March 15: Beware the Ides

Happy Tuesday, Little Neck! It was on this portentous date that Caesar of Rome was slain in the Senate by those he thought allies and friends. Here's to the hope that your day fares less badly (we trust it will...).

Here are your 5 Things for this March 15:

1. The crisis in Japan deepened early Tuesday with news of a third explosion and fire at the Fukashima nuclear plant, which is experiencing signs of core meltdown at three of its four reactors.

2. For those looking to help assist in the Japanese disaster response, here's a quick rundown on charities helping to rescue, repair and rebuild: MercyCorps: www.mercycorps.org/donate/japan; American Red Cross, www.redcross.org; Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, http://gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/pda/japan/ .

3. Bayside Patch posted this article last night regarding possible repucussions for northeast Queens from Mayor Michael Bloomberg's citywide waterfront development plan, announced Monday.

4. For those impacted by the recession (which is to say, almost everyone reading this right now), Connect-to-care at the Samuel Field Y is offering these activities and events to help people cope.

5. State Sen. Tony Avela, D-Bayside, voted yesterday against a Republican-backed constitutional admendment, which he said would push back redistricting reform to the next census in 2020.