The Flushing Blog

Queens Botanical Garden is launching a new drop-off nature program for children ages 2 through 6. It will run from May 7 through June 23.

The program is rooted in the traditions of the Forest School model of nurturing and self-confidence. Children are outdoors and take part in play-based activities that encourage discovery and exploration.

Activities include digging for worms, splashing in puddles, gathering fresh flowers and more.

“The goal is to provide meaningful, fun, outdoor learning for children that works for everyone,” said Rebecca Wolf, QBG’s director of education. “Daily activities like thematic exploration, storytelling, snack making and hut building really open up children’s imagination. They leave with with a long-lasting appreciation for nature and self-awareness.”

Forest Explorers will run Tuesdays through Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Garden.

Registration is now open, and QBG is currently promoting a 5% off discount for those who sign up by February 10 with the code “EarlyBird.”

The Garden is also hosting a free, drop-in open house for the program on Thursday, February 2 from 10 to 11 a.m.

“Through open play, children learn about the natural world around them,” said Kelly McLane, QBG Forest Explorers instructor. “Over the course of each day, children begin to understand and appreciate their own boundaries and expand their imaginations.

For more information about the program, visit here.

One Queens elected official is snubbing another Queens native on his all-important day.

Congresswoman Grace Meng announced earlier this week that she will not attend the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, who was born in Jamaica Estates.

Meng joins a growing list of lawmakers nationwide, including a strong contingent from the New York delegation, to skip out on the traditionally joyous occasion.

“With just days before his inauguration, I had hoped President-elect Trump would put an end to his inflammatory rhetoric. But obviously that pivot has not occurred,” Meng said. “I have heard from many constituents and I thought long and hard about this decision. I respect the office of the President and our nation’s peaceful transfer of power.”

“But the President-elect must get the message that his antagonistic and divisive comments are unacceptable,” she added. “We cannot tolerate attacks on women, minorities or a civil rights icon.”

The icon she was referring to was Georgia Congressman John Lewis, who marched and organized in the Civil Rights Movement with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Lewis said he was boycotting the inauguration because he didn’t believe Trump was elected legitimately, pointing to Russian meddling. Trump then posted tweets denouncing Lewis as “all talk” and “no action.”

“We need a leader who will bring our country together, and live up to the dignity and honor of the Oval Office,” Meng said.

This weekend, nearly one million people are expected to flood to Washington D.C. for a march organized by women of all races. Meng said she looks forward to welcoming constituents for “this weekend’s festivities.”

“I will work with Mr. Trump whenever possible, but this weekend I march.”

After winning her re-election bid, Assemblywoman Nily Rozic took here ceremonial oath of office Tuesday morning at East-West School of International Studies in Flushing.

Rozic, who is now in her third term in the Assembly, defeated Republican challenger Usman Chohan with 76 percent of the vote.

The celebratory event kicked off the morning’s student assembly at the Flushing school. Faculty, administrators and members of the School Leadership Team also attended the swearing-in ceremony.

Assemblyman Ron Kim is bringing a vital service back to his district office.

Kim announced today that, in collaboration with Urban Upbound, his office will be providing free tax services for eligible New Yorkers.

This is the fifth straight year he’s hosting the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.

“By serving as a VITA site, our office is able to provide a crucial and much-needed annual service for free to individuals and working families,” Kim said. “The fact that we quickly reach capacity almost every year we have done this is a testament to the program’s popularity.”

Kim said his office is already starting t0 get phone calls for appointments.

According to Kim’s office, the program has helped Flushing residents file more than 1,300 tax returns with almost $1.2 million in total tax refund claims.

The program has helped families collectively get $450,000 back, thanks to the Earned Income Tax Credit.

“Thousands of dollars are being returned to New Yorkers through EITC,” said Bishop Mitchell Taylor, co-founder and CEO of Urban Upbound. “This money can make a real difference for folks that are struggling to put food on the table, and help low-income New Yorkers access the benefits they are entitled to.

The program will begin on January 24 and end on April 13. The tax season officially ends on April 15.

Appointments can be made Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. They must be made in advance.

To schedule an appointment, contact Assemblyman Kim’s office at 718-939-0195 or @info@ronkim.com.

A 65-year-old pedestrian was fatally struck while crossing Main Street near 58th Avenue on Wednesday night.

Authorities say that at about 11:35 p.m., police officers found the man lying on the roadway with head trauma. EMS arrived and took him to New York Presbyterian Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

After a preliminary investigation by the NYPD’s Highway District’s Collision Investigation Squad, authorities determined that the man was trying to across Main Street and stopped 0on the double yellow line.

He then stepped backwards into the southbound lane, and was struck by a 2002 Dodge Caravan.

The operator of the Dodge car was a 57-year-old man, who remained at the scene.

There are no arrests, authorities said. The investigation is ongoing.

Cops are looking for this man, pictured, above, for a robbery dating back to Tuesday, November 22nd of last year.

At approximately 1:15 a.m., inside 143-59 Ash Avenue in Flushing, two men, including this man, punched a 23-year-old male victim. They then hit him with an “unknown blunt object,” police said.

One of the suspects took the victim’s bag, which had $15,000 in cash. One of the two suspects were apprehended at the scene, but the other ran away, according to authorities.

Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).  The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime stoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential.

Assemblyman Edward Braunstein and the Law Offices of Ann-Margaret Carrozza are sponsoring the 21st annual Valentines for Vets gift drive.

“We are collecting donations of cards, candy (sugar-free a plus), playing cards, puzzles, shaving cream, toothbrushes, toothpaste or new clothing items such as pajamas, robes, slippers and socks for the hospitalized and disabled veterans at the St. Albans VA Community Living Center and the New York State Veterans Home at St. Albans,” Braunstein said.

“For the last 21 years, these donations have brightened the days of thousands of veterans by showing that we care about them and appreciate their sacrifices,” Carrozza said.

The deadline to make donations is Wednesday, February 8th.

Drop off the gifts at Assemblyman Braunstein’s office at 213-33 39th Avenue, Suite 238, Carrozza’s law offices at 213-38 40th Avenue or Community Board 11 at 46-21 Little Neck Parkway.

Assemblyman Ron Kim accepted a new position as Secretary for the Democratic majority in the State Assembly.

According to Kim, he’s the first official from Flushing to reach the leadership post.

In his third term, Kim will help the conference track legislative developments throughout the session.

“As Secretary of the Majority Conference of the State Assembly, I will have greater firsthand access to the issues and decisions that drive the entire State of New York,” Kim said in a statement. “Whether it s fighting to protect small businesses and jobs, providing adequate solutions to the opium epidemic, or advocating for educational equity, I will be at the forefront in helping the conference set its larger vision and agenda for our state.”

The Canadian Lynx population of Queens doubled this week.

The Queens Zoo welcomed a female Canadian Lynx from the Minnesota Zoo this week to be paired with the male that already lives here for breeding.

According to zoo experts, the animal is a medium-sized cat with thick grayish-brown coats and pointed tufts on their ears. Their oversized paws are covered in dense fur and act as snowshoes to prevent them from sinking in deep snow in their native habitats. Their range spans Alaska, Canada, and portions of the northern and western United States.

Despite having an entire Facebook community documenting daily woes, 7 train riders apparently have it the best, according to the latest report by the Straphangers Campaign.

The NYPIRG campaign issued its 18th annual “State of the Subways” Report Card last Thursday, and rated the 1, 7 and L trains as best in the system due to their abundant morning and evening rush hour service.

The report noted that the 7 also got props for having less frequent subway car breakdowns than the average line, as well as the highest percentage of clean subway car interiors.

The 5 and A trains were ranked the worst MTA lines.

According to the Straphangers Campaign, the ratings are based on “an extensive review of official transit data on six measures of subway service.” Those measures are: scheduled service, service regularity, breakdown rate, crowding, cleanliness and announcements.

“Passengers on the top lines – such as the 1, 7, and L – hands down get a much better ride for their MetroCard than those on its worst, such as the 5 or A,” said Gene Russianoff, senior attorney for the campaign. “Disparities abound throughout the system.”

The 7 train was rated the best subway line last year as well.

Do you agree with the Straphangers Campaign’s 2016 Report Card? Let us know!

See the entire report here.