🎾 U.S. Open Kicks Off Today in Flushing + New Climate Change Program

Good morning, Queens!

• 🎾 The U.S. Open main draw returns to Flushing Meadows.
• 🌊Rep. Grace Meng calls for key climate change program to address flooding in Queens.
• ⚾️ Mets surprise fans on Old-Timers' day by retiring No.24 for Willie Mays.

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🌤 Partly sunny and humid. High: 85 Low: 74.

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Here are the top stories today in Queens:

1. The U.S. Open kicks off today at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. The event, expected to draw in hundreds of thousands of spectators, is already off to a strong start after last week's successful Fan Week. On Saturday, a record-breaking 35,525 kids and families attended Arthur Ashe Kid's Day -- the most in the nearly 30-year history of the event, according to the U.S. Open website.

NY 1

2. Rep. Grace Meng, along with 14 other Queens elected officials, recently sent a letter asking the NY State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to ensure that the type of flooding occuring in Queens is addressed under the Disadvantaged Communities program. Thousands of Queens reisdents live in low lying flood prone areas, which include parts of Flushing, Rego Park, Elmhurst, and Forest Hills. If the DEC prioritizes this flooding in their program criteria, Queens could receive more state funding to implement urgent infrastructure upgrades.

Press Release from Congresswoman Grace Meng

3. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards finished up his new 'Borough Hall on Your Block' initiative with a town hall held at St. Albans Congregational Church. This event closed out five days of public programming in southeast Queens for Richards, during which he announced nearly $13 million in capital funding, participated in a topping-off ceremony for the new 116th Precint in Rosedale, and hosted several resource fairs, among other things. "As a proud son of southeast Queens, it was an honor to come home and set up shop in these proud, hardworking communities for a week to showcase how my office is not only listening, but tirelessly working to support the families who call them home," Richards said. The date and location of the second iteration of 'Borough Hall on Your Block' will be announced in the coming months.

QNS

4. A innocent bystander was killed, and another was injured, when a women drove her car onto the sidewalk in an attempt to strike another woman. Authorities are still looking for the woman responsible for running over a disabled man after an altercation with another woman outside Rohan Deli in Far Rockaway. Video footage from inside and outside the deli captured the tragedy.

NBC New York

5. The first Mets Old-Timers' Day since 1994 took place on Saturday night at Citi Field. The event brought together Mets greats from every generation and celebrated the franchise's 60-year history. The festivities also featured the surprise retirement of Willie Mays' No. 24 jersey. Mays himself could not attend the ceremony after undergoing a hip replacement a few months ago, but his son, Michael, was there in his stead.

NY Times

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

• Queens entrepreneur wins big with her cold pressed juices (Patch)
• 5 artists from underrepresented communities show their sculptures at the U.S. Open (NY Times)
• Man in wheelchair robbed on bus in Queens (News 12 Brooklyn)
• MLB-sponsored Play Ball experience at Greater Allen A.M.E Cathedral of New York (MLB News)

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Today in Queens:

• Compost Build Volunteer Days - Queens Botanical Garden (9:30 a.m.)
• Deana Lawson Exhibition at MoMA PS1 (12 p.m.)
• Roy Wilkins Pool Senior Water Exercise (1 p.m.)
• Chair Fitness Workout Class (2 p.m.)
• Zing! x NYC DOT Outdoor Kids Fit Class (3:30 p.m.)
• Musical Mondays - Phantom of the Opera Viewing (7 p.m.)
• Dart Tournament (7:30 p.m.)
• 28th Terrace Sketch Comedy Show (7:30 p.m.)

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Crime and safety:

• NYPD are looking for a man who allegedly assaulted a 14-year-old girl in a Flushing elevator earlier this month. Details of the horrifying Aug. 8 incident were released on Friday. Police say the man followed the 14-year-old girl into an elevator in a residential building, where he groped her, took photos up her skirt, and offered her $20 to "spit on him." Police are asking anyone with information on this attack to called NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). (NBC New York)

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Queens Chatter:

• Donovan Richards celebrates his Jamaican roots: "Borough Hall on Your Block: Southeast Queens is over, but I can't think of a better way to start the weekend than with the #Queens Carnival down in Far Rockaway. Such a colorful celebration our borough's incredible Caribbean heritage — and my own Jamaican roots.🇯🇲" (Queens Borough President Donovan Richards via Facebook)
• Park renamed in honor of Archie Spigner: "Great to be #InsideThe27 @NYCCouncil district — at the renaming ceremony for Archie Spigner Park. Archie helped build Black political power in SE Queens & paved the way for generations of elected officials incl. @LeroyComrie @DRichardsQNS @IDaneekMiller @CMNantashaW & many more. " (NYC Comptroller Brad Lander via Twitter)
• Free meals for kids: "Reminder: FREE lunches for kids and teens are available at 32 participating QPL branches through Wednesday, August 31. https://queenslibrary.org/programs-activities/kids/summer-meals?utm_source=social&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=summermeals2022… #FreeSummerMeals" (Queens Public Library via Twitter)
• Learn more about the oft misunderstood Coyote: "At the Queens Zoo, guests can explore the diversity of wildlife from the Americas including the often misunderstood coyote. They have long been represented in stories as scheming tricksters, probably because they are generally shy and avoid people. In reality, they play a very important role as a keystone species in controlling populations of smaller predators and rodents in their habitats which promotes greater species diversity. Coyotes were once found largely in western grasslands, but expanded their range through much of North America in areas where wolves and mountain lions were exterminated by people. Today, coyotes are even found in urban areas, including New York City, where they are able to find food and places to den." (Queens Zoo via Facebook)

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You're officially in the loop for today. I'll see you around!

— Emma Radu Fighera

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