Month: August 2017

The City Council unanimously passed Councilman Paul Vallone’s bill to improve pedestrian safety near parks and schools.

Under the legislation, the Department of Transportation (DOT) will be required to survey all intersections adjacent to a school or park that do not currently have pedestrian countdown displays. The study is to determine which intersections should get a pedestrian countdown.

The bill then requires DOT to install the countdown displays at the selected locations within two years of the the completion of the survey.

“I’m proud to stand with our principals, teachers, parents, students and seniors in our combined fight for safety around our schools and parks,” Vallone said. “This is an issue that must be addressed before another child or senior is injured just crossing a public street in our community and throughout the city.”

According to Vallone, pedestrians account for 56 percent of all traffic fatalities, with children and seniors making up the most vulnerable populations.

New Yorkers over the age of 65 accounted for one-third of traffic fatalities.

“The well-being of our children should be our number one priority and this bill will provide a major boost for the safety of all students and their families,” he said.

Consider it a birthday present for 93-year-old Teddi Kavanaugh.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) recently told State Senator Tony Avella that they will perform a full resurfacing of Depot Road between 156th and 158th streets in Murray Hill.

Recall that Depot Road, a narrow roadway adjacent to the LIRR station, could easily be mistaken for a private driveway. After seven years of neglect, it’s filled with cracks and potholes.

Kavanaugh, the president of the Off-Broadway Homeowners Association, brought this to Avella’s attention. Last June, they demanded fixes at a press conference.

Now, the DOT has responded. They will begin the project in the fall.

“As I reach my 93rd birthday this week, I am so delighted to finally check this off of my bucket list,” Kavanaugh said.

Avella said after years of pleading with the city, local residents will finally get relief on this road.

“Because of their persistence, something that was once deemed impossible by DOT will finally be accomplished,” Avella said. “When complete, the resurfacing of Depot Road will be another prime example of the incredible progress that can be achieved when residents and elected officials work together.”

The Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce announced that the third annual Flushing Night Out will take place on August 18 and 19 from 6 to 11 p.m. at the Flushing Meeting House (137-16 Northern Boulevard).

Every year, Flushing Night Out is hosted at a different location to highlight the area’s unique historical landmarks. Flushing Meeting House was first built in 1694, and is the oldest house of worship in New York.

Previously, the event was held at Flushing Town Hall and at Flushing High School.

Starting at 7 p.m., the event features an outdoor market with food from local restaurants, such as Galaxy Dumpling, Sam’s Fried Ice Cream, Joey Bats Sweets, New Asian Foods, In Patella, Cat Mint Wheel, Lizzetli’s Ice Cream and Gutsier Living.

“Flushing Night Out offers a unique programming mix of arts and live entertainment from our community, in addition to its main draw of world cuisines converging at one location,” said John Choe, executive director of Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce. “We want to showcase the fantastic culture unique to Flushing and this year, we are proud to partner with the Flushing Meeting House to provide an unforgettable summer weekend of history mingled with food and music.”

Sponsors this year include Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE), Crown Container, HSBC, FlushingFood.com and the NYC Department of Small Business Services.

Tickets ($5) are available on the Eventbrite page, which you can find here.

For more information, check out the Facebook event and website.

St. Gregory’s Theater Group proudly presents: The Little Mermaid.

Directed by Kathy Rollo Ferrara  •  Musical Direction by Jon Riss

Showings:

August 3 – August 5 at 8 pm

August 6 at 2pm

August 9 – August 11 at 8 pm

August 12 at  2 pm & 8 pm

August  13  at  2 pm

 Come meet Ariel and her friends in person at:

The Oak Room at St. Gregory the Great Church • 242-20 88th Avenue, Bellerose,  NY   11426

Reserve tickets by calling:  718-989-2451 or by Emailing:  tickets@sgtg.org

Adults: $18  •  Seniors/Students  $15  •  Children $9

www.sgtg.org