Bills expand protections for app-based delivery workers
The City Council passed a package of legislation last week designed to protect delivery works in the five boroughs
Oktoberfest celebrations liven up Brooklyn
A number of local bars and restaurants celebrate Oktoberfest, a German tradition.
Flushing Town Hall to host first indoor exhibition in 18 months
On October 15, Flushing Town Hall will open its first indoor exhibition since its gallery closed for pandemic precautions in March 2020.
The group show, “Communicating Beyond Words,” will run through October 31 and features 12 artists from diverse cultural backgrounds who use letter forms as their visual elements. More than 30 artworks will be on display, including illustration, street art, calligraphy, tattoo art, and paintings.
An opening reception will be held on Friday, October 15 from 6 to 8 pm where visitors can meet the artists. Flushing Town Hall is asking for a $5 suggested donation, and the exhibition is free for members and students.
“We went through a lot, emotionally and physically, last year and were all affected by the pandemic directly or indirectly,” said artist and exhibition curator Stephanie S. Lee. “Comfort, resiliency, and healing are needed the most in times like this. There are many ways to cope with hard times, and often, one artwork is all we need beyond thousands of words.
Participating artists include Chavelli Tsui, a designer and lettering artist who specializes in letter-driven work that is elegant and eloquent; spirited, yet sumptuous, Minyoung Sim, a tattoo artist living and working in South Korea with more than 100,000 followers on Instagram, and Wendy Fung, a calligrapher, lettering artist and graphic designer based in Brooklyn.
In line with the theme of letter art, Stephanie S. Lee is hosting an in-person Turn Your Name into Art Workshop on October 23 at 2 p.m. Lee will provide a customized drawing with the participant’s name in Korean (Hangeul), in the style of Munjado (a genre of Korean Folk Art). During the 90-minute hands-on workshop, participants will then color in the drawing to finish the artwork.
Those interested in attending are asked to register by October 13 to have the drawing of their name converted in Korean. Participants will receive their name design in advance and need to print it out at home and bring it to the workshop, where they will be provided watercolors and brushes to finish their artwork.
This workshop is suitable for ages 12 & up and limited to up to 20 participants. The cost is $10/$5 for members.
Reproductive rights rallies held across Queens
Protestors fight for abortion access, fear Roe v. Wade reversal
The new NYPD?
Dear Editor,
If you think that fighting crime is the NYPD’s top job, guess again.
While shootings and homicides in New York City are nearly double their pre-pandemic levels, Mayor Bill de Blasio said “Customer service has to be what the NYPD is about.”
To achieve that goal, the NYPD will hire “community guides” at all 77 police precincts to greet visitors at the door. This new program will cost taxpayers $5.7 million a year.
Our mayor is doing this because he’s upset by the “gruff & dismissive” attitude toward the public. Even though New Yorkers fear for their safety, de Blasio wants cops to act like Walmart.
Instead of hiring greeters, why not hire more cops to reduce crime? New York’s Finest serve their “customers” – law-abiding residents and taxpayers – by risking their lives daily to protect us.
If they are sometimes “gruff & dismissive,” perhaps it’s because de Blasio and other “progressive” political leaders don’t respect them. Getting pelted and spat at by “peaceful” protesters may impact attitudes.
I urge our elected representatives to halt this insanity. But if they don’t, I’m sure our likely next mayor, Eric Adams, a former cop, will pull the plug. He values public safety above “customer service.”
Sincerely,
Richard Reif
Kew Gardens Hills
Young guns
Dear Editor,
Twenty-one children between the ages of 13 and 17 were killed in shootings and stabbings this year in New York City. The number of shootings of children under the age of 18 has risen to 105. This has to stop!
We need to bring back “stop and Frisk” to take guns off the street, bring back anti-gang units, and have more youth programs. Parents should not have to bury their child.
The mayor and the NYPD need to stop the killing of our youth. So far, Mayor Bill de Blasio has dropped the ball.
Sincerely,
Frederick R. Bedell, Jr.
Bellerose
Petulant child
Dear Editor,
Republicans refuse to raise the debt limit in order to pay for the debt they incurred.
The GOP is the teenager who steals their parents’ credit card, runs up a huge bill and crashes the family car. As usual, Democrats (the parents) have to pay the bill and get the car towed out of the ditch.
Republicans had no problem voting in favor of permanent tax cuts for billionaires, but funding to expand dental, vision and hearing care for seniors? Provisions to fight climate change and curb prescription drug prices? Taking care of veterans? “That’s where they draw the line? What a complete disgrace.
Insanity and disaster are the Republican agenda. Senator Mitch McConnell would rather drive a car into a brick wall and set off an economic catastrophe than do his job, which is to pay for what he already spent during the Trump presidency.
Sincerely,
Robert LaRosa, Sr.
Whitestone