108th Strawberry FestivalDouglaston’s Zion Episcopal Church will hold its 108th annual Strawberry Festival on Saturday, June 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the grounds at Northern Boulevard between Douglaston Parkway and 244th Street.
In addition to fresh strawberries, attendees can enjoy delicious home baked goods, games, a flea market, a concert, arts and crafts and more.
CB7 meets
Community Board (CB) 7 will hold its last monthly meeting until September on Monday, June 14, starting promptly at 7 p.m., at the Union Plaza Care Center, 33-23 Union Street in Flushing.
Among the agenda items are a hearing for the one-year extension of a special permit for an amusement arcade in the Bay Terrace shopping center (#739-76-BZ) and the application for rezoning of numerous blocks of Auburndale within CB7.
Portions of the meeting are allocated for public participation. Sign-up sheets will be at the back of the room. For more information, call 718-359-2800 or email qn07@cb.nyc.gov.
Summer Reading ChallengeState Senator Frank Padavan is inviting all area students in the community to “Catch a Wave” and participate in his Summer Reading Challenge Program – designed for students in grades 4-6 but open to any child in the community who enjoy reading.
To complete Padavan’s challenge, students must read at least three books and record their thoughts about their chosen works in a reading journal that is available on Padavan’s web site.
Any child who returns a completed log to Senator Padavan’s office before the end of summer will receive a Certificate of Merit in recognition of their efforts.
“Reading is the cornerstone of a strong education,” Padavan said. “I urge all children to head down to their local library and pick up a book today and take part in my ‘Catch A Wave’ Summer Reading Challenge Program.”
Any interested parent or student should visit www.padavan.nysenate.gov for a printable copy of the Summer Reading Journal or call Senator Padavan’s district office at 718-343-0255.
Free legal help
City Councilmember James F. Gennaro is funding free legal services to his constituents throughout the month of June.
The legal help will be provided by the Community Legal Resource Network (CLRN) at Gennaro’s Fresh Meadows office, at 185-10 Union Turnpike, from 1 to 4 p.m. on Friday, June 18, Thursday, June 24 and Monday and Tuesday, June 29 and 30.
The program will focus on all legal issues such as healthcare problems, wills, trusts, powers of attorney, legal letters and advice.
Constituents can schedule an appointment by calling the Gennaro’s office at 718-217-4969 or emailing jgennaro@council.nyc.gov.
APEC sees starsYou can spend an evening with the stars on Saturday, July 12 at the Alley Pond Environmental Center (APEC), located at 228-06 Northern Boulevard in Douglaston, just east of the Cross Island Parkway.
Beginning at 8 p.m., astronomer Mark Freilich will help kids 7 years-and-over understand the mystery and beauty of the universe, with an indoor lecture followed by outdoor telescope observation.
The fee is $10 for adult members and $12 for non-members; children (7-12) pay $7. Please pre-register or check for weather cancellation by calling 718-229-4000.
Medical secretary course
An eight-week program covering terminology, CPT coding, billing, bookkeeping, purchasing and all modalities required for employment as an administrative medical secretary is being offered by the Center for the Women of New York (CWNY).
The classes will meet every Tuesday from 1 to 3 p.m. starting on June 22 at Queens Borough Hall, 120-55 Queens Boulevard in Kew Gardens. The cost of the program is $100, plus a $25 registration fee.
For more information and to register, call CWNY at 718-793-0672.
Defensive driving course
American Martyrs Roman Catholic Church, located at 79-43 Bell Boulevard in Bayside, will host a defensive driving course sponsored by the National Safety Council on Saturday, June 19 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Completion of the course entitles you to a reduction in your auto insurance and driver’s license point total. The cost is $45. For information or registration call 631-360-9720.
Bereavement support groupA bereavement support group meets from 7:30 to 9 p.m. on the first Wednesday and third Tuesday of each month in the Rectory basement at Holy Family Church, 175-20 74th Avenue in Flushing.
The next meeting is on Tuesday, June 15 and all meetings are open to all, to help you walk through the grief process. Call 718-969-2448 for more information.
Blood Drive
There will be a blood drive on Tuesday, June 15, from noon to 6 p.m. at the 111th Precinct stationhouse, 45-06 215th Street in Bayside. Call 718-279-2610 for more information.
Auburndale meeting
Auburndale residents can keep abreast of activities and developments concerning their community by attending meetings of the Auburndale Improvement Association.
The group meets on the third Tuesday of every month at St. Kevin’s Church, 45-21, 194th Street. Enter through the parking lot and join them downstairs. All are welcome.
Their next meeting is Tuesday, June 15 at 7:30 p.m. Meet your neighbors and address community concerns.
Pre-school drop-in centerThe Samuel Field Y/Bay Terrace Center Pre-School drop-in center is unusual as it is a “pay as you play” class that does not require advance registration, according to organizers.
Program activities at the center, located at 212-00 23rd Avenue, vary according to holidays, seasons and the child’s interests and abilities. Music and movement are an integral part of the program and a snack is never left out.
The center operates Mondays from 9:30 to 11 a.m. for 2 to 3 year olds and Wednesdays from 9:30 to 11 a.m. for 1 to 2 year olds. There are other pre-school programs, a “Mom and Baby Class” and Universal Pre-K also.
Call Barbara Kossove at 718-423-6111 for more information.
