The Aqueduct Blog

January 1, 2020December 30, 2019

“Punjab Way” and “Gurdwara Street” coming to Richmond Hill

Two thoroughfares in Richmond Hill are being co-named next year to pay homage to the neighborhood’s growing Sikh and Punjabi communities. Councilwoman Adrienne Adams announced last week that 101st Avenue between 111th Street and 123rd Street will be renamed “Punjab Way.” Punjab is the region in India where Sikhism originated. In addition, the two-block stretch on 97th Avenue from Lefferts Boulevard to 117th Street will also be known as “Gurdwara Street.” A gurdwara is a Sikh place of worship. We have a beautiful multicultural mosaic not only in my district but the city as a whole and believe that it should be celebrated,” Adams said. “It is important that diverse communities see themselves and their varying cultures represented in the landscape.” According to Annetta Seecharran, executive director of Chhaya CDC, Punjabi and Sikh communities have been part of Richmond Hill for over half a century. “From construction sites and yellow cabs, to hospitals and our government, Punjabis and Sikhs help run this city, and are part of its fabric,” she said. “We are excited to see that our community is finally being represented for its contributions.”

December 30, 2019

6th annual Southeast Queens Winterfest and Toy Giveaway

Last week at Roy Wilkins Park Recreation Center, Councilman I. Daneek Miller and local elected officials hosted the 6th annual Southeast Queens Winterfest and Toy Giveaway.

The celebration features a slew of free activities for local children, including bouncy houses, face painting, arts and crafts and more.

Ballroom Basix, a group funded by Miller, performerd with students in the program from PS 147 and PS/IS 268.

Following the event, organizers distributed hundreds of toys to local children.

“The holidays are about giving back, and it gives us no greater pleasure than to see the smiles on the faces of little ones each year,” Miller said.

December 17, 2019

Weprin hosts holiday toy drive in his district

This morning, Assemblyman David Weprin joined the MS 172 school community in Glen Oaks to donate toys during his annual toy drive.

The collection was in honor of Jason Mark Weinstein, the son of Queens Supreme Court Administrative Judge Jeremy Weinstein. It’s the fifth year Weprin is teaming up for MS 172 for the event.

The toys will benefit the children of Heartshare Human Services of New York, as well as other children’s programs in Richmond Hill.

All donations must be received by December 20. They can be dropped off at Weprin’s district offices in Fresh Meadows (185-06 Union Turnpike) or Richmond Hill (111-12 Atlantic Avenue).

The toy drive is accepting new or gently-used unwrapped toys, books or games suitable for kids under 12 years old.

December 10, 2019

City Council to host hearing on South Ozone Park flooding

Mayor Bill de Blasio visits the home of a Queens resident affected by this weekends sewage blockage in South Ozone Park, Queens on Monday, December 2, 2019. Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

On Wednesday morning, the City Council’s Committee on Environmental Protection will hold an oversight hearing on the causes and response to the flooding in South Ozone Park.

Nearly 100 homes were damaged by backed-up sewage that spewed into basements, displacing hundreds of residents.

City officials initially blamed the sewage incident on residents, alleging that they poured massive amounts of grease down the drain.

The city then walked back their comments.

The committee hearing starts at 10 a.m. inside the Council Chambers at City Hall.

December 4, 2019

Ozone Park tree lighting set for this Saturday

The Ozone Park Residents Block Association will celebrate its second annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Saturday, December 7. The event is in conjunction with the Ozone Park Kiwanis, the Southwest Queens Rotary, the Living Word Church, Tibbs Construction, State Senator Joe Addabbo, Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato and Assemblyman Mike Miller. Festivities will begin at 6 p.m. at Living World Christian Fellowship Church (132-05 Crossbay Blvd). This will be Ozone Park’s biggest lighting event to date, complete with shows from local dance troupes, pictures with Santa, toys, free hot dogs, pretzels, hot chocolate and other surprises. The Christmas tree will be lit around 7-7:15 p.m.

November 26, 2019November 26, 2019

Frank M. Charles Memorial Park is renovated

A beloved park in Old Howard Beach has recently completed a much-needed renovation project.

The entrance, central pathway and handball court at Frank M. Charles Memorial Park have all been redone, thanks to funding from Councilman Eric Ulrich in partnership with the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy (JBRPC), the Charles Park Conservation Society, Wildcat and National Park Service.

The councilman allocated $45,000 for a number of improvements at the park. Work began this summer with the removal of 15,000 square feet of turf along the park’s central pathway.

The space was transformed into a landscape with 9,000 new plantings, including new perennials.

Two patios were installed near the entrance of the park to allow better access to pollinator gardens.

The basketball courts also received new nets, and the handball court was rehabilitated and painted.

More improvements are expected in the spring as part of the multi-phase project. Expect more plantings, beautification of the former horseshoe court and infrastructure improvements to plumbing systems.

November 19, 2019

Ulrich to host 2nd annual Thanksgiving Day Dinner

Councilman Eric Ulrich is hosting his second annual Thanksgiving Day dinner on Thursday, November 28 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Villa Russo, located at 101-12 Lefferts Boulevard.

The free event is held under this mantra: No one should be alone on Thanksgiving.

The councilman started the tradition last Thanksgiving after hearing from several residents who had nowhere to go on that day. More than 60 constituents joined Ulrich last year for dinner at Arabella’s Castle in Ozone Park.

“While the holidays are usually happy occasions for many of us, they can be sad or lonely days for others,” he says. “There are people in our community who suffer from depression, or have nowhere to go on Thursday. I want them to spend Thanksgiving with me.”

Ulrich, who is anticipating a large turnout, picked Villa Russo for this year’s dinner. The venue’s owners generously provided the space at no cost.

Additionally, several local businesses pledged to donate catered food for the event.

The event will provide transportation for seniors and people with disabilities upon request by calling Ulrich’s office no later than Tuesday, November 26.

Volunteers are needed for the day of to help with transportation, setting up and cleaning the venue.

To volunteer, contact Marjorie Coello at 718-738-1084 or at mcoello@council.nyc.gov.

RSVP is strongly encouraged for the dinner.

November 12, 2019

Resorts World celebrates eight years in Queens

On October 28, Resorts World Casino NYC held its 8th Annual Anniversary Drawing to mark the opening of the casino in 2011.

All RWC NYC members were awarded one free entry into the drawing, with guests who earned 88 points on any day between October 1st and October 28h earning an additional entry.

Eight winners were announced at Bar 360, winning between $1,000 and $50,000. The drawings totaled $88,000.

“Resorts World Casino New York City is proud to provide an unparalleled gaming and entertainment experience in Queens,” said Michelle Stoddart, director of PR and community development.

“As we stand eight years strong, we are very grateful to have guests who have been gaming with us since the very beginning.”

November 5, 2019

Resorts World Casino leads Queens Chamber’s new committee

Resorts World Casino has taken an even more active role within the Queens Chamber of Commerce.

Michelle Stoddart, RWC’s director of public relations and community relations, is the founding co-chair of the chamber’s newest member committee: Arts and Entertainment.

Along with Jayson Simba from Festival of Cinema NYC, Stoddart will lead the committee whose goal is to make Queens the premiere destination for arts and entertainment in the city.

Other members of the committee include the Queens World Film Festival and the New York Mets.

Stay tuned to learn more about the chamber’s Arts and Entertainment Committee, and how you can get involved to promote the most diverse borough in New York City.

October 29, 2019

South Ozone Park Library celebrates reopening

On Friday, the South Ozone Park branch of Queens Public Library reopened for the community.

The library was closed for a $579,000 roof replacement project.

Councilwoman Adrienne Adams joined Queens Public Library CEO and President Dennis Walcott for a special story time with local students, as well as free giveawas.

“Public libraries are community spaces where residents of all ages can expand their horizons,” Adams says. “The community has eagerly anticipated the reopening of the South Ozone Park Library and I could think of no better way to celebrate than sitting down with local youths for storytime.”