The Juniper Berry December 2019

Yesterday and Today: The Kosciuszko Bridge

Published December 11, 2019

Yesterday and Today: The Kosciuszko Bridge

By Christina Wilkinson

This scene shows the Kosciuszko Bridge from Laurel Hill Blvd in 1940 and in... See More

Happy New Year 2020!

Published December 11, 2019

Happy New Year 2020!

By Christina Wilkinson

We’re heading into the year 2020! The first 2 digits of a year matching the second two digits... See More

Berry Bits: Katz elected Queens District Attorney

Published December 11, 2019

Berry Bits: Katz elected Queens District Attorney

By Christina Wilkinson

Queens Borough President Melinda Katz has won the general election for District Attorney. We wish... See More

Berry Bits: Queens Vietnam Veterans Memorial opens December 20

Published December 11, 2019

Berry Bits: Queens Vietnam Veterans Memorial opens December 20

By Christina Wilkinson

The Queens Vietnam Veterans Memorial, which will bear the names of all service members from the... See More

Berry Bits: Cooper Ave shelter rejected by CB5; Coalition files 2 lawsuits

Published December 11, 2019

Berry Bits: Cooper Ave shelter rejected by CB5; Coalition files 2 lawsuits

By Christina Wilkinson

CB5 voted 34-0 on Oct. 16 to reject the City’s proposed plan for a 200-men shelter at 78-16 and... See More

Berry Bits: Grand Street Bridge surveying

Published December 11, 2019

Berry Bits: Grand Street Bridge surveying

By Christina Wilkinson

A topographical survey was completed in September for the Grand Street Bridge spanning Newtown... See More

Snake Hill in the Snow

Published December 11, 2019

Snake Hill in the Snow

By Paul DeFalco

I grabbed my trusty Flexible Flyer sled and joined my friends walking... See More

Centerfold photos: Frank Caudo

Published December 11, 2019

Centerfold photos: Frank Caudo

Frank Caudo is a local professional photographer. One winter, he took some very artistic landscape... See More

The transformation of PS58's schoolyard

Published December 11, 2019

The transformation of PS58's schoolyard

By Richard Polgar

During summer break, the schoolyard at PS58 had a makeover. All the cement was dug up, trees were... See More

Berry Bits: Land Use ballot proposal passed

Published December 11, 2019

Berry Bits: Land Use ballot proposal passed

By Christina Wilkinson

Those who headed to the polls for this past November’s election are aware that there were 5... See More

Berry Bits: Safer Kosciuszko approaches

Published December 11, 2019

Berry Bits: Safer Kosciuszko approaches

By Christina Wilkinson

Comptroller Scott Stringer this summer criticized the lack of bike and pedestrian safety measures... See More

Berry Bits: Something to celebrate

Published December 11, 2019

Berry Bits: Something to celebrate

By Christina Wilkinson

The NYC Parks Department announced in October that the Asian Long-horned beetle had been eradicated... See More

Berry Bits: New Police Commissioner named

Published December 11, 2019

Berry Bits: New Police Commissioner named

By Christina Wilkinson

Former Chief of Detectives Dermot Shea took over as Police Commissioner on December 1 after James... See More

Berry Bits: London Lennie's staying put

Published December 11, 2019

Berry Bits: London Lennie's staying put

By Christina Wilkinson

In an open letter to the community on the restaurant’s Facebook page, London Lennie’s owner Les... See More

Things That Are Dumb: Ferry pricey!

Published December 11, 2019

Things That Are Dumb: Ferry pricey!

By Christina Wilkinson

The implementation of subsidized ferry service provided a convenient way for people who live near... See More

Protect your pipes

Published December 11, 2019

Protect your pipes

By Adapted from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety

When water freezes, it expands. That’s why a can of soda explodes if it’s put into a freezer to... See More

Berry Bits: Maspeth sewer project underway

Published December 11, 2019

Berry Bits: Maspeth sewer project underway

By Christina Wilkinson

Maspeth is currently undergoing a $101 million sewer project which started in September and will... See More

We Can Do Better On Homelessness

Published December 11, 2019

We Can Do Better On Homelessness

A message for voters: If there’s one reason not to support Mayor de Blasio, it’s because of how... See More

Burger City: It’s on the Way Home

Published December 11, 2019

Burger City: It’s on the Way Home

By David Pambianchi

Three friends of 50 years came back to their old neighborhood and discovered the community needed a... See More

Berry Bits: Middle Village Library under renovation

Published December 11, 2019

Berry Bits: Middle Village Library under renovation

By Christina Wilkinson

The Middle Village Library closed November 8 and will not reopen until February... See More

Who is running for Queens Borough President?

Published December 11, 2019

Who is running for Queens Borough President?

Borough President Melinda Katz will be assuming the role of District Attorney come January 1.... See More

The Jamaica Savings Bank Building: To Landmark Once Again?

Published December 11, 2019

The Jamaica Savings Bank Building: To Landmark Once Again?

By James McMenamin

A new effort is underway to push for land-marking status of what is known as the ‘Jamaica Savings... See More

Meet the Author: John Roumas

Published December 11, 2019

Meet the Author: John Roumas

John Roumas has been a Queens resident since 1968. A graduate of Brooklyn Tech, Parsons School of... See More

104th Precinct Report 12-2019

Published December 11, 2019

104th Precinct Report 12-2019

By Captain Victoria Perry

I hope everyone has had a pleasant fall and is easing into the colder weather. As we enter into the... See More

Ricco's Recipes for the Holidays

Published December 11, 2019

Ricco's Recipes for the Holidays

Happy holidays to all. Here are some hearty recipes I have put together for you to make towards the... See More

Berry Book Review: The Lost Night

Published December 11, 2019

Berry Book Review: The Lost Night

The Lost Night is Andrea Bartz’s debut novel and a strong start, though not without a few small... See More

The Mother Cabrini Conundrum

Published December 11, 2019

The Mother Cabrini Conundrum

By Anthony Sciarriatta

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini was born on July 15, 1850 in a small town outside of Milan, Italy. She... See More

Things That Are Dumb: Criminal-coddling cuckoos

Published December 11, 2019

Things That Are Dumb: Criminal-coddling cuckoos

By Christina Wilkinson

It may come as a surprise that there are more than 400 offenses, which include felonious acts such... See More

Killy's Korner 12-2019

Published December 11, 2019

Killy's Korner 12-2019

By John Killcommons

Well, here we are at the end of another year of reporting in the Juniper Berry as we look forward... See More

Berry Game Review: Pokémon Sword and Shield

Published December 11, 2019

Berry Game Review: Pokémon Sword and Shield

Pokémon is one of those franchises which will never go away, not without Game Freak and The... See More

Things That Are Dumb: The return of the absentee mayor

Published December 11, 2019

Things That Are Dumb: The return of the absentee mayor

By Christina Wilkinson

The Big Apple’s Big Bird has come home to roost! Mayor de Blasio announced that he was ending his... See More

Neighborhood Hall of Shame 12-2019

Published December 11, 2019

Neighborhood Hall of Shame 12-2019

Thankfully, the vast majority of property owners in Middle Village & Maspeth take pride in the... See More

Timing and Talent Sent Local Student to the Big Leagues

Published December 11, 2019

Timing and Talent Sent Local Student to the Big Leagues

By Caroline D. Roswell

As a technology teacher and amateur historian, I volunteered to write the history of both schools... See More

Berry Bits: MTA improving accessibility at local subway stations

Published December 11, 2019

Berry Bits: MTA improving accessibility at local subway stations

By Christina Wilkinson

The recently passed MTA budget includes $5.2 billion to make 70 subway stations easier for those... See More

Berry Bits: Street renaming for Sciulli

Published December 11, 2019

Berry Bits: Street renaming for Sciulli

By Robert Holden

Please join us on Tuesday, December 17 at 10 a.m. at the corner of 77th Street and 62nd Avenue as... See More

Berry Bits: Bus lane camera tickets

Published December 11, 2019

Berry Bits: Bus lane camera tickets

By Christina Wilkinson

The DOT announced that it will begin issuing bus lane camera violations along the Q58 bus route... See More

Berry Bits: Jamaica Bay deserves protection

Published December 11, 2019

Berry Bits: Jamaica Bay deserves protection

By Christina Wilkinson

The “Jamaica Bay bill” would protect the bay from the dumping of harmful contaminants into its... See More

Message from the President, December 2019

Published December 11, 2019

Message from the President, December 2019

By Tony Nunziato

Although we are always battling to keep our quality of life intact, this is the time of year when... See More

Washington Irving's contributions to Christmas

Published December 11, 2019

Washington Irving's contributions to Christmas

By Christina Wilkinson

Washington Irving is best known as the author of short stories such as The Legend of Sleepy Hollow... See More

FDNY Captain Brian P. Gill 2019 Recipient of JPCA Hero Award

Published December 11, 2019

FDNY Captain Brian P. Gill 2019 Recipient of JPCA Hero Award

At JPCA’s September general membership meeting, President Tony Nunziato and First VP and retired... See More

Things That Are Dumb: Homeless shelter hearing havoc

Published December 11, 2019

Things That Are Dumb: Homeless shelter hearing havoc

By Christina Wilkinson

On October 7, Community Board 5 hosted a hearing at Christ the King Auditorium that quickly... See More

Things That Are Dumb: Drug store trashed by high school students

Published December 11, 2019

Things That Are Dumb: Drug store trashed by high school students

By Christina Wilkinson

This past September 26, roughly 50 students from Metropolitan Campus High School trashed a CVS at... See More

Things That Are Dumb: CFB confuses voters

Published December 11, 2019

Things That Are Dumb: CFB confuses voters

By Christina Wilkinson

The campaign finance board publishes an annual voter guide that is mailed to voters prior to... See More

Things That Are Dumb: 3 rails studies that will go nowhere

Published December 11, 2019

Things That Are Dumb: 3 rails studies that will go nowhere

By Christina Wilkinson

There currently are 3 proposals for rail line reactivation in our area. The first would reactivate... See More

Things That Are Dumb: Hardhats required

Published December 11, 2019

Things That Are Dumb: Hardhats required

By Christina Wilkinson

Maybe before the MTA sinks millions into studies for new rail lines, it should focus its energy on... See More

Things That Are Dumb: Rikers update

Published December 11, 2019

Things That Are Dumb: Rikers update

By Christina Wilkinson

Unless you have been living under a rock, you are aware that the City Council passed the Mayor’s... See More

Things That Are Dumb: Abysmal turnout for early voting

Published December 11, 2019

Things That Are Dumb: Abysmal turnout for early voting

By Christina Wilkinson

After political declarations that early voting would bring our elections into the 21st Century and... See More

Things That Are Dumb: Stolen scooter recovered, thief on the loose

Published December 11, 2019

Things That Are Dumb: Stolen scooter recovered, thief on the loose

By Christina Wilkinson

CBS posted a video on their website the morning of November 5th which showed a man in a very... See More

Things That Are Dumb: Loco locomotive procurement process

Published December 11, 2019

Things That Are Dumb: Loco locomotive procurement process

By Christina Wilkinson

All the community wanted was to gather the political will and funding together to replace the old,... See More

Things That Are Dumb: Groovy in a bad way

Published December 11, 2019

Things That Are Dumb: Groovy in a bad way

By Richard Polgar

Large ruts exist in the sidewalk in one of the busiest corners of Maspeth. Not only is it near a... See More

Letters to the Editor 12-2019

Published December 11, 2019

Letters to the Editor 12-2019

I would like to draw your attention to an 85-year young lady who volunteers as a gardener in... See More

The Graffiti Avengers strike again!

Published December 11, 2019

The Graffiti Avengers strike again!

Graffiti doesn’t stay around long when The Duo, aka Peter Sofio and Richie Polgar, take... See More

Social Security Column: It’s a perfect time to plan for your future

Published December 11, 2019

Social Security Column: It’s a perfect time to plan for your future

By Nilsa Henriquez

Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Queens, NY There’s no better time than right now to... See More

Poinsettias: Fact and Fiction

Published December 11, 2019

Poinsettias: Fact and Fiction

By Tony Nunziato

This time of year, everything is red and green for the holidays. And no houseplant is identified... See More

Things I remember about old Middle Village

Published December 11, 2019

Things I remember about old Middle Village

When Middle Village had no supermarkets and if you needed groceries you went to Bluestein’s,... See More

FDNY rescues park flags

Published December 11, 2019

FDNY rescues park flags

The flags flying at local parks and triangles continue to be monitored under the watchful eye of... See More

Amazing Stories 12-2019

Published December 11, 2019

Amazing Stories 12-2019

Middle Village lost another one of its fast disappearing links connecting it with the past as a... See More

Little Free Library installed at Juniper Valley Park

Published December 11, 2019

Little Free Library installed at Juniper Valley Park

After receiving an inquiry from neighborhood resident Matt Lebris, JPCA collaborated with Newtown... See More

Maspeth Mom’s Triple Tragedy

Published December 11, 2019

Maspeth Mom’s Triple Tragedy

By Christina Wilkinson

Saturlina Grabowski of 56-02 61st Street in Maspeth was a tough Depression-era survivor. The... See More

Welcome back, Fr. Peter!

Published December 11, 2019

Welcome back, Fr. Peter!

Fr. Peter Purpura’s resume is quite impressive with much accomplishment for his young years. He... See More

Published December 11, 2019

Held Hostage

By Patrick Trinchese

Imagine you are building a new home, constructing a new business or restoring your home subsequent... See More

Old Newtown Cemetery Deserves Proper Recognition

Published December 11, 2019

Old Newtown Cemetery Deserves Proper Recognition

By James McMenamin

Newtown Playground, located at 92nd Street and 56th Avenue, has recently undergone a major design... See More

Published December 11, 2019

Remember When

By Vincent J. Tomeo

Remember when the television networks would sign off the air for the evening, playing the National... See More

The Juniper Berry December 2019 Cover