Jumat, 25 Februari 2011
Defend the American Dream! - YouTube
In Wisconsin and around our country, the American Dream is under attack.
Instead of creating much needed jobs, Conservatives are giving tax breaks to corporations and the very rich all while cutting funding for education, police, emergency response, and vital human services.
This is only the first battle in the right wing’s attempts to destroy the American Dream. We must stop it before it spreads to other states.
On Saturday, February 26, at noon local time, rallies will be organized in front of every statehouse and in every major city to stand in solidarity with the people of Wisconsin.
Show Solidarity with Wisconsin! Join the Saturday rally to save the American Dream.
Cops Who Nabbed Burglar Honored by 102 Precinct Community Council by Stephen Geffon - Queens Chronicle
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| 102nd Precinct Community Council President Maria Thomson, left, Precinct Executive Officer Capt. Martin Briffa, and police officers Jose Severino and Ashana Kelly at the meeting.PHOTO BY STEPHEN GEFFON |
Two 102nd Precinct police officers who captured an alleged burglar reportedly responsible for a string of thefts throughout the community were awarded with the Cop of the Month award last week.
Officers Jose Severino and Ashana Kelly were honored at the 102nd Precinct Community Council’s meeting, during which Precinct Executive Officer Capt. Martin Briffa and Precinct Community Council President Maria Thomson presented the two individuals with the award for January.
Officers Jose Severino and Ashana Kelly were honored at the 102nd Precinct Community Council’s meeting, during which Precinct Executive Officer Capt. Martin Briffa and Precinct Community Council President Maria Thomson presented the two individuals with the award for January.
Briffa said police received a 911 call on Jan. 25 at 4 p.m. about a suspicious individual knocking on a door at an apartment building in the vicinity of 126th Street and 86th Avenue in Richmond Hill.
After the individual received no response at the door, he allegedly went around the building and climbed up the fire escape to enter the resident’s apartment, Briffa said.
The captain said officers Saverino and Kelly responded to the location and set up a perimeter at the front and rear of the building.When they heard noise inside the apartment, they entered and captured the suspect, according to Briffa.
Police believe they will be able to close 17 open burglary cases thanks to the arrest because the defendant allegedly committed that many, Briffa said.
Police noted the perpetrator in the other 17 cases had used the fire escape to enter the building, as the individual arrested by Savarino and Kelly had done.
Four burglaries were reported in the 102nd Precinct during the week ending Feb. 6, according to city crime statistics.
Rally in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin and Save the American Dream Rally at City Hall Park, NYC - Video Rally 211
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My friend, Vickie, recently sent me a link to a video of a rally in her home town, Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin on February 11th...She and her husband are in one of the cars beeping in support of the rally'ers at the 3:30 mark...
Prairie du Chien is a city in and the county seat of Crawford County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 6,018 at the 2000 census...
So, if that many people can come out in a little Midwest town then, New York City should fill Broadway tomorrow with thousands of people in the streets in solidarity with Wisconsin and the unions...
Attend tomorrow's (today's) Rally to Save the American Dream in New York City at City Hall Park at 11am - 1pm, information below...
Relay for Life Keeps Growing in Queens by Liz Rhodes -Queens Chronicle
Birthday and pajama parties, a luau and celebrating superheroes are just some of the themes this year in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life events throughout the borough.
And this year there are even more event locations in Queens, with a total of 12 sites. The earliest noncompetitive relay starts April 9 and the last one is on June 25.
Although totals were not available from last year’s programs in the borough, the ACS is hoping the events can raise $1 million in 2011, according to Suzanne Isbell, manager of special events for the ACS’s Queens office.
“We are very proud of how our relays do and would like to have as many teams as possible,” Isbell said. “What better time than now to celebrate those who were able to defeat this disease, remember those who were overcome by it and fight back for anyone who has ever had to hear those three devastating words, ‘you have cancer.’”
Relay for Life began in 1986 in the State of Washington and has gone on to become a popular national fund-raising venue for the cancer society, which considers it “a unique celebration of life.” It is usually an overnight event where teams of eight to 15 people take turns walking or running around tracks. Teams collect money prior to the relay in various ways, including car washes and personal solicitations.
Each location has its own theme and there is a festive atmosphere as team members camp out and enjoy food, music and entertainment. The first lap is reserved for cancer survivors and when it gets dark, there is a luminaria candle ceremony for those who have been affected by cancer.
Money raised goes for research, education, advocacy and services. In Queens, services can include accessing a wig, temporary recovery space and counseling and family support.
By 2015, the ACS hopes to prevent almost 5 million additional deaths from cancer, avoid 6 million new cancer diagnoses and continue to improve the quality of life for disease sufferers.
The borough’s second oldest and one of its most successful relays is held in Middle Village at Juniper Valley Park. It began nine years ago and last year volunteers raised $152,000. Maria Vega of Glendale has participated in the last five events and has her own team filled with family members.
“The Middle Village relay is so successful because it’s a great community taking in Maspeth, Glendale and Ridgewood,” Vega said. “People come together for a great cause.”
Last year 500 participants spent the night at Juniper Valley Park and a total of 1,000 attended the event. Vega is hoping for even higher numbers this year.
Middle Village’s theme is a pajama party and participants are expected to dress up accordingly.
A cancer survivor due to early detection, Vega has been involved with the relay for six years. “My husband and I have no children and I don’t work, so I have time to volunteer,” she said.
James Thompson is a relative newcomer to Queens, having moved to Astoria three months ago. He is now the co-chairman of the Astoria Relay for Life. “What better way to learn about the community and meet people,” Thompson said. “I love it here.”
Thompson, a real estate attorney who hails from Staten Island, ran the Baruch College Relay for Life several years ago and found it a great experience. He is hoping for the same in Astoria.
Mary Modica of Bayside is a volunteer at the cancer society office in Kew Gardens who participated in Fort Totten relays a few times. This year, the former Cunningham Park event is merging with the one at Fort Totten.
“It’s a similar area and we wanted to grow the event,” said Modica, a retired school principal. “The location at Fort Totten is perfect.”
A born organizer, Modica has already gotten the FDNY, which has a facility at the fort, to form a team and is also involving area students.
“I am handing out fliers and seeking volunteers,” she said. “I want to make it one of the most successful ones in Queens.”
That distinction goes to the Howard Beach event which raised $165,000 last year. Phyllis Inserillo is its co-chairwoman.
Her best friend is a cancer survivor and she likes the message of the cancer society. “We have a small but mighty committee of 10 with more than 700 in the relay,” Inserillo said.
The mother of two young children, she is also a professional party planner. Her motto for the relay is “Don’t stop trying.”
She advises others interested in starting similar events elsewhere: “Don’t give up about involving people. I got the Department of Education involved this year. I keep calling and don’t take no for an answer.”
The Howard Beach theme this year is luau and Inserillo has already gotten a company to donate hula dancers as part of the program’s entertainment. “We thought it was a fun and summery theme,” she said.
To register, participate or for further information, log onto relayforlife.org or call the Queens office at (718) 261-1092.
Relay for Life locations in Queens:
Astoria at Astoria Park on June 25-26. The theme is More Birthdays. Contact: relayforlife.org/astoriany Alley Pond Park on June 11-12. The theme is Television and Movies. Contact: relayforlife.org/alleypondnyBark for Life at Forest Park in Woodhaven on April 30. Bring you pet to this new one-day event. Contact: relayforlife.org/barkforlifequeens College Point at MacNeil Park on May 21-22. The theme is Pajama Party. Contact: relayforlife.org/collegepointny Delta Air Lines at JFK on May 12. A new relay inside the terminal for airline employees and others. One-day event only. Details are still being worked out. Flushing, a new event at the National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows Park; a one-day program on June 4. Previous events have been held at Shea Stadium and Citi Field. It was last at the tennis center in 2009. The theme is More Birthdays.Contact: relayforlife.org/ntcny Fort Totten in Bayside on June 4-5. The theme is More Birthdays. First year merged with Cunningham Park. Contact: relayforlife.org/forttottenny Howard Beach at Frank M. Charles Memorial Park on June 11-12. The theme this year is Luau. Contact: relayforlife.org/howardbeachny Jamaica at Roy Wilkins Park on June 25-26. There hasn’t been an event here since 2008 and this year it will run for the full overnight session. The theme is Mardi Gras. Contact: relayforlife.org/jamaicany Middle Village at Juniper Valley Park on June 25-26. Always a well-attended event. The theme is Pajama Party. Contact: relayforlife.org/middlevillageny Riis Park in the Rockaways on June 11-12. This is the oldest relay program, having been started 11 years ago. The theme is More Birthdays. Contact: relayforlife.org/riisparkny St. John’s University on the Jamaica campus on April 9-10 in the Lou Carnessecca Arena. The theme is Superheroes. You don’t have to be a student or alumni member to participate. Contact: relayforlife.org/stjohnsuniversityny
AQE Video Contest - Budget Cuts -with Cynthia Nixon - YouTube
Dear Gov. Cuomo: Our Kids Need College and Careers!
Too many schools have lost teaching positions, needed programs and are struggling to get by with bare-bones resources. How much more can we take from our kids?
Governor Cuomo is calling for another devastating education budget cut totaling $1.5 BILLION dollars! We've heard from the Governor, but now it's time that he hears from YOU.
Make a video telling the Governor how budget cuts to education could affect your educational future. Enter the contest and win an iPad or $1,000 for your classroom!
NY Pension Fund Posts 6% Rate of Return | The Business Review
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New York state’s pension fund posted a 6 percent rate of return in its most recent quarter, a $7.8 billion net gain in value, officials said Tuesday.
The fund’s assets are now worth $140.6 billion, as of the end of 2010, said Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli. The fund’s assets have not been that large since mid-2008.
The fund remains the third-largest public pension system in the nation, behind two in California.
DiNapoli said the fund benefited from a rally in the equities market experienced during the final three months of 2010. The pension fund runs on the same fiscal year as the state, ending March 31.
DiNapoli said the fund benefited from a rally in the equities market experienced during the final three months of 2010. The pension fund runs on the same fiscal year as the state, ending March 31.
The fund pays $7.7 billion of benefits every year. There are 1.06 million state or local government workers, retirees and beneficiaries who belong to the system.
The state pension fund, combined with the teachers’ retirement system, pays $1 billion of benefits a year to residents in the four core Capital Region counties of Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady and Saratoga.
Late Last Call Hung Up by Community Board 9 by Ralph Mancini - www.timesnewsweekly.com
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Denies Eatery Liquor Permit Extension
A Richmond Hill restaurant’s request to serve alcoholic beverages until the wee hours of the morning was shotdown by members of Community Board 9 at the group’s Tuesday, Feb. 8 meeting following a brief war of wordsbetween decision makers of the advisory panel that stood on opposite sides of the fence.
During the board’s monthly Public Safety Committee report at the Fairfield Pavillion in Richmond Hill, attendees were informed of an appeal made by owners of Las Victorias Restaurant, located at 104-19 Jamaica Ave., to obtain a liquor license authorizing the sale of adult drinks until 4 a.m.
Committee co-chair James Coccovillo clarified that moving forward his team would only endorse restaurant liquor licenses if the establishments stop selling alcohol to their patrons at 1 a.m.
“At this time, this committee is taking a stand,” he said. “This is going to be our policy.”
The business owner initially disputed the condition set forth, arguing that many other restaurants in his area carry on with their distribution of drinks to their customers throughout the early morning hours.
Board member Joan DeCamp sided with him, pointing out how “unrealistic” it would be to expect any night time eatery to be successful without making liquors available to the clientele.
“I would much rather have people come into a restaurant…eat, stay and have a drink than go out to a bar,” she observed.
A rebuttal was issued by committee member Rabbi Daniel Pollack, who advised listeners that restaurants and bars play by a different set of rules. Neighborhood restaurants, he suggested, generally close at 12 midnight.
He frowned upon permitting Las Victorias from essentially becoming a bar after 1 a.m., maintaining that excessive drinking often leads to criminal activity and quality-of-life problems.
“I like going out to restaurants a lot,” Coccovillo added. “After dinner, I’ll sit there and I’ll even have a drink or coffee; within 15, 20 minutes, I’m on my way home. I’m not hanging out, drinking—that’s a restaurant. If you’re open at three in the morning, you’re no longer a restaurant; you’re a bar.”
Fellow board member and associate real estate broker Regina Santoro predicted that having another bar-like business would only add to the existing “chaos” generated by several night establishments throughout Richmond Hill.
In relation to other eating establishments that don’t adhere to a curfew, Coccovillo promised that they would be aware of the committee’s new policy once their liquor licenses are up for renewals.
During a roll-call vote, Board 9 elected to support the restaurant’s request by a 24-12 tally with the stipulation that the business in question conclude selling alcohol by 1 a.m.
Spike in local grand larcenies
Capt. Martin Briffa, executive officer of the 102nd Precinct, reported increases in criminal activity over the previous 28-day period, including a 23 percent surge in major crimes, along with a 131 percent growth in grand larcenies. Most of those crimes consisted in the theft of credit cards and bank checks, which the captain said are “easy to crackdown on.”
He also addressed a three percent uptick in felony assaults by explaining how his precinct is flooded with night clubs and other establishments, where assaults have taken place, particularly during the holiday season.
Briffa surmised that educating the many foreigners in his command about the laws they must abide by will help alleviate the recent numbers.
Many crimes, such as rape, he continued, are being committed by individuals that know the victims and not by strangers.
“We can do car stops. If you have a Toyota, we’ll stop you; that’s what they’re stealing these days. We try to teach people not to leave handbags in cars. There are people who are even taking quarters from [parked] cars,” said Briffa.
In response to Board 9 Chairperson Ivan Mrakovcic’s concerns about prostitution, Conditions Unit Sgt. Joseph DeMarco admitted that there was a problem in the area of Rockaway Boulevard and Atlantic Avenue. He promised board members that his unit would perform sting operations if necessary to rid the streets of street walkers.
DeMarco further touched on his precinct’s focus on monitoring liquor stores to ensure that they don’t sell any of their merchandise to people who are under the age of 21.
Carousel update
In his chairperson’s report, Mrakovcic notified board members that a vendor who currently works at Flushing Meadows/Corona Park will soon be operating the Forest Park Carousel starting sometime in June. “We want it open as soon as possible… and landmarked,” he stated.
Strengthening park communities
Hassan King of Partnership for Parks spoke of his organization’s outreach efforts to provide resources to stakeholders interested in maintaining smaller park properties.
He detailed how his group was involved in helping the Astoria Park Waterfront Alliance secure grants in order to provide greater waterfront access in their neighborhood park.
“Because of our unique relationship with the Parks Department, we’ve been able to help with the education and fitness programs in that park,” he said along with mentioning how Partnership for Parks is also looking to visit other areas they normally don’t go to.
In addition, King offered his expertise to Mrakovcic, Andrea Crawford and other board members who may be looking to start a feasibility study on a rails-for-trails project to turn an unused tract of land at Forest Park into a bike trail.
Pol promotes listening tour
City Council Member Ruben Wills was on hand to tell those in attendance about his listening tour in which he will visit various sites throughout his district to understand the needs of all his constituents. “All I do is sit and listen to you,” he added.
The Southeast Queens native alerted the audience to an upcoming unemployment seminar he’ll be hosting in order to “bring everything to this community that hasn’t been provided.”
“When everything gets tough, we actually band together—we make things happen,” he said in reference to school teachers being laid off.
Spotlight on car service
Some board members, such as Clark Whitsett, made their feelings known about the Richmond Hillbased Community Quisqueya Car Service, which recently submitted its application for its base station license renewal.
Whitsett reported that the drivers from the car service continually make illegal u-turns at busy intersections, congesting traffic. He also noted how many of them wait for their calls along residential streets and deprive residents of parking spaces.
Similarly, Mrakovcic pointed out how Community Quisqueya’s employees frequently leave their cars running and pollute the air in between rides.
Attorney Richard Weinberg conceded that his client may be the best, but is “far from the worst” in terms of local car service companies. He stated that his client’s employees are all local community members.
Board member and Woodhaven activist Maria Thomson concurred by saying that Community Quisqueya provides jobs and a “good” service to the community usually responding to their calls within five minutes.
“Every time we had a problem, they took care of it. U-turns are a police issue,” concluded Sam Esposito. The board voted in favor of renewing the base station license by a 29-7 tally.
Community Board 9 regularly meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 7:45 p.m. at various locations throughout Kew Gardens, Ozone Park, Richmond Hill and Woodhaven. For more details, call 1-718-286-2686
A Richmond Hill restaurant’s request to serve alcoholic beverages until the wee hours of the morning was shotdown by members of Community Board 9 at the group’s Tuesday, Feb. 8 meeting following a brief war of wordsbetween decision makers of the advisory panel that stood on opposite sides of the fence.
During the board’s monthly Public Safety Committee report at the Fairfield Pavillion in Richmond Hill, attendees were informed of an appeal made by owners of Las Victorias Restaurant, located at 104-19 Jamaica Ave., to obtain a liquor license authorizing the sale of adult drinks until 4 a.m.
Committee co-chair James Coccovillo clarified that moving forward his team would only endorse restaurant liquor licenses if the establishments stop selling alcohol to their patrons at 1 a.m.
“At this time, this committee is taking a stand,” he said. “This is going to be our policy.”
The business owner initially disputed the condition set forth, arguing that many other restaurants in his area carry on with their distribution of drinks to their customers throughout the early morning hours.
Board member Joan DeCamp sided with him, pointing out how “unrealistic” it would be to expect any night time eatery to be successful without making liquors available to the clientele.
“I would much rather have people come into a restaurant…eat, stay and have a drink than go out to a bar,” she observed.
A rebuttal was issued by committee member Rabbi Daniel Pollack, who advised listeners that restaurants and bars play by a different set of rules. Neighborhood restaurants, he suggested, generally close at 12 midnight.
He frowned upon permitting Las Victorias from essentially becoming a bar after 1 a.m., maintaining that excessive drinking often leads to criminal activity and quality-of-life problems.
“I like going out to restaurants a lot,” Coccovillo added. “After dinner, I’ll sit there and I’ll even have a drink or coffee; within 15, 20 minutes, I’m on my way home. I’m not hanging out, drinking—that’s a restaurant. If you’re open at three in the morning, you’re no longer a restaurant; you’re a bar.”
Fellow board member and associate real estate broker Regina Santoro predicted that having another bar-like business would only add to the existing “chaos” generated by several night establishments throughout Richmond Hill.
In relation to other eating establishments that don’t adhere to a curfew, Coccovillo promised that they would be aware of the committee’s new policy once their liquor licenses are up for renewals.
During a roll-call vote, Board 9 elected to support the restaurant’s request by a 24-12 tally with the stipulation that the business in question conclude selling alcohol by 1 a.m.
Spike in local grand larcenies
Capt. Martin Briffa, executive officer of the 102nd Precinct, reported increases in criminal activity over the previous 28-day period, including a 23 percent surge in major crimes, along with a 131 percent growth in grand larcenies. Most of those crimes consisted in the theft of credit cards and bank checks, which the captain said are “easy to crackdown on.”
He also addressed a three percent uptick in felony assaults by explaining how his precinct is flooded with night clubs and other establishments, where assaults have taken place, particularly during the holiday season.
Briffa surmised that educating the many foreigners in his command about the laws they must abide by will help alleviate the recent numbers.
Many crimes, such as rape, he continued, are being committed by individuals that know the victims and not by strangers.
“We can do car stops. If you have a Toyota, we’ll stop you; that’s what they’re stealing these days. We try to teach people not to leave handbags in cars. There are people who are even taking quarters from [parked] cars,” said Briffa.
In response to Board 9 Chairperson Ivan Mrakovcic’s concerns about prostitution, Conditions Unit Sgt. Joseph DeMarco admitted that there was a problem in the area of Rockaway Boulevard and Atlantic Avenue. He promised board members that his unit would perform sting operations if necessary to rid the streets of street walkers.
DeMarco further touched on his precinct’s focus on monitoring liquor stores to ensure that they don’t sell any of their merchandise to people who are under the age of 21.
Carousel update
In his chairperson’s report, Mrakovcic notified board members that a vendor who currently works at Flushing Meadows/Corona Park will soon be operating the Forest Park Carousel starting sometime in June. “We want it open as soon as possible… and landmarked,” he stated.
Strengthening park communities
Hassan King of Partnership for Parks spoke of his organization’s outreach efforts to provide resources to stakeholders interested in maintaining smaller park properties.
He detailed how his group was involved in helping the Astoria Park Waterfront Alliance secure grants in order to provide greater waterfront access in their neighborhood park.
“Because of our unique relationship with the Parks Department, we’ve been able to help with the education and fitness programs in that park,” he said along with mentioning how Partnership for Parks is also looking to visit other areas they normally don’t go to.
In addition, King offered his expertise to Mrakovcic, Andrea Crawford and other board members who may be looking to start a feasibility study on a rails-for-trails project to turn an unused tract of land at Forest Park into a bike trail.
Pol promotes listening tour
City Council Member Ruben Wills was on hand to tell those in attendance about his listening tour in which he will visit various sites throughout his district to understand the needs of all his constituents. “All I do is sit and listen to you,” he added.
The Southeast Queens native alerted the audience to an upcoming unemployment seminar he’ll be hosting in order to “bring everything to this community that hasn’t been provided.”
“When everything gets tough, we actually band together—we make things happen,” he said in reference to school teachers being laid off.
Spotlight on car service
Some board members, such as Clark Whitsett, made their feelings known about the Richmond Hillbased Community Quisqueya Car Service, which recently submitted its application for its base station license renewal.
Whitsett reported that the drivers from the car service continually make illegal u-turns at busy intersections, congesting traffic. He also noted how many of them wait for their calls along residential streets and deprive residents of parking spaces.
Similarly, Mrakovcic pointed out how Community Quisqueya’s employees frequently leave their cars running and pollute the air in between rides.
Attorney Richard Weinberg conceded that his client may be the best, but is “far from the worst” in terms of local car service companies. He stated that his client’s employees are all local community members.
Board member and Woodhaven activist Maria Thomson concurred by saying that Community Quisqueya provides jobs and a “good” service to the community usually responding to their calls within five minutes.
“Every time we had a problem, they took care of it. U-turns are a police issue,” concluded Sam Esposito. The board voted in favor of renewing the base station license by a 29-7 tally.
Community Board 9 regularly meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 7:45 p.m. at various locations throughout Kew Gardens, Ozone Park, Richmond Hill and Woodhaven. For more details, call 1-718-286-2686
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