Queens Gazette

Choke Hold On Astoria

BY JOHN TOSCANO — 05/07/2008

Arguing that Astoria already has its share of power plants and polluted air, the area's elected officials and community organizations joined last Saturday to strongly protest construction of a new, 500- megawatt plant in this community which, they charged, will add more smog to the atmosphere.

Gazette Calendar Of Events

Calendar compiled by Susan Cleary — 05/07/2008

May 8 VE Day, Independence Day (Israel); May 9 Victory Day (Russia); May 11 Mother's Day; May 15 Independence Day (Paraguay), May 17 Armed Forces Day (U.S.); May 20 Independence Day (Cuba); May 26 Memorial Day (U.S.

Maltese Launches Series Of Cable TV Campaign Ads

05/07/2008

Getting an early start on his bid for re-election, state Senator Serphin Maltese has started running a campaign commercial on cable television stations throughout his state senate district.

Terrace Diner

By Teresa Barile — 05/07/2008

t he Terrace Diner celebrates its first year anniversary this week after extensive renovations that gave this eatery a fresh, bright, new look.

Senior Spotlight By John Toscano

05/07/2008

Despite opposition by some public officials and senior advocates, the city Department for the Aging (DFTA) has issued a controversial Request for Proposals (RFP) dealing with home delivered meals.

Editorial

05/07/2008

This coming Sunday, May 11, is the day when Americans pay homage to the one woman who made them what they are today- their mothers. This Mother's Day is especially significant when we consider that it was 100 years ago almost to the day that Mother's Day was first celebrated anywhere in the United States.

Need New Strategy

05/07/2008

To The Editor: Threats to the security of the world arise from Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Each and [the] others have a segment of their population so radicalized that they willingly blow themselves up in the name of Islam. This group has interpreted the Koran [as] legitimizing their barbarous acts.

McCain Is His Man

05/07/2008

To The Editor: Arizona Senator John McCain's 2008 Straight Talk Express has left the station and may take him to the White House as our next President. Senator McCain is not your typical stereotypical Republican. He is a profile in courage and an authentic American war hero, having served his country and survived many years of captivity as a prisoner of war in Vietnam.

Land Use Rally Set

05/07/2008

To The Editor: The Queens Civic Congress, an umbrella organization that represents some 100 civic and community associations throughout Queens County, is planning a rally in front of Queens Borough Hall (120-55 Queens Blvd., Kew Gardens) on Monday, May 12, from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Wants Action On Schools

05/07/2008

To The Editor: I hope that everyone involved with our public schools has enjoyed the "Spring Break" with their children and families. It is presently time for a clarion call to action.

Op- Ed

BY CONGRESSMEMBER CAROLYN B. MALONEY — 05/07/2008

Like millions of American taxpayers, I detest government fraud and waste. The United States is the largest purchaser of goods and services in the world, spending more than $419 billion on procurement awards in 2006 alone. Unfortunately, fraudulent contractors for many years have found the federal treasury to be an easy target.

Brown Salutes 114th Pct., Community At Breakfast

BY RICHARD GENTILVISO — 05/07/2008

Queens District Attorney Richard Brown reaffirmed the importance of a strong bond between the police and community. "The relationship that exists between our communities in Queens and our police really makes Queens a special place to work and live," he said.

Water Tax Collections Out Of Control, Gennaro, Weprin Charge

BY JOHN TOSCANO — 05/07/2008

At a time when many New Yorkers are having trouble just trying to make ends meet, property owners should not be facing a 14.5 percent water rate increase so closely following the double digit rate increase imposed last year, two Queens councilmembers declared a a press conference at City Hall on Sunday.

News Of The Neighborhoods

COMPILED BY LIZ GOFF — 05/07/2008

Lawn Paving Nixed City homeowners who pave over their front lawns to create parking spaces will now find themselves on the wrong side of the law, thanks to a new zoning rule passed by the City Council on April 30. The new rule requires homeowners to maintain 20 to 50 percent of their front lawns as green spaces- more than 41,000 acres throughout the five boroughs.

U.S. Enters Space Age With Shepard Orbit In May 1961

05/07/2008

Get into a conversation with a long-time Queens resident and you're likely to discover a subscriber of the Long Island Star-Journal, a daily paper that informed the community about local and world news until it folded in 1968.

Onorato To Seek Re-Election To 12th Senate District Seat

05/07/2008

State Senator George Onorato (D-Astoria/Long Island City) on Monday announced his intention to seek re-election to the Queens senate seat he has held since 1983. "I am delighted to announce today that I am planning to seek re-election this November to the 12th senate district in Queens," Onorato said.

Crowley Attends Bill Signing Awarding Medal To Nobelist

05/07/2008

President George W. Bush signs H.R. 4286, conferring a Congressional Gold Medal on Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, during a ceremony Tuesday, May 6, in the Oval Office.

Two Queens Teachers Win Siemens Science Award

05/07/2008

The Siemens Science Teacher Awards recognize exceptional middle- and high- school science educators in public and private schools who go the extra mile to motivate and inspire their students. Some ten science teachers from the New York City metro area will be honored at a special awards ceremony at the New York Hall of Science on May 13- two of them are from Queens.

Thalia Theatre Bilingual Workshops For Children

05/07/2008

Thalia Spanish Theatre has begun its bilingual theatre workshop for children ages five to 14 which will incorporate mime, masks, puppetry, and theatre. The class is being taught by bilingual actresses/ instructors and will accommodate both Spanish and English-speaking children.

MLHS Has Summer Basketball Camps

05/07/2008

Martin Luther H.S. (MLHS), 60-02 Maspeth Ave., will be hosting the Cougar Basketball Camps for boys and girls in grades four to eight this summer. Campers will be grouped by age and ability level, and will work on individual skills and participate in games.

Breslin Reads From Good Rat At Jackson Heights Library

05/07/2008

More than 100 fans of Jimmy Breslin gathered in the Jackson Heights branch of the Queens Borough Public Library on Saturday, May 3 to greet Pulitzer Prize winning author/columnist Jimmy Breslin in a discussion and book signing following the release of his book,

Crystal Window & Door Systems Goes 'Green'

05/07/2008

Coinciding with Earth Day 2008, Crystal Window & Door Systems recently completed a comprehensive survey of its environmentally friendly corporate practices and initiatives for the national manufacturer's main New York headquarters and production facility.

Quinn Discusses Taxes, Health Care With LICBDC

BY THOMAS COGAN — 05/07/2008

City Council Speaker Christine Quinn addressed the April breakfast meeting of the Long Island City Business Development Corporation, held at the Water's Edge restaurant. After getting an introduction from Councilmember Eric Gioia, Quinn discussed taxation, health care and other matters of interest to small businesses in the city.

O.S.S. Vol Members To Receive Bronze Star

05/07/2008

In February 1943 at the height of the Second World War, the Greek Government in Exile sought help from the U.S. military in support of the Greek resistance against the German occupation. The Office of Strategic Services (O.S.S.

Hellenic-Americans Join 2008 Armenian Genocide Memorial

05/07/2008

The Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA), together with the Pan-Pontian Federation USA and CANADA, joined the Armenian Genocide Commemorations in City Hall and in Times Square, New York in remembrance of the Armenian Genocide of 1915 by Turkey.

Can Middle Class Afford Hunters Point South?

BY THOMAS COGAN — 05/07/2008

The latest meeting about the proposed Hunters Point South housing project that is supposed to cover the peninsula where Newtown Creek and the East River meet was held shortly after the city sanctioned the uniform land review process

Nobel Prize Winner Opens Bank In Jackson Heights

BY THOMAS COGAN — 05/07/2008

Muhammad Yunus, the Bangladeshi founder of the Grameen Bank and with the bank the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006, was present in Jackson Heights Friday, April 25 to officiate at the formal opening of the first branch of Grameen America.

Weiner To Co-Chair Bi-Partisan Caucus On Middle Class

BY JOHN TOSCANO — 05/07/2008

At a time when the middle class citizens in the United States are facing greater financial challenges than ever before, according to Congressmember Anthony Weiner,

Fed Ex Is Hot-Button Item At Delis' Last Cabinet Meeting

BY THOMAS COGAN — 05/07/2008

George Delis, the only district manager Community Board 1 has ever had, announced last month that he is retiring, so when his last cabinet meeting was held at Kaufman Astoria Studios in April he was a bit nostalgic, but not for long.

Delis Says Farewell To 114th Community Council

BY RICHARD GENTILVISO — 05/07/2008

George Delis was honored and Lucille Hartmann was cheered. Delis is retiring next week and Hartmann is the prospective new District Manager of Community Board 1. "[Delis] does so much for the community. I'm sure he's crossed everybody's path in 31 years as district manager," Ann Bruno, president of the 114th Precinct Community Council said.

Community Boards Face Budget Cuts

BY RICHARD GENTILVISO — 05/07/2008

Schools have auctions and flea markets. Libraries sell donated books. This kind of fundraising can help with budget shortfalls. Eight years ago, Community Board 1 voted to have an annual street fair to help raise expense money for their office.

Socrates Sculpture Park Spring Summer Fall 2008

05/07/2008

The following fitness, education, public programs and events are free, and fun- go to the park at 32-01 Vernon Blvd., LIC; 718.956.

Ravenswood Lions Club Celebrates 50th Anniversary

05/07/2008

Members of the Lions Club of Ravenswood gathered at Riccardo's by the Bridge, 21-01 24th Ave., Astoria on April 12 to celebrate the club's Golden Anniversary.

Astoria/LIC Kiwanis Pins' New Members

05/07/2008

On Wednesday, April 23, the Astoria/Long Island City Kiwanis held their monthly meeting at Ponticello's Ristorante. President Tony Siano was very happy to pin two of their newest members, Laura Jean Hawkins and Julie Wager. On that same evening, Siano presented a check to Joseph DiPietro, president of the Federation of Italian American Organizations of Queens, Inc.

Local Woman Turns 100 On Mother's Day

05/07/2008

Alice Font Vazquez, shown at her home of 51 years in the Upper Ditmars neighborhood of East Elmhurst, will celebrate her 100th birthday on Mother's Day, May 11.

Botanical Garden Celebrate Arbor Day

BY DAN MILLER — 05/07/2008

BY DAN MILLER On Friday morning, May 2, more than 1,000 public school children, including many from Queens' schools, joined Queens Borough President Helen Marshall and City Councilmembers John Liu, Peter Vallone Jr. and James Gennaro to help the Queens Botanical Garden celebrate its 33rd Arbor Day.

The Pulpit

Compiled by Susan Cleary — 05/07/2008

Times and dates are subject to change. Please call event sponsors to confirm. May 11 Pentecost (Christian); May 20 Wesak (Buddhist); Jun. 1 Jerusalem Day (Jewish); Jun. 5 Ascension (Orthodox), Jun.

St. Robert Bellarmine Parish Plans 3rd Annual Golf Outing

05/07/2008

St. Robert Bellarmine H SAwill hold their third annual Monsignor John B. Lavin Golf Outing on Monday, May 19 at Harbor Links Golf Course, One Fairway Dr., Port Washington, New York. Proceeds will help to enhance the school's media center and cafeteria.

Mother's Day Tribute: Wish She Were Here

W BY WALTER KANER — 05/07/2008

(Walter Kaner wrote the following tribute to his mother, which we reprint each Mother's Day. Although Kaner has passed away, we feel it is a touching tribute to all mothers on Mother's Day W and reprint it now in his name.

Astoria Park Is Rest Stop On Five Borough Bike Tour

05/07/2008

Astoria Park was transformed into a sea of cyclists on Sunday, May 5 as it served as a rest station during the Five Borough Bike Tour. Participants, who numbered 30,000 strong, stopped for refreshments and a few moments' rest before continuing on their way to the remaining boroughs and the closing festivities.

Mets Launch Community Volunteerism Initiative

05/07/2008

The New York Mets on Sunday, May 4 announced the launch of TeamMets, a community volunteerism initiative that uses the appeal of the Mets and their players to encourage fans to join the team in helping others.

LIC YMCA Men's Spring Basketball League

05/07/2008

A Division B Division North South LIC YMCA Co-ed Softball League