My Very Dear Queens Villagers,

          As we enjoy this season of revitalization and hope, it is my sincere wish that all of us
rethink our priorities and exercise our best community spirit by being neighborly and civil to each other.  I am also asking that all Queens Villagers maintain their homes and properties well and in compliance with sanitation and building laws.  That means cleaning up to 18 inches from your curb, disposing garbage properly, getting rid of unlicensed cars and objects and materials that are decaying in your yard, keeping your lawn neatly cut.  To help combat the West Nile Encephalitis Virus, you should eliminate from your property used tires, discarded soda and beer cans and plastic containers as they provide stagnant water for mosquito breeding.  Tires are the Number 1 breeding areas for mosquitos.  You should also clean and chlorinate swimming pools, drain water from pool covers, and turn over baby pools and wheelbarrows when not in use.

          Thanks to our elected officials and community advocacy groups such as ours, the
three-school proposal on the Creedmoor grounds is back on track, and the size of the area has been increased from 10 to 32 acres.  That's very good news!  There is some depressing news, however, as the Board of Standards and Appeals has granted a variance for the completion of the Paradise Motel at 220-16 Jamaica Avenue, despite the opposition of your civic association, Community Board 13, elected officials, and many other community organizations.  We believe that there is no need for such a facility in our community and that it will turn into a hot-sheet motel attracting prostitution and unsavory people.  We will be working vigilantly with our police and elected officials to help ensure that illegal activities do not occur there.

          We welcome the new Commander of the 105th Precinct, Captain Glen E. Kotowski.
Captain Kotowski is scheduled to address our association at this month's meeting.  We hope that he will be supportive of community efforts to have an additional precinct built within the confines of the 105th Precinct to facilitate better response time and more police protection.

          You will be given the opportunity to nominate officers for the next civic year at this
month's meeting.  Contact us if you can help to make our civic better.  We always need good help.

          To our Jewish and Christian friends:  Our thoughts are with you during Passover,
Good Friday, and Easter Sunday.

          I wish everyone the very best, and I hope to see you on April 18.  Bring along a
friend or neighbor.

Place:                    Stewart Hall, Our Lady of Lourdes Church
                              Springfield Blvd. & 93rd Avenue

On the Agenda:      Nomination of New Officers
                               Discussion of Community Problems

THANKS A HEAP !

          Our newest members are George Leininger (218 St.) Sharon Moore (Springfield Blvd). Welcome aboard! We have added 22 new members since the beginning of our current civic year in September.  If you have been thinking about joining us, you can do so at our regular monthly meetings or by using the membership application form in this Newsletter. We need you to increase our strength and our clout as we fight for programs and City services to maintain and improve our quality of life

          AARP advises you to hang up the telephone if you hear these sales lines: "The deal has no risks and high returns."  "You can't lose."  "You must invest right now."  "It's a special day for select people."

        To protect your money from telemarketing fraud, you should:

          · Refuse to deal with a stranger on the telephone making a "cold call."   If they don't take "no" for an answer, hang up while they're still talking.

          · Tell the salesperson you want to check with your state attorney general's office. When you make that call, ask for the telephone number for the state's securities agency. Then ask for the registration department and inquire about both the broker and the stock.

          · Read the fine print before signing any document.

          · Consult family and friends before you invest.

          · Guard your personal data, such as your Social Security, credit card, and bank account numbers. Do not give these numbers to any person or firm you do not know.

          For more information and to report fraud, call the National Fraud Information Center at (800) 876-7060 or write to them at P. O. Box 65868, Washington, DC, 20035.  You can also write to AARP for "Telemarketing Fraud", English version, stock number D16540. A Spanish version is available by ordering stock number D16541. Send a postcard requesting the title and stock number to AARP Fulfillment  EE01409 E Street, N. W., Washington, DC, 20049·

                Councilman Sheldon Leffler has announced that all-way stop signs will be installed at the intersection of 90th Avenue and 212th Place within the month. Councilman Leffler was contacted by Queens Villagers after several serious accidents at the corner. The last accident in January sent a truck, which had collided with a car, careening onto the sidewalk, dislodging a fire hydrant and a bus stop. This is a dangerous intersection for drivers and pedestrians as drivers go too fast and often disobey the two stop signs that are there. All-way stop signs help to stop accidents.

               During the past 18 months, four women were attacked in Queens in their homes. In each case, one attacker identified himself as a telephone company employee to gain entry. The man then displayed a firearm and admitted an accomplice. Both men assaulted their victims and fled with money and/or jewelry. They have dark skin and are approximately 20 years of age.

               To safeguard your home and help stop such vicious attacks, do not give a utility company employee access to your residence unless there is an emergency or you have received prior notification of the visit. Also, ask the employee for a Photo I. D. which he or she must carry.  Should you feel threatened by anyone at your door, call 911 immediately.  If you have any information about these crimes or any other crimes, call 1-800-577-TIPS. All calls are kept confidential

               The New York City Fire Department needs your help to stop fires before they start in your home. Your safety is their first concern, and it should be yours, too. please comply with the following fire safety guide for your home.

1.   Smoking and drinking are a lethal combination.

2.     Smoking carelessness is a leading cause of fire.  Be careful with smoking materials.

3.     Remove all materials on or near your stove that could catch on fire. These materials include paper, dish cloths, etc.

4.      Remove electrical cords from under rugs and behind radiators. Never nail the cord to walls or molding.

5.      Be careful with candles. Don't leave them unattended. Never sleep with candles burning.

6.      Don't overload outlets and extension cords.

7.      Move flammable liquids stored near stove or other heat sources to a safe, distant location.

8.      Never put a portable space heater near drapes, bedding or other flammable materials.

9.      Empty ashtrays into the toilet or wet down contents before discarding.

10.     Test your smoke detectors weekly and replace batteries every time you change to Daylight Savings Time.