Fresh Meadows, Auburndale libraries reopened with limited services

Fresh Meadows Library. Screen shot via Google Maps.

Fresh Meadows Library. Screen shot via Google Maps.

Queens Public Library reopened seven additional branches across the borough on Monday. Those branches are:

  • Arverne Library
  • Auburndale Library
  • Forest Hills Library
  • Fresh Meadows Library
  • Hillcrest Library
  • Langston Hughes Library
  • Sunnyside Library

The reopened branches offer limited “to-go” service six days a week.

With the seven reopenings, QPL now has 22 locations across Queens open to the public for pickups in a designated area of each building.

The branches will also accept returns at their exterior return machines.

The hours for each reopened branch are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday (closed between 1 to 2 p.m. for cleaning); 1 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday; 12 to 7 p.m. on Thursday (closed between 3 to 4 p.m. for cleaning).

All staff and visitors are required to wear a mask and practical physical distancing. Hand sanitizer is available at all open branches.

At this time, there is no on-site public programs, browsing, meeting room availability, seating, public computers or in-person reference service.

In addition, there will be no fines or fees on any library materials checked out this year until January 4, 2021 at the earliest.

Join Flushing Town Hall’s celebration of the Harvest Moon Festival

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In celebration of the Harvest Moon Festival, Flushing Town Hall is hosting a virtual program with Korean folk music, shadow theater storytelling and a play reading.

The event will highlight stories of the Asian and Asian American experience.

The festival, also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival, celebrates the time when the moon is brightest, and offers an opportunity to gather with family and give thanks for the harvest.

The psychedelic Korean folk group Coreyah will perform virtually on September 29 at 7 p.m.

Spica Wobbe’s “Hand in Hand” storytelling through shadow theater will be from September 30 to October 15.

A play reading of Marcus Yi’s “Lucky 88” will conclude the festival on October 4.

Watch on Flushing Town Hall’s YouTube page here.

Queens Chamber to distribute PPE in Bayside

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On Friday, October 9, from 2 to 4 p.m., the Queens Chamber of Commerce is distributing personal protective equipment for businesses in Bayside.

The free PPE distribution will take place outside of Mad for Chicken, located at 39-02 Bell Boulevard.

The event is part of the chamber’s Neighborhood Sidewalk Outreach initiative. Congresswoman Grace Meng, the Bayside Business Association and the Bayside Village BID will also be there.

Local business owners can drop by and pick up a bag of PPE, including face masks, face shields, digital thermometers and information from the city and state.

Queens College leads CUNY in MWBE vendor hiring

Surinder Virk handles procurement, property and fleet management for the college

Surinder Virk handles procurement, property and fleet management for the college

Queens College was recognized by CUNY for having the highest percentage of minority and women-owned business enterprises hired as vendors across the city university system.

Since the initiative was announced in 2019 by CUNY Chancellor Felix V. Matos Rodriguez, the former president of Queens College, the university’s engagement with MWBEs shot up to 52.7 percent, up from 35.72 in 2018.

In recognition of those efforts, Queens College was awarded the CUNY MWBE Participation Award.

“Our core mission of educating students takes place in the classroom,” said QC President Frank Wu, “and what we do as an institution as a member of the larger community also impacts our students and faculty in the example of set.”

Recent projects and services around campus that use MWBE vendors include the campus Wi-Fi network installation, maintenance of HVAC systems, office and custodial supplies, and promotional items.

Flushing’s Finest virtual guide takes to the neighborhood’s best places

Image courtesy of Queens Together

Image courtesy of Queens Together

Queens Together, a restaurant advocacy group formed during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, has launched a new digital food guide along with Queens foodie and author Joe DiStefano.

Called “Flushing’s Finest,” the guide takes viewers to the 20 best attractions in downtown Flushing, from restaurants to historic institutions.

Some of the places explored are Joe’s Steam Rice Roll, Maxi’s Noodle, Tianjin Dumpling House and the Old Quaker Meeting House.

Flushing’s Finest will be available online on Friday at 10 a.m. starting at $20.

The proceeds will go toward Queens Together’s mission of supporting local restaurants and combating food insecurity.

Read more about the digital guide in this week’s Queens Examiner.

How To Choose The Best Local Divorce Lawyer

When you are preparing to go through a divorce it can be a very difficult and emotional time. Hopefully, it is not something you will have to ever go through more than just one time. That is why choosing the best local divorce attorney is so important. You will want to find someone who is an advocate for you and who knows how to end the process as quickly and easily as possible.

Here step by step guide to choosing the best divorce lawyer.

Figure out your options

Figuring out your options is the best place to start. There are different types of divorces in New York, like contested, uncontested, and mediation. You will want to know what options you think will be the best type of divorce to pursue. Then contact and discuss these options with your potential lawyer. Their job is to advocate for you and knowing your options from the start is a great way to see if they are offering you the best advice.

Do you need a large firm or a small firm?

This can greatly depend on your specific marriage and lifestyle. But generally speaking, going with a big out of area law firm is not the best way to go in divorces. When you work with a specialized divorce lawyer they will be more familiar with the local legal code, and what possibilities there are for your marriage.

Ask for Recommendations

Do you know anyone else that went through a divorce? First-hand recommendations are usually very accurate in the legal industry. If you do not know anyone, then you can rely on a second great option, the internet. Check out different ranking websites, and even Google. Here you can read reviews, see star ratings for different lawyers in your areas.

Know your situation

You want to make sure your divorce lawyer has the same goals and values as you.

  • Will your divorce require alimony?
  • How about child support?
  • What assets are there to divide?

These are all things that can shape the process of divorce. The end goal should be for both parties to hopefully leave feeling like they were treated fairly. If there are children involved you want to make sure the law protects the security and interest of your children as well.

As you proceed with the divorce discuss the options and plan of action with your lawyer. One of the biggest benefits is having an expert advocate on your side. The sooner the divorce is finalized, the sooner you can begin to feel at peace and move on with your life.


To get a free local consultation on what divorce options are best suited for you, contact one of the highly-rated local divorce attorneys:

Aronov Esq Contested Divorce Lawyer 98-14 Queens Blvd, Queens, NY 11374 (718) 206-2050 https://divorcelawyernys.com/

The Student Visa Options To Study in New York

Studying in Queens and New York City is the dream of students from around the world. We have some of the best universities in the country and a large number of international students that choose to study in our schools. By the first step to being able to study legally in New York requires a Student Visa. We have created a guide to the student visa options that are available to international students.

What is a student visa?

A student visa is a type of non-immigrant visa that allows foreign nationals to legally come and study in the United States. They do not require a naturalization or immigration process and are valid for a certain time period and for a specific type of studying in institutions of learning. When applying for any visa it is advisable to work with one of the experienced student visa lawyers in Queens.

What requirements are necessary to study on a student visa?

  • Must have a valid passport with at least 6 months past the expected competition date
  • Must be admitted to an approved educational institute (SEVP or SEVIS)
  • Must have the intention ONLY to study
  • Must be able to prove funds sufficient for the costs of living and studying for the duration of the program

What types of Student Visas are available in the USA?

Essentially there are 3 types of student visas in the United States. In order of the most common to the least common, they are F-1, M-1, J-1 student visas. To decide which student visa would be best for you, ask one of the local immigration attorneys.

F-1 Visa

The F-1 Visa is the most common and is intended for college and university students. It is typically valid for as long as you are enrolled as a student in an approved university or college, even just to study English. F-1 visa holders are permitted to work on campus at their institution for up to 20 hours per week. Upon completing their program of study they can remain in the US for up to 60 days before leaving or obtaining another visa.

M-1 Visa

The M-1 student visa is intended for students who are studying in trade, vocational, or technical training school. Many community college students can also obtain an M student visa, but an international student who holds an M visa is not permitted to work, either on-campus or off-campus. They can remain in the US for up to 30 days upon the program’s completion.

J-1 Visa

J-1 Student Visa is another kind of student visa that can include student exchange programs, Au Pairs, camp counselors, teachers, and other types of student or professional training programs outside of a traditional classroom. They can remain in the US for up to 30 days post-program completion. This student visa type is less common.

There are also options to admit dependents of each type of visa who would be admitted under a visa called  F-2, M-2, or J-2 which would fall under similar guidelines and application process as the primary student visa holder.


 

Don’t try to navigate the student visa process on your own, you have the support of one of the top-rated immigration lawyers in Queens:

Slatus & Slatus Immigration Law Firm of Queens 75-27 141st Pl, Flushing, NY 11367 (718) 269-3882 https://immigrationlawyerny.org/

How To Save Money On Closing Costs In Queens

Finalizing your real estate deal in New York can be a long arduous process. The time and expenses have piled up and then suddenly come to the closing costs, which can seemingly come out of nowhere and add on thousands or tens of thousands of extra dollars. The average closing costs can run between 2-5% and depending on the contracts can fall on the buyer, the seller, or shared by both. Here is an outline of the best ways to save on your closing costs.

Be familiar with the fee breakdown

Your closing cost is not a singular lump sum fee, but rather a combination of many different fees that are associated with obtaining a mortgage.

What are some examples of these fees?

  • Property tax deposit
  • Title insurance
  • Credit report
  • Homeowner insurance
  • Appraisal fee
  • Underwriting fee
  • Origination fee

Just to name a few. There are some costs that can be shared or delayed potential, and working with an attorney who specializes in real estate closing costs can help to navigate them.

Negotiate with Lender

Your lender might offer a bundle all-in-one package that includes multiple services for a larger fee. In order to close the deal, which is in everyone’s best interest, the lenders are often open to the idea of negotiating. They might waive, or reduce some fees. But without asking you will never know.

Shop around for individual services

If it is up to you to find and hire individual inspections, underwriters, title companies, etc, Then shopping around to find the best deals can potentially save you significant money. When all of these smaller fees add up they contribute to the large closing costs that all come close together. But finding the best deals either online or by asking for recommendations you can keep more money in your pocket.

Choose a mortgage with no closing costs

While this option might cost the same in the long term, choosing a mortgage with no closing costs might be an excellent choice if you need to save money at the time of closing the mortgage. When the mortgage says it has no closing costs, it means that the closing costs are bundled into the monthly mortgage payment over a certain period of time.

Hire a real estate lawyer

Hiring a real estate lawyer in Queens could be one of the best cost-saving tips you can do. Although you will have an additional expense for your attorney, they can review all the documents of your mortgage and notify you of exactly what your costs are and where they are going. Sometimes mortgage companies try to include costs that are unnecessary or can be deferred and your lawyer can request these be removed. Also, the fees and costs can be reduced, usually offsetting the costs of your real estate specialist.

Having peace of mind and saving money on your mortgage closing costs is something that everyone would like. So Why not take advantage of this opportunity.


We are proud to recommend a local real estate lawyer with over 70 5-star reviews, free consultations are available daily

Real Estate Lawyer Queens R.A Esq. 88-02 136th St, Jamaica, NY 11418 (718) 206-1555 https://realestatelawyernys.com/

How to Hire A Mortgage Broker In Queens

Searching for a home and applying for a mortgage can be an exciting new step in your life, but it can also be overwhelming. One of the best decisions you can make to simplify the mortgage process is to work with an experienced Queens mortgage broker. It doesn’t matter if you are a first-time homebuyer or it’s your 2nd or 3rd, by allowing a mortgage broker to handle most of the heavy lifting you can speed up and increase your chances of securing the best mortgage for you.

What is a mortgage broker?

A mortgage broker is a professional who specializes in the mortgage industry. Their main job is to act as an intermediary between lenders and borrowers. Their expertise is knowing and understanding the needs of each borrower’s unique situation and knowing the various types of mortgage options, the mortgage lenders, and the application and approval process. By matching the appropriate institution and mortgage with the borrower they increase your chances of getting the mortgage that best suits you, and makes the whole process a lot easier.

Benefits of working with a mortgage broker

Mortgage brokers are easier to work with than most institutions. They dedicate their time and attention to each client, and sometimes hold meeting hours and can be reached after the standard work hours.

Mortgage brokers have worked with many mortgage applications. They usually have partners or in-house teams to streamline the entire mortgage process from start to finish.

Mortgage brokers work with multiple lending institutions. They help you to compare the rates and terms of each mortgage, from each lender, You will be far better prepared to choose the mortgage that is the best fit for you.

What to look for in a mortgage broker

When you are looking to hire a mortgage broker in Queens the first thing, you will want to look for is someone who is easy to verify. This is why local and community-based brokers are the best. You can do research online, check reviews, ask them for testimonials, and ask your friends and family if they have heard of your broker.

Next, you will want to ask for a consultation. Don’t be hesitant they will offer you a no-obligation consultation. You can test their knowledge in the industry, ask what lenders they work with, how long they have been in operation, and what kind of clients they typically work with. Also, if you didn’t find anyone that you know for first-hand feedback, you can ask the broker for references.

Finally, you should ask about their fees. Mortgage brokers are compensated either by the borrower or the lender. If the lender pays them it’s a commission, that can usually range from ½ a percent up to 3%.  The other option is you, the borrower will be responsible for paying them, and this fee is usually about 1-2%.

 

The time you will save and the reduced stress will be well worth it, and this is willingly hiring a local mortgage broker in Queens is such a popular decision for so much of the population.


 

If are considering hiring a mortgage broker in Flushing or Queens, reach out to one of the best established independent mortgage brokers in the area. With operations in New York, New Jersey, and Florida.

R&J Mortgage & Loan Brokers Queens 116-16 Queens Blvd #204, Queens, NY 11375 (718) 520-7000

Top 4 Varicose Vein Exercises To Do During Covid-19

Exercise is one of the most important factors when considering heart and vein health. When your heart is healthy, your blood circulation increases which can help to prevent varicose and spider veins. Additionally, when you exercise it motivates you to eat healthier and helps to reduce your weight. These 3 things, healthy heart, healthy weight, and a healthy diet are the 3 most effective factors in battling varicose and spider veins.

But in 2020 the Covid-19 pandemic hit, and exercise outside or in a  gym might not always be an option. So we have curated a list of the top exercises you can do during Covid-19 that will reduce the risk of varicose veins. If your varicose veins are causing any pain though, it is always advisable to meet with one of the highly qualified vein doctors in Queens that we have available to us.

Bodyweight Squats

Bodyweight squats are one of the best exercises you can do, period. But especially those trying to increase blood flow to their legs, squats can serve a double purpose. No weights, open areas, or equipment are needed for these. It is advisable to use a chair or table for support if you need help with balance though. A bodyweight squat is where you start in a standing position, and while keeping your back as straight as possible, bend your knees until you are as close to a “sitting position” as possible. To be most effective the knees should not extend out past the tip of the toes.

Calf Flexors

Calf flexors are a simple but very effective exercise that helps to stimulate the legs and especially the calves. This, similar to the squats, can be done next to a wall or table for additional balance support. Start by standing flat on your feet, about shoulder-width apart. Then slowly raise your foot, while keeping your toes on the ground, so by the end you are standing on your toes. You will feel your entire calf muscle stretch increasing circulation. This can also be done sitting at a desk or chair with similar results.

Exercise Bike or Treadmill

If you have an exercise bike or treadmill in your home, there is no better time than now to start taking advantage of it. With mild use, at a steady pace jogging or bike riding is one of the best cardio exercises you can do for your heart and legs. By getting to a  pace where you feel your heart beating quickly you can fight back against the spider veins in your legs.

Stretching

Although not exactly an exercise, a healthy routine of stretching in the morning can increase blood flow throughout the whole body. It is important to never push your body into positions that are too difficult or feel unnatural but find a balance that suits your body type the best. There are virtually hundreds of good exercises to do with examples online, but toes touches,  backstretch, leg extensions, and hip stretches are a few. Speaking with your local varicose vein specialist is also an excellent way to learn about stretches that work best for you.

 


 

Dr Claire’s Vein Treatments Of Queens 161-10 Jamaica Ave 3rd Fl 11432 (718) 269-3883 https://www.downtownveinphysicians.com/queens-ny-office