Author: Dan Rose

Queens College’s Business Forum Breakfast Series continues on Friday, September 8 with a presentation by Marissa Shorenstein, president of AT&T East Region.

She will speak about “AT&T and the Local Communities.” The event takes place from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Student Union.

Shorenstein oversees the external and legislative affairs for AT&T from Maine to Virginia. She was previously president of AT&T New York State.

The AT&T executive previously served as communications director for Governor Andrew Cuomo’s 2010 campaign. Prior to that, she worked as a senior manager for strategic planning and corporate communications for the New York Jets.

Breakfast will be served at the event. It’s free and open to the public, but seating is limited.

The RSVP deadline is September 6. Sign up online here.

 

Good news for street safety advocates in Flushing.

Assemblywoman Nily Rozic and U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer announced earlier this week that the Department of Transportation (DOT) will install a crosswalk at Main Street and Blossom Avenue.

If you recall, elected officials called for traffic safety measures at the intersection back in April 2016 after a young couple was struck trying to cross the street in October 2015.

After some pushing and prodding, DOT is expected to paint the crosswalk before the end of the year.

“For too long, the intersection of Blossom Avenue and Main street has been a problem plagued road for nearby residents and businesses,” Schumer said. “A new crosswalk will help ensure the safety of pedestrians frequenting the bustling area by providing a visual cue to drivers.”

Rozic noted that public schools, residential buildings, a local health center, the Queens Botanical Garden and senior center are all along the busy street.

“The Flushing community has consistently advocated for traffic safety improvements in the neighborhood and I am glad to finally announce DOT’s plan to install a crosswalk across Blossom Avenue,” Rozic said.

The American Debate League’s Summer Classic, hosted by Assemblywoman Nily Rozic, brought local students to Queens College last week.

The debate league offered three weeks of summer debate camps for students prior to the Summer Classic.

Rozic served as a guest judge for the tournament, which included students from the 6th to 12th grades from MS 74 Nathaniel Hawthorne, IS 237, Francis Lewis High School, Queens High School for the Sciences at York College, St. Francis Preparatory and World Journalism Preparatory.

 

Flushing Night Out will take place on Friday August 18th & Saturday August 19th from 6-11pm. Flushing Night Out offers a unique programming mix of arts and live entertainment from our community, in addition to its main draw of world cuisines converging at one location the Flushing Meeting House, 137-16 Nothern Blvd, Flushing

In 2015, the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce established Flushing Night Out as the first community market and social event for the neighborhood of Flushing, New York.  Flushing Night Out seeks to bring together all the people who live and work in the Flushing community, showcase our amazing cultural diversity, promote small businesses, and make Flushing, NY a destination for the world. Flushing Night Out features area restaurants and businesses as well as live music and entertainment from local artists.

For more information visit http://flushingnightout.com/.

On August 19th, NBC New York’s 4pm News Anchors, Stefan Holt and Natalie Pasquarella will be hosting the 3rd Annual Pet Adoption at PETCO joined by Second Chance Shelter.

Anchors will be on site from 10 AM to 12 PM and the adoption will take place from 10 AM to 4 PM. This nationwide pet adoption campaign will include the participation of more than 80 Tri-State local animal shelters and rescues.

All participating animal shelters and rescue organizations will offer reduced cost or waived pet adoption fees to help famalies adopt a new pet. Participants are encouraged to contact each Clear the Shelters participating shelter in advance as adoption related costs or fees will vary by location.

For a listing of participating shelters and rescues visit http://nbcnewyork.com/cleartheshelters or http://telemundo47.com/desocuparlosalbergues. Be sure to join the NBC team and Second Chance Shelter at PETCO on the Horace Harding Exp in Little Neck to find your new best friend!

From August 18th through August 20th orchids will be available for sale at the Queens Botanical Garden Gift Shop at 43-50 Main Street. The flowers will be for sale as a part of the exhibition, Taiwan: A World of Orchids. Orchids will be available while supplies last.

The Queens Botanical Garden, in partnership with the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO-NY), will feature a stunning display of over 300 pots containing exquisite Taiwanese orchids. Each day from 1 to 3pm, Taiwanese watercolor painter Che Min Hsiao will create live paintings of the orchids. Hsiao’s new exhibit, Sitting with the Garden, is comprised of site-specific watercolor paintings that are inspired by Hsiao’s memories of Taiwan. On Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm visitors are invited to make an orchid-themed craft. At Taiwan: A World of Orchids visitors will enjoy a stunning display of orchids and a day filled with art and culture. Free with Admission.

For more information visit https://queensbotanical.org/event/orchid-sale/2017-08-20/.

Last week, Assemblywoman Nily Rozic met with Pang Chu, Bayside Senior Center’s new program manager.

Chu comes to the senior center with years of community engagement experience that will help strengthen member interactions, according to Rozic.

The assemblywoman has supported local senior centers in the past, including working with Assembly colleagues to ensure the governor did not cut funding for senior centers in the most recent state budget.

The City Council unanimously passed Councilman Paul Vallone’s bill to improve pedestrian safety near parks and schools.

Under the legislation, the Department of Transportation (DOT) will be required to survey all intersections adjacent to a school or park that do not currently have pedestrian countdown displays. The study is to determine which intersections should get a pedestrian countdown.

The bill then requires DOT to install the countdown displays at the selected locations within two years of the the completion of the survey.

“I’m proud to stand with our principals, teachers, parents, students and seniors in our combined fight for safety around our schools and parks,” Vallone said. “This is an issue that must be addressed before another child or senior is injured just crossing a public street in our community and throughout the city.”

According to Vallone, pedestrians account for 56 percent of all traffic fatalities, with children and seniors making up the most vulnerable populations.

New Yorkers over the age of 65 accounted for one-third of traffic fatalities.

“The well-being of our children should be our number one priority and this bill will provide a major boost for the safety of all students and their families,” he said.

Consider it a birthday present for 93-year-old Teddi Kavanaugh.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) recently told State Senator Tony Avella that they will perform a full resurfacing of Depot Road between 156th and 158th streets in Murray Hill.

Recall that Depot Road, a narrow roadway adjacent to the LIRR station, could easily be mistaken for a private driveway. After seven years of neglect, it’s filled with cracks and potholes.

Kavanaugh, the president of the Off-Broadway Homeowners Association, brought this to Avella’s attention. Last June, they demanded fixes at a press conference.

Now, the DOT has responded. They will begin the project in the fall.

“As I reach my 93rd birthday this week, I am so delighted to finally check this off of my bucket list,” Kavanaugh said.

Avella said after years of pleading with the city, local residents will finally get relief on this road.

“Because of their persistence, something that was once deemed impossible by DOT will finally be accomplished,” Avella said. “When complete, the resurfacing of Depot Road will be another prime example of the incredible progress that can be achieved when residents and elected officials work together.”