Streets near PS 163 are now one-ways

Two streets near PS 163 in Kew Gardens Hills have been converted into one-ways, making them safer for all users.

The city has turned 159th and 160th streets, previously two-way streets, into one-ways earlier this week.

Officials say this will make pedestrian crossings safer and easier to predict for schoolchildren and cars.

“This is a long time coming and will help ease the dangerous traffic conditions that our community contends with on a daily basis,” says principal Francine Marsaggi. “I believe that these changes will allow for smoother and safer transitions during our morning ingress and our afternoon dismissal.”

Summer blood drive – donors get free Mets tickets!

Blood Drive 2018

The 6th annual Summer Blood Drive on Thursday, August 9 will come with a special gift: an electronic voucher for two Mets tickets!

The blood drive, from 2:30 to 8:30 p.m., will take place at the Bay Terrace Shopping Center at 212th Street and 26th Avenue.

ALSO, the first 100 people who donate a pint of blood will also receive a certificate for a free pint of soup from Ben’s Kosher Delicatessen Restaurant & Caterers.

For more information, email braunsteine@nyassembly.gov or call 718-357-3588.

Greenmarket to start again at Maple Playground

Screen shot via Google Maps
Screen shot via Google Maps

Back for its third season, the Flushing Greenmarket is launching at Maple Playground tomorrow at 11 a.m.

Run by GrowNYC, the greenmarket is open every Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. from July 11 to November 22.

Why go? The Department of Health is hosting nutrition education workshops and cooking demonstrations in English, Chinese and Spanish.

Every participant over 18 years old will receive a $2 Health Bucks coupon that can be used for buying fruits and vegetables.

If you have food scraps, the greenmarket will also take them until 1 p.m. The collection will be taken to Queens Botanical Garden to be turned into compost.

Flushing Library celebrates 20 years

Screen shot via Google Maps
Screen shot via Google Maps

The best library in the world turns 20 this year, and to mark the occasion, it’s getting a huge infusion of funding.

Over the weekend, the Iris & Junming Le Foundation donated $135,000 to the branch. The funding was announced at a re-dedication ceremony.

Flushing Library, located at 41-17 Main Street, was first built in 1998. It was instantly recognized as an architectural landmark for future libraries.

It was designed by the firm Polshek and Partners, now known as Ennead, according to Queens Library. This building was the fourth Flushing branch to occupy the triangle space since the late 1800s.

Today, Flushing Library has more than 1.7 million visitors, who come for more than books. They come to attend programs, use computers, and access other important resources, including a circulation of 1 million materials.

Bid on a vacation to support the Queens Theatre

Vacation at Hoperock. (Photo: Bidding For Good)
Vacation at Hoperock. (Photo: Bidding For Good)

You can spend a week on the beach and help the Queens Theatre at the same time.

Queens Theatre is hosting an auction to help raise money for its programs. Those who are interested can bid for a week-long stay in Hoperock, a 5-bedroom, 4-bathroom vacation home located at Shelter Harbor in Rhode Island.

With 3,000-square feet, this Pacific ranch-style home features open living spaces, gorgeous outdoor patios and full deck, all modern appliances, brand new central air conditioning and plenty of parking. The home can fit as many as 12 people.

The home is just minutes away from Watch Hill and Weekapaug Beach, one of New England’s longest stretches of private white sand beach.

The auction winner will receive beach passes to Weekapaug with door-to-door free shuttle service.

For more information and to place a bid, visit Bidding For Good. The online auction ends Wednesday, June 27, at 8pm.

Elevator work at Flushing LIRR progressing

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It’s taken the MTA a long time to install elevators at the Flushing LIRR station.

Last September, officials said the work would be done by “early 2018.” Well, it’s already the summer solstice, and work is still going.

Don’t get us wrong. The $24.6 million overhaul is much-needed, and will finally make the station ADA-compliant.

But let’s get this project done so the riders can get what they deserve.

Katz calls for free Paul Simon concert at Flushing Meadows

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Paul Simon

Today, Paul Simon announced that he was coming home to Queens for the final performance of his farewell tour.

“Homeward Bound — The Farewell Performance” will take place at Flushing Meadows Corona Park on Saturday, September 22.

However, the show is the first major concert in the park in decades and Borough President Melinda Katz isn’t thrilled about the idea of paid admission events in public parks.

“Queens adores the fact that Paul Simon has chosen to come home for the final concert of his Farewell Tour. As a lifelong fan, I am absolutely thrilled,” Katz said. “The news, however, is bittersweet. The City of New York could have – and should have – turned this long-anticipated homecoming of Paul Simon into a free concert for all in the park, not limited to those who can afford to pay concert ticket prices at the expense of the surrounding community.

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Borough President Melinda Katz

“There are still several days before tickets go on sale. In fairness to all New Yorkers, the City should figure out a way to make this historic performance free and accessible to everyone,” Katz further stated.

In recent years, Katz has shared her concerns regarding for-profit companies running paid admission events in the city’s public parks.

During his announcement of the show, Simon also indicated that he will be donating all personal proceeds from the event to a cause that will be announced at a later date.

Ridgewood Savings Bank will host small business open house

ridgewoodopenhouse2018

Ridgewood Savings Bank is hosting an open house for small businesses at their Whitestone location, located at 25-29 Parsons Boulevard.

Meet with their business banking relationship manager, Vanessa Baijnauth, and learn about the importance of business planning.

You’ll get to network with other small business owners as well!

RSVP by June 21  to jkilom@ridgewoodbank.com or to john@flushingchamber.nyc.

For more information, check out the Eventbrite page here.

SBS Commissioner to speak at QC Business Forum

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Department of Small Business Services (SBS) Commissioner Gregg Bishop will be the guest speaker at Queens College’s Business Forum Breakfast on Friday, June 15.

His speech will address economic sustainability and mobility for small businesses in the borough.

The forum will run from 8 to 10 a.m. at the fourth floor of the Student Union. Of course, it includes a hearty breakfast!

The event is free and open to the public.