Libraries have often been considered temples of knowledge. But for the last several years, a public library in Richmond Hill was looking a bit more like an ancient ruin.
But thanks to the efforts of Councilmen Ruben Wills and Eric Ulrich, a renovation project will help to keep the Richmond Hill Library open by replacing its crumbling roof.
The Courier/Photos by Salvatore Licata
“I am a true believer in education and know how important it is to have a place for our children and adults to come and learn,” said Wills, who has allocated over $1 million to libraries in his district since he took office.
The Richmond Hill branch of the Queens Library, located at 103-34 Lefferts Blvd., was the recipient of an $885,000 roof makeover as cracks and leaks have plagued the location for quite some time. The city’s Department of Design and Construction (DDC) did the construction.
The library hosts all types of activates for children and adults that would not be possible without a roof.
“Getting the roof was just so important to us,” said David Booker, the community library manager. “This isn’t only a place for education but a place for people to come and feel safe when learning.”
Booker said the library branch hosts homework help sessions, computer classes, science projects and arts and crafts, among its many other amenities. It has a separate computer kiosk section and back room closed off from the rest of the library for classes.
Assemblyman David Weprin, who is also a staunch advocate of the Queens Library system, said he was happy to see the city’s money go toward such a crucial project. He described the diversity that he saw in the room and said it showed the true strength of Queens.
“I’ve been very involved with funding in what I think is the best library system in the country, if not the world,” Weprin said. “The diversity of Richmond Hill is present in here and our strength is in that diversity.”
Want to augment the applause when you wind up your talk at the Rotary Club? Or make your talk on the web sound like it was riotously appreciated by an audience at Carnegie Hall?
Here’s a searchable place that allows you to search the web for just about any sound you can think of – including, of course, tumultuous applause. Need the roar of a tiger or lion? How about an accordion or xylophone (no bag pipes)? You could try a cash register and top that off with a pencil sharpener, teletype or typewriter.
The sounds in these audio files may be subject to copyright, however the people who serve these up claim that they remove any copyrighted files at the request of the copyright holder.
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The list is almost endless. All you need to do is explore the lists and use your imagination.
The Year of the Sheep will be celebrated without a hitch in Queens next month.
Noonan, Jeanne Freelance NYDN/Noonan, Jeanne Freelance NYDN Thousands of people come out every year to watch the popular and colorful Lunar New Year Parade in Flushing. This year the MTA will suspend repair work on the 7 line so people can more easily take the subway to Queens for the celebration.
The MTA has agreed to suspend repair work along the 7 line for two weekends in February so it will be easier for people to shop for the Lunar New Year holiday and attend the parade in Flushing, officials said.
State Sen. Toby Stavisky said this is the first year the 7 line will run two full weekends during the season. The downtown Flushing area is a destination for Asian food, goods and cultural institutions.
“They’re sending a message that keeping this line open without interruption for this holiday is just as important as transporting fans to a Mets game or the U.S. Open,” she said. Track work will be suspended throughout the weekends of Feb. 14 and Feb. 21.
Noonan, Jeanne Freelance NYDN/Noonan, Jeanne Freelance NYDN The Lunar New Year holiday is important for merchants in Flushing who depend on shoppers. The area is festooned with red laterns and other decorations.
“Families and friends can come together and celebrate without having to worry how they will get to their destination,” said City Councilman Peter Koo. “And our local small businesses, many who rely on the holiday to boost sales, won’t lose customers due to any service disruptions.”
Here’s a place where you can do reverse phone number lookups – plus a lot more. It’s a good resource for looking up information about area codes and phone numbers.
The reverse phone lookup allows you to see the name and address of phone numbers listed in the white pages of phone books throughout the US. For unlisted or cell phone numbers, they provide a convenient price comparison of popular services that allow you to search deeper for the owner of a phone number.
You can also use an area code lookup. This makes it easy to find an area code by number and gives detailed information including city/state along with time zone and area code maps. If you are looking for the area code for a particular city, you can search area codes by city using the area code finder.
For international numbers, they also include Canadian area codes and you can access a list of international dialing codes with instructions on how to dial foreign numbers or dial U.S./Canadian number while traveling internationally.
Attend a screening at the Museum of the Moving Image, experience opera in a new way, celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day and do more at these events in Queens.
SATURDAY, JAN. 17
Peter Aaron/Esto. Courtesy of Museum of Moving Image Anne Hathaway will attend a screening of her movie, “Song One,” at the Museum of the Moving Image, with director Kate Barker-Froyland on Jan. 21.
The QNS Collective is hosting “We Will Be Here,” an exhibition of photographs by Salvador Espinoza. The images take a look at how the rapid development of Dutch Kills is changing the neighborhood. 7 to 10 p.m. Free. 36-27 36th St., 2nd Floor. For more details, email hello@qnscollective.com
As part of their First Look Festival, the Museum of the Moving Image is screening “I for Iran (I Comme Iran).” The film tells the story of post-revolution Iran through the eyes of a Belgian filmmaker of Iranian descent, as she learns to read and write in Persian. Director Sanaz Irani will be present at the screening. Tickets: $12/free for members at Film Lover Level and above. Book your tickets online at www.movingimage.us. 4:30 p.m. 36-01 35th Ave.
Forget the cold weather for one night and take a trip outdoors. This time of the year is perfect to go stargazing. Look up and you may just be able to see the Winter Triangle, Sirius, Orion, the Big Dipper and the North Star. Astronomer Mark Freilich will guide you at the Alley Pond Environmental Center from 7 to 9 p.m. $15. 228-06 Northern Blvd. Call 718-229-4000 for more details.
SUNDAY, JAN. 18
An exhibition about urban renewal plans adopted in New York City is ongoing at the Queens Museum. These plans transformed the city and affected millions of New Yorkers. 596 Acres, an organization that works for community land access, will present three panel discussions on urban renewal at the museum from noon to 6 p.m. They will cover topics such as the law of eminent domain, affordable housing and the struggle for Cooper Square. RSVP is required; visit the Events page at queensmuseum.org to register. Call the museum at 718-592-9700 for more information. New York City Building at Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
On the eve of MLK Day, children between the ages of 5 and 12 can learn book making and honor change makers with the Polit-Sheer-Form-Office exhibit at the Queens Museum’s Drop-In Family Workshop. Children with special needs are welcome. Free. Registration not required. 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Call the museum at 718-592-9700 for more information. New York City Building in Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
Ever wondered what an opera would be like if it is sung in English but the lyrics are set to music by the Japanese string instrument, the koto? Visit the Flushing Town Hall to experience this fusion magic with Beloved Prey, an opera about a mother antelope whose baby has been adopted by a lioness and how she has to fight to get it back. Besides the opera, the concert also features Moon Princess song Cycle, a performance about a moon princess who has to leave her adoptive parents on Earth behind when the people of the moon come to take her back. Free. 2 p.m. 137-35 Northern Blvd.
Take some time to stand and stare. The exhibition “An Aesthetics of Slowness” opens at the Dorsky Gallery from 2 to 5 p.m. It features art around the theme of “uncertainty of physical experiences and perceptions,” according to the gallery. Pencil drawings, photograms, photographs, paintings and installations convey the point. Free. 11-03 45th Ave. Call 718-937-6317 for more details.
The Kupferberg Center for the Arts is hosting the Dance Theatre of Harlem for its inaugural Martin Luther King Celebration at the Colden Auditorium. The 44-year-old theatre comprises dancers from diverse racial backgrounds who take classical and neoclassical ballet and give it a contemporary twist. Rev. Floyd Flake will give the keynote address. Tickets: $35. 4 to 5:30 p.m. 65-30 Kissena Blvd. Call the box office at 718-793-8080.
The Queens World Film Festival 2015 will run from March 17 to 22 this year. It’s kicking off with a party at Monika’s Cafe Bar in Astoria from 6 p.m. There will be networking and happy hour all night. Meet the team behind the festival. 3290 36th St.
MONDAY, JAN. 19
It’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Honor the memory of this change maker by volunteering at Roy Wilkins Recreation Center. The NYC Parks and Partnership for Parks are organizing projects to spruce up the center. Projects include painting and other indoor activities. Preregistration is required due to limited space. Visit http://www.nycgovparks.org/reg/mlk-day-of-service/544 to register. Volunteers have to be more than 14 years old. 177th St. and Baisley Blvd. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free. Call 718-276-8686 for more details.
Volunteers are invited to join Natural Areas Volunteers (NAV) at Idlewild Park in removing floatable debris left behind by Hurricane Sandy. You’ll learn about cleanup techniques while helping to protect the wetlands of the park. Remember to wear sturdy boots or shoes and dress warmly in clothing you wouldn’t mind getting dirty. This event is meant for adults and teenagers of high school age and above. Space is limited so preregistration is required. Call 212-360-3318 or email nav@parks.nyc.gov to register. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free. 230th Place and 149th Ave.
The Oratorio Society of Queens is holding auditions for its spring performance of Hadyn’s “Missa in Angustiis,” also known as Lord Nelson Mass. Auditions begin at 7 p.m. at the FSG Hall at Temple Beth Sholom and will be conducted under the direction of Maestro David Close. Those who pass the audition will start rehearsals immediately, from 7:45 p.m. The OSQ rehearses every Monday from 7:45 to 10 p.m. at the same venue. Call 718-279-3006 to reserve your spot in the auditions.
TUESDAY, JAN. 20
The Queens Botanical Garden’s Art in the Garden series will now showcase the works of Paul Lin. The artist combines natural materials with traditional craft techniques to create beautiful landscapes and portraits. 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Free with garden admission: $4 adults/$3 seniors/$2 students with ID and children over 3 years old. Call 718-886-3800 or email rforlenza@queensbotanical.org for more details.
Photographer Jack Bradley’s longtime friendship with Louis Armstrong gave him access that made it possible for him to create beautiful images of the legendary musician’s private life. Those images are now on display for the public at the Louis Armstrong House Museum’s new exhibit, “To Jack Bradley, the ‘Greatest’ Photo Taker.” Also on display are some of the artifacts associated with Armstrong that Bradley collected over the years. Visitors can see a Giardineli trumpet mouthpiece that Armstrong gifted Bradley, a rare recording Armstrong autographed and photos of the musician on the road and at home. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets: $10 adults/$7 seniors (65 years and older), children above the age of 4 and students. 34-56 107th St.
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 21
If your New Year’s resolution is to give back to your community, then visit the Voelker Orth Museum and attend their Volunteer Open House. This nonprofit organization has several opportunities for volunteers to use their talents in gardening, research, event management and marketing, among others. Learn about these opportunities while sipping a cup of tea in a house that’s more than 100 years old. To RSVP, call 718-359-6227 or email info@vomuseum.org. 11 a.m. 149-19 38th Ave.
Anne Hathaway will attend a screening of her movie, “Song One,” at the Museum of the Moving Image, with director Kate Barker-Froyland. “Song One” is a romantic drama that tells the story of Franny (Hathaway) and her musical journey against the backdrop of Brooklyn’s indie music culture. The film premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival. 7 p.m. Tickets: $25/$15 members at Film Lover, Dual and Family levels/free for Silver Screen members and above. Visit www.movingimage.us to order tickets. 36-01 35th Ave.
THURSDAY, JAN. 22
When a picture speaks a thousand words, what better way to tell a story than with photos? Get introduced to cameras and learn the basics about still photography. Participants will be taught about apertures, shutter speeds and other settings that can be used to create interesting images. Queens Library at Lefrak City. 4 to 5 p.m. Preregistration required; register by calling 718-592-7677 or visiting 98-30 57th Avenue.
Learn more about the life of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Queens Library’s branch in Baisley Park. Urban Stages is presenting “The Gates of Equality,” a drama that ties MLK’s speeches and press conferences with a fictional narrative. 5 to 6 p.m. Registration not required. 117-11 Sutphin Blvd.
The Queens Library in Laurelton is hosting a screening of the documentary “Muhammed Ali: When We Were Kings” (1996; rated PG) from 6 to 7:45 p.m. The documentary looks at Ali’s match with George Foreman in 1974 in Zaire, and includes commentary by legends such as B.B. King and Spike Lee. Registration not required. 134-26 225 St.
How would you like to get an e-mail or text message 5 seconds after you or someone else uses your credit card showing how much was paid and to whom? This little service will give you some comfort and will always remind you when auto-pay accounts are activated.
The folks from Visa offer this neat service but it’s not just for Visa credit card holders – it works with most major debit and credit cards.
And like the TV commercials shout out, “That’s not all.” There are lots of other bells and whistles that come with this service – like an online payment service that lets you check out when ordering online by simply entering your username and password. They provide an easy and efficient way to manage your online shopping experience with a single account that you can use with any merchant that accepts their service.
As the city revs up plans to create express bus service between Jamaica and Flushing, residents and local politicians are throwing up speed bumps and roadblocks against the initiative.
“All they’re doing is shifting the burden of heavy traffic from one group of people to another,” Councilman Rory Lancman said. “And I can’t support anything like that.”
Photo courtesy of the Department of Transportation The Bx41 in the Bronx has saved passengers 19 to 23 percent in travel time since becoming a Select Bus Service.
Across New York City there are several express lines that aim to cut down bus travel times by devoting a lane exclusively to express service, or Select Bus Service (SBS). But creating an exclusive bus lane means there is one less lane for regular traffic, a point that is a deal breaker for Lancman.
In a letter written by Lancman and Assemblyman Michael Simanowitz, the officials explain why they oppose the express bus lane to the Department of Transportation and the MTA. The Kew Gardens Hills Civic Association also signed onto the letter.
“No one can tell us exactly what the plan is, and that’s part of the problem,” said Jennifer Martin, co-president of the civic association. “If they’re going to reduce a busy thoroughfare to one lane, that’s going to create a tremendous backup. There has to be a better option.”
In Queens, the city has been slowly moving toward creating SBS along Woodhaven Boulevard. And the same might be happening to northern parts of Queens and Jamaica. The city will be holding a community workshop on Jan. 22 in Townsend Harris High School to engage with communities that would be affected by the bus plans.
But Lancman and others are not buying the city’s claims that express buses decrease traffic for everybody.
“We are opposed to removing any lane of traffic or parking in our district,” said Lancman, whose district covers Pomonok, Hillcrest and Utopia, which includes parts of Parsons Boulevard and Kissena Boulevard, two of the city’s candidates for the bus lines.
City officials originally met with residents in October 2014 at York College to get the community’s input on several proposed paths.
The DOT is considering two routes between the neighborhoods for SBS. The first would travel along Main Street where the Q44 and Q20A/B run. The second route under consideration is Parsons and Kissena boulevards, currently serviced by the Q25 and Q34.
Advocacy groups argue that adding SBS between Jamaica and Flushing would reduce traffic for all drivers, not just buses.
“By reducing congestion, speeding up travel times, and making busy avenues safer, BRT [Bus Rapid Transit] is a win-win for riders, drivers, pedestrians and cyclists alike,” said a spokeswoman for the advocacy group BRT for NYC. “The continued growth of Jamaica and Flushing – two of the borough’s most significant downtowns – depends on the type of improved transit access that provides.”
In addition to dedicated lanes, the express bus service includes other features to speed up service. Passengers would pay their fare at sidewalk kiosks before the bus arrives to reduce boarding times.
“The bus trips are long and slow,” a spokesman for the Department of Transportation said. “And with Select Bus Service we think there’s a solution to improve things.”
When you write a letter, an e-mail or a business memo, is it easy to read – or do folks need a PhD. to muddle through a polysyllabic jumble of confused hyperbole? (See!)
This great place allows you to paste in a sample of your writing and receive an instant “Readability Index” rating. The lower the score the more difficult the words are to easily comprehend.
Here’s the range:
90.0-100.0 Easily understood by an average 11-year-old student
60.0-70.0 Easily understood by 13- to 15-year-old students
0.0-30.0 Best understood by university graduates
For example: Reader’s Digest magazine has a readability index of about 65, Time magazine scores about 52 and the Harvard Law Review has a general readability score in the low 30s.
You can go there and try it out with a paragraph from your upcoming great American novel. If it scores 92 you should have a huge audience – tough reviews – but a big audience!
Keep calm and look up, Sunnyside. That’s the message behind one artist’s new interactive project hitting the skies of the western Queens neighborhood.
The organization 14×48 revealed its latest public art project with Brooklyn artist Margeaux Walter on Tuesday on a billboard located on Greenpoint Avenue between 45th and 46th streets.
The project, “Keep Calm Billboard,” features a collection of different uses of the slogan “Keep Calm and Carry On” covered all over the vacant space and will be up for a minimum of four weeks.
Walter decided to use the slogan in reference to advertising and consumer culture. The slogan originated in the British Stationary Office during World War II and was created as war propaganda but never distributed.
She added that she was given several options for locations, but chose Sunnyside because it is close to where she lives and a community she frequently visits.
“The slogan is not one that fits into a specific class or ethnicity of people, but rather is universally recognized and used,” Walter said. “I wanted the billboard to be in a neighborhood that was both multicultural, and also in a commercial and heavily trafficked pedestrian area.”
Walter is also inviting people to tweet their own “Keep Calm” message with the hashtag #keepcalm14x48. The tweets will then be made into postcards and distributed along Greenpoint Avenue and at Ave Coffee House, located at 45-01 Greenpoint Ave.
“My hopes is that people will tweet their messages, and then grab a postcard from another community member, turning this advertising slogan into a personalized message,” Walter said. “In turn the voices of community members will be a form of advertising campaign, one that is actually about the individual and not the consumer.”
This installation is 14×48’s seventh project in the city. The organization repurposes vacant billboards as public art space in order to open the door for emerging artists to have more opportunities in public art and to brighten the urban environment.
I’m sure that, if you ask 10 people how to find out if your computer system is 32 or 64 bit, you’ll get six different responses: Yes. No. Three “I don’t knows” and one “Who cares”.
The terms 32-bit and 64-bit refer to the way a computer’s processor (CPU), handles information. The 64-bit version of Windows handles large amounts of random access memory (RAM) more effectively than a 32-bit system making the system faster.
If you’re running Windows 7 you can get the answer by simply pressing the Windows and Pause keyboard keys at the same time — Shazam. There before your eyes is all of the basic information about your system – including the answer to this stumper.
Booker said the library branch hosts homework help sessions, computer classes, science projects and arts and crafts, among its many other amenities. It has a separate computer kiosk section and back room closed off from the rest of the library for classes.
Harvey Heit Real Estate Residential and Commercial Blog 