Queens: One could easily call Aravella Simotas a striver. The longtime Astoria resident enrolled in college when she was 16, got her law degree and rose through the ranks to become a commercial litigator and Community Board 1 member. Comment.

Queens: Gov. David Paterson said he was in favor of lengthening the school day in an effort to quell teen violence and other problems during a town hall meeting last Thursday night at Far Rockaway High School. Comment.

Queens: Putting a rail siding on the property of a waste transfer station in Long Island City is out, state Sen. Joseph Addabbo (D-Howard Beach) said at a meeting in Maspeth Town Hall last week. Comment.

Borough Democrats prefer her Gilli-brand. The Bronx County Democratic Committee endorsed incumbent United States Senator Kirsten Gillibrand in her Fall 2010 bid for election on Wednesday, February 10. Comment.

The Bronx: Marlene Cintron, tapped to run the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation on Valentine’s Day weekend, attended Senator Jose M. Serrano’s sixth grade graduation. Comment.

Brooklyn: There’s a problem when you run someone out on a rail -- everyone gets splinters. Comment.

Brooklyn’s most liberal clubs moving towards the center. Comment.

Queens: The questions surrounding the controversial nonprofit co-founded by state Sen. Malcolm Smith (D-St. Albans) have put the elected official and several of his associates in the crosshairs of federal investigators who are looking into the organization and a possible conflict of interest in the Aqueduct Race Track bid. Comment.

Council District 23: When it comes to education, City Councilman Mark Weprin (D-Oakland Gardens) plans to be a thorn in Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s and city Schools Chancellor Joel Klein’s sides. Comment.

Queens: Despite widespread rumblings that he was gearing up to run for the state Assembly, S.J. Jung said he does not intend to run for any office this year, leaving what Assemblywoman Grace Meng (D-Flushing) said is currently an open field in the race for her seat. Comment.

Queens: Former City Councilman Tony Avella said he expects to officially announce his bid to challenge longtime state Sen. Frank Padavan (R-Bellerose) for his Albany seat this fall. Comment.

Queens: Howard Beach resident Dorie Pearlman is tired of waiting for justice. Comment.

Brooklyn: It’s about jobs, stupid! Comment.

Brooklyn: Pressure is mounting on city lawmakers to give back stipends for chairing City Council committees. Comments (1).

Queens: Corey Bearak, the former campaign manager for state Assemblyman David Weprin (D-Fresh Meadows), said he resigned as president of the Queens Civic Congress last week in order to spend more time on his career and with his family, but Weprin’s former opponent contends community leaders irate over his decision to send out a campaign mailing with an image of a swastika prompted him to leave. Comments (1).

Queens: State Sen. Hiram Monserrate (D-East Elmhurst) did not waste time last week after being expelled from the Senate by his fellow lawmakers. Two days later he and his lawyers filed an appeal in Manhattan federal court, claiming the move violated his civil rights. Comment.

Brooklyn: Preservationists are hopeful their pictures tell the city a thousand reasons to extend the Carroll Gardens Historic District. The photographs, which catalogue the entirety of the neighborhood, are part of what the city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission will use to determine whether to expand the district, an initiative that continues to generate controversy. Comment.

Brooklyn: Lydia Jimenez doesn’t have to go far to get her daily sodium requirement — the Baltic Street resident simply steps outside her home, and sticks out her tongue. Comment.

Public Advocate: New York’s new public advocate is already building bridges to community boards, in anticipation of joint efforts on issues of local importance as well as on the broad question of how any revision of the City Charter might impact both his and their role in city government. Comment.

Brooklyn: State Senator Daniel Squadron delivered the “unfiltered” skinny on the state of the New York State Senate - and folks, it is not good. Comment.

Brooklyn: With everyone gossiping about Harold Ford, people tend to forget that he isn’t Brooklyn’s U.S. Senator yet. Local political leaders know this and invited their friend Kirsten Gillibrand to Boerum Hill for a special meet and greet. In other news, freshman Councilmembers Jumaane Williams and Steve Levin show some uncommon empathy. Read on for more! Comments (1).