Community Tax Aid free tax prep program

This morning (Monday, Mar. 30th) at 11:00AM, the Department of Consumer Affairs, Rep. Grace Meng, Community Tax Aid, and the Flushing YMCA are hosting Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Awareness Day to promote free tax preparation services available in Flushing. This event is part of the city’s unprecedented tax season outreach campaign.

Flushing YMCA – 138-46 Northern Boulevard, Flushing, NY 11354

……………………..

Another professional tax planner in Queens

Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce convenes first meeting

The first charter meeting of the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce convened this afternoon, at which the chamber’s first Board of Directors were sworn in. The chamber is an off-shoot of the One Flushing community organizing project, launched in 2011 as a resource for local businesses.

 

Flushing has been without a chamber since the previous one closed in 2012.

 

Council Member Peter Koo, a small business owner himself, said on Wednesday he was excited that local industry would now have a dedicated voice.

 

“The business community is made up of mom-and-pop’s that don’t often have time to advocate for their own interests,” he said. “It’s important they have a voice. This chamber will become the voice of our community.”

Council Member Peter Koo speaks at the first charter meeting of the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday.

Council Member Peter Koo speaks at the first charter meeting of the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday.

BP Katz proposes renaming Willets Point station

BP Katz has asked the MTA to consider renaming the Willets Point/Mets Station stop to a name which references Flushing Meadows Corona Park, which she called “the number one destination of most riders who use the station.”

Jean Silva, president of the Flushing Meadows-Corona Park Conservancy, said on Thursday she supported the idea.

“I think it’s a great idea considering well over the majority who get off the train are going to Flushing Meadows,” she said. “That’s why people get off at that stop.”

We’ve reached out to the MTA for comment.

NYC Council Majority Leader Jimmy van Bramer calls for better service on 7

City Council Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer called for the MTA to improve service on the 7 on Wednesday, citing constituents’ reports of sporadic weekday schedules and virtually non-existent service many weekends.

 

“As a community, we’re trapped in a nightmare that never seems to end,” he said at a press conference at Sunnyside’s 40th Street station. “The level of service here has been disgraceful.”

 

He called on the MTA to release data on every train delay and service disruption in the area within the last 4 months, and to convene at a town hall to discuss 7 service with locals.

Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer at Wednesday morning's press conference

Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer at Wednesday morning’s press conference

Queens Library to hold open budget meeting

Queens Library is preparing its operating budget for Fiscal Year 2016. The public is invited to find out what the library’s funding priorities are, and to give the library their input.

queens-library

The hearing  will take place on Monday, March 30, 2015 at 6 pm Queens Library at Flushing, 41-17 Main Street near Kissena Boulevard.

Public comments are invited. Speakers may sign up upon arrival, and will have an opportunity to speak on a first-come, first-served basis for up to 3 minutes. Queens Library will be also be taking public comments online from April 1 – April 30 at www.queenslibrary.org/budgetfeedback.

The Flushing YMCA Beacon @ JHS 189 to host event for mothers and sons

On Saturday, March 14, The Flushing YMCA Beacon @ JHS 189 is hosting a Mother/Son Family Event from 12noon to 2:00pm.

images

 The event will start with moms and sons playing table tennis and having a lunch catered by Blink’s Deli of Long Island City from noon to 1pm.  Then, NYC Healthy Relationships Academy will provide separate workshops for parents and youth on Teen Dating and Healthy Relationships.  The workshop will address topics of power and control, characteristics of a potential partner, the relationship bill of rights, equality and equity in relationships, warning signs of an abusive partner, technology safety tips, how to help a friend, and resource hotlines.  Parents will also focus on having conversations with youth and helping them avoid or get out of abusive relationships.  These workshops were requested by the Beacon Parent Advisory Board and is made possible through the NYC Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence.

The youth workshop will focus on teen boys ages 11 to 16 and the parent workshop is open to all interested parent. For more information, please contact Joe Vereen at 718-961-6014 or jvereen@ymcanyc.org.

___________

If you plan to travel to the Flushing YMCA by car, LAZ parking garage (10 minute walk) is offering parking discounts to event goers.

 

St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon

The Queens Chamber of Commerce is hosting their annual St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon. This year’s keynote speakers are: Steve Cassidy, President of the New York City Uniformed Firefighters Association, and the son of Former Governor Hugh Carey,Donald Carey.

Hirten Irish Traditional dancers will be entertaining the crowd, performing traditional gaelic traditions.  Congressman Joseph Crowley’s band, Remixx, is also performing.  

unnamed
Date:       Thursday, March 12, 2015

                   11:30 AM – 2:00 PM

 

Place:    Terrace on the Park

                52-11 111th Street 
                Flushing, New York 11368