Central Queens 2002 Year In Review

Talk of the 2012 Olympics coming to New York won citywide support, but not so in central Queens. Community activists there called a news conference in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park to protest plans to transform two lakes in the park into a course for the regatta event. The groups spokesperson, Patricia Dolan, noted that the transformation was environmentally unsound.
In another development, Jeff Gottlieb, a Forest Hills historian introduced the Jewish Heritage Trail to the community. It included 30 spots of interest to area Jews including synagogues, colleges and even bakeries.
July brought bad tidings o Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church in Forest Hills when court papers were filed against Monseigneur Thomas Gradilone was named defendant in a $3 million suit for illegally defrauding a 92-year-old parishioner of $1 million. The action came as a shock to parishioners of the areas largest Catholic church.
Democratic candidates for state office shared their platforms and beliefs at a Kew Gardens voting forum. The tone for the meeting was set when Patricia Dolan of the Queens Civic Association said the real issues were overcrowded schools, economic development and beneficial business development in the neighborhood.
Queens, a borough filled with nursing homes,has added a new until this month when Willow Court opened in Forest Hills. The assisted living community offers apartment-style living on a rental basis. It includes personalized assistance and health care. The facility is owned and managed by New York-based Sterling Glen Communities and Forest City Enterprises, an 80-year-old firm.
Senior health care concerns were voiced at a crowded meeting of the Kew-Forest Woodside Loitz Post 250 of the Jewish War Veterans. In a lively discussion, members expressed fears that Congress would not pass needed legislation clearing the way for lower prescription drug costs. It is widely known that many residents have to choose between eating and buying prescription drugs.
Forest Hills business leaders sounded off this month about two huge construction projects that have plagued pedestrians for months. The $606,000 sidewalk construction jobs were sharply criticized by Heskel Elias, a Forest Hills developer. He called the work "nonsense" and said the money should have been spent on building homeless shelters.
Call is a lifeline to the elderly. Thats the goal of the house call program sponsored by North Shore University Hospital at Forest Hills. The program dispatches doctors, nurses and technicians to the homes of bed-bound patients.
Going to Manhattan for holiday shopping? Thats one trip no longer necessary because the eighth annual crafts fair is open for business at the Central YM & YWHA in Forest Hills. It offers shoppers a treasure trove of distinctive crafts. Items on sale include sculpture resembling Steuben Glass, fabrics, purses, bags and antique buttons. "Its a far more personal way of shopping than shopping in a store," said Susan Kiok, a noted ceramist working at the fair. areas above ground wiring system.
Police officer Stephen McDonald who was shot and left paralyzed appealed for non-violence at a Kew Gardens forum. Meanwhile, the 112 Precinct issued a call for more auxiliary police to help patrol the neighborhoods. The Precinct needs the auxiliary cops to help cover an area of about three square miles with about 110,000 residents.