Author: David Bonilla

As many Glendale residents may have noticed, a huge Bob’s Discount furniture store has recently opened at the site of the old Woodhaven Lanes.  Will the store become a viable part of Glendale’s commerce and economy – something Atlas Park failed to accomplish – or will it simply inflatable water park exacerbate the already horrendous traffic along Woodhaven and Mertopolitan Boulevards?

From the Glendale Register:

The eyesore that was Woodhaven Lanes is no more – in its place now is a Bob’s Discount Furniture store. On Saturday, the popular furniture company opened the doors of its 40th store, located in Glendale.

“Location, location, location,” said company founder Bob Kaufman, who was also present at the opening of the Flushing store earlier this year. “We’ve been looking in the Queens area for a while, and this was the right opportunity at the right time.”

Kaufman said site selection is jeux gonflables based on criteria including population density and distance from other stores; the former site of the beloved bowling alley fit the bill perfectly.

Read more:Queens Ledger – Bob’s Discount Furniture now open

This is an update of the October 22 post, Substance abuse clinic seeking Ridgewood site.

From the Queens Ledger:

A substance abuse counseling service seeking permission to open a new site in Ridgewood has cleared the latest hurdle for approval.

Community Board Five passed a resolution November 10 approving JNS Counseling Services’ request to open a counseling center at 752 Onderdonk Avenue.jumping castle

The site is home to a vacant medical center.

JNS runs an outpatient program for former substance abusers who require long-term counseling services. The program offers screening, bio-psychosocial assessment, treatment planning and crisis management counseling, among other services.

Read more: Queens Ledger – Proposed Ridgewood counseling center passes CB5

In an effort to alleviate overcrowding in one of New York City’s most congested school districts, a Glendale school may soon be receiving an expansion.

From the Glendale Register:

In School District 24, where the inflatable tent need for elementary school seats continues to outpace an ambitious building program, the city is planning another expansion, this time at I.S. 119 in Glendale.

The Department of Education (DOE) would expand the middle school to K-8 by admitting a class of kindergarten students next year. The school would add a new grade each year through 2016, and reach full student enrollment in 2019.

It is unclear exactly how many seats would be added.

While I.S. 119 has a target capacity of 1,137 seats, it was projected to gonfiabili enroll just 1,054 students this year, according to DOE statistics. The department estimated the school could hit as many as 1,195 seats by 2020.

Read more: Queens Ledger – Expansion in works for I S 119

Governor

Andrew Cuomo

State Comptroller

Thomas DiNapoli

Attorney General

Eric Schneiderman

STATE SENATE RACES

District 10

Shirley Huntley

District 11

Tony Avella

In a major victory for Senate Democrats, former City Councilman Tony Avella beat Republican Senator Frank Padavan in a closely watched race for the 11th State Senate seat.

Avella’s win was a milestone; Padavan has tobogan hinchable represented the district, which includes the neighborhoods of Douglaston, Little Neck, Hollis and Floral Park, among others, since 1973.

He rose to become a top Republican leader in Albany, but was targeted by Senate Democrats in recent years and nearly lost reelection in 2008.

This year Avella was able to convince voters that a change was needed. He ran a tight campaign, and took advantage of high name recognition – his former council district largely overlaps Padavan’s.

For Republicans the defeat represented a major blow.

District 12

Michael Gianaris

Assemblyman Michael Gianaris defeated Republican challenger Patrick Tina in the race to replace Senator George Onorato, who did not seek re-election.

Tina, a Jackson Heights native who recently moved back after nearly a decade out-of-state, campaigned on issues including school choice and the Albany budget crisis. He ultimately proved to be no match for Gianaris, who has worked under state legislators for decades and has authored significant bills of his own during his 10-year career in the State Assembly.

The 12th Senatorial District includes the communities of Astoria, Ditmars, Steinway, Ravenswood, Queensbridge, Long Island City, Dutch Kills, Sunnyside, Woodside and Ridgewood.

District 13

Jose Peralta

District 14

Malcolm Smith

District 15

Joseph Addabbo

Democratic Senator Joseph Addabbo Jr. defeated Republican Anthony Como in one of the state’s most closely watched races, handing a blow to Republicans who inflatable water slide saw the conservative South Queens district as highly winnable.

Addabbo took office in 2008, the first Democrat to represent the 15th Senatorial district, which stretches from Howard Beach to Middle Village- in several decades.

Senate Republicans saw an opportunity to retake the seat and poured money into the race. Despite the help Como, a former city councilman, could not capitalize.

In his first term in office, Addabbo established a reputation for solid constituent services, but caught criticism for his vote against gay marriage.

District 16

Toby Ann Stavisky

via Queens Ledger

Assembly Races:

District 22

Grace Meng

District 23

Audrey Pheffer

Assemblywoman Audrey Pheffer beat Republican challenger Harold Paez in a lopsided contest to represent the 23rd Assembly District, which covers Rockaway Beach, Howard Beach and Ozone Park.

Pheffer has been in Albany since 1987.

Her long track record in the community was enough Inflatable Water Park For Sale to overcome anti-incumbent sentiment in a tough election year for career politicians.

Paez, a doctor and first-time political candidate, ran an efficient campaign on a reform platform, but was outmatched by the veteran lawmaker.

District 24

David Weprin

District 25

Rory Lancman

District 26

Ed Braunstein

Democrat Ed Braunstein defeated Republican Vince Tabone in a tight race for Ann-Margaret Carrozza’ vacant Assembly seat. The 26th assembly district covers the neighborhoods of Whitestone, Bayside and Douglaston, among others.

Braunstein, a former aide to Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, beat several opponents in a heated primary campaign, then carried the momentum into the general election.

Tabone, the vice chairman of the county Republican Party, is a former city officials and longtime civic activist who has made several previous runs for office. Despite support from county Republicans, Tabone failed to make significant inroads with voters.

Carrozza dropped her bid for reelection earlier this year, after facing a residency investigation by the Attorney General’s office and questions over her Albany attendance record.

District 27

Nettie Mayersohn

District 28

Andrew Hevesi

In a tough year for incumbents Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi beat back his Republican challenger Alex Powietrzynski to win re-election in Forest Hills.

Hevesi’s 28th Assembly District also includes Rego Park, Middle Village, and sections of Glendale, Maspeth and Kew Gardens.

Hevesi, a Democrat, took office in a special election in 2005, and was elected to his first full term the following year. As the chairman of the Subcommittee on Renewable Energy, Hevesi is emerging as an important voice on the environment.

Powietrzynski, a 26-year-old lawyer, was born in Poland and raised in Greenpoint before moving to Forest Hills. This was his first run at public office.

District 29

Will Scarborough

District 30

Marge Markey

Assemblywoman Marge Markey won re-election, withstanding a challenge from perennial Republican candidate Anthony Nunziato in a close race marked by ugly political wrangling.

Nunziato relied on the support he’s gained over the years in parts of Maspeth and Middle Village, but his campaign could not muster enough momentum to beat Markey, a Democrat who has represented the 30th Assembly District since 1998.

The district covers Maspeth, Woodside and sections of Long Island City, Astoria, Sunnyside and Middle Village.

District 31

Michelle Titus

District 32

Vivian Cook

District 33

Barbara Clark

District 34

Michael DenDekker

District 35

Jeffrion Aubrey

District 36

Aravella Simotas

District 37

Catherine Nolan

Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan cruised to re-election, easily beating her Republican challenger, the actor John K. Wilson.

Nolan, a Democrat and lifelong Ridgewood resident, has represented the 37th Assembly District since 1984, during which time she has served as the chairperson of the Labor and Education committees.

Wilson, a newcomer to politics who moved to Queens seven years ago, cultivated a base in Sunnyside. But in the end he couldn’t build the necessary name recognition to beat Nolan, who enjoys widespread support throughout the district.

Nolan represents sections of Long Island City, Woodside, Sunnyside, Maspeth and Ridgewood.

District 38

Michael Miller

Assemblyman Michael Miller was re-elected to serve another term in the position he has held since 2009, once again facing off against Republican contender Donna Caltabiano.

Caltabiano’s experience with seniors and education is impressive, but it’s Miller the people want. Since being elected to replace disgraced pol Tony Seminerio in a special election, Miller has become a fixture in the district.

The 38th Assembly District encompasses the neighborhoods of Woodhaven, Ridgewood, Glendale, Richmond Hill and Ozone Park.

District 39

Francisco Moya

via Queens Ledger

by Daniel Bush

Starting in Ridgewood, the YMCA is re-branding its image one branch at a time.

The association, in the midst of a push to update its programs, chose the Ridgewood branch to launch its nationwide improvement effort in New York City.

The Catalpa Avenue facility is scheduled to reopen later this year after a long and costly makeover.

When it does it will be the city’s first YMCA branch to feature the association’s new logo, revamped youth offerings and health conditioning services for members. The city’s other locations will make the transition next summer.

“It’s really a blank slate there,” YMCA spokesperson Kevin Shermach said of the Ridgewood branch, which has been closed during a years-long reconstruction project. “We have a second chance to make a first impression.”

The re-branding effort is about more than the logo, which Inflatable Tent For Sale has been slightly reworked with a new set of color schemes. Shermach said the YMCA will introduce improved supportive services for members seeking healthier lifestyles.

A cornerstone initiative will be Y Personal Fitness, a new, 12-week program that helps people establish a regular exercise schedule. YMCA staff will receive updated training to run the new activities, Shermach added.

The Ridgewood YMCA is in the final stages of a multi-million dollar renovation. The facility has added several thousand square feet of space, a computer lab, teen center, state-of-the-art health and wellness center and a renovated gym, among other improvements.

Jack Lund, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater New York, said the branch offers the community a sneak peek into the association’s future.

“While we have been serving the Ridgewood and Glendale communities for decades,” Lund said in a newsletter, “the reconstruction and renewal of this building gives us a blank slate to reaffirm our commitment to the kids, adults and families here, while fine-tuning some of the strategies we’ll implement in all of our Y’s late next summer.”

via Queens Ledger

Assemblyman Mike Miller was presented with the Glendale Civic Association’s first Unsung Hero Award for his selfless and immediate response in the aftermath of September 16^th’s tornado, which tore through Brooklyn and Queens, severely battering Glendale along the way. 

“Mike was one of the first people out there after the storm, clearing streets and redirecting traffic,” said the Association’s President Kathy Masi.  “He really deserves this.”

Masi learned of Miller’s actions from local kids who were Toddler Bounce House For Sale out after the storm, helping with the cleanup efforts.  They reported seeing a man named Mike a few times throughout the neighborhood, working alongside others to clear the streets and redirect traffic.

“A few kids from the neighborhood were helping out in the streets and they told me about a man named Mike who was working with them,” said Masi.  “I didn’t realize at first that they actually meant Mike Miller.  He helped out and didn’t say a word because he didn’t need the recognition.”

To commemorate the event Miller was presented with a plaque, inscribed with the date and description of his actions, by Ariana Kelpack, the college student who relayed the story to Masi.

“This is what makes our community great, people help each other out,” said Kelpack.

Miller, who was unaware that he’d be receiving an award, thanked all those who were out after the storm, helping the community.

“That night was a tough night,” said Miller.  “But people were out in the streets, helping each other.  We came together and got to work in a crisis.”

The co-chairs of Civics United for Railroad Environmental Solutions (CURES) presented the headline-grabbing list to draw attention to the impacts of railroads on neighborhoods like Glendale, Middle Village and Maspeth.

The list was unveiled as federal officials and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey prepare an Environmental Impact Statement on ways to improve freight transportation across New York Harbor.

Perhaps the most prominent option being discussed is the so-called Cross Harbor Freight Tunnel, a controversial project that would increase freight movement through Western Queens.

CURES co-chair Laura Zimmer said the meeting proved alternatives exist.

The planning session “dispelled the idea that this study Inflatable Games For Sale is strictly looking at the Cross Harbor rail tunnel project,” Zimmer said. “They are looking at various alternatives for moving freight.”

The Dirty Dozen list called for sustainable solutions to freight transport to lessen the environmental impact on residents living near rail lines, who must deal with noise and air pollution.

“Problems created by current freight rail/solid waste transport operations already are at intolerable levels in our communities,” fact number three read.

“Queens is being treated as a dumping ground for regional environmental, transportation, and solid waste burdens,” the fact-sheet concluded. “This is an unjust and short-sighted way to deal with serious, long-term public health and economic development issues.”

Transportation companies like New York & Atlantic Railway, which operates a major rail terminal in Glendale, have disputed CURES’ claims that their operations cause serious pollution, and down-played concerns over noise and noxious smells from waste containers.

Despite this, elected officials from Maspeth to Ridgewood have backed the civic group, which was formed last year and has established an effective bully pulpit for rail issues in the area.

The first phase, or tier, of the Environmental Impact Study will identify potential modes of transportation for the Cross Harbor freight program. The second phase will consist of a detailed plan and cost benefit analysis.

Various civilian volunteer groups were presented with certificates of appreciation by Community Board 5 for their timely and effective response to the tornado that tore through Queens last month.

The Glendale Volunteer Ambulance Corps (GVAC), the Glendale Civilian Observation Patrol (GCOP) the 104th Precinct Civilian Observation Patrol (104-COP) and Community District 5’s CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) were all honored.

“These groups were out there after the storm on [September] 16th directing traffic and keeping order,” said CB5 District Manager Gary Giardano. “We appreciate the work they have done for their communities.”

Volunteers burst into action shortly after the storm struck Commercial Inflatable Obstacle Course For Sale last month to restore order and assess damages. Working alongside each other, they managed to redirect traffic at major intersections, clear major roads, and even assisted in the cleanup efforts.

Although damages were substantial, the cleanup took an admirably short amount of time, said Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi, who presented the awards.

“The cleanup would have taken a lot longer without the help of these volunteer groups,” said Hevesi. “They deserve recognition for their heroism.”

A substance abuse treatment clinic has set plans in motion to open a center in Ridgewood.

Representatives of JNS Counseling Services, a medically supervised outpatient chemical dependency program, presented a proposal for a substance abuse counseling site in Ridgewood at a Community Board 5 meeting, hoping to gain approval from the board’s Health Committee.

The counseling center would be located at 752 Onderdonk Avenue, currently a vacant medical center, and would meet one of Ridgewood’s larger needs.

“Forest Hills has two counseling centers, Kew Gardens has two as well, but Ridgewood doesn’t have any,” said Ertuania Jorge, program director for JNS. “This community needs a counseling center to help its residents with chemical dependency issues.”

JNS Counseling Services was founded three years ago by Dr. Susan Levit in Midwood. Last year, the program was recognized for providing outstanding services by the state Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services.

Currently, the program offers comprehensive screening, Inflatable Water Slides For Sale bio-psychosocial assessment, treatment planning, a DWI program, crisis management and various other services, including Credential Alcohol Counseling Services classes to train people to be counselors.

“Many people that undergo treatment eventually go to our school and then become counselors,” said Levit. “These people are the best examples of the work our program does.”

Although JNS is a substance abuse counseling service, it does not help patients who have fully succumbed to addiction said Jorge; those patients are better served by hospitals and rehabilitation centers. Instead, the program offers counseling to individuals who are becoming addicted and would like to attack the problem before it gets worse.

According to Jorge, the program’s most prominent treatment method consists of individual or group counseling sessions, all confidential and offered in a variety of languages, including Spanish, Polish, Russian, Farsi and Ukranian.

“All services will be highly confidential. We want people in the community to be confident in us,” said Jorge. “We will also accept all insurance providers and will have a Medicare official present at the office to help the uninsured. We will not turn anyone away because they do not have insurance.”

If the center opens in Ridgewood, there would be ample room for 50 to 100 patients a day, said Jorge, adding that it would be completely funded by JNS.

While most patients at the program’s Brooklyn office are referred by doctors, the Administration for Children’s Services and the police, JNS officials are planning a door-to-door advertising campaign in Ridgewood to spread the word about their services.

“We will be knocking on doors,” said Jorge. “We will go to churches, hospitals and we want to go to schools so we can prevent abuse from a young age.”

Response from CB5 has been positive, although the Health Committee will not formally review the proposal until November 3.

“There is a significant lack of counseling in this area compared to the number of people who have problems with drugs and alcohol and need treatment,” said CB5 District Manager Gary Giardano. “Alcoholism is especially prevalent, so a counseling center seems like a good idea.”