All Way Stop coming to 29th Avenue intersection

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Screen shot via Google Maps

An all-way stop is coming to the intersection of 29th Avenue and 146th Street in Flushing.

According to State Senator Tony Avella, that will mean safer crossings for pedestrians and motorists alike.

“I am glad to report that, after asking multiple times, 29th Avenue is getting the additional traffic control that residents have been asking for,” Avella said.

Avella said he first contacted the Department of Transportation (DOT) in November 2014, and asked again in May 2015. Last week, Avella said DOT approved the all-way stop.

It will be installed by the end of March.

“The installation of additional traffic controls goes a long way in improving the safety of our streets,” Avella said. “I am glad I was able to help the residents of 29th Avenue secure this extra safety measure.”

Hook’s Rufio to join BoroughCon’s roster

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Joining what will be the main event of New York’s Memorial Day Weekend 2017 is Dante Basco, one of the most prolific Asian-American actors of our time.

You can buy tickets here.

With a career spanning two-and-a-half decades, Basco is a Hollywood actor who has become a cult favorite as well as a pioneering figure in Asian-American cinema. He was first introduced as Rufio, the Leader of the Lost Boys, in Steven Spielberg’s Hook. He quickly jumped to leading roles in such movies as Take the Lead with Antonio Banderas and The Debut, which became the voice of a Filipino-American generation. Ever versatile, he is the voice of Jake Long in Disney’s animated series American Dragon: Jake Long, as well as Prince Zuko in Nickelodeon’s phenomenal hit Avatar: The Last Airbender.

A San Francisco native, Dante started out breakdancing with his three brothers at the age of 8, calling themselves The Street Freaks. Quickly they became one of the top Bay Area groups, opening for acts like Ice-T and Vanity and performing during half-time for the 49ers and between innings for the A’s.

He moved with his family to Los Angeles in the mid-1980s and, by 16, Basco was fencing against Dustin Hoffman and flying with Robin Williams in Hook. He found success on the small screen as well, appearing on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and recurring roles on Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper and Moesha in the ’90s, then prominent spots on Nash Bridges, Touched by an Angel, and Providence in the early 2000s. More current work includes hit shows such as CSI: Miami, Entourage and Hawaii Five-0.

Basco founded one of the largest weekly poetry venues in the country, “Da Poetry Lounge,” in Los Angeles and his spoken-word art has been shared on Russell Simmons’ Def Poetry Jam. He also writes and produces his own features with his production company Kinetic Films, including Hang Loose, a buddy comedy with YouTube sensation KevJumba, winning the 2012 Los Angeles Asian-Pacific Film Festival Special Jury Prizes for Best Actor and Best Newcomer respectively.

BoroughCon will be held Memorial Day Weekend 2017 at St. John’s University in Queens, New York, from Friday, May 26 through Monday, May 29. A host of top-shelf voice actors, live-action stars, influential comic book artists, professional cosplayers and highly-ranked e-sports athletes will be on hand for the debut of this pop culture expo.

Bayside bartender robbed at gunpoint

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What a scary scenario.

Authorities say that on Monday, February 27, at approximately 3:10 a.m., the man pictured above walked into JD’s Saloon at 208-11 35th Avenue in Bayside.

Once he sat down on the stool, the bartender approaches the would-be customer. But the suspect took out his gun and pointed it at the bartender instead.

The suspect then demanded money from the 35-year-old victim.

The bartender complied, giving him approximately $700 in cash. The scene was caught on surveillance video.

Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime stoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential.

Queens Young Dems host event on healthcare

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The Queens County Young Democrats (QCYD) are hosting a talk on the future of American healthcare on Thursday, March 9th at 7:30 p.m.

The event will be hosted at Clearview Golf Course Clubhouse, located at 202-12 Willets Point Blvd in Bayside.

The keynote speaker is Elizabeth Adams, director of government relations for Planned Parenthood New York City. She will discuss changes to the Affordable Care Act, the future of choice and resisting the Trump administration.

Food and refreshments will be provided.

Whitestone mom arrested after packing heroin in son’s schoolbag

Drug bagA 6-year-old boy arrived at school and unpacked his schoolbag to find his mother’s heroin, police sources reported on Monday.

Whitestone mom, Leah Pagano, mistakenly put a box filled with glassine envelopes, pills and straws into her son’s bookbag early Monday morning.

He then arrived at P.S. 209 on Utopia Parkway, Friday at around 8:30 a.m., took the white box out of his bookbag, and showed it to a teacher’s aide, Grace Molina, said the Queens DA.

The authorities were called and Pagano was summoned to the school, where she was arrested.

“I am the only one who prepares my son’s school bag and lunch. I use heroin. I do not shoot it, but I snort it. I could not find my box with heroin inside,” Pagano told police.

Pagano was charged with misdemeanor drug possession, endangering the welfare of a child, and acting in a manner injurious to a child less than 17 years old.

 

Three teens robbed on Linden Place

603-17 109Pct. Robbery 2-28-17 PHOTO3Police are searching for two men who robbed three teenagers603-17 109Pct. Robbery 2-28-17 PHOTO1 in broad daylight.

Authorities say on February 28, at approximately 4:10 p.m., the two suspects approached the three male victims in front of 33-46 Linden Place.

They took one of the 16-year-old’s belt, another 16-year-old’s backpack and the 17-year-old teen’s wallet. The suspects fled northbound on Linden Place.

Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). 

The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime stoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential.

 

Legal Aid to host Know Your Rights training

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The Legal Aid Society is hosting a series of Know Your Rights trainings in response to President Donald Trump’s immigration actions.

Flushing residents are invited to join Legal Aid to discuss implications on Trump’s executive orders, the travel or “Muslim” ban, DACA and other rights of undocumented immigrants.

The Flushing session will be hosted on Saturday, March 18 from 6 to 8 p.m. at St. George’s Episcopal Church (135-32 38th Avenue).

The trainings are open to the public.

Steve Blum, cartoon voice of Wolverine, to appear at BoroughCon MDW 2017

BoroughCon has added another celebrity to it’s already stacked roster.

Steve Blum, the Guinness Book of World Records’ Most Prolific Voice Actor in Video Games, will be attending BoroughCon at St. John’s MDW 2017.

17022079_1648237082148565_6526691027477388059_nWith hundreds of animation credits to his name, Blum is best known as the voice of Spike Spiegel from Cowboy Bebop, Wolverine from the X-Men franchise, and Green Goblin from the Spectacular Spider-Man series.

He is featured in Naruto, Ben 10 and many other cartoon titles. Currently he lends his talents to Star Wars: Rebels and The Boxtrolls, and is featured on hip-hop artist Logic’s The Incredible True Story album.

He has also appeared on the Emmy award-winning Transformers: Prime, Mortal Combat XUltimate Spider ManDoc McStuffinsUncle GrandpaWander over YonderTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Avatar: The Legend of Korra.

Every Saturday night, Steve takes the helm as “TOM,” the robotic host of Cartoon Network’s Toonami on Adult Swim.

BoroughCon will be held Memorial Day Weekend 2017 at St. John’s University in Queens, New York, from Friday, May 26 through Monday, May 29. A host of top-shelf voice actors, live-action stars, influential comic book artists, professional cosplayers and highly-ranked e-sports athletes will be on hand for the debut of this pop culture expo.

Artist and vendor tables are still available.

Thiefs steal electric sander from Flushing store

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Police are looking for two men who robbed a supply shop in Flushing last month.

Authorities say that on Saturday, February 5, at about 11:40 a.m., the two suspects entered Jin Kitchen and Bath at 131-49 41st Avenue.

One of the men distracted the store clerk while another man took the electric sander from the store without paying.

Both men left inside a black Mercedes with a New Jersey license plate.

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Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS or for Spanish 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers Website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or texting their tips to 274637(CRIMES) then enter TIP577.

Pol hosts seminar on Medicaid fraud

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Assemblyman Ron Kim hosted a free workshop on Medicaid fraud and prevention on Monday at Queens Library.

He was joined by the New York Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, the Chinese Community Center of Flushing (CCCF) and the Office of the Medicaid Inspector General.

Kim cited the growing problem of fraud crime against the elderly in the area. The agency reps offered information about the benefits and rights of Medicaid recipients and emphasized the importance of staying informed when it comes to potential scams.

“As many Americans grow older, they often become more vulnerable to certain kinds of unlawful schemes,” Kim said. “Medicaid fraud is one example of the rising issue of crimes specifically targeting seniors in our country.”

Howard Sang, the co-chairman of the CCCF, thanked Kim and the Attorney General’s office for hosting the event.

“I think it is important for the Chinese community to understand the rules and regulations of the Medicaid program,” Sang said, “so the providers and seniors understand how to keep the social daycare programs running in the right way.”