CB 11 Hears About Teen Internship Opportunities, Approves Douglaston Home Upgrade

Local youths will have the opportunity to intern with neighborhood institutions such as the and this summer through a Queensborough Community College program.

The Bayside school’s Teens College will run from July 9 through Aug. 16, said Jacqueline Montgomery, the program’s coordinator, at Monday’s Community Board 11 meeting.

“Our instructors have special expertise in the courses they teach,” she said. “Our leadership classes are all about teamwork and our entrepreneurship class will teach kids to create their own business.

Montgomery said the summer program incorporates a “STEAM” approach – science, technology, engineering, arts and math.

“It’s a wonderful framework to teach kids just about anything,” she said.

This year’s internships and volunteer opportunities include APEC, National Art League and the Kupferberg Holocaust Center.

At Monday’s meeting, CB 11 also held a hearing for a proposal to construct a home in the bed of a mapped street in Douglaston.

Attorney Mitchell Ross said the Schindler family wanted to enlarge their 8,900-square-foot home on Depew Avenue.

“It was never built to be a full-time residency,” Ross said “The neighborhood was subdivided and large stately homes were built. This little cottage is a bit of a stepchild.”

The Schindlers’ plan involves enlarging the home by raising it to street level and creating a second story, but maintaining the house’s landmarked front façade.

Joan Rose, a Depew Avenue resident, turned out to support her neighbor’s home upgrade.

“We are full in support of what they are going to do,” she said. “It will only improve the neighborhood.”

CB 11 voted unanimously to approve both of the family’s construction requests.

The proposal will now go before the city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission.

Captain Ng, of the 111th Precinct, gave board members an update on a .

“The precinct has experienced a slight crime increase, especially cars being broken into,” he said. “People should not leave their wallets or credit cards in their vehicle, even for a short period of time. All it takes is a few seconds for someone to break into your car and steal your property.”