THE REV. DON OLINGER was supposed to have delivered his last sermon months ago. By now, the bulldozers were supposed to have come through and leveled the Presbyterian Church of Astoria, an 86-year-old gray stone building that sits on a tree-lined residential street in that Queens community.

Published by New York Times on July 19, 2008.

He and partner Todd Rogers made the Coney Island stop as a warmup for their trip to China for the Summer Olympics.

Published by New York Daily News on July 19, 2008.

Coney Island’s “Summer of Hope” has gone from sizzler to fizzler. Although developer Joe Sitt promised new rides and attractions through Labor Day, one ride operator and the petting zoo have already pulled out — and now several more of the 11 operators off Stillwell Avenue signaled they are looking for sunnier pastures.

Published by Brooklyn Paper on July 17, 2008.

It's only July and already the so-called "Summer of Hope" is winding down on Coney Island.

Published by The New York Observer on July 17, 2008.

Every time Jonathan Gleich begins his long commute into Midtown Manhattan from Brighton Beach, he’s blazing a trail for equal rights for that most-discriminated-against segment of the commuting public: Segway riders.

Published by Brooklyn Paper on July 16, 2008.

Nobody asked me, but the gates to Keyspan Park should be opened earlier than an hour before the game. Under the current schedule, fans entering Keyspan Park never see either team’s batting practice and can only catch the visitor’s infield practice.

Published by Brooklyn Paper on July 16, 2008.

A 19-year-old man was beaten to death with a cue stick in a Brooklyn pool hall Tuesday after arguing with a group of men, cops and witnesses said. The victim was smashed in the head with the cue in Boardwalk Billiards in Brighton Beach about 2:25 a.m., police said.

Published by New York Daily News on July 16, 2008.

Aleksander Lipkin, 29, of Sheepshead Bay, was speeding in a bus lane at around 10 p.m. Monday, when cops pulled him over, sources said.

Published by New York Post on July 16, 2008.

John Frederick, an 18-year veteran of the Correction Department, arrived at his Brooklyn home about 11:30 p.m. Sunday after a motorcycle trip. As he rolled his Suzuki into his Gravesend garage, a man came up and demanded the bike.

Published by New York Daily News on July 15, 2008.

The return of alternate-side parking in Park Slope allowed Bernadette Morrissey a return to her routine: a short search for parking after driving from Sheepshead Bay to visit her family on Carroll Street (she does this in Brooklyn twice a week).

Published by New York Times on July 14, 2008.

What hurts more, he said, is that his civil lawsuit stemming from an accidental shooting by a co-worker, who found a rifle in a West Brighton home they were cleaning, was dismissed eight years ago without even going to a jury.

Published by SI Live on July 14, 2008.

"What makes this meet unique is that it unifies the Special Olympians with the kids from the different swim clubs," said Dr. Robert Griswold of West Brighton, an organizer of the event.

Published by SI Live on July 13, 2008.

The summer's rising gas prices have Ann Sellitto steaming, but she's already shivering over what it's going to cost to heat her West Brighton home with oil this winter.

Published by SI Live on July 13, 2008.

Nearly five dozen members of the Queens-based Korean American Association's fishing club scoured the Coney Island Flats for fluke a couple of days ago with Capt. Tony Reyes at the wheel of the Bullet II out of Sheepshead Bay. Hot shot Tommy Lee decidedly scored the pool with a 13.8-pound fluke - almost a repeat of his winner last year, a 15.8-pound specimen.

Published by New York Daily News on July 11, 2008.

The B1, which runs from Bay Ridge, through Bensonhurst and into Brighton Beach, had 31 percent more riders, yet had 1-percent less service.

Published by Brooklyn Paper on July 11, 2008.

Nearly five dozen members of the Queens-based Korean American Association's fishing club scoured the Coney Island Flats for fluke a couple of days ago with Capt. Tony Reyes at the wheel of the Bullet II out of Sheepshead Bay. Hot shot Tommy Lee decidedly scored the pool with a 13.8-pound fluke - almost a repeat of his winner last year, a 15.8-pound specimen.

Published by New York Daily News on July 11, 2008.

But a new plan could change the landscape. It's an experiment that amounts to congestion pricing for parking spaces. Parking meter rates would double during heavy traffic periods on Kings Highway between Ocean Avenue and Coney Island as part of an experimental city program beginning this fall.

Published by ABC News (Channel 7) on July 10, 2008.

“I have a soft spot for Coney Island — something we’ve found is ‘Shoot the Freak,’” he said of the carnival game where contestants shoot their paintball gun at a moving, human target. “It’s bizarre and awesome. The Cyclone is pretty amazing, too.”

Published by Brooklyn Paper on July 10, 2008.

Calling Gabrielle Reese! The Citywide Beach Volleyball Tournament will take place this weekend on Coney Island. [mcbrooklyn]

Published by New York Times on July 10, 2008.

“Beer and barbecue, there’s nothing better,” said Chris McGee, the owner and chef of the BBQ truck that started pulling up in front of Coney Island’s Beer Island a few weeks back.

Published by Brooklyn Paper on July 10, 2008.

In all, about 20 people from as far away as Romania and Scotland and as close as Brooklyn and West Brighton took the inaugural Gray Line "Staten Island Discovery Tour" -- listening to a guide rattle off a well-informed patter as they wended along North Shore thoroughfares past some of the borough's cultural and architectural gems.

Published by SI Live on July 10, 2008.

Firefighters from Battalion 22 in West Brighton responded and extinguished the blaze, which was contained to the second floor. Three firefighters suffered minor injuries.

Published by SI Live on July 9, 2008.

At Calvert Vaux Park — formerly Dreier-Offerman Park — in Coney Island, a tent city that was reportedly used by homeless people was leveled Tuesday. Although the waist-high weeds had been flattened, beer bottles and clothing piles remained, as did evidence of the former residents' intent to come back — one person's bicycle was locked to a tree.

Published by New York Sun on July 9, 2008.

Coney Island is set to get its wheels back when Lola Staar Roller Rink opens on July 19. [Gowanus Lounge]

Published by New York Times on July 9, 2008.

Here on City Room, we wondered which New York landmark might be featured. The Empire State Building? Wall Street? Coney Island?

Published by New York Times on July 8, 2008.

Hidden deep within a weed-infested, garbage-strewn section of Dreier-Offerman Park in Coney Island is the discarded tombstone of the Manhattan underwear salesman who died 70 years ago.

Published by New York Post on July 7, 2008.

A Fourth of July fireworks cruise nearly turned into a disaster when a 24-foot pleasure boat crashed into a jetty off Coney Island, Brooklyn.

Published by New York Daily News on July 6, 2008.

And many barren parks covered in weeds up to 12 feet high that are used as illegal dumps for items like abandoned boats and cars, construction debris, containers of hazardous material, opened steel safes, Vegas-style slot machines - and even a discarded tombstone in Dreier-Offerman Park in Brooklyn.

Published by New York Post on July 6, 2008.

The other eight are Highbridge Park and Randalls Island Park in Manhattan; Pelham Bay Park and Soundview Park in the Bronx; Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens; and Spring Creek Park, Fresh Creek Nature Preserve and under the Brighton Beach boardwalk in Brooklyn.

Published by New York Post on July 6, 2008.

"We had a good evening and we were just coming back," said Marat Neakhyaz, 28, of Sheepshead Bay, who was on the boat with his son, Daniel, 4. "All of a sudden, I heard a loud bang like a car crash ... Everyone was quite scared."

Published by New York Daily News on July 6, 2008.

Firefighter Robert Senatore, 44, was at the helm of the FDNY's quick-response rescue craft when he and partner Dean Tartaro, 41,were alerted to the battered boat on the Coney Island jetty at Seagate at 10:30 p.m. Friday.

Published by New York Post on July 6, 2008.

Firefighter Robert Senatore, 44, was at the helm of the FDNY's quick-response rescue craft when he and partner Dean Tartaro, 41,were alerted to the battered boat on the Coney Island jetty at Seagate at 10:30 p.m. Friday.

Published by New York Post on July 6, 2008.

In New York, a decidedly less majestic display of will took place in Coney Island, the annual Fourth of July hot dog eating competition.

Published by New York Daily News on July 5, 2008.

Last summer, Chuck Wilson didn't think twice before taking day trips to Coney Island or planning vacation trips to Maryland and Virginia Beach.

Published by SI Live on July 5, 2008.

Brooklyn resident William Duchemin, 39, enjoyed having the beach at Coney Island almost to himself.

Published by New York Post on July 5, 2008.

Fans came from near and far to watch the 2008 Nathan's hot dog eating contest at Coney Island, and the spectacle did not disappoint.

Published by CBS News (Channel 2) on July 4, 2008.

Saying he needed it more than Kobayashi, the California-born Chestnut won to huge cheers from the Independence Day crowd at Surf and Stillwell Aves. watching the Superbowl of face-stuffing.

Published by New York Daily News on July 4, 2008.

Hot dog chomping champion Joey Chestnut defended his title in the first-ever overtime "dog off" at Nathan's annual July 4 hot dog-eating contest on Coney Island this afternoon.

Published by ABC News (Channel 7) on July 4, 2008.

The Fourth of July weekend has always been one of the most exciting times of the year for Coney Island: Crowds line the boardwalk to watch the hot-dog eating contest, visitors take terrifying roller coaster rides, and beachgoers frolic in the sand and surf.

Published by CBS News (Channel 2) on July 4, 2008.

In New York, a decidedly less majestic display of will took place in Coney Island, the annual Fourth of July hot dog eating competition. Joey Chestnut won for the second straight year in a row, once again beating competitive eating legend Takeru Kobayashi.

Published by CBS News (Channel 2) on July 4, 2008.

The Fourth of July weekend has always been one of the most exciting times of the year for Coney Island: Crowds line the boardwalk to watch the hot-dog eating contest, visitors take terrifying roller coaster rides, and beachgoers frolic in the sand and surf.

Published by New York Daily News on July 4, 2008.

In New York, a decidedly less-majestic display of will was gearing up in Coney Island, the annual Fourth of July hot dog eating competition.

Published by New York Daily News on July 4, 2008.

"I'm not quite sure what it is that people expect -- that we are supposed to have a pocket candidate ready to whip out at a moment's notice, an inflatable candidate?" asked Friscia, a West Brighton attorney and the Republican party chair who said he's interviewed at least two dozen potential candidates in the last two months.

Published by SI Live on July 4, 2008.

Joey Chestnut reclaimed the top spot at the annual hot dog eating contest in Coney Island on Friday after first tying with archrival Takeru Kobayashi in a 10-minute chow-down and then beating him in a five-dog eat-off.

Published by New York Sun on July 4, 2008.

Joey Chestnut has reclaimed the top spot as winner of the annual hot dog eating contest in Coney Island after first tying with archrival Takeru Kobayashi in a 10-minute chow-down and then beating him in a five-dog eat-off.

Published by New York Post on July 4, 2008.

He's gone from hot-dog top dog to underdog. Renowned competitive eater Takeru Kobayashi is aiming to chomp his way back to the top of the annual Fourth of July hot dog eating competition on Coney Island after a disappointing three-dog loss last year shattered his six-year winning streak.

Published by New York Post on July 4, 2008.

World renowned competitive eater Takeru Kobayashi is aiming to chomp his way back to the top of the annual Fourth of July hot dog eating competition on Coney Island after a disappointing three-dog loss last year shattered his six-year winning streak.

Published by New York Daily News on July 3, 2008.

Police charged that on July 25 following his release, Medina approached a car at the corner of Oakland Avenue and Forrest Avenue in West Brighton at about 2:40 p.m.

Published by SI Live on July 3, 2008.

Bondarev's neighbors in his predominantly Russian building on Neptune Avenue in Coney Island were surprised, especially Bondarev's next-door neighbor.

Published by CBS News (Channel 2) on July 3, 2008.

It's almost too much for Takeru Kobayashi to stomach: The six-time Coney Island hot-dog-eating champ no longer sits atop the food chain.

Published by New York Daily News on July 3, 2008.