Community Corner

🎡$7.1M Woodside Playground Makeover+ 17th Rikers Inmate Dies This Year

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Queens.

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Good morning, Queens! 🧊

  • 🎡 Councilmember Julie Won announced Thursday that Lawrence Virgilio Playground in Woodside will undergo a $7.1 million makeover.
  • 🗳 Former candidate Hailie Kim announced she would run again for the Western Queens seat against incumbent Council member Julie Won next year in the race for the District 26.
  • 😔 The 17th Rikers Island inmate died after two months in custody on Sunday, the Department of Correction said.

☀️ Plenty of sunshine. High: 41 Low: 28.

Here are the top stories in Queens today:

1. Councilmember Julie Won announced Thursday that Lawrence Virgilio Playground in Woodside will undergo a $7.1 million makeover. The reconstruction will include upgraded play equipment, sprinklers, security lighting, handball courts and more. The city council has allocated $4.6 million toward the playground, which was last updated in 2007, with another $1 million coming from Won's discretionary capital funds, and $1.5 million from the Queens Borough president's office. The playground was named after Lawrence Virgilio, a New York City Firefighter who died in the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. Virigilio used to visit the playground as a child.

Sunnyside Post

2. Former candidate Hailie Kim announced she would run again for the Western Queens seat against incumbent Council member Julie Won next year in the race for the District 26. In last year's race, Kim eighth out of 15 candidates in District 26, which covers most of Long Island City and Sunnyside, and parts of Astoria and Woodside. "This is a difficult time for Queens families, especially immigrant students, and I am running to serve our community because we deserve so much more than this," Kim said in a statement on Saturday. Kim, a tenant organizer and former adjunct English professor at Hunter College, said she seeks to increase funding for both public schools and the CUNY system, create "deeply affordable social housing," and lower property taxes for working-class households.

Patch

3. The 17th Rikers Island inmate died after two months in custody on Sunday, the Department of Correction said. Edgardo Mejias, 39, entered the facility on Oct. 2 on a robbery charge. "Mr. Mejias' passing fills our hearts with sadness, and we extend our heartfelt sympathies to all who held him dear as we recognize how hard it is to lose a loved one during the holidays," the DOC Commissioner Louis A. Molina said in a statement. "As with all deaths in custody, we will work with our sister agencies to ensure that this matter is thoroughly and completely investigated."

Patch

4. Queens Council Member Sandra Ung and CUNY Senior Paralegal Susan Chong announced the details of an Immigration Assistance Event they are hosting on Friday, Dec. 16. The event will occur from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Flushing YMCA — interested residents must register in advance by Dec. 15. Attendees will include six attorneys, six paralegals and three administrative staff from CUNY, who will offer free and confidential application assistance and consultations on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) renewals, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), fee waivers, and the renewal or replacement of green cards. "Residents in this district are always in need of advice when it comes to immigration matters, but too often my office hears from people who paid an individual to help them with their immigration issue, only to find later that they were scammed," Ung said. "This event will be a reliable and trusted way to get legal help, and the best part is that it is completely free. I want to thank CUNY and YMCA for partnering with me to bring this service to the community." Translation services will be available in Mandarin, Korean, and Spanish.

Queens Courier

🗞 Hungry for more news? 🍽 Snack on these headlines:

  • NYC Parks Begins Reconstruction Of Maple Playground In Flushing (Patch)
  • Hochul's Big Choice: Picking New York's Most Powerful Judge (The New York Times)
  • Man Indicted After Fatally Stabbing Three Relatives In Queens (Patch)
  • Hochul convenes unit to educate New Yorkers across the state on hate crime prevention (AM New York Metro)
  • Holiday skating rink opens inside the New York Hall of Science in Flushing Meadows Corona Park (Queens Courier)

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🗓 To Do Today In Queens:

  • Volunteer at 9 Million Reasons / Evangel Food Pantry (8:45 a.m.)
  • JFK Airport Food Service Hiring Event (9 a.m.)
  • Chinese Dumplings- In Person Cooking Class (@DidYouKhado) (1 p.m.)
  • Vic Hanson Afterschool Program (3 p.m.)
  • Christmas Family Special | Hand-made Bag Workshop (3 p.m.)
  • The New York Winter Lantern Festival – Illuminate the Farm (5 p.m.)

🗣 Queens Chatter:

  • 🎁 Whatever you do you must check out the Queens Farm Holiday Market: "Queens Farm Holiday Market featured in @NYDailyNews! Head to the farm to pick out your perfect Christmas tree, daily from 10am to 5pm (10-2 on 12/24)." (Queens Farm via Twitter)
  • 😄 Fun was had at the new Community Center opening: "Now this is a ribbon cutting! Welcome to Queens, VNS Health! This new Community Center will go a long way toward keeping Flushing families healthy, informed and aware of the healthcare services available to them." (Queens Borough President Donovan Richards via Facebook)
  • 🎡 New playground in Flushing: "It's not even noon and it's already been a busy day in #Queens. Great to start the day on Jamaica Avenue and Springfield Boulevard with the NYC DOT to talk about new street safety improvements in the area. Because our streets, and the right to be safe on them, are for everyone. Afterwards, it was up to Flushing with New York City Department of Parks & Recreation to get a tour of the extensive $6.6 million Maple Playground renovation project. In just a few months, the families of this community are going to have the state-of-the-art playground they deserve. Can't wait to cut the ribbon!" (Queens Borough President Donovan Richards via Facebook)
  • 🌱 Things still grow in the winter: "You can still grow produce into the winter! Learn how to protect your root systems for successful winter farming with #QBGFarm manager Karen Guzman. The #QBGFarm is a one-acre site dedicated to teaching people about urban farming and donating to local food pantries! ⁠ ⁠" (Queens Botanical Garden via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

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Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll see you around!

— Emma Radu Fighera

About me: Emma Radu Fighera is a reporter born and raised in Queens, New York. She studied Literature and Studio Art at Hamilton College, where she helped run the only daily publication on campus, The Daily Bull newsletter. This past spring she earned her M.S. from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Queens Daily? Contact me at queens@patch.com

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