2nd ‘Discover Restaurant Week’ Comes To Queens
by richard gentilviso

The Olympics may have passed on New York City in 2012 but gold medal dining comes to Queens this fall with “Discover Restaurant Week”. From September 19 through 23, participating restaurants throughout the borough will again offer fine meal packages at the fixed price of $19.64 in celebration of the 1964 World’s Fair.

“Last year over 50 restaurants participated,” said Michele Stoddart, director of marketing and tourism for the Queens Economic Development Corporation at the July meeting of the Queens Borough Cabinet.

In cooperation with Borough President Helen Marshall’s Office of Culture and Tourism, the Queens Economic Development Corporation initiated a “Discover Queens” campaign two years ago that has sought to encourage tourists to explore the borough. Stoddart said the EDC will host a VIP and press event to publicize “Discover Restaurant Week”, which is already featured on the Discover Queens Web site, www.discoverqueens.org.

A sweepstakes giving away airline tickets will promote the theme, “Discover Queens-Discover the World”, in addition to other contests. “We are looking for some really great prizes,” Stoddart said.

Seven restaurants have signed on to participate so far, with many more expected to follow a mailing to 500 borough restaurants inviting them to be a part of “Discover Restaurant Week”. To be a participating restaurant or to become a sponsor, contact Stoddart at the Queens EDC, 718-263-0546 or faxed to 718-263-0595. Her e-mail is mms@queensny.org.

The No. 7 Redbird subway car that once transported residents and visitors alike to the 1964 World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park and has been parked outside of Borough Hall since January will soon become the official information center for Queens as renovations to it are almost completed. Queens has a diverse population of 2.2 million and more than 300 years of history is sure to prove a major tourist attraction. Another tourism booster occurred July 19th when a new state license plate depicting the 1964 Unisphere underneath the slogans “Discover Queens” and “Visit Queens - see the world” was issued.

The recent evangelical crusade of Billy Graham in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park was cited by Stoddart as one example of the emerging power of tourism in the borough. Through “Discover Queens”, 500 cultural guides were on hand for the Graham crusade to help tourists navigate the event, especially at the six LaGuardia Airport hotels which were booked solid, Stoddart said.

The Web site www.disoverqueens.info features a variety of attractions, restaurants, shopping, some coupons and e-commerce through links. Special events listed are current through December. A special Holiday shopping guide with the Queens Center listed as an anchor is planned. The Web site also lists the top 10 reasons why people should “Discover Queens”.

In a second presentation, Department of Consumer Affairs Enforcement Division Queens Borough Commander Richard O’Hara told the cabinet an initiative to track the sale of tobacco to minors will continue through September 2 while school children are on summer vacations. Under this initiative, DCA inspectors watch whether minors are asked for identification or their age when purchasing tobacco.

“Queens is the number one borough in compliance,” said O’Hara, noting 86 percent of all stores approached by minors under the initiative request ID or ask their age.

O’Hara also said that since a new city law was passed in March, all motorized scooters are now illegal in New York City. “I’m sure all of you know the problems we have had with them,” O’Hara said.

Under the new law, scooters that exceed 15 mph must be registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles, but since there are no vehicle identification numbers on these scooters, they can’t be registered with DMV and are illegal. Reports should be made to 311.