While the NYPD released alarming crime statistics about public parks at the end of the summer, including reporting that Flushing Meadows Corona Park is the second most dangerous green space in the city, those numbers do not represent the entire picture, said one Queens legislator who said the city needs to provide more reliable crime statistics for many more public spaces. Councilman Peter Vallone (D-Astoria), the chairman of the City Council’s Public Safety Committee, is sponsoring a bill that would … Continue reading
A South Richmond Hill man was arrested after allegedly stabbing his wife repeatedly during a fight at their home on Thanksgiving, according to police. Xavier Cabarcas, 31, was arrested and slapped with charges of assault and criminal possession of a weapon, the NYPD said. While Cabarcas and his wife, who was not named by police, were fighting at their South Richmond Hill home on Lefferts Boulevard around 4 p.m. last Thursday, the 31-year-old male allegedly attacked her with a kitchen … Continue reading
Concerned Howard Beach residents called for swift police action after news of a carjacking at gunpoint on 159th Avenue last Tuesday night. But the incident, which involved a local businessman/resident, was not the only one to hit the community. Less than two weeks before, another resident met with a gunman demanding the keys to his car. “He showed me the gun and told me to give him the keys,” said the man, who asked not to be identified by name. … Continue reading
For years Howard Beach houses have been the source of oooh’s and aaaah’s from drivers and passersby in reaction to the neighborhoods Christmas lights. One Howard Beach company says they can make your house into a car stopper too and that’s not all. Johnny Tiro, owner of John’s All Season Holiday Decorating, says that people love their Christmas lights, but it doesn’t stop there. “People are getting into decorating for every holiday,” Tiro says, with the biggest spikes coming at … Continue reading
Chabad of Howard Beach held its menorah lighting at the Old Mill Yacht Club on Sunday afternoon. A great time was had by the crowd, who gathered to share in the ceremonial lighting, and then enjoyed a party with refreshments and games inside the club. Pictured is an enthusiastic audience who watched as Rabbi Richter lit the first candle on the giant Menorah outside the club.
Their eyes fixed upon the building that has for more than a century been home to everyone from bookworms and students to the unemployed seeking help with job searches and resumes, the area residents who gathered for the Richmond Hill Library’s annual Christmas tree lighting Tuesday evening said the newly twinkling branches do more than illuminate the facility built with funds from the industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie: They light the way to a space that has long played a … Continue reading
Of all the lessons a lifetime of dancing has taught Ozone Park native Kelly Bojos, perhaps one of the most important is that rejection is a part of life – and all one can do after falling is to get up, dust off, and keep shooting for the stars. This is exactly what Bojos, 20, is planning on doing come Jan. 17, when the Queens resident aims to win the Miss New York Pageant in which she competed earlier this … Continue reading
Howard Beach was deeply saddened over the passing of one of its beloved community members shortly before Thanksgiving. Dave Olsen was well known to many as the pharmacist in Waldbaum’s for nearly 15 years and also served as a dedicated volunteer for the Howard Beach Relay for Life. Dave was diagnosed with cancer four years ago––in fact he received the news one week before the first relay took place. But he did not let that stop him; he continued to … Continue reading
After the city Panel for Educational Policy voted last week to approve the city’s proposal to relocate Richmond Hill High School ninth grade students from their current location in an annex to a trailer, as well as the facility’s main building, a Queens education leader is urging Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio to void the PEP’s action once he assumes office Jan. 1. “Hopefully Mayor-elect de Blasio will put a moratorium on this,” said Dmytro Fedkowskyj, Queens Borough President Helen Marshall’s … Continue reading
One interesting twist to cyber Monday night saw the launch of an innovative approach to what could quite possibly be the future of community meetings, thanks to the 112th Precinct Community Council. Several months ago, the commanding Officer of the 112, Captain Thomas Conforti, along with the help of Precinct Council President Heidi Harrison Chain, announced plans to hold virtual “Town Hall” meetings on line. While “virtual meetings” were never intended to replace regular meetings, they were instead viewed as a … Continue reading
A city school rezoning proposal that would have reduced overcrowding at PS 49 in Middle Village – but increased the population at two nearby schools – was unanimously rejected by Community Education Council 24 members at their meeting last week. CEC 24, a parents organization that oversees schools in Glendale, Ridgewood, Elmhurst, Maspeth, Middle Village, and Corona, has the final say on rezoning proposals, meaning last Wednesday’s vote stops the city’s plan dead in its tracks. “It wasn’t a well … Continue reading
Officers from the 104th Precinct are urging residents to not store valuables, money, or any important documents inside gym lockers following a number of grand larcenies that have occurred inside gyms in Ridgewood and Glendale. Police said multiple grand larcenies have occurred inside Planet Fitness at 329 Wyckoff Ave. in Ridgewood and New York Sports Club at the Shops at Atlas Park. The perpetrator, or perpetrators, entered the locker rooms at these locations and removed property from the lockers, the … Continue reading
Chabad of Rego Park, a Jewish Russian community center, hosted a menorah lighting on Sunday at Federoff Triangle. While Hanukkah began on the evening of Wednesday, Nov. 27, the group waited until Sunday so they could celebrate with the fifth candle. Rabbi Eli Blokh, founder of the organization, explained the importance of celebrating the fifth day of Hanukkah. He said for those who celebrate, the fifth night represents “a deeper level to affiliation and commitment.” Hanukkah, also known as the … Continue reading
As students whirled around the stage in the Hugh P. Kirwan Perform Arts Center at Christ the King Regional High School in Middle Village in a frenzy of dance and song on Monday, they gazed upon an auditorium that, come Friday evening, will be teeming with friends, family, community members, and theater lovers of all kinds eager to see the school’s first ever performance of “A Christmas Carol.” About 65 students from the Christ the King Theatre Production group have … Continue reading
Glendale residents, get ready: Your neighborhood is about to shine in the latest indie film from Adam Sandler, of “Happy Gilmore” and “Funny People” fame. “The Cobbler,” which also stars Steve Buscemi and Dustin Hoffman, is expected to film at the intersection of 79th Street and 77th Avenue in Glendale on Dec. 11, 13 and 14. Written and directed by Tom McCarthy – the acclaimed director behind such movies as “The Visitor” and “The Station Agent” – the film follows … Continue reading