Afrikan Poetry Theater began as a collection of poets, singers and musicians dedicated to making people aware of the lyrics to their songs. The theater has been non-profit since 1977 and has provided the borough with jazz concerts, films, youth programs, an art gallery and computer programs. Parking is available near the theater. Ticket prices vary. Comment.

On a beautiful warm Saturday May morning hundreds of employees of Hillside Hospital, their families and friends put on their walking shoes to raise money to construct a new building and refurbish the existing hospital. Comment.

The school offers a series of daytime concerts and recitals given by students, faculty, alumni and guest artists. It is handicapped-accessible and there is bus parking. Open weekdays September through May. Comment.

One man was injured and another was arrested in Bayside Monday afternoon in what police and witnesses described as an act of apparent road rage that went too far. Comment.

Cross Island Pkwy and Northern Blvd. Comment.

The Flushing YMCA is now accepting applications for its free YouthBuild Program for young adults 17-21 who did not complete high school and are interested in learning a trade. 718-961-6880. Comment.

Rishi Maharaj, 22, of South Richmond Hill said he remembered little of the summer night almost two years ago when he was beaten nearly to death in an apparently racially motivated attack that raised a cry for a state hate crimes bill. Comment.

The Big Apple Circus performs under The Big Top on the C.W. Post campus on Fri., May 26, at 6:30 p.m.; Sat., May 27, at noon and 4 p.m.; Sun., May 28, at noon and 4 p.m.; Wed., May 31, at 11 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.; Thurs., June 1, at 11 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.; Fri., June 2, at 11 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.; Sat., June 3, at noon and 4 p.m.; Sun., June 4, at 12:30 p.m. Tickets: $28, $22, $16 ,$30, $28, $24, $18, $38, $35, $28, $20. 516-677-1820. Comment.

Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, Joan Rivers, Elizabeth Taylor will be among the stars performing at Theatre in the Park Saturday, May 20. Comment.

Gloria Lynne's musical career has spanned many of the later decades of the 20th century, and it has been stunning. Comment.

York College was the site last Saturday of a theatrical trip through time to the days of black slavery in America. Comment.

181-08 Union Turnpike Comment.

A Congressional subcommittee has approved $10 million toward preliminary construction of the massive East Side Access Project, which would for the first time bring Long Island Rail Road trains into Grand Central Terminal. Comment.

There is no official lacrosse championship for the Public School Athletic League, but that is not really bothering the Cardozo Judges and coach Pat Bernardo. Comment.

On or off the soccer field, Ana Borges has a calming influence on her Forest Hills teammates. Comment.

A bloop and a blunder were all that stood between the Christ the King softball team and an impressive 1-0 win over powerhouse The Mary Louis Academy Monday at Juniper Park. Then again, that is the difference between an experienced Hilltopper club and a Royal team that fields just three seniors as Mary Louis defeated Christ the King, 4-1. Comment.

On April 29 the Department of Sanitation and the Queens Botanical Garden gave away compost at Garden World in Bayside. Comment.

At the recent rededication of the Flushing Freedom Mile, the Friends' Meeting House, a structure which has survived more than three centuries, was among the honored sites. Comment.

Three Woodside men were arrested for allegedly robbing a livery cab driver Sunday and using his own seatbelt to try to strangle him, authorities said, as Queens police intensified their efforts to combat a wave of violence targeting livery cabs in the borough. Comment.

When is Mother's Day? Comment.

It now looks as though plans will go forward to open the Merrick Academy-Queens Charter Public School. The State University of New York has backed the charter for the proposed Merrick Academy. Comment.

We applaud the Scouts and schools and countless organizations from Little Neck to Long Island City that have worked hard to remove graffiti from the walls of Queens. They underscore the public's frustration with this epidemic of ugliness and selfishness. Comment.

John DiBella had always wanted to be a cop. When he finally got the chance, however, he discovered the job was just not for him. Comment.

Students from Hillcrest and Thomas Edison high schools were slated to join 75 student leaders from 15 city high schools in a formal conference at the United Nations this week to decide how to allocate $25,000 they had raised to help flood victims in Mozambique. Comment.

Queens Patrol Borough South has a new chief. On Monday morning Queens native son Assistant Chief Thomas Lawless replaced Joseph Fox, who had been assistant chief of patrol for Borough Queens South, as he headed to his new command post at Brooklyn Patrol Borough South. Comment.

The Broadway train station in Flushing, which Long Island Rail Road officials have said is due for renovation, has a booster in state Sen. Frank Padavan (R-Bellerose), who has secured $1.7 million for a future upgrading of the stop. Comment.

Several politicians and community activists gathered at the historic Quaker meeting house in Flushing Sunday for a ceremony rededicating the Freedom Mile. Comment.

When Councilman Walter McCaffrey (D-Woodside) challenges U.S. Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-Jackson Heights) for his congressional seat in the Democratic primary Sept. 12, the battle will test old friendships and alliances. Comment.

Community Board 7 members unanimously passed a motion Monday night which Malba residents believe will improve hazardous conditions at the 14th Avenue exit off the Whitestone Expressway. Comment.

Karen Bartolotta of Little Neck and Tom Nouza of Bellerose have organized the Little Neck-Douglaston Memorial Day Parade for the past six years, and during that time they have learned one thing: It takes an entire community to make a good parade. Comment.

A system of new, color-coded signs has been installed at LaGuardia and Newark International airports in what officials call a major expansion of customer service that soon will extend to John F. Kennedy International Airport as well and include uniformed representatives ready to help travelers. Comment.