Parts of western Queens to be rezoned
City Planning Commissioner Amanda M. Burden began public review for an approximately 300-block rezoning proposal in the western Queens neighborhoods of Middle Village, Glendale and Maspeth, in Community District 5.
The proposal was developed at the request of and with extensive input from elected officials, including Councilmembers Elizabeth Crowley and Melinda Katz, Community Board 5 and local civic associations.
This contextual rezoning would extend the Bloomberg Administration’s commitment to curb overdevelopment in the city’s primarily lower-density communities and complement rezonings already adopted in the Middle Village, Glendale and Maspeth communities.
“The environmental review has been completed and the Uniformed Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) had begun,” Crowley said. “Since day one in office, I have made rezoning a priority because it is necessary for limiting overdevelopment and to protect the character of our community.”
Special performance at LaGuardia CC
As part of its seventh annual celebration of deaf history, culture and language, LaGuardia Community College will host a special performance on May 11 that features Keith Wann, one of America’s funniest American Sign Language (ASL) comedians. The comedians will perform in ASL with voiced English translation. The event is free and open to the public.
The two-hour performance, which begins at 7 p.m., will be held in LaGuardia’s Little Theatre at 31-10 Thomson Avenue, Long Island City.
Wann, renowned for his sidesplitting comedy performances, is presenting the ASL Comedy Tour, which features ASL artists who present solo performances incorporating comedy, skits, songs, improvisations and stories.
“This tour is designed to raise awareness about the ASL community through comedy,” Wann said. “It’s the creation of a venue for up-and-coming ASL comedians, and includes some of the funniest people in America.”
In addition to Wann, ASL storyteller Peter Cook; Crom Saunders, who presents a deaf view on mainstream society; Lianna Carrera, who shares her experiences as a child of deaf adults; ASL student Francisco, who tells what it is like to marry into a deaf family; and Justin “Wormy” Callaway who shares his deaf perspective of American culture, will perform.
Since 1975, LaGuardia’s Program for Deaf Adults has been the largest, most comprehensive post-secondary program for deaf and hard-of-hearing students in the New York City area.
Classes are offered through the College’s Adult and Continuing Education Division.
For more information, call the program for deaf adults at 718-482-5324 (voice), 718-482-5325 (TTY) or PDA@lagcc.cuny.edu
Vallone, Gianaris start little league season
City Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr. and Assemblymember Michael Gianaris helped usher in the start of the new little league season by throwing out a ceremonial first pitch for the ICYP Little League.
The timely start of the season was a relief for league officials, parents and teams who feared a rocky start when they received word that the season may have been delayed due to soil testing that was being conducted on the field at the Con Edison Generating Facility.
Vallone sought to rectify the problem immediately by pressing Con Edison and the state agencies involved to address the urgency of the situation and expedite the soil testing. After 175 soils samples were taken, the field has now been deemed safe.
“As someone who grew playing ICYP Little League baseball with his brothers, I know its importance to the community,” Vallone said. “It’s great to see all these parents and kids being able to enjoy yet another season of this Astoria tradition.”
Crowley plants trees
Councilmember Elizabeth Crowley participated in a tree planting ceremony at an Arbor Day Celebration at P.S 88Q.
Master of Ceremony Paul Kerzner of Con Edison, and Con Edison’s Vice President of Brooklyn and Queen’s Thomas Newell joined Crowley and Queens Senior Forester from the Parks Department Joseph Kocal at the event in conjunction with Arbor Day.
At the ceremony, a fifth grade class from P.S. 88Q read three poems. Con Edison has been supporting the greening of Ridgewood for the last 30 years.
LICBDC real estate breakfast
The Long Island City Business Development Corporation (LICBDC) will host its annual real estate breakfast on Wednesday, May 20 from 8 to 10 a.m.
Panelists will include Steven Spinola, President of REBNY; George Hatzmann, Managing Director, Tishman Speyer; Melina Starr, Prudential Douglas Elliman, and David Brause of Brause Realty, Inc., who will serve as the moderator.
During the breakfast, the panelists will discuss current developments in the New York City and Long Island City real estate markets.
In addition, those in attendance will have the opportunity to network and be treated to a full breakfast.
The event will take place at Waters Edge Restaurant, located at 44th Drive and East River. Tickets for members $35 and nonmembers pay $45. Members may purchase tickets at member rates for their nonmember guests. R.S,V,P, to Indra Smith at 718-786-5300, Ext. 21 or register online.
