It’s hard to believe we’re enter ing the fourth and final quarter of 2022. Sometimes life seem ingly moves so swiftly past us and we find ourselves desperate ly trying to keep pace. All you can do is make the most of every moment and plan accordingly.
The events which occurred between October 29 – 30, 2012 was certainly something none of us could have fathomed nor ade quately planned for.
I’m referring to Hurricane Sandy, unofficially referred to as Superstorm Sandy.
Over the course of those two days the deadliest, most destruc tive, and strongest hurricane of that season wreaked havoc across our region causing nearly $70 billion in damage and taking hundreds of lives.
My initial thoughts were, how do we bounce back from this
devastation? Are there sufficient resources set to undertake the recovery process which will tak enumerous years to resurface?
Finally, I thought, how do we even begin to rebuild?
New Yorker’s are resilient and whatever doesn’t kill us definitely makes us collec tively stronger.
Breezy Point, the small Queens enclave, locat ed at the end of the Rockaway Peninsula was one of the communities hard est hit. But thanks to this com munity, federal, state and local resources working together, this
area as well as numerous others were able to work past the storm and reemerge stronger.
None of will ever forget that period of time but collectively we’ve moved for ward together.
Please join Queens Chamber in collaboration with our com munity partners as we
miss out on your opportunity participate.
As with most months the Chamber has a full calendar of events designed to provide you with ways to build your network and resources so you and your business can continue to thrive. Visit our website www.queen schamberorg to learn more.
I continue to share how much I love my job. Primarily because I along with our extremely talent ed staff work tirelessly on your behalf.
THOMAS J. GRECH PRESIDENT & CEO
pause and com memorate the tenth anniversa ry of this devas tating event. The Rockaway Hotel on Rockaway Beach Drive will host us, Thursday, October 27, as we come together to reflect. Space is limited so don’t
The fall season has arrived and with it comes all the splendor associated with this time of the year.
For some it’s the anticipation of upcoming holidays, others it’s the shift in temperatures, sea sonal beverages, and the oppor tunity to experience various fes tivals happening all around the community.
Whatever your reason, enjoy each and every moment the sea son offers.
This time of the year also means Queens Chamber will host one of their highly antici pated signature events, the 2022 Building Awards Gala.
This annual event awards and recognizes an industry that’s near and dear to my heart. Architects, builders, engineers, interior designers’ and others who contribute to the beauty of the built environment in our
diverse community.
I’ve always been amazed at the effort that goes into the design and construc tionof a proj ect from all the various par ties involves, most of whom we’ll celebrate this month. The effect that con struction has on the econo my is staggering yet extremely positive.
celebrate their accomplishments.
Thursday, October 13th the iconic TWA Hotel in the Eero Saarinen’s landmark 1962 Flight Center at JFK will once again host this spectacu lar event with a 90 plus year history.
Whether it’s a new hotel, gro cery store, library or an addi tion to an existing structure, they serve the residents and business es in the neighborhood. They all bring value to our community and for this reason we pause to
Queens Chamber marks its 111th year of advocating on behalf of, pro viding education to, and creat ing networking opportunities for its members as well as all within the business community here in Queens.
Take moment and visit our website www.queenschamber.org
Thank you for your commit ment and support.
Remember, we’re Queens STRONG!
for more information.
Thank you on behalf of the Board of Directors for your dedi cation and support of this won derful organization.
“We love to tell our kids to reach for the stars,
the
Such is how Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris described his anticipation when he announced the development of the first planetari um in Queens on Thursday, Sept. 22.
With development underway at the Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens located in Astoria, the new planetarium is anticipated to serve more than 10,000 children once it opens in 2026. Gianaris, an Astoria native and described by VBGC CEO Costa Constantinides as “a space enthusiast,” allocated $1 million to the project.
“This planetarium will be a shining light to every child that you can shoot for the moon,” Costa Constantinides, CEO of the Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens.
Currently, the nearest planetarium to Queens is Hayden Planetarium at the Museum of Natural History in Manhattan. However, as Gianaris described, “This project will make science more accessible to the children of our neighborhoods and open their minds to exciting new possibilities for their futures.”
NASA was in attendance at the announce ment, represented by Amy Kaminski, Prizes and Challenges Program Executive. She expressed how her own interest in astronomy was fueled by her middle school education and the planetarium she was exposed to at a young age.
“Planetariums get our youngest members of society dreaming about how they can be part of the adventure of space exploration, wheth er as scientists, engineers or even astronauts. Classrooms and textbooks are certainly impor tant components of STEM education, but there is really nothing like sitting under a star-filled dome
to make you feel like you are part of that experience.”
Spending time in a planetarium, Kaminski explained, is a ticket to success in the STEM field, as it builds curiosity and knowledge. Queens having this plan etarium is important to NASA as it contin ues its exploration of the cosmos.
“In order for us to keep up this work in the decades to come, we will need a new generation of scientists, engineers and space explorers,” Kaminski said. “I have no doubt that this planetarium has the potential to cultivate the talent NASA will be seeking.”
Kaminski has now joined the Education Committee of the Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens. “Her passion for this oozes from her,” said Walter Sanchez, pres ident of the board and development proj ect leader at Variety. “And as a Program Executive and a Space Technology Mission Directorate at NASA, Amy obviously has the knowledge and resources to help us develop the best programs possible for the STEM programs, including the planetarium.”
The Variety Boys and Girls Club has been in Astoria since 1955. The organization provides free after school programming to 4,000 young people annually, providing resources to as many children in the community as possible. While the ties to the community that stretch back 67 years are a source of pride and achievement for the club, there is an infrastructural downside — they have been in the same building since 1955. With over $300,000 spent on repairs since 2015, and limited space forcing children on waitlists, the Club has made a redevelopment plan to increase the number of children it can serve.
The new state-of-the-art facility that is under development for the club — a redevelopment
which will be carbon neutral — will also contain 229 affordable and supportive housing units as well as a newly constructed landmark of 123,000 sqft Club space.
“There are 8,000 young people below the pov erty line here in Western Queens,” Constantinides said. “So many more need services every single day, and that number is growing every day. We can’t meet that demand unless we grow.”
The new building will be five stories, have a 1,000 seat sports arena, theaters, two pools, a non-profit and business incubator, career train ing amenities - including a teaching kitchen, edu cation classroom space, art studios, a greenhouse and solar-panel equipped rooftop, alongside this planetarium.
“Queens is the worlds’ borough, and once this project is done we can say it's the universe’s bor ough, because you can see the universe from this planetarium,” Gianaris said.
After over a decade of advocacy, the QueensWay is slated to make its way into Queens.
The city plans to spend $35 million to begin phase one of construction for a linear park along 3.5 miles of abandoned railroad tracks that run through Central and Southern Queens, Mayor Eric Adams announced on Friday, Sept. 16.
Adams and other elected officials gathered on Trotting Course Lane in Forest Hills, just where the Metropolitan Hub, a portion of the QueensWay will be situated, to make the announcement.
QueensWay will be built along the for mer Rockaway Beach Branch line, which has not been utilized in more than 60 years. Once completed, the project will connect the neighborhoods of Rego Park, Forest Hills, Glendale, Woodhaven and Ozone Park, and pro vide a 47-acre park and seven miles of greenway.
“Phase one will convert abandoned rail road tracks which have been used as a dumping ground into a five-acre linear park and provide a safe way for residents to walk, jog or to enjoy the open space. We've learned during COVID-19 how important it is to have good quality open space, and it can't be just in one part of the city…This park is going to be the center of the lives in this community,” Adams said.
Along with benefitting physical and mental health, Adams cited air quality improvement, increased visibility for small businesses, creativi ty and better accessibility to public transportation as upsides to the park’s development.
He added that linear parks have proven to be successful, as seen by the Highline on the west side of Manhattan.
“We can have High Line and High Times in the outer boroughs as well, and that is why we’re bringing [QueensWay] to this amazing communi ty here in Queens,” Adams said.
“Because of the density of our city, linear parks penetrate deep into neighborhoods, and don't just focus on one particular area, allowing us to go further in open space. It allows eyesores like what's behind us to go from an eyesore to an oasis.”
Councilwoman Lynn Schulman, who represents the neighborhoods of Forest Hills, Rego Park, Kew Gardens and Richmond Hill in District 29, has been a key force in getting QueensWay off the ground — advocating for the project since her days at Community Board 6.
“I can’t believe that we’re here today…We are
facing a once in a civilization public health chal lenge to save our planet from destruction within, and today's investment by Mayor Adams in a lin ear park right here in Forest Hills, Queens is a huge step and meeting this challenge,” Schulman said.
“It was 10 years ago that two friends and con stituents…brought me their dream of creating a linear park where our kids could play, seniors could exercise and get fresh air and bicyclists could have safe bike paths. There were many obstacles to overcome, but I was determined when I took office in January that I would bring this extraordinary vision to fruition,” she con tinued. “The QueensWay will now become a reality.”
Approximately 322,000 people live within a mile radius of the QueensWay.
The proposed project would connect residents to 10 bus lines and four subway stations.
In addition, there are 12 schools within a fiveminute walk of the QueensWay and two Little League field complexes directly adjoining it.
Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar expressed her support for the plan, as she represents District 38’s neighborhoods of Glendale, Ozone Park, Richmond Hill, Ridgewood, and Woodhaven.
“This is a great day for my district. It's a great day for South Queens,” she said. “QueensWay will draw 1 million visitors every year. It will generate $2.2 million in new revenue…also, all the major thoroughfares in my district will be connected to QueensWay. That includes Rockaway Boulevard, 101st Avenue, Jamaica Avenue and Atlantic Avenue. This is extremely exciting for my district.”
The announcement was met with some criticism
and slight heckling from advocates of the QueensLink, a proposed 3.5-mile long tran sit and park corridor in the same space, which would connect northern and southern Queens.
The plan calls for both transit and park space in the community, and puts forth the argument that building only the park would “block any future use of transit on the line and deprive Southern Queens residents of a faster commute and less traffic while reduc ing pollution and carbon emissions.”
“We can have both, but if they design the park first without knowing where the train’s going to be, they might have to tear up the park to put in the train later. It makes no sense,” Miriam Bensman, senior adviser at QueensLink, said.
“They're talking about transit, but they're not doing anything about it. So the key is, if you really do care about public transit, and it's not just a campaign slogan, then you need to take it seriously and study the integra tion of a Transit Link, which would be a subway and a park,” Rick Horan, executive director of QueensLink, said.
“Our goal is to try to see if there's enough value in this project to get it there. But the only way we can do that is to study it,” he continued. “So we've been promoting an Environmental Impact Statement for QueensLink, which includes rail entry.”
QueensLink penned a letter to both Adams and Gov. Kathy Hochul last month in support of an EIS for the project.
Fifteen local elected officials signed off on the letter, including Rajkumar, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and Assemblyman David Weprin — who were all present at Friday’s announcement.
Rajkumar told The Queens Ledger that she is still in support of the QueensLink, and that both plans are needed for residents of Queens.
“Together, these plans both create green space and meet our transit needs. Constructing the QueensWay while also reactivating the rail line to create the QueensLink is perfectly feasible,” she said.
“Rail service combined with greenway, known as ‘rails-with-trails,’ is incredibly common: there are 343 rails-with-trails in the United States alone, with a combined length of almost 1,000 miles,” she continued. “In fact, building the QueensLink along the QueensWay would be very similar to plans to add rail service to Atlanta’s BeltLine elevated park. I continue to support an Environmental Impact Statement on the QueensLink, which would fill our transit desert with a vital north-south Subway corridor.”
On Thursday, September 22, dozens of busi ness and community leaders gathered in the auditorium of the Bulova Corporate Center for a meet and greet with Janno Lieber, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).
The event was hosted by the Queens Chamber of Commerce. Attendees heard opening remarks from Tom Grech, President and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce, who introduced Lieber.
Lieber, who has served as Chair of the MTA since January of this year after taking over as Interim Chair in July 2021, spoke to the audi ence about the MTA’s work on major projects including the Interborough Express, fixing Penn Station, signal modernization, congestion pricing and the Grand Central Madison project. He also reported on the authority’s increasing ridership numbers, decreasing crime in the subway sys tem and work to make more of the system ADA accessible.
“I’d like to thank the Queens Chamber of Commerce for the opportunity to come and speak with all of you today,” said Janno Lieber, Chair and CEO of the MTA. “After a US Open that saw record attendance, and with the Mets head ed back to the postseason, Queens is the place to be right now. I am thankful to the Chamber for giving me the opportunity to address their mem bership and discuss all the great work the MTA is doing to improve our mass transit system for Queens residents.”
“Janno Lieber is a friend to Queens and our business community, and we were thrilled to wel come him to the Chamber this afternoon to speak with our members," said Tom Grech, President and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. “Though we may not agree on every issue, he is always willing to listen and hear the concerns of small business owners, and we know he is incred ibly dedicated to improving mass transit for all Queens residents. I can think of no better person to lead the MTA at this critical time than Janno.”
Join the Queens Chamber of Commerce along with our community partners friends of the for a commemoration of the Tenth Anniversary of the terrible Hurricane Sandy that created so much destruction and took some lives.
Let’s get together for a moment of prayer and silence as we reflect on those who are still
struggling to rebuild their lives.
For additional event or venue information, please email jdonado@queenschamber.org
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Maspeth Federal Savings (MFS) celebrated the return of the Smile on Maspeth Day carni val on Sunday, Sept. 18.
This is the first time the beloved annual event took place since the onset of the COVID19 pandemic.
Guests were entertained by various rides, games and roving artists, plus magic, comedy and circus acts — including a pirate-themed show on a 30-foot ship.
As the first Smile on Maspeth Day since 2019, this year’s event harkened back to its roots.
MFS created the carnival to lift spirits dur ing the Great Recession of 2008. Since then, it has become a community favorite, attended by thousands every year.
“We founded Smile on Maspeth Day in 2008 to lift the spirits of our community. Its mission rings true today, and with this year’s event, we hope to give people a reason to smile and have some fun after these last few years,” said MFS President & Chief Executive Officer Thomas Rudzewick.
The event featured performers of Letterman and Ringling Brothers fame.
The Royal Hannaford Circus headlined an array of acclaimed performers, with several showings throughout the course of the day.
Performing since the 1600s, the Royal Hannaford Circus features spectacles like chair balancing, juggling and the R.H.C. Riders motorcycle globe.
Other acts included an interactive “piratetraining” show and tour for adults and children aboard a 30-foot pirate ship, the Captain Faust Magic Show featuring Vegas-style illusions and exotic animals and The Muttville Comedy
Dog Show, boasting a pedigree spanning the Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey Circus and “Late Night with David Letterman.”
Additional activities included a bouncy house, obstacle course, carnival games and face paint ers along with strolling clowns, balloon mak ers, stilt walkers and costumed characters.
Visitors also enjoyed a dance party with a DJ and giveaways throughout.
“Smile on Maspeth Day stands out to me over my 20 years here at MFS,” said Vice President & Director of Deposit Operations Victoria Grappone.
“To see the smile on children’s faces, it’s just an amazing day for everyone.”
Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Boulevard, Suite 140 Jackson Heights, N.Y. 11370-1131
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In the September issue of This Is Queens borough there were 2 errors. On pg. 26 David is listed as the President of the Maspeth Chamber of Commerce, which he no longer is. On pg. 29, listed in the QCC Board of Directors, his last name is misspelled. It should be Daraio.
This week’s featured tech entre preneur is Kobina Ansah, president of COVERR, a company provid ing business cash advances custom ized specifically for gig economy workers.
Can you tell us a little more about your company and how you got your start?
COVERR provides business cash advances that are customized for gig economy workers like Uber drivers or DoorDash delivery per sonnel. We initially started the busi ness by providing auto loans cus tomized for Uber drivers when we found out that many New York City drivers spent as much as $400-$500 a week to rent a car for work that
they would never own. While we wanted to empower drivers by cre ating an easier path to car owner ship, we quickly found that many did not have the liquidity to pay the required $500 down payment, and that is when we realized cash flow
financing may be a stronger pain point. Today COVERR provides specialized cash flow financing that helps gig economy workers smooth out the volatility within their daily business earnings or take care of small business-related emergencies.
How did you get your start in tech?
With my grandfather starting one of the first timber trading compa nies in Ghana, West Africa and my mother starting the first day spa in Ithaca, New York, entrepreneur ship has always been in my DNA. Through the advent of increasingly accessible tech infrastructure, I have been able to use various technolo gies to scale and expand the reach
of my service offerings.
What is your latest project and why are you excited about it?
While the gig economy represents one of the fastest growing labor seg ments in the U.S., traditional banks have not adequately updated their underwriting frameworks to meet the financing needs of this valuable segment. What excites me about COVERR’s mission is that as we continue to refine our model. We are able to get capital to dedicated workers who were previously over looked and help them achieve their highest earning potential.
To learn more, visit https://www. getcoverr.com/.
Since 1956, New Park Pizza has been serving delicious slices from their same original location at 15671 Cross Bay Boulevard in Howard Beach, Queens. New Park was one of the first 10 pizzerias in Queens. I have fond memories of going to New Park after baseball and basket ball games, since I was a young boy.
Back in the day, the only option to order slices there was to wait in line in the storefront, and when it was your turn, lean forward and look through a small opening to order your slices. Originally, it was mostly a quick stop “grab and go” place for daytime workers and local customers.
Over the years, word travelled, and New Park Pizza expanded their seating by adding 36 seats in the back of the pizzeria, along with 2 indoor bathrooms. Their origi nal bathrooms were outdoor. In the back, there are also numerous iconic old photos of Coney Island, Rockaway’s Playland, the World’s Fair, the Flatiron Building and the original Madison Square Garden to name a few.
One of the best things I love about pizza is you can order it in a vari ety of ways. New Park Pizza fea tures a thin-crust New York style pizza with a crispy crust. Their crust is unique (the bottom is unlike any other pizza) because they throw salt in the oven which adheres to the bottom of the crust and helps it gain a beautiful char.
Their pies are cooked in 2 sets of old-school deck ovens at 500 degrees Fahrenheit, which creates the cheesy heat bubble char on the top without drying out the cheese. Their sauce is savory and sweet. I prefer folding the slice because of the salty aftertaste flavor of the crust both on the upper and lower levels of the mouth.
For those who have a family or friends where some like the charred crust and some prefer a softer and chewy crust, that would be the time to order a whole pie instead of indi
vidual slices. New Park’s pie (see picture) typically will have 3-4 charred slices. For those who prefer only a charred slice, I suggest sitting in the back, picking out your slices, then take a seat and enjoy the ride to flavor town!
I was excited to meet up with George Russo, a longtime client and family friend, to enjoy a late August New Park lunch. George and his family have spent many years in the restaurant, catering and hospitality industry. George owns and oper ates Villa Russo in Richmond Hill as well as United American Title Agency on Lefferts boulevard across the street from the Villa Russo. George and his family also have experience in the pizzeria business. He gives back to the community as he is on multiple boards, and he is the current President of the board of the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Queens.
While I was waiting for George (I always arrive early and observe when doing my pizza reviews) I asked a longtime resident and patron what she thought of New Park. She said, “not only is it the best slice
in Queens, New Park came up big when needed most after Super Storm Sandy when they were giving out 2 slices and a soda for free to those that were affected.”
George hadn’t been to New Park in a while and was waiting in the front as I was waiting for him in the back. Old habits are hard to break as I was looking forward to shar ing my New Park charred slice the ory with him. He let me pick out the charred slices from the back and
said, “these slices are even better than I remember.”
An interesting point is that their top pizzaiola had called and would be coming in later that afternoon. That being said, our slices were as good as ever! One of the many things I like about New Park is that they have remained faithful to their roots and haven’t tried to expand, franchise or open in places like Madison Square Garden like other pizzeria’s, which often sacrifices quality for profit.
In this pandemic and these infla tionary times, New Park retains tre mendous value as slices are still only $3.25 and a regular 8 slice pie is $21.50. There is a large park ing lot in the back and New Park remains one of the few places open late on Cross Bay Boulevard as their hours are 11am-1am Monday-Sunday.
For those flying in from out of town, the best time to try New Park is either before or after flying into or out of JFK airport, as they are an 8–10-minute drive from the airport. I have several out of state friends that DEMAND we go directly to New Park as soon as they land when visiting me. Of course, they don’t need to twist my arm. Buon Appetitto!
Email me at Rob@InsuranceD octor.us to share your favorite Queens pizzeria and slice.
The Queens is Green Initiative works to connect Chamber mem bers and industry leaders in an effort to help businesses become more energy efficient and ensure that Queens is leading the way in the fight against climate change. Through educating, advocating and networking the Queens is Green Initiative strives to make Queens the greenest county in the largest city in America.
This energy partnership will help Queens Chamber members conserve energy and save money. Bringing together Chamber mem bers Reliable Power Alternatives Co., SUNation Solar Systems, Green Energy Technology, CPower Energy Management, National Grid and Con Edison, we will help our businesses become more energy efficient and assure that Queens is the greenest and most energy effi cient borough and county in New York.
This month’s Green Spotlight fea tures the work of Chamber member Green Energy Technology by JGM.
we collaborate to improve the envi ronment by working toward the reduction of carbon emissions in the Queens environment. As a total turnkey solution provider for elec tric vehicle charging stations and their requisite infrastructure, GET has designed EVSE infrastructures in collaboration with the other mem bers of the Chamber of Commerce as close to home for the Chamber as literally right outside the office headquarters with 10 ports about to be installed at the Bulova Building.
In our work with CPower, we have been introduced to a major real estate management company requir ing electric chargers for installa tion at two of their local shopping centers with a total of nearly 800 parking spaces in Brooklyn off of the Belt Parkway and in Flushing, Queens, requiring 45-50 ports for electric vehicle support. GET is also in discussions with Resorts World Casino next to Aqueduct, school bus companies that run their vehicles through the street of Queens, and several organizations at JFK and La Guardia Airports with the same needs on grander scales.
SUNation Energy and GET are working on multiple sites to provide combined resources of solar energy and EVSE to work towards the same objective. And RPAC and GET are in contractual negotiations with sig nificant national realty organizations with properties in Queens requiring EVSE.
Why is all of this important?
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Green Energy Technologies on the Queens is Green initiative and where we add value to the mission of decarbonizing Queens and being the “go to” resource for Queen’s Built Environment’s Renewable, Energy Efficiency and Resiliency needs Green Energy Technology by JGM (GET) is honored and privi leged to be called upon to partici pate in the Queens is Green ini tiative along with our colleagues at SUNation Energy, RPAC, and CPower Energy Management, as
Electric vehicles emit 60-68% fewer pollutants into the environment than their gas and diesel predeces sors. That means cleaner air for the school children riding on buses on their ways to and from school, their parents as they wave them good bye, shoppers in centers with cleaner vehicles, and on and on.
Together, we are working to improve the quality of the air and the quality of the environment to lead to a healthier and cleaner life for the citizens of a greener Queens.
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Eric Ulrich is the newest commis sioner of the citywide Department of Buildings. And while he’s been in charge of overseeing the more than a million buildings in New York City since May, he sees his job as managing people and the overall culture rather than buildings.
“I'm not an architect or engi neer, but my first deputy is and that's consistent with the law,” Ulrich said in an interview at the department’s office at 280 broad way, referencing his First Deputy Commissioner Kazmir Vilenchik, whose picture hangs in the walls of the department of buildings, as is traditionally only done for the head commissioner.
The former Queens Councilman represented Rockaway, Howard Beach, South Ozone Park and Woodhaven for eight years. The 37-year-old says he once contem plated the priesthood. Walking the halls with him at DOB offic es, while he addressed teams in the department was eye-opening. “These are the men and women who are inspectors,” he said, beam ing with pride. “We know you are often viewed as the enemy, but I know you have a passion to make sure buildings are safe. You are all great people,” he said.
One of the first things Ulrich did when taking over the office was reorganize the department to make it more efficient. The licensing unit, responsible for issuing permits for 23 different types of trades people to do their work, had a backlog of over 1,000 a day and was organized under the deputy mayor for legal affairs.
“This backlog is unacceptable. People's livelihoods are on the line. If they don't have a license, and it's expired, they can't file for permits. If they can't file for permits, they can't work, they can’t make money, their employees can't work and they're losing money,” Ulrich said.
Now, after some personnel chang es the backlog is only 100 a day. Ulrich said that he and his team are focusing on one or two units under the department every week in order to find inefficiencies and places to make improvements.
“If we can make a change there, imagine how much of a difference
“I went down to the record room, I went up to the planning room, I went to the inspectors,” Ulrich said. “But I wanted to meet liter ally every single person, even peo ple that were hiding in the back, asking ‘Who are you? What do you do? Thank you for what you do. My name is Eric. And I just want
people, the people are good. The problem is the process,” Ulrich said. That’s why Ulrich is working with 70 different stakeholder groups, ranging from industry experts to unions, to overhaul the department as part of the “Adams Commission: A Blueprint for a Better Buildings Department.”
“We’re trying to improve custom er service, maximize productivity and efficiency and bring this agency into the 21st century,” Ulrich said about the commission and his main goals for improving the department.
we can make if we can make the right personnel decisions and also digitize and modernize the opera tions in every other unit,” Ulrich said.
But the job of being commis sioner is much more than just find ing bureaucratic issues and fixing them, it requires a personal touch. He didn’t want the 1600 build ing department employees to just know him through a press release, so Ulrich spent time visiting each department.
to introduce myself, I’m the new commissioner. Feel free to reach out anytime I have an open door policy.’”
And Ulrich said that the approach is working. One woman in the record room said she had been there over 30 years and started to cry, as no commissioner had spent the time to come down to the department in years past, according to Ulrich.
“I realized after that tour of all the offices that the problem with the buildings department is not the
The department is currently in the process of moving many of the department’s processes to digi tal portal through “DOB Now”, an online portal for filings, with a goal of having the agency be completely paperless by the end of next year.
In years past, Ulrich said that the customer service approach from the department has been lacklus ter, so one of the former council man’s main focuses was to bring a
“It's not about issuing tickets and violations. That's not the inspectors' goal…”
constituent services approach to the agency. The offices, ranging from the main one in Manhattan to the borough offices, were closed to the public at noon according to Ulrich. So when he stepped in on day one, he made it clear that people are to work in-person, to not rely on using Zoom or Microsoft Teams and be open to the public from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“I serve at the pleasure of the mayor. But I also serve at the plea sure of the taxpayers who are pay ing my salary and I’m a public
will introduce themselves to com munity boards, churches and local businesses.
“The department thinks small businesses and homeowners should be able to work with us before they do alterations,” said Ulrich. “We can give them advice and set them on a path to a safe building.”
The Department of Buildings also hosts free in-person informations session on Tuesdays from 4:00 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the local borough offic es, as part of the “Buildings After Hours program, where whether you’re a tenant or a building man
employee like everybody else. And what I tell them [DOB employees] constantly is we have to serve the public,” Ulrich said. “ We don’t get to pick and choose who our custom ers are.”
Ulrich also said that a major focus of the department is to create path ways for career development, as to not lose more civil servants to the private sector where they can make a lot more money, as well as try ing to get the workers a raise with upcoming contract negotiations.
Ulrich and the Department of Buildings have also found ways to break the idea of the department being an agency that just issues violations.
Ulrich has hired Joseph Esposito, a former chief of police, as the Deputy Commissioner for enforce ment. They will be rolling out a program in November, styled after the NYPD’s Neighborhood Coordination Officers, a neighbor hood policing program, in order to bring greater ties with inspectors and the communities they inspect. It will be a ten person program start ing with Brooklyn, the leading bor ough in construction, where they
ager the department will be able to provide information and answer questions.
On the Mayor’s second day in office, he signed an executive order for five agencies to cut pen
alties and regulations, of which the Department of Building was included. So far, Class 2 viola tions, which are defined as having life threatening factors but don’t require immediate correction (and are the most common complaint) have been made curable, by hav ing 60 days to fix the problem.
“Fix it, and then let us know –give people the opportunity of the benefit of the doubt,” Ulrich said.
“It’s not about issuing tickets and violations. That’s not the inspec tors’ goal, ‘let me go out and give out 100 tickets today.’ The goal is to make sure that contractors are keep ing themselves and the public safe.”
Every year, the Chamber of Commerce recog nizes buildings and projects in the world’s bor ough in different categories, such as residential, commercial, hotels, and mixed use.
Each building was recognized at the Chamber of Commerce’s building award ceremony, held on Wednesday, Oct. 13.
The T-Building of Jamaica won their build ing award in the Rehabilitation, Readaptive Use (Residential/Commercial/Industrial).
Once a hospital primarily treating tuberculo sis patients, the 10-story T-Building underwent a “historic rehabilitation,” said Jonathan Huang, the executive on the project shared.
“We had to save, restore and reuse a lot of ele ments of the building,” Huang said. “The entire facade was restored. There is a marble lobby and bronze storefront that was completely restored. There is a historic library that we completely restored.”
Working with Dunn Development, the build ing was gutted, renovated and now serves as an affordable and supportive housing residential building.
The process took approximately two and a half years. Construction completed around the end of last year, and tenants were moved in during the spring and summer.
“We’re really excited that the building won the award,” he shared. “Most definitely, yes.”
Notable features of the building that Huang shared include restored balconies, open terrac
es, a playground, a wild lawn — a garden using native plants.
The building is located at 82-41 Parsons Boulevard. The 124 newly constructed apart ments are available with preferences for munici pal employees and Queens Community Board 8 members.
Two Rockaway buildings have been given spe cial building awards by the Queens Chamber of Commerce: the Margaret O. Carpenter Women’s Health Center at Episcopal Health Services’ building on Beach 105th Street, and the new Beach 21st Plaza in Far Rockaway were given
awards.
The Margaret O. Carpenter Women’s Center opened its doors last year, and has since brought much needed Women’s health services to the Rockaway community.
The center won the award in the medical facility category. It was designed by architect Thomas J. Mesuk, and constructed by the Facility Resource Group.
“I am so humbled and honored to be able to lead this initiative of providing care for women in this community,” said Rosemary Bonilla, Vice President of Physician Practices & Ambulatory Care and EHS. “We intend to help many people stay healthy, and we will save lives while we are at it.”
The older building, the newly opened Beach
21st Plaza in Downtown Far Rockaway, was given an award in the mixed use category.
The Plaza, part of a $234 million effort to revitalize the surround ing area, brings 10-stories of mostly affordable housing to Far Rockaway.
The architect behind the project is Urban Architectural Initiatives and constructed by Mega Contracting.
“It is so big for us,” said Mega Contracting Project Executive Boris Metavoy. “Just to be part of some thing so big, it's humbling.”
Metavoy said that the win came “out of the blue,” but that he was happy the work done by the contrac tors was honored, especially since much of the work was done in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Renaissance Charter 2 adds a rooftop playground to an urban school
By Matthew FischettiThe new Renaissance Charter 2 school wasn’t an easy feat. The four-story 69,000 square-foot kindergarten through 12th-grade school in Elmhurst was complet ed in 16 months through the heart of COVID. Despite the manpower shortages,despite the cost increases
and despite material delays – builder Scott Barone was able to pull it off.
“If you miss a day, you miss a year,” Barone said simply about his commitment to getting the project at 45-20 83 street off the ground so quickly.
Barone, the founder and princi pal of Barone Management, got into the charter school building busi ness back in 2018. While it is finan cially rewarding, Barone said that his “bottomless appetite” for build ing charter schools, of which he cur rently has 11 in his portfolio, stems from the positive impact they bring.
“We're doing the right thing at the right time. Charter schools are fully public free schools that are over whelmingly built-in economically disadvantaged communities, com munities of color. So, there's just no question about that you're doing the right thing,” he said.
The building will house 1050 kids at full enrollment, complete with a multipurpose music performance space, a chemistry lab, and an inner courtyard. The first floor, which serves kindergartners, shares bath rooms between two classrooms to be more space efficient.
While the Department of Education says that you need at least 100 square feet of space per student, Barone approached the building
differently.
“We want our school operations teams to tell us what it is that they need inside the box. And wheth er that box is 70,000 square feet, 170,000 square feet, or 700,000 square feet – it's irrelevant. As long as we make sure to get them all of the uses that they need within the building, so that they can do their job educating these kids as best as possible,” he said. ”That's what we care about. We are far more focused in regard to the design of the build ing to be more purpose and func tion-driven than we are working to some type of arbitrary standard.”
Barone and leaders from Renaissance worked together throughout the process, to build a space with more amenities while delivering the same kind of edu cation as the original Renaissance School, one of the oldest char ter schools in the city, located at 35-59 81st street in Jackson Heights. Originally the New Vision Annenberg Challenge School, over 95 percent of parents and teachers voted to convert the school into a charter back in 2000.
Stacey Gauthier, the princi pal of Renaissance and Executive Director for both Renaissance and
Renaissance 2, said that because of their collaboration with the develop ers, they were able to deliver a qual ity facility for children in one of the most overcrowded school districts in the city.
“I think that because we were really involved in the design of the building, we learned some good les sons about things that were impor tant in terms of a facility which included having ample outside space – especially when there's a school that has no school yard, because this is an urban school,” Guathier said.
Instead of having a traditional outdoor courtyard for kids to play, Renaissance 2 got creative. It fea tures over 10,000 square feet of outdoor space, with a rooftop play ground with rubberized roof pavers, an inner courtyard, a sunroof and a full-size court.
“I just have to say that it's excit ing to really see that the plans that we discussed and put on paper to have been realized,” Everett Boyd, Principal of Renaissance Charter 2, said in an interview.
This year is the second year Barone’s company has won recogni tion at the Queens Chamber build ing awards.
“Two years in a row feels pretty good,” Barone said. “We're already looking at what we can put on the slate for 2023.”
Architect Gerald J. Caliendo, R.A., A.I.A. has secured two wins in this year’s building awards.
In the New Construction – Multi Dwelling Residential Buildings cat egory, Caliendo’s luxury apartments at 31-05 21st Street and 25-28 30th Drive — both located in Astoria — have received awards this year.
“I believe that the Queens
Chamber saw the architectural qualities of the facade in conjunction with the context with the area,” Caliendo said regarding the location at 31-05 21st Street, which is eight stories with 23 units.
“It’s a wide street, with numerous additional new apartment buildings.”
With all the new buildings on 21st Street, the question lied with what made their building stand out.
Aron Chang, the project’s manager, shared his opinion on how 31-05 21st Street shines among the others.
“We have the duplex on the upper floors and an outdoor recreation space on the seventh floor,” Chang said. That’s our advantage.”
The project at 25-28 30th Drive bgan con struction in 2020, project manager Rachel Bahn shared. It is a seven story building.
The buildings are energy efficient, with extra insulation with the state energy code.
They are also “solar ready,” which refers to designing and constructing a building in a way that facilitates and optimizes the installation of a rooftop solar photovoltaic system at some point after the building has been constructed.
“Everything [we do] is state of the art,” Caliendo shared with a laugh. “We have no choice but to do state of the art.”
Maspeth Federal Savings continues to live up to their well-known motto, “We treat you like family, ” by making further improvements to the services offered to customers.
Honored in the category of Rehabilitation, Readaptive Use, Alteration or Addition, Maspeth Federal’s Forest Hills location on Metropolitan Avenue contributes to the commu nity atmosphere the historic neighborhood has to offer.
Their Forest Hills branch has changed a lot since its grand opening in 1974 and grand reopening in 2011.
Its most recent improvements include the relo cation of outdoor drive-up lanes, the addition of a 24-hour drive-up ATM with an overhead can opy and the installation of two electric vehicle charging stations.
In addition, the bank opted to remove fencing,
upgrade existing utilities, install a generator, repair the roof, add an additional egress, install new, larger second-floor windows and a new clock, as well as beautify the grounds.
Architect Michael Macaluso of MJM + A and builder Vincent Massina of HM Hughes were instrumental to the process.
“These new additions contribute to the cus tomer experience of Maspeth Federal because it adds increased convenience and accessibility for the customer. The drive-up ATM and gen erator provide uninterrupted service,” said Jill Nicolois, Community Affairs Director.
“The enhancements put in place with this project enable us to offer an upgraded banking
experience to the Forest Hills community,” she continued. “Plus, it looks amazing.”
The additions and improvements took about nine months to complete, which was a major accomplishment, especially during the pandemic.
“It’s absolutely amazing to get this recognition because it’s always our goal to contribute to the communities that we serve,” Nicolois said.
“I can’t tell you how many people from other businesses have said, ‘You guys did some job over there.’ It’s really noticeable, so we really elevated our exposure,” she continued. “I feel like we did make a positive impact on the exist ing footprint.”
One thousand children in Western Queens headed back to school with new backpacks and school supplies, thanks to the Queens Chamber of Commerce, New York City Councilwoman Julie Won and the Brooke Jackman Foundation.
Council Member Won reached out to The Queens Chamber of Commerce, the borough’s oldest and largest business association, for help getting supplies to students in her district ahead of the school year. The Chamber connected Council Member Won to the Brooke Jackman Foundation, who were able to donate 1,000 back packs for back-to-school drives across Won’s dis trict, which covers the neighborhoods of Long Island City, Sunnyside, Astoria, and Woodside. Students also received back to school supplies thanks to donations.
“Thank you to The Queens Chamber of Commerce and the Brooke Jackman Foundation for providing 1,000 backpacks for our kids in Sunnyside, Woodside, Long Island City, and
Astoria,” said Council Member Won. “With your partnership, we were able to host backpack give aways at our schools, family shelters, and com munity events, and ensured that our students were ready for a successful school year!”
The Brooke Jackman Foundation sponsors pro grams that promote literacy and learning for chil dren-in-need in the name of Brooke Jackman.
Brooke lost her life at the age of 23 in the World Trade Center terrorist attacks on September 11th, 2001.
“We were proud to partner with the borough of Queens to ensure that 1,000 children were able to start school with the necessary tools and supplies needed to have a successful school year.” said Erin Jackman, Executive Director of The Brooke Jackman Foundation.
“Supporting our borough’s children in their educational pursuits is imperative to building strong communities,” said Tom Grech, President and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce.
“We are so happy that we were able to part ner with Council Member Won and the Brooke Jackman Foundation to help ensure that students in Queens feel prepped and prepared as they head back to school.”
The Brooke Jackman Foundation was estab lished by family and friends after Brooke lost her life at age 23 in the World Trade Center terrorist attacks on September 11th. The Foundation was created in Brooke’s memory to sponsor programs that promote literacy and learning for childrenin-need. Since 2002, over 70,000 Brooke Packs, backpacks filled to the brim with school supplies and reading books, and over 650,000 books have been distributed to date to disadvantaged children not only in the Tri-state area, but also to Florida and beyond.
Do you truly understand your organization’s responsibility to pro vide accessible digital content for people with disabilities? Digital accessibility is something many businesses are aware of, but most haven’t addressed.
No matter the type or size orga nization you are, it is likely that a decent chunk of your customers and employees want or need accessibil ity. Almost 61 million Americans (or 1 in 4) have a disclosed disabil ity. People with disabilities shop, read, engage, and work just like everyone else, so why wouldn’t they need access to your digital environments?
In fact, your business is leaving money on the table if your web site and digital assets cannot be accessed by all potential customers.
For example, if websites and online applications are not acces sible, people with certain disabili ties may be excluded from making a purchase or applying for a loan.
On the employment recruitment side, we’re constantly hearing about labor shortages.
If your recruiting process includes an inaccessible application, you’re leaving an untapped group of quali fied employees out of the candidate pool.
Over the past decade, one of the most concerning legal trends for organizations in the U.S. has been digital accessibility lawsuits. It has been especially prevalent in certain states; California, New York, and Florida.
The complaints included organiza tions having websites or documents inaccessible to screen readers, or video content not captioned & audio described.
As a result, there is an urgent imperative for organizations to pro
actively make their digital content accessible or suffer the financial and social consequences associated with these lawsuits.
For organizations trying to avoid the risks of maintaining inacces sible digital environments, there is already a well-established playbook.
Following these five steps is para mount for any size organization to avoiding costly litigation.
First and foremost, organizations should check with their legal coun sel to ensure that accessibility is a priority, and that a comprehensive compliance plan and accessibility policy is developed and made avail able to the public.
The compliance plan should include steps to assess and remedi ate accessibility for websites, apps, documents and videos, along with a dedicated, accessible method of con tact for users who are experiencing accessibility issues.
In conjunction, internal IT teams or vendors should be consulted to make sure they are aware of their responsibility to make digital envi ronments accessible, and that the accessibility plan includes training for those teams.
Most organizations with web prop erties should have their sites and apps audited for accessibility by an outside organization to get a base line of what is needed. The ensuing reports will help guide future train ing and remediation efforts and will prove crucial in prioritizing work.
Whether the accessibility fixes will be done by internal IT teams, the current IT vendor, or a digital accessibility focused vendor, orga nizations should ensure that those responsible for making them are well-versed in digital accessibility: what the issues are, what changes need to be made, and how to imple ment them.
Once the accessibility issues have been identified and teams have been trained in how to fix them, organi zations should begin making chang es prioritizing the most trafficked pages and documents to have the greatest immediate impact. Once the issues have been addressed, it is strongly recommended to have those
sites and apps checked for usability by stakeholders.
Digital environments will ostensi bly keep changing. As such, organi zations must make sure that acces sibility is continuously considered in any digital iterations, to avoid fall ing back out of compliance.
As far as digital accessibility goes, it’s not a sprint, but a mara thon. A partner, like The Viscardi Center, can help you develop a play book that ensures ongoing compli ance, which will reduce liability and maintain an inclusive environment. With a growing focus on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), efforts are expanding more than ever to include disability. This expansion means organizations need to be con scious of meeting all accessibility standards, including digital media.
Michael Caprara is the Chief Information Officer at the Viscardi Center.
Council Member Sandra Ung joined Queens Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Tom Grech today to announce a partnership to provide free guidance to small business owners through the Small Business Resource Network (SBRN).
On the first and third Thursday of each month Suzan King, the Chamber’s Small Business Recovery Specialist, will be at the Council Member’s District Office in Flushing from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to provide a variety of services and assistance to local small businesses.
Assistance will be offered in both English and Mandarin.
“The pandemic had a devastating impact on the business community here in Flushing, as it did across the city,” said Council Member Sandra Ung. “I encourage local small business owners to take advantage of this opportunity to speak directly with an expert and learn about the many resources available to not just help you recover, but prosper. I want to thank the Queens Chamber of Commerce and President and CEO Tom Grech for bringing these vital services to our community.”
“Small businesses are the heart of Queens and we want to ensure all small business owners have the resources and information they need to grow and succeed,” said Tom Grech, President and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. “This partnership with Council Member Ung will help to provide crucial information and advice to these small businesses and help them to contin ue to contribute to Queens economic growth well into the future. We would like to thank Council Member Ung for being a staunch advocate for our small business community.”
At the free sessions for business owners, King will be offering assistance and guidance in the areas of financing, grants, tech support, legal counseling, and business coaching at Council Member Ung’s Flushing office.
“I am delighted to be joining Council Member Ung at her office to provide guidance and sup port to small business owners in both English and Mandarin,” said King. “I am ready to get started and help these small business owners get access to resources integral to their growth and success.”
Business owners interested in a free 30-minute consultation should make an appointment through Council Member Ung’s Office at district20@ council.nyc.gov or (718) 888-8747. The office is located at 135-27 38th Avenue, Suite 388, in
The Small Business Resource Network is a public-private partnership between the New York City Economic Development Corporation, Partnership for New York City, Peter G. Peterson Foundation, and the Chambers of Commerce in each of the five boroughs. Mayor Eric Adams recently announced a $1.5 million investment in the initiative, which extends its programming through 2023.
Since its inception in 2020, the SBRN has assisted over 10,000 small businesses city wide, with 76 percent of those being minority or women-owned.
Meanwhile, the Chamber’s Open + Online team has completed over 750 projects that have improved the digital presence of local businesses, including designing websites and logos and SEO consultations.
With the help of SBRN Specialist King, Anna Lo recently secured a $10,000 grant for her com pany, DMA Consulting. She used the money to pay back rent and cover other miscellaneous expenses.
“I encourage other local business owners to take advantage of this opportunity to speak with an expert and explore the many different ways to help your business grow and thrive,” said Lo.
As a valued neighbor of the Holiday Inn Express Maspeth, we would like to offer you a 15% Local Loyalty discount.
Pick up a Local Loyalty card at a participating Maspeth business, and present it at our front desk to receive your special 15% OFF rate! Scan the barcode to see the list of participating businesses.
NFP COMMITTEE EVENT: PRO BONO LEGAL ASST. AND BOARD BUILDING
Oct. 20, 2022 from 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
Pro Bono Legal Assistance and Board Building. How Lawyers Alliance can help Queens non profits? Learn the top five no-nonsense elements engaging your nonprofit board.
VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org
July 14, 2022 from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Discover how to create a collaborative envi ronment where everyone is responsible for the design.
You will go through design challenges and sprints that can be incorporated into any work place or startup, to unlock creativity and innova tive thinking.
VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org
THE BUSINESS OF WE (WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS) 2022 ENTREPRENEUR SUMMIT
October 22, 2022 from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
ALL DAY EVENT Saturday and half-day on Sunday for Entrepreneurs & Small Business Owners
You will receive concise content and rapid-fire information to navigate today’s changes and ele vate your business to a higher level of success. Learn from a lineup of industry thought leaders providing inspiration, proven strategies, action able tips, education and insight to grow your business.
Get the know-how and resources to boost your growth - We will provide you with the educa tion, resources, and connections you need to boost your business growth for years to come.
Gain valuable insights and learn strategies to grow - You will find bold ideas, new thought processes, and proven strategies that you can put into action for both short- and long-term growth. You’ll get an understanding of what’s work ing now for successful businesses—plus a clear vision of where you want to go…and how to grow there.
Get Ready to Activate Your Strategic Action Plan And Take Your Business to The Next Level!
One JFK Access Road, Idlewild Dr, Queens Register at queenschamber.org
October 24, 2022 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
The Workshop at Macy’s can help boost your business! Apply by November 30 to join the retail industry’s longest running vendor accelerator pro gram dedicated exclusively to diverse-, Women-, LGBTQ-, and veteran-owned businesses. Learn from experts who’ll provide tips, tools & resourc es to help grow your brand.
VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org
October 25, 2022 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Queens Chamber Real Estate committee invites you to join them for a conversation about “Commercial Real Estate Financing”.
The focus is to help individuals by answer ing any questions or challenges they may be hav ing in getting their financing accomplished. True experts in this space meet with their clients, get a full understanding of their needs, create the opportunities, and show how one can negotiate the right deal with the right institution.
VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org
October 26, 2022 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
OATH, the NYC Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings, is the City’s independent administrative law court where hearings are held on civil summons issued by almost every city enforcement and inspection agency. OATH is independent from the city agencies that conduct inspections and issue the summonses. Come learn more about OATH directly from OATH’s Commissioner and Chief Administrative Law Judge, Asim Rehman.
Business owners will receive information on the process for challenging summonses and about resources available to businesses who want to have a hearing at OATH. Multilingual printed materials will be available.
After listening to the OATH Commissioner, businesses can meet and greet with some of the agencies that file their summonses at OATH, the agencies can provide one-on-one sessions for small businesses and individuals regard ing what they need to do to remain in compli ance and avoid receiving a summons. Agencies will include the Department of Sanitation,
Department of Buildings, the Fire Department, and others.
75-20 Astoria Boulevard, Jackson Heights, NY Register at queenschamber.org
October 26, 2022 from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Queens Chamber Arts & Entertainment cor dially invites you to join them for a pre-Hal loween evening of mingling and networking. Show us what you got, come dressed in your favorite costume.
LIVE entertainment throughout the evening and other special surprises will be on hand. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with a number of individuals who represent the arts industry in Queens.
Complimentary food and beverages.
King Manor Museum, 150-03 Jamaica Avenue, Queens, NY Register at queenschamber.org
Oct. 27, 2022 from 4 p.m. - 5 p.m.
As a new entrepreneur, you’ll need more than good products or services to grow your busi ness. It’s also important to have strong customerfocused marketing strategies to reach your audi ence and turn them into loyal customers.
VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org
Oct. 27, 2022 from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Join the Queens Chamber of Commerce along with our community partners friends of the for a commemoration of the Tenth Anniversary of the terrible Hurricane Sandy that created so much destruction and took some lives.
Let’s get together for a moment of prayer and silence as we reflect on those who are still struggling to rebuild their lives.
Complimentary admission - RSVP a must Space is limited
Appetizers will be served courtesy of the The Rockaway Hotel + Spa. Cash bar.
The Rockaway Hotel + Spa, Rockaway Beach Drive 108-10, Rockaway Register at queenschamber.org
For many Queens residents, October is the best month of the year. It begins with color ful leaves and ends with spooky scenes.
In between, it explodes with apple picking, hot cocoa, pump kin spice products, and cuddling to stay warm.
It’s also a great month for local activities with everything from a moonlight maze to forest bathing on the schedule.
To find out more, please read on.
Oct. 15 - Oct. 27
Navigate the Amazing Maize Maze in darkness. Bring a flash light and try to find your way out of the labyrinth. Maze is open on Oct. 15, 20, 22, and 27 with ses sions starting at 5:30 pm.
Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Pkwy., Glen Oaks.
Sunnyside Restaurant Crawl Oct. 16 @ 2 p.m.
More than 35 restaurants and breweries will provide samples of their products to participants who can take trolleys or an ADAcompliant bus to visit them.
Theatre For All Professional Actor Training Program
Oct. 17 - Oct. 28
Workshops and panel discus sions for deaf and disabled per formers on such topics as act ing, auditioning, improvisation, movement, musical theater, and voice.
Queens Theatre, 14 United Nations Ave. S., Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
Philadelphia Freedom Oct. 21 @ 8 p.m.
Full of joy and unlimited ener gy, Doug Delescavage transforms into Elton John as he was in his twenties. He owns the stage with his domineering fashion sense that rivals no one but Mr. Captain Fantastic himself.
Resorts World New York City, 110-00 Rockaway Blvd., South Jamaica.
Concierto del Amor Oct. 22 @ 8 p.m.
A concert by a 16-time Grammy and Latin Grammy nom inee, who isknown as “El Sonero de la Juventud.” Victor Manuelle likes to put his romantic twist on Tropical music.
Queens College’s Colden Auditorium, 153-49 Reeves Ave., Flushing.
QWANQWA: The Ethiopian Supergroup
Oct. 29 @ 8 p.m.
QWANQWA combines ele ments of rock, psychedelic, and regional beats from Addis Ababa (Ethiopia’s capital) for its unique sound. Members are Endris Hassen (masinko), Bubu Teklamariam (bass krar), Kaethe Hostetter (violin), Misale Leggese (kebero), and Selamnesh Zemene (vocalist).
Flushing Town Hall, 137-35
Theatre For All is hosting a professional actor training program with workshops and panel discussions for deaf and disabled performers.
Northern Blvd.
Halloween Harvest Festival Oct. 29 @ noon
The second annual Flight of the Gourds pumpkin-carving con test
and compost launch head lines a day of pumpkin art work shops, creative costume making, face painting, andthe cutest and spookiest dog costume contest. (Rain date: Oct. 30)
Socrates Sculpture Park, 32-01 Vernon Blvd., Long Island City.
Totten Trot 5K Run/Walk
Oct. 30 @ 9 a.m.
A friendly or competitive race with cash prizes for the top three finishers (male and female) and a prize for best costume. Antique cars and trucks will be on display. Bayside
Historical Society, 208 Totten Ave., Fort Totten, Bayside.
For more information, visit www.itsinqueens.com.
Contact
On Saturday, Sept. 10, commu nity residents from all walks of life gathered on Metropolitan Avenue in Forest Hills to celebrate Metro Village Forest Hills’ second annual Community Day.
Metro Village Forest Hills is a small business alliance found ed by Rachel Kellner of Aigner Chocolates and Eileen Arabian of DEE’S Wood Fired Pizza + Kitchen, which was born out of high tensions amid the pandemic.
It was during this time where the businesses got the idea to host their first Community Day on the Avenue, and hope to continue the tradition for years to come.
“Aigner’s was robbed a few years ago during the pandemic, and the businesses really came out to sup port us. We decided to create an informal business alliance to pro vide support to each other and to preserve the richness of the com munity here,” Kellner said.
“We want to keep those business es around, and so during the pan demic, obviously events had to be outdoors. So we had this idea to do a Community Day and we did it last year with 30 businesses par ticipating,” she continued. “It went so well that we decided to keep it going. Now it’s going to be a tradi tion here.”
The Community Day spanned from Royal Collectibles to DEE’S, with businesses up and down the Avenue offering various treats, gifts and positive greetings to visitors.
In addition, 29 businesses partici pated in a scavenger hunt, where guests received a series of clues and had to guess which business corresponded with that clue, who would then mark it off.
The bingo board-like template was created by community member Samantha Weitzberg.
All guests who filled out their cards completely were entered into a drawing to win a $100 gift certificate to DEE’S and Aigner Chocolates. The winner will be announced by Metro Village this week.
Additionally, 150 prizes were given out at random throughout the day at all the scavenger hunt loca
tions to participants.
Local elected officials took the time to soak up one of the final days of summer sun in Forest Hills, including Councilwoman Lynn Schulman.
“It’s so important to have days like this with people coming out to see all the different kinds of stores, it’s very eclectic,” Schulman said.
“It’s so nice to have local own ers and it’s really important to help them,” she continued. “It’s just such a community atmosphere here, and everybody’s just so nice and welcoming.”
Arabian is proud to celebrate the success and accomplishments of businesses on the Avenue, includ ing DEE’S, which just relaunched its weekend lunch service since the start of the pandemic. She believes that this year’s Community Day had an even bigger turnout than last year’s, and hopes to see the event continue to grow.
She admires the diversity of the businesses and all that Metropolitan Avenue has to offer.
“This day brings a lot of exposure to Metropolitan Avenue, which is so important because everyone knows about Austin Street, and they don’t always know about Metropolitan,” she said.
“It really has everything to offer: retail, restaurants, barber shops and hair salons, nail salons, butcher shops, attorneys, everything. So it’s a great way to draw people in and open up the doors of opportunity for other businesses.”
37-06 82nd Street, Jackson Heights, NY 11372
Executive Director: Leslie Ramos 718.335.9421 82ndstreet.org
QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $224,000 with more than 200 businesses under its umbrella. The dis trict is on 82nd Street from 37th Avenue to Baxter Avenue. The board meets quarterly with the annu al meeting in June.
120 Wall Street, 9th Fl., New York, NY 10005 aafederation.org
QUICK GLANCE: The Asian American Federation’s mission is to raise the influence and well-being of the pan-Asian American community through research, policy advocacy, public awareness and organizational development. Established in 1989, the Federation is a panAsian non-profit organization representing a network of community service agencies in the Northeast. These agencies work in the fields of health & human services, education, economic development, civic participation, and social justice.
213-33 39th Avenue, Bayside, NY 11361
Executive Director: Christine Siletti 718.423.2434 info@baysidevillagebid.com
QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $218,000 and over 350 members. Founded in 2007, the BID includes commercial property owners and residents on Bell Boulevard between 35th Avenue and Northern Boulevard, as well as a block east and west on 41st Avenue.
41-16 Bell Boulevard, Bayside, NY 11361
President: Ed Probst
Vice President: Judith Limpert 718.229.2277 info@baysideba.com baysideba.com
QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1997, the Bayside Business Association services all of Bayside business to address issues and concerns those businesses have with regards to running their businesses.
(FORMERLY BCNA)
78-27 37 Ave., Ste. 1 Jackson Heights, NY 11372 Business Development: Tshering Gurung 347.730.6468 tgurung@accompanycapital.org
QUICK GLANCE: Accompany Capital is an award-winning Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and Small Business Administration (SBA) micro lender that pro vides small and micro business owners in New
York City with low-cost loans, access to business training & technical assistance, and one-on-one counseling.
Accompany Capital has disbursed over $34 mil lion in loans and assisted over 10,000 immigrant and refugee entrepreneurs in New York City since its founding as Business Center for New Americans (BCNA) in 1997, as well as provid ed workshops and one-on-one advice on busi ness management and marketing to over 10,000 businesses.
85 S. Oxford Street #2 Brooklyn, NY 11217 718.624.9115 bocnet.org
QUICK GLANCE: Business Outreach Center Network’s mission is to improve the economic prospects of traditionally underserved groups, with a focus on low- and moderate-income entrepreneurs and their communities, and thereby create genuinely brighter futures. At the heart of our mission is the belief that whatever their differences, people and communities share a common goal: to achieve economic stability and growth. Working in partnership with culturally diverse individuals and organizations in support of this shared goal is the hallmark of BOC.
CHHAYA CDC
37-43 77th Street, #2 Jackson Heights, NY 11372 718.478.3848 chhayacdc.org
QUICK GLANCE: Core to our strategy is organizing and advocating for systemic changes that remove the barriers to well-being, housing stability, and economic mobility for our communities. For over 20 years, Chhaya has served tens of thousands of individuals and led the charge on key policy issues for immigrants, such as basement legalization, language access, tenants’ rights, and more.
CHINATOWN DISTRICT MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION (CHINATOWN PARTNERSHIP)
217 Park Row, 2nd Floor, Suite 9 New York, NY 10038 chinatownpartnership.org
QUICK GLANCE: Chinatown Partnership, led by Wellington Chen, was formed in 2006 as new start-up from grounds up to bring residents, business owners and community groups together to rebuild Chinatown following 9/11, and to preserve the neighborhood’s unique culture while ensuring its vitality in the future through strategic positioning.
With the highly popular Weekend Walks street festive series, Mid-Autumn Festival, One Day in NYC, annual Beautification/Earth Day, East West
Parade with Little Italy, Double Valentine’s Day to promote the softer side of Chinatown and the Jewelry District and all the cafes, eateries in the area. Explore Chinatown marketing initiative, Lunar Stages outdoor film screenings, and Taste of Chinatown street events, Chinatown Partnership helps promote the area as a special destination to live, work, and visit.
FOREST HILLS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
PO Box 751123, Forest Hills, NY 11375
President: Leslie Brown 718.268.6565
FHChamber11375@gmail.com
FHChamber@aol.com
QUICK GLANCE: Re-formed in 1995, the group has over 225 members. Chamber meetings are held on the last Wednesday of the month at 9 a.m. at the West Side Tennis Club, 1 Tennis Place, in Forest Hills.
GATEWAY JFK Executive Director: Scott Grimm-Lyon 516.730.3400
info@GatewayJFK.org GatewayJFK.org
QUICK GLANCE: Formerly the Greater JFK Industrial BID and founded in 2016, the group seeks to provide support to the off-airport air cargo and services district through supplemental services and improvements, technical and profes sional services for its members, and advocacy and administration.
GREATER FLUSHING CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
39-01 Main Street, Suite 511, Flushing NY 11354
Executive Director: John Choe john@flushingchamber.nyc 646.783.8985
flushingchamber.nyc
QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 2014 and repre senting over 200 businesses.
DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
90-04 161st Street, Jamaica, NY 11432
President: Hope Knight 718.291.0282 gjdc.org
QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1967, the group has 75 members. GJDC’s work expands econom ic opportunity and improves quality of life for the ethnically and economically diverse residents of Jamaica and for the region at large, which benefits from rational, well-planned, and sustainable met ropolitan growth.
84-01 Jamaica Avenue, Woodhaven NY 11421 718.805.0202
gwdcbid@hotmail.com woodhavenbid.com
QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $257,000 with more than 350 businesses under its umbrella on Jamaica Avenue from Dexter Court to 100th Street. They are providing free benches for store owners along Jamaica Avenue. They also provide 2.5 and 5 per cent home improvement loans.
161-10 Jamaica Avenue, Suite 419
Jamaica, NY 11432
Executive Director: Jennifer Furioli 718.526.2422
jamaica.nyc
@JamCenterBID (Twitter)
@jamcenterbid (Instagram)
@Jamaica Center BID (Facebook)
QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1979, the Jamaica Center BID serves over 400 businesses on Jamaica Avenue between Sutphin Boulevard and 169th Street. With a budget of over $1 million, the BID’s goal is to promote and maintain Downtown Jamaica as a thriving business hub and an enjoy able destination to shop, work, live and visit.
JFK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
P.O. Box 300687, Jamaica, NY 11430
Executive Director: Clorinda Antonucci President: Al DePhillips
Vice President: Joseph Morra JFKCoCExec@gmail.com
jfkairportchamberofcommerce.org
QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1978, the group has over 200 members. The chamber was chartered in 1978 by a group of business people in and around JFK Airport. It is the only airport in the nation to have its own Chamber of Commerce. The cham ber seeks to create an environment in which mem bers of the business community can work together to enhance the growth, well being and economic development of the airport community and its avi ation industry.
LONG ISLAND CITY PARTNERSHIP
718.786.5300
longislandcityqueens.com
QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1979, the Long Island City Partnership advocates for economic development that benefits LIC’s industrial, com mercial, cultural and residential sectors. The goal is to attract new businesses to the neighborhood, retain those already here, welcome new residents and visitors, and promote a vibrant and authentic mixed-use community. The LIC Partnership oper ates the LIC Business Improvement District and the LIC Industrial Business Zone.
MASPETH CHAMBER OF
P.O. Box 780265, Maspeth, NY 11378
President: David Daraio 718.335.1300
maspethchamberofcommerce.org
QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1953, they have 120 members and a budget of $115,000.
MASPETH INDUSTRIAL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION (MIBA)
BOC: 96-11 40th Road, Corona, NY 11368 Coordinator: Quincy Ely-Cate 718.205.3773
qelycate@bocnet.org mibanyc.org
QUICK GLANCE: Covering roughly 600 busi nesses with 30 active members, the Maspeth Industrial Business Association provides a col lective voice in advocating the needs and inter ests of industrial and manufacturing business es in Maspeth. They help companies in the Maspeth Industrial District in developing work force, accessing tax credits, obtaining financing, navigating government regulations and, in some cases, finding real estate.
MIDDLE VILLAGE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
79-47 Metropolitan Ave., Middle Village, NY 11379
President: Salvatore Crifasi 718.894.8700 Sal@Crifasi.com
QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $8,000 with 35 busi nesses under its umbrella. Formed in 1929. MVCC meets annually and focuses on the Metropolitan Avenue shopping district between 69 and 80th streets. The mission is to improve the area and assist local businesses if they have any concerns or needs.
MURRAY HILL MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION OF NY P.O. Box 1897 New York, NY 10156 212.886.5867 murrayhillnyc.org
QUICK GLANCE: Murray Hill is a unique residential neighborhood in midtown Manhattan. While there is no formal boundary for the neighborhood, the area served by The Murray Hill Neighborhood Association and its sister organization the Manhattan East Community Association (MECA) extends from Fifth Avenue eastward to the East River and from 42nd Street down to 26th Street (encompassing the 10016 postal code).
MYRTLE AVENUE BID
62-14 Myrtle Avenue, Ridgewood, NY 11385 Executive Director: Ted Renz 718.366.3806
QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $500,000 with over 300 retail and service businesses under its pur view. Board meetings are held four times a year with the annual meeting in June. The district includes Myrtle Avenue in Ridgewood between Fresh Pond Road and Wyckoff Avenue. Program support is provided by the Ridgewood LDC.
12-55 Queens Boulevard, Room 309 Kew Gardens, NY 11424
Executive Director: Seth Bornstein 718.263.0546 queensny.org
QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $1.5 million and a resource for over 2,000 businesses in the borough of Queens. Register online for upcoming virtual events, including:
ROCKAWAY BUSINESS ALLIANCE
info@rockawaybusinessalliance.org
QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $40,000 and a resource for over 200 businesses. The Rockaway Business Alliance was founded in 2012 after Hurricane Sandy. RBA’s vision is to create busi ness corridors that are clean, safe, and welcoming, with shopping, dining, attractions, and engage ment for the local community and the visitors drawn to Rockaway’s beaches and open spaces.
1920 Mott Avenue, Far Rockaway, NY 11691
President: Kevin Alexander 718.327.5300 www.rdrc.org
QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1978, the Rockaway Development & Revitalization Corporation (RDRC) was established to promote the revital ization of the Rockaway’s economic base and neighborhoods by creating long-standing partner ships with city and state agencies.
1032 Beach 20th Street
Far Rockaway, NY 11691 rema4us.org
QUICK GLANCE: REMA 4 US, Inc. seeks to engage in economic development and revitaliza tion in the Rockaway Peninsula. To strengthen our community revitalization programs and communi ty development efforts in the Rockaway Peninsula REMA works alongside businesses, civic groups, government agencies, and non-profit organiza tions. REMA works to inform the public about opportunities that exist to strengthen the commu nity, and to create a welcoming and safe environ ment to help expand economic opportunity in the Rockaway Peninsula.
At Your Side Home Care Service 69 Broadway
Hicksville, NY 11801 https://www.atyoursidehomecare.com
Contact: Nicole Kawaleski, Nicolek@atyoursideHc.com
Whether it’s due to injury, illness or aging, sometimes older adults need a little extra
help, especially at home. However, family members and friends can’t always be there 24/7 to assist with their aging loved ones. That’s where At Your Side Care comes in. Our personalized care plans and compassionate caregivers help seniors live independently in their own home and continue to do all the things they love.
Barn Truck Rental 57-05 Broadway Woodside, NY 11377 https://www.barntruckrental.com
Contact: Benjamin Schulman, ben@ barntruckrental.com
Serving the New York City area since 1939, Barn Truck Rental is your premier resource for box trucks, sprinters, and cargo vans. Our goal is to make your move as convenient and pain-free as possible.
Elite Builders and Management 1841 Broadway Street Astoria, NY 11105 https://www.elitesbm.com
Contact: Christella Xu, christella@ elitesbm.com
Because we built our operation at the intersection of steel structure design-build, steel fabrication and installation, we curate methodologies and advance each of our clients’ interest projects where risk are high and the problems are very real.
Emcor NY/NJ 5 Dakota Lake Success, NY 11042
Contact: Tim Murphy, tmurphy@ emor.net
Vorea 44-02 11 th Street, Suite 312 Long Island City, NY 11101 https://www.vorea.com
Contact: p.papamichael@vorea.com
The VOREA Group (VOREA), established in 2009, is a multifaceted real estate company, equipped to perform mid to large scale development projects throughout the Tri-state area.
VOREA’s uniquely vertically integrated enterprise includes a thesis-based investment team, a construction management division focused on marrying bestin-class management with best-in-class technology, and an end user platform focused on weaving small business into the fabric of community.
AMA & Associates
1 Bay Club Drive Bayside, NY 11360
Contact: Anthony Cavallaro, anthonyc@amabenefits.com
Anthony A. Ferrante, Attorney at Law 455 Utica Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11203
Contact: Anthony Ferrante, anthonyferrante@gmail.com
BTB Renovations 72-45 60 th Lane Glendale, NY 11385 https://www.btbrenovations.com
Contact: Alias Melendez, btbrenovations718@gmail.com
Dance Entropy, Inc. 37-24 24 th Street, Suites 211-212 Long Island City, NY 11101 https://www.danceentropy.org
Contact: Valerie Green, vgreen@ danceentropy.org
European Johnny’s Café 60-39 Fresh Pond Road Maspeth, NY 11378
Contact: Marta Pawelic, eurocafe@ gmail.com
Flushing House 38-20 Bowne Street Flushing, NY 11354 https://www.flushinghouse.com
Contact: Nancy Rojas, Nancy@uam. org
Gasteria Works JLL 30-10 41 st Avenue Long Island City, NY 11101 https://www.gasteriaworks.com
Contact: Jamie Barbot, jbarbot@ gasteriaworks.com
Icorp Technology
300 Trade Center, Suite 6540 Worburn, MA 01801 https://www.icorps.com
Contact: Deon Moore, dmoore@ icorps.com
Persist Media
225-16 Francis Lewis Blvd
Cambria Heights, NY 11411 https://www.persistprint.com
Contact: Khalil Perry, persistprint@ gmail.com
Prudential Advisors
1270 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 1000 New York, NY 10020 https://www.prudential.com/advisor/ gary-kreps
Contact: Gary Kreps, gary.kreps@ prudential.com
Tailor Brand
33 Irving Place New York, NY 10003 https://www.tailorbrands.com/llcformation/new-york-llc
Contact: Gordon Meagher, gordon@ tailorbrands.com
The Mad Photographer
46 Park Avenue
Port Washington, NY 11050 https://www.themadphotographer.us
Walkspan
189 W. 89 th Street
New York, NY 10024 https://www.walkspan.com
Contact: Bernardita Calinao, bcalinao@walkspan.com
25-69 38th Street, Suite 1C, Astoria 11103
Executive Director: Marie Torniali 718.728.7820 info@steinwaystreet.nyc steinwaystreet.org
QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1991, the BID has over 300 mem bers. The Steinway Street Business Improvement District encom passes all 300 business located on Steinway Street from 28th Avenue to 35th Avenue. National chain stores
such as Victoria’s Secret, The Gap, Benetton, and Express are side by side with local family-owned shops.
PO Box 4399, Sunnyside, NY 11104 President: Vanessa Ceballos 718.729.4688 sunnyside-chamber.org
QUICK GLANCE: With an annual budget of $55,000, the chamber is an organization built around assist ing and helping local business and professionals by providing resources
to increase business, safety and his torical preservation throughout the neighborhood.
45-56 43rd Street, Sunnyside, NY 11104
Executive Director: Jaime-Faye Beam 718.606.1800 director@sunnysideshines.org sunnysideshines.org
QUICK GLANCE: The BID has a budget of approximately $480,000 with more than 250 businesses under its umbrella. The mission of Sunnyside Shines is to invigorate
and enrich the economic life of the neighborhood by creating a safe and dynamic commercial district.
89-00 Sutphin Boulevard, Suite 204C Jamaica, NY 11435
Executive Director: Glen Greenridge 718.291.2110
sutphinblvdbid@verizon.net
QUICK GLANCE: The BID was founded in 2004 and represents 134 businesses, 56 properties and 39 prop erty owners along Sutphin Boulevard between Hillside Ave. and 94th Ave.
Howard Graf
Chairperson
Richard Dzwlewicz
Vice Chair
Patricia Mezeul
Treasurer
Nash Roe
Secretary
Kenneth J. Buettner Stephanie Baldwin Chad E. Callahan Salvatore Crifasi David Diraio Steven DeClaraPatrick Yu
Associate Treasurer
Michelle Stoddart Associate Secretary
Thomas J. Santucci
Immediate Past Chair
Thomas J. Grech
President & CEO
Joanne M. Persad
Chief of Operations
Arlene Diangkinay
Financial Controller
Neil Wagner
Business Service Program Manager
Charles Everett, Jr. Joseph R. Ficalora Tamara Gavrielof Howard Graf Fran GrossA&L Cesspool Services Corp
A+ Technology & Security
AARP
Abrams Fensterman
Ads Engineers, DPC
AES
Allied Risk Management, Inc
Amna Construction Corp Andromeda
Antun’s of Queens Village
APC Specialist LLC
ARK Import Export Center, LLC
At Your Side Home Care Service
Avison Young
Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP
Balkan Sewer and Water Main Service
Barn Truck Rental
Barone Management LLC Berkshire HathawayHomeservices
Laffey International Realty
Blumenfeld Development Group, Ltd.
Brooklyn Tile and Design
BRP Companies
Bulovas Restorations Inc
Capital One Bank
Carben Construction Inc.
Raymond Irrera Kenneth KoenigBrendan Leavy
Business Development Manager
Jacqueline Donado
Strategic Program Coordinator
Jef Gross
Manager of Committee Development
William Blake
Dominick Ciampa
Joseph Farber
Louis D. Laurino
Jeff Levine
Joseph M. Mattone, Sr
QUEENSBOROUGH (ISSN0033-6068 is published 12 times a year for $12.50 annual ly by the Queens Chamber of Commerce of the borough of Queens. 75-20 Astoria Blvd, Suite 140, East
NY 11370-1131.
NY
Lorraine Chambers Lewis Bert Lurch Meredith Marshall Carl MattoneAdrienne Whaley Queens Underground Black & Brown Film Festivals queensunderground718@gmail.com
Kelsey Brow King Manor Museum director@kingmanormuseum.org
Paul Harrison Chase paul.harrison@chase.com
Jackie Harounian Wisselman, Harounian & Associates jackie@lawjaw.com
Jake Oliver
Anat Gerstein jake@anatgerstein.com
Henry Ramos Dedline AV henry@dedlineav.com
Bert Lurch
E Central Medical Management bertl@ecmmgt.com
Prabhleen S. Virk Citrin Cooperman pvirk@citrincooperman.com
Marshall Haimson
E-Capital Development marshall@e-capitaldevelopment.com
Carter Milchman and Frank Catholic Charities Brooklyn & Queens
Catholic Health
CBRE
CDS-Mestel Construction Center for Automotive Education and Training Century Development Group
Cerini and Associates, LLP.
Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman, LLP
Champion Elevator Corp.
Ciampa Organization
Cine Magic LIC Studios, LLC
Cipico Construction, Inc.
Coastal Flooring Solutions Combs & Company
Jay Solly Sol Strategies jaypsolly@gmail.com
Bill Staniford Rentigo bill@staniford.com
Ryan Letts Cleonmaye Corporation rletts@cleonmaye.com
Chad Callahan Plaza College cec4@plazacollege.edu
Michael Shoule
JW Hampton mikes@jwhampton.com
Jim Quent
Statewide Public Affairs jquent@statewidepublicaffairs.com
Lina DeLaCruz
Control Electropolishing Corp. lina@controlpublishing.com Azra Khalfan-Kermali Plaques by Azra azra@azra.com
Melinda Murray-Nyack
Maria Odysseos
Stephen Preuss
Nash Roe Jeffrey RosenstockCommunity Care Rx INC
Cornell Tech
Cornerstone Land Abstract
Cort
CPower Energy Management
Crann Integrated Solutions Crescent Properties, Inc
Cross County Mortgage LLC.
Crown Castle
Crystal Window & Door Systems, Ltd
Dedline AV
Diehl & Sons Inc. D.b.a New York
Freightliner
Direct Clean Service Solutions
E-J Electric Installation Co.
Elite Builders and Management
EMCOR NY/NJ
EMU Health
ENP Environmental, Inc.
ENT and Allergy Associates, LLP
EW Howell Construction Group
First Central Savings Bank Forest Hills Financial Group, Inc.
Larry Grubler
Transitional Services of NY lgrubler@tsiny.org
Christine Deska BellesBoard/Nonprofit Sector Strategies christine@nonprofitsectorstrategies.org
Martin Cottingham Avison Young martin.cottingham@avisonyoung.com
Kevin Louie RIPCO
klouie@ripcony.com
Michael Wang Project Queens michael@projectqueens.com
Sean C. O’Rourke Combs & Company sorourke@combsandco.com
Phil Jones LIME philip@li.me
Juan Santiago Thomas Santucci Mark Scheinberg Caryn Schwab Sher Sparano Michelle StoddartGil-Bar Industries, Inc.
GOLDEN AGE HOME CARE INC
Goodwill Industries NYNJ
Graf & Lewent Architects
Greater NY Automobiles Dealers
Association
Grubb Properties
HANAC, Inc.
HE2PD, Inc.
Healthy Corner Pharmacy
Heatherwood Communities
Himmel + Meringoff Properties
Holt Construction Corp
HQUS DBA Hydro Quebec
Hugh O’Kane Electric Co., Inc.
IKEA Queens
INDA, Association of Nonwoven Fabric Industry Inggroups
Innovo Property Group J Strategies, Inc
J.W. Hampton Jr. & Co., Inc.
Jamaica Multiplex Cinemas / Show case Cinemas
James E Fitzgerald
Janney Montgomery Scott
Jason Office Products
JGM Construction Development, LLC
Kasirer, LLC
Kaufman Astoria Studios, Inc.
KMN Builders, Inc.
Krispy Kreme
Lenoblelumber Co
Levine Builders
Liberty Ashes Inc.
Littler Mendelson, P.C.
Lyons Mortgage Services, Inc.
M&J Commissary Inc.
Macerich
Madison International Realty
MediSys Health Network
Mega Contracting Group LLC
Mesirow Financial
Molloy College
Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens
Mr. T Carting Corp.
NBCUniversal
Nelson + Pope
New York + Atlantic Railway
New York Crystal Cleaning
New York Life Insurance Company
New York State Energy Coalition, Inc.
NOLA CONSTRUCTION INC
Nonprofit Sector Strategies, PBC
Northwell Go Health Urgent Care
NYEEQASC, LLC
Omni Funding Corp. of America
Onegroup
Patrick B. Jenkins & Associates
PGA Mechanical Contractors, Inc.
Ponce Bank
Praxis Public Relations
Priority 1 Security LLC
ProCleanings Co
Prospect Cleaning Service, Inc.
Terri Thomson Henry Wan Mark Weprin Patrick Yu Daniel ZausnerQSIDE Federal Credit Union
Queens College CUNY
Queens Community House
R.A.M.S. Mechanical Inc.
RBH Restaurant LLC.
Red Eye Group LLC
Regal Heights
REIL Capital Renaissance New York Flushing Hotel At Tangram
Ripco Investment Sales Ronald Fatoullah & Associates Rosco Inc.
Royal Waste Services Russo’s on the Bay RXR Realty Samaritan Daytop Village Securitech Group, Inc.
Signature Bank Silvercup Studios SkyTrac Access Group, LLC SL Green Realty Corp.
SourceBlue Spectrum Reach Spoton Squad Security Inc.
St. Francis Preparatory School St. John’s Episcopal Hospital St. John’s University Standard Group Starbucks Corporation
Stellar Global Trading Inc Structural Engineering Technolo gies, P.C. Sullivan Engineering LLC
SUNation Solar Systems
Target The Durst Organization
The L Grp
The Liquidity Source
The Sandhu Group
Triumvirate Environmental Tully Environmental Inc. Ultrasound Solutions Corp. United Airlines United Public Adjusters & Apprais ers, Inc.
Universal Healthcare US Bank
Valley National Bank Vassilaros & Sons Coffee
Vista LIC Hotel, Best Western Premier Collection
VOREA
W & M Fire Protection Services Waste Management of New York LLC Watch Guard 24/7
Waymo
Webster Bank
WellLife Network
White Coffee Corp
Wisselman, Harounian & Associ ates, P.C.
YMCA of Greater New York / Queens Branches Zara Realty
By Jessica Meditz jmeditz@queensledger.com
Cigar smoke and Frank Sinatra songs were in the air in Frank Principe Park last Sunday.
The Maspeth Lions Club gathered on the court in anticipation of their First Annual Bocce Tournament.
The game of bocce that folks know and love today stems from Italy, hence why you may hear exchanges of “Come stai?” on the court.
The game involves eight colored balls, typically red and green, and another smaller white ball, called the “boccino.”
At Sunday’s game, a younger play er asked about the rules — to which another player replied, “You throw the ball and hope it gets closer to the other ball.”
“We chose bocce because any
body can play the game. Young, old, you don’t have to be in the greatest shape; you can play out side on a nice day…it’s nice,” said Joseph Papavero, president of the Maspeth Lions Club. “A big thank you to Councilman Bob Holden and the Parks Department because the courts were redone just in time for the tournament.”
Aside from the game itself, another highlight of the event was the food donated by local estab lishments, including Frank’s Deli, Mario’s Meats & Deli, Iavarone Bros., Rosa’s Pizza, 69th Street Beer Distributors and Jim Von Eiff State Farm Insurance.
In addition, the bocce tournament was sponsored by Maspeth Federal Savings, Papavero Funeral Home, Maspeth Contracting and E3TECH, LLC.
All the proceeds from the event
went to charitable causes both near and far — from the St. Stanislaus Sports Program to the Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief Fund.
In addition to raising funds for charity, the Lions took the time to enjoy the day and see it as a bond ing experience.
“I used to play bocce all the time when I’d go upstate in the Catskills
for 20-something years and we always had a tournament. It’s some thing I play with my kids too,” said Mike Aylward, a member of the Maspeth Lions Club.
“I’ve been a proud member of the Maspeth Lions Club for 30 years and I love it,” said Robert Marchese, mem bership chairman. “This is a fantastic turnout and to raise money for char ity, this is a great event and project.”
After all was said and done, only one team walked away victorious from the tournament — this time it was the father-son duo of Jack and Mark Leone.
“We’re thankful to be a part of the Maspeth Lions Club, and we hope to be here again next year.”
We hope you are enjoying the newly designed, expanded Queensborough, the monthly publication of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. We, the Chamber, direct and approve all content deciding what stories are covered in each issue, editing all copy and forwarding information that is contained in the publication. BQE Media produces it for the Chamber. We look forward to continuing to highlight the outstanding business persons, services and activities that make our borough unique. We welcome all your letters, manuscripts, etc. Please send all materials to the Queens Chamber of Commerce at 75-20 Astoria Boulevard, Suite 140, Jackson Heights, NY 11370 or call 718.898.8500 for more information. We reserve the right to edit for space limitations. Your support of the magazine is critical to its success. We encourage you to include Queensborough in your advertising plans. To place your ad, please call BQE Media at 718.426.7200.
