What's Happening This Week in
Downtown Jamaica
Business Educational Outreach Day With DSNY

In a collaborative effort to keep our downtown clean and our walkways clear and in compliance with City code, the Jamaica Center BID, Sutphin Boulevard BID and the 165th Street BID, along with Council Member I. Daneek Miller and his staff conducted a Business Educational Outreach Day on Tuesday with two community outreach representatives from NYC’s Department of Sanitation.  

Businesses were provided information about the City’s new Open Storefronts Initiative, reminded of their responsibilities to keep the area in front of their storefront clean and were able to ask any sanitation-related questions to the DSNY team. 

A few reminders: 

  • Businesses should not sell items on the sidewalk without a proper sidewalk sales permit or by participating in a City-wide initiative such as Open Storefronts. 

  • All businesses must hire a professional Carter to pick up their trash. It is a violation to drop commercial trash in any of the public trash receptacles on the Avenue. 

  • Commercial Trash can only be put out for pick-up 1-2 hours before a businesses’ scheduled pick-up time (depending on whether the business is on a daytime or evening pick-up schedule) 

  • Businesses can not use the outside of their store for storage of boxes, etc.
  
  • All garbage must be properly bagged and secured (no loose garbage or cardboard boxes thrown in tree pits for example!) 

  • Businesses are responsible for sweeping their sidewalks and the curb in front of the store, even if the litter placed there is not theirs. 

Download DSNY’s publication Avoiding Violations: Businesses to learn more. Special thanks to Council Member Miller and team, and DSNY for helping making this event possible, and for our neighborhood partners, Greater Jamaica Development Corp, Sutphin Boulevard BID and 165th Street BIDs for their collaborative efforts on this outreach event. 
Recap: Jamaica Center BID’s 41st Annual Meeting 

Last Thursday, we held our 41st Annual Meeting via zoom to allow our membership to review financials, elect Directors and receive an update on our BID’s programming in the past year. Dr. Berenecea Johnson Eanes, President of York College, CUNY joined us to share information about York's newly minted strategic plan, exciting capital improvements on the York College campus, and her desire to connect students with mentorship and internship opportunities within the community. Directors unanimously elected for a three-year term on the BID’s Board were: Michael Mattone, Sari Kulka, Aaron Schwartz, Daniel Kulka and Bryan Atkins. (Meet our full Board and staff here.)
 
Couldn’t join us? That’s okay—we recorded the meeting, viewable online. You can read the complete Annual Meeting press release here
Business News
Together We Thrive: Black Business Network 

A new city-wide initiative, Together We Thrive, aims to help black business owners who have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. The coalition will also be rolling out a loan and grant program, exclusively for Black-owned businesses, slated to launch later this month. Businesses that indicate interest in financial support will be offered pre-loan and grant assistance and will be first to be notified when the loan and grant funds are available. To learn more, visit the website and sign up here to receive information and support.
PPE for Local South East Queens Small Businesses

We continue to partner with the City of New York as an official distribution entity for PPE (masks) for local SE Queens businesses. Any business wishing to receive masks should send a request to Fred Green via 718-873-2508 or fgreen@jamaicacenter.org. Businesses are limited to 50 masks per business, or 20 per small business employee (regardless of their employment status), whichever number is greater. For example, a 1- or 2-person business would receive 50 masks; a 10-person business could receive 200 masks. If you need more masks for your employees, contact Fred quickly, as supplies go fast.
General Community News
Face Mask Distribution and More 

Join Senator Leroy Comrie in partnership with Council District 24, Community Board 12 and Assembly Member Vivian Cook on Monday, November 23 at 12 p.m. at Rufus King Park (150-29 Jamaica Ave) for face mask distribution, hand sanitizers and shopping bags.  
Jamaica Music Festival! Online Game from King Manor Museum 

King Manor Museum just created a new, interactive online game for children ages 6-9 where you join their very own Mary the Museum Cat as you explore Jamaica, Queens through the music and instruments of the 19th century and the diverse cultures represented in our neighborhood. Collect music cards and find your way to the music festival! You can learn more and play here.
Thanksgiving Day Giveaways in Downtown Jamaica 
Sutphin Boulevard BID Thanksgiving Dinner Giveaway90-67 Sutphin Boulevard – On Wednesday, November 25 from 12:30 – 3 p.m. The Sutphin Boulevard BID will partner with longtime property owner and BID Member Robin Eshaghpour and Artimus Construction for a free Thanksgiving Dinner giveaway that includes Thanksgiving dinners to go. For more info contact sutphinblvbid@verizon.net or call 718-291-2110.
Council Member I. Daneek Miller's Annual Turkey Distribution - Shiloh Baptist Church - 173-70 106th Avenue - Join the Council Member for his annual turkey distribution Tuesday, November 24 at 1 p.m. This year his staff will also distribute PPEs and have COVID-19 testing available. RSVP by calling his office at 718-776-3700.
“iRock Turkey Day 2020 10k College89-60 164th Street Parking Lot – Join the First Presbyterian Church and friends on Thanksgiving Day, November 26 at 12 p.m. as they feed 10k people throughout NYC. This is free event serving grab and go dinners and snacks.
Rent with Jamaica Performing Arts Center  

Jamaica Performing Arts Center (JPAC) is now a multi-functional venue in the heart of Queens, NYC. Close to major transportation, the 400-seat theater can be configured to accommodate various events. Venue Features include: 

  • Full-service front and back of house amenities 

  • State of the art production and AV 

  • Excellent management and support staff 

  • Multipurpose rehearsal and performance space 

For rental inquiry, please call 718.658.7400 x 300 or email jpac@jcal.org. You can also view a video of the space here.   
Educational Opportunities at SUNY Queens EOC  

The SUNY Queens EOC remains fully operational and continues to provide tuition-free academic preparation online (remote) classes and career training. SUNY EOC's tuition-free programs include: High School Equivalency (HSE); English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL); College Prep (Pathways-to-College) and others including career trainings in: Home Health Aid (HHA) and Security Guard (SGT) trainings. They are currently accepting applications for their Spring 2021 semester at www.queenseoc.net. Seats are limited.
Stop the Spread of COVID with NY's Contact Tracing App 

To stop the spread, New Yorkers need to do their part. Participate in the new contact tracing app COVID Alert NY to help keep yourself and your community safe.  

COVID Alert NY is a voluntary, anonymous, exposure-notification app that notifies you if you were in close contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19. Knowing about a potential exposure allows you to self-quarantine immediately, get tested, and reduce the potential exposure risk to others.  

The app is available to anyone 18+ who lives, works, or attends school in New York or New Jersey, and it's available in seven languages.  

Download the app for iPhone or Android here. Read the FAQ on privacy and more here
COVID Guidance for New Yorkers

All New Yorkers can take some simple steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19:  

  • Stay home: Stay home, especially if you are sick unless you are leaving for essential medical care or other essential errands. 

  • Physical distancing: Stay at least 6 feet away from other people. Do not attend large gatherings, especially indoor gatherings. Remember to keep a safe distance between you and others even when wearing a face covering.  

  • Wear a face covering: Protect those around you. You can be contagious without having symptoms and spread the disease when you cough, sneeze or talk. When worn correctly (covering both your nose and mouth), face coverings can help reduce the spread of COVID-19. 

  • Practice healthy hand hygiene: Wash your hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available; clean frequently touched surfaces regularly; avoid touching your face with unwashed hands; and cover coughs and sneezes with your arm, not your hands. 

  • Get tested. To find a COVID-19 testing site near you, visit nyc.gov/covidtest or call 212-COVID19 (212-268-4319). Testing is free at many sites, including all sites operated by Health + Hospitals and the NYC Health Department. 

For general information on COVID-19, visit nyc.gov/health/coronavirus or text “COVID” to 692-692. Message and data rates may apply.  
About Business and Event Promotions in this Newsletter: Businesses and organizations located in the Jamaica Avenue Commercial District between Sutphin Blvd and 169th Street are invited to submit promotional information for possible inclusion in our newsletter. Events happening near or immediately adjacent to the Jamaica Avenue Commercial District may also be considered for inclusion on a case-by-case basis. We reserve the right to reject or edit materials for length, style, timeliness, and appropriateness. This newsletter serves to inform our community about events, opportunities and commercial activity in Downtown Jamaica, within specifically the Jamaica Center BID boundaries.