceejae – because of his quiet, peaceful neighborhood. He enjoys the serenity he finds in Sunnyside and the short subway ride that takes him to the City.

As for staying in shape, the handsomely chiseled Jae doesn’t go for bulging veins and muscles or chemical help.

“Don’t worry about your body that much,” this trainer advises, “I don’t believe in anything that is low-fat or low-sugar . . . It’s healthy to have a little fat in your body.”

He leaned back and laughed again, “You only live once, you have to have fun in your life. Moderation is the key to everything.”

Driving Mr. Mussolini

If you look really carefully next time you’re driving around Maspeth, you might just see a piece of automotive history.

 Frank Ferrante, the CEO of Ferran Enterprises, a planning and construction company in Maspeth, owns the world’s only 1942 Fiat Bertone sports car designed specifically for Italian dictator Benito Mussolini.

According to historians, Mussolini loved the Italian sports car, and drove it around the countryside with his mistress constantly. The Ferrari company built the car specifically for Mussolini, who gave it to his mistress, Clara Patacci. After the dictator’s death in 1945, the silver car was impounded to be auctioned off at a later date. That later date was 1969, and strangely enough, the car was auctioned off to Glen Oaks resident Vincent Sorgie.

Local newspapers coverage aroused the interest of Ferrante, a lover of classic cars. He finally bought the gem for a mere $2,500 in 1991. He proceeded to restore it, and after years of searching for parts, he will unveil the final product in August. The Fiat is currently worth an estimated $650,000.

“Oh yeah, it’s a beautiful car,” Ferrante said. “It’s my baby. I love that car. I love the history of it. I got it for such a low price . . . such a steal. I don’t drive it often, but when I do I feel like James Bond.”

Ferrante, an extremely successful and respected Italian immigrant, collects many classic cars, calling the hobby his life’s “passion.” Eventually, he wants to open a small car museum, starring the Fiat, so he can share his collection with all of Queens and beyond. He does plan to charge admission, but will give 50 percent of the profit to charity.

“Hey, I want to show off my cars,” Ferrante said. “I work hard on them, you know? And if I give to charity, I can help people at the same time. Sounds good to me.”

Tanks!

No, it wasn't Queens, but it was on Maspeth Avenue. It's this weekend's implosion of the Brooklyn tanks, shot by  Queens Tribune photo editor, Ira Cohen. We thought we'd share the memories.
photos: Ira Cohen

Root For The Home Boys

The Kings of Queens, last year’s boys of summer for our Borough, are sadly gone. Now, The Brooklyn Cyclones fill the minor league slot for the Mets.

Brooklyn or not, it was one of Queens’ own who made his debut at Keyspan Ballpark as the Big Apple’s newest minor leaguers battled it out on the diamond in a bi-state baseball battle.

On June 29, Queens-born Jesse Roman played in a game on a New York ballfield for the first time since he graduated from Molloy High School in 1997.

Roman, a first-baseman and outfielder for the New Jersey Cardinals, was pumped up about the chance to play in the newly constructed Brooklyn ballyard.

In published reports, Roman said the whole thing was “a dream come true.”

A Molloy superstar, Roman was a member of the All City Team as well as a two time All-Borough pick under legendary coach Jack Curran.

Seinfeld Encore?

It’s been three years since Seinfeld went off the air, and recently, TV Guide begged the Queens College alum and new father to come back to television.

“In reruns, it’s still the best comedy on TV,” said writer Matt Roush, who believes Seinfeld is still master of the comedy domain. “Since Jerry Seinfeld walked away from the classic comedy,” he said, “TV has had plenty of nothing. Too much, in fact.”

While Seinfeld himself has been sketchy about his future plans, his former castmates have been keeping busy. Julia Louis Dreyfuss and Jason Alexander will each be starring in their own series next year, which hopefully will fare better than Michael “Kramer” Richards’ ill-fated NBC sitcom from last season, cancelled after only a handful of episodes.

Taking that into mind, when asked at a recent stand-up comedy performance if he would ever consider bringing the classic series back for one more season, Seinfeld deadpanned “That’ll be a possibility – once all four of our careers are in the toilet!”

Confidentially New York . . .

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