The first Thanksgiving was surrounded by life’s hardships. The early settlers were bombarded with extreme weather, hunger, sickness and death. Those who had survived believed the best they could do was to stop and give thanks. Too many throughout America are looking past Thanksgiving. Either we don’t want to think about it, or we are looking to Black Friday, Christmas […]
Simotas Aims To Fix Dangerous Intersection
On November 25, Assemblymember Aravella Simotas met with Department of Transportation (DOT) Queens Borough Commissioner Dalila Hall and staff to discuss possible solutions to a dangerous local intersection. Located at 32nd Street, Astoria Boulevard North and adjacent to the exit ramp of the Grand Central Parkway, the intersection has been identified by the 114th Police Precinct as the most accident-prone […]
Bloomberg Signs Gennaro’s Historic Smoke Free Bill
Mayor Michael Bloomberg signed Councilmember James Gennaro’s historic anti-smoking legislation on November 19. In a joint statement, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and Gennaro heralded the new law raising the legal sales age for tobacco products and e-cigarettes a “major step forward” in reducing youth smoking rates: “Today’s bill signing by Mayor Bloomberg to raise the minimum legal sales age […]
Maloney’s ACA Tele-Town Hall Reaches 11,300
Recognizing that many of her constituents, and the public at-large, have many questions about the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, Congressmember Carolyn Maloney (NY- 12) conducted a townhall-style meeting over the telephone last week, on November 14, to address any confusion about the law and enrollment in New York state’s health exchange online marketplace. “This tele-townhall was a great […]
Vallo’s Food Drive Benefits Superstorm Sandy Victims
Vallo Transportation, an independent school bus company located in Whitestone, once again conducted a Thanksgiving Food Drive with its employees, and together donated more than 25 boxes of Thanksgiving-themed food items to The River Fund New York. Vallo Transportation also provided the organization with a $500 cash grant for their ongoing holiday efforts. The River Fund New York is a […]
Cops Turn To Social Media To Stop Youth Gun Violence
With statistics showing as many as 30 percent of citywide shooting incidents involving young perpetrators, the NYPD Juvenile Justice Division was begun two years ago with a special mission – follow them on social media Web sites. “Our unit is based on using social media to track youth crews,” said Police Officer James Reilly. Reilly and Sergeant Scott Styron staff […]
Markey, CALDC Sponsoring Toy Drive For Hour Children
Assemblymember Margaret Markey and Central Astoria Local Development Coalition (CALDC) are sponsoring a Holiday Toy Drive. This holiday season, help bring a smile to children! All donations will go to Hour Children, a local not-for-profit organization whose mission is to help incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women and their children successfully rejoin the community, reunify with their families, and build healthy, […]
Shop Local, Support Your Neighborhood: Steinway St.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and Steinway Street has what you’re looking for to make this holiday season that much more special. Steinway Street is a virtual shopper’s paradise, home to hundreds of retailers, ranging from tiny family-owned businesses that have served generations of neighborhood residents to large chain stores providing something for everyone. Fed by the […]