By Barbara Morris
It’s hard to believe that 2003 is racing away from us. I always like to plan ahead, but August crept up and is already being pushed by September.
Since there are a lot of important events planned on the calendar, with more probably to come, I thought you might like to know the following: Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Liberty Park will be Councilman Leroy Comrie’s (D-St. Albans) Annual Family Day, in association with the city Department of Parks and Recreation and the Southern Queens Park Association.
Two other such events were held at St. Albans Park on July 19 and at Wayanda Park on Aug. 9. Don’t miss this one. There will be games, carnival rides, food, live entertainment, information tables and much more. Access to community services such as the U.S. Postal Service, Department of Transportation, health care providers and many others will be provided. This event is free and open to the community.
The next event, Hands Across Jamaica, presented by Keep Our Streets Safe Inc., is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 23, at 11 a.m. on Liberty Avenue and Merrick Boulevard. This was planned well in advance of the assassination of former Councilman James Davis, and I hope that dreadful incident will inspire more people to realize it is well beyond the time to stop the violence.
If you have been the victim of violence, or if a family member, friend or neighbor has been killed in a violent manner, please contact state Sen. Malcolm Smith (D-St. Albans), at 172-12 Linden Blvd., St. Albans, NY 11431. You also can reach him at 718-291-9097 or via fax at 718-291-9398.
Contact the K.O.S.S. Organization at P.O. Box 311305, Jamaica, NY 11431. K.O.S.S. also can be reached at 718-219-0460 or via fax at 718-298-5988 so you can take part in this procession and be recognized at this event. Hands Across Jamaica is being sponsored by Meeks, Smith, Assemblyman William Scarborough (D-St. Albans), Comrie, Sugar’s Prestigious Enterprise Inc. and the NAACP Jamaica Branch.
The next event will be Thursday, Aug. 28, from noon to 8 p.m. U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-St. Albans) and the Black American Heritage Foundation will commemorate the 40th anniversary of the March on Washington at York College’s Performing Arts Center with a free celebration for all of Queens.
There will be a “Remembering the March on Washington” exhibit, a four-part oral history and musical salute to each of the great eight states that prompted the march, namely Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina. Prearranged interviews on personal reflections of the march and the events that led up to it will be presented.
There also will be video presentations of the march and refreshments. For more information, contact the Black American Heritage Foundation at York College at 718-262-2636 or via fax at 718-262-5220 or Meeks’ office at 718-949-5600 or via fax at 718-949-5972.
Next on the list is the Flea Market and Food Court at Christ Lutheran Church, 248th Street and Francis Lewis Boulevard in Rosedale, 718-525-6884. The flea market will be Saturday, Sept. 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine. Come one, come all.
“Some things old, some things new — things that may suit only you.” Start gathering treasures to donate now. All donations may be dropped off at the church from Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. or after church services on Sunday. For special drop-off arrangements or arrangements for furniture drop-off, please call Paul Mader at 718-978-4735. Please, no broken items.
Sunday, Sept. 21, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. will be the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary flea market on the lawn at the American Legion hall at 135th Avenue and Brookville Boulevard in Rosedale. To rent a table with two chairs for $10, please call Helen at 718-528-0827 or Wanda at 718-528-0570.
On Sunday, Oct. 5, at 2 p.m. at the American Legion Hall, 135th Avenue and Brookville Boulevard in Rosedale, the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary will present a Chinese luncheon and card party. The cost is $10 per person. Please call Helen at 718-528-O827 or Wanda at 718-528-0570 for menu selection.
All that having been said, please remember to protect and license your dog. Avoid a fine of $200. It’s the Health Code Section 161.04 law that necessitates dog licensing. New York City dog owners are required to have a dog license attached to their dog’s collar.
Call 311 for an application or visit the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s Web site at nyc.gov/health, your local pet shop, animal shelter or veterinarian.
