Who said it first?

With all the buzz swirling about Caroline Kennedy and her growing likelihood of being appointed to replace Hillary Clinton in the U.S. Senate, we have to give ourselves a small pat on the back and remind whoever may be interested that we predicted it first. Our Not 4 Publication column of Dec. 4 (written Nov. 29) may have been the first place where Kennedy's name was thrown into the fray.

"However, we like the dark-horse pick of his first cousin, Carolyn Kennedy. An early Obama supporter and member of the Obama Veep selection panel, she had been mentioned for UN Ambassador. She is a New Yorker, a woman and extremely electable. She likely would bring to Paterson more positive publicity than any other on the list. The daughter of JFK emerged as a national figure during the Obama campaign and is the likely person to carry on the family’s Senate legacy with the illness to Uncle Teddy."

SNL Mocks Governor

Saturday Night Live this weekend, in an attempt to poke some humor at the decision before Gov. David Paterson regarding the soon-to-be-vacated Senate seat held by Hillary Clinton, featured the Governor, played by Fred Armisen, in a sketch on Weekend Update. The critics are mixed. See for yourself and let us know what you think.

Velasquez Is Out

Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez today spoke with Governor David Paterson and informed him that she is not interested in being appointed to fill the vacancy in the U.S. Senate caused by Senator Hillary Clinton becoming the Secretary of State. Rep. Velázquez indicated that she has confidence that he will make his choice based on what will be best for New York State. For his part, the Governor asked her to join the committee that is advising him in the selection process.

“My friend Hillary Clinton has done an outstanding job for New York in the Senate, and will go on to be an exceptional Secretary of State. Our state is fortunate to have many capable, experienced individuals who would serve our state well as her replacement. While I have been proud and humbled to be considered, I have decided to stay as a senior member of the House of Representatives, Chair of the Small Business Committee, and Chair of the Hispanic Caucus.

Going forward, I will keep advocating for more Hispanics in statewide office. With Latinos making up over 16 percent of New York’s population, and that number expected to grow – increased representation, at all levels, is paramount to reflect the changing face of our state. Governor Paterson has my full backing as he makes his decision, and I will give my support and counsel to help our next Senator achieve success for New York.”

Mr. Smith Goes To Albany

This week's Not For Publication column details the rise, fall and ongoing negotiations being done by Sen. Malcolm Smith while a Page 3 story details the way the deal came together and fell apart. We keep expecting the story to change, so be sure to stay tuned.

Forget Plaxico -- Corona Has Poblanos

Food tastings, cool Corona, the chance to snag one of Helen Marshall's favorite recipes -- and all for a great cause (The Heart of Corona Initiative).

What's not to love about The Healthy Taste of Corona Cookbook Launch Event?

Bonus: The event doubles as a good excuse to escape the hellish Sunday tradition that is American football (**Note: I realize this is a wildly unpopular opinion..and, yes, this makes me sad).

Event: The Healthy Taste of Corona Cookbook Launch Event
Date: Sunday, Dec. 14
Time: 3-6 p.m.
Place: New York City Building, Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Tel: (718) 592-9700

Senator Drescher!

According to CNN and the Daily News (and basically anyone else with a sense of humor), Fran Drescher has injected herself into the running for New York's soon-to-be vacant Senate seat.

To be fair, Drescher has had anything but a posh life, first being raped at gunpoint in front of her husband, who was tied up and helplessly watched. She most recently survived uterine cancer and has become a champion of health care for women. The woman has brass.

But what would life be like on Capitol Hill with Senator Drescher?

Hmmmm...

Great Queens Soup Search: Kane's Diner

Kane's Diner
4415 College Point Blvd.
Flushing
(718) 463-5787
Soup: Chicken Noodle

The Good News: Long threads of spaghetti replace soggy noodles. Celery, carrots, gloriously big chunks of chicken and -- ooh -- just enough of a garlicky punch to leave an interesting taste on the tongue.

The Extra-Special Good News: A Christmas tree! Poinsettias! Signed photographs of Brian Williams galore! Love the homey decor at Kane's -- the vintage maple syrup dispensers at each table and the menus -- oh the menus -- reminiscent of a teenage girl's scrapbook.

The Sort-of Bad News: The menus are a bit difficult to decipher. The impatient diner will have trouble locating a list of soups obscured within cut-out glossy photos of food items and headshots of Billy Joel, Shirley Temple and Princess Diana.

The Verdict: I love Kane's Diner and would return any time for a garlic kick and the chance to break bread with Brian Williams.

Great Queens Soup Search: Death by Lentil Soup Part III

The Blue Bay Diner
58-50 Francis Lewis Blvd.
Oakland Gardens
(718) 225-6333
Soup: Lentil Soup

If you've ever eaten a meal or a snack and realized, only after the table has cleared, that you've eaten anything at all, you will understand the uninspired experience of eating most lentil soups (I would throw rice cakes, celery and Subway sandwich bread into the same consuming pit of fire, if given a chance).

To be fair, Queens residents don't frequent Blue Bay for its soups. If you're a teenager, you go for their cheese fries. If you are an adult, you go for their three-egg omelettes and hot open sandwiches. With that in mind...

The Good News: Well-cooked lentils.

The Really Good News: This. Any diner willing to devote an entire web page to their soup schedule is alright by me.

The Bad News: Broth is on the watery side. Lacked salt, pepper and cumin. Miniscule splinters of onion, carrot and celery say a lot about the sous chef's ability to wield a Santoko knife but add little to the soup's flavor.

Verdict: Consider me a slave to Blue Bay's soup schedule. I shall return to taste Greek Egg Lemon soup.

Queens Loves The Library

It might come as no surprise that the most used library system in the country is also beloved by its patrons. Then again, it is surprising because it's THE MOST USED LIBRARY SYSTEM IN THE COUNTRY.

Have you been to the library recently? It's packed with people reading books in English, Chinese and Arabic, surfing the Web, taking literacy classes and it's all free. Serving the most diverse county in the country is not the easiest job but according to a citywide survey, the Queens Library is No. 3 on a list of the best city-funded services in the borough. 93% of the responses by borough rate Queens Library as "excellent", "good", or "fair." The fire department and emergency medical services were No. 1 and 2.

"By any measure, Queens Library provides vital education and life skills resources to the community," Queens Library Director Thomas W. Galante said. "In a tight economy, the benefit is magnified. Whether we are helping people upgrade their computer skills, helping them find jobs, tutor the children after school or providing wireless internet, it's always free."

Queens Library invites everyone to sign up for a free library card by coming to any of its 62 locations or online at www.queenslibrary.org.

Great Queens Soup Search: Death by Lentil Soup Part II

Brothers Pizzeria & Restaurant
185-04 Horace Harding Expwy.
Fresh Meadows
(718) 445-7888
Soup: Lentil Soup

The Good News: I was cold, craving soup and not expecting anything glorious. So, of course, what do I find at this old-fashioned pizzeria? An utterly delightful, thick brown brew of lentil goodness, chockful of adorably-stubby mini Rigatoni pasta. I couldn't get over the volume of this soup -- tasty -- and incredibly affordable ($3.50 for a hearty bowl).

The Bad News: What can I pick at..what can I pick at..well, they didn't serve the soup with crackers, which I guess would be a problem if you prefer crackers to perfectly-cooked Rigatoni pasta.

The Verdict: A great, inexpensive find. You won't find a lot of variety here, but the soup is outstanding.

Great Queens Soup Search: Death by Lentil Soup

Here's a little trivia: in 2007, the world produced 3.9 million tonnes of lentils. I wouldn't be shocked to discover that Queens absorbed the bulk of this bounty, because it seems lentil soup is on the menu EVERYWHERE I go.

Here's my rundown on the first of not one, not two -- but three lentil soups in three days.

Quantum Leap Restaurant
6564 Fresh Meadow Lane
Fresh Meadows
(718) 461-1307
Soup: Tomato Lentil

The Good News: I'm not a big fan of vegetarian restaurants, though I admit my reasons have more to do with the existence of words like "un-turkey" and "un-beef" than my dislike of tofu products. Quantum Leap is slightly shabby, yes. But it's comfortable, warm and attached to a health food store that goes by the same name -- so it was worth a shot.

I'll give the soup a thumbs-up for its massive zucchini, carrots, celery, onions, broccoli and turnip chunks. The veggie medley was fresh and tasty. Very nice.

The Bad News: Though the vegetables were lovely, the main attraction -- the lentils -- were overcooked. And why was my soup dripping down the side of the cup before it reached the table?

Verdict: The potential for a really great, interesting vegetarian soup is there. But, come on. Soup is a first course -- not an afterthought. Get those lentils out of the pot a few minutes earlier and I'll happily deal with the messy presentation.

Ya...It’s Good

An assortment of specials courtesy of Sushi Ya in New Hyde Park.


Hirami Mono | Spicy tuna wrapped in fresh fluke and laid over a grid of the chef's special sauce.


Grand Mariner Shrimp | Lightly battered fried shrimp served in a Grand Mariner sauce.


Sushi Ya Special Grilled Short Rib | Tender beef rib marinated in a tangy Japanese pear sauce and grilled to perfection.


Iron Tuna | Spicy tuna wrapped in a thin cut of seared tuna and served over an oily red sauce.

Photos by Michael Lanza

Secretary Liu?

President elect Obama has become the pretext for a maddening swirl of speculation. Who is he going to appoint? To what post? Why? Who stands to benefit here? How smart a move is this? And while Obama has scooped up several of our own, a new name has cropped up in the chatter.

Both DailyKos and Wired have tossed Councilman John Liu's name (D-Flushing) into the ring as a suitable appointment for Transportation Secretary. As Chair of the City Council's Transportation Committee, he certainly has the wherewithal and knowledge.

But so far, Obama has gone for a slam dunk staff, and Representative Earl Blumenauer is the heavy favorite for the slot.

In the meantime, Lui has quietly launched his Public Advocate campaign website, oddly similar to POTUS-elect's. Hmmmm....

Introducing Senator (fill in the blank)

With Hillary Clinton getting the nod as Barack Obama's Secretary of State, the question of who will replace her is at the forefront of political discussion. There is a wide field of possible contenders, as reported in this week's Not For Publication, and at least one name on the list, U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney, said she would be honored if chosen.

Lose A Ring??

The people at Socrates Sculpture Park, 32-01 Vernon Blvd. in LIC, found a ring and are looking for its owner.

If you think this may be your ring, call (718) 956-1819 and be ready with a detailed description.

(Note: Unless they found the One Ring from Middle Earth, the ring pictured will not fit the description)

Fabara To Seek Monserrate's Seat

Carlos Fabara, 54, is the newest candidate with hopes to fill the seat Councilman Hiram Monserrate's seat when he moves to the Senate in Albany.

There will be a special election in Febaurary 2009 for the seat in District 21 which encompasses Parts of Jackson Heights, Corona and Elmhurst.

The other candidates Jose Eduardo Giraldo, Julissa Ferreras and Francisco Moya, are much younger than Fabra but according to his press release, Fabra sees this as an advantage.

Unlike Julissa Ferreras and Francisco Moya, the two other democrats running running in the February 2009 Special Election. Carlos Fabara, a Queens resident since 1961, is running to "share" part of District 21's government decision-making power with its registered voters. At the City University of New York Carlos developed two mechanisms and is offering to install them as councilman. The first one makes the voters tell the government if they approve or reject a bill; the second lets the public see in real-time on the Web, what their elected official is doing publicly.

Carlos Fabara says: "The first thing I will do the after I am elected councilman is issue a Proclamation establishing a Consituent Council in District 21 and granting the registered voters in that district the legal authority to decide which bills the City Council is considering, they will vote on, so that in the City Council I can always vote the same way at least 1-per-cent or more of the registered voters in District 21 voted on a bill.

I am have been webcasting what my electoral campaign on Justin.tv for some time now, and as your councilman I will webcast my public meetings live, and archive them so anyone can view them on-demand. My private meetings will not be webcast. Your vote in this Special Election will be the most important vote you cast in your life, because it will make it possible for a New York City councilman to provide real-time governmental transparency and accountability to his constituents, and that will improve government service delivery.

My teachers at PS 19, IS 61, and Newtown High School, and York College, in Jamaica, where I obtained my B.A. in political science, taught me to think critically. The word "imagination" displayed prominently at the college's entrance inspired me to find ways to improve government. I also graduated from the NYPD Citizens Police Academy.

I am 54, and I have lived in Queens for 20-years longer than the other two candidates, so I am older, wiser, and more conscious. Our son Carlos Jr. was born in 1976, and is part of Julissa Ferraras and Francisco Moya's generation. I am honest, and I was brought up to respect and consider others, and to do what is correct -- even when it is inconvenient. As a teenager, I delivered "The Long-Island Star Journal" to people's houses in Jackson Heights. At 15, independently, I published a newspaper against the war in Vietnam. At 21, I married my college sweetheart and we have two sons, Carlos Jr. is a police officer.

For decades, I have specialized in separating the facts from the lies, processing information and disseminating it to help others live better. I produced television commercials for Channel 41. I published a tourist magazine for 5-years and quadrupled sales and circulation. I worked as a radio news reporter for Free Speech Radio News and WBAI. Today I produce streaming media and host QueensTalkRadio.com.

I volunteered in Rudy Giuliani's campaign to be elected mayor. I interned at Councilman Hiram Monserrate's district office and observed what a city councilman and his assistants do. After he was elected to the State Senate, I decided to run for office and continue improving Corona, East Elmhurst, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, and Willets Point. I attend City Council sessions and public hearings regularly, and I have researched government and politics and written extensively about this field which is a mystery to most people, but which needs to become less mysterious, more transparent, and more taxpayer friendly, and welcome taxpayer input, to provide more taxpayer satisfaction.

Since I was a child, I have talked with many people who live in District 21, the most diverse community in the world. I know at least some of the things they need and want. For example, my research indicates that many registered voters in District 21 and in all the United States want a greater say in how the government makes decisions. Last November voters said yes or no to 153 ballot initiatives, and even reversed one law. The taxpayers finance government and the government will be wise to listen to the registered voters. I believe taxpayers should have the right to tell the government what they think about the most important laws the City Council will vote on. Towards that goal, I will establish a Constituent Council and authorize the registered voters in District 21 to vote on the issues, so my vote in the City Council matches the will of the majority of my constituents. My research, also indicates that people's trust in politicians continues to dwindle. For a relationship to work, people have to trust each other. Your vote will allow me to begin to reviving trust in government. I think the best way to do that is by providing New York City's taxpayers real-time governmental transparency and accountability by letting anyone who is interested see what this new councilman does, and see what I do live. Taxpayers deserve transparent governance, and "sunlight is the best disinfectant.

Thank you for your support.
People for Fabara

Glendale's Guardian Angels

Safety in Glendale is a No. 1 priority for its residents and the Glendale Civilian Observation Patrol is looking out.

The G Cops are holding its monthly meeting at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3 at Knights of Columbus Circle, 79-03 Myrtle Ave.

Guest speakers will include Congressman Anthony Weiner and State Senator-elect Joe Addabbo. They will also be taking questions from the audience.

For more information call (718) 497-1500.

Mayor Tells Residents To Get A Job

If scouring for a job on the Internet or classified sections has offered nothing more than something to do while you're unemployed, Mayor Mike Bloomberg hopes the expansion of free job placement services through New York City Workforce Career Centers will get you a job in time to put presents under the tree.
So goes the press release: "Starting this week, the hours of operation at the career centers in all five boroughs will be extended, significantly increasing the availability of services during evenings and weekends. Even before the expansion, the City is set to match the more than 17,000 job placements achieved in 2007, the highest total ever – and far above the approximately 600 job placements that occurred before the Bloomberg Administration created the Workforce1 Centers. With the economy in decline, today’s announcement is part of a series of initiatives announced by the Bloomberg Administration to help more New Yorkers stretch their paychecks further and weather the storm. The centers exist in all five boroughs and help New Yorkers prepare for and find employment, and they link local employers with skilled workers. The Mayor was also joined at the opening by Raul Figueroa, who recently secured a job with AT&T Wireless through the Hunts Point Workforce 1 Career Center, and Sandra Ruiz Butter, President of VIP Community Services, the not-for-profit organization that operates the Hunts Point center.
In Queens, that means you have two options. Both can be reached easily by public transportation.

Queens
168-25 Jamaica Avenue, 2nd Floor, between 168th and 169th Streets
Jamaica, NY 11432
Telephone: (718) 557- 6755

Queens - LaGuardia Community College
29-10 Thomson Avenue, Rm C-400, 4th Floor, between 29th and 30th Streets
Long Island City, NY 11101
Telephone: (718) 609-2130

And Then There Were 7

The New York Times is reporting that the New York State Commission on Judicial Nomination has recommended seven potential replacements for outgoing New York State Chief Judge Judith Kaye, including one with a very clear connection to one of Queens' most ghastly crimes.
Steven Fisher, who is currently associate justice in the second department of the Appellate Division of State Supreme Court, and who has been a judge since 1983, was the presiding judge in the Wendy's Massacre, which led to the death sentence for mastermind John Taylor. The sentence was later overturned despite the best efforts of Queens DA Richard Brown, and Taylor was re-sentenced to life in prison.
Kaye will be replaced at the end of the year, as she has reached the mandatory retirement age of 70.