Social media campaign to boost Willets Point businesses

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On Tuesday, State Senator Tony Avella and business owners in Willets Point will announce a new social media initiative called “Willets Point: Open for Business.”

They’re taking to Facebook to showcase their individual automotive, industrial and manufacturing businesses, including a 6-minute video and period updates on the page.

They plan to unveil their campaign Tuesday at 1 p.m. at the intersection of Willets Point Boulevard and 127th Street.

Former Samuel Field Y executive director honored

Samuel Field Y Autism BBQ 2017

Assemblyman Edward Braunstein and Councilman Barry Grodenchik honored former Samuel Field Y executive director and CEO Jeri Mendelsohn, who retired in June.

“It was a pleasure attending Samuel Field Y’s annual Autism Awareness Event at the Bay Terrace Pool and Tennis Club,” said Braunstein. “Thank you to Jeri Mendelsohn for her decades of dedication and service to seniors and people with disabilities.”

Prior to her appointment as CEO, Mendelsohn spent 12 years as Samuel Field Y’s associate executive director for social service programs. She has had over 30 years of experience in the development and implementation of programs and services for people with disabilities.

She also serves as co-chair of the UJA-Federation of New York’s Task Force on People with Disabilities.

GoFundMe set up for Hillcrest doctor killed in hospital shooting

Dr. Tracy Sin-Yee Tam (right) with her hospital colleagues. (Photo courtesy/GoFundMe page)

Dr. Tracy Sin-Yee Tam (right) with her hospital colleagues. (Photo courtesy/GoFundMe page)

Friends, family and colleagues mourning the loss of Dr. Tracy Sin-Yee Tam have set up a GoFundMe page to help pay for funeral costs and other expenses.

The fundraiser has collected more than $40,700 for her family.

Dr. Tam, 32, lived in Hillcrest. She was killed last week at Bronx Lebanon Hospital, where a horrific shooting took place.

The fundraising page was set up by Ahmed Rezk, who according to the page, is a family physician who worked closely with Tam for many years. They went to medical school together.

“Tracy Tam was an exceptional, and an extremely compassionate physician,” Rezk wrote. “She touched lives of many. She worked extra hours without incentive just to hold hands of patients that are about to pass or just to talk o them and listen to their needs.”

According to Rezk, Tam was covering for another colleague at the hospital on the day of the shooting.

Assemblywoman Nily Rozic, who represents Tam’s neighborhood of Hillcrest, said in a statement that she’s “devastated by the loss of one of Queens’ best.”

“Dr. Tam represented the best parts of our diverse community in Queens and New York City,” Rozic said. “People who knew her speak of a young woman who loved helping others through medicine and made the most of what her parents provided her and her sister upon immigrating from China.”

“For such an individual to go at this time and in this way is a senseless tragedy,” Rozic added. “My deepest condolences go out to the Tam family during this unimaginable time and I offer my assistance in whatever ways they need.”

Donate to the Tracy Tam Family Fund here.

Free canoeing at Flushing-Meadows Corona Park

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Calling all water adventure-seekers!

The Urban Park Rangers and Flushing Meadows-Corona Park Conservancy are hosting a free canoeing family event on Sunday, July 9th at Willow Lake.

The event begins at 11 a.m. Meet at Meadow Lake Drive and Jewel Avenue, inside the park near ball field 13.

Life vests will be provided.

The event is only for individuals ages 8 and up. Those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Prior canoeing experience is preferred.

RSVP at fmcpc.org.

Meng honors winner of student art contest

Meng Art Contest Photo

Congresswoman Grace Meng honored Forest Hills student Sophia Cui in Washington, D.C. for her annual Sixth Congressional District Art Contest.

The competition draws submissions from students at high schools throughout Queens. It’s part of a national Congressional art contest to showcase artwork from high school students.

Cui’s winning work, called “Memories in Corona Park,” will now be displayed for one year inside the Cannon Tunnel in the U.S. Capitol.

“It was a pleasure to welcome Sophia to Washington and I congratulate her for winning this year’s competition,” Meng said. “She is a talented young artist and her winning piece will proudly represent our Congressional district in Washington.”

Cui, a student at Queens Metropolitan High School in Forest Hills, will be going into her senior year in September. By winning the contest, she and other competition winners all received a scholarship to the Savannah College of Art and Design.

“It is an honor to have been selected as the winner of Congresswoman Meng’s art contest,” Cui said. “Having my artwork displayed in the Capitol and coming to Washington for the art competition ceremony was an incredible experience that I will never forget.”

A total of 40 students from 10 high schools participated in the contest this year.

The contest included three runners-up, whose work will also be displayed:

  • First Runner-up: Vellia Zhou of Bayside and Hunter College High School
    • Artwork will be displayed at Meng’s Washington office
  • Second Runner-up: Patricia Delgado of Corona and Newtown High School
    • Artwork will be displayed a Meng’s Flushing office
  • Third Runner-up: Kurt Juanillo of Woodside and Maspeth High School
    • Artwork will be displayed at Meng’s Forest Hills office

Avella to MTA: Whitestone Bridge traffic is “nightmarish”

Tony Avella

Despite efforts to alleviate heavy traffic on the Whitestone Bridge, one elected official doesn’t think it’s enough.

State Senator Tony Avella fired off a letter to the MTA last week to ask for more to be done.

The most severe traffic occurs near the intersection of 147th Street and 12th Road, on 14th Avenue and near the Whitestone Expressway and Cross Island Parkway, Avella said.

“You should know that the conditions have only become worse since construction began, particularly on weekends,” Avella said. “Most motorists are at a dead stop most of the time, while others choose to completely ignore traffic lights and “stop” signs.”

“Clearly more must be done as soon as possible to address the nightmarish traffic conditions that Queens residents are dealing with on a daily basis.”

What do you think about the traffic conditions near the Whitestone Bridge?