Resorts World Casino gets green light to open

 

Photo via WikiMedia Commons

After nearly six months of shutdown due to public health concerns, Resorts World Casino opened its doors to the public this afternoon.

The entertainment hub has implemented an extensive safety plan in order to adhere to the State’s guidelines to ensure a safe reopening. All guests are required to wear masks and maintain a six foot distance from others outside their party.

Entry is limited to the bus lobby entrance, specific parking areas and the skybridge. Staff will conduct temperature checks at the door.

During the first phase of the reopening, guests will be able to enjoy electronic blackjack, baccarat and Three-Card Poker games with plexiglass dividers. Physical distancing panels will be erected on select slot machines. The casino has also installed sanitation stations, equipped hand sanitizer and wipes, throughout the floor.

“While the casino floor may look a little different, all of these changes are part of our 21-point plan, created with your health and safety in mind,” said Resorts World Casino New York City COO Scott Molina. “Regulating capacity on the casino floor will allow for easier social distancing, and sanitation stations will make it easy for you to wipe down electronic table games and other common areas before touching them. Once we are back open, we will constantly be evaluating the situation in order to gauge when we can return our full suite of amenities to our valued guests.”

State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr., and Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato toured the facility yesterday, ensuring that all protocols were up to standard before the official opening.

“I was thankful to learn of Governor Cuomo’s decision,” said Senator Addabbo. “This will result in many of the furloughed casino workers returning to their jobs and providing for their families, while permitting our residents to visit these gaming sites to safely enjoy the amenities during these difficult times. The reopening of casinos will also be an economic generator for revenue and educational funding for our state, as we deal with the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

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“Censue Subway Series” kicks off: Jamaica vs. Canarsie

This week, NYC Census 2020 launched the NYC “Census Subway Series” and “NYC Counts” census contest, to mobilize New Yorkers to self-respond to the census immediately.

The initiative follows President Trump’s move to cut the census short by one month.

“The 2020 Census will be a critical component of New York City’s recovery after COVID-19. That means we must do everything we can to achieve a complete and accurate count, and fight Donald Trump’s attempts to steal the census,” said Julie Menin, Director of NYC Census 2020 and Executive Assistant Corporation Counsel, NYC Law Department.

The “Census Subway Series” is a weekly challenge in which two neighborhoods from different boroughs will are pit against each other to see which gains the largest growth in its Census 2020 self-response rate. Competitor will be announced on a weekly basis over a five-week period,based on the latest self-response rate data. .

First to compete are Jamaica, Queens (current self-response rate: 49.4%) and Canarsie, Brooklyn (current self-response rate: 47.9%).

In addition to bragging rights, residents of the competing neighborhoods — as well as any New Yorker who completes the census during the next five weeks — may be eligible to win these prizes:

  • $1,000 gift card from Seamless (six total)
  • A $50 Lyft credit voucher and annual CitiBike membership (100 total)
  • An annual membership to The Museum of Modern Art and MoMA PS1 (a $200 value; 25 total)

 All New Yorkers must take a photo of their census completion confirmation page and upload it to the City’s website to enter. Complete rules can be found at nyc.gov/censuscontest. The last day to enter is Monday, September 21, 2020.

Self-respond online at my2020census.gov or by phone at 1-844-330-2020.

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Pool Bar, rooftop pool and observation deck at TWA Hotel now open

As New York City continues to reopen in phases, more features within the TWA Hotel are now open to guests.

The Pool Bar, rooftop infinity pool and observation deck are now open, but with new safety protocols.

Guests of the hotel can book a reservation at the infinity pool, which is purified every 30 minutes, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. every night.

Hotel guests do not need to make a reservation to swim or visit the observation deck from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m.

The Pool Bar is also serving a new summer menu, with aviation-inspired cocktails and bites.

If you haven’t already checked out the TWA Hotel by JFK Airport, it’s a must-see.

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Community leaders distribute coffee and bagels to essential workers

This morning, local community leaders Jeremy Bucaria, Mike Scala, Torey Schnupp and others distributed 60 bagels and four boxes of coffee to essential workers at the Lindenwood Shopping Center in Howard Beach.

Bucaria, a local activist who coordinated the event, said he wanted to show gratitude to people serving the community.

“I wanted to show my children the importance of celebrating local heroes and volunteering to serve others,” he said.

The bagels and coffee were donated by All American Bagel, located at 82-41 153rd Avenue.

The group greeted staff with cheers and signs thanking them for their service.

“These workers are beyond essential,” Scala said. “They can’t work from home like some of us.

“They’re out here everyday making sure we have everything we need. Today was about giving a little something back to them.”

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Assembly candidate gets key endorsement

Richard David, a candidate for State Assembly in District 31 in southeast Queens, has picked up an endorsement from Congressman Gregory Meeks.

David, a local activist and district leader, is seeking the Democratic nomination against five other candidates.

The seat was vacated by former Assemblywoman Michelle Titus, who was elected a civil court judge this year. Titus served in the Assembly since 2002.

 

Meeks, who chairs the Queens County Democratic Party, formerly held the Assembly seat in District 31.

David has also been endorsed by the Alliance of South Asian American Labor, Stonewall Democratic Club, Muslim Democratic Club, National Association of Social Workers PAC, US Cricket Umpires Association, Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club, New American Voters Association and the Queens Democratic Party.

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Teen who delivered his baby brother to be honored in Queens Village

Council Member Adrienne Adams will honor the heroic efforts of a local 14-year-old Boy Scout, Fabril Desroches, tomorrow night. Desroches, a member of the Boy Scouts of America Troop 263 Queens, delivered his baby brother.

He will be honored by Adams, the Boy Scouts of America Troop 263 Queens, Thomas Edison Career and Technical Education High School and local community leaders. The event will take place on Friday, October 18 at 7 p.m. at the New Covenant Church, 206-14 100th Avenue in Queens Village.

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City of Science event to take over Jamaica

On Sunday, November 3, the World Science Festival will hold its free City of Science event at York College in Jamaica.

This larger-than-life, hands-on, and interactive STEM event is open to the public and geared toward families, students of all grades, and the community. With an expected attendance of over 2,500, attendees will experience mind-bending exhibits from the World Science Festival and partner organizations.

Designed to explore the wonders of science, technology, engineering, and math, CITY OF SCIENCE unleashes everyone’s inner scientist.

The event will be the third time that the World Science Festival has visited Queens.

The City of Science event is free but RSVP here. It runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at York College’s Health/Physical Education Complex at 160-02 Liberty Avenue.

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