Republican gubernatorial hopeful Carl Paladino has been making no headway in his race against New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo. Now his latest tirade against gays has backfired, as members of his own party took umbrage at his remarks on his latest targets. Leading the GOP charge against the Buffalo millionaire was former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who urged Paladino to […]
School District 30 Considers Rezoning Plans
This September, Community School District 30 opened a new elementary school in Jackson Heights, P.S. 280. Housed in the same building that was once Blessed Sacrament School, the leased space at 34- 20 94th St. will add seats and relieve overcrowding, but not without some changes that will be announced next week. “Decisions are going to be made that will […]
It’s The ‘Ultimate In Fitness’
After 30 years in business, the BQE Fitness Center in Woodside has a new owner. One of the area’s great Dynasty gyms of its time, BQE Fitness was recently taken over by the Ultimate Fitness family of gyms. Ultimate Fitness, which has two other gyms based on Long Island, adds its first city-based gym, now called Ultimate Fitness Gym–Queens. The […]
Halloween Happenings
Halloween haunts, spooky places where scary specters rise to welcome the fearful and those who believe in things that go “bump” in the night, lie hidden throughout Queens. In some Queens neighborhoods, people prepare for “All Hallows Eve” by lighting bonfires to ward off spirits of the dead who return to possess the living. Many of the great masters of […]
New Astoria Skate Park In Use Weeks Before Opening
On October 18 at 11 a.m., City Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr. and Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Astoria Park to welcome all comers to the new skating section. On Friday, skaters from across the city and even out of state were already using the skate park, which was installed beside the track under the Robert […]
Burning Our Own Fuels
The Gulf oil spill has shown us just one of the downsides of petroleum. That makes the mind of even a geologist like me turn to several questions about the future. Could we Americans grow more of our own fuel–enough to run a number of our cars, trucks and airplanes? And, quite importantly, could we do so without displacing food […]
Auxiliary Police Chief Retires After 40-Year Career
On Wednesday, October 6, Borough President Helen Marshall honored NYPD Deputy Inspector Angelo Maroulis, head of the citywide Auxiliary Police, on Maroulis’ retirement after a career that spanned more than four decades. Marshall thanked Maroulis for his more than 40 years of service to the city of New York. “The Auxiliary Police force reflects [Maroulis’] character, his temperament and great […]
114th Precinct Crime Watch
Prescription Forger Nabbed Police in Long Island City last week arrested a 51-year-old local woman after she forged the signature of a veterinarian to obtain a prescription. Cops said Donna Rotkopf handed the signed prescription for dexadrine to a pharmacist at the Walgreens Pharmacy on Crescent Street on September 29 and waited for the scrip to be filled. When a […]
Hellenic Cultural Center Says ‘Opa!’
“Opa! The Musical”, is running until November 21 at the Hellenic Cultural Center, 27-09 Crescent St. in Astoria. Tony Barsamian, publisher of the Gazette said: “‘Opa! The Musical’, a new musical about life and love on a forgotten Greek isle that delves into the plight of immigration and the trials and travails of leaving behind what you know and where […]
Wine Maven Laura Catena Brings Argentina To Queens
Fourth generation Argentine-Italian winemaker Laura Catena paid a visit to Queens on Monday, October 4 to offer a taste of Argentine tradition to London Lennie’s staff. Fresh off a tour for her new book Vino Argentino, Catena shared family secrets on everything from crafting the perfect wine to finding the best restaurants in her native Mendoza. At a time when […]