Author: Dan Rose

Queens College has rolled out a new digital brochure to offer information to prospective students, parents and the public.

The brochure, called QC at a Glance, gives a virtual introduction to Queens College.

It touches on topics like programs, faculty, campus life and the value of a Queens College education.

Visitors go on a virtual campus tour that includes campus buildings, departments and programs.

They will also hear about the college’s diverse student body, well-known alumni and the school’s role in the community.

Check out QC at a Glance here.

It was already a foregone conclusion after primary night that Assemblyman Ron Kim would win re-election, it was just a matter of the margin.

After all of the absentee ballots were counted last week, it’s now clear: Kim captured north of 70 percent.

According to the Flushing lawmaker, he secured 3,585 votes out of a total of 5,095 votes cast for the 40th Assembly District. That’s about 70.36 percent.

Here’s what Kim had to say about the victory:

My colleagues and I have already returned to Albany to continue our work ensuring a safe path to reopening New York’s institutions and businesses in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and I am also fighting to ensure that those in power are held accountable for mistakes and misconduct that caused otherwise preventable harm and trauma to our fellow New Yorkers during this health crisis. Though the general election is on the horizon, my focus these next few months will be on bringing New York back to its full potential.

Kim faced police sergeant Steven Lee, a first time candidate, who would later form a nonprofit organization, call for neighborhood watch patrols, and donate PPE to senior centers.

The race eventually got dirty and personal, with accusations of cyberbullying.

Acting Borough President Sharon Lee is looking for two dedicated parent volunteers to fill two vacant positions on Community Education Council District 25.

Lee is accepting applications from education-minded individuals until Friday, August 7.

CEC 25, which includes Flushing, Beechhurst, College Point, Murray Hill,  Whitestone and Willets Point, is responsible for advising and commenting on educational policies and providing input to Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza.

Each CEC oversees elementary and middle schools in their respective community school district. There are seven community school districts in Queens.

To read more about the role of CECs, click here.

CEC members meet for public meetings every month, and visit schools to see what their educational needs are. They also review the district’s educational programs, approve zoning lines, and submit a capital plan to the chancellor after holding public hearings.

The CEC membership application is available online here and can be returned by email to education@queensbp.org.

The Flushing Greenmarket at Maple Playground has launched for its fifth season.

The market will be operated by GrowNYC, and will be open every Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. until November. The last day will be November 24.

The Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce will partner with GrowNYC to help promote the market and coordinate programming with local businesses and cultural groups.

The Flushing Greenmarket has been at Maple Playground since the summer of 2016. It provides residents with access to farm fresh food and vegetables.

Everything sold at the market is farmer grown, produced, caught or foraged.

Farmers accept cash, debit and credit cards, food stamps, WIC and health bucks.

Earlier this week, Councilman Barry Grodenchik distributed thousands of free face masks and hundreds of bottles of hand sanitizer in his eastern Queens district.

The grab-and-go events in Glen Oaks and Fresh Meadows is part of an effort to keep local residents safe during COVID-19.

In total, Grodenchik’s team gave out over 4,000 packages. Each package contained five masks and two-ounce containers of NYS Clean Hand Sanitizer.

The Glen Oaks giveaway took place at the Glen Oaks Shopping Center. The Fresh Meadows event was located outside the AMC Fresh Meadows theater.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Grodenchik has partnered with numerous community organizations to give out PPE to residents.