Breaking News, Classifieds, Events Businesses Near You (Law, Auto, Health Etc.)
This morning (Monday, Mar. 30th) at 11:00AM, the Department of Consumer Affairs, Rep. Grace Meng, Community Tax Aid, and the Flushing YMCA are hosting Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Awareness Day to promote free tax preparation services available in Flushing. This event is part of the city’s unprecedented tax season outreach campaign.
Flushing YMCA – 138-46 Northern Boulevard, Flushing, NY 11354
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The first charter meeting of the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce convened this afternoon, at which the chamber’s first Board of Directors were sworn in. The chamber is an off-shoot of the One Flushing community organizing project, launched in 2011 as a resource for local businesses.
Flushing has been without a chamber since the previous one closed in 2012.
Council Member Peter Koo, a small business owner himself, said on Wednesday he was excited that local industry would now have a dedicated voice.
“The business community is made up of mom-and-pop’s that don’t often have time to advocate for their own interests,” he said. “It’s important they have a voice. This chamber will become the voice of our community.”
BP Katz has asked the MTA to consider renaming the Willets Point/Mets Station stop to a name which references Flushing Meadows Corona Park, which she called “the number one destination of most riders who use the station.”
Jean Silva, president of the Flushing Meadows-Corona Park Conservancy, said on Thursday she supported the idea.
“I think it’s a great idea considering well over the majority who get off the train are going to Flushing Meadows,” she said. “That’s why people get off at that stop.”
We’ve reached out to the MTA for comment.
City Council Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer called for the MTA to improve service on the 7 on Wednesday, citing constituents’ reports of sporadic weekday schedules and virtually non-existent service many weekends.
“As a community, we’re trapped in a nightmare that never seems to end,” he said at a press conference at Sunnyside’s 40th Street station. “The level of service here has been disgraceful.”
He called on the MTA to release data on every train delay and service disruption in the area within the last 4 months, and to convene at a town hall to discuss 7 service with locals.
Queens Library is preparing its operating budget for Fiscal Year 2016. The public is invited to find out what the library’s funding priorities are, and to give the library their input.
The hearing will take place on Monday, March 30, 2015 at 6 pm Queens Library at Flushing, 41-17 Main Street near Kissena Boulevard.
Public comments are invited. Speakers may sign up upon arrival, and will have an opportunity to speak on a first-come, first-served basis for up to 3 minutes. Queens Library will be also be taking public comments online from April 1 – April 30 at www.queenslibrary.org/
On Saturday, March 14, The Flushing YMCA Beacon @ JHS 189 is hosting a Mother/Son Family Event from 12noon to 2:00pm.
The youth workshop will focus on teen boys ages 11 to 16 and the parent workshop is open to all interested parent. For more information, please contact Joe Vereen at 718-961-6014 or jvereen@ymcanyc.org.
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If you plan to travel to the Flushing YMCA by car, LAZ parking garage (10 minute walk) is offering parking discounts to event goers.
The Queens Chamber of Commerce is hosting their annual St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon. This year’s keynote speakers are: Steve Cassidy, President of the New York City Uniformed Firefighters Association, and the son of Former Governor Hugh Carey,Donald Carey.
Hirten Irish Traditional dancers will be entertaining the crowd, performing traditional gaelic traditions. Congressman Joseph Crowley’s band, Remixx, is also performing.
11:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Place: Terrace on the Park
Back in July, YIMBY reported that permits were filed for a major project at 112-51 Northern Boulevard, in Corona, Queens. In January, the Daily News followed up with preliminary renderings of the site (with an “official” address of 112-21 Northern Blvd), which would become home to a large mixed-use structure. Now, YIMBY has the full reveal of the building, which has been dubbed the La Guardia Convention Center.
Fleet Financial Group is developing the site, after acquiring the assemblage for $17 million last year. The project is currently seeking EB-5 financing, which indicates it will have 292 hotel rooms, 208 apartments, a 105,964-square foot convention center, and 97,180 square feet of retail space. Another 11,300 square feet will host restaurants, rounding out the building’s diverse mix of uses.
Filings with the DOB list Fleet Architects as the designer, and while the project is still seeking financing, the job application is hopefully a sign that development is moving closer to reality. The convention center will replace a car dealership.
Small business owners in flushing fear that the large new Flushing Commons development in downtown Flushing could soon start hindering business by taking away crucial parking.
“As it is right now, it’s hard to park,” said Ikhwan Rim, president of the Union Street Small Business Association, which represents about 300 businesses. “The parking lot is the bread and butter for us. Customers know they can park here and shop,” Rim told a local newspaper.
The business owners are concerned that fewer customers, many of whom drive to the predominantly Asian business district, will frequent downtown Flushing once those precious parking spots disappear.They also fear that increased traffic in the already congested area could deter shoppers. OTHER PARKING OPTIONS IN FLUSHING.
“When the project begins, we’ll lose a lot of customers,” predicted John Hong, owner of Hanmi Real Estate. “Many of the store owners will close their businesses,” he told a local paper. AN EXPERIENCED LOCAL ACCOUNTANT can help you plan for any bumps in the road.
The first phase of the development, estimated to be completed in 2017, will create 150 condos. The second phase, estimated to be finished by 2021, will include 450 condos, a new YMCA, 1.5-acre plaza and ampitheatre and commercial space.
With just a few more days until Valentine’s Day, are you still looking for something to do? Don’t worry if you haven’t made any plans to treat your sweetheart yet, there are still plenty of interesting options available.
So, while everyone else is waiting on long lines for overpriced food, you lovebirds can make some unique memories.
1. For the Love of Queens Race
Avenue of Commerce and New York Avenue near USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
9 a.m.
$25 until Feb. 13, $30 on race day
Active couples rejoice in a 5K morning run around the park, which will allow you to see the iconic Queens Unisphere as well as the New York State Pavilion. Part of the proceeds will go to LIC-based Urban Upbound, a non-profit helping low-income New Yorkers, so together you’ll be working out and doing good.
Full Story on QueensExaminer.com.
If you plan to travel to Flushing by car, LAZ parking garage (close to Avenue of Commerce and New York Avenue ) is offering parking discounts to Flushing visitors.
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