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If the mayor’s taut description of the extended blackout yesterday captured his own feeling of powerlessness — “It is what it is” — it did not even begin to describe the frustration of Queens residents like Monica Trevino.

What it was for Ms. Trevino, 35, was the possibility of another workweek of sponge baths using boiled water, with no food in the house, and with an increasingly edgy puppy.

“We would put the radio on when we went to work to keep the dog quiet,” she said yesterday, while getting a haircut in the dark at a Ditmars Boulevard salon. “But with no power, we have no radio.”

Ms. Trevino is one of thousands of Queens residents who have awakened each day for the last week hoping the lights would be back on, only to find themselves still in the dark. This morning, many of them will again wake up sweaty and still tired. They will sponge themselves off or take another cold shower, eat what the heat hasn’t spoiled and head off to begin another week of work, not knowing how much longer the emergency will all last.

While the weather was cooler yesterday, it had been a week of sultry nights and little sleep, ruined food and restless children, no television and dirty clothes. Some people have taken to their cars for respite, while others plunge into a cold bath for relief.

Tags: myastoria, blackout, queens, astoria, ny

Astoria Billiards Closed by 114th Precinct

Wed, 12 Apr 2006 04:54:04 GMT

clipped by: MyAstoria
clipper's remarks: on cliproll at http://myastoria.com

Clip Source: www.qgazette.com

The second nuisance abatement operation in the 114th Police Precinct ordered by the Queens Supreme Court of 2006 was executed under the direction of 114th Police Precinct Commanding Officer Deputy Inspector Brian McCarthy on Monday, March 20. Acommercial establishment at 35-21 30th Ave. known as Astoria Billiards had been determined to be a location where liquor was sold without a liquor license, untaxed cigarettes were sold and customers were engaging in illegal gambling with United States currency and poker chips at a back table.

Astoria Billiards Closed Under Nuisance Warrant

Tags: myastoria, astoria, queens, billiards

Film about Astoria, Queens Leads at Sundance!

Wed, 01 Feb 2006 06:06:52 GMT

clipped by: MyAstoria

Clip Source: www.nypost.com

Dito Montiel nabbed the coveted dramatic directing award for "A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints," which he adapted from his memoirs.

"This is really nuts, man," the surprised first-time helmer said in accepting the award. "I didn't make a list, and if I did name them we'd be here for eternity."

The film — whose producers include Sting and his wife, Trudie Styler — also received a special jury prize late Saturday for its ensemble cast.

"Saints" stars Robert Downey Jr. and Shia La Boeuf — who play Montiel at different ages — as well as Rosario Dawson, Chazz Palminteri, Dianne Wiest and Channing Tatum.

For the first time, both the grand jury prize — the festival's top honor — and the audience award went to the same film in both the dramatic and documentary competitions.

Tags: film, astoria, queens, myastoria, sundance, guide to recognizing your saints, robert downey jr

NY State Tax Credits to Support Film Business in LIC and Astoria

Mon, 23 Jan 2006 03:42:51 GMT

clipped by: MyAstoria

Clip Source: www.queenstribune.com

Gov. George Pataki came to Queens Friday to pledge that he would attempt to correct that mistake, making permanent a program that gives a 10 percent tax credit to film and television productions in New York State as part of his 2006-07 Executive Budget.

Pataki joined Philbin, along with the cast of ABC series “Hope and Faith,” and network executives, at Silvercup Studios in Long Island City to announce the renewal of the tax credit, which they said has lured many filmmakers back to the Big Apple.

The tax credit had been a pilot program set to expire in 2008, but an almost-immediate flood of new business at New York film studios encouraged officials to establish the incentive as state policy. In 2009, the recent budget also calls for the credit to increase from $25 million to $30 million annually.

“It works. In the last year and a half, almost a billion and a half in economic activity happened in this great city and state because we are now competitive,” said Pataki, speaking from the set of a new NBC pilot, “Kidnapped.” “We have the creative talent, the stars, the producers, and now have the ability to attract those when they have to make a tough business decision to film in New York instead of Vancouver.”

Tags: hollywood east, lic, astoria, queens, myastoria, new york, ny, pataki

An Astorian Recounts Act of Kindness During Last Week's Transit Strike

Sun, 25 Dec 2005 08:57:09 GMT

clipped by: MyAstoria
clipper's remarks: Merry Christmas to all Astorians. May this holiday season bring with it the ceremonious harmony of living in diversity and standing together.

Clip Source: www.cnn.com

On Monday morning I left my apartment on 30th Avenue in Astoria Queens at 6 a.m. I was prepared to walk across the 59th Street Bridge. I had been walking for about 10 minutes when a car carrying a man and young woman pulled up and offered me, and another man who had been walking ahead of me, a ride. What a pleasant surprise. These Good Samaritans were father and daughter. They couldn't have been nicer. They offered to take me home in the afternoon and pick me up every morning until the strike ended. I offered them money for the ride but they would not accept. The young woman said "We're all New Yorkers and we're all in this together." I am grateful for their kindness.
Laurel, Astoria, New York

Tags: astoria, queens, mta, myastoria, transit strike, new york, ny, nyc