Bayside business sets up GoFundMe for frontline workers

Screen shot via Google Maps

Screen shot via Google Maps

Bourbon Street, a Cajun restaurant located at 40-12 Bell Boulevard in Bayside, has set up a GoFundMe online fundraiser.

The campaign is collecting money to provide meals for frontline workers in Queens, Manhattan and Long Island hospitals that are battling the COVID-19 pandemic.

You can find the link here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/food-for-the-fearless

Support Bourbon Street’s efforts and pay it forward!

Queens College donates masks, gloves to combat COVID-19

Queens College PPE donation

Queens College’s School of Mathematics and Sciences donated a collection of supplies last weekend to help battle the COVID-19 outbreak.

Donated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) included N-95 masks, 30 unopened cases of disposable nitrile gloves, disposable lab coats and bottles of 70% isopropyl alcohol.

The donation was made in response to Governor Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio’s public call to New Yorkers about the critical need for PPEs.

Professors, faculty, college lab technicians stepped up, scoured their teaching labs for the materials.

“We hope these efforts will inspire others who have access to protective gear and sanitizers to join in support of the dedicated staff of the city’s hospitals,” said Interim Queens College President William Tramontano.

The materials were picked up by NYC Emergency Management and funneled toward hospitals with the mot critical need.

Assembly candidate calls for Neighborhood Watch Patrols in Flushing

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Assembly candidate and current police officer Steve Lee is launching a neighborhood watch patrol for Flushing, as well as Chinatown in Manhattan, in partnership with local police precincts.

He said the patrols will protect communities against racist attacks.

“We are making calls for volunteers for the block watch program to help deter attacks against our communities,” he wrote in a message to supporters.

Volunteers won’t engage perpetrators or suspects, but rather “use the buddy system,” film the acts and call 911.

“This is not a time for us to be swayed by agendas, either left or right,” Lee says. “This is a time for us to stand as a united force against ignorance, racism and violence.”

Those interested in participating can email Lee at stevefornewyork@gmail.com.

Bayside restaurants are open for takeout/delivery

Although COVID-19 is deeply hurting small businesses, residents can still play a meaningful role in supporting local restaurants and food establishments.

The Bayside Village Business Improvement District (BID) has released a helpful guide to Bayside restaurants that are open for business – for either takeout or delivery.

So while you’re stuck inside quarantine, consider ordering from these restaurants to support them during this difficult time:

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Bayside Business Association cancels some events

Ed Probst, president of the BBA, speaking at a meeting last year.

Ed Probst, president of the BBA, speaking at a meeting last year.

In light of the novel coronavirus pandemic, the Bayside Business Association has canceled its Bayside St. Patrick’s Day march, originally scheduled for March 28.

Additionally, BBA’s in-person Annual Meeting Breakfast, set for March 25, has been converted into a virtual event.

“The BBA wants to do our part to practice safe social distancing in an effort to combat this disease,” said Ed Probst, president of the BBA, in a message to supporters. “We look forward to restoring normalcy in the near future and seeing you at a future event.

“If we’ve learned anything over the past years, it’s that our country and particularly New Yorkers are very resilient,” he added. “We will get through this together.”

Flushing pol to recognize leaders for Women’s History Month

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Tonight, in celebration of Women’s History Month, Assemblyman Ron Kim is hosting an event to recognize eight community leaders.

Each honoree will receive the “Unsung Shero Award” in recognition of their contributions in service to their neighbors and communities.

“The recipients are positive role models who have demonstrated leadership, shown compassion and inspired others through their commitment to furthering justice and equality,” Kim wrote.

The event takes place at Flushing Public Library, located at 41-17 Main Street, starting at 6 p.m.

To RSVP, email tony@ronkim.com.

Add your input to the redesign of Bland Playground

Bland Playground Public Scope Meeting Invite

Bland Playground in Downtown Flushing will soon undergo a $6 million reconstruction project.

But before the design is made, the Parks Department wants Flushing residents and park users to chime in on what they’d like to see included as part of the transformation.

On Thursday, March 12 at 6 p.m., the Parks Department are teaming up with Councilman Peter Koo and the borough president’s office to host a scoping meeting for the project.

Attendees can tell parks officials what they want in the reconstructed playground.

“This scoping meeting is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for area residents to redesign their own backyard playground,” Koo said.

The councilman noted that despite its popularity, the playground has been plagued by a variety of problems, “from sanitation to vagrancy.”

“It’s far past time that we address these issues through a redesign and reconstruction that prioritizes the needs of the families and young people who cherish and use this rare urban recreational space,” Koo added.

The scoping meeting will take place at Bland Community Center, located at 133-36 Roosevelt Avenue.

Project Queens opens office in Downtown Flushing

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Project Queens, a commercial real estate firm, has opened a new office in the heart of Downtown Flushing.

The tech savvy company is led by real estate broker Michael Wang, who also co-chairs the Real Estate Committee for the Queens Chamber of Commerce.

Their new digs are located at 136-18 39th Avenue, Suite 704.

Project Queens is welcoming friends and colleagues to stop by their new office to see the new space and chat with the team.

For more information about Project Queens, visit their website here.

Eastern Queens priests elevated to monsignors

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Nine priests within the Diocese of Brooklyn, which includes Brooklyn and Queens, have been conferred the title of Chaplain of His Holiness, Pope Francis, which carries the title of Reverend Monsignor, according to Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn.

Three of the priests serve parishes within eastern Queens:

  • Reverend Monsignor John E. Vesey (pictured above): Pastor of St. Michael Paris in Flushing. He was ordained to the Priesthood on June 1, 1968.
  • Reverend Monsignor Casper J. Furnari: Retired in residence at Holy Family Church in Fresh Meadows. He was ordained to the Priesthood on June 1, 1968.
  • Reverend Monsignor Edward P. Doran: Retired priest, who is also a part-time chaplain at Queensborough Community College. He was ordained to the Priesthood on January 14, 1984.

The date for the conferral of the honors will be announced at a later time, the diocese says.

“Each of these senior priests have given extraordinary service, as missionaries and pastors for many years,” Bishop DiMarzio said.