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December 19, 2007 / Features

'Friends And Family' Benefits L.I. Ronald McDonald House

The 24th "Friends and Family", an annual holiday gala and festive day of activities to benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island, was held on December 9 at Astoria World Manor. More...

Iowa A Toss Up For Dems, But Huck Looks Like GOP Winner

BY JOHN TOSCANO

Heading into the last 15 days of the crucial Iowa caucuses campaign, it appears to us that Barack Obama may have missed an opportunity to move clearly past Hillary Rodham Clinton in the Democrats' race on his way to winning the January 3 caucuses. More...

Queens Students Explore Power Puzzle Challenge

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), an organization founded by inventor Dean Kamen to inspire young people's interest and participation in science and technology, brings its annual FIRST LEGO® League (FLL) season More...

$13 M+ Awarded To Schools In Sabini's Senate District

State Senator John D. More...

FIAOQ Holds Elections

On Wednesday, December 12, the Federation of Italian American Organizations of Queens, Inc. re-elected Joseph DiPietro as president and elected Joseph Gaeta as first vice-president and Jerry Iannece as second vice-president. More...

Christmas: A Sprig Of Mistletoe For The Occasion

BY LINDA J. WILSON T

The holiday known as Christmas arose in the fourth century A.D. as the Christian religion, still in its infancy, struggled for supremacy with the official Roman state religion, Mithraism. More...

Weprin, Others Bash East River Tolls Idea

BY JOHN TOSCANO

City Councilmember David Weprin, joined by other public officials and community leaders, spoke out loud and clear last week against imposition of tolls on the four East River bridges. More...

On the brief side...

Thompson: 'Boost NYC Anti-Terrorism Funds' Alarmed at plans in Washington to cut anti-terror funding for New York City, city Comptroller William C. Thompson Jr. called on President George W. More...

Owner Saves Her Pooch From Becoming A 'Pup-Sicle'

This will be a bright Christmas for Linda Herrera and her 5-year-old Golden Retriever, Rocky Hero. More...

Worker Retraining Program For Jobs In Redeveloped Willets Pt.

BY JOHN TOSCANO

Despite the continuing controversy between the Bloomberg mayoral administration and businessmen in Willets Point over the city's efforts to relocate them as part of a redevelopment plan, a city agency recently designated LaGuardia Community College More...

Post Office Hours For Christmas, New Year's Eve

The following post offices will be open December 24 and December 31, until 5 p.m.: Forest Hills, 106-28 Queens Blvd. Ridgewood, 60-60 Myrtle Ave. Kew Gardens Hills, 75-23 Main St. Flushing Main, 41-65 Main St. Jamaica Main, 88-40 164th St. More...

Chanukah Celebration At Borough Hall

Queens Borough President Helen Marshall celebrated the eighth night of Chanukah, Tuesday, December 11, outside Borough Hall with a menorah lighting before welcoming members of the Jewish community to a full program marking the eight-day observa More...

Food Pantries Need Holiday 'Cheer'

Food pantries throughout Queens are feeling a pinch this holiday season, as more and more families and seniors turn to the pantries and soup kitchens to help feed hungry mouths. More...

Van Driver Won't Face Crash Rap

BY LIZ GOFF

Queens prosecutors last week dropped child endangerment charges against the driver of a private van that ran into an MTA bus in Fresh Meadows on December 14. More...

Can't 'Beet' A Make-Ahead Gift

A gift of fresh-baked goodies is always appreciated as a holiday offering, and you can't "beet" the homemade charm of these delightful, make-ahead mini loaves. More...

Don't Forget To 'Winterize' Your Pets

Animal activists are reminding pet owners to winterize their furry friends against the hazards of the season by taking a few moments to review the following checklist to help keep their dogs and cats safe this winter: •Remember, your pet's f More...

Frozen Dessert Warms Holid ay Hearts

Old Man Winter's frigid chill is no threat to America's favorite dessert. No matter what the weather is outside, we love ice cream each and every day of the year. More...

Oh-So Easy Holiday Oatmeal Cookie Brittle

Prepare the most-talked about dessert at your next holiday gettogether without spending hours in the kitchen. More...

Police Seek Public's Aid In Nabbing Robbery Trio

COMPILED BY LINDA J. WILSON

Police are seeking the public's assistance in locating three black males wanted in connection with a robbery that occurred at approximately 6 p.m. on December 8 at 3-02 Astoria Blvd. in the confines of the 114th Precinct. More...

Borough-Wide Blotter

COMPILED BY LIZ GOFF

102nd Precinct Teacher Pleads Guilty For Statutory Rape A former Richmond Hill H.S. More...

Bus Line Service To Be Cut

It is not yet known how many buses will be removed from service but according to budgets cited in the Times, the MTA will save an average of $250,000 per day, or a total of $1.8 million a year. The MTA said it needs to increase revenues by 3.85 percent to

BY RICHARD GENTILVISO

Although the $2 fare has been saved, bus riders in Queens and throughout the city could be in for a longer wait during the holidays this year as the MTA is planning to reduce service. More...

Prayer Gets A Bike At 114th Precinct Christmas Party

BY THOMAS COGAN

Some of the speakers on the schedule at Community Board 1's cabinet meeting for December failed to show up on a damp day when snow was expected. More...

Most Precious Blood School Celebrates 50th Anniversary

On November 24, more than 500 people attended a festive evening event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Most Precious Blood parochial school in Long Island City. More...

Free Pre-K Seats Open For Kids Who Turn 4 By End Of Year

BY JOHN TOSCANO

Mayor Michael Bloomberg and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn have reached out to parents throughout the city, informing them that there are still free universal pre-kindergarten seats for children who turn 4 by December 31. More...

Visit Santa's Command Center

Legend has it that since 1931 Santa and his elves have relied on TV broadcasting equipment atop the Empire State Building to plan the reindeer's way around the world on Christmas Eve. More...

Bill To Allow Iraqi Refugees Into U.S. Passes House

BY JOHN TOSCANO

A bill designed to speed the processing of Iraqi people who are seeking refuge in the United States and to provide special immigrant status for those who rendered "faithful and valuable service" to the U.S. in Iraq has been passed by Congress. More...

New Parkway Hospital Has Toshiba CT Scanner

Lifestyles, habits, stress levels and family history all contribute to heart disease. Smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes and lack of physical activity add to these risk factors. More...

Commerce Bank Builds New Flushing Branch

Construction continues at the site of Commerce Bank's newest retail location in the new Queens Crossing building at Main Street and 39th Avenue in Flushing. More...

The Pulpit

Compiled by Susan Cleary

Times and dates are subject to change. Please call event sponsors to confirm. Astoria Center of Israel: •Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. Shabbat services, followed by Kiddush, 27-35 Crescent St.; 718.278.2680. More...

Elmhurst Hospital Holds 9/11 Forum

Elmhurst Hospital Center recently partnered with the Ecuadorian International Center and the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (NYCOSH) to raise awareness in the community about health care for 9/11 workers and volunteers. More...

15th Annual Athanasiades Scholarships Awarded

"If we multiply by 100,000 whatever we know about the Greek civilization, we might come close to the glory of the classical age and understand the tragedy from the destruction," said Carl Sagal. More...

Congress Passes AMT Tax Repeal; Ball Is Now InSenate's, Bush's Corner

BY JOHN TOSCANO

After three unsuccessful attempts to enact a middle class tax relief bill, House Democrats, with Republican support, passed a bill last week which provides a respite from the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) and also provides tax benefits for working More...