Season 6 Week 29
It’s been a week…
If you haven’t heard the news—which seems… impossible?—Astoria’s very own Assemblyman (and 31st Ave Open Street stan) Zohran Mamdani is now the mayor-elect of the five boroughs.
Now, like most Western Queens residents, we’ve known Zohran for some time. We worked with his office to develop the Western Queens Street Safety Plan, which calls for life-saving redesigns on our streets. We helped organize the 31st Ave visioning workshops with his office, which led to the ‘bike boulevard’ redesign we see today. And we’ve facilitated information and resource distribution with his office on the Open Street, where Zohran himself once campaigned. As we said: Mamdani is an age-old supporter and visitor, if the photo above is any proof.
Like many others in Western Queens residents, we share with him a sincere congratulations on his decisive win Tuesday night. And we stand ready, willing and able to get to work on Day One creating thriving, livable streets for all.
Now, let’s get into it:
The Clips
Let’s make the 34th Ave Open Street even better. (NYCDOT)
If you’re wondering what Mamdani can do for streets as mayor, here’s a good roadmap. (Streetsblog)
If you haven’t followed this series on the Interborough Express project, you’re missing out. (NYT)
Weekend Plans
SATURDAY
Liz Hogg, guitar: 12:30 PM - 1:00 PM
Local Keller Williams Office Hosts Annual Basket Brigade for Families in Need: 12:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Kids & Adults Book Sale for Gaza: 12:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Indivisible Western Queens: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
SUNDAY
Street Tree Care w/Big Reuse (near Woodside Houses) - 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (RSVP HERE)
Astoria Cat Rescue: 12:30 PM - 5:30 PM
RESISTANCE IS GLORIOUS, a Fundraiser for a Gazan Family: 12:30 PM - 5:30 PM
The Bindi Collective: 12:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Turath fundraiser: 12:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Palestinian Art Exchange: 12:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Piece of Quds – Palestinian Handicrafts for Gaza Relief: 12:30 PM - 6:00 PM
From the bee to the jar: 12:30 PM - 6:00 PM
We're Making a Mural, Y'all - Community Engagement for SBS Grant: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Indivisible Western Queens: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Queens Crafts for Palestine: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Astoria Farmers Market - November: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Astoria Puzzle Swap: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Participatory Budgeting Idea Collection: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
For information on each event, peek our events page, which stays more updated than this newsletter.
Upcoming Markets - November
If you’re interested in selling on the Open Street, read our FAQs first here and join our Markets WhatsApp group to get the latest news as markets are being planned.
Astoria Farmers Market - 11/9
Vendors Unite - 11/23
Join Your Neighbors!
Sign up for a setup, breakdown or tabling shift this weekend and join the 31OS crew!
All are welcome and no prior experience is required. The most help is needed 12pm-1pm and 7pm-8pm but shifts are available all day for anyone interested in keeping an eye on things, meeting neighbors, and talking with members of the community who may have questions.
For more info on the types of shifts, or to see what sign-ups are available, check out our Volunteer page.
If you want to help, but can’t make it to the street in person, there are lots of other tasks and projects we’re working on throughout the week. Fill out our Volunteer Interest Form to share what you like to do and we’ll reach out if we have something!
Stay Connected via WhatsApp
Want to stay in touch with 31OS and your neighbors even when the Open Street isn’t active? Use our invite link to join our WhatsApp Community today!
Share Your Feedback
We strive to make the Open Street a pleasant experience for all, so if you have any feedback that you’d like to share with the volunteers we’d love to hear it! Our Feedback form is available 24/7 for members of the community to send their thoughts directly to our team.
Support the Open Street
It takes a lot to run the 31st Ave Open Street, such as renting storage space, paying for insurance, or buying supplies like extra chairs, sidewalk chalk, and trash bags to keep our street clean.
We list a few of the materials that we are in frequent need of on our donation page. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, we also take tax-deductible donations via our Givebutter campaign for those who would like to contribute financially.
Every bit helps and we appreciate your support in making 31st Ave a better place for all! Thank you!
