News

Bellerose Manor street renamed in memory of Bernard M. Aquilino

Dan Rose

2019 10 05 - Street co-naming ceremony_1905

The Bellerose Manor community gathered over the weekend to rename Seward Avenue and 235th Street after longtime civic leader Bernard M. Aquilino.

Aquilino was the longtime president of the Rocky Hill Civic Association, and advocated on behalf of his community for more than 40 years.

Known as Barney, Aquilino joined the civic group in the 1970s and soon became president, a position he held for over 25 years.

Some of his accomplishments include preventing the city from closing PS 18, facilitating the relocation of a sanitation garage and more. He helped sustain local youth groups, educated homeowners about government services and cleaned up public spaces in the neighborhood.

Aquilino also led the fight for the U.S. Postal Service to rename his community Bellerose Manor.

The request for the street co-naming came from the Rocky Hill Civic Association, Community Board 13 and other civic groups. Councilman Barry Grodenchik introduced the bill in the City Council.

Orangetheory Fitness finds a home at Tangram

Dan Rose

Tangram Hero

The Boca Raton, Florida-based fitness franchise Orangetheory is coming to Tangram in Flushing.

The company, with over 1,000 locations nationwide, signed a 10-year lease with the mega-development. The studio space will occupy 3,200 square feet and will open in summer 2020.

Orangetheory specializes in group sessions with a focus on cardiovascular and strength training. Total body workouts last 60 minutes and are led by certified personal trainers that guide and tailor workouts to achieve clients’ goals.

Their workout rooms include treadmills, bikes, striders, WaterTowers and floor equipment.

Orangetheory will have three membership levels: Orange Premier, which offers unlimited classes for six months; Orange Elite, which offers eight classes per month for six months; and Orange Basic, which is four classes per month.

Membership benefits include month-to-month contract, access to 1,000+ studios nationwide, online or mobile booking, freeze privileges, flexible class times and more.

“Orangetheory Fitness will significantly fill the current void within the fitness studio market in Flushing,” says Alex Chiu, executive vice president of F&T Group, which is developing Tangram with SCG America.

Fundraising push for Queensboro Hill VFW

Dan Rose

Assemblywoman Rozic Speaks at VFW's Legislative Breakfast

Here’s your chance to support a local organization supporting veterans in the community.

This week, Assemblywoman Nily Rozic announced a new fundraising campaign to support Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 3427 in Queensboro Hill.

Commander Raymond Ramos, who has led the post since 2016, launched a GoFundMe to secure funds to replace the site’s plumbing system.

Since 2015, the VFW has been plagued with electrical and plumbing issues following a series of fines levied by DOB. Little progress has been made.

After a boiler was shut off in 2017, Post 3427 has operated without heat or hot water.

Altogether, Commander Ramos is seeking to raise $15,000.

To help in their support, visit their online fundraiser here.

Don’t approve Total Wine and More in College Point: pol

Dan Rose
Google Maps
Google Maps

A Queens state senator has called on the State Liquor Authority to reject an application from Total Wine and Liquors, a wine and liquor superstore, to open a new retail location in College Point.

State Senator Mike Gianaris wrote a letter to SLA Chairman Vincent Bradley opposing the application because of the “untold harm” it would do to small businesses across the borough, he wrote.

“Total Wine would be a total disaster for small businesses in western Queens,” Gianaris says. “I stand with small business owners to fight for a stronger community and against further intrusions from anti-competitive businesses that prey on small businesses.”

Queens has more than 350 locally-owned liquor stores, according to the senator’s office.

Gianaris said he heard from small business owners expressing their “dissatisfaction” with the proposed superstore.

The retailer reportedly applied for a license in Hartsdale, Westchester County, but was also denied by the SLA.

Gianaris hopes the SLA be “equally wise” to reject this location.

Alliance for Flushing Meadows Corona Park to host third annual gala

Dan Rose

Evening Under the Sphere flyer 9.25.19english

The Alliance for Flushing Meadows Corona Park, a public-private partnership, is hosting its third annual fundraiser gala at the Unisphere on Wednesday, September 25 from 6 to 9 p.m.

The evening will gather community members, park advocates and civic leaders for a night of drinks, light fare and music by DJ David Paul.

Individual tickets are $50.

You can also be a sponsor of the event. To learn more, visit www.allianceforfmcp.org/gala or call 718-760-6865.

Health Department to conduct adulticide treatment on Thursday

Dan Rose

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On Thursday, August 22 between 8:30 a.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning, the Health Department is conducting another adulticide treatment to reduce mosquito activity and the risk of West Nile virus.

Trucks will spray pesticides in sections of Queens, including Fresh Meadows, Hollis Hills and Holliswood.

In case of bad weather, the spraying will be pushed back to Monday, August 26 or Tuesday, August 27.

The Health Department says it will use very low concentrations of the insecticides Anvil® 10+10 and/or DeltaGard®.

The risks of these pesticides 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.

People will respiratory conditions may also be affected, health officials say.

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

And while it is unnecessary, residents can close air conditioner vents or choose the recirculate function.

After spraying, health officials say residents should wash their skin and clothing exposed to pesticides with soap and water. Always wash fruits and vegetables with water as well.

To reduce exposure to mosquitos, here are some tips courtesy of the Health Department:

  • Use an approved insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus (not for children under 3), or products that contain the active ingredient IR3535.
  • Make sure windows have screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or holes.
  • Eliminate any standing water from your property and dispose of containers that can collect water. Standing water is a violation of the New York City Health Code.
  • Make sure roof gutters are clean and draining properly.
  • Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs. Keep them empty or covered if not in use. Drain water that collects in pool covers.

138 donors participated in annual blood drive

Dan Rose

Summer Blood Drive 2019 (1)

You can call it a success!

A record-breaking 138 people participated in Assemblyman Ed Braunstein’s annual summer blood drive on August 8 at the Bay Terrace Shopping Center.

Even the assemblyman stopped by to donate blood.

“Thanks to their generosity, hundreds of lives will be saved,” he says.

The New York Blood Center provided a voucher for a free pair of New York Mets tickets to all of the donors. Cord Meyer Development provided the venue (Bay Terrace Shopping Center), while Ben’s Kosher Delicatessen Restaurant & Caterers gave vouchers for free pints of soup to the first 100 donors.

Finally, Stop & Shop of Bay Terrace donated pastries, water and ice as well.

Flushing commuter vans return to original location

Dan Rose

Now that construction of One Flushing is complete, you can catch your commuter vans back in their original spot.

The Department of Transportation announced today that the Downtown Flushing commuter vans have returned to 41st Avenue and Main Street, their original location.

In 2017, the DOT worked with Councilman Koo to locate their stop temporarily on Sanford Avenue due to the construction of One Flushing, which was completed earlier this year.

“Commuter vans offer a great alternative to the city’s more traditional modes of transportation,” Koo says, “and offer competitive prices and convenience in the busy downtown Flushing transportation hub.”

Bayside Business Association to host Virtual Networking Event

Dan Rose

Bayside_Biz_Mtg_6 copy

The Bayside Business Association is going full digital at its next event.

On Wednesday, August 7, at 10 a.m., BBA will host its first virtual networking event. That means members can participate from the comfort of their home or office.

The event is powered by Treble, one of the business association’s newest partners. You can register for the event here.

When signing up, use promo code BAY2019 to get signed up at the premium level for free, exclusively for the BBA network.

BBA also encourages participants to complete a Treble profile in advance to maximize the value of the event.

Here’s a description of Treble, courtesy of BBA:

Treble is a business networking platform that helps you generate new business opportunities and advances your career. It unlocks the power of your existing, trusted network through the posting of Wishes that lets your network know exactly what you are looking for and gives your contacts the ability to respond in kind.