On the brief side...

Present for the ribbon cutting for the renovated park were: Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe, Queens Borough President Helen Marshall, City Councilmember Eric Gioia, Congressmember Carolyn Maloney, District Manager of Community Board 1 George Delis and Queens Borough Commissioner Dorothy Lewandowski.

RENOVATED QBRIDGE PK. OPENS: Borough President Helen Marshall cut the ribbon last week at a ceremony r e o p e n i n g Queensbridge Park on the East River waterfront in Long Island City, marking the end of a $1.4 million renovation.

The ceremony took place at 41st Avenue and Vernon Boulevard, just north of the Queensborough Bridge. A new synthetic soccer field, volleyball courts and a picnic area were added to the huge recreational facility.

Marshall and City Councilmember Eric Gioia each secured $700,000 in grants to get the park rejuvenated. Besides the previously mentioned amenities, the new park also includes improved drainage, new paving, a new sprinkler system and new landscaping and pathways.

Marshall noted she has now provided a total of $60 million for upgrades and renovations since she became borough president in 2002.

The renovation comes at a time when other major improvements are being made along the East River in Long Island City. Silvercup Studios is building a major expansion to its famed studios there and last Thursday, Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced a massive affordable housing development will be built on the shoreline opposite Manhattan in Hunters Point, west of Queensbridge Park.

FLUSHING BUS STOP REINSTATED: Bus stop changes made two months ago in the Electchester section of Flushing on the QM 4 route have been terminated and original stops will be reinstated, lawmakers in the area announced.

In a joint announcement, Assemblymember Nettie Mayersohn (D-Flushing), state Senator Toby Ann Stavisky (D-Flushing) and City Councilmember James Gennaro (D-Fresh Meadows) said the previous stops at 69th Avenue and 164th Street and Jewel Avenue and 161st Street have been reinstated by the MTA and will be back in service in the next few weeks. Both are stops on the QM 4 eastbound route.

Mayersohn stated, "The new buses and upgraded service are welcome changes. Unfortunately, too many people were affected by the elimination of these stops. What may seem insignificant on a pedometer may in fact be very significant to the senior walking an extra two blocks or the early-morning commuter rushing to catch a bus."

Stavisky said, "As a member of the Senate Transportation Committee, I believe we must do all we can to encourage people to leave their cars at home and use public transportation.

"I thank the MTA for responding so quickly to the concerns of the community. The QM 4 bus stops will be returned to their original locations thanks to MTA's willingness to work with us to make sure that public transportation is efficient and convenient for everyone who relies on it."

TRAFFIC CONTROLAFTER 10 YEARS: It took 10 years of effort by Fresh Meadows resident Lillian Ptucha, but with the assistance of Assemblymember Mark Weprin (D-Little Neck) allway stop signs were installed at the intersection of 50th Avenue and 188th Street recently.

Ptucha first asked for the traffic controls about a decade ago. The city Department of Transportation finally acceded to her wishes after Weprin interceded on her behalf.

"It was a very dangerous intersection," Ptucha explained. "I would drive home from church and as I approached 188th Street on 50th Avenue, it was impossible to see the vehicles that were travelling on 188th Street."

Adding to the problem for Ptucha were six-foot high fences on both sides of the corner.

Weprin noted, "There was a long history of traffic accidents at that intersection. The new stop signs are gong to save lives."

RED CROSS TRAINING AVAILABLE: The American Red Cross in Greater New York has released its fourth Quarter 2006 Safety Preparedness Training Schedule. Everyone should take advantage of this unique opportunity, state Senator Malcolm A. Smith said.

Under the program, according to Smith (D-St. Albans), the program includes an array of life-saving courses for interested individuals, including the latest techniques in administering first aid, CPR and cardiovascular care.

"These flexible training courses and programs will give citizens the confidence to respond in emergencies with skill that makes a difference and saves lives," Smith said.

For information, call the Red Cross at 212-875-2222, or visit www.nyredcross.org.

HALLOWEEN ESSAY CONTEST: Assemblymember Ann-Margaret Carrozza (D-Bayside) is once again sponsoring a Halloween essay contest for students in grades 2 to 6 in her district.

"The essay should have a Halloween theme and can be a creative writing piece or an account of your favorite trick or treat experience," the lawmaker said.

District-wide prizes will be awarded to the winners in each grade, she said. All participants will receive New York State Citations of Merit. All entries must be submitted to Carrozza's office at 213- 33 39th Ave., Bayside by Halloween on Tuesday, October 31.

For more information, call Carrozza's office at 718-357-3588.