The Juniper Berry March 2024

Yesterday & Today: Grand Avenue at 69th Street, looking southeast, 1940

Published March 7, 2024

Yesterday & Today: Grand Avenue at 69th Street, looking southeast, 1940

By Christina Wilkinson

The corner of 69th Street and Grand Avenue looked a lot different back in 1940, at least at its southwestern corner. In this photo we see a woman approaching a Flushing-Ridgewood trolley. Today that... See More

Feeder Favorite

Published March 7, 2024

Feeder Favorite

By Christina Wilkinson

People sometimes mistake the Tufted Titmouse for a “baby Blue Jay,” and it’s understandable.... See More

Berry Bits: Cardinal Field to be renovated

Published March 7, 2024

Berry Bits: Cardinal Field to be renovated

By Christina Wilkinson

A $4M plan to renovate Cardinal Field in Juniper Valley Park has been revealed. The project will... See More

Berry Bits: Keeping the lights on

Published March 7, 2024

Berry Bits: Keeping the lights on

By Christina Wilkinson

Homes within the Juniper Valley Loop (Long Island Expressway, Metropolitan Avenue, Dry Harbor Road... See More

Berry Bits: Common sense wins in court

Published March 7, 2024

Berry Bits: Common sense wins in court

By Christina Wilkinson

A state appeals court ruled that a City law that would allow non-citizens to vote in local... See More

Berry Bits: Let’s make Penelope Avenue safe

Published March 7, 2024

Berry Bits: Let’s make Penelope Avenue safe

By Christina Wilkinson

A petition by Middle Village residents living along Penelope Avenue has prompted a reaction by... See More

Berry Bits: Seeking an end to train noise

Published March 7, 2024

Berry Bits: Seeking an end to train noise

By Christina Wilkinson

If you live near the CSX or LIRR tracks, you likely have experienced the noise that railroad... See More

Things That Are Dumb: To cross or not to cross?

Published March 7, 2024

Things That Are Dumb: To cross or not to cross?

By Christina Wilkinson

This pedestrian signal at Metropolitan Ave and 60 Place is blocked by a replacement telephone pole.... See More

Things That Are Dumb: Virtue signaling

Published March 7, 2024

Things That Are Dumb: Virtue signaling

By Christina Wilkinson

A small contingent of socialists and anarchists showed up outside Council Member Holden’s office... See More

Things That Are Dumb: Cart blocks egress

Published March 7, 2024

Things That Are Dumb: Cart blocks egress

By Christina Wilkinson

A food cart has been set up in a rather poor location outside the Metropolitan Avenue M subway... See More

Berry Bits: Barging It

Published March 7, 2024

Berry Bits: Barging It

By Christina Wilkinson

NYC’s Economic Development Corporation has finally seen the light regarding using the city’s... See More

Berry Bits: Kudos to our raffle donors

Published March 7, 2024

Berry Bits: Kudos to our raffle donors

By Christina Wilkinson

A big thank you to everyone who donated to our holiday raffle which was held after our December... See More

Message from the President, March 2024

Published March 7, 2024

Message from the President, March 2024

Greetings, As the Juniper Park Civic Association enters its 86th year, we have a lot of work ahead... See More

Things That Are Dumb: Dirtbag dumps pet

Published March 7, 2024

Things That Are Dumb: Dirtbag dumps pet

By Christina Wilkinson

On Christmas Eve morning, a passerby noticed that a caged guinea pig had been dumped in an alley on... See More

Things That Are Dumb: Dumb criminal roundup

Published March 7, 2024

Things That Are Dumb: Dumb criminal roundup

By Christina Wilkinson

36-year-old Luis Hernandez of 56th Street in Maspeth was taken into custody January 12 by police by... See More

Things That Are Dumb: Even thieves don’t want CitiBike

Published March 7, 2024

Things That Are Dumb: Even thieves don’t want CitiBike

By Christina Wilkinson

Have you noticed all the unused Citibikes this winter? The service is lightly used in our area as... See More

Published March 7, 2024

Snow Day

Photos by Steve... See More

Published March 7, 2024

Winter Photos

By Angela M. Fazio

Published March 7, 2024

Pieta

By Vincent J. Tomeo

Robes flow like liquid cascading down a mountain Intertwined between mother and son In... See More

Things That Are Dumb: Operating at a net loss

Published March 7, 2024

Things That Are Dumb: Operating at a net loss

By Christina Wilkinson

The benefit of giving away huge subsidies to the film industry has long been questioned by fiscal... See More

Letters to the Editor: Don’t fix what’s not broken

Published March 7, 2024

Letters to the Editor: Don’t fix what’s not broken

By Christina Wilkinson

Testimony at Queens Community Board 5 Transportation Committee re: MTA Queens Bus Network Final... See More

Not Ready to Retire?<br>You can still apply for Medicare online

Published March 7, 2024

Not Ready to Retire?
You can still apply for Medicare online

Did you know that you can apply for Medicare online even if you are not ready to retire? And it... See More

Letters to the Editor: A critique of bus stop balancing

Published March 7, 2024

Letters to the Editor: A critique of bus stop balancing

Bus Stop Balancing is a mindless implementation of standard practices by the MTA and NYCDOT without... See More

104th Precinct Report March 2024

Published March 7, 2024

104th Precinct Report March 2024

By Captain Karam Chowdhury

Greetings from the 104th Precinct! First, let me introduce myself; my name is Captain Karam... See More

April 2024 Street Co-Naming Honorees

Published March 7, 2024

April 2024 Street Co-Naming Honorees

By Christina Wilkinson

Patrolman Charles Reynolds Patrolman Charles Reynolds and Patrolman Frank Romanella were shot and... See More

ADUs: Neighborhood Disaster Disguised as a Housing Solution

Published March 7, 2024

ADUs: Neighborhood Disaster Disguised as a Housing Solution

By Christina Wilkinson

This past Presidents Day, a devastating fire occurred in Maspeth. A woman and child had crawled out... See More

Inside the Fresh Pond Crematory and Columbarium

Published March 7, 2024

Inside the Fresh Pond Crematory and Columbarium

By Christina Wilkinson

The Fresh Pond Crematory has long loomed large over Middle Village. Situated at the top of a steep... See More

Unmarked, but Unforgotten

Published March 7, 2024

Unmarked, but Unforgotten

By Christina Wilkinson

When Council Member Holden asked me in 2022 if I had any suggestions for street co-namings, the... See More

Bill Would Ensure RVs No Longer Permanently Parked on Residential Streets

Published March 7, 2024

Bill Would Ensure RVs No Longer Permanently Parked on Residential Streets

In order to promote quality of life Citywide, Council Member Kamillah Hanks... See More

Momma, Mr. Liebowitz is here!

Published March 7, 2024

Momma, Mr. Liebowitz is here!

By Herby Teicher

I heard the front door open and close, followed by heavy footsteps, ascending the creaky stairs... See More

Shirley Temple Curls

Published March 7, 2024

Shirley Temple Curls

During my childhood years, Shirley Temple was the big rage coming out of Hollywood. She was a... See More

Happy Birthday, Bail Reform!

Published March 7, 2024

Happy Birthday, Bail Reform!

Bail reform has been in effect in New York State since January 2020. We now have 4 years of data to... See More

Dream About Tomorrow

Published March 7, 2024

Dream About Tomorrow

By Florence Levine

It all started with my father. One summer Tuesday the sun baked our sunny yellow kitchen belying... See More

How I came to love flowers

Published March 7, 2024

How I came to love flowers

By Vincent J. Tomeo

When I, Vincent, was a little boy in elementary school, fifth grade, my teacher, Mrs. Kramer, had... See More

Published March 7, 2024

At Seventeen

As I remember, I always loved traveling. All I needed was time and money. I had worked after school... See More

Bike riding along the Belt Parkway

Published March 7, 2024

Bike riding along the Belt Parkway

By Richard Polgar

Looking for open spaces, nature, history, and lots of exercise? Well, you don’t have to look... See More

Now open on Grand: Omatoya

Published March 7, 2024

Now open on Grand: Omatoya

By Christina Wilkinson

There’s another option for the foodies out there. Omatoya, a Japanese restaurant, opened on Grand... See More

Up bright and early – 12 noon

Published March 7, 2024

Up bright and early – 12 noon

Another fine summer morning of no school and endless possibilities that Maspeth would have in store... See More

Meng Announces Beginning of First Ever Mail Theft Probe in Queens

Published March 7, 2024

Meng Announces Beginning of First Ever Mail Theft Probe in Queens

Investigation Now Underway After Congresswoman Convinced U.S. Postal Service’s Office Of... See More

Community News March 2024

Published March 7, 2024

Community News March 2024

Congratulations to Thomas Vannata who just received Eagle Scout rank at our local Boy Scout Troop... See More

The day I woke up blind

Published March 7, 2024

The day I woke up blind

By Vincent J. Tomeo

In my wildest imagination, I never could fathom the loss of sight. The last thing anyone would... See More

Amazing Stories: Death from hydrophobia

Published March 7, 2024

Amazing Stories: Death from hydrophobia

By Times Union of Brooklyn, January 22, 1866

Mr. Nicholas Wyckoff, a well-known farmer of Queens County, died at his residence at Middle... See More

Amazing Stories: A Long Island hermit

Published March 7, 2024

Amazing Stories: A Long Island hermit

By New York Times, January 31, 1875

Discovery of a Man Who Dwelt Under Ground in the Woods Rather Than Enter a Work-House Some hunters... See More

The Middle Village Milkman Murder

Published March 7, 2024

The Middle Village Milkman Murder

By Christina Wilkinson

A horrific crime occurred August 29, 1886, at around 3am in the Middle Village section of Newtown.... See More

Tombs, Re-raided

Published March 7, 2024

Tombs, Re-raided

Welcome back, Adventurer! It’s been a while since this series began. In terms of release... See More

Amazing Stories: Shocking Affair on Long Island

Published March 7, 2024

Amazing Stories: Shocking Affair on Long Island

By New York Herald, April 26, 1870

An Inoffensive Old Man Stoned to Death — Citizens Without Forethought Engaged in Hue and Cry of... See More

A dog named Pal

Published March 7, 2024

A dog named Pal

By Wanda Sue Parrott

I kicked a friend with booted heel unmindful of the way I’d feel if I fell skidding to the floor,... See More

Ricco’s Recipes for Easter

Published March 7, 2024

Ricco’s Recipes for Easter

As always, sharing the things I love to cook here with the Juniper Berry community is always an... See More

Poetry March 2024

Published March 7, 2024

Poetry March 2024

By Vincent J. Tomeo

Notes On A Poetry Reading At The Library I The librarian said Show slides with your poetry If they... See More

Remembering the Mayor of Middle Village

Published March 7, 2024

Remembering the Mayor of Middle Village

John J. Killcommons, 89, of Middle Village, passed away peacefully on December 21st, 2023. He was... See More

Neighborhood Hall of Shame March 2024

Published March 7, 2024

Neighborhood Hall of Shame March 2024

If you see properties in disarray, call 311. And please send them to us for possible inclusion in... See More

The Juniper Berry March 2024 Cover