On the brief side...
Fed OK's Spitzer's Food Stamp Effort

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) acceding to a request by Governor Eliot Spitzer, has expanded access to the Food Stamp program for low-income families in New York, the governor announced.

The USDA has approved Spitzer's Working Families Food Stamp Initiative, allowing New Yorkers to waive complicated enrollment requirements, such as a face-to-face interview between applicants and a state worker at a social service office, which can be difficult for someone working full time.

Spitzer said that besides this waiver, the USDA action "allows recipients to begin saving and put money toward other important priorities without jeopardizing their continued eligibility for Food Stamps".

With the program changes, the governor said, program benefits will be expanded to as many as 100,000 additional households, or more than 200,000 people throughout the state in the course of the next 18 months. The changes will also bring more than $200 million in additional federal funding into the state economy annually, Spitzer said. New Hours For Issuing Sanit Violations

Mayor Michael Bloomberg recently signed legislation establishing two one-hour periods for issuing certain Sanitation violations for residences and increasing the types of violations that the Sanitation Department can issue only during these hours.

The new law establishes two residential enforcement periods, 8 to 9 a.m. and 6 to 7 p.m. Under the legislation, the department may issue summonses only if residents fail to maintain their sidewalks in front of their premises, the areas behind any fences and property lines and 18 inches from the curb into the street in front of their premises during these two one-hour periods. Comrie Urges Flood Victims To Seek FEMA Aid

City Councilmember Leroy Comrie (D- Jamaica) alerted Queens residents who were severely affected by the August 8 floods that he deadline to apply to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for disaster assistance is Tuesday, October 30.

To register, call FEMA toll free at 1-800-621-FEMA from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. for information on registering, or visit the FEMA disaster assistance service center in Queens, located at the Tzu Chi Foundation, 137-77 Northern Blvd., Flushing. Weiner Says $13.5 M Heating Aid Available

The Low Income Heating Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides federal funding to help seniors and low-income families pay for their heating costs. Any household that makes below 150 percent of the poverty line, or about $20,000 a year, is eligible to receive it.

Congressmember Anthony Weiner (D- Queens/Brooklyn) says the average benefit comes to about $340. He advises seniors and heads of low-income households to call their local lawmaker or senior center to find out how to apply for it. Monserrate Gets $100 G For VAC

City Councilmember Hiram Monserrate, Corona Volunteer Ambulance Corps representatives and community leaders recently unveiled two new ambulances for use in the community. The vehicles were purchased with $100,000 that the lawmaker secured from the City Council.

Corona is one of the fastest-growing neighborhoods in the city, according to Monserrate, and the new ambulances will help to ensure that every resident has access to quality health care. Names Begin Expiring From Do-Not-Call Registry

Assemblymember Audrey Pheffer (D- Rockaway) advises that names and phone numbers on the National-Do-Not-Call Registry, which was created in 2003, will begin expiring in 2008. No notification will be sent out, so telemarketers, who at present are prohibited from calling numbers on the list, will no longer be blocked from calling expired numbers.

United States Senator Charles Schumer (D- New York) has announced legislation to amend the original law to prevent the list from expiring after five years. Governors Support Afterschool Programs

Governor Eliot Spitzer and 16 other governors have issued proclamations supporting Lights On Afterschool, the only nationwide rally for afterschool programs.

This year, Lights On Afterschool marks the kickoff of a year-long celebration of the 10th anniversary of 21st Century Community Learning Centers, the chief federal funding stream for afterschool programs. The effort is designed to ensure that all children have access to quality afterschool programs. Liu, Benepe Dedicate Korean War Vets Memorial

The new Korean War Veterans Memorial in Kissena Park, Flushing, which honors members of the U.S. military services who fought in the Korean War, was dedicated recently by City Councilmember John Liu (D- Flushing) and Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe.

Liu hailed President Andrew Musumeci of the Korean War Veterans Memorial Association for the group's efforts to create the memorial. Also cited were the Republic of Korea, Community Board 7 Borough President Helen Marshall, Congressmember Gary Ackerman, state Senator Frank Padavan and former Assemblymember Brian McLaughlin and his successor, Rory Lancman. Mayor, Marshall Open New Botanical Garden Building

Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Borough President Helen Marshall and Queens Botanical Garden Director Susan Lacerte recently joined in the official opening of the new, award-winning, environmentally friendly $20.3-million Botanical Garden Visitor and Administration Building.

Marshall secured more than half the funds which paid for the construction. The "green" design of the structure includes three working roofs which have photovoltaic panels that capture the sun's energy and rain for water use and provide space for plantings. The building also has a geothermal heating system.

- Compiled by John Toscano