Q Confidential

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Q Confidential is edited by Michael Schenkler and Tamara Hartman. Contributors:
Nick Abadjian, Tom Allon, Steve Azzara, David Colby, Ira Cohen,
Marcia Moxam Comrie, Barbara Jarvie, Stephen McGuire, Mike Nussbaum, and Dee Richard.

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Photos By Steve Azzara

Models Of Queens
Queens' Victoria

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photo: Bill Brent

Victoria
College Pt.
Age: 18
Height:: 5’3"
Weight: 120
36,26,37

Victoria was born and raised in College Point of a Greek father and Italian mother. She has pride in her roots, but she considers herself an American.

From her father, she inherited a love of movies.

"My dad has raised me on the classics," said Victoria. Among her favorites are "Apocalypse Now," "Lawrence of Olivia," and "Goodfellas," a Queens mobster flick.

This led her to become a film major at Hofstra University, where she is a freshman. She also attended St. Francis Prep High School where she got into acting and set design.

Despite her age, she’s into going dancing at clubs and used to hangout at Metropolis in College Point before it closed down.

Among her favorite hangout places is Millennium, where she plays pool on Northern Boulevard, or she’ll wander Steinway Street in Astoria with her friends. "It’s more of a city-like atmosphere," said Victoria

She also spends time at Shenanigans on the Cross Island for Karaoke night. "I love singing to Karaoke even though I make a fool of myself."

Victoria stays in shape and admits, "I am a big workout person." She’ll do one hour of cardiovascular every day- jogging by the Cross Island or walking and then she’ll hit the free weights.

Unfortunately, part of keeping in shape involves cutting out the foods she adores. "I try to cut out chocolate but it’s hard. I’m a big chocolate fan."

Present Shopping

Bet you thought Bayside was just the name of a town in Queens. Wrong. It’s also the name of an up-and-coming band from Long Island. Surprised?

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Marginal Queens
holiday gift CDs:

A group called Bayside;
a singer, Michael Schenker?

So was a QConfer who noticed the band’s CD on the "local artist’s" rack while doing some holiday shopping. Curious, she picked up the band’s album "Long Stories Short," examined it and ultimately discovered that nothing but the band’s name had any connection to Bayside.

The melodic punk-style band formed a year ago and recently released their first album.

Anthony Raneri, singer/guitarist, the only Queens member, is from Glen Oaks, and told QConf, "We were driving around, looking for a name for the band, and we thought Bayside sounded cool."

According to baysiderocks.com there was actually another band named Bayside from Canada, but they broke up.

Their next show is at 8 p.m. on Dec. 23 at The Continental, located in Manhattan, not Bayside.

Strangely enough, as the QConfer continued her Queens-related shopping experience, she noticed a section for the musician Michael Schenker. Freaked out by the coincidences, she then left the store empty-handed.

Ghosts Of Christmas Present

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A Holliswood resident has redefined the American Christmas with a 7-foot model replica of the Twin Towers on the front lawn. The tiny monoliths proudly look over 214 Street and Hillside Avenue as a reminder of the tragedy that struck America on Sept. 11. At the base of the Twin Towers are small model Christmas trees about four inches high. Meanwhile the rest of lawn is decorated with 2-foot high Christmas trees and lights. It seems that the biggest addition to Christmas this year might be to the color blue for an added patriotic touch. The resident also garnished a tree stump with red, white and blue flowers.
photo: Nick Abadjian

Yanks Queens Guy

The NY Yankees have signed a deal with Steve Karsay, offering big bucks to the middle relief pitcher who grew up in Flushing and pitched for Christ the King High School.

The newly inked deal is worth $21 to $22 million over four years.

Karsay, who grew up just minutes from Shea, made his pitching debut in New York against the Mets late last season after being traded to the Atlanta Braves from the Cleveland Indians as part of a package that included trash talking #7 train basher John Rocker.

"It’s always been my dream to pitch in Shea Stadium and Yankee Stadium," Karsay told reporters this week.

But the pride of Queens is no stranger to the stadium. He played there for Christ the King in 1990.

Queens Kid Gets 'VIP' Treatment

Born at St Johns Queens Hospital, actor Shaun Baker, who plays Quick Williams, a quick-fisted boxer turned weapons expert on the action series VIP, says he can relate to his character’s reputation as a fighter.

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Shaun Baker

Critics predicted the vehicle, in which Pamela Anderson plays the unlikely head of an elite, bare-midriffed bodyguard agency, would be ‘RIP’ after it’s first season. Syndicated audiences have proven them wrong. VIP weekly ranks among the highest rated syndicated programs-usually tied with another biggie, Baywatch.

Baker grew up in Rosedale and Harlem and made his Broadway debut at age 14 in Tommy Tune’s My One And Only. After moving to Los Angeles he landed roles in the movie House Party and series NYPD Blue and Chicago Hope.

Baker says he loves LA and admits that working on the show hasn’t hurt his love life - but he credits his Big Apple beginnings with giving him the knack for success.

"Growing up in New York, you have to learn very quickly how to handle yourself. Boxing and acting are a lot alike – it’s all about reacting. Somebody throws something at you, and you react to it."

 

Confidentially New York . . .

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E-MAIL your items to: conf@queenspress.com