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Neighbor to Neighbor: Going Green in Queens offers a fun time for free

By Barbara Morris

Remember a few weeks ago? In one of my columns during one of those ugly weather spells, I encouraged you to hold on because spring could soon arrive. Well, here it is. Welcome, sweet springtime, and all the wonderful events that are coming along with it.

We are grateful and want to applaud all those who worked long and hard to clean up all the wreckage all too often while risking life and limb. There is a long list, and forgive me if someone is not mentioned, but 911 and the rest the city Police Department; city Fire Department; city Parks Department; Consolidated Edison, which finished its work with live wires here before the folks in neighboring states did; U.S. Postal Service letter carriers; the city Sanitation Department; and 311 all deserve a big thank you.

Now, up, up and away to Flushing Meadows Corona Park March 27. We have mentioned before about Going Green in Queens 2010 that will take place at the Al Oerter Recreational Center from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., but this is our last chance to remind you or invite folks who may have missed hearing about it.

There are all too few times when we can have a variety of educational events with a preview of physical training possibilities, an opportunity to socialize with hundreds of nice folks with similar interests and fun for free.

Variety being the spice of life, be prepared for the best quality spices even in these hard times because we have found that a lot of people are willing to tighten their own belts to share what they can with us. The Queens Coalition for Parks, in partnership with the Queens Civic Congress and media partner TimesLedger Newspapers, hope you appreciate all of them as much as we do. They are the Citizens Committee for NYC, Partnership for Parks, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Queens Chapter 31028, Consolidated Edison, Rachel Amar Waste Management of New York City, Magic Pest Management, David Lerner Associates, U.S. Natural Energy, The Cornucopia Society, the Al Oerter staff, the Parks Department, the City Parks Foundation, the state Public Service Commission, Peter Schmidt and Ava Barzvi Eventbrite On Line Advertising and Presence.

Besides all that, there will be an interesting presentation on the ecology of Meadow Lake sponsored by a grant from Flushing Meadows Corona Park’s conservancy and a movie, “Dirt: The Movie,” that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.

You will have a choice of 10 workshops to choose from and tours of the Olympic size swimming pool, the ice skating rink and exercise rooms. Who would have thought to put a running track above and around the basketball court? Queens Parks and Recreation did and that is where you will find some of our 50 tablers, who will have literature and/or displays of interest to young and old.

While you are there, ask about joining the recreational center. You will be pleased at the prices and imagine how refreshing a dip in that pool would be on a hot July or August evening or afternoon. Now that so many people are pushing everyone to consider losing a few pounds, the exercise rooms would be safer than trotting along a road or fighting undesirable weather.

The center is air conditioned for participants’ comfort. There are plenty of places to sit down and rest while you enjoy a snack, visit friends or new acquaintances and hope one of the free give-aways will come your way.

They are all useful and will add an extra little zing to your busy, happy day. Travel the No. 7 train to the Citi Field/Willets Point station, the Q58 bus to the corner of College Point Boulevard and Fowler Avenue or by car to 131-40 Fowler Ave. in Flushing. Please pre-register at herr281761@aol.com or at ggiq2010@yahoo.com and have a great time.

If You Go