Forest Hills residents now have a new place to do their banking.
Flushing Savings Bank opened a new, full-service facility at 107-11 Continental Avenue on January 16, which continues the bank’s planned expansion.
“Our new branch office expands our ability to serve the multi-cultural market area of Northern Queens by providing a full complement of deposit, loan, and cash management products and services to consumers, business owners, professionals, and commercial real estate developers,” said Flushing Savings Bank President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) John Buran. “By providing the highest-quality financial services, our goal is to build the trust and relationships so that customers will make Flushing Savings the primary bank for all their financial needs.”
The Forest Hills branch, which brings the number of Flushing Savings Bank facilities in the metropolitan area to 13, is staffed by experienced bankers and equipped with 24-hour ATMs and the branch will be open for service seven days a week.
The branch will host grand opening festivities and a ribbon-cutting ceremony, which includes raffle prizes, special product offerings, and fun activities for all members of the community on February 9 and 10.
Family Health Fair
Assemblymember Nettie Mayersohn will host a family health fair for residents of Kew Gardens Hills, Electchester and Pomonok on Sunday, January 28 at the Electrical Industry Center from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Representatives from a number of organizations including New York Hospital Center of Queens, Social Security Administration, Fire Department of New York, 107th Precinct, EPIC, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Con Edison, Volunteers of America, Queens Hospital Center, Flushing House and HIP are all expected to attend.
In addition to providing information and literature, vendors will conduct free screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol, cardiac risk assessment dental and glaucoma.
“I am grateful for the cooperation I have received from the many providers who have agreed to set up tables at the health fair, thereby assuring its success,” Mayersohn said.
Temple To Celebrate Tu B’Shvat
The Reform Temple of Forest Hills will have a special dessert Seder to celebrate Tu B’Shvat on Saturday, February 3.
The Seder will begin following the 10:30 a.m. Shabbat service, with the dessert table set in a festive manner with fruits, nuts and cakes served along with four kinds of wine.
Tu B’Shvat is a day when Jewish people celebrate the renewal of trees and give thanks for the beauty of God’s creations.
Enforcing Stop-Work Orders
During the most recent meeting of the Juniper Park Civic Association (JPCA), Deputy Inspector Scott Shanley from the 104th Precinct, and Robert Hudak from the Department of Buildings (DOB) talked to local residents about enforcing stop work orders, violated by contractors and workers.
“In far too many instances, the developers are disobeying the stop work orders,” said Bob Holden, president of the JPCA. “Let say we can get the police there … They [the police] just chase them.” With Shanley, JPCA is hoping that cops can be prepared to write summonses for contractors and workers who violate stop work orders - oftentimes on weekends and in the evenings, when few Department of Buildings (DOB) inspectors are around.
In addition, the civic is working to have one particular building, that of developer Tommy Huang, ordered to be torn down because it violates zoning regulations for the area. Holden charged that Huang violated stop-work orders four times since the DOB put a hold on the four-story building. “We want it torn down,” Holden said, calling Huang the “poster child for overdevelopment.”
The meeting, which was co-sponsored by the Committee of Organizations of Precinct 104 (COP104) also noted a spike in local burglaries.
Plans To Landmark Sunnyside Gardens
More than 200 local residents turned out to a public meeting held by Community Board 2 about the proposed landmark designation of Sunnyside Gardens on Wednesday, January 17. Officials from the Department of City Planning, Department of Buildings, and the New York City Landmarks Preservation Committee (LPC) all answered questions about the designation. The next step in the process is a Public Hearing to be scheduled by the LPC and for the proposal to be calendared — meaning the LPC would need to approve construction plans. In addition, the Research Department for the LPC will write a detailed designation report, describing each building within the district. The Commission has been looking into the area for about two years, a spokesperson said. Once completed, this description would then be sent to property owners for review. Property owners with any questions should call the Executive Director of the Landmarks Preservation Commission, Ronda Wist at 212-669-7924.
Man Celebrates 100th Birthday
Colombian-born Pedro Ruiz celebrated a milestone birthday recently - his 100th - with State Senator John Sabini and Assemblymember Jose Peralta, who both presented the centurion with citations for his longevity. Ruiz also shared the momentous occasion on Friday, January 12 with friends and family at the Catherine Sheridan Senior Center in Jackson Heights.
Sunnyside Library Group To Form
Sunnyside residents and library lovers plan to form a new group, Friends of the Library. The group will hold its first meeting on Saturday, February 3 at 1 p.m. at the Sunnyside Library, which is located at 43-06 Greenpoint Avenue. During the meeting, organizers and members will discuss ways to pool talents and resources to enhance the library and local community. For more information about the Friends of the Sunnyside Library, call Camille T. Barrett, the Community Relations Manager of Queens Library, at 718-990-8583.
Scholarship Group Holds Fair
The Corona East-Elmhurst Chapter of Dollars for Scholars recently held its first Teen Scholarship Fair for prospective college students at the Langston Hughes Community Library and Cultural Center in Corona. The fair gave guidance for applying for scholarships, writing better essays, and taking exams. For more information, contact Aretha Wareham, Vice President of the Chapter, at 718-899-8317.
