Martial arts students raise $15K for hurricane relief

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Over the weekend, Ultimate Champions Taekwondo hosted a tournament at Queens College to raise money for hurricane victims.

Students at the studio raised a whopping $15,000 for a charity called Island Harvest.

“Our community is proud to generate positive energy and help those in need,” said Head Master Michael Ro. “We really appreciate all the support of our extended family of students, parents, instructors and neighbors.

Ultimate Champions Taekwondo has been in the community since 1988, and now has 37 locations across Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island.

Tony Avella is against “Con-Con”

Tony Avella

On November 7th, which is Election Day, the toughest vote won’t be for mayor, comptroller, public advocate, borough president of City Council member.

It’s likely the ballot question for the proposed Constitutional Convention, a once-in-20-years opportunity to open up the New York State Constitution to make changes.

The debate has intensified as Election Day nears. Good government groups and some progressive advocates, such as those pushing for ethics reform, are pushing for a “yes” vote.

Most elected officials and labor unions, who have poured in significant funds into this vote, are completely opposed to it.

State Senator Tony Avella declared last week that he’s opposed to “Con-Con,” and urged his constituents to vote against the proposal. Here’s why:

“The idea of redoing the constitution sounds good on the surface, but when you dig a little deeper, you will find opening every part of the constitution, in this politically charged chaotic environment, is risky at best and will do more harm than good. A constitutional convention would put many of our long-established labor protections in jeopardy and could also significantly roll back many of the hard-fought environmental regulations that are crucial to our state. If you thought politics was controlled by special interests and dark money, a constitutional convention would worsen an already bad situation.”

Pols wear purple for Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Domestic Violence event

Recognizing October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, elected officials donned purple to bring attention an important issue.

Wearing purple pays tribute to those who have died, and celebrates those who have survived, the pols say.

Assemblywoman Nily Rozic and Councilman Barry Grodenchik hit the streets to conduct outreach on resources available to the community.

“Partnering with the community to create programs and provide services is integral to any effort aiming to elevate domestic violence awareness,” Rozic said.

“Domestic violence is not only a woman’s issue; it is an issue that should concern and must concern every single person,” Grodenchik added. “We need to work together to ensure that our community understands the impact of domestic violence so that we can help stop abuse.”

Jefferson Democratic Club celebrates 137 years

Jefferson Club Dinner 2017 - Heastie

The Jefferson Democratic Club celebrated the 137th anniversary of its founding at Douglaston Manor last week.

More than 200 attendees, including local, city and state elected officials, labor unions and community leaders, all turned out for the event.

The gala honored the following leaders:

  • Thomas Jefferson Leadership Award – State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie
  • Labor Leader of the Year – Joseph McDermott, executive director of Consortium for Worker Education
  • Nonprofit of the Year – Korean Community Services (KCS) of Metropolitan New York
  • Business Leader of the Year – Giuseppe Oppedisano of Il Bacco Ristorante Italiano
  • Hon. John J. Clabby Award – Ann Jawin, founder of Center for Women of New York.

Queens Poet Laureate Maria Lisella to read at Queens College

Lisella- Writing Your Way Home

Queens Poet Laureate and Queens College alumna Maria Lisella will return to her alma mater on Wednesday for a literary reading.

A travel writer for three decades, Lisella has authored three books of poetry. Born and raised in Queens, she derives her inspiration from the borough’s diversity.

“My work continues to follow the threads of immigration, of inclusiveness, of empty and reminders of where we all came from,” she said.

The event will begin at 12:15 p.m. at the Benjamin Rosenthal Library.

It’s free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

Pols push to restore Q75 bus from Oakland Gardens to Jamaica

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Elected officials in northeast Queens are calling on the MTA to restore service to the Q75 bus that connects Oakland Gardens to Jamaica.

The route, which was eliminated in 2010, provides a one-seat ride to and from Jamaica’s subways for local residents who lack public transit options.

Some Oakland Gardens residents have to take two buses just to reach a subway station.

“In my district, we have no subway service and rely on MTA buses to get around,” said Councilman Barry Grodenchik. “It’s the MTA’s duty to prioritize restoration in areas where bus service is so critical. More transit options for the people of Eastern Queens need to be funded to ensure our borough continues to progress.”

Contracting company recognized for innovative renovation design in Queens

Allegiant Contracting is one of the leading contractors in the NYC Metropolitan area.

Since 2002, they have been providing complete construction and complete house remodeling services at very affordable prices. Allegiant provides services for commercial properties as well.

Allegiant works with property developers, house builders, and general contractors.

Nick, owner of Allegiant Contracting, was just recognized by a local Flushing news company for their impeccable residential design in the photos below.

05 “We can help you get the most appeal out of your home, no matter what elevation you prefer, from classical to modern, and every style in-between,” said Nick, owner of Allegiant Contracting.

“We mainly specialize in spray foam insulation, roof coatings, exterior work such as concrete work, retaining walls, patios, brick work and stone work. We have a very solid team performing the work and sophisticated equipment in use.”

For a limited time, Allegiant is offering a 20% discount to all new clients. Services include: roofing, concrete, masonry, paver, stone stucco, spray foam installation, & interior remodeling.

Get a free online quote here, email info@allegiant-contracting.com, or call Nick from Allegiant at 646-821-7313 for a free estimate.

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Grace Meng to host congressional app contest for students

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Congresswoman Grace Meng is holding a congressional app competition for local middle and high school students in her district.

The “2017 Congressional App Challenge” is part of a nationwide challenge by the House of Representatives where students compete by creating an exhibiting an app for mobile, tablet or computer devices.

The winning app in each congressional district will be featured on the House website (www.house.gov) and displayed in an exhibit at the U.S. Capitol.

The deadline to enter is November 1 at 12 p.m.

Participants may compete individually or in a team of up to four students.

Each student must submit a video of their app and explain what they’ve learned from the competition. All entries must be original in concept, design and execution.

The winner of the contest, judged by a panel of experts, will be announced by the end of the year.

“This contest is a great opportunity for Queens students to highlight their technological skills and show the rest of the country how much tech talent exists right here in our borough,” Meng said.

Students can register for the contest at www.congressionalappchallenge.us.

Braunstein hosts annual Halloween Essay and Drawing Contest

Halloween Flyer 2017

Bayside Assemblyman Edward Braunstein is sponsoring his annual Halloween Essay and Drawing Contest this year.

Students in his district grades 2 through 5 are invited to participate. The essay OR drawing should have a Halloween theme, such as your favorite trick-or-treat experience, or why you picked your Halloween costume.

The contest deadline is Tuesday, October 31. See the poster above for tips for trick-or-treating on Halloween.

Submit your essays in person or by mail to Braunstein’s office at 213-33 39th Avenue, Suite 238 Bayside, NY 11361. Or you can email it to braunsteine@nyassembly.gov.

Drawings should be mailed or dropped off.

Pol pushes local audiologist to state hearing aid advisory board

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As part of National Audiology Awareness Month, Assemblywoman Nily Rozic is pushing for the appointment of a local audiologist and business owner to the New York State Hearing Aid Dispensing Advisory Board.

Since 1997, Dr. Zumpone-Weibley has served the Flushing community at her practice, Totaling Hearing Care. Her business conducts audiological tests on-site and offers multiple styles of hearing aids.

She also worked with the Ear, Nose and Throat Associates of New York PC for 23 years, establishing their Audiology department.

“Throughout her career, Dr. Zumpone-Weibley has worked in numerous capacities across Queens – each one strengthening her expertise while being of service through education and volunteer work,” Rozic said. “Her appointment to the New York State Hearing Aid Dispensing Advisory Board will be a valued addition for alL New Yorkers.”

The advisory board is made up of 13 members who are appointed by the New York Secretary of State. They oversee the licensure, registration and regulation of occupations.

According to state law, four of the 13 board members must be audiologists who have dispensed hearing aids for at least five years prior to their appointment.

“I have been privileged to spend my career as an audiologist at a time where technological advances have greatly enriched our lives,” Dr. Zumpone-Weibley said. “Hearing aids are an integral part of the remediation of hearing loss and the role of the Advisory Board is to safeguard the needs of the hearing impaired consumer.”

“I am honored to be representing my home town of Flushing on the Board and I hope my efforts will make a difference for the community.”

Her appointment to the board will be confirmed in the next few months, Rozic said.