News Of The Neighborhoods
COMPILED BY LIZ GOFF

New 'Satellite Precinct'

It's a dream come true for residents in Rosedale and neighboring communities - a new NYPD "Satellite Precinct" located in the southeast tip of the 105th Precinct.

Police officials opened the new substation at 242-40 North Conduit Ave. last week in an effort to boost response time in the 12.7- square-mile 105th Precinct, which has a current response time of 9.3 minutes- 33 percent longer than the citywide average.

"We want to improve police services, including response times in this geographically large precinct," Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said.

Local elected officials and area residents for years have been calling on the city to establish a new precinct or create a substation in the southern portion of the 105th Precinct.

Dairy Strike Ends A labor dispute at the Elmhurst/Honeywell Dairy was resolved last week, union officials said.

Management and workers at the Jamaica milk processing plant agreed on July 26 to a one-year extension of their previous contract.

Officials locked out more than 170 workers during the contract dispute, halting processing of 90 per cent of the city's milk and milk products at the Big Apple's largest processing plant- a move that forced retailers to purchase the products from out of state distributors.

'Summer Starts' At La Guardia Airport

Port Authority (PA) officials have established several summer programs at the airport's Central Terminal.

Through "Summer Starts Here", officials are offering a Customer Outreach Program, which gives air travelers an opportunity to participate in terminal sidewalk sales and "Coloring Stations" for youngsters. Children participating in the coloring program may ask to have their artwork displayed at terminals within the East Elmhurst airport.

As part of the "Ask Me" Customer Concierge Program, airport customer service agents will be on hand to disburse information and coupons good at more than 60 airport shops.

Both programs will run through Labor Day 2007, Port Authority officials said.

On Line For 'Power Of 10'

Dozens of wannabe contestants stood on winding lines last week outside the Kaufman Astoria Studio complex at 34th Avenue and 35th Street to take part in a taping of a new prime-time game show for CBS-TV called "Power of 10".

The show, hosted by Drew Carey, will give audience members a chance to participate to win a variety of prizes, producers said.

"Giving away prizes for a living is a pretty good gig," Carey said in a recent interview.

Alex and Margaret Celia said they didn't mind driving from Nutley, New Jersey to stand in the sweltering heat for hours for a chance to participate as contestants on the show.

"Who knows?" Alex Celia said. "It's worth the wait to get a chance to be a contestant."

CBS announced "Power Of 10" as part of its new fall lineup, but has not announced a time slot for the game show.

Heat's On Forest Hills Library

Steaming indoor temperatures cooked the books- and patrons- of the Forest Hills branch of the Queens Borough Public Library last week.

Patrons are fuming over 90-degree temperatures inside the branch at 108-19 71st Ave. which forced the cancellation of several children's programs and the rescheduling of some adult activities. Since July 19, library patrons have also been unable to return books and other items to the branch.

Officials posted a sign on the library entrance advising patrons of steamy conditions inside, and advising that fines and fees due on books and other items will be waived until the branch returns to normal operation.

Library officials said repair crews are waiting for a custom-made part on back-order with the manufacturer to repair the three-year-old air conditioning unit. Meanwhile, workers were able to start fresh air circulating through the system, officials said.

Queens Library spokesperson Joanne King said library officials regret steamy conditions at the Forest Hills branch.

"This is no fault of the library," King said. "It's just one of those things."

The Forest Hills branch was closed for more than three months last winter for renovations that included a computer center, a Children's Room, new flooring, furniture and assorted equipment.