FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM AUGUST 16, 2018 • BUZZ • THE QUEENS COURIER 65
A Better World Festival aims to promote
the message of activism and engagement
BY JENNA BAGCAL
jbagcal@qns.com/ @jenna_bagcal
Join Sunnyside residents, merchants,
nonprofi ts, speakers and performers for a
day of activism and engagement.
On Aug. 18 from noon to 5 p.m.,
Sunnyside Shines, the Love, Hallie
Foundation and Councilman Jimmy Van
Bramer’s offi ce will be hosting A Better
World Festival (ABWF) which will include
performances and family-friendly activities
that highlight the fun in making a difference.
Th e event is slated to take place
at Bliss Plaza on 46th Street and Queens
Boulevard.
Kids will have the opportunity to sing,
dance and be creative with local arts groups,
and representatives from over a dozen nonprofi
t organizations will be present to educate
and inform about their work. Two
of the nonprofi ts are Chess in the Schools
whose youth volunteers will off er free chess
instruction and Do Something, who will be
registering voters for the upcoming elections.
“Th e spirit of Sunnyside is the kind of
attitude that can create a better future —
uniting people of all ages and backgrounds
who care about their neighbors, their country
and the world,” said Jaime-Faye Bean,
executive director of Sunnyside Shines.
ABWF was inspired by Hallie Geier, the
young Sunnyside girl whom the Love Hallie
Foundation commemorates. Th e 11-yearold
died almost 10 years ago aft er being hit
by a car in front of her house and is remembered
for her prolifi c writing and youth
activism, including raising money for an
AIDS cure in Africa. A selection of her personal
journal entries can be found on lovehallie.
org.
“I want to help the class community, or
help raise money for starving people. I want
to become more active in peacemaking and
helping people make the right choices. I
want to save endangered species. I want to
discover the cure for cancer and save lives.
I just hope I get the chance,” wrote Geier in
an entry titled “To Do Something Special.”
Th e free event will also feature dramatic
readings by youth activists and a special
performance of Geier’s writings by
best friends and actors Barbara Feldon and
Buddy Mantia.
ABWF will feature ringmaster Ellis
Rubens, 13, a Queens native, “Greatest
Showman” actor and active member of
Hallie’s Angels, the youth action branch
of the Love, Hallie Foundation, as well as
Sunnyside native Molly Martin, 17, who
will be managing the entire ABWF event
with a team of youth volunteers.
“We have been organizing rallies and
events to engage people in creating positive
change,” said Councilman Van Bramer.
“People want to get involved and help
their neighborhood and their neighbors.
So, we’ve asked nonprofi ts who welcome
volunteers, especially young people, to
share those opportunities at the festival.
We’re thrilled to welcome all to join us
for an exciting day, to get motivation and
information that will improve communities
across the city and the lives of people
everywhere.”
For more information visit sunnysideshines.
org.
Photo courtesy of Love, Hallie Foundation
Hallie Geier (left) and friend.
Enjoy global eats and more at Astoria Flea & Food this weekend
Astoria Flea & Food is open this
weekend, Aug. 18-19, with lots of
global eats, curated Flea vendors
and local craft beer for everyone
to enjoy.
Th e market is open Saturday
night from 5 to 11 p.m. and then
on Sunday aft ernoon from noon to
6 p.m. on the back lot of the famed
Kaufman Astoria Studios, located
at 34-12 36th St.
Among the food vendors scheduled
for this weekend’s market is
Barbecue On A Stick, which will
be serving their authentic Filipino
food made with lots of love by
Hersey and her team. Try the
chicken on a stick with green sauce
and steamed rice cakes.
Also on deck and just as delicious
is Sara and Th e Croquettery with
her delicious Brazilian-inspired
croquettes. Four Th e Hard Way via
Jamaica will have their signature
dishes like jerk chicken, rice and
peas and plantains.
If you’re in the mood for something
sweet, check out Cryo Cream,
where Chef Matt transforms your
classic iced-favorites into smoking
frozen art! S’mores more to your
liking, S’morgasm has kits that
include chocolate graham crackers,
homemade coconut marshmallows
and Ghirardelli dark chocolate.
Don’t miss out on all the unique
Flea vendors taking part in this
weekend’s market! Shop all of the
handmade items from clothing to
jewelry to shoes.
Crescent Moon Jewelry will be
on site with their fi ne sterling silver
jewelries made in NYC. Kamari
Kids has fashionable wear for your
little ones and Yanzi Lama has cool
tops, rompers and dresses.
Shopping for your special pet? La
Pêt-isserie focuses on local, organic
and responsible sourcing pet food
for your cat or dog.
There’s truly something for
everyone at the Flea. To learn
more, check out www.licfl ea.com
for upcoming events!
buzz
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/www.licfl
