Category — New York City, New York

When Salman Ahmad stepped onto the stage at Queens College last week, he was promoting the same message that has long defined his career and vaulted him into stardom as one of Pakistan’s best-known rock stars who has sold more than 30 million albums — unity.“Music goes beyond faith…

Is popular Greek chef Michael Psilakis, of the Upper West Side institution Kefi (505 Columbus Avenue and 84th Street), looking to bring warm feta salad, pork souvlaki, and walnut ice cream to williamsburg?That was the word at a Community Board one public safety meeting on March 4, where Psilakis…

The city’s largest wastewater treatment plant keeps coming up with ways to better treat our waste.On March 8, Department of Environmental Protection officials announced the opening of a new $2.3 million laboratory to streamline the plant’s testing procedures and improve the agency’s monitoring of local…

Now that Queens has become a gateway for sex and human trafficking in part because of its two international airports, law enforcement, nonprofits and the media need to work in concert to combat the exploitation that happens just under borough residents’ noses, according to panelists at Queens Borough Hall last…

City Councilman Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans) told St. John’s University students last week that he still is fighting predatory lenders in the wake of a subprime mortgage crisis that has caused thousands of borough residents, especially in southeast Queens, to lose their homes.Unscrupulous lenders are continuing to push…

State Sen. Malcolm Smith (D-St. Albans) conceded the state will take some time to get out of its financial crisis, but he said plans are underway to bring together leaders at other venues to help New York’s unemployed.The senator unveiled last Thursday plans for a citywide special committee…

Queens residents packed into the Rego Center shopping complex last week, forming lines that snaked around the Kohl’s and Century 21 stores shoppers praised for bringing hundreds of jobs to the borough.“All these jobs are important in this economy,” said Tamikka Jones, 38, of Far Rockaway. “There will…

If it were a book, Brooklyn Public Library head Dionne Mack-Harvin’s fall from grace would have been a tragedy in which the main character falls on her sword.That’s exactly what she did earlier this week when she suddenly announced her resignation amid a growing scandal in which…

The city said it is shutting down the Rockaway ferry this month for what it concluded was a failing experiment, but community leaders are chastising the mayor and the city Department of Transportation for not giving the little commuter boat that could a chance to shine.The DOT said the…

Low expectationsThe man who robbed the Sovereign Bank on Washington Street had a lot in common with Mel Gibson’s character in the movie “Payback” — both had a clear vision of what they wanted.This thief’s expectations, however, were a lot lower.Police were told that the man entered…

A williamsburg bagel store’s rent will double next year, leaving its owner scrambling, and sparking fresh concerns from local merchants that another chain could soon be taking its place.The Bagel Store’s (247 Bedford Avenue) owner Scott Rossillo, who has operated his shop on 247 Bedford Avenue since…

Community boards across the borough are crossing their fingers and hoping for the best this week now that Mayor Michael Bloomberg has announced the members of the new Charter Revision Commission. Four Brooklynites, including Borough President Marty Markowitz’s Chief of Staff Carlo Scissura, number among the commission’s fifteen…

There will be 16 different competitions (or “classes”) at this two-day event at the Brooklyn Lyceum. Proceeds go toward the Brooklyn Animal Resource Coalition. It’s $10 per class to compete and $5 per class to watch. Visit brooklynmuttshow.com for more details…

It appears the wall between Long Island City’s P.S. 1 and Community Board 2 will not be crumbling any time soon.Members of the board were furious with the art museum after it presented plans to improve its entrance along Jackson Avenue, which included installing computer-controlled LED lights…

Hundreds of revelers descended on Smokey Oval Park Sunday, dousing each other with colorful powders, liquids and dyes in celebration of Phagwah, the Hindu rites of spring.“The cleaner you are when you come in, the worse you’re gonna get it,” said Dave Persaud of Brooklyn. “We’ve been…

Two high school students were hospitalized after being stabbed the in the Columbus Circle subway station this afternoon, authorities said. A fight involving students from nearby Independence HS broke out around 3 p.m. in station at 57th Street and Eighth Avenue and a girl was cut on the hand…

After months of negotiations, the state on Wednesday handed the reins of Brooklyn Bridge Park over to the city, while remaining to ride shotgun.The deal came with two major caveats - an agreement that the Bloomberg Administration contributes $55 million to finish the $350 million park in the next…

A Park Slope dance troupe is one step closer to international acclaim.The Dancewave Company, which caters to talented teenagers training to become professional dancers, has received $10,000 from S Clubs Fitness and a free airfare donation from British Airways. Dancewave, located at 45 Fourth Avenue, now has half…

Investigators took documents from the Manhattan office of Lehr Construction and also went to the Long Island home of one of the company’s executives.

Even those who are questioned by the New York police and let go without charges go into a database. Critics say that raises privacy concerns.

Frances D. Jasmin, the suspect in the Feb. 21 accident that left an employee of the mayor’s office in critical condition, turned herself in to the authorities.

The debate over school taxes in Hastings-on-Hudson has revealed the cultural and economic fault lines in the Westchester County river town.

The museum, which needs to generate $10,000 by the end of the month to stay open, is doing a benefit concert at the Knitting Factory to raise funds. Expect performances by Frankenpine and more. Tickets are $20; call 347-529-6696 or visit bk.knittingfactory.com for more details…

Last week’s anti-gay attack on Luquer Street has put a stain on Carroll Gardens, as well as the entire borough, residents and elected officials said last week as they encouraged the police to make a quick arrest.Hate Crimes detectives are currently investigating claims made by a 22-year-old Red…

Police officials are trying to prevent emergency calls from concerned pedestrians regarding statues of human beings scattered across rooftops in Midtown Manhattan.

Friends said it has been difficult for Basil A. Paterson, a political power in Harlem for decades, to watch his son, David A. Paterson, become embroiled in scandal.

David J. Loglisci, the former chief investment officer for the New York’s pension fund, told a court of kickbacks and an outsider’s grip on investments.

Qing Hong Wu didn’t know he was being freed from jail until days after Gov. David A. Paterson’s pardon.

A father is on trial for obstruction of justice because he followed his son’s instructions to retrieve cash, which turned out to have been stolen.

Lawmakers reacted with cautious interest to Lt. Gov. Richard Ravitch’s plan to tackle New York’s budget deficit.