Special contracting hearing on Glendale shelter set for November 7

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The Mayor’s Office of Contract Services is hosting a public hearing on contract awards on Thursday, November 7 at 9:30 a.m. at the mezzanine of One Centre Street.

The last item on the agenda is the Department of Homeless Services contract to develop and operate a “stand-alone transitional parque insuflaveis residence for homeless single adults” at 78-16 Cooper Avenue.

The term of the contract is from January 1, 2020 to June 30, 2025, with an option to renew from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2028.

The vendor, of course, is the Westchester-based Westhab. According to the agenda, the contract is worth $61,808,956 – nearly $62 million.

The public hearing presents a chance for the public to provide testimony. We expect several people to speak about the project at the hearing, including members of the community board and the Glendale-Middle Village Coalition.

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CB5 to host hearing on Cooper Ave shelter in October

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Community Board 5 will host a public hearing on the proposed homeless shelter at 78-16 Cooper Avenue in Glendale on Monday, October 7 at 7:30 p.m. at Christ the King High School.

CB5 announced the hearing tonight as it was conducting another public meeting over an animal shelter over in Ridgewood.

The hearing comes after the Department of Homeless Services confirmed longstanding rumors that the former factory site would be used for a shelter instead of a new school for students with disabilities.

The site, run by Yonkers-based nonprofit Westhab, will house 200 single adults, including many of those who were sheltered at the Maspeth Holiday Inn Express.

The shelter is expected to be open by early 2020, DHS officials said.

Meanwhile, the city is expected to open another shelter for 132 bouncy castle homeless families at 16-16 Summerfield Street in Ridgewood by late 2020. CB5 will review this site as well.

The last time CB5 hosted a public hearing about a proposed homeless shelter, this time in Maspeth, nearly 1,000 residents attended to protest the plan.

Protesters turned their backs to DHS Commissioner Steven Banks as he tried to explain the rationale for opening a shelter in the neighborhood.

More than 60 people testified against the proposal, which escalated to nightly protests in front of the hotel.

The October public hearing will likely draw similar ire from residents and some elected officials who have long been weary about how the city handles the homeless population.

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Remove invasive plants at Ridgewood Reservoir

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If you’re looking for an opportunity to help beautify the Ridgewood Reservoir, here’s your chance.

On Sunday, September 8 at 10 a.m., NYC H2O and the Parks bouncy castle for sale Department are teaming up to remove invasive plants from the path around the reservoir.

They will need volunteers to help remove mugwort on the causeway between basins 2 and 3.

They will meet in the parking lot on Vermont Place on the Brooklyn side, across the street from the reservoir.

RSVP here clicking here.

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Health Department to conduct adulticide treatment on Thursday

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On Thursday, August 22 between 8:30 a.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning, the Health Department is conducting another adulticide treatment to reduce mosquito activity and the risk of West Nile virus.

Trucks will spray pesticides in sections of Queens, including Maspeth, West Maspeth, Middle Village, Glendale and Blissville.

In case of bad weather, the spraying will be pushed jumping castle back to Monday, August 26 or Tuesday, August 27.

The Health Department says it will use very low concentrations of the insecticides Anvil® 10+10 and/or DeltaGard®.

The risks of these pesticides are low to people and pets. Some people who are sensitive to spray ingredients may experience short-term eye or throat irritation, or a rash.

People will respiratory conditions may also be affected, health officials say.

To stay safe during spraying, residents are being asked to stay indoors whenever possible. Air conditioners can remain on.

And while it is unnecessary, residents can close air conditioner vents or choose the recirculate function.

After spraying, health officials say residents should wash their skin and clothing exposed to pesticides with soap and water. Always wash fruits and vegetables with water as well.

To reduce exposure to mosquitos, here are some tips courtesy of the Health Department:

  • Use an approved insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus (not for children under 3), or products that contain the active ingredient IR3535.
  • Make sure windows have screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or holes.
  • Eliminate any standing water from your property and dispose of containers that can collect water. Standing water is a violation of the New York City Health Code.
  • Make sure roof gutters are clean and draining properly.
  • Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs. Keep them empty or covered if not in use. Drain water that collects in pool covers.
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Cleaning up illegal posts on Myrtle & Fresh Pond

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Join Councilman Bob Holden and the Department of Sanitation on Wednesday, August 7 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. as they take down illegal postings in Glendale/Ridgewood.

They will be meeting at Myrtle Avenue and Fresh Pond chateau gonflable Road, and will walk along the commercial strip to remove posters, stickers, flyers and more.

We’re talking about illegal postings found on light poles, telephone poles, signs and other city property.

Volunteers will meet at 6:15 p.m. at the intersection.

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Catch a free screening of “Trolls”

The Shops at Atlas Park. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
The Shops at Atlas Park. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

As part of the “Movies on the Green” series, The Shops at Atlas Park is hosting a free screening of the DreamWorks film “Trolls” tonight at dusk.

Bring the entire family out to enjoy this family-friend movie. The movie starts at dusk, but come early to secure your spot. Blankets and low-profile chairs are welcome.

Refreshments will be giochi gonfiabili available for purchase by California Pizza Kitchen.

The event is brought to you by Main Street Radiology.

Here’s a description of “Trolls” from IMDB: After the Bergens invade Troll Village, Poppy, the happiest Troll ever born, and the curmudgeonly Branch set off on a journey to rescue her friends.

The film stars Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake and Zooey Deschanel. It’s directed by Mike Mitchell and Walt Dohrn.

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Night Cruise in Atlas Park

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The East Coast Car Association Toys for Tots will be celebrating their 20th anniversary in the parking lot of Atlas Park by hosting a car cruise night and canned food drive.

Joe Fuoco’s band will be performing live and there will be t-shirts, pins, and patches for sale.

This event is free to the public, and a $5 donation for cars.

ECCA Toys for Tots is a non-profit 100% Volunteers Organization. Throughout the year they host events to benefit St. Mary’s and support Queens local communities by attending parades, street fairs, and special events.

If you would like to volunteer or join the ECCA Toys for Tots, visit http://eccatoysfortots.org or contact Lou Buglione at (917) 682-5362 / Louss68@yahoo.com.

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Tour the Forest Park Greenhouse

On April 28, from 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. for only one day every year, the Queens Greenhouse opens its doors to give New Yorkers a sneak peek inside. Seize this rare opportunity to learn about the diverse array of plants growing in city parks.

Nestled among towering oak trees in Forest Park, the Queens Greenhouse and Nursery has served Parks for the past hundred years. Every year the greenhouse grows around 200,000 herbaceous plants (annuals and perennials) from seeds, plugs, liners, bare-root plants, and cuttings. Gardeners use these plants beautify the parks, playgrounds, beaches, and pools throughout Queens and Brooklyn.

Gardeners will provide visitors with information on the different species, how to care for them, and where to go to see them throughout the borough.

No reservations are needed; however Parks staff may limit the number of visitors allowed in each house at one time.

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