On July 7, around 1,250 bike riders met in Astoria Park for the start of the sixth annual Tour De Queens Bike Tour. The event was a 19-mile tour across the borough. The family friendly bike tour started out in Astoria Park, and then passed through Long Island City, Ridgewood, Maspeth, Rego Park, Middle Village, Forest Hills, Corona, East Elmhurst […]

Ed Shusterich (r.), past president of the Pullis Historical Landmark organization in Middle Village’s Juniper Valley Park, recently met with state Senator Joseph P. Addabbo Jr. (l.). Addabbo (D-Howard Beach) commended Shusterich for his civic pride and the many contributions he has made for the betterment of the neighborhood. In particular, Shusterich was congratulated on the upcoming 10th anniversary of the […]

Mayor Michael Bloomberg signed Councilmember Karen Koslowitz’ newsstand legislation into law. Newsstands will now be able to sell products at a retail price limit of $10 as opposed to the previous price cap of $5.  The last increase was in 2001, when City Council legislation increased the maximum price from $2 to $5. “Prices for many products that consumers often […]

On Thursday, July 11, Queens Borough President Helen Marshall helped celebrate the completion of the renovation of Flushing Town Hall’s garden and portico. The $2 million renovation project was funded by her office, the city Department of Cultural Affairs and the Queens delegation of the City Council.  Among those on hand were (l. to r.) Cultural Affairs Commissioner Kate Levin, […]

On July 13, Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer was joined by GrowNYC to celebrate the return of the Greenmarket/Youth-Run Farm Stand in Hunters Point, Long Island City. GrowNYC operated a greenmarket at this location until 2010.  However, because of poor sales, the market was forced to close. After nearly three years of inactivity, Van Bramer successfully advocated for the return of […]

On Thursday, July 11, Councilmember Julissa Ferreras commemorated Colombia’s Independence by holding the 2013 Independence of Colombia Annual Celebration at Queens Theatre in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park.Held in partnership with the Colombian Consulate and Afro-Colombia New York, an organization purposed with disseminating and sharing information about Afro-Colombian heritage, the annual celebration featured live entertainment, authentic food, a proclamation presentation by Ferreras and […]

Using names like Blue Dasher, Black Saddlebags, and Eastern Forktail, public school girls caught and identified dragonflies on a recent trip to Strack Pond in Forest Park.  The young women, who are participants in City Parks Foundation’s Green Girls Summer Institute, learned that dragonflies have multifaceted eyes, strong transparent wings and elongated bodies and though harmless to humans, are valuable […]

Councilmember Elizabeth Crowley joined police officers from the 104th Police Precinct on patrol during an evening ride-along on July 8. Crowley observed what police officers look for to prevent crime and how they respond to calls.  “There is no greater issue than that of public safety,” said Crowley. “Police officers encounter difficult situations every day, and they do a tremendous […]