Assemblymember praised for transit bill
BOROWIDE – Assemblymember Grace Meng was praised by the Transportation Alternatives for introducing a bill to create a Transit Rider’s Bill of Rights.
The proposed law would push for increased cleanliness, timeliness and safety in public transportation. It would also mandate the MTA to better notify riders of delays and service disruptions.
“Assemblymember Meng has shown true leadership by acting in the best interests of the millions of New Yorkers who rely on our public transit system every day,” said Paul Steely White, executive director of Transportation Alternatives.
Baskin Robbins 31 cents a scoop
BOROWIDE – Baskin Robbins is holding its fifth annual 31 Cent Scoop Night on Wednesday, April 27, to celebrate firefighters all around the nation.
Baskin Robbins will be donating $100,000 to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF). During the month of April, the ice cream company will also be serving up a new flavor, Firehouse 31, to ring in the scoop night.
There will be a limit of three scoops per person. The promotion will take place between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Proper usage of antibiotics
FLUSHING – New York Hospital Queens is offering a free lecture on the proper usage of antibiotics in kids on Saturday, April 9, with pediatrician Magdy Mohammed, M.D.
The event will be hosted at the Theresa Lang Children’s Ambulatory Center at 56-45 Main Street at 11 a.m. The entrance is on 141st Street between 56th and Booth Memorial Avenue.
For more information, call 718-670-1808.
APEC photo contest
DOUGLASTON – The Alley Pond Environmental Center invites young photographers to submit digital images of the city’s landscape, flora and fauna to compete for cash prizes.
The contest features three age brackets including 8 to 13, 14 to 17 and 18 to 21. Entries must be received by 12 p.m. on April 13.
Contest materials can be obtained from www.alleypond.com. Call 718-229-4000 for additional information.
College scholarships
BAYSIDE
Two scholarships will be awarded for academic merit, and the other two will be given for athletic ability.
Interested students can contact Avella’s district office for application details at 718-357-3094. Entries must be submitted by May 2.
Variance Denied by BP
BAYSIDE – A variance request made by Paul F. Bonfillio for Rockchapel Realty LLC to permit changes to be made to a one-family detached home, at 50-20 216th Street, that were not in compliance with the current R2A zoning was recommended for disapproval on March 31 by Queens Borough President Helen Marshall.
The variance sought to permit a five-foot side yard when the minimum, as per zoning requirements, is a 20 feet side yard. Also, it proposed a 13-feet distance between the aforementioned property and an adjacent property, when the minimum is 40 feet.
The plan was opposed by several local elected officials and residents.
In Marshall’s recommendation, she noted that the proposed property would be “contrary to the spirit and intent of the R2A district that was mapped in this area a few years ago.”
Community Board 11 also previously disapproved of the variance.
