Secret Sandy and more in the QNYC Evening Edition for Monday December 24, 2012

Secret Sandy surprised many this weekend

WNYC reports that on Sunday, hundreds of families affected by Hurricane Sandy lined up at Russo on the Water, a Howard Beach banquet hall, for an all-you-can-eat buffet (hamburgers, chicken fingers, cotton candy and ice cream) and got their picture taken with Santa. They were also told to head to a room that was filled with presents, and that they could take some home. This was organized by Secret Sandy, a relief organization that pairs children’s wishes with presents; it was founded by Joy Huang and Kim Berdy. Huang said, “We knew that kids needed toys. We knew we wanted kids to be kids, and even if your house isn’t there, Santa knows where you are.”

Kids would request things like Legos and a new bike, they also got some requests – the kind that make you stop in your tracks. Things like, “I hope I see mommy stop crying.” “I hope I have a hot shower someday.” “I hope I know what normal feels like.” one little boy at the event said, “I’d probably be happy to see lots of babies smile – cause a lot have been crying ever since they lost their house.” Kids are amazing. Secret Sandy received more than 1,600 letters and more than 2,000 presents. In the words of local Belle Harbor mom Theresa Hoffman, “This is amazing, it’s a dream come true. Its so much fun for them and so touching for me. This is making Christmas so much better.”

Perhaps the 7 train will run from Manhattan after all on Lunar New Year weekends

Last week we heard that, due to public outcry, the MTA has scheduled a January meeting with Flushing leaders to discuss maybe halting service suspension during the weekends in February on which the Flushing Lunar New Year celebrations fall. The Lunar New Year is one of the most – if not the most – important celebrations in Asian culture. State Senator Toby Stavisky (D-Whitestone) says, “We want a resolution that they will respect the people who participate in the Lunar New Year celebrations by suspending the service interruptions. We shouldn’t have to do this every year.” They also hope to educate MTA Chairman Joe Lhota – who is leaving soon to consider pursuing a Mayoral run – on the deep importance of this holiday in Asian cultures.

Trust for Public Land received grant to study the Queensway, potentially a new “high line” in Queens

The Queensway – a 3.5 mile stretch of the abandoned Rockaway Beach LIRR line between Rego Park and Ozone Park – recently got an economic shot in the arm, and a lot of hope. Governor Andrew Cuomo approved a $467,000 grant last Wednesday for the Trust for Public Land – the non-profit group helping to get the park off the ground (metaphorically, of course) – to study the project. There is a lot of support for this project (accessible green space, new park, pedestrian/bike path to Forest Park, international food vendors) as well as opposition (concern about safety, parking, and privacy), so who knows if it will actually become a park. But the money is there to study it and we are very curious to see what conclusions are reached.

There was a part of Queens that held on to 20 years of trash, if you can believe it

The Queens Chronicle reports that the inaccessible alley behind Sean’s Place park (38th Street south between 31st Ave and Broadway – GMAP) has finally been cleaned up of 20 years of trash. There used to be just a fence there, but the DOT replaced it with replaced a a gate in the back of the park. Colloquially, it’s been called “Iglesia de muck” (Church of muck). Peter Vallone’s office did some of the cleanup in the alley and found an old cooler, scraps of metal, various pieces of debris, and lots and lots of Gatorade bottles. They were worried they’d run across some live rats or perhaps something even worse. Now there will be a gate with a key that will be in possession of members of the Friends of Sean’s Place. Here’s hoping they can keep the future trash at bay.

Queens’ ode to the Christmas holiday

If you haven’t watched it before, Christmas in Hollis by Run-DMC is worth checking out, it being Christmas Eve and all. And yes, this song is 25 years old.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OR07r0ZMFb8]

Have a Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays, everyone!