Author: Dan Rose

Get your free flu shot at Queens Botanical Garden

Dan Rose

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On Wednesday, Councilman Peter Koo is teaming up with the Chinese Community Partnership for Health, NY Presbyterian and Queens Botanical Garden to offer free flu shots to the Flushing community.

Those interested in the free flu shots must be over 10 years old, live in Council District 20, and be in relatively good health, meaning no cold or fevers at the time).

You must also register before coming in for the flu shot. Shots will be administered at Queens Botanical Garden, located at 43-40 Main Street, between 3 and 6 p.m.

There are a limited number of shots available, so the priority will be given to residents of District 20 over 50 years, without insurance and/or chronic illness.

“The pandemic has highlighted just how important it is to be conscious of our health and get vaccinated,” Koo said. “An annual seasonal flu vaccine is a great way to boost your immune system and stay healthy.”

School of Rock location to open along Francis Lewis Blvd

Dan Rose
Screen shot via Google Maps.
Screen shot via Google Maps.

School of Rock is opening its Bayside location, located at 34-43 Francis Lewis Boulevard, this Saturday.

The grand opening will take place from noon to 6 p.m. The afternoon will feature a ribbon-cutting ceremony, live music and free trial lessons.

Of course, there will be precautions like social distancing and masks to keep everyone saef.

School of Rock provides students of all ages music lessons, including guitar, singing, drum and piano lessons. Students learn theory and techniques through songs from legends like Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and Frank Zappa.

Learn more about School of Rock and its Bayside location here.

Sign taken down at local “troublesome” club

Dan Rose

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Local elected officials are cheering after the sign outside a “troublesome” club came down in Oakland Gardens.

Lavoo, located at 224-13 Union Turnpike, has been the site of a series of issues, including drunken behavior, incidents of violence and other disruptions to quality of life, according to local pols.

Earlier this year, pre-pandemic, a brawl and gunshots broke out in front of the club.

Those incidents spurred Councilman Barry Grodenchik, State Senator John Liu, Assemblyman David Weprin and Congresswoman Grace Meng to act. They attended a series of community meetings with the community board, police precinct and residents, as well as a press conference in early March.

The club’s liquor license renewal application expired in April.

“The business was disruptive and harmful to the neighborhood and to the seniors and families who live here,” Grodenchik said. “Safety and security are always of utmost importance.”

Howie Mandel to host celebration in honor of St. Mary’s Hospital

Dan Rose

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Actor, producer and television personality Howie Mandel is hosting “The Big Night In For St. Mary’s Kids,” a virtual celebration to honor the hospital’s 150th anniversary.

The celebration will take place on Wednesday, November 18th on Looped, a virtual venue that gives fans front row access to their favorite events.

The night will feature musical performances and speeches to help raise funds for the patients at St. Mary’s Hospital.

Earlier this month, State Senator John Liu, Assemblyman Edward Braunstein, and other local lawmakers honored St. Mary’s with a citation for its 150th anniversary.

“For New York’s most critically ill and injured children, this is truly a haven unlike any other,” said Mandel. “The ability of St. Mary’s to continue providing innovative therapies and specialized rehabilitation programs depends on support from the community, and we are grateful for everyone who is helping to fund this essential work.”

Seniors go behind the scenes at Queens County Farm

Dan Rose

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A group of 30 local seniors got to enjoy the fresh air and sights of the Queens County Farm on September 24.

Guided by Councilman Barry Grodenchik, the tour of the Queens farm was conducted while all visitors were masked and socially distanced.

The tour of the 47-acre farm in Glen Oaks was part of a month-long schedule of events for Senior Appreciation Month.

Seniors learned about the farm’s planting fields, historic buildings, greenhouse complex, and its livestock, including chickens, goats and steer. The seniors also enjoyed a fun hayride.

“Queens County Farm Museum, the premiere cultural institution in eastern Queens, is truly a gem,” Grodenchik said. “It was my honor to bring a few dozen local seniors for a socially distanced tour of the farm on this beautiful autumn morning.”

Kim visits CPC community center’s pre-k program

Dan Rose

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Assemblyman Ron Kim and former Assemblywoman Ellen Young visited the Flushing headquarters of the Chinese-American Planning Council last week.

They met with educators and staff of the site, and stayed to observe a session with pre-k students who were practicing social distancing.

After greeting the children and teachers, Kim praised CPC for meeting the challenges of the pandemic and ensuring students continue to receive services.

“The most critical needs of our neighborhoods cannot be perpetually delayed or ignored in the hopes that everything will be back to how it was before,” he said.

“It’s time to rise to the occasion and adapt in whichever ways we must to take care of everyday New Yorkers and our most vulnerable communities.”

Fresh Meadows, Auburndale libraries reopened with limited services

Dan Rose
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

Dan Rose

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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

Dan Rose

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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

Dan Rose
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.