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Curbside composting returns next month

glendaleregstg on September 1, 2021

Curbside composting is returning this October.
Any resident can sign up for curbside composting regardless of whether or not they were in a zone before the pandemic derailed the service. Signing up will help the Department of Sanitation (DSNY) understand where the demand for curbside composting is high.
“Outreach and education around this initiative is important to get residents to sign up and then to those where service will be offered, to participate,” said Amy Marpman, chair of Queens Solid Waste Advisory Board (QSWAB).
Mary Arnold, co-founder of CURES, a group in central Queens that works to mitigate the impact of freight trains, said composting has the potential to remove more than 30 percent of the waste that is sent to landfills.
“Composting has the potential to reduce waste-by-rail diesel pollution from locomotives that are used to haul the waste and reduce noise in the middle of the night, especially from moving giant rail cars about to old locomotive engines,” she said.

Chamber promotes online services for small biz

glendaleregstg on September 1, 2021

The Queens Chamber of Commerce partnered with Councilman Peter Koo for a walkabout, visiting a number of businesses in Flushing and informing them of resources available through the organization.
Among the resources discussed was the Queens Chamber’s new “Open+Online” program, which helps businesses build a new website and assists in SEO (search engine optimization) free of charge.
“The pandemic changed shopping patterns for small business in many ways,” said Koo. “There was a major shift toward online shopping, so we want to make sure our businesses know about the chamber’s capacity to help build websites for our community free of charge. Customers are coming back, and we want to make sure our businesses have every available resource at their disposal so they too can come back and thrive in this post-pandemic economy.”
Beginning at Bland Playground on the corner of Prince Street and 40th Road, the tour made its way up 40th Road to Flushing’s bustling Main Street and Roosevelt Avenue.
“Small businesses are the lifeblood of neighborhoods like Flushing, but they’ve had an incredibly challenging year-and-a-half due to the pandemic,” said Thomas Grech, president and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. “Our Open+Online program can help businesses get back on their feet and thrive in the post-pandemic economy.”
“Online presence is important for small businesses to thrive,” added Dian Song Yu, executive director of Flushing BID. “Especially during this pandemic era, a website can serve as a key communication channel between merchants and consumers, allowing businesses to operate more efficiently and broaden their customer base.”

Monthly Jazz Jam returns with in-person audiences

glendaleregstg on September 1, 2021

The Louis Armstrong Legacy Monthly Jazz Jam will return to Flushing Town Hall for in-person events after being virtual for 17 months. The first jam will take place on September 8 at 7 p.m. and will kick off a lineup of fall programs.
“Let me say how utterly thrilled we are to see everyone return for a live, in-person jam,” said Gabrielle Hamilton, town hall’s director of Education & Public Programs,. “Over the last 17 months as musicians joined us online, we heard some amazing jazz from across the globe, including six of the seven continents, but now it is time to jam again in person.”
For those unable to attend in person, virtual audiences can watch a livestream for free on Flushing Town Hall’s Facebook page.
“I want to thank everyone who went on this virtual, musical journey with us this past year and a half,” said Carol Sudhalter, the band leader for the monthly jam. “The pandemic keeps testing the resolve of the arts community, but we have proven ourselves resilient and inventive.”
Additional concerts this fall include another performance in The Lioness Women in Jazz series featuring baritone saxophonist Lauren Sevian, followed by concerts with Dayramir González & Habana enTRANCé Cuban Jazz, then Yui Kitamura & The Mark Wade Trio.
Flushing Town Hall will also present the first art exhibition, “Communicating Beyond Words,” ins its gallery since the pandemic first closed its facility in March of 2020.
Flushing Town Hall will require all visitors, performers, and staff to show proof of vaccination, and masks must be worn at all times. For more information visit flushingtownhall.org.

Charles Melone, Variety Boys & Girls Club

glendaleregstg on September 1, 2021

Charles Melone, better known as “Coach CP,” describes basketball as his one true love.
He takes his passion for the sport with him to work every day as the athletics director at the Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens in Astoria. Melone oversees all things sports, as well as runs all of the sports teams.
The Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens has a nationally recognized AAU basketball program, which Melone founded before he started working there seven years ago.
“We take underprivileged kids from this area, especially from Queensbridge, Ravenswood, Woodside, and Astoria [houses],” Melone said. “It’s a lot of amazing kids that just weren’t given an opportunity, and so with our basketball program we give them that opportunity to play against the best kids in the country.”
Melone attended Caldwell University on a basketball scholarship, and realized he wanted to stay in the game when his own basketball career came to an end.
“At a young age, my father always really nailed home that you have to give back if you have an opportunity to,” he said. “And so I figured what better way to give back than to find a common interest, which is sports and basketball that I love. That way, I could work with kids and continue to pay it forward and make sure that not only am I happy in my own life, but I’m helping other kids achieve their dreams.”
As for what he does in his free time, Melone said there isn’t much free time.
“Even on the weekends we’re traveling to tournaments, we have training sessions, and we have college exposure things,” he said. “So I’m always kind of working, but it doesn’t feel like work and I love it.”
One thing Melone is excited about is that the Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens will have its first baseball team since the ‘60s starting this year.
“The gym is always packed, the kids just want to be here,” he said. “I hope to be in this community for a long time, and I’m very grateful to the Variety Boys and Girls Club for giving me this opportunity. I hope I continue to make them and the community proud.”

Hochul panders

webadmin on September 1, 2021

Dear Editor,
Governor Kathy Hochul promised us a clean break from Albany’s disgraceful past upon taking office in August.
But she broke that vow by immediately urging a speed up in payments to illegal immigrants under the state’s $2.1 billion Excluded Workers Fund program passed by the legislature in April. It provides $15,600 to low earning undocumented immigrants who claim to have lost a job or suffered a 50 percent drop in earnings because of the COVID pandemic.
They are entitled to this money even if they worked off the books and paid no taxes. Moderate Democrats on Long Island and in the Hudson Valley and upstate opposed the measure, but progressives called them “racist” and rammed it through the legislative process.
State Democratic Party chairman Jay Jacobs chided progressives by noting that it’s not racist to question a program that gives “undocumented, non-taxpaying, off-the-books workers a humanitarian grant.”
Lawmakers passed the bill to benefit illegal immigrants who were excluded from the Trump and Biden
administrations’ COVID stimulus programs because they are in our nation illegally. Why can’t New York’s political leaders follow Washington’s example?
Blatant vote grabbing is one reason. Hochul plans to run for governor next year and needs left-wing voters to win her party’s primary election. Many of them live in New York City, where two-thirds of the 200,000 illegal immigrants eligible for COVID benefits reside and have relatives who vote.
I don’t know which NYC legislators voted for this measure, but those who did should be rejected by voters when they face re-election next year. They betrayed their taxpaying constituents and must be held accountable for it.
Sincerely,
Richard Reif
Kew Gardens Hills

104th Precicnt Police Blotter (8/16/2021-8/22/2021)

glendaleregstg on September 1, 2021

Monday, Aug. 16
Christopher Snyder was arrested at 56-02 Arnold Avenue for criminal contempt by Officer Subbir.
Jeremie Diaz was arrested at 64-02 Catalpa Avenue for petit larceny by Detective Rochford.
Marisela Circhado was arrested at 61st Street and Myrtle Avenue for aggravated unlicensed operator by Detective Wright.
Frederick Reed was arrested at 67-33 Cooper Avenue for resisting arrest by Officer Jiminez.
Alexander Beltran was arrested at 64-02 Catalpa Avenue for burglary by Officer Hynes.

Tuesday, Aug. 17
Lesek Krom was arrested at 64-57 59th Avenue for grand larceny by Detective Rochford.
Segundo Sullagana was arrested at Norman Street and Wyckoff Avenue for criminal possession of stolen property by Detective Wright.
Aundre M. Washington was arrested at 78-16 Cooper Avenue for misdemeanor assault by Officer Combs.
Ariel Epinal was arrested at 64-02 Catalpa Avenue for robbery by Detective Bublin.

Wednesday, Aug. 18
Kristhian Ramos was arrested at 1933 Linden Street for criminal mischief by Officer Mark.
Christian Guzman was arrested at 61st Street and Metropolitan Avenue for aggravated unlicensed operator by Detective Wright.
Carol Singleton was arrested at 64-02 Catalpa Avenue for criminal contempt by Officer Coronado.
David Fernandez was arrested at Hart Street and Woodward Avenue for driving while intoxicated by Officer Abbondandelo.

Thursday, Aug. 19
Tristan Hassarath was arrested at 60-26 69th Avenue for menacing by Officer Gutierrez.
Tyler Reyes was arrested at 64-02 Catalpa Avenue for strangulation by Detective Gerardi.
Derek Percival was arrested at 64-02 Catalpa Avenue for misdemeanor assault by Detective Moon.
Haashim McCorkle was arrested at 64-02 Catalpa Avenue for misdemeanor assault by Detective Rogers.
Tyrone Long was arrested at Norman Street and Myrtle Avenue for petit larceny by Detective Wright.
Selena Jaimes was arrested at 64-02 Catalpa Avenue for petit larceny by Detective Fogus.
James Jankie was arrested at 64-02 Catalpa Avenue for misdemeanor assault by Detective Friedrich.
Ramlocham Ramphal was arrested at 1605 Putnam Avenue for menacing by Officer Claybrooks.

Friday, Aug. 20
Melvin Cintron was arrested at 61-19 56th Avenue for criminal contempt by Officer Subbir.
Michael Perez was arrested at Cypress Hills Street and Cypress Avenue for driving while intoxicated by Office Troia.
Jennifer Graziano was arrested at 60-19 71st Avenue for felony assault by Detective Wright.
James Hershan was arrested at 64-02 Catalpa Avenue for criminal contempt by Detective Fogus.
Ricardo Ruiz was arrested at 60-15 Eliot Avenue for criminal possession of a weapon by Officer Fitzalbert.
Tudor Pop was arrested at 61-21 Fresh Pond Road for criminal mischief by Officer Fitzalbert.

Saturday, Aug. 21
Marcus Whittington was arrested at 675 Seneca Avenue for misdemeanor assault by Officer Martinez.
Hector Esteban was arrested at 657 Onderdonk Avenue for misdemeanor assault by Officer Clemente.
Sandra Sosa was arrested at 657 Onderdonk Avenue for misdemeanor assault by Officer Clemente.
Kin McFee was arrested at 291 Onderdonk Avenue for felony assault by Officer Khan.
Stephen Davis was arrested at 64-02 Catalpa Avenue for misdemeanor assault by Officer Foppiano.
Eury Rodriguez was arrested at 18 Charlotte Street for criminal contempt by Detective Golden.
Jampa Phuntsok was arrested at 80th Street and Juniper Boulevard South for driving while intoxicated by Officer Lamm.

Sunday, Aug. 22
Paola Mangandi was arrested at 1924 Stanhope Street for criminal contempt by Officer Prizeman.
Diego Guaypattin Cevallos was arrested at 60-47 Putnam Avenue for misdemeanor assault by Officer Rosalez.
Efren A. Garcia was arrested at 65th Place and Central Avenue for driving while intoxicated by Officer Feliciano.

Anti-anti-vaxers

webadmin on September 1, 2021

Dear Editor,
I am outraged over the COVID-19 vaccination protests. The argument is mandatory vaccinations are a violation of their constitutional rights. How can a person have life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness when many who are not vaccinated are getting sick and dying?
Many of these same people don’t want their children vaccinated or wearing masks in school. Do they want their children sick and potentially dying from this dreaded disease?
Please everyone listen to the science and get vaccinated, because those you love depend on you to do so.
Sincerely Yours,
Frederick R. Bedell Jr.
Bellerose

Save your diner

webadmin on September 1, 2021

Dear Editor,
“Sad Milestone for old Avenue Diner” in The Woodhaven Beat column concerning the first anniversary of the closing of the popular diner is reminiscent of other diners who have met a similar fate.
Over the years, we have seen the demise of the Bay Terrace (Bayside), Bel Aire (Astoria), Gold Star (Bayside), Seville (Douglaston), Sage (Elmhurst), Nevada (Elmhurst), Kanes (Flushing), Saravan (Flushing), Palace (Flushing), Future (Fresh Meadows), Forest Hills (Forest Hills), Waterview (Howard Beach), Fame (Jamaica), Scobees Grill (Little Neck), Sky Line (Glen Oaks), Shalimar (Rego Park), and Tasty (Ridgewood) diners.
Remember these people are our neighbors. Our local entrepreneurs who own and operate diners have continued to invest in our community creating new employment opportunities.
They work long hours, pay taxes and provide local employment. If we don’t patronize our local restaurants, they don’t eat either.
In these difficult economic times, it is important to patronize your favorite restaurants.
Here’s hoping that our remaining diners all continue to survive and prosper.
Sincerely,
Larry Penner
Great Neck

No mandates

webadmin on September 1, 2021

Dear Editor,
The Centers for Disease Control said the vaccines do not prevent transmission of COVID-19, yet the administration says we must be vaccinated and wear masks to protect others.
If the vaccines don’t work 100 percent why are they being mandated?
We need to demand that the public advocate file an injunction against this administration, stopping them from forcing vaccine and mask mandates and mandatory testing until they are all confirmed to be 100 percent safe, and those imposing these mandates are subject to accountability if it turns out they’re mistaken.
Finally, we need to elect a mayor and City Council that’s going to pass a law that will remove executive immunity for criminal actions and prevent the violation of our rights without probable cause and due process.
Sincerely,
Marvin Jeffcoat
Sunnyside

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