4 The QUEE NS Courier • june 2, 2016 for breaking news visit www.qns.com Photo courtesy of AT&T Flushing Meadows Corona Park will receive cellphone charging ports as part of the “Wi-Fi in the Parks” program. Free solar mobile charging stations are coming to Flushing Meadows Corona Park By Angela Matua [email protected] @AngelaMatua As part of its “Wi-Fi in the Parks” program, AT&T and the Parks Department will install charging stations in Flushing Meadows Corona Park and extend the program for an additional five years. The program was started in 2011 to add Wi-Fi to public parks and is responsible for 8.6 million connections. After New Yorkers experienced power and connection issues during Hurricane Sandy in 2013, AT&T partnered with the Parks Department to also install charging ports around parks and public spaces. On Tuesday, AT&T announced they would be extending this program for another five years and increase the number of free solar mobile charging stations to 34 units at 15 parks and beaches, which now includes Flushing Meadows Corona Park. The Wi-Fi is available at 27 locations in 21 parks regardless of cell carrier. “Over the past five years, millions of visitors to New York’s parks and beaches have connected over Wi-Fi in the Parks and charged their devices at AT&T Street Charge units,” said Marissa Shorenstein, AT&T’s New York State President. “It’s been exciting to watch these programs become proof points for how a city can leverage advances in technology to keep its citizens connected.” In addition to Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Astoria Park and McDonald in Forest Hills provide free Wi-Fi to parkgoers. Charging ports will be installed at Flushing Meadows Corona Park at David Dinkins Circle, Ederle Terrace and West Side Tennis Center. Currently, other charging ports can be found around Queens including Rockaway Beach at 107th, 97th and 86th streets and Corona Plaza at Roosevelt Avenue and 104th Street. “Thanks to AT&T Wi-Fi in the Parks and AT&T Street Charge, Queens residents and visitors don’t have to choose between staying connected or enjoying some time at one of our beautiful parks,” said Queens Borough President Melinda Katz. “NYC Parks and AT&T deserve to be commended for extending the AT&T Wi-Fi in the Parks program for five more years and for increasing the availability of AT&T Street Charge units. This modern technology allows our parks to be even more fun to visit.” THE COURIER/Photo by Anthony Giudice From left to right: Andy Suh, VP Alley Pond Golf Center; Father Andrew Kim, St. Paul Chong-Ha Sang RC Church; Ocelia Claro, Community Board 11; Queens Parks Commissioner Dorothy Lewandowski NYC Parks & Recreation Borough Commissioner, Spencer An, President Alley Pond Golf Center, New York State Assemblyman Edward Braunstein, Frank Byon, Crossover Construction and Vincent Zerilli, JP Morgan Chase Getting into the swing of things at new Alley Pond Golf Center The Alley Pond Golf Center in Douglaston has a brand-new look that was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 27. Located at the edge of Alley Pond Park, the golf center underwent an extensive renovation to improve the golf and recreational experience for customers. The upgrades included an expanded clubhouse; 40 additional roofed and temperature-controlled driving stations; a renovated mini golf course; an indoor PGA golf course simulator; and parking improvements. The clubhouse was also tripled in size to include the new Alley Pond Sports Bar and Grill featuring a modern and sophisticated decor, a patio and deck, 24 televisions, cuisine from a four-star chef and a wide variety of craft beers, wines and spirits. Club Purlieu, where cab driver was shot, is officially closing By Angela Matua [email protected]/@AngelaMatua The nightclub where livery driver Roberto Castillo was shot in the head has closed its doors for good. Club Purlieu, located at 36-04 34th St., was the scene of a shooting in March and was briefly shut down after multiple city agencies found the club to be in violation of several codes including open container violation, public urination, consumption after hours, disorderly premise, failure to replace fire exit lights and failure to maintain fire extinguisher and fire exit lights. Community members rallied in front of the club in March with Councilmen Jimmy Van Bramer and Costa Constantinides and recounted stories of violent behavior. A local business owner said he woke up to find a bullet through his windshield when he parked his car near the club last year. According to Van Bramer’s spokesperson, owners decided to shut down the club after the State Liquor Authority slapped them with several violations. Club Purlieu was also the scene of a stabbing last year. Three patrons were stabbed and robbed at a concert for rapper Chedda Da Connect. File photo Club Purlieu in Astoria has decided to shut down after facing violations from the State Liquor Authority. “Club Purlieu was a bad business and a bad neighbor that brought violence and disruption to our community,” Van Bramer said in a statement. “Club Purlieu was a clear and present danger to Dutch Kills, turning a residential neighborhood into a violent hotspot.” When The Courier contacted the club by phone, an employee said she had no comment when asked if the club was closing.
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