Queens: The week after state Sen. Jose Peralta (D-Jackson Heights) won the special election to replace Hiram Monserrate in the Senate, demonstrators gathered in Manhattan to pressure Gov. David Paterson into calling an election to fill Peralta’s now-vacant state Assembly seat as a legal deadline loomed. Comment.

Council District 21: City Councilwoman Julissa Ferreras (D-East Elmhurst) fought back tears as she accepted the Juan Pablo Duarte Award from the Queens Dominican Culture & Heritage Month Organizing Committee March 24. Comment.

Council District 22: At East Elmhurst’s PS 2 last Thursday around 5 p.m., the time working parents usually are picking up their children from an after-school program, a commotion was brewing out front. Comment.

Mayor: With southeast Queens homeowners leading the state in the number of foreclosures, the amount of help sought for affordable legal help is about to increase, the mayor said Monday. Comment.

Council District 25: City Councilman Daniel Dromm (D-Jackson Heights) passed his first bill as primary sponsor in the Council last week as the body approved a measure requiring the city Administration for Children’s Services to protect immigrant children in the foster care system. Comment.

Council District 27: The 19 women from southeast Queens honored at a Women’s History Month event last week are the unsung heroes who fight daily to better their community, whether it is by working with sickle cell patients or promoting economic efforts in the borough, City Councilman Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans) said. Comment.

Council District 35: Letitia James has dropped her bump-and-scratch lawsuit against a day laborer. Comment.

Queens: The white powder in a threatening letter sent to U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner’s (D-Forest Hills) office was found to be harmless in tests conducted by the New York Police Department last week, officials said. Comment.

Queens: The East Bayside Homeowners Association is calling for further investigation into a controversial campaign flier sent out in February that attacked Republican candidate Bob Friedrich, but Community Board 11’s chairman said he would not take up the matter. Comment.

Council District 27: The city may have made its final decision on placing a new school within the walls of a Springfield Gardens middle school, but City Councilman Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans) said he and parents will continue to fight the agency’s plans. Comments (4).

Queens: Former City Councilman Tony Avella announced Sunday amid a sea of supporters that he will challenge state Sen. Frank Padavan (R-Bellerose) for his seat in this fall’s election. Comments (2).

Brooklyn: When it comes to wearing your pants, no one should tell you how low you can go. Comment.