Local leaders voted recently to take the “zip” out of a Department of Transportation (DOT) plan that could greatly reduce the number of parking spots available in private and municipal lots throughout the city. DOT officials are seeking approval for a zoning change that would set aside parking spots in the lots for “Zip Cars”, available to consumers through car […]
QCSB Launches Queens Library Grant Campaign
Queens County Savings Bank, a division of New York Community Bank, has pledged $100,000 to match funds that are donated to Queens Library Foundation. For every dollar that is donated to purchase new library books or fund critically needed programs, badly needed during these lean-budget times, Queens County Savings Bank will donate an equal amount, up to $100,000, to support […]
Queens Library Kicks Off 2010 Summer Reading Program
The Queens Borough Public Library kicked off Summer Reading 2010 last week with a fivestar extravaganza at the P.S. 111 schoolyard adjacent to the library’s Long Island City branch. Award-winning author Rita Williams-Garcia (Fast Talk on the Slow Track, Like Sister on the Homefront, Blue Tights) talked about her childhood in Queens and what reading means to her. Live performances […]
Vallone Scholarships Awarded To 23 High School Seniors
City Councilmember Peter F. Vallone Jr., former City Council Speaker Peter F. Vallone Sr. and members of the Astoria Civic Association on June 2 presented 23 high school seniors with scholarships conferred in memory of Judge Charles Vallone, father of Vallone Sr. and grandfather of Vallone Jr. This year’s Vallone Scholarship recipients, who gathered at Riccardo’s by the Bridge to […]
McCann’s Pub & Grill
McCann’s Pub and Grill is everyone’s favorite local pub, located on Ditmars Blvd. in Astoria. The secret lies in the generous portions of freshly made food, friendly service, a convivial crowd and nightly drink and food specials. Indeed after 12 years on the block, McCann’s offers warm Irish hospitality to all. McCann’s is a sports lovers’ paradise, with 18 screens […]
Perna Foundation Dinner And Fundraiser For Camp Program
The Perna Foundation for Kids held a special fundraiser on June 8, at Riccardo’s by the Bridge, 21-01 24th Ave. in Astoria to help sponsor its “Send a Kid to Camp” program that gives less fortunate inner city youths the opportunity to attend camp. The foundation, created by Albert Perna, also helps children and young adults achieve their goals through […]
Simotas, Maloney Campaign In Astoria
Aravella Simotas, a candidate for election to the state Assembly in the 36th Assembly District, and Congressmember Carolyn Maloney took to the streets on Sunday, knocking on voters’ doors in Astoria. Simotas has already personally knocked on close to 3,000 voters’ doors and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Simotas has raised more than $150,000 and has already been endorsed […]
World Cup Soccer Brings Queens Fans Together
The FIFA World Cup soccer tournament began on Friday, June 11, crowding Queens bars and restaurants with cheering fans. FIFA, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, holds the World Cup tournament once every four years. The first tournament took place at Estadio Centenario in Montevideo, Uruguay, on July 18, 1930. At the time, only four European sides–France, Romania, Belgium and […]
Klein: Forego Raises Or Fire Teachers
Schools Chancellor Joel Klein defended Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s decision to offer teachers no raises, while City Councilmember Daniel Dromm held a different viewpoint. The mayor announced he would eliminate planned two percent raises for teachers and principals for the next two years in order to avoid laying off more than 4,000 teachers. “Nobody likes to give no raises,” Klein said […]
Small Brush Fire Sparked In Powells Cove Park
York’s Bravest from Engine 295 & Ladder 144, 12-49 149 St., Whitestone, helps extinguish a brush fire at Powells Cove Park in College Point on June 8. The early evening fire broke out around 8:15 p.m. at 11th Avenue and 138th Street. A young man from College Point, who was skateboarding in the area, reported the fire. According to the […]