Author: Dan Rose

Flushing Town Hall’s Virtual Jazz Jam set for September 9

Dan Rose

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On Wednesday, September 9 at 7 p.m., Flushing Town Hall’s monthly Jazz Jam will celebrate “SEPTEMBER: the Season, the Composers, the Artists, Reflections.”

Participating musicians will choose to play “September songs,” or the work of a composer, singer or musician with a September birthday.

The Jazz Jam will be led by Astoria resident Carol Sudhalter, along with FTH’s house band. They will pay tribute to Louis Armstrong, performing songs associated with the legendary trumpeter/vocalist.

The event is open to amateur and professional musicians, and is part of Flushing Town Hall’s online entertainment series, “FTH at Home!”

Audiences can watch this session live for free by tuning in to Flushing Town Hall’s Facebook page or on Zoom here.

Prepare for most adulticide treatment for mosquitos in northeast Queens

Dan Rose

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The Health Department is conducting yet another round of adulticide treatment to parts of eastern Queens to reduce the risk of West Nile virus.

It’s the fourth round of mosquito spray being applied to the area.

The trucks will spray pesticides on Thursday, August 27 between 8:30 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning. In case of bad weather, the application will be delayed for Monday, August 31.

The department will use very low concentrations of DeltaGard or Anvil. The risks of the pesticides for mosquito control are low to people and pets.

Some people who are sensitive to spray ingredients may experience short-term eye or throat irritation or a rash.

To stay safe during spraying, residents are advised to stay indoors whenever possible. Air conditioners can remain on.

That area that will be sprayed is bordered by Flushing Bay to the West; East River and  Little Neck Bay to the North; Nassau and Queens County Boundary to the East; and, Northern Boulevard, Douglaston  Parkway, Long Island Expressway, Bell Boulevard, Northern Boulevard, Clearview Expressway, 32nd Avenue, Francis Lewis Boulevard, and 20th Avenue to the South

That includes parts of Auburndale, Bayside, Bay Terrace, Beechhurst, College Point, Douglas Manor, Douglaston, Little Neck, Malba and Whitestone.

OATH to host webinar on city-issued summonses during COVID-19

Dan Rose
File photo
File photo

Councilman Peter Koo is teaming up with the NYC Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH) for a webinar on Wednesday on how to respond to city-issued summonses during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Joni Kletter, the OATH commissioner and chief administrative law judge, will host the “Comm-Cam” event for Flushing area residents and small businesses.

OATH received nearly 850,000 summonses each year from agencies such as the departments of sanitation, buildings, environmental protection, health and others.

“Comm-Cam” is short for “Commissioner’s Community Web-Cam Series.” It is OATH’s new community outreach event. The commissioner will explain the changes in services, policies and procedures that have been implemented during the pandemic.

The informational event will run on August 26 from 2 to 3 p.m. It will be open to up to 100 people and use the WebEx web conferencing technology.

RSVP by emailing RSVPOATH@oath.nyc.org to receive a videoconferencing link.

Free Wednesday Movie Night Drive-in at NY Hall of Science

Dan Rose

Free Wednesday Movie Nights

Every Wednesday this summer, Queens families can enjoy free drive-in movies on the grounds of the New York Hall of Science at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park.

From August 19 to September 30, Acting Queens Borough President’s office is collaborating with Rooftop Films, Museum of the Moving Image, NYC Parks and other groups for “Free Wednesday Movie Nights at the 2020 Queens Drive-In.”

Here’s the full schedule of movies set to screen:

  • August 19: “John Lewis: Good Trouble”
  • August 26: Up
  • September 2: The Lunchbox
  • September 9: WALL-E
  • September 16: The Farewell
  • September 23: Iron Man
  • September 30: Men in Black

The film series will feature a 60-foot screen constructed in the Hall of Science parking lot.

It will open to pre-registered attendees at 7:30 p.m., one hour before the film screenings begin at 8:30 p.m.

Food and beverages will be available for contactless purchase through select food vendors that participate in the Queens Night Market, which is also held at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park.

 

Another round of mosquito spray coming to northeast Queens

Dan Rose

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The Health Department is conducting yet another round of aerial larviciding treatment to parts of eastern Queens to reduce mosquito activity and reduce the risk of West Nile virus.

It’s at least the third round of mosquito spray being applied to the area.

The aerial larviciding will take place on Thursday, August 20 between 8:30 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning.

In case of bad weather, the application will be delayed for Monday, August 24.

The department will use very low concentrations of DeltaGard or Anvil. The risks of the pesticides for mosquito control are low to people and pets.

Some people who are sensitive to spray ingredients may experience short-term eye or throat irritation or a rash.

To stay safe during spraying, residents are advised to stay indoors whenever possible. Air conditioners can remain on.

That area that will be sprayed is bordered by 188th Street, Grand Central Parkway, 164th Street, Hillside Avenue, and 181st Street to the West; Long Island Expressway to the North; Nassau-Queens County Boundary to the East; and Union Turnpike, Grand Central Parkway, Francis Lewis Boulevard and Jamaica Avenue to the South.

That includes parts of Fresh Meadows, Glen Oaks, Hollis, Hollis Hills, Holliswood, Jamaica Hills, Little Neck and Oakland Gardens.

Flushing Town Hall to participate in Global Music Month

Dan Rose

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Flushing Town Hall is set to participate in World Music Month in September.

The organization will host a jam-packed schedule of online programming as part of the online festival, which includes 19 different presenters.

The festival will include concerts, presentations and panels from August 29th until October 1st.

Here’s a rundown of events coming up:

TUESDAY AUGUST 25 @ 7:00 PM

2018 Global Mashup #1: Latin Boogaloo meets Afrobeat

Featuring Spanglish Fly, New York City’s only band dedicated to reviving and renewing Latin Boogaloo’s soul and R&B mix, and Chop and Quench, comprised of members of the cast and band of FELA! The Musical

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 1 @ 7:00 PM

2018 Global Mashup #2: Egypt meets Haiti

With Zikrayat playing a wide repertory of Egyptian music, ranging from belly dance numbers to virtuosic improvisations, and the Agoci Band combinging hip hop, roots, and calypso flavors with Haitian compas

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 8 @ 7:00 PM

2018 Global Mashup #3: Mexico meets Guinea

Featuring Banda de los Muertos playing the boisterous Mexican brass/contemporary music known as “banda,” and Mandingo Ambassadors led by guitarist Mamady “Djelike” Kouyaté, a veteran of the golden age of Guinean dance bands

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 15 @ 7:00 PM

2018 Global Mashup #4: The Balkans meet El Barrio

Raya Brass Band thrills with intense, soul-shaking Balkan wedding music and Spanglish Fly returns with irresistible grooves that play 60’s, Latin boogaloo-inspired soul

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 16 @ 7:00PM

Latin American Rhythms Night

A celebration of NYC’s vibrant Brazilian, Mexican, and Argentinian music scene featuring live and pre-recorded performances, stories, and interviews with Martin Vejarano, David Vieira, Sinuhe Padilla, and Pedro Giraudo.

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 22 @ 7:00 PM

2018 Global Mashup #5: Texas meets Peru

Featuring Brian Clayton and The Green River Band, comprised of six of the finest country musicians, and Corina Bartra Afro Peruvian Band palying infectious Afro-Peruvian music

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 29 @ 7:00 PM

Coreyah: Psychedelic Korean Folk

Coreyah performing music from their latest album ‘Clap & Applause,” showcasing their long-standing effort to infuse pop into traditional music through bold and youthful style, heartfelt lyrics, and a psychedelic sound

*Please remember that these events are online. Flushing Town Hall’s facilities are temporarily closed to the public.

Flushing man charged with grand larceny for using stolen ID to buy luxury cars

Dan Rose

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Queens DA Melinda Katz and Police Commissioner Dermot Shea announced on Friday that Guang Jin of Flushing has been charged with grand larceny, identity theft and other crimes for using a fake ID to buy and lease several luxury cars.

One of the victims was actually Jin’s terminally-ill uncle.

“We are coming after con artists and crooks who run scams to enrich themselves at the expense of others,” Katz said. “This defendant is accused of stealing his dying uncle’s identity and going on a shopping spree for luxury automobiles.

“Others were also allegedly victimized when the defendant used forged documents to acquired cars in their names,” she added. “This kind of thievery is inexcusable.”

Jin was arraigned in Queens Criminal Court on two separate complaints charging with grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, identity theft and other crimes.

He will return to court on September 28.

If convicted, he faces up to 12 years in prison.

Over 100 donors participate in annual blood drive

Dan Rose

Blood Drive Photo 2 - 2020

We’d like to give thanks where thanks are due!

Last week, Assemblyman Ed Braunstein sponsored his 8th annual summer blood drive at the Bay Terrace Shopping Center.

More than 100 people gave blood during a crucial time.

“Due to COVID-19, hospitals in New York are in urgent need of blood donations,” he said. “Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of over 100 northeast Queens residents who participated in our blood drive, more than 300 lives will be saved.

Second aerial larviciding of mosquito season coming to NE Queens

Dan Rose

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The Health Department is conducting aerial larviciding treatment to parts of northeast and southeast Queens to reduce mosquito activity and reduce the risk of West Nile virus from Thursday, August 6 to Friday, August 7, and again from Monday, August 10 between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m., weather permitting.

The helicopter is treating only non-residential areas, the agency said.

To date, no human cases of West Nile virus have been reported this season.

Still, during the summer months, mosquitos can breed in any still water that has been standing for more than five days.

With hot and wet weather conditions, the targeted areas can be home to a rise in mosquito populations.

Here are the areas that will be sprayed:

  • Alley Pond Park (Marsh areas inside Alley Pond Park – areas bounded by Douglaston Parkway and 240th Street to the east; Northern Boulevard to the north; Cross Island Parkway and East Hampton Boulevard to the west; and Grand Central Parkway to the south)
  • Linden Hill/College Point (Marsh areas bounded by Whitestone Expressway to the east; 20th Avenue to the north; 130th Avenue and Ulmer Street to the west; and Ulmer Street and 28th Street to the south)
  • Kissena Park (Marsh areas bounded by 164th Street to the east; Oak Avenue and Rose Avenue to the north; and Kissena Boulevard to the west; and  Booth Memorial Avenue to the south)

Douglaston Plaza now has seating and dining

Dan Rose

New York City is opening up some pedestrian plazas starting this week.

City officials announced that Douglaston Plaza will be opened to include exclusive seating, collective dining and open public seating.

The city’s Open Restaurants program now has more than 9,500 participants. They will be allowed to host outdoor dining through October.

 

“The expansion of the Open Restaurants program to include Douglaston Plaza in Northeast Queens is a great victory for our small businesses and our community,” said Councilman Paul Vallone, who chairs the Committee on Economic Development.

“Let’s all celebrate by grabbing some coffee and enjoying dinner at our wonderful Douglaston Plaza!”