Health

The annual Relay For Life of Middle Village is taking place this Saturday and Sunday.

Maspeth native and lifelong resident, Leslie Orlovsky, first organized the inaugural event at Juniper Valley Park  with local leaders back in 2003. While the event started out as a small event in the pouring rain, the event has grown larger every year since.

Last year’s event drew dozens of survivors, families and friends who honored those whose lives have been affected by cancer.

The event featured music, food, entertainment and activities, while also raising money to support American Cancer Society’s programs.

If you know of any restaurants that could donate a tray of food for the survivor tent, please reach out to the organizers.

Those participating this year are expected to meet at the Juniper Valley Park Running Track at Brennan Field in Middle Village at 7 p.m. on Saturday (June 22).

Come get your free bike helmet, courtesy of the NYC Department of Parks and Department of Transportation.

On Saturday, June 22, from noon to 3 p.m., experts will host a fitting and distribution event at Juniper Valley Park’s Asphalt Field.

Please note that a parent or legal guardian must be present to sign a waiver for children under 18.

You must be present to receive a helmet, as you will learn how to properly wear it.

For more information, visit www.nyc.gov/dot.

Next Thursday, Councilman Bob Holden’s office is hosting a workshop on trap-neuter-return and colony care.

This workshop, in conjunction with Alley Cat Allies, ASPCA and the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals, will teach you the knowledge and skills needed to help the feral and stray cats in your area.

Upon completing the workshop, you will be a Certified TNR Caretaker, and be eligible for free spay and neuter, trap loans, and more.

The workshop is free to attend, but register in advance at bit.ly/TNR190620.

The next Community Board 5 meeting will take place next week, so if you have any questions, comments and concerns, stop by!

The meeting will take place at Christ the King High School, 68-02 Metropolitan Ave., in Middle Village. It begins at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 12.

Tickets for the 2019 US Open officially went on sale to the general public on Monday, June 3.

You can purchase tickets via Ticketmaster.com and the Ticketmaster app.

Payment can be made by credit card. American Express is the official card of the US Open.

The main draw of the 2019 US Open begins on Monday, August 26 and runs through Sunday, September 8.

For more information, visit USOpen.org.

Community Board 5 is scheduled to meet tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. in the cafeteria of Christ the King High School.

On the agenda this week is a presentation by Wyckoff Heights Medical Center executives. That will be followed by a presentation regarding the Math Smart Program at LaGuardia Community College.

Following the presentations will be the public forum, committee reports, and nominations for Executive Committee Positions.

The Parks Services Committee will give a recommendation regarding plans for construction of a Myrtle Avenue entrance to Forest Park as well.

For more information, or to register to speak in advance, call the CB5 office at 718-366-1834.

Community Education Council District 24 is hosting a workshop on May 7 at PS/IS 78, located at 67-54 80th Street.

The topic is “Meeting the Needs of Diverse Learners.”

Check-in begins at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting will begin at 7 p.m.

There will be LOTS of activities around Middle Village on Thursday, April 25.

Juniper Park Civic Association Town Meeting at 7:30 p.m.
Location: Our Lady of Hope Auditorium, 71st Street & Eliot Avenue, Middle Village

Spring Recess: Softball Day! From 12 to 3 p.m.
Participants will be able to learn the fundamentals of softball such as hitting, fielding and pitching.
Location: Juniper Valley Park, 80th Street entrance, Middle Village

Kids Week: Ranger Games From 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Spend an afternoon of fun with the Urban Park Rangers playing and learning new and exciting nature games. Geared for ages 12 & under, but all are welcome! Location: Juniper Valley Park, 78th St & Juniper Blvd South entrance, Middle Village

If you know of any upcoming events and would like to spread the word, let us know in the comments!

From April 29 to May 31, Borough President Melinda Katz, along with Queens Public Library and Queens College, are accepting applications for the next Queens Poet Laureate.

What does the position do, you ask? According to Brough Hall, the poet laureate, an unpaid role, is “charged with promoting a love of poetry and literacy throughout the borough.”

Applicants must be published poets and residents of Queens. The winning candidate should be a “talented writer who can also demonstrate that she or he has a compelling vision for the role.”

Applications for the position will be available here starting April 29. The deadline is 5 p.m. on May 31.

To apply, submit a writing sample of up to 10 pages of your poetry, along with an essay of up to 500 words on why you want to be the next Queens Poet Laureate.

Applicants must also submit a one or two page resume focused on poetry-related work, along with public readings, grants, fellowships or awards.

Once selected, the poet laureate will serve for a three-year term.

Here are the past Queens Poet Laureates: Maria Lisella (2015-2018), Paolo Javier (2010-2014), Julio Marzan (2007-2010), Ishle Yi Park (2004-2007), Hal Sirowitz (2001-2004) and Stephen Stepanchev (1997-2001).

Before gathering around the table for a lovely family meal, celebrate Easter at Juniper Valley Park. Join NYC Parks, Council Member Donovan Richards and Council Member Robert Holden for the 2019 Easter Festival!

Enjoy an afternoon of crafts, games, inflatables, cotton candy, popcorn, music, and a nature educator.

This event is free and features an egg hunt, complete with giveaways.

Enter at Juniper Valley Park on 80th St. and Juniper Blvd. North. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.