Congressman Gary Ackerman, a member of the House Banking Committee which has oversight over the financial markets, ringing the NASDAQ’s opening bell this past Friday, September 13th.     Along with the photo we received written notice from Ackerman's Press Secretary Jordan Goldes that: "The market closed up nearly 12 points Friday."    Jordan, if Gary gets credit for making the market go up, we have a couple of bells we'd like him to ring!
Photos By Steve Azzara - steveazzara.com

Gisbelle
Home: Flushing
Age: 14
Height 5’3”  

Flushing native Gisbelle certainly isn’t new to the world of modeling – she’s been at it since age six, when her mom entered her into a number of beauty pageants.

Her modeling career really got going at age 12 when she was asked to be photographed for some catalogs.

Gisbelle doesn’t mind seeing herself in print but expressed an interest in getting on the runway even though she doesn’t have the height for it, she said.

Of modeling, the energetic young Queensite said, “I love it. There are so many people that are gonna say things about it, but it’s the best thing.”

Gisbelle explained that she draws inspiration from her favorite models including superstars Heidi Klum, Tyra Banks and Nikki Taylor.

Although a big modeling career may be on the horizon, Gisbelle has her feet on the ground and is a student at LaGuardia Middle School, where she is taking classes in history, science, art and English.

When she’s not busy modeling or studying – “I study a lot,” Gisbelle said – you might find her enjoying the day at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park.

Her favorite Flushing Meadows Park spots include the Queens Museum of Art, the Queens Zoo and the Unisphere.

Gisbelle also enjoys shopping at Queens Center Mall, rollerblading, exercising and using the computer.

Queens Home For Prize Picture 

One of the most cherished, touching and well-known images snapped in the aftermath of the World Trade Center attacks is of the three New York City Firefighters carefully raising an American flag over the rubble of the Twin Towers – a gesture of hope and pride in the middle of desolate debris.

The original print, first featured in the New Jersey daily newspaper the Bergen Record and taken by the paper’s photographer Thomas Franklin, a piece of American history, and has its home in the offices of Whitestone pharmaceutical distribution company Kinray Incorporated.

The photo, which has been reproduced endless times and has become a symbol of American strength after Sept. 11, was purchased by Kinray President Stewart Rahr for between $8,000 and $9,000 during a Christie’s charity auction of Sept. 11 memorabilia. The photo is signed by the photographer and three firefighters pictured – Danny McWilliams of Long Island, Billy Eisengrein of Staten Island, and Queens Firefighter George Johnson of Rockaway.

Kahr, who built a special room near the entranceway of his Whitestone office for the photo, has held several memorial services for fallen heroes in the wake of Sept. 11, and recently donated $25,000 to the families of four lost uniformed officers on the anniversary of the tragic day, stared at the photo recently and said, “Isn’t it great?”

Star Couple In Queens For 9-11

Actress Susan Sarandon and actor/hubby Tim Robbins spent the day at Squad 288 and Hazmat 1 in Maspeth on the anniversary of Sept. 11, offering their condolences to the friends, family and colleagues of the victims who perished in the attacks.  The unit, which lost 19 firemen, was the hardest hit in the entire city.

Sarandon, born Susan Abigail Tomalin, of Jackson Heights returned to Queens to join firefighters in a time of remembrance.  Sarandon and Robbins have actively been involved in 9/11 tribute events and on Memorial Day, held a special performance called “The Guys” for victims of families and firefighters at Lincoln Center sponsored by the AFL-CIO.  Written by Columbia University Professor Anne Nelson, the play is “roughly-based” on true events about a fire captain that lost eight of his men to Sept. 11 and seeks the help of a journalist, played by Sarandon, in writing the eulogy for the men. 

At exactly 8:46, all 343 names of lost firefighters and EMT personnel were called over the loudspeaker of the Maspeth Firehouse.  After the salute, Sarandon and Robbins joined families and the firefighters for a breakfast of eggs, potatoes, pancakes, and french toast.

Jerry & Jessica

Favorite Queens College Alum Jerry Seinfeld, 48, is going to be adding to his comic repertoire — in approximately nine months.  According to published reports, Seinfeld’s wife Jessica Sklar, 31, a former PR rep for Tommy Hilfiger, is pregnant with their second child.

Seinfeld has been busy with other parenting projects lately.  His new children’s book “Halloween,” is due out next month.  Also next month, Seinfeld’s behind the scenes documentary “Comedian” — about the former sitcom star’s return to stand-up — will be debuting in theaters.  According to published reports, Seinfeld himself funded the project.

Seinfeld is also shooting two more American Express commercials and returning to the stand-up circuit shortly.

Old Reporters...

Former Conf contributor Tim McDarrah, now "VegasBeat" scribe in the Los Vegas Sun, created a beaut for his new readers when he concocted: ‘American Idol’s’ Clarkson for president?’

McDarrah reports, "More votes were cast for "American Idol” than for an American President.

"According to Fox Television, approximately 110 million votes were tallied for Kelly Clarkson or one of the other hopefuls during “American Idol’s” smash summer run. That’s more than the 103 million votes cast in the 2000 presidential election."

God's Love & Jim 

    Who knew being a city councilman could be so much fun?

    Jamaica Hills’ Jim Gennaro gave such a good speech at the Jamaica Muslim Center at its Sept. 11 anniversary memorial that three young boys from the audience asked him for his autograph — separately.

    One local pundit jokingly accused Gennaro, who had once referred to himself to a QConf scribe as “the handsome guy you spoke to the other day,” of paying the kids to perform the flattering act in the presence of a reporter.

    The requests however, seemed as sincere and heartfelt as Gennaro’s speech.

    He opened by saying “I’m home,” then saying the phrase “This is my house” five times — in a row.  Several times he asked the audience if he can keep coming back to the Muslim Center, to get filled with the “God love” the center’s members give him.

    They repeatedly shouted: “Yes!  Yes!  Come back!”

    It was quite a scene.  One person in the audience was expecting the councilman to run into the crowd and start hugging everyone.