On August 8, Councilmember Peter F. Vallone Jr. attended the annual Senior Citizen/Special Populations Celebration Day at Astoria Pool. Vallone, who has attended the event each year he has been in office, presented Giuseppe Purich with the award for 2012 Outstanding Swimmer/Male Senior Citizen. The councilmember also learned to swim at Astoria Pool as a child. The swimming program, now in its 31st year and organized by the Department of Parks and Recreation, Community Board 1 and Catholic Charities, has been aiding seniors and the disabled since 1981. During July and August, it offers water aerobics, water ballet, instructional swimming and other classes to allow participants to take full advantage of the city’s pools.