Season 6 - Week 4
Rain, rain go away.
Forecasts show clear skies, just in time for the weekend. And folks, we’re still dizzy from the immense turnout to the first-ever Astoria Farmers’ Market on Sunday. (A mayoral candidate even showed up!) Catch the AFM team back on the block the second Sunday in June.
Now, let’s cut to the chase:
Open Street Updates
Not a whole lot of painting you can do in the rain :/ The striping crews need dry streets to lay ‘thermoplastics’ and fresh kermit, and we didn’t have anything close to that this week.
BUT the crews did stripe down to 31st Street when it was pretty out on Monday, so we’re now officially one-way from 31st Street to Steinway :) And we’re delighted to see (most of) the cars—including a souvlaki truck!–adjusting to the new pattern.
Side note: did we tell you we recently won the title of ‘Best Public Space Activator’ at Open Plans’ Public Space Awards? We’re thrilled :) Thanks to everyone who voted for us!
News Clips
At long last: the Queensboro Bridge is really back open for walkers. (Queens Daily Eagle)
Bridge-related: the RFK also saw an upgrade. Do the Queens side next! (amNY)
Wow, that whole congestion pricing thing sounds great. (The New York Times)
Weekend Plans
SATURDAY
Astoria Family Enrichment Center: 12:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Learn About VOICE Charter School K-8 Programs - 12:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Goods for Gaza: 12:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Spare Arts Launch Event: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Indivisible Western Queens Tabling: 01:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Astoria Cat Rescue: 01:00 PM - 05:00 PM
Astoria Reading Party: 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
SUNDAY
We’re Making a Book, Y’all: 12:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Queens Families for Palestine Lemonade Stand: 12:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Astoria Food Pantry tabling: 01:00 PM - 6:00 PM
31OS Public Market: 01:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Indivisible Western Queens tabling: 01:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Astoria Cat Rescue: 01:00 PM - 05:00 PM
For information on each event, peek our new events page, which stays more updated than this newsletter.
Group Ride - May 18th at 1:30 PM
Also on Sunday - A community group ride will be starting at the Open Street and then riding to newly re-opened Rainey Park and on to the Queensborough Bridge where the South Outer Roadway will be opening as a dedicated path for pedestrians.
Upcoming Market Opportunities - May
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.
5/18 - 31OS Public Market - Organized by 31OS
5/25 - Hawaii May Day - Organized by Queens Pacific Asian Coalition
5/31 - Astoria Tween/Teen Entrepreneurs Market - Organized by Projekt NYC
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.
Two special shifts are available this week for New (Or Returning!) Volunteer Training, where we will cover the operations of the Open Street and show everyone the ropes.
All are welcome!
Saturday 5/17 - Volunteer Training: 11:30am-12:30pm
Sunday 5/18 - Volunteer Training: 11:30am-12:30pm
For more info on the types of shifts, or to see what are available for signups 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 Givebutter for those who would like to contribute financially.
We also just launched a new campaign to fundraise for this summer’s Community Cookout series. Countdown to movies and BBQ outside has begun, folks.
Every bit helps and we appreciate your support in making 31st Ave a better place for all! Thank you!
31OSC
Some scenes from the first Astoria Farmers Market on Sunday 5/11!
