🌱 Queens Lunar New Year + Elmhurst Homeless Encampment Persists

Happy Monday, Queens! Here's everything you need to know about what's happening today.

First, today's weather:

Showers of rain and snow. High: 38 Low: 33.

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Here are the top three stories in Queens today:

1. A homeless encampment in Elmhurst is leaving locals frustrated due to its dirty conditions. At least five homeless individuals have set up camp on a stretch of Whitney Avenue for the past two years — and despite 41 complaints, the city has not taken action. Residents of the encampment have confirmed that they've been encouraged by city workers to enter a shelter, but have not been forced to leave. (New York Post)
2. For the first time in two years, the Queens Lunar New Year Parade kicked off in-person in Flushing on Saturday morning. Families across the borough came out to welcome the Year of the Tiger, watching the parade march from the corner of 37th Avenue and Union Street to Flushing Town Hall. Many more events, including additional parades, lion dances, and an art exhibit at Town Hall, are all planned for the next few weeks. (CBS New York)
3. Police are searching for a man connected to three separate robberies in Queens, all of which took place in the span of a week. The youngest victim was only 12 years old; no injuries were reported in any of the incidents. Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers. (WPIX 11 New York)

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Today in Queens:

• Crosswords - Far Rockaway Branch Library (10:30 AM)
• Moving for Life - Queens Public Library - Central Library (1:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• A Queens native's photography project pays tribute to the borough's restaurant industry and all it's been through amid the pandemic. Learn more about the Queens Chef Project here. (Spectrum News NY1)
• Mayor Eric Adams announced the appointment of Susan Donoghue, commissioner of the City of New York Parks and Recreation, as well as Iris Rodriguez-Rosa, the first deputy commissioner. (nyc.gov)
• Discover the history of how Queens Public Library brought a branch to Woodhaven. (QNS.com)

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• Old Astoria Neighborhood Association (OANA) Monthly Meeting (February 9)
• The Last Stargazers: True Stories and Adventures of Astronomy (February 10)
• The Learning Experience- Summer Camp Ages 2-10 years old Zoom Information Session Feb. 17, 2022 (February 17)
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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow with a new update.

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a born and raised Rhode Islander. She works as a staff writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners, and is a graduate of The University of Rhode Island, where she earned a degree in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies. In her free time, you can find her traveling, hiking, or photographing her neighborhood as a street photographer.