September 2008 Juniper Berry Magazine

September 2008 Juniper Berry

The Juniper Berry magazine has a rich tradition in the communities of Middle Village, Maspeth and Elmhurst. It was first published in 1938. The quarterly magazine is an all-volunteer effort and contains articles on crime prevention, neighborhood issues, meeting reports and notices, neighborhood history and photographs, guest articles, editorials and more.

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MORE ALLIES PUSHING FOR TRUCK BYPASS PLAN

Last month, Juniper Civic met with Councilman John Liu to formulate a strategy to move the stalled Grand Avenue Truck Bypass Plan onto the Department of Transportation's fast track.

Sand avalanche in Maspeth!

The morning of Thursday, June 26th, a truck hauling sand tipped over while making a turn from the LIE westbound service road onto Grand Avenue.

Letters to the Editor – September 2008

"I have been a resident of New York City all of my life, 37 years. It is rare that I take the opportunity to write my city officials but I have now come to the point where I believe you and several other city officials need to hear what I have to say."

Police Beat 104: E-mailing to fight crime

The City of New York has launched a program that allows the public to submit still images and/or audio/video files of select conditions that occur in the City, by calling 311, 911 or by visiting NYC.gov.

Street repair schedule

DOT's Bureau of Highways has selected a number of roads in our area to be repaved this calendar year. It is estimated that the projects will begin in September and will be done during daytime hours.

THOMPSON EXAMINING WAYS TO COMPENSATE NEW YORKERS FOR 2007 FLOOD LOSSES

New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. is probing ways to compensate many New Yorkers affected by last year's massive storm-triggered floods in April, July and August, and has offered to extend the deadlines for claimants to sue with the expectation of resolving the claims before litigation becomes necessary.

Call 311 for Street Tree Planting

Through NYC's million tree initiative, you can now request a street tree planting by calling 311. You no longer have to fill out a tree request form or call your council member to request a planting. Simply call 311. You do not have to be the owner of the property to make this request.

PARKS DEPT: "FAKE TURF SHOULD NOT BE PLAYED ON"

Even though it's been proven that the artificial turf being installed in our city parks gets hot enough to send you to the emergency room, Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe insists on continuing to replace grass fields with it, supposedly in order to reduce maintenance hours and costs. Unfortunately, his strategy is not accomplishing that, either.

A Breath of Fresh Air

In less than two months, we will all have the very rare opportunity to be voting in a very unusual local election contest. There will actually be contenders to choose from.

When the Community Works Together, We Win

As the season begins to turn and summer concerts fade to memory, we once again renew our pact as a community to be involved and safeguard the values we hold dear. Juniper Park is one of New York City's great treasures with an equally remarkable civic association.

A Great Neighborhood

There were five of us, best friends from different schools, different blocks, but all from the same community. On Sundays, we could always find a convenient time to meet for Mass.

237 Maltese Laws and counting

As a Senator, I have been a leading advocate not only for veterans throughout the state, but also for senior citizens and the middle class. I have been instrumental in the enactment of many significant initiatives on their behalf. I am the proud sponsor of 237 "Maltese Laws."

Experience Counts in Albany

My highest priority as a public official has been to make life better for the residents of New York and Queens. I am proud of my record as your Assemblymember and I look forward to the opportunity of continuing to serve you in the years ahead.

Volunteering to Help Build a Better Community

For over 27 years, I have been an energetic and dedicated community activist. I am proud of my involvement in many fine community organizations. My record is one of taking action, winning uphill battles and solving problems with creative thinking.

YOUR HOME IS YOUR CASTLE ‒ UNTIL IT'S NOT

Today, if a greedy politician and developer figure they can do better with your property than you can, then poof, it's not yours anymore.

AN HISTORIC RACE

In less than two months, we will all have the very rare opportunity to be voting in a very unusual election contest. The outcome will result in either the first black president or the first female vice president in the history of the United States of America.

Ten Years Ago COMMUTER TAX Was Repealed

May 17 is a particularly sad anniversary in New York City's fiscal history. The event escapes recent memory, but its effects grow greater as time passes. Return with us now to that chilling day of yesteryear. From out of the past come the thundering hoof beats of the great horse.

ANARCHISTS AT MASPETH

In the 1890s, Group Maspeth, an Anarchist organization, numbered 30 members and was the largest group of German anarchists in Queens. Their meeting places were generally located in saloons or hotels on or near Grand Avenue. Believing capitalism to be evil, members of Group Maspeth infiltrated the workforce at area factories in order to cause havoc and destruction. In 1893, the New York Times chronicled the story of planted bombs at E.V. Crandall's Whiting Works on Newtown Creek. Here we present the first segment of the three-part saga.

COMPTROLLER REJECTS CONTRACT TO TURN RIDGEWOOD RESERVOIR INTO SPORTS FIELDS

City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. announced on June 26th that his office has rejected a contract by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation to develop a portion of the Ridgewood Reservoir into sports fields.

2008 Summer Concert Series a Huge Hit

September marks the end of summer and the 2008 Juniper Park Summer Concert Series. The concerts were very popular and attendance was at an all time high with hundreds of neighborhood residents arriving with their lawn chairs eager to enjoy a night of great music.

Business Spotlight: Curves Middle Village

You haven't been worked out until you see what Curves has introduced to the marketplace. It is called CurvesSmart and once you start on this program there is no doubt you will have been exercised to your max – appropriate for your age, build and goals.

Berry Book Reviews

Paul Coehlo's writing voice is melodic. Reading his books is like watching a river flow. Once sentence blends and flows into the next, paragraph into paragraph, page into page until before you know it, you've finished reading a marvelous story.

Dental Implants: What's new?

After more than fifty years of research and clinical trials, dental implants are now considered to be the standard of care for the replacement of missing teeth. In most situations it is the healthier and more cosmetic way of replacing missing teeth.

The Summer of the Guitar

After months of practicing Guitar Hero on Xbox, I wanted to try the real thing. At first it's hard but once you get past the basics, it's a lot of fun.

Yesterday and Today: Grand Avenue & 71st Street, 1940

A look up Grand Avenue almost seven decades ago shows trolley tracks and overhead wires running up a Belgian-blocked street and a few parked automobiles which would be considered "classic" today.

The Daniels Homes under construction – 1941

This photo was taken January 21, 1941 and depicts Caldwell Avenue from 77th Place, facing west. A row of attached homes is under construction on the north side of the street. There is a sign near them advertising the "Daniels Homes" for $4,990 and directing interested buyers to an office on Eliot Avenue. Much of the area was just starting to be developed at this point in our neighborhood's history.

Neighborhood Hall of Shame

Thankfully, the vast majority of property owners in Middle Village and Maspeth take pride in the appearance and well-being of our neighborhood. But a few property owners have a total disregard for the condition of their property. So we induct these properties into this monthʼs Hall of Shame.

Maspeth Trolley trouble – May 13, 1949

Maspeth looking west on Grand Avenue near 69th Street: May 13, 1949 ‒ Trolley stalls as repair crews attempt repairs. Apparently car was running with both poles up.

Doctor's revelations prove that cell phone tower is not worth the risk

"Pittsburgh cancer institute warns of cell phone-cancer risk, defying public research" screamed the headline from the Associated Press this past July 24th. That certainly got my attention.

Off the Markey

As you consider your vote in the NY State Assembly District 30 (Marge Markey, current incumbent), remember this: On May 17th, 1999 ‒ almost 10 years ago) Marge Markey voted to raise the taxes of all New York City residents.

JPCA Celebrating 70th Anniversary with Dinner/Dance, Nov 1.

The JPCA is celebrating its 70th year in 2008. Our dinner/dance will be held at Abbracciamento's Restaurant for Saturday, November 1, 2008, 7pm. Save the date.

THE JUNIPER BERRY

The Juniper Berry magazine, first published in 1938 is an all-volunteer effort containing articles on crime prevention, neighborhood issues, meeting reports and notices, neighborhood history and photographs, guest articles, editorials and more.

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In The News

Mr. Mayor, Let's Not Have Another Maspeth

CB 2 says no to Qns. Blvd. rezoning pitch

The immigrant behind the once-huge Bohack chain

Search underway for suspect in two Middle Village bank robbery attempts this morning

Burglary suspect stole thousands in cash and merchandise from a Maspeth nail salon

Diner in Maspeth where 'Goodfellas' was filmed catches fire after closing for the day

Convicted bank robber out on parole is wanted for failed Ridgewood bank heist and other jobs: cops

Remembering the Slocum disaster and its link to Middle Village: Our Neighborhood, The Way it Was

Thieves steal safe containing $60K from Queens home: Police

Press Releases

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Maspeth-Middle Village Task Force's coalition strategy pays off

Mayor de Blasio announced a major policy shift on February 28th which will eventually end the City's use of hotels and cluster sites as homeless shelters. The City now plans to build shelters in individual communities sized to accommodate the number of homeless that originate from them. This means homeless families and individuals will be able to remain in their own familiar neighborhoods while they rebuild their lives.

MARKEY BILL DENIES JUSTICE FOR THE MAJORITY OF SEX ABUSE VICTIMS

(June 7, 2016) Assemblywoman Margaret Markey is pushing a bill in the State Assembly that would extend the statute of limitations for civil claims brought by sexual abuse victims. (Interestingly, it does not attempt to toughen criminal penalties for sexual abuse.) The bill has been promoted non-stop by media such as the Daily News, which has vilified anyone who has questions about it or opposes it outright. However, what is not being discussed by the media is that Markey's bill has fine print with major implications: it targets religious and private institutions while granting exemptions to public entities, such as the Department of Education, which runs the majority of schools in our city.