2010-08-11 E-Edition

Racino Now, Real Casino Later?



An official from Genting, the Malaysian gaming company that’s in line to operate the racino at Aqueduct Race Track in Ozone Park, told a state senate hearing on Monday that his firm is already discussing the prospects of running a major casino, if legalized gambling ever is enacted in New York. According to a New York Post story, Jay Walker […]

Jackson Heights Lecture Draws Packed House



Is Jackson Heights sustainable? was the question posed by Arturo Ignacio Sánchez Ph.D at a presentation that addressed the economic crisis, changing demographics and the quality of life in that particular Queens neighborhood. Held at the Jewish Center of Jackson Heights, Thursday, August 5 at 7 p.m., the event was sponsored by the North Central Queens Working Families Party and […]

Colleague Conducts Polymathic Investigations



One of the very nice side benefits of teaching at St. John’s University, the second largest Catholic university in the country, is the vast variety of people you meet. Having the opportunity to teach students from all over the world is not only a challenge but a blessing. Through all my years at the University I also have been blessed […]

APAC Celebrates 10th Season With Plays, Musicals



The Astoria Performing Arts Center (APAC) announces its 10th anniversary season, featuring the four-time 2010 Innovative Theatre Award-nominated play, “MilkMilkLemonade” by Joshua Conkel, and Galt (“Hair”) MacDermot’s musical, “The Human Comedy” as the mainstage productions. Both works explore the idea of “home” from a uniquely American perspective. As Artistic Director Tom Wojtunik stated, “Both are coming-of-age stories set in ‘traditional’ […]

Afghanistan Holds Riches In The Midst Of War



Some geologists are heroes. That was the thought that came to my mind when I read of what Afghan geologists had done during the long and difficult time the Taliban had run their country. Even without real hope they might ever do geology again, but with fears about what might happen at any time to the reports of previous geological […]

‘Welcome To Whitestone’ Founded By Local Man



Whitestone resident Devon O’Connor, 19, has a taken a different path from such diversions as high definition video games, texting and Twitter. Earlier this spring the young entrepreneur started “Welcome To Whitestone”, a local business and community improvement initiative.  “I started this group because there was nothing like it in this town,” O’Connor said. “Whitestone residents should be more supportive […]

National Night Out Against Crime Celebrated In Borough



Vallone Jr.: ‘Thin Blue Line Stretched Too Thin’ City Councilmember Peter F. Vallone Jr. (front) joined members of the New York Police Department, the 114th Police Precinct’s newly installed Deputy Inspector Stephen Cirabisi, and community groups on August 3 at the Night Out Against Crime event at Astoria Park. Members of the 114th Precinct grilled barbecue treats for families at the […]

Truck Kills Bicycling 13-Year-Old



A 13-year-old Maspeth boy was struck and killed by a tractor-trailer on August 2 as he tried to cross Fresh Pond Road on his bicycle. Ferderich Enbre was riding his bicycle across the intersection of Fresh Pond Road and Eliot Avenue at about 1:30 p.m. when he was knocked over by the truck. The boy was pinned under the back […]

Drunk Driver Went Two Miles In Wrong Direction



The drunken, wrong-way driver who slammed head-on into an airport van on the Long Island Expressway on July 5 was driving in the wrong direction for two miles before the fatal collision, prosecutors said. Dave Richards, 30, was drugged and drunk when he slammed his Mercedes Benz into the Super Shuttle van driven by John Rey, 64. Rey, who was […]