woodside herald 3-12-10

To Advertise E-mail [email protected] or call 718-729-3772

FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 2010 THE WOODSIDE HERALD PAGE 1

St. Patrick’s Parade Marches ThroughVOL. 76, NO. 10 WOODSIDE, L.I.C., N.Y. FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 2010 25 CENTS

SERVING SUNNYSIDE-WOODSIDE AND LONG ISLAND CITY

Councilman Van Bramer’s Office Up and Running

St. Patrick’s Parade Marches ThroughStory and Photos by Luke Adams

The sunny, clear skies on Sunday,March 7th, provided a wonderful settingfor the best St. Patrick’s Day Parade ever.Smiling and laughing children lined theroute and enjoyed the assortment of march-ers and groups, which ran from the fortiesof Skillman Avenue, East into Woodside.

Many Irish contingents, two sets oftalented bagpipers, the NAACP, a Greek-American group, Tibetans, SunnysideUnited Dog Society, a vivid Brazilianshow, a multitude of gay groups and sup-porters, elected officials such as JoeCrowley, Anthony Weiner, MichaelGianaris, Jimmy Van Bramer and MichaelBloomberg marched and waved to thecrowds. The very young Bronx schoolchildren doing flawless Irish step dancinggot the most enthusiastic response as criesof delight went up from the sidelines.There were the usual few solemn-facedfolks holding up “Sodomy” signs but onerecalls that freedom in America is what

(Continued on Page 4)

Over 300 People Attend Open HouseOver 300 people attended Council

Member Jimmy Van Bramer’s open housethis past Saturday, March 6. Those whoattended were able to mingle with theCouncil Member and his staff at his officeon 47th street and Queens Blvd.

A large number of elected officialsalso attended including Assembly Mem-bers Catherine Nolan, Michael Gianaris,and Michael DenDekker. Congress Mem-bers Joseph Crowley and Carolyn Maloneyalso attended, as well as Borough Presi-dent Scott Stringer and candidate for Lieu-tenant Governor Christopher St. Lawrence.

Mr. Van Bramer addressed a packedoffice, expressing gratitude for the oppor-tunity to serve as council member. He alsotalked about the work he has already donefor constituents as well as his intention tokeep working relentlessly for his constitu-ents together with community leaders andelected officials. He introduced his staffand elected officials that attended.

“I am honored to be your CouncilMember,” said Mr. Van Bramer. “This isyour office and we are here to work foryou.”

Save The Date! The Kiwanis Flag Day Parade is June 12th Save The Date!

Manhattan BP Scott M. Stringer, Assemblyman Michael Giaranis Councilman Van Bramer and Joe Conley (CB2).

A power house group- Elizabeth Van Bramer, Joe Conley, Lily Gavin, CouncilmanVan Bramer, Assemblywoman Nolan and Ira Greenberg.

United 40s President Don McCallian,Chief of Staff Tim Roberts and GeorgeStamatiades, Exec. Dir. Dutch Kills Civic.

Photos & Captions by Luke Adams

Assemblyman Gianaris, GM Lanning, Congressman Joe Crowley, and Chairmanof the Democratic Party of Queens, Dist. Leader Feerick and GM Drumm.

(More photos on Page 5)

We got front row seats!

Waiting for the Parade to start.Will they know I’m Irish?


FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 2010THE WOODSIDE HERALDPAGE 2

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Elizabeth Crowley fears:DOT’s neglect for

Queens’ traffic problemswill cause health problems

for residents.

Politicians & Community Leaders to DOT:Turn Traffic Congested MaspethThrough Route into Local Route

U.S. Representative JosephCrowley, U.S. Representative An-thony Weiner, State Senator Jo-seph Addabbo, Council MemberElizabeth Crowley, Council Mem-ber James Van Bramer, AssemblyMember Marge Markey, along withCommunity Board 5 President GaryGiordano, Juniper Park Civic As-sociation President Bob Holden,Maspeth Chamber of CommercePresident Jim O’Kane and commu-nity leaders, today called on theDepartment of Transportation(DOT) to immediately change truckroutes along Grand, Flushing andMyrtle Avenues from a “throughroute” designation to a “localroute.” Trucks travelling to andfrom Long Island and Brooklynwill often avoid the Long IslandExpressway and the BrooklynQueens Expressway by taking the“through route, causing a truck traf-fic nightmare and intensified airpollution in Maspeth.

“For far too long the DOT hasignored the traffic problems inMaspeth,” said Council MemberElizabeth Crowley (D-Queens).“Why is Maspeth the only locationin the City where the DOT allowsfor a through route to terminate at aborough boundary? This only al-lows truck traffic to burden theMaspeth community with noise,air pollution and it hinders localeconomic growth. Maspeth andneighboring Ridgewood have thehighest asthma rates in Queens andalleviating these traffic issueswould, without a doubt, improvethe health of these residents. Whilewe wait for the Maspeth BypassPlan to take effect, this simple ad-justment will serve as a temporarysolution for our community.”

Council Member Crowley’sproposed solution comes on theheels of the DOT’s release of nextsteps to implementing the MaspethTruck Bypass. The Maspeth TruckBypass is intended to alleviate traf-

fic on the overburdened GrandAvenue and Flushing Avenue, butthe reorganization plan will not helpthe surrounding community formany years to come.

“Maspeth residentsneed real relief from this trucktraffic on their local streets,” saidU.S. Representative JosephCrowley (D-Queens). “While I ampleased to have been able to pro-vide initial Federal funding to get

the Maspeth Bypass Studymoving, the study will not be com-pleted until the Fall. In the mean-time, I join with my fellow Maspethrepresentatives today to urge theNYC DOT to reclassify GrandAvenue in order to alleviate trucktraffic now.”

“I look forward to working withmy fellow elected officials, localresidents and governmental agen-cies to address the quality of lifeand safety issues surrounding GrandAvenue and the greater Maspethcommunity. It is long overduethat this area receives the relief oftruck traffic it deserves with a real,practical solution that is immedi-ately attainable,” said State Sena-tor Joseph Addabbo (D-Queens).

Assembly Member MargaretMarkey (D-Maspeth) said, “It isimportant to do anything possible— as soon as possible — to reducetruck traffic on Grand Avenue.Getting big trucks off this street hasbeen the community’s goal for morethan a decade and it can’t happentoo soon. I am pleased that the Cityis finally moving forward on theMaspeth Bypass Plan that FrankPrincipe and Community BoardFive developed a decade ago toreduce dangerous truck traffic

through the heart of Maspeth. How-ever, we don’t need to wait forrelief if this ‘Local Route’ designa-tion can be made now and en-forced.”

“The Maspeth community hasbeen victimized by heavy truck traf-fic for well over a decade,” saidRobert F. Holden, President of Ju-niper Park Civic Association. “TheDepartment of Transportation(DOT) placed all of our residents indanger when setting up three‘Through Truck Routes’ throughour community that mysteriouslyend at the Brooklyn border. This isproof that the DOT is only usingour community as a doormat. TheJuniper Park Civic Association ap-plauds Council Member ElizabethCrowley for being the first electedofficial to call for an end to thisdangerous practice.”

“Neighborhood residentsare thrilled that the study for theMaspeth Bypass Plan is underway,”said Roe Daraio, head of Commu-nities of Maspeth and ElmhurstTogether (COMET). “COMET isanxious to work with our electedofficials and DOT to ensure thatthe study addresses thecommunity’s concerns and that itis completed as quickly as pos-sible. Hopefully NYC DOT willconsider installing signage as a pre-liminary step. We look forward toa safer and more environmentallyfriendly Grand Avenue.”

“Trucks are being allowed toroar through our neighborhoods,drowning our streets in smoke andcausing immediate danger to resi-dents, while the people at DOTdrag their feet on a supposed studyon the effect of implementing abypass route”, said Council Mem-ber Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Queens). “It is self evident thattrucks transiting en route to Brook-lyn or Manhattan should either stayon the highway or pass through lesspopulated industrial areas.”

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COUNCIL MEMBER JIMMY VAN BRAMERTOURED PS 152 WITH PRINCIPAL VITOLO

CongressmanJoseph Crowley

7th CD

WishingYou aHappy

St. Patrick’s Day

Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer toured PS 152 with school Principal VincentVitolo. Mr. Van Bramer toured the classrooms, cafeteria and gym. He also saw thelibrary and saw a dance exercise in the auditorium. As he walked with Mr. Vitolo, theydiscussed the City’s plan to enhance the outdoor schoolyard at PS152.

Ms. Hamilton, Ms. Staroba, Mr. Vitolo, CM Van Bramer, Ms.Fernandez stand with students of PS 152.

Maloney Bill to Ban Look-Alike Census Mailings Passes House CommitteeA bill to prevent direct mailings that are

deliberately designed to look similar to offi-cial U.S. Census mailings— sponsored byRep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY)— was unani-mously reported out of the House Commit-tee on Oversight and Government Reformon March 4th and sent to the House floor.

“I thank Chairman Towns and Subcom-mittee Chairs Clay and Lynch for their lead-ership on this bill, and I’m grateful to Rank-ing Member Issa and Rep. Chaffetz for theirco-sponsorship,” Rep. Maloney said.

“With millions of forms arriving inmailboxes shortly it’s important for us totake action to ensure as much participationas possible,” Maloney said. “Returning acensus form every ten years is essential to

fair and equitable distribution of govern-ment resources, so we must do everythingpossible to protect the integrity of the re-sults. Non-governmental mailings labeledwith phrases like ‘Congressional DistrictCensus,’ ‘Official Document,’ and ‘Do NotDestroy’ that are not sent by the CensusBureau risk confusing people into believingthat they have completed their official cen-sus form, lowering the census response rate.That’s just unacceptable.

“Every 1 percent decrease in the mailresponse rate costs approximately $85 mil-lion for the additional expense of sendingcensus workers back to the homes of thosewho do not respond to the official censusmailing,” Maloney said. “Congress has ap-

propriated hundreds of millions of dollars tothe Census Bureau to advertise and encour-age completion and return of census forms.Private mailers are piggy-backing on thatmarketing outreach for their own purposes,at great cost to all Americans.”

The legislation, H.R.4621, the PreventDeceptive Census Look-Alike Mailings Act,would require any mailing with an envelopemarked “Census” to clearly indicate thesender and return address. It would alsotrigger an existing requirement in federallaw to include a disclaimer that the mailingis not from, or affiliated with, the federalgovernment. The bill would not prohibit theuse of the word “Census” on a mailing, butthe mailer must make clear that it is NOT

sent by the United States Census.Background. Last December, Rep.

Maloney and Chairman Clay wrote to theU.S. Postal Service about direct mailingssent by the Republican National Committeesigned by RNC Chair Michael Steele whichwere labeled “Census Document RegisteredTo” above the address of the recipient and“DO NOT DESTROY/OFFICAL DOCU-MENT” without any return address. Tenyears ago, similarly-labeled mailings by theSouthwest Legal Foundation were ruledunacceptable by the Postal Service. In Janu-ary 2009, the USPS ruled that there was “nobasis for action” on the RNC mailing. Simi-lar census-style mailings have been reportedmore recently.

SEVERAL WEEKS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE,7 TRAIN SERVICE ON WEEKENDS RESUMES

After community and political leadersraised their voices in opposition to regularservice disruptions, the MTA announced itwould wrap up what was scheduled to benine weeks of service disrupting mainte-nance after only five weeks of track work.

“The announcement by the MTA that 7train weekend service will resume repre-sents a great victory for the people of LongIsland City and Western Queens,” said Coun-cil Member Jimmy Van Bramer. “It’s also aprofound victory for small businesses andcultural organizations that rely on weekendcustomers to survive.”

The disruptions eliminated weekend ser-vice between Queens Boro Plaza and GrandCentral Station, stranding thousands of resi-dents in Western Queens and choking smallbusinesses and cultural organizations.

The service cuts, which began after littlemore than ten days notice, angered residentsand political leaders and resulted in a relent-less campaign spearheaded by Council Mem-ber Van Bramer to restore weekend serviceas soon as possible. After holding a pressconference with Council Speaker Quinn andAssembly Member Catherine Nolan, Coun-cil Member Van Bramer met privately withthe MTA and pressed them to attend a townhall meeting so that MTA officials couldhear about the community’s concerns di-rectly from its residents. At the town hall,officials from the MTA promised to do theirbest to finish work, causing disruptions onthe 7 line ahead of schedule by three weeks.

Thanks to the intense and sustained pres-sure by Council Member Van Bramer, As-sembly Member Nolan, Speaker Quinn, and

community members, the MTA has nowheld true to its promise to finish track workon the 7 line.

“The early completion by the MTA ofthis track work is a huge relief for the resi-dents and business owners of NorthwestQueens,” said Speaker Quinn. “While weunderstand the necessity of improving ourtransit system, it must be done in a way thatimpacts New Yorkers as little as possible.Hopefully, the next time the system needssuch significant improvements, the MTAwill remember the concerns that arose fromthe 7 train closure, and hopefully it will becompelled to think twice about how mainte-nance schedules aversely affect customers.”

“I was pleased to hear that the MTA hascompleted work on the 7 Line earlier thenscheduled,” said Assemblywoman Catherine

Nolan. “This will help the residents ofQueens return to their normal travel routeson the weekend. I look forward to continu-ing to work with City Councilmember JimmyVan Bramer, other community leaders andthe residents of Queens to ensure that thevoices of people are heard on transportationissues.” Council Member Van Bramervowed to keep up the fight. “I’d like to thankeveryone who joined us in fighting againstthese service disruptions. I believe that ourcollective voices were heard. I’d like tothank the MTA workers who completed thiswork ahead of schedule. I will continue toadvocate on behalf of the people of mydistrict for more reliable mass transit serviceand I will work with the MTA on thoseissues as yet unresolved including noisecoming from the 7 train tunnel.”

Paid for by Crowley for Congress

Wishing You LuckWishing You LuckWishing You LuckWishing You LuckWishing You Luck&&&&&

ProsperityProsperityProsperityProsperityProsperitythisthisthisthisthis

St. Patrick’s DaySt. Patrick’s DaySt. Patrick’s DaySt. Patrick’s DaySt. Patrick’s Day

State SenatorGeorge Onorato

12th Senatorial DistrictNew York State Senate


FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 2010THE WOODSIDE HERALDPAGE 4(Continued From Front Page)

the parade is about, and few view-ers were disturbed.

Due to strict security at theparade, the usual close-ups werealmost impossible to shoot, par-ticularly of the lead group. IfJimmy Van Bramer had not calledout, “Hi Luke!” I could not haveeven taken the photo. Or perhapsI am just getting too decrepit tocover the parade! Luckily, Demo-cratic District Leader DeidreFeerick led an Irish Breakfast atthe Anoroc Club to honor theGrand Marshals, Daniel Drommand Mary Lanning, the proceedsof which went to raise money forthe victims in Haiti. At that event,we were able to take some photo-graphs shown here.

The parade itself is a wonder-ful event for Sunnyside and nomatter where you are on politicalor lifestyle opinion, we are fortu-nate to have the freedom in thiscountry to march as we wish. Theparade was a great success andmost were left with big smiles ontheir faces. I hope that everyonealso attends the Annual Kiwanisof Sunnyside Parade held onGreenpoint Avenue on June 12th.See you there!

St. Patrick’s Parade Marches ThroughSt. Patrick’s Parade Marches Through

“This is the Grand Marshall,Mayor on the left (sorry for thepoor quality of picture). Goodnews is that I didn’t get roughedup by the Mayor’s securitypeople this year.” -Luke Adams

Grand Marshall Mary Lanning,District Leader Deidre Feerick,Grand Marshall/ CouncilmemberDanny Drumm. Lanning isChairperson of the NYC ClothingBank and Drumm is a longtimeorganizer and member of the UnitedFederation of Teachers and for manyyears taught at PS 199.

GM Mary Lanning, Dist. LeaderDeidre Feerick, Parade organizerand Chairman Brendan Fay,Councilman Drumm andAssemblyman Michael Gianaris.

The Parade is coming, its neveron time!

An invite to the Mexican Day Parade.

Congressman Weiner stood outall on his own.

Reminder, September 25th is theSunnyside Film Festival.

United Federation of Teachersshow support for Danny.

SUDS (Sunnyside United Dog Society)

Not all of us had to March.

Sunnysiders with their best friends.

A Faithful reader of the WoodsideHerald.

The end of the parade.The West Queens IndependentDemocrats.



OPHTHALMOLOGY- BOARD CERTIFIED -

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Councilman Van Bramer’s Office Up and Running

Rob Mac Kay (Writer), Swann Smith (Artist) and Chamber Pres. Ira Greenberg.

Judith Zangwell (Exec. Dir. SCS), Joe Conley (CB2 Chairman), Debra Tharrington, and Arlene Sue Fox (SCS).

Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer with his #1 supporter, his mother Elizabeth, and Assemblyman Giaranis.

Lily Gavin (Dazies Restaurant), Elizabeth Van Bramer and Joe Conley.

Ona Whitman (St. Vincent de Paul), Joe Kenton (Constituent Liaison for Sunnyside & Long Island City),Elizabeth Montenegro (United Forties) and Noberto Saldana (Dir. Brooklyn/Queens St Vincent de Paul Society).

District Leader Part B, Tom Birnaman, Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringerand Sunnysides Dan Hendrick, author of Jamaica Bay.

Sunnyside Chamber President Ira Greenberg, Esq., Connie Stamatiades (AssemblywomanNolan’s office), Diane Ballek (Pres. 108 Community Council) and Councilman Van Bramer.

Marie Konecko (State Committee Woman)and Assemblyman Michael Gianaris.

Councilman Van Bramer and AssemblywomanCathy Nolan.

Sunnyside Chamber Board Members, Roel Vanderkooi, Diane Ballek and Ira Greenberg.

(Continued From Front Page)



File No.: 2009-1426/BCITATION THE PEOPLE OFTHE STATE OF NEW YORK BYTHE GRACE OF GOD, FREEAND INDEPENDENT To:Atonement Friars, Bide-A-WeeHome Assn., Humane Society ofNew York, ASPCA, TheArmenian Assembly of AmericaRelief Fund, Inc., Children’s AidSociety, International Fund forAnimal Welfare, Pastor ofArmenian Apostolic Church ofAmerica,The National Arbor DayFoundation, Robert Trezza,Roberta Roeder, NYC HumanResource Admin., Matrix MedicalNetwork, American MedicalCollection Agency - Invoice#0015T90021868, AmericanMedical Collection Agency -Invoice #0015T80146521,Hillside Surgicare, Skaggs-WalshAttorney General of the State ofNew York The unknowndistributees, legatees, devisees,heirs at law and assignees ofARMEN SIMONIAN, deceased,

LEGAL NOTICE • LEGAL NOTICE • LEGAL NOTICE • LEGAL NOTICE • LEGAL NOTICE • LEGAL NOTICE • LEGAL NOTICEor their estates, if any there be,whose names, places of residenceand post office addresses areunknown to the petitioner andcannot with due diligence beascertained. Being the personsinterested as creditors, legatees,distributees or otherwise in theEstate of ARMEN SIMONIAN,deceased, who at the time of deathwas a resident of 56-23 203rdStreet, Bayside, in the County ofQueens, State of New York. SENDGREETING: Upon the petition ofLOIS M. ROSENBLATT, PublicAdministrator of Queens County,who maintains her office at 88-11Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica,Queens County, New York 11435,as Administrator of the Estate ofARMEN SIMONIAN, deceased,you and each of you are herebycited to show cause before theSurrogate at the Surrogate’s Courtof the County of Queens, to beheld at the Queens GeneralCourthouse, 6th Floor, 88-11Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, City

and State of New York, on the22nd day of April, 2010 at 9:30o’clock in the forenoon, why theAccount of Proceedings of thePublic Administrator of QueensCounty, as Administrator of theEstate of said deceased, a copy ofwhich is attached, should not bejudicially settled, and why theSurrogate should not fix and allowa reasonable amount ofcompensation to GERARD J.SWEENEY, ESQ., for legalservices rendered to petitionerherein in the amount of $2,049.77and that the Court fix the fair andreasonable additional fee for anyservices to be rendered byGERARD J. SWEENEY, ESQ.,hereafter in connection withproceedings on kinship, claimsetc., prior to entry of a final Decreeon this accounting in the amountof 6% of assets or income collectedafter the date of the withinaccounting; and why the Surrogateshould not fix and allow an amountequal to one percent on said

Schedules of the total assets onSchedules A, A1, and A2 plus anyadditional monies receivedsubsequent to the date of thisaccount, as the fair and reasonableamount payable to the Office ofthe Public Administrator for theexpenses of said office pursuantto S.C.P.A. §1106(4); and whythe Last Will and Testament datedJuly 22, 1991 should not beadmitted to probate; and whyLetters of Administration dulyissued by the Surrogate’s Courtshould not be revoked; and whyLetters of Administration CTAshould not be issued to the PublicAdministrator of Queens County;and why the claim from MatrixMedical Network in the amount of$260.00 should not be rejected;and why the claims from AmericanMedical Collection Agency forinvoice #0015T90021868 in theamount of $33.81 and invoice#0015T80146521 in the amountof $240.98 should not be rejected;and why the claim from Hillside

Surgicare in the amount of $147.32should not be rejected; and whythe claim from Skaggs-Walsh inthe amount of $2,245.18 shouldnot be rejected; and why thepriority claim of The Departmentof Social Services should not bepaid to the extent of the netdistributable estate, Dated,Attested and Sealed 16th day ofFebruary, 2010 GERARD J.SWEENEY, ESQ. (718) 459-9000, 95-25 Queens Boulevard,11th Floor, Rego Park, New York11374, HON. ROBERT L.NAHMAN, Surrogate, QueensCounty, ALICEMARIE E. RICE,Clerk of the Surrogate’s Court.This citation is served upon you asrequired by law. You are notobliged to appear in person. If youfail to appear it will be assumedthat you do not object to the reliefrequested unless you file formallegal, verified objections. Youhave a right to have an attorney-at-law appear for you. AccountingCitation 2/26, 3/5, 3/12, 3/19

A GREEN QUEENS

The LaGuardia Community College Foundation Launches “Spring Into Action” CampaignCommunity-wide effort to raise

money for $3,500 Scholarships, text-books and student assistance

The LaGuardia Community Col-lege Foundation launched “SpringInto Action,” a multi-facetedfundraising campaign focused onproviding numerous, immediate,$3,500 scholarships to new and re-turning students and to meet theCity

University of New York’s(CUNY) Textbook Challenge inwhich CUNY will match dollar-

for-dollar, all gifts made to the Text-book Challenge fund up to $110,000.

From now through May 31, theFoundation will engage prospectivedonors from all areas of the internaland external College community —Foundation board members, faculty,staff, alumni, businesses, founda-tions, organizations and friends—to take part in this effort to providefinancial assistance to LaGuardiastudents. Contributions can be madeonline at: http://www.laguardia.edu/springintoaction. A printable pledge

form is also available on the website.“The ‘Spring Into Action Cam-

paign’ will provide essential assis-tance to LaGuardia students chal-lenged by financial need,” saidLaGuardia Vice President of Insti-tutional Advancement E. RamoneSegree. “Through the contributionsof organizations and individuals whocare about higher education, theLaGuardia Foundation and CUNYwill provide students with the meansto continue their education andlaunch successful careers.”

The cost of tuition is a pressingconcern for all college students, par-ticularly during these challengingeconomic times. These challengesare heightened for many studentswho attend LaGuardia CommunityCollege. Over two-thirds ofLaGuardia students come fromhouseholds making under $25,000,

and most require financial assis-tance even though the College’s tu-ition is among the lowest in the NewYork area. International and out-of-state students, whose tuition isdouble, are not eligible for financialaid, so their need is substantiallyincreased. Tuition assistance notonly will make attendance possibleand much less challenging, but itwill have a huge impact on the stu-dents’ lives. Data shows that, upongraduation, LaGuardia students’family income increases by 17%.

Donors will also be given anopportunity to double the impact oftheir gifts by contributing to theSpring Into Action Textbook Chal-lenge Fund, a program establishedto purchase textbooks for students.CUNY has generously offered tomatch all gifts made to the Text-book Challenge Fund dollar for dol-

lar, up to $110,000, essentially dou-bling the value of these gifts.

Since its inception in March2003, the LaGuardia CommunityCollege

Foundation has made it easierfor LaGuardia students to pay fortheir college education; over 1,000students have received Foundationsupport. In addition to scholarshipsupport, the Foundation has alsoprovided funding for textbooks,transportation and state-of-the-artresources to prepare students forlife’s work and leadership. Foun-dation board members, donors,alumni and friends are involved inmany aspects of College activities,including mentoring students, serv-ing on advisory boards, and speak-ing to student groups about theirprofessions.Visit http://www.laguardia.edu/lagfoundation to learn more.

This month, Western Queens residents will have the unique opportunity to help shape plans to makeQueens a “greener” borough.

North Star Fund, a New York City community foundation, will host two green visioning sessions forresidents of Astoria, Sunnyside, Woodside and Long Island City to help guide plans to invest $7.9 millionin their local community. The funds will be invested in tree-planting and other Western Queenscommunity environmental projects over the next three years. Residents of Astoria, Sunnyside, Woodsideand Long Island City are encouraged to attend and voice their ideas to improve their communityenvironment.

The green visioning sessions will offer:Panel discussions, moderated breakout sessions, priority-setting activities

Breakfast and lunch for all participantsLanguage interpreters and childcare, upon request

(Please make requests by Friday, March 12)Green Visioning Sessions

Saturday, March 20th, 9:30am - 4pmSunnyside Community Services

43-31 39th Street, Sunnyside(Between 43rd Ave. & Queens Boulevard)

Saturday, March 27th, 9:30am - 4pmGreater Astoria Historical Society

Quinn Building, 4th Floor35-20 Broadway, Long Island City

(Broadway & 36th Street)This unusual opportunity for local residents is the result of a settlement between community groups

like Western Queens Power to the People and Con Edison after the 2006 power outage that left countlessQueens families in the dark for several days.

Interested residents should RSVP to [email protected] or 212-620-9110. To learn more or toarrange interviews, please contact Amy Plotch ([email protected]) at 201-703-4302 or IvetteMorello ([email protected]) at 914-484-4804.



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WELCOME HOME REAL ESTATE 718-706-0957

SOMEWHERE IN BETWEENMy last column discussed how real estate is beginning to recover,

although not everywhere yet.Ê Whether you’re buying or selling, youneed to be aware of local conditions, and adjust your strategy accordingto the value of your home.Ê

We’ve already covered a couple tips for the least expensive homeson the market, and now we’ll look at the middle tier of properties.ÊWhile these listings are seeing more activity than luxury homes, demandis still soft compared to the often bargain “distressed” properties on themarket.

Buyers are facing some difficulty in trading up, because their equityhas taken a hit over the last few years.Ê As a buyer, itÕs best to list yourcurrent home for sale and get it under contract before making an offeron the home you want.Ê When youÕre ready, reason dictates that you’resafe offering 10% under the asking price in a still lukewarm market.

As a seller in the mid-price range, you’ll need to make your listingstand out from the competition.Ê Forget about incremental price dropsand go for a big cut, which will draw the most attention.Ê Or offerincentives like paying closing costs or a decorating allowance.

If the home you’re selling or want to buy is in the luxury range, you’llwant to read my next column for some tips in that market.

On Wednesday, February17th, Sunnyside Gardens lost agood neighbor in HELENE C.DAGRON, who would have lived88 years this July, if not for amassive coronary.

It was a sad day, also, for thebirds. For she never failed to feedthem daily, and for those nextdoor who cared deeply for herand were the beneficiaries ofmany kindnesses.

Ms. Dagron, a former French/English translator for the U.S.State Dept and the U.N., will begrieved for by her family inFrance and here in Queens.

She was waked on Friday, the19th at Lynch’s and interred, thefollowing morning, with her fa-ther and brother at the lovelyEvergreens Cemetery in Brook-lyn. AuRevoir, Chere Amie.

Society of SaintVincent De PaulClothing DriveSt. Vincent de Paul Society in

St. Teresa Church will be col-lecting second-hand clothing ingood condition on:

Date: Saturday, March 13Time: 8:30 am to 12:30 pmPlace:Parking Lot of St.

Teresa Church, 50-20 45 St.Please note Saturday March 13,between 8:30am and 12:30 pmwill be the only day and time thatthe St Vincent de Paul Truck willbe in the parking lot. Please donot leave clothing at any othertime because in the church we donot have space to storage it.

YOUR EYESby

DR. IRVING ROVIN, OPTOMETRIST

SITUATION WANTEDRetired Lady wants to be general

factotum for gent/ lady. Flexible hoursbetween 9-5 any day. Expert Cook.Clean/ Shop/ Errands. Intelligent,

amusing companion. Some French/Spanish. 13 years experience.

References available. Prefer Sunnyside/Woodside area or close transit.

Liz Martin (718) 786-6627

DIFFICULTY IN READINGIf you have a child who is not reading as well as his classmates,

you may wonder if he has a “reading block.” Perhaps he is reactingto too much pressure to make him read as well as his peers. Somechildren thought to have a reading block are also bright, verbal,interested and outgoing; but some become sullen and defensive.

This is a difficult situation to deal with, especially when the childhas been labeled as a “poor reader” soon after he begins school. Hebecomes frightened about his inadequacy and faces each readingassignment with dread. Perhaps, like some children, he may be a slowstarter and will soon catch up if encouraged to do so; or he might havea vision problem that needs correcting. This may not always beapparent in the simple eye tests performed at school.

Poor vision can cause difficulties in reading, including “readingblock,” as well as other problems. If you think your child may havea vision problem, have his eyes examined without delay.

Need MoreBusiness?

Call 718-729-3772We Can Help You



If you have an event that you would like to publish on ourENTERTAINMENT PAGE, email [email protected]. Please provide a brief description. 25 words or less suggested.

Guaranteed space to paid advertisers only.

March 10th-14th,and 17th-20th @ 8pm

MEASURE FOR MEASUREThe Secret Theatre

4402 23rd Street. LIC 11101Info (718) 392-0722 Tickets $15

Matinee performances onMarch 13th and 20th @ 3:30pm

Saturday, March 13th 9pm - 1amST. PATRICK’S NIGHT DANCE

@ St. Raphael’s School48-25 37th St. (718) 729-8957

Ice Theatre of New York’s 15th New Works and Young Artist SeriesFree Public Performances and Skating Clinic at the World Ice Arena (Flushing

Meadows Corona Park, 125-40 Roosevelt Avenue, Flushing, NY) Thursdays: April 8and May 13 at 10:30 a.m. Free viewing of performance and free skating clinic (skaterental fee charged by the rink).

Saturday March 20, 2010 at 1:00 pm THE GREATER ASTORIA

HISTORICAL SOCIETY HISTORYROUNDTABLE:

World War II: Battle of the BulgeIn December 1944 with World War II

nearly over in Europe, Hitler made one last,desperate attempt to turn the tide back in hisfavor in Western Europe. Join in the discus-sion about the high points of the Battle of theBulge and how the U.S. Army recoveredfrom a stinging defeat and got back on trackto victory in Western Europe. Film viewingincludes: Battle of the Bulge To learn moreabout these events and others, visit:www.astorialic.org or call the GreaterAstoria Historical Society at 718-278-0700.The website also features permanent galleryexhibits, as well as gift shop items.

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March 12 & 13 at 7:30pmFREE @ The Black Box Theatre

HAMLET IN A BLACK BOXA little known play, written by an

obscure English playwright, makes itsdebut this Friday at LaGuardia’s BlackBox Theatre. The production tentativelycalled Hamlet (working title) will runthrough mid-March and debuts a new col-laboration between LPAC & LAGCCHumanities Department.○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

IMMACULATE CONCEPTIONSCHOOL WILL HOST A TALK ON

NUTRITION: YOUR HEALTH.

YOUR CHILD’S HEALTHOn Tuesday, March 16th, at 7:30 pm,

Immaculate Conception School will hosta talk with Dr. Louis Vella. The talk takesplace in the school auditorium and will befollowed by a question and answer period.

Immaculate Conception is located at21-63 29th St. Astoria. This event is freeand open to the general public. For furtherinformation, please contact the school at718-728-1969.

MARCH 18-21, 24-27, 31APRIL1-3 @ 8pm

OTHELLOThe Moor Of Venice

The BIG Secret Theatre44-02 23rd St., LIC, Queens 11101

Info (718) 392-0722 Tickets $15Matinee performances on

March 27th & April 3rd @ 3:30pm

Maspeth Town Hall Celebrates St. Pat’s at St. Adelbert’s Church Bob Reilly,Assemblywoman Marge Markey, Eileen Reilly and Congressman Joe Crowley.

St. Pat’s Celebration at St. Adelbert’s Church

woodside herald 3-12-10

Documents

councilmanvan bramer

patricks day parade

woodside heraldpage

woodside herald page

michael gianaris

kiwanis flag day parade

joe conley cb2

congressman joe crowley