Jamaica to receive first of Wi-Fi kiosks

Flickr/nycmayorsoffice
Flickr/nycmayorsoffice

Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced the launch of LinkNYC, a program to replace old payphones into Wi-Fi kiosks. Jamaica will be one of the locations to receive the first Link by July 2016.

The Link station will provide free Internet, free domestic calling, two USB charging ports, a tablet and a red 911 button for emergency calls.

“LinkNYC is the Wi-Fi network New Yorkers deserve: the largest, fastest municipal Wi-Fi network in the world – and you won’t need to insert a quarter in the slot, because it’s completely free,” Mayor de Blasio said. “LinkNYC brings us a couple steps closer to our goal of leveling the playing field and providing every New Yorker with access to the most important tool of the 21st century.”

“In Queens, as part of the Jamaica Now Action Plan also unveiled last year with the Mayor’s administration, we were especially pleased to have bumped the Downtown Jamaica Corridor up in the priority rollout schedule of LinkNYC,” Borough President Melinda Katz said. “Folks are thrilled that free, citywide public Wi-Fi is well on its way.”

The city plans to build 4,500 Link stations by mid-2019.

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Hospitalized vets receive cards, candy and clothes

Assemblyman Braunstein, right, with students from Cardozo High School at the St. Albans Community Living Center
Assemblyman Braunstein, right, with students from Cardozo High School and staff members at the St. Albans Community Living Center

In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, political and community leaders organized a gift drive for hospitalized veterans at the St. Albans VA Community Living Center and the New York State Veterans Home at St. Albans.

Assemblyman Edward Braunstein, Community Board 11, the Whitestone Volunteer Ambulance Service and the law offices of Ann-Margaret Carrozza collected thousands of donations for the 20th annual Valentines for Vets drive. Cards, candy, clothing items and toiletries were among the donations given by 27 schools, civic organizations and residents.

“I want to sincerely thank everyone, especially our local public and private schools, for once again overwhelmingly supporting our Valentines for Vets gift drive,” Braunstein said. “These donations helped to brighten the day of hundreds of veterans by showing them that we care about them and appreciate their sacrifices.”

The gifts were delivered to the veterans on February 12 by Assemblyman Braunstein, his staff and students from Cardozo High School.

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Pol meets with breast cancer support organization

State Senator Addabbo, right, spoke with two representatives from the Adelphi program.
State Senator Addabbo, right, spoke with two representatives from the Adelphi program.

State Senator Joseph Addabbo sat down with two representatives from the Adelphi New York Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program last week to talk about ways to inform the public about breast cancer screenings. They also spoke about the resources available to the public.

The program offers free mammograms, counseling and wellness workshops, among other services. They also celebrate breast cancer survivors.

“Mammograms have been known to save countless lives by leading to early detection of a potentially fatal diagnosis,” Addabbo said. “But it is important to focus not just on the screenings and diagnoses of breast cancer, but on the process of treating it as well.”

“The services that Adelphi offers can change the lives of breast cancer patients and their families by helping them cope with what can be one of the most difficult periods in someone’s life,” he added.

For more information, call the organization’s hotline at 800-877-8077.

 

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Fatherhood initiative hosts workshop on how to cook

Office of Councilman Ruben Wills
Office of Councilman Ruben Wills

Last Thursday at August Martin High School, Furthering Fathering, a nonprofit ministry that promotes fatherhood, hosted a culinary workshop to teach men how to cook low-cost meals.

The organization partnered with the office of Councilman Ruben Wills on the event. Together, they started an initiative called “Healing the 100” to support co-parent families.

Led by retired Army National Guard Neno Morris, the workshop taught the attendees how to cook spaghetti with meat sauce, shop for groceries, search for discount items and review nutrition values on a meal.

Councilman Wills praised the event for teaching men to cook for their families.

“A man should be capable of more than simply providing a living for his family. He should also be able to give them proper nourishment by knowing how to stock his home with nutritious foods, and cook a meal,” Wills said. “Possessing these skills helps to build a man’s confidence, and can be passed onto future generations.”

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Addabbo acts as principal for a day at Gate of Heaven School

State Senator Joseph Addabbo speaks to students at the Gate of Heaven School.
State Senator Joseph Addabbo speaks to students at the Gate of Heaven School.

As part of Catholic Schools Week, State Senator Joseph Addabbo visited Gate of Heaven School in Ozone Park on December 3 and was their principal for a day.

Addabbo, who is a member of the Senate Education Committee, regularly visits schools in his district. During this visit, he spoke with students about getting involved in their communities.

“Not only was it rewarding to experience the life of a principal for a day, but I have a renewed appreciation for the work our teachers and principals do for our children each and every day,” Addabbo said. “Being an educator is one of the most honorable and important jobs out there.”

 

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Man robbed of $2,500 after exiting Resorts World

ResortsWorldCasino
Warning: Do not agree to play a card game with people after winning big at Resorts World Casino. For one man, agreeing to play the con game three-card Monte resulted in the loss of $2,500.

After winning money at Resorts World, the victim left the casino and was approached to play the game by suspect Eddie Vasquez. The 54-year-old and two accomplices had followed the victim to the casino and then followed him out at around 4:15 p.m. After playing and losing an initial $1,000, the victim threatened to call the authorities which prompted the men to give him back the money.

But it didn’t stop there. The men returned the money but then got into the same A train as the victim where they robbed him of the $2,500.

The victim didn’t suffer any injuries and Vasquez was picked up on Jan. 13. He was charged with second-degree robbery, fourth-degree grand larceny, possession of a gambling device and fraudulent accosting. His two accomplices are still at large.

Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS or text TIP577 to ‘CRIMES’ (274637).

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Donate blood at Resorts World Casino on Friday, January 29

Flickr/U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Flickr/U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Resorts World Casino and the American Red Cross are hosting a blood drive Friday from noon to 5 p.m. at the Times Square Casino Level.

The first 50 donors will receive a Wheel of Fortune scratch-off New York Lottery ticket.

Participants must be at least 18 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health.

You can schedule at appointment by visiting redcrossblood.org and entering the sponsor code: RWNYC. Walk-ins are also welcome.

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Police find World War I-era pistol in carry-on bag at JFK Airport

antique23n-1-web A man from NJ was arrested for attempting to bring a working  World War I-era pistol onto a plane at JFK Airport.

Philip S. Saada, 58, of Dear, N.J., put the .35-caliber revolver  in a carry-on bag, and was discovered when the bag passed  through the X-ray machine, Port Authority Police spokesman  Joseph Pentangelo said.

“I didn’t know it was in my bag,” Saada told police.

Saada, who was already on probation after taking a plea last year in a heroin distribution case in New Jersey, was charged with felony possession of a weapon.

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Watch the NFL 2016 Playoffs at Resorts World Casino!

Picture 5Picture 5Come out to Resorts World Casino this weekend to catch the NFL 2016 Playoffs at Bar 360!

Fans will experience the countdown to the big game on our 18″x21″ HDTV screen while cheering on their favorite football team!

Saturday, January 16th

4:35pm – Kansas City Chiefs vs. New England Patriots       8:15pm – Green Bay Packers vs. Arizona Cardinals

Sunday, January 17th

1:05pm – Seattle Seahawks vs. Carolina Panthers               4:40pm – Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Denver Broncos

And of course, all guests can try their hand at Resorts World’s popular electronic video blackjack machines!

Bar 360 is located in Resorts World Casino, 110-00 Rockaway Blvd, Jamaica, NY  11420

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