Going Green in Queens 2011 - March 26th at Al Oerter Recreation Center

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What: Going Green in Queens

When: Saturday March 26th

Time: 10am - 3:30pm

Where: Al Oerter Recreation Center

Address: 131-40 Fowler Avenue - Flushing, NY

Map:

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City Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer Joins PS 150 Students For A Special Visit With The NY Mets...

On Wednesday, January 19^th Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer joined local fifth and sixth graders from P.S. 150’s After-School Sports Program run by Sunnyside Community Services, for a special behind-the-scenes clubhouse tour at Citi Field. The special visit included a personal meet and greet with New York Mets players, including R.A. Dickey, Dillon Gee, Bobby Parnell, Mike Pelfrey, Jose Reyes, Josh Thole and Manager Terry Collins to celebrate the launch of the third season of Citi Field Kids. Van Bramer helped save the P.S. 150 After School Program from closing their doors when he secured $295,000 in funding for the program just a few months earlier. This once in a lifetime opportunity helps combine education and baseball for youngsters.

1,200 QUEENS FAMILIES (4,000 TOTAL IN NYC) GET HELP FROM FEED THE CHILDREN CARAVAN

State Senator Addabbo Identifies Queens Recipients and Provides Volunteer Support;

October Is Hunger Awareness Month

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NYS Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach) and 40 volunteers worked with Feed The Children (FTC) and AVON, during a food distribution for families in need in Queens on Tuesday, October 19, between 1-5 PM. Three (3) semi tractor-trailers full of food and supplies arrived in Forest Park’s George Seuffert Sr. Band Shell Parking Lot on Forest Park Drive to help 1,200 families previously identified as most in need, after the Senator’s staff contacted emergency food programs in his district. Collaborating local food pantries and soup kitchens including the Ridgewood Older Adult Center and Services and Elohim Community Development Center in Richmond Hill then distributed 1,200 vouchers before the distribution on Tuesday.

The distribution was the latest stop on Feed The Children’s Americans Feeding Americans Caravan, which has helped more than 160,000 families across the country in cities that have been affected by the nation’s prolonged economic downturn. Feed The Children’s goal is to help at least 200,000 families with the caravan by the end of 2010.

On Tuesday morning, seven (7) trucks went to 369th Armory at 2366 Fifth Avenue in Harlem where Feed The Children had previously distributed 2,800 vouchers for families in need. The vouchers were divided and distributed among the food pantries and soup kitchens based on a ratio of 1 in 3 families getting a voucher if they needed assistance every week. Families with vouchers picked up 3 boxes from corporate donors AVON, Kraft, Procter & Gamble and many more, containing their products within a 25-pound box of food, a 10-pound box of personal care items, and a box of AVON products including a recruiting tool to empower women to be their own bosses and harness their entrepreneurial spirit through the AVON opportunity. A total of 4,000 New York City families were helped by this event, only the second New York City stop on the caravan since it began in 2009.

At Forest Park, Feed The Children representatives helped Senator Addabbo, Dawn Puricelli, Head of Product Line Control AVON North America, dozens of volunteers including PS 254 students (Richmond Hill) and beloved NY METS mascot Mr. Met, to give out the boxes and greet the families.

Senator Addabbo noted, “We can’t do this alone – there’s a growing need in our borough and in our district – since the harsh recession began, the meals served by food pantries and soup kitchens in Queens rose 106% between 2006 and 2009, an additional 14.3 million meals. ‘Food insecurity’ is a term that was coined to define households that are uncertain of having or acquiring enough food for all those members. Overall, some 87,500 Queens households were either unable to obtain enough food for their families or were uncertain about having enough food. Who are the vulnerable needing such assistance? Children, the working poor, seniors, veterans, whose need for food averages 600 meals a week served to district families in emergency situations. Our local programs help the unemployed and vulnerable persons, who are the face of the steep, prolonged downturn in our economy, which created this unprecedented demand for food. We have to raise awareness of this need and do what we can to help people through this difficult time.”

Tony Sellars, Feed The Children spokesperson, said: “Our trucks and their drivers are on the road, going across our country to deliver food to local partners in the big cities – we rely on local agencies to work as our foot soldiers when we come into their cities. Only with their help can we put resources into the hands of those most in need. Today, FTC Americans Feeding Americans Caravan is feeding 4,000 families in Manhattan and in Queens. The number of children in the state of New York living in poverty could fill Madison Square Garden 44 times. This year, as we’ve traveled to inner cities, we saw that hunger is border to border, coast to coast. So far, we’ve aided 160,000 families but our goal is 200,000 by the end of 2010. We’re heading to Washington, D.C., next in a couple of weeks, offering a helping hand to those who lost a job or found themselves downsized from the middle class into poverty. This is a grassroots effort, and we depend on our local contacts on the ground to get these resources to families in need. We need you to continue to help the unemployed, those in poverty, those suffering from this deep recession. We appreciate AVON, Senator Addabbo, our partner agencies and the volunteers for helping to make yet another Americans Feeding Americans distribution possible for families in need of a hand up.”

Dawn Puricelli of AVON added, “This outreach to the local community doesn’t end today. Sponsors like AVON will continue joining the FTC caravan as it travels to other towns and cities. We gave a box of products to each family and something special for empowering women opening that box, to boost their self esteem. I call it a ‘Mom Box’ because there’s also something inside that will help women to earn income. It’s our way of caring for women. We’re happy to be a sponsor and we’re going to continue this effort.”

Tony Miranda, Director of Elohim Community Development Corporation in Richmond Hill, was “overwhelmed” by this extra donation of items, designed to help a family for up to one week: “Our food pantry has expanded and we’re now helping 1,600 families per week. We were providing over 600 families and individuals a week with free groceries. Each of our food package provides a family with one complete meal per week and supplemental groceries like cereal and fruit. Queens is considered by some of our food providers closer to Manhattan as being ‘way out there,’ but we have 2.3 million population in this county alone. There are 480,000 families at risk of food insecurity in Queens.”

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About Feed The Children

Founded in 1979, Feed The Children is consistently ranked as one of the 10 largest international charities in the U.S., based on private, non-government support. Feed The Children is a Christian, international, nonprofit relief organization with headquarters in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, that delivers food, medicine, clothing and other necessities to individuals, children and families who lack these essentials due to famine, war, poverty or natural disasters. In FY 2009, Feed The Children distributed more than 111 million pounds of food and other essentials to children and their families in all 50 states and internationally. Since its founding, the organization has reached out to help those in need in 119 countries around the globe. For more information, please visit www.feedthechildren.org .

To see the impact of Feed The Children’s Americans Feeding Americans Caravan in your area visit www.AmericansFeedingAmericans.org .

AVON, a valued partner of the Americans Feeding Americans Caravan, has provided more than 250,000 boxes of AVON products to families in need across the United States since the caravan began in 2009. The boxes help to provide hope, self-esteem and self-confidence to empower women to build strong futures for their children and families.

Mets' Francisco Rodriguez Arrested for Punching Father-in-law | 7online.com

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Mets closing pitcher, Francisco Rodriguez was arrested at Citi Field for assaulting his father-in-law, according to law enforcement sources.

It apparently happened in the family room at the stadium.

He was arrested around 10:15 p.m. Wednesday, following the Mets 6-2 loss to the Rockies.

Rodriguez is accused of punching his father-in-law in the face.

His father-in-law suffered abrasions to his face and head.

He was taken to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries.

Police say Rodriguez will be charged with third-degree assault.

He will most likely be arraigned Thursday morning.

Mets spokesman Jay Horowitz released the following statement:

"There was an incident between Francisco Rodriguez and his family tonight at the ballpark. He was questioned by police and all other questions pertaining to this incident will be referred to the police department."

Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer and Mr. Met Play Ball With Ravenswood Kids...

City Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer with  youth from Ravenwood Houses..
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On Wednesday, July 28^th Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer and Mr. Met of the New York Mets Major League Baseball team joined children from the Ravenswood “I Have a Dream” Foundation in a game of Wiffleball at the Ravenswood Houses to celebrate their organization’s community involvement and continued success.

The "I Have a Dream" Program motivates and empowers youth from the Ravenswood Houses to realize their dreams by providing a long-term program of academic support, mentoring, and cultural enrichment, while guaranteeing the resources needed to achieve their education and career goals. "Dreamers" have volunteered at local food pantries, senior centers and various other community service projects.

The fun and games were concluded by Council Member Van Bramer and Mr. Met in a Mets Game ticket giveaway for the youngsters.

City Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer and kids from the Ravenwood Houses-
Click on photo to enlarge..

“Nothing means more to our communities than empowering our youth to strive for their dreams,” said Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer. “I want to thank the Mets organization for their gracious donation and the “I Have a Dream” Foundation for the invaluable resources they provide in our communities.”

 

“These children have participated in more than 30 days of Community Service projects over the past 2 years,” said Assistant Program Director Matthew Wright. “We are honored and excited to receive recognition from Councilman Van Bramer and the New York Mets organization.

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Pols: Go-Go a No-Go for Aqueduct Casino by Brendan Scott in Albany and Carl Campanile in NY - NYPOST.com

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Lose the showgirls and hold on to your horses!

Queens leaders said yesterday they want to scratch a plan to have scantily clad Las Vegas-style dancers performing at a proposed casino at Aqueduct Racetrack, while an upstate judge ordered the Paterson administration to halt its latest efforts to open a gambling facility there.

Genting New York -- the American arm of the Malaysian-based gambling giant -- unveiled images on Monday of a proposed "racino" that includes a stage for showgirls to strut their stuff while gamblers play video lottery terminals.

"That's not the type of venue we're looking for," said Community Board 10 Chairwoman Betty Braton.

Assemblywoman Audrey Pheffer (D-Ozone Park) said having showgirls at Aqueduct "went over like a lead balloon."

"That was a mistake. I'm not for scantily clothed dancers. This is not Las Vegas!" Pheffer said.

The furor over the showgirls comes as Genting presents its racino plan to Community Board 10 tonight at Aqueduct.

Genting is the only horse left in the race after the state Lottery Division disqualified two other bidders last week -- SL Green-Hard Rock and Penn National -- for not following competition rules.

After hearing about the flak, Genting NY will now tell CB 10 that the plan for showgirls is not leaving the starting gate.

"We have no plans for showgirls. This was an architect's rendering, and nothing more," said Genting spokesman Stefan Friedman.

While widely respected in the gambling industry, Genting is not without controversy.

The outfit has plunked $200 million into its partnership with MGM Mirage. New Jersey gambling regulators warned Las-Vegas-based MGM Mirage to drop its ties to business partner Pansy Ho, the daughter of Macao gambling mogul Stanley Ho, who has reputed ties to organized crime.

But the Genting-backed MGM decided to sell its stake in Atlantic City's posh Borgata casino instead of severing its business partnership with Ho in a Macao casino.

Genting dismissed the connection as trivial.

"That's like holding a bank responsible for the actions of anyone they lend money to. It just doesn't make sense," Friedman said.

Meanwhile, Schenectady Supreme Court Justice Barry Kramer issued the temporary restraining order on the 2-month-old bid process after a lawsuit was filed by the Aqueduct Entertainment Co., whose previous winning bid for the multibillion-dollar casino deal collapsed in scandal earlier this year.

Additional reporting by Jennifer Fermino

Aqueduct 'Racino' Builder Would Lure Met and "Jet" Fans - NYPOST.com 

The would-be builder of a video-slots complex at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens announced plans last night to lure JFK Airport passengers on layover and Mets fans from Citi Field with shuttle buses.

Genting New York exec Jay Walker called JFK a massive tourism hub whose stop-over passengers could duck into the racino for a couple of hours.
Walker also called Mets fans "a diverse group, and they look like our customer base."

A Must Watch Video - Stadium Status by Internets Celebrities

Stadium Status from Internets Celebrities on Vimeo.

"It's hard being a sports fan these days."

Stadium Status is a documentary which examines the rush of new sports stadiums in NYC as the latest example of an obscene national trend. New stadiums are built every year and the private businesses that own them benefit from huge sums of public money for their creation. Are we getting our money's worth?

Internets Celebrities are Dallas Penn, Rafi Kam and director Casimir Nozkowski
Featuring Neil deMause and Killian Jordan
Additional Cinematography - Ian Savage
Original Music - Bless-1

Stadium Status was funded by fans of the Internets Celebrities via Kickstarter including a sponsorship from our friends at DIYThemes -- the company behind the Thesis theme for Wordpress. We are grateful for everyone's support.

More videos and Internets Celebrities updates at internetscelebrities.com

Web Watchdogs Gain Cult Following - Internet Celebrities - The Dylan Rattigan Show - msnbc tv

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Town Square: The Internet Celebrities join "The Dylan Rattigan Show" to talk about their Web show highlighting economic injustice...

Darryl Strawberry Will Soon Open Strawberry’s Sports Grill in Queens -- Grub Street New Yorkrest

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Yanks fans have Mickey Mantle’s off of Central Park, and now Mets fans will have Strawberry’s Sports Grill in … Douglaston, Queens! A Craigslist ad seeks a GM for “Darryl Strawberry’s new restaurant,” which will be called Strawberry’s Sports Grill.

The Straw Man, who currently lives in Missouri, couldn’t hack it on Celebrity Apprentice, but the former slugger-drugger seems confident that he can become the city’s most prominent athlete-restaurateur since footballer Amos Zereoue. After all, the ad promises “the highest quality food” and “exceptional customer service.” Chances that a “Chocolate Strawberry” blender drink will be served: VERY HIGH. Chances that customers will chant “Daa-ryl, Daa-ryl” when the owner walks in: ALSO VERY HIGH.

GM needed for Darryl Strawberry's New Sports Grill (Douglaston) [Craigslist]

Parks Dept's Hidden-Tix Trick on Luxe Mets Box by David Seifman - New York Post

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THE city's luxury box at Shea Stadium was used almost entirely over the last four years by employees of the Parks Department - which oversees the ballpark - while other city agencies were largely shut out.

Documents obtained by The Post under the Freedom of Information Law show Parks workers were allocated 78 percent of the 324 Mets' home games from 2005 to 2008 in the 15-seat box.

The Mayor's Office and its subsidiaries grabbed 12 percent.

The rest of city government struck out with a meager 10 percent.

Mayoral aides have defended their hard-nosed negotiations in 2006 to secure luxury boxes valued at between $250,000 to $500,000 for the city in the new Met and Yankee stadiums, claiming they're needed to reward municipal workers.

But insiders say many agencies weren't aware free baseball tickets could be had for the asking.

"If people asked, they got them, but you had to know to ask," a source said.

The 10,549 employees of the Correction Department didn't get a single ticket. Neither did the 6,985 at the Administration for Children's Services. The NYPD got to use the luxury box on one measly occasion, when the Mets faced the San Diego Padres on July 21, 2005.

The most eagerly sought tickets - the annual hometown Subway Series between the Mets and Yankees - always ended up in the hands of either Parks or the Mayor's Office.

Officials say the ticket policy was overhauled last season, with a lottery established to level the playing field.

david.seifman@nypost.com

Weiner: Wrong for City to Trade Tax Breaks for Luxury Baseball Perks

Representative Anthony Weiner (D – Brooklyn and Queens), co-chair of the Bipartisan Congressional Caucus on the Middle Class, released the following statement today on news of the City's efforts to secure perks for a luxury suite at Yankees Stadium:

Rep. Weiner said, "It is wrong for city officials to trade tax breaks for luxury perks at a baseball stadium. During these challenging economic times, the City should have the Yankees repay the City for the value of these luxury boxes or auction them off. If city officials want to catch a game, they should purchase tickets just like every other New Yorker."

In October, Rep. Weiner released an analysis of luxury box perks at the new Yankee and Mets stadiums and found that the $1.3 million the City could retrieve from selling the luxury box perks would:

- Hire 29 new teachers
- Hire 30 new police officers
- Hire 36 new firefighters
- Build 1 new little league field

Pols Want New Name for Mets Home: Citi/Taxpayer Field - USATODAY.com

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Two New York City Council members say that Citigroup should show its thanks for a federal bailout by sharing the naming rights to the new Mets ballpark in Queens.

The struggling bank is slated to pay $400 million over the next 20 years to name the stadium Citi Field.

The bank made the commitment years ago, when it was flush with cash. Now that Citigroup is getting billions of dollars in federal aid, Staten Island Republicans Vincent Ignizio and James Oddo say the ballpark's name should be changed to Citi/Taxpayer Field.

Citigroup and Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon have been saying that they have no plan to alter the naming-rights deal for the ballpark, which hosts its regular-season opener April 13.

Wilpon and Citigroup spokesman Steve Silverman said they had no comment on the proposal.

The Staten Island Yankees Have a Switch Pitcher...

The Staten Island Yankees have a switch pitcher, watch this clip from the Staten Island Yankees game against the Brooklyn Cyclones...




The pitcher's name is Pat Venditte, and he was a 45th round pick in last year's draft but chose to go back to college for his senior year. This year the Yankees picked him in the 20th round and he signed. He made his debut on Thursday.

NY Times: Latest Developments in a Crosstown Rivalry...by Richard Sandomir...

Home plate at Citi Field in Flushing is marked by a patch of Astroturf. In the Bronx, an outcropping of New York schist was leveled by chisel hammers attached to earth movers to clear the land for the future home plate at the new Yankee Stadium.

The pitcher’s mound in the Bronx will be where a yellow Dumpster rests, while a steel span in Flushing that emulates the Hell Gate bridge over the East River will soon support the concourse in right-center field.

The Mets and the Yankees are racing to open their new stadiums by opening day 2009. Those passing the construction sites — huge rocky pits that are filled with cranes, earth movers, steel, giant pieces of precast concrete — see the concrete frame of one stadium rising in the Bronx over former parkland and another one of steel ascending over parking spaces beside Shea Stadium.

“This place is so big, so wide open now, but when it’s filled with grass and seats, it will envelop you,” said Jeff Wilpon, the chief operating officer of the Mets, as he walked through the Citi Field site during a recent tour.

Behind him, Shea remains, a vestige of an unadventurous period in sports architecture. “A dull, dingy place,” Wilpon said.

In his office, Wilpon keeps a miniature replica of Ebbets Field, a daily reminder of the architectural muse of Citi Field. It includes the rotunda through which Brooklyn Dodgers fans, including his father, Fred, the Mets’ principal owner, used to enter. He removed the tiny rotunda piece from the rest of the model and said, “Fred can tell us how it used to smell in there.”

A reimagined rotunda, which will be named for Jackie Robinson, is also beginning to take shape; so is the footprint of the Great Hall, a meeting place, among other things, through which many of the fans visiting the new Yankee Stadium will enter. It will stand 60 feet high and span left field to right field, along 161st Street, from Jerome Avenue to River Avenue.

“It will be unparalleled, similar in scope to the Grand Central Station waiting room,” said Valerie Peltier, a managing director for development of Tishman Speyer, on a tour of the Yankee Stadium site last week. Tishman Speyer is overseeing construction of the $800 million stadium. Jerry Speyer, the company’s president, is on the board of Yankee Global Enterprises.

Executives from each team said that they were not competing with each other over who would have the better ballpark. It is almost enough that the deals were made, with city and state contributions for infrastructure and other nonconstruction costs, to let the teams build new ballparks. Since 1991, 18 new major league stadiums have been built.

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