Hi Everyone,

Well it looks like we got through another winter that wasn’t so bad and we have Spring around the corner. We’re lucky that we won’t have much thawing out to do. I have quite a few things to tell you about, so let’s get to it.

Effective March 1 a new NYS law took effect and plastic bags are no longer available at the checkout. Now we have to not only remember what we went there for but also to bring the bag to put it in. What I did find out though is that if you have your own collection of plastic bags, as most of us do, you may bring them to the supermarket and use them. Good luck remembering everyone!

Have you walked past Artis Drug Store on 80th Street and Eliot Avenue during the past few months? Owner Mike Somma has on display fabulous windows paying tribute to classic TV. We all remember these great TV shows and it was really wonderful seeing the pictures in the window. Mike, you are contributing in a tremendous way to keeping our neighborhood beautiful. We thank you!

Ten year old Jacob Altamirano who attends P.S. 290Q has a goal to raise $8,000 in order to help 90 of his fellow classmates pay their $85 graduation dues by June. Jacob is the son of community leader and activist Connie Altamirano. He has raised more than $4000 so far by holding fundraisers at California Pizza Kitchen. Great job, Jacob!

A group of Middle Village ladies make a point of celebrating their birthdays at LaParma in Mineola.

Our family celebrates my daughter Kelly’s birthday and my own the same day, February 12th (best birthday present I ever received) and my granddaughter Sarah’s on February 5th. Was able to get them all together at Alberto’s restaurant on a Saturday night.

Guess who came back to the NYPD? Chief Juanita Holmes left the private sector and has been assigned to the Chief of Patrol’s office. Welcome back! In other NYPD news, Assistant Chief Martin Morales, who has spent 33 years serving in the police department, has been named chief of personnel and taking his place as commanding officer of Patrol Borough Queens North is Assistant Chief Galen Frierson. Congratulations to all.

On December 19, City Council Member Bob Holden, JPCA President Tony Nunziato, myself, family members and members of the Civic and neighbors gathered for the renaming of Juniper Valley Road at 62nd Avenue in honor of our beloved, the late, Lorraine Sciulli. Now co-named Lorraine Sciulli Way, the sign was put in place. No one deserved this more than Lorraine who referred to Juniper Valley Park as her backyard. She looked after the neighborhood patrolling in her car from early morning to late afternoon. She kept after store owners to keep their fronts clean and reported anything she felt was harmful to our neighborhood. Lorraine is sorely missed and will be kept in our hearts.

And speaking of civic officers who contribute greatly to our communities, Manny Caruana is certainly one of them. He and his wife have moved to a home on Long Island and the JPCA board paid tribute to him at a dinner at Villa Erasmo this past January. Here is JPCA President Tony Nunziato bestowing upon him a nice bottle of scotch and a fond farewell, although I’m sure we’ll still be seeing him around.

Hey, check out the Middle Village Red Hats celebrating birthdays and the holidays at London Lennie’s last November. What a fun bunch of gals.

Congratulations to Our Lady of Hope 5th grade Novice boys for winning the St. Stan's Christmas tournament. Patrick McNamara, Michael Vastarelli, Benny Baretta, Michael DiMario, Max McConnell, Jackson Cintron, Joey DiMaria, Lorenzo Pantello, Brian Rogan. Coaches Mike DiMario and Martin McNamara.

Alyssa Lynaugh recently traveled to Guatemala on a service trip sponsored by Adelphi University, where she is a first-year nursing student. Alyssa and 11 other students worked with a local organization, Fundamaya. They had a very busy week that involved weighing and measuring children at local preschools, installing stoves and distributing water filters for families in need, and serving lunch to the elderly – some of whom walk miles for this meal each day! They visited the local First Responders office and learned about their work. They also visited the local health center and public hospital, where a midwife and pediatrician discussed malnutrition, diabetes, and the importance of breastfeeding. Alyssa and the other students also had the chance to meet Guatemalan nursing students, which was a great opportunity to learn about the similarities and differences between medical education in the United States and abroad.

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, now in its 25th year, is conducted by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). The program recognized eight New York students as Distinguished Finalists for their impressive community service activities. Anna Lampman, 13, of Middle Village, an eighth-grader at Sacred Heart Catholic Academy of Glendale, runs “Bedtime Bags,” through which she has donated 200 drawstring backpacks to children in need, each filled with a blanket, stuffed animal, toothbrush, toothpaste and a book. Her efforts include promoting her project at her school and community churches, collecting and sorting donations and delivering the bags to two charity organizations. Although she didn’t win the big prize, she received an engraved bronze medallion for her efforts. Congratulations, Anna, you are doing a wonderful service.

During February, Newtown Historical Society hosted 3 free events in honor of Black History Month that were very popular. At Neir’s Tavern, a jazz concert was held during brunch featuring the music of Carl Bartlett, Jr. Quartet. The event got lots of rave reviews. Next, Council Member Holden’s office was the venue for Solo Sets by the Omar Edwards and Company, an innovative music and dance performance. And the final event was a screening and discussion back at Neir’s of the documentary, “The Woman in the Iron Coffin,” about the body of a 150-year old well preserved corpse unearthed at a construction site across the street from Newtown High School. Marialena Giampino and Juniper Berry author James McMenamin of Elmhurst History & Cemeteries Preservation Society gave an update on their efforts to preserve the old church cemetery where she was found. Great job by Christina Wilkinson, our very busy editor, who also serves as president of Newtown Historical Society, in arranging such engaging programming.

Congratulations to Our Lady of Hope 5th grade Novice boys for winning the St. Stan’s Christmas tournament. Patrick McNamara, Michael Vastarelli, Benny Baretta, Michael DiMario, Max McConnell, Jackson Cintron, Joey DiMaria, Lorenzo Pantello, Brian Rogan. Coaches Mike DiMario and Martin McNamara.

Alyssa Lynaugh recently traveled to Guatemala on a service trip sponsored by Adelphi University, where she is a first-year nursing student. Alyssa and 11 other students worked with a local organization, Fundamaya. They had a very busy week that involved weighing and measuring children at local preschools, installing stoves and distributing water filters for families in need, and serving lunch to the elderly – some of whom walk miles for this meal each day! They visited the local First Responders office and learned about their work. They also visited the local health center and public hospital, where a midwife and pediatrician discussed malnutrition, diabetes, and the importance of breastfeeding. Alyssa and the other students also had the chance to meet Guatemalan nursing students, which was a great opportunity to learn about the similarities and differences between medical education in the United States and abroad.

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, now in its 25th year, is conducted by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). The program recognized eight New York students as Distinguished Finalists for their impressive community service activities. Anna Lampman, 13, of Middle Village, an eighth-grader at Sacred Heart Catholic Academy of Glendale, runs “Bedtime Bags,” through which she has donated 200 drawstring backpacks to children in need, each filled with a blanket, stuffed animal, toothbrush, toothpaste and a book. Her efforts include promoting her project at her school and community churches, collecting and sorting donations and delivering the bags to two charity organizations. Although she didn’t win the big prize, she received an engraved bronze medallion for her efforts. Congratulations, Anna, you are doing a wonderful service.

Congratulations to Officer Darren Mays, NYPD beekeeper and night patrolman at the 104th Pct, for being selected Cop of the Year by the 104Pct Community Council. A gala was held in Darren's honor at the Knockdown Center on February 27 featuring delicious food by Northside Bakery. This year's community partner award went to GCOP.

Well that’s all for now. Stay safe this St. Patrick’s Day and have a peaceful and joyous Easter.