March 12-13: Thoughts, Prayers For Those Lost In Devastating Japan Quake, Tsunami

Good morning, Little Neck. Our thoughts, like those of many across the world, are with the survivors and family members of over 1,300 estimated killed from an 8.9 earthquake and resulting tsunami that has devastated part of Japan. 

Now jittery attention is on the status of the site of at least one of the earthquake-prone nation's nuclear reactors, from which comes this report of an explosion and leakage of an unspecified amount of radiation.

Here are the 5 Things You Need to Know stateside this weekend:

1. For those looking to help victims of the quake and tsunami in Japan, here are links to organizations struggling to provide medical assistance, clean drinking water and shelter in this beleaguered island nation. MercyCorps: www.mercycorps.org/donate/japan; American Red Cross, www.redcross.org; Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, http://gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/pda/japan/.

2. One person in the U.S. is feared dead after being swept off the sea as a result of a tsunami that hit the West Coast at approximately 10 a.m. Eastern Time after yesterday's quake in Japan.

3. Much closer to home, co-op association presidents across northeast Queens a deal to cap property tax valuation increases at 50 percent.

4. Even in a time of great suffering overseas, life does go on. The Samuel Field Y will host a Hollywood-themed Purim celebration for youngsters and adults

5. Check out Huffington Post's take on the question, "Could experts have predicted yesterday's quake in Japan?"