Mar. 25, 2024 By Anthony Medina The Cannabis Place, a legal adult-use cannabis dispensary, officially opened its doors at 74-03 Metropolitan Ave. in Middle Village on Saturday, March 16, after years of preparation and a slew of challenges. Osbert Orduña, the chief executive officer and founder of The Cannabis Place, joined with family, friends, and key…
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Mar. 22, 2024 By Anthony Medina Concerns are mounting among neighbors, parishioners and Community Board 5 leadership due to a neighbor’s neglectful habit of leaving piles of trash behind their building, adjacent to the Ridgewood Presbyterian Church, since last year. Neighbors say the sudden appearance of party lights and loud music erupting from the site…
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Mar. 20, 2024 By Anthony Medina A dueling rally was held in Maspeth Saturday outside a synagogue turned migrant shelter where about 50 opponents and 20 supporters stood their ground on opposite sides of Grand Avenue. The Maspeth Jewish Center, located at 66-64 Grand Ave., which began operating as a 15-bed temporary housing facility for migrant men earlier this month, sparked controversy among some residents both in-person and through social media. Demonstrators at Saturday’s protest made their voices heard through chants and signage that clearly stated their stance on the migrant shelter and the crisis as a whole. Protesters against…
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Mar. 18, 2024 By Anthony Medina A group of residents who have formed Ridgewood Rides — an advocacy group of bicyclists that calls for safe streets — have launched a petition demanding safer access for cyclists and pedestrians to the Ridgewood Reservoir. The Ridgewood Reservoir, located within Highland Park, is situated on the border of Brooklyn and Queens neighborhoods, including Bushwick and Cypress Hills. The group has garnered approximately 800 signatures in its quest to make access to the 1.18 miles of park space safe to enjoy the neighborhood’s greenery. Advocates of the petition are calling for protected bike lanes and…
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Mar. 18, 2024 By Bill Parry Two days after Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced she had brought charges against a Flushing man for scamming more than $600,000 from seniors across the country, her office hosted a presentation at the Ridgewood Older Adult Center on Mar. 12 to coach participants on how they can avoid being victims of similar schemes. “Education is key to preventing fraudulent activity, particularly among the senior population,” Katz said. “To this end, my office has been actively engaging with senior centers across the borough, providing insights on the warning signs of common scams.” Fei Liang,…
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Mar. 15, 2024 By Anthony Medina The Animal Care Centers (ACC) of New York City is expected to open a first-of-its-kind, full-service animal shelter in Ridgewood, according to an announcement made by ACC President and Chief Executive Officer Risa Weinstock on Wednesday, Mar. 13. At a recent Community Board 5 general meeting, an informative presentation unveiled key details of the forthcoming 50,000-square-foot facility. Highlights included innovative building infrastructure designed to enhance pet care and the promise of new job opportunities. The new full-service shelter facility, located at 19-06 Flushing Avenue, at the intersection of Flushing and Woodward Avenues, is expected…
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Mar. 7, 2024 By Anthony Medina The month of March is recognized as National Problem Gambling Awareness Month a nationwide campaign that seeks to increase public awareness of problem gambling and promote prevention, treatment, and recovery services. The National Council on Problem Gambling estimates over 600,000 adults experience gambling-related issues in New York State. Senator Joseph P. Addabbo Jr, who is the Chairman of the Senate’s Committee on Racing, Gaming, and Wagering, is making sure people are getting the help they need for gambling addiction through a zoom discussion scheduled for Tuesday, March 12. “For some, gaming is a casual…
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Mar. 6, 2024 By Rachel Butler Council Member Robert Holden is advising seniors to be on the lookout for scammers posing as home repair companies, following his office receiving several complaints about the matter in recent weeks. Holden, who represents the neighborhoods of Middle Village and Ridgewood, said that the scammers are often presenting themselves…
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Mar. 6, 2024 By Anthony Medina The final days of E & J Cards and Gifts store on 56-22 Myrtle Ave. in Ridgewood arrived as quickly as they went for the owners of the 51-year-old establishment. Alan and Valarie Wornian, the happily married couple and long time owners of the shop, announced their retirement in February…
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Mar. 6, 2024 By Anthony Medina Queens Community Board 5 — which represents Ridgewood, Maspeth, Middle Village and Glendale — will listen to plans for an Animal Care Centers of New York opening a location in Ridgewood among other topics at its upcoming meeting on Wednesday, March 13. The agenda for the March meeting consists…
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