NEWS YOU CAN USE
Inclement Weather Advisory and Flood Warning
With winds up to 30 mph and gusts approaching 50 mph forecasted, the Department of Buildings is implementing an Inclement Weather Advisory for today, February 28 through tomorrow. Also, due to the heavy rains that are expected with these winds the National Weather Service has issued a Flood Warning for Queens through tomorrow morning.
The rainfall expected, along with the one to two inches that fell Friday will exacerbate the flood threat.
In these high winds construction sites and property owners should take all precaution necessary to keep themselves and others safe.
These are some of the measure property owners should take:
– Bring inside loose, lightweight objects such as lawn furniture, potted plants, garbage cans, garden tools and toys.
– Anchor objects that would be unsafe outside, such as gas grills or propane tanks.
– Close up and secure patio umbrellas.
– Secure retractable awnings.
– Remove aerial antennas and satellite television dishes.
Get 10 free trees for spring
With spring about to bloom, the Arbor Day Foundation is offering ten free trees for you to plant.
The dogwoods will be sent to you between March 1 and 31, the optimal time for planting these trees, with instructions on how to plant the them enclosed. These white-flowering trees that will grow to between 6-12 inches are guaranteed to grow or they will be replaced for free.
It is just $10 to become a member of the foundation and receive trees that “have showy spring flowers, scarlet autumn foliage, and red berries which attract songbirds all winter,” according to John Rosenow, chief executive and founder of the Arbor Day Foundation
This is part of the non-profit foundation’s Trees for America campaign.
To become a member and receive your ten trees join online at www.arborday.org/March or send a $10 contribution to TEN FREE DOGWOOD TREES, Arbor Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Avenue, Nebraska City, NE 68410, by March 31, 2011
‘Battle of the Boroughs’
Three Astoria musicians were selected to perform in the "Battle of the Boroughs," representing Queens including Natalia ‘Saw Lady’ Paruz (musical saw) and Mary Bopp (piano). They will perform composer Scott Munson’s song "Changes" at the WNYC Radio’s contest. On March 4, 7 p.m., five of the eleven performers will be chosen by the audience. Voting is open to the public through https://tinyurl.com/4etff3g
New Bronx-Whitestone Bridge traffic pattern
Starting Saturday, February 26 a new traffic pattern will be in effect on the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge that will continue through the fall.
Two lanes will be closed each way from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. on February 25 to February 26. Additional lane closures may be required throughout the weekend. To avoid delays drivers should use the Throgs Neck Bridge.
There will be a permanent southbound lane closure during the work period. As a result from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. there will be three northbound lanes and two lanes south. From 3 p.m. though the evening there will be three southbound lanes and two north.
Construction will include lane-by-lane demolition of the bridge’s original 72-year-old roadway decking and construction of a new roadway superstructure.
Queens mother calls for blood donors
A single mother from Queens and the New York Blood Center are calling for more African-Americans to become blood donors.
Davina Daniels, 37, of Springfield Gardens suffers from sickle cell disease and has had difficulty finding donors who match her blood type for a transfusion.
“We need more African Americans to become blood donors, and give blood regularly,” said Melinda Caltabiano, director of New York Blood Center’s PreciseMatch Program citing the fact that there is only one matching active donor for Daniels, an African-American.
For people with sickle cell disease, repeated blood tranfusions are vital to replace their “sickled” blood cells with healthy red blood cells. As more transfusions take place, patients build up antibodies in their blood, thus requiring more precisely matched red-blood transfusions. These matches often come from people from the same ethnic and racial backgrounds.
For more information about giving blood and where to donate, call New York Blood Center at 1-800-933-BLOOD (2566) or visit www.nybloodcenter.org.
Nearly $1 million in rebates still available
Rebates up to $555 are available for New Yorkers who replace their old appliances with ENERGY STAR appliances.
These rebates will be given out on a first-come, first-serve basis, with rebates starting at $50.
Once a qualifying purchase has been made, you can reserve a rebate online or over the phone. You must then submit a signed copy of the application and the required receipts within 14 days in order to complete the application process.
For consumer guidelines on this program, call 877-NY-SMART or go to www.NYApplianceSwapOut.com.
