Month: June 2020

Northeast Queens to host drive-in movie series

Dan Rose
Bay Terrace Shopping Center. Screen shot via Google Maps
Bay Terrace Shopping Center. Screen shot via Google Maps

This summer, residents of northeast Queens will have a chance to attend a series of drive-in movies.

The events will offer families a chance to enjoy the warmer months while being safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The first screened movie will be “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” on June 19th at the Bay Terrace Shopping Center.

Co-sponsors of the event include Councilman Paul Vallone, Cord Meyer Development, Queens Chamber of Commerce and Movies in the Moonlight.

Families interested in attending must register here.

Space is limited to first come, first serve. Pre-registered families can enter the main lot in front of Stop & Shop at 7 p.m. The movie will begin at 8:45 p.m.

Flushing Interfaith Council receives $20K grant

Dan Rose

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Last week, the Robin Hood Foundation allocated a $20,000 emergency grant to the Flushing Interfaith Council to support its COVID-19 community relief efforts.

The council includes the Flushing Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, the Free Synagogue of Flushing, the Hindu Temple Society of North America, the Muslim Progressive Traditionalist Alliance, the Sikh Center of New York, and other organizations.

“Our members are already active in enhancing efforts to provide food in several local pantries,” said Nancy Bruno of Church on the Hill. “But this grant will enable us to coordinate food services with social services, counseling and direct emergency funds.”

Flushing has been hard by the novel coronavirus, especially deaths in senior centers and the financial losses for small businesses.

Community members who need assistance can submit their requests to help@flushingfriends.org.

Protestors return to scene of scary incident in Whitestone

Protestors return to scene of scary incident in Whitestone

Dan Rose

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A handful of protestors returned to the overpass at 160th Street and Cross Island Parkway on Wednesday afternoon, the day after a crazed man jumped out of his SUV with knives strapped to his arm and threatened them.

He eventually drove off, but did a U-turn and then drove up on the sidewalk as panicked protestors scattered.

This was after a Whitestone man – identified as Anthony Abicca by dozens of Twitter users – on Monday ripped down Black Lives Matter signs from the overpass while admitting that he was a racist.

Overnight, residents were caught on video clearing the overpass of other protest signs and stuffing them in trashcans.

On Wednesday afternoon, drivers honked in support of the protestors who returned to the site.

Queens Botanical Garden: Black Lives Matter

Dan Rose

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On Blackout Tuesday, Queens Botanical Garden made a statement that they believe goes without saying: Black Lives Matter.

But given the recent events surrounding the police killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and other black Americans, it has become more important than ever to make that statement.

Here’s QBG’s full statement:

“Queens Botanical Garden stands in solidarity with the Black community. We also acknowledge the fear, pain, and emotional labor that Black communities endure every day. We stand with you.

We must also continue to educate ourselves, hold ourselves and each other accountable, and keep discussions open and active about systemic racism. We are committed to critically examine our practices to ensure the Garden is an inclusive space for everyone.

There is no turning back, only forward. We cannot perpetuate the past, only do better in the long road ahead.”