This Week at KRVC - Ice Cream Social, Arts & Crafts and Networking Seminar

 

Giving Back to Our Community.....

On Wednesday, July 10th, we organized a food distribution for the community. Thank you to The Church of The Mediator for allowing us to use their space for distribution. 2 pallets of fresh produce were redirected to our community via Sharing Excess. 

We are getting our truck ready! Thank you to Elite, Lisa, and Musk for getting the community truck ready for the upcoming busy season. Art for Aid stopped by and made a donation to our Back To School Drive! 

We cannot do all we do for the community without your support. Please consider making a donation to KRVC to support our programming.

COMING UP AT KRVC.....

🌱GrowNYC Volunteer Newsletter

 

GrowNYC Volunteer Newsletter

Register for our August Virtual Volunteer Orientation

What's new: Interested in volunteering with GrowNYC? Join our online orientation where our Volunteer Program Manager will provide information about GrowNYC, local agriculture and food access, as well as current and upcoming volunteer opportunities.

Orientation is open to all, however, GrowNYC volunteers must be 18 years of age or older. The volunteer orientation is required to participate in our volunteer opportunities.

• Upcoming virtual orientation | Friday, August 9th, 5pm - 6pm (sign up)

Volunteer Spotlight

Meet Katja, our spotlight volunteer of the month! Read the interview below to learn more about Katja.

1. How long have you been volunteering with GrowNYC?

My name is Katja, and I moved to NYC from Russia by myself a bit over 9 years ago and have been living here or traveling the States ever since. Right now, I work in IT, my job is remote, and I mostly work from home, so volunteering at the greenmarket is a nice way to get the weekend started outdoors. I’ve been volunteering with GrowNYC since January of this year!

2. Tell us about yourself, what interests you and how do you spend your time?

I love coming to the Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket on Saturday mornings and staying in the area afterward, spending time biking around Prospect Park, going to the library, Botanic Garden, or Brooklyn Museum.

3. Why did you decide to volunteer with GrowNYC?

I chose to volunteer with GrowNYC because the Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket is my neighborhood market, and I was looking for opportunities to stay within my community.

4. What has been your favorite moment/memory volunteering with GrowNYC so far?

I can’t think of one favorite moment I had while volunteering, but to me, the best part of it is learning and keeping myself updated on seasonal fruits, veggies, and berries. Being at the market and having conversations with visitors and producers, in one way or another, reminds me of being home. I grew up with my parents’ and grandparents’ gardens, so I’m used to eating seasonally and locally, and it’s great to be in a company of people that are passionate about it as well.

Greenmarket Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer with GrowNYC’s Greenmarkets and help support local farmers by creating a welcoming environment and ensuring they have opportunities to sell fresh produce. This is also a great way to do your part in helping ensure that all NYC residents have access to fresh and local produce! These events are outdoors, rain or shine. Please dress for the weather and bring a reusable water bottle! Sign up for one or more opportunities at the following Greenmarkets (GM):

Manhattan:

Abingdon Square GM - Saturdays (sign up)

Cooking Demo @ Tucker Square GM | (Contact Us | Cwilkins@grownyc.org)

Queens:

Jackson Heights GM - Sundays (sign up)

GrowNYC Community Garden Volunteer Days

Volunteer with GrowNYC’s Green Space team to assist with building community gardens, green infrastructure systems, and garden infrastructure like raised beds, shade structures, and seating.

Montauk Atkins Community Garden | Volunteer Day

214 Montauk Avenue, Brooklyn

Friday July 19th, 10am - 12pm (Sign Up)

GrowNYC Partner Volunteer Activities

GreenThumb Volunteer Opportunities

The Living Laboratory Community Garden relocated in 2015 and we're looking to reactive the garden and form a new community group. There are 2-4 dedicated gardeners in this space and need more members to keep the space active and open to the community. They'll be planting over 100 plants to beautify the landscape!

• Saturday, 7/13: Living Laboratory Community Garden in Brownsville, Brooklyn (register here)

• Sunday, 7/28: Madison Square Association Garden in Bushwick, Brooklyn (register here)

• Saturday, 8/10: Miracle Garden – Bronx (register here)

Statement from Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas

 

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas released the following statement regarding the shooting at former President Donald Trump’s campaign rally in Pennsylvania. 

“U.S. Secret Service Director Cheatle and I have briefed President Biden on the shooting in Pennsylvania. DHS and the Secret Service are working with law enforcement partners to respond to and investigate the shooting. We condemn this violence in the strongest possible terms and commend the Secret Service for their swift action. We are engaged with President Biden, former President Trump, and their campaigns, and are taking every possible measure to ensure their safety and security. Maintaining the security of the Presidential candidates and their campaign events is one of our Department’s most vital priorities.” 

Air Quality Health Advisory Issued for New York City Metro and Long Island Regions

 

In Effect for Monday, July 15, 2024

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar and State Department of Health (DOH) Commissioner Dr. James McDonald issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for Monday, July 15, 2024, for ozone to include the New York City Metro and Long Island Regions.

           The pollutant of concern is: Ozone

The advisory will be in effect 11 a.m. through 11 p.m.

 

The Monday, July 15, Air Quality Health Advisory regions consists of: Long Island, which includes Nassau and Suffolk counties, and New York City Metro, which includes New York City, Rockland, and Westchester counties.

 

DEC and DOH issue Air Quality Health Advisories when DEC meteorologists predict levels of pollution, either ozone or fine particulate matter (PM2.5), are expected to exceed an Air Quality Index (AQI) value of 100. The AQI was created as an easy way to correlate levels of different pollutants to one scale, with a higher AQI value indicating a greater health concern. 

 

OZONE

 

Summer heat can lead to the formation of ground-level ozone, a major component of photochemical smog. Automobile exhaust and out-of-state emission sources are the primary sources of ground-level ozone and the most serious air pollution problems in the northeast. This surface pollutant should not be confused with the protective layer of ozone in the upper atmosphere.

 

Ozone is not a direct emission, and is produced indirectly when sunlight chemically reacts with nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from automobile exhaust and industrial emissions. High ozone is not as visible as PM2.5 because it is a colorless gas, but will produce hazy skies and reduce visibility in high concentrations.

 

People, especially those with cardiovascular disease and those who have respiratory disease (such as asthma), young children, those who exercise outdoors, and those involved in vigorous outdoor work should consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity when ozone levels are the highest (generally afternoon to early evening). When outdoor levels of ozone are elevated, going indoors will usually reduce exposure. Individuals experiencing symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, or coughing should consider consulting their personal physician.

 

Ozone levels generally decrease at night and can be minimized during daylight hours by curtailment of automobile travel and the use of public transportation where available.

New Yorkers also are urged to take the following energy-saving and pollution-reducing steps:

• use mass transit or carpool instead of driving, as automobile emissions account for about 60 percent of pollution in our cities;
• conserve fuel and reduce exhaust emissions by combining necessary motor vehicle trips;
• turn off all lights and electrical appliances in unoccupied areas;
• use fans to circulate air. If air conditioning is necessary, set thermostats at 78 degrees;
• close the blinds and shades to limit heat build-up and to preserve cooled air;
• limit use of household appliances. If necessary, run the appliances at off-peak (after 7 p.m.) hours. These would include dishwashers, dryers, pool pumps and water heaters;
• set refrigerators and freezers at more efficient temperatures;
• purchase and install energy efficient lighting and appliances with the Energy Star label; and
• reduce or eliminate outdoor burning and attempt to minimize indoor sources of PM 2.5 such as smoking. 

 

Additional information on ozone and PM 2.5 is available on DEC's website and on DOH's website (PM 2.5) / DOH's website (ozone). A new DEC fact sheet about the Air Quality Index is also available on DEC’s website or by PDF download https://dec.ny.gov/sites/default/files/2024-05/aqiweb.pdf. 

 

To stay up-to-date with announcements from DEC, sign up to receive Air Quality Alerts through DEC Delivers: DEC's Premier Email Service. A toll-free Air Quality Hotline (1-800-535-1345) was also established by DEC to keep New Yorkers informed of the latest air quality situation.

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Statement on Shooting at Former President Donald J. Trump’s Rally

 

The Justice Department issued the following statement from Attorney General Merrick B. Garland on the shooting at former President Donald J. Trump’s rally:

“I have been briefed on the shooting at former President Trump’s rally, and have briefed the President. The FBI, ATF, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania, and the Department’s National Security Division are currently working with the Secret Service as well as state and local law enforcement partners on the ground in Butler, Pennsylvania.

My heart is with the former President, those injured, and the family of the spectator killed in this horrific attack.

We will not tolerate violence of any kind, and violence like this is an attack on our democracy. The Justice Department will bring every available resource to bear to this investigation.”

Governor Hochul Announces State Partnership Between the New York National Guard and the Kingdom of Sweden

National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program Connects National Guards with Militaries for Bilateral Training and Exchange Partnerships

Joint Training Sessions Will Enhance Security Cooperation and Improve Readiness for Both Forces

Exercises With NATO’s 32nd Member State ToBegin This Summer

Governor Kathy Hochul announced the signing of a state partnership agreement between the New York National Guard and the Swedish Armed Forces. The agreement allows the New York National Guard and Sweden to conduct joint training missions in order to improve readiness within their respective forces, beginning with an exercise in Stockholm later this summer. New York State Adjutant General Raymond Shields and Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson signed the agreement this morning during a ceremony at One World Trade in New York City.

“We are ushering in a new partnership for the Empire State, welcoming the Kingdom of Sweden to the New York National Guard’s State Partnership Program,” Governor Hochul said. “Our shared values, focus and commitment to the partnership will build relationships and improve capabilities for both our military forces. I look forward to the opportunities ahead.”

The National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program (SPP) pairs state National Guards with the militaries of countries around the world in bilateral training and exchange partnerships. The SPP was established in 1993 with Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, as they emerged from the breakup of the Soviet Union. The Guard was chosen to help former Soviet states reform their militaries and move toward civilian control of their armed forces as newly emerging democracies. Since then, the program has grown to 89 partnerships across 106 nations and every continent –  adding the Kingdom of Sweden to that list.

In recent years, Guardsmen have conducted about 1,000 training exchanges with their foreign counterparts annually, focusing on everything from peacekeeping operations to leadership development, lifesaving techniques and cyber defense.

The New York National Guard entered into similar agreements with the South African National Defense Force in 2003, and the Brazilian Ministry of Defense and Israeli Defense Forces in 2019. New York signed a statement of intent with Denmark in 2023 in order to establish joint training and exchanges in Greenland with their Joint Arctic Command. Today’s announcement follows Sweden’s accession to NATO in March of this year, making it the second NATO member state to partner with the New York National Guard.

Air Quality Health Advisory Issued for New York City Metro and Long Island Regions

 

In Effect for Sunday, July 14, 2024

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar and State Department of Health (DOH) Commissioner Dr. James McDonald issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for Sunday, July 14, 2024, for ozone to include the New York City Metro and Long Island Regions.

           The pollutant of concern is: Ozone

The advisory will be in effect 11 a.m. through 11 p.m.

 

The Sunday, July 14, Air Quality Health Advisory regions consists of: Long Island, which includes Nassau and Suffolk counties, and New York City Metro, which includes New York City, Rockland, and Westchester counties.

 

DEC and DOH issue Air Quality Health Advisories when DEC meteorologists predict levels of pollution, either ozone or fine particulate matter (PM2.5), are expected to exceed an Air Quality Index (AQI) value of 100. The AQI was created as an easy way to correlate levels of different pollutants to one scale, with a higher AQI value indicating a greater health concern. 

 

OZONE

 

Summer heat can lead to the formation of ground-level ozone, a major component of photochemical smog. Automobile exhaust and out-of-state emission sources are the primary sources of ground-level ozone and the most serious air pollution problems in the northeast. This surface pollutant should not be confused with the protective layer of ozone in the upper atmosphere.

 

Ozone is not a direct emission, and is produced indirectly when sunlight chemically reacts with nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from automobile exhaust and industrial emissions. High ozone is not as visible as PM2.5 because it is a colorless gas, but will produce hazy skies and reduce visibility in high concentrations.

 

People, especially those with cardiovascular disease and those who have respiratory disease (such as asthma), young children, those who exercise outdoors, and those involved in vigorous outdoor work should consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity when ozone levels are the highest (generally afternoon to early evening). When outdoor levels of ozone are elevated, going indoors will usually reduce exposure. Individuals experiencing symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, or coughing should consider consulting their personal physician.

 

Ozone levels generally decrease at night and can be minimized during daylight hours by curtailment of automobile travel and the use of public transportation where available.

 

New Yorkers also are urged to take the following energy-saving and pollution-reducing steps:

• use mass transit or carpool instead of driving, as automobile emissions account for about 60 percent of pollution in our cities;
• conserve fuel and reduce exhaust emissions by combining necessary motor vehicle trips;
• turn off all lights and electrical appliances in unoccupied areas;
• use fans to circulate air. If air conditioning is necessary, set thermostats at 78 degrees;
• close the blinds and shades to limit heat build-up and to preserve cooled air;
• limit use of household appliances. If necessary, run the appliances at off-peak (after 7 p.m.) hours. These would include dishwashers, dryers, pool pumps and water heaters;
• set refrigerators and freezers at more efficient temperatures;
• purchase and install energy efficient lighting and appliances with the Energy Star label; and
• reduce or eliminate outdoor burning and attempt to minimize indoor sources of PM 2.5 such as smoking. 

Additional information on ozone and PM 2.5 is available on DEC's website and on DOH's website (PM 2.5) / DOH's website (ozone). A new DEC fact sheet about the Air Quality Index is also available on DEC’s website or by PDF download https://dec.ny.gov/sites/default/files/2024-05/aqiweb.pdf. 

 

To stay up-to-date with announcements from DEC, sign up to receive Air Quality Alerts through DEC Delivers: DEC's Premier Email Service. A toll-free Air Quality Hotline (1-800-535-1345) was also established by DEC to keep New Yorkers informed of the latest air quality situation.