This Is Queensborough

April 2017 . Volume 14 . Issue 4

BUILDING A MANUFACTURING

EMPIRE INTERVIEW WITH HARVEY HEFFNER OF EMPIRE CITY IRON WORKS

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April 2017 • Volume 14 • Issue 4

A Message From the President

DIVERSITY A STRONG ASPECT OF QUEENS ECONOMY The borough of Queens has a growing The airline industry is a key component of the and vibrant economy that is benefiting borough’s economy and is a major employer in from continued public and private sector the neighborhoods. Further, with the infusion of investments and actions. Queens monies to LGA and JFK airports, their has a high concentration of redevelopment projects are poised to export-oriented jobs, and these increase trade and freight alliances typically pay higher wages with throughout the world. average salaries of $42,000. As Some Interesting New York of 2014, there were 1,278 total City “Trade Stats” manufacturers in Queens whose New York City’s trade with the workers made an average salary world fell 3.52 percent, from $369.94 of $45,000. billion to $356.93 billion, in 2016 Immigration has had a when compared to the same period strong influence on the Queens the previous year, according to an economy, and no single industry overwhelmingly dominates mayra dirico analysis of the latest U.S. Census the Queens economy. Because QCC President Bureau data. New York City’s exports decreased 4.93 percent while imports Queens has such a diverse fell 2.61 percent. New York City’s constituency, we receive a significant amount of foreign money which deficit was $83.58 billion.

Through December, the district’s top five typically goes into real estate development.

trade partners in order were China, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Germany and India.

New York City’s Exports

• Diamonds - $13.69 billion • Gold - $10.84 billion • Civilian aircraft and parts - $9.5 billion • Jewelry - $7.14 billion • Paintings and other artwork - $6.88 billion

New York City’s Imports

• Diamonds - $18.99 billion • Motor vehicles - $11.77 billion • Imports of returned exports - $9.62 billion • Gasoline, other fuels - $8.88 billion • Paintings and other artwork - $5.3 billion We at the Chamber of Commerce see the diversification in Queens’ economy as a major strength for the borough which will position it for continued growth for years to come.

A Message From the EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

APRIL BRINGS NEW BEGINNINGS TO QUEENS

As April brings with it new beginnings, so do the infrastructure projects in our great borough. From LaGuardia and JFK Airports to the proposed Sunnyside Yard redevelopment, these new projects will transform the import/export scene which will, in turn, create thousands of new jobs. Queens is now positioning itself as one of the most advanced boroughs in the nation.

LGA, JFK Redevelopments

not JFK, because there is no direct highway access linking Kennedy and Manhattan or anywhere else. The Belt Parkway, for example, which runs along JFK’s northern perimeter, does not allow trucks or commercial vehicles, forcing drivers to use side streets or the Van Wyck Expressway.

Governor Cuomo’s press office has said regulations, truck access and future road projects all are part of ongoing discussions that will continue to include the PANYNJ, New York City and its agencies such as its Thomas J. Department of Transportation.

Grech

One thing to remember about airports is that they transport people AND cargo. And by increasing their ability to bring in new flights, Executive JFK IBID so do they increase the amount of Director trade done through both LGA and The proposed $500,000 annual JFK. Promoting the import-export budget of the JFK IBID provides industry, especially around the airport corridors, is a tremendous untapped for supplemental services, improvements and opportunity for Queens. These jobs offer advocacy for the JFK IBID district and its great pay in shipping, freight, trucking, and members. Revenues are generated from a special assessment assigned to primarily warehousing.

But once the planes touch down with their commercial/industrial, mixed-use and undecargo, another “roadblock” is encountered. veloped properties. This new infusion of Access for trucking becomes an issue. Air money and opportunities will continue to cargo companies like FedEx are using Newark, create jobs and expand the amount of trade

within the borough.

Events for Your Calendar April 21 - Five Borough MWBE Recognition Awards The Queens Chamber is thrilled to announce the Five Borough MWBE Recognition Awards on Friday, April 21, at Vaughn College. We will celebrate those MWBE businesses who have demonstrated leadership and success in their respective fields.

May 8 – Queens Day in Albany As referenced by Borough President Katz’s letter, this event will highlight the culture, tourism, and economic development of our great borough. The Queens Chamber is delighted to be coordinating this event and making all necessary arrangements to ensure that the day is a success. Throughout the day, Queens-based legislators will be meeting with local businesses, concluding with a reception showcasing the great tastes of the borough!

May 17 – Queens Business Expo at Citi Field Our annual Business Expo is set to be one of the largest ever. Please contact us immediately for Exhibitor and Sponsor Packages.

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

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QUEENS QUIPS Made in Queens store showcases artisan product in Long Island City The Made in Queens (MiQ) store, featuring handmade crafts, designer goods and smallbatch artisanal foods, is appearing at the Resobox Gallery & Cafe in Long Island City for a multi-week sale. Beginning on April 9, Resobox, located at 41-26 27th Street, offered goods during a sale that will continue through May 6.

Resobox is a Japanese cultural center that celebrates Japanese influence in the arts.

Vendors for the pop-up shop will include Sandra Smith designer bags, Metrix Jewelry, Hooks and Luxe accessories, Forest Witch leaf teas, Queens Thread and Niizeki Hiromi Studio.

Previously, MiQ operated out of a storefront at Queens Plaza South. Its mission is to promote borough-based artisans, including the sale of items like pottery, cards, chocolate and juices.

“It’s a win-win,” said Sante Antonelli, the director of business services with the Queens Economic Development Corporation (QEDC).

“Visit MiQ and peruse wonderful products made by local crafters and then enjoy some delicious Japanese food.”

Queens home sales drops in February A new report released by the Queens Home Team at Keller Williams Realty showed that home sales in the borough went down more than 21 percent compared to last February. Realtors warned that if the downward trend continues, that can be a sign of “weakening demand likely

caused by the recent rise in interest rates.”

On the positive end, median home prices stayed relatively stagnant, the report said, hovering around $470,000 to $480,000 since last June. The inventory of Queens homes for sale has also risen in consecutive months for the first time since last June. Realtors at Keller Williams Realty said they’ve been getting more calls from homeowners thinking of selling their homes.

If this trend of more people looking to sell and sales continuing to decrease, it will lead to a shift in the market that favors buyers over sellers, realtors said.

Panera Bread raises money for cancer research Panera Bread collected $17,643 dollars for Memorial Sloan Kettering for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The proceeds came from a portion of sales of the eatery’s Pink Ribbon Bagel, which was served at Panera Bread locations throughout New York City and Long Island. The funds will be used to help Memorial Sloan Kettering finds new and better treatments for those fighting breast cancer, as well as work to eradicate the disease. In Queens, Panera Bread stores in Bayside, Glendale, Long Island City and Rego Park all collectively contributed to the cause.

Dick’s Sporting Goods opens new location in Queens Queens welcomed the first Dick’s Sporting Goods store in Glendale earlier in March.

The sports chain kicked off the grand opening

with a three-day celebration featuring former Yankees and Mets outfielder Darryl Strawberry.

The store gave plenty of goods away, with early guests receiving gift lockers, t-shirts and even gift cards. The new location, at 73-25 Woodhaven Boulevard, also borders Forest Hills and Middle Village. Dick’s also has a store in Staten Island, which opened back in 2011.

It takes over for Sports Authority, which was closed last summer after declaring bankruptcy.

Dick’s is now included in the shopping strip with stores like Michaels, Staples, Trader Joe’s and Home Depot.

SBS improves storefronts in downtown Far Rockaway The New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS) and Economic Development Corporation (EDC) have upgraded the facades for 18 different businesses in downtown Far Rockaway as part of its Storefront Improvement Program. Local small businesses such as Mott Toy Center, Tino’s Unisex Hairstyling and Rockaway Electronics and Tax Services have new signage and awnings, door replacements and additional exterior lighting and painting.

“It is amazing how much new signage, storefronts and lighting can change the atmosphere along a business corridor,” said Councilman Donovan Richards. “It’s a new day in the Rockaways and these changes have already been a huge improvement.”

The storefront improvements are part of the city’s larger efforts to revitalize the greater Far Rockaway region to the tune of $91 million.

“Investing in small business corridors helps foster thriving, dynamic neighborhoods across our city,” said SBS Commissioner Gregg Bishop.

“By funding the revitalization of storefronts in Downtown Far Rockaway, we have created an inviting place for shoppers to visit and have provided a boost to the local economy.”

TABLE OF CONTENTS Promotions, Announcements & Appointments ........................................6

Chamber St. Patrick’s Day Celebration ....................................................................16

Businesses Adjust to New Minimum Wage ...............................................8

It’s in Queens .....................................................................................................................18

Nonprofit News ....................................................................................................8

Partners/Affiliates ............................................................................................................20

Q&A With Roland Lewis ...............................................................................10

New Members ...................................................................................................................23

‘Love Your Local’ Campaign ........................................................................11 Calendar of Chamber Events .........................................................................14

PUBLISHER Walter H. Sanchez

MANAGING EDITOR Shane Miller

Securing a Government Contract .................................................................15

CHAMBER EDITOR Brett Swanson

MARKETING DIRECTOR John Sanchez

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April 2017 • Volume 14 • Issue 4

INSIDE THE CENTURY-OLD EMPIRE CITY IRON WORKS

BY NANCY RUHLING

As Harvey A. Heffner is reciting this auspicious list, his younger brother, Edward D. Heffner, interrupts: Don’t forget the 1964 World’s Fair.

“Oh, yes,” Harvey says, “we did 16 pavilions there.”

“Sixteen! It was a rush job,” they say simultaneously.

There are many more big-name clients, but when you’ve been in business as long as Harvey and Edward – a combined total of 103 years – and your company is 112, well, sometimes even the more obvious ones like the U.S Tennis Association’s Arthur Ashe and Louis Armstrong stadiums don’t come readily to mind without a little coaxing.

Empire City Iron Works, the company started by their grandfather Leopold in 1904, is the oldest steel and miscellaneous iron company in New York City.

“Primarily, we make staircases,” says Harvey, as he heads to his second-floor office. “You can see some of them here. When we started buildHarvey, Edward and Jonathan Weaver work to solve a problem. ing the factory in 1959, it was my dad’s idea to put different styles on each half-flight so architects could see what we do.”

He points to the landing right outside the el- 46th Road until 1959, when their father began to it’s not,” Edward says. build the big red-brick factory. evator; it’s from the arrival area at JFK. Harvey smiles and nods in agreement.

“To get enough land, he had to buy the row Before he and Edward sit down, he unfurls a “We have been successful because we were set of ancient blueprints that were recently un- houses across the street one by one as they came taught very well by our father how to run the up for sale,” Har- business and how to make things,” he adds. earthed from the files “It gives us great satisfaction to point vey says. during a renovation.

Harvey’s son, Simon O. Heffner, joined Emto major building in New York City “That’s why it pire City Iron Works 15 years ago after a brief During World War II, Empire City Iron and say, ‘We did this, we did that.’” took so long,” Ed- career on Wall Street. He went to night school to ward adds.

Works had contracts earn a master’s degree in construction manage- HARVEY A. HEFFNER OF EMPIRE CITY IRON WORKS The brothers, ment and an MBA. with the British and lanky and loquaU.S. governments to “Running Empire City Iron Works is a great manufacture parts, including ammunition boxes cious, joined the company after earning civil deal of responsibility,” he says. “But I’m excited and water-tight doors, for the ships being built engineering degrees in college, Harvey from to be involved.” in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. The blueprints re- Brown University and Edward from Columbia Edward and Harvey, who are young for their mind Harvey that there’s an Empire City Iron University. ages, swear they aren’t retiring any time soon.

There was never any question that their busiWorks coal hole cover embedded in 73rd Street Their grandfather worked until the day he ness would be the family business. in Manhattan. died, and their father was at the factory when “In the 1950s, someone wanted to buy the they rushed him to the hospital the final time.

He’s not sure exactly where it is, so Edward prompts him — between Park and Lex, on the company, but our father wouldn’t sell because “We Heffners have a tradition of retiring in a he had two sons,” Edward says. north side of the street. pine box,” Edward says.

Harvey isn’t sure whether Edward has heard Harvey, who is 76, and Edward, who just “I wouldn’t want to say it that way,” Harvey turned 70, have never worked anywhere else but this story, but he had applied to Con Ed, where counters. “I’d rather say that coming to the ofEmpire City Iron Works, and they couldn’t be he had worked in the summers of his youth, and fice keeps me young.” actually got a job offer. happier.

Edward shrugs.

Edward looks surprised.

The brothers, who often finish each other’s “When it got back to my dad, my grandfather sentences as spontaneously as an old married couple, declare that it has never occurred to called me and that was that,” Harvey says, smilNancy A. Ruhling can be ing widely. them to be bored. reached at Less than a year after Harvey joined Empire “It gives us great satisfaction to point to manruhling@gmail.com. jor buildings in New York City and say, ‘We did City, Leopold died, so he ended up working for Follow her on Twitter at his father and his uncle. this, we did that,’” Harvey says. @nancyruhling on Twitter In 1975, when their father died, Harvey and Empire City Iron Works started out in Manand visit hattan and moved to Long Island City in 1911. It Edward took over. astoriacharacters.com.

“If you think it’s easy to run a family business, stood a block away from its current location on

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

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PROMOTIONS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & APPOINTMENTS

FRANKENSTEIN, MATTONE JOIN KING MANOR BOARD The King Manor Association of Long Island, which oversees and operates the King Manor Museum in Jamaica, announced the addition of Nicole Aloise Frankenstein and Carl Mattone, Jr. to its board. A graduate of St. John’s University School of Law, Frankenstein has served as a Queens County assistant district attorney since 2008. She lives in Astoria with her husband Barry Frankenstein, also an assistant district attorney, FRANKENSTEIN and their two sons. Mattone is with the firm Capstone Realty-The Mattone Group. He attended the Peter J. Tobin College of Business at St. John’s University and lives in Douglaston.

Al Gentile, formerly of Astoria Bank, has moved to Cross County Savings Bank as senior vice president and director of Branch Banking. Gentile was born and raised in Astoria and attended St. John’s University, where he studied business management. He is president of Kiwanis Club of Middle Village and treasurer of the Middle Village Property Owners GENTILE Association, as well as financial advisor to the Middle Village Chamber of Commerce. He is married with three children and resides in West Hempstead.

Christine L. Chisholm was appointed senior vice president of Real Estate Development and Management at Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens and chief operating officer of Catholic Charities Progress of Peoples Development and Management Corporations (CCPOP).

Chisholm will direct all aspects of Catholic Charities’ affordable housing real estate portfolio and oversee the agency’s housing development, financing, construction and property manageCHISHOLM ment activities.

Chisholm previously worked as the chief financial officer of Bowery Residents Committee, a provider of housing and services for homeless adults. Chisholm served as adjunct professor at the New York

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University Robert F. Wagner Graduate School “BQE Media has won numerous awards for its digital news innovation, and I am of Public Service.

Effective with the April 2017 confident they bring that expertise issue of This is Queensborough, to the Chamber to help its memThe Queens Chamber of Commerce bers,” said executive director Thomas welcomed new media and publishing Grech. “This move to partner with partner BQE Media, publishers of BQE Media, along with our soon-tothe Queens Ledger group of weekly be-unveiled new website, will allow newspaper and a host of other pubus to grow and reach more businesses lications. and their customers than ever.

Expect greatly enhanced busi“We would be remiss if we didn’t GRECH ness-focused stories, a business news thank Schneps for their past work website, weekly e-newsletters along on TIQ and we wish them well,” he with unique advertising, and social media opportu- added. nities. The Chamber is seeking to add more value to help members grow their business and influence Send your recent promotion, announcement or appointment to queensboroughmagazine@queensledger.com in Queens and beyond.

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

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BUSINESSES STRUGGLE TO COPE WITH WAGE INCREASE

BY ERICA FINOCCHIO

After the latest minimum wage increase in New York City took effect at the beginning of the year, borough business owners are trying to find a way to pay their employees and keep their customers happy.

Back in 2009, the minimum wage was $7.25 per hour. Today, it stands at $10.50 for small businesses, defined as fewer than ten employees, and $11 for larger companies.

The steady rise is part of the state’s goal to increase wages for workers yearly until it reaches $15 in 2020. Local businesses say they are already starting to see the impact.

Frank Ottomanelli, owner of S. Ottomanelli & Sons Prime Meats in Woodside, said he’s trying to manage his business without raising prices. He said he is also concerned for his customers.

“The minimum wage increase is an extra cost to my business,” Ottomanelli said. “I don’t think it’s the right time to raise the prices on my meat because we don’t want to burden our consumers with higher prices because the cost of living has increased.”

Sang Han and his daughter Jeong Hee Choi run Lucid Cafe, also in Woodside. They said they

have not raised prices yet, but they may be forced to in order to cover the increased pay for their seven employees.

“The government doesn’t pay our employees, we do,” Choi said. “There is no benefit for the business owners and this is not a way to solve our economic problem.”

Café Vine at 150-13 Northern Boulevard in Flushing had to raise the price of coffee 25 cents to help cover wage increase for employees.

“The minimum wage increase is hurting small businesses because rent is going up in Queens and we have to pay our workers more,” said owner Minhee Yang. “I think raising the minimum wage hurts the whole society because instead of going to school and getting a professional-level job, anyone will work any job now because the minimum wage went up.”

Yang said she raises employee’s wages between 50 cents to $1 every three to six months, regardless of the law.

Thomas Grech, executive director of the Queens Chamber of Commerce, said the increases will have a big impact on the borough’s employers, as well as employees.

“Employers are being pushed to pass on price increases to make up for the increase in wages,

wages that are being increased without merit,” he said. “We are going to see a big increase in automation wherever it can occur to limit the amount of actual hours people work.

“I predict there will be a decrease in employee numbers,” he added.

Starting next year, the minimum wage will increase to $12 an hour for small businesses. It will rise to $13.50 by 2019 and eventually hit $15 in 2020. Companies with 11 or more employees will pay workers $13 an hour next year and $15 by 2019.

By comparison, New Jersey has a minimum wage of $8.44, Connecticut is at $10.10, and California’s minimum wage varies from $10.30 to $14.82 per hour.

Charles Callahan, operates Plaza College in Forest Hills The college has been a Queens Chamber of Commerce member for 100 years.

He says his college pays it employees more than minimum wage but fears it is economically bad overall because entrepreneurs will begin to think of ways to get around employing people.

“It will cause disruption for the entry-level job market and the opportunities in that market are in jeopardy. The entry level jobs are going to be in trouble,” he said.

NONPROFIT NEWS

GOOD FOR FAMILIES = GOOD FOR BUSINESS

BY MATTHEW TROY Variety Boys & Girls Club

At the Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens, we know being a parent can be tough. But parenting in 2017 presents a unique set of challenges.

An increasing dependence on technology and social media can make it difficult to hold a child’s attention.

Media outlets broadcast distressing news and negative influences to our kids nearly 24/7. These distractions can result in behavioral issues and poor school performance. Parents are dealing with these challenges while the cost of living continues to increase, which makes raising children especially difficult for the many single parents in our community.

But despite these challenges, parents in our community have high expectations for their kids and are committed to providing them with the best education possible. They understand the value of the diverse community we live in and the importance of out-of-school-time enrichment and extracurricular activities.

At Variety, we work closely with our parents to help them meet the challenges of raising and educating their children and take advantage of the

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many resources our city has to offer.

The benefits of parental involvement in education are well-documented. But research also shows that afterschool programs form an important bridge between parents and schools. According to Mark R. Warren, associate professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, community-based organizations help parents form connections with their children’s schools, even in communities where parental involvement is typically low.

Some of the benefits of parental involvement in education include higher grades and test scores, higher attendance rates, better social skills and adaptability, and higher graduation rates. Community-based organizations help make these gains happen.

This is where businesses come in to the equation.

Did you know that in New York State every $1 invested in Boys & Girls Clubs results in $7.94 in economic benefits for our community? That’s $541 million annually!

There are also productivity gains for our parents who benefit from having a safe and affordable option for their kids while at work. Our doors stay open for children until 9 p.m. each day. It’s likely

that your employees are able to work the hours they do because of programs like ours.

The largest economic benefits are realized through reduced alcohol consumption and improved grades for our members. Overall, club members will accrue $103.7 million in benefits over their lifetimes and their parents will gain $436.8 million from job retention and increased earnings. As earning potential grows so do families’ ability to buy local goods and services as well as avoid the need for government services, which lessens the need to raise taxes. Everyone benefits.

At the Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens, we are committed to giving our families every advantage possible. As Variety looks toward the future, we aim to create even more meaningful opportunities to prepare our youth for future job opportunities and, also, to train their parents to take on new roles in the workforce. Community engagement will be one of our top priorities as our club continues to grow and we look forward to partnering with many of the terrific businesses in the Queens Chamber.

Matthew Troy is executive director of the Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens, the largest youth development program in Western Queens, serving over 4000 students ages 6-17. To learn more, visit VBGCQ.org.

April 2017 • Volume 9 • Issue 11

EXPERT ADVICE

NUTS & BOLTS OF THE MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE

BY STEPHEN D. HANS

Businesses throughout New York State are now being impacted by minimum wage increases that went into effect on December 31.

These increases are somewhat historic, as for the first time ever there will be different minimum wage rates for the various geographic regions of the state, and in New York City there are different rates for large and small businesses.

Because of this, the formerly simple question of “what is the minimum wage” has become a bit more complicated.

Beginning on December 31, 2016 the minimum wage for employees working in any of the five boroughs of New York City (including, of course , Queens) for a business with 11 or more employees is now $11 per hour. Employees working for a small business with 10 or fewer employees have a lower minimum wage rate of $10.50 per hour.

Employees working for businesses on Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk Counties) or in Westchester County must be paid a minimum wage rate of $10 per hour, while the applicable minimum wage rate for the remainder of upstate New York is now $9.70 per hour.

All regions of the state will see further scheduled annual increases in the minimum wage over the coming years, with rates for New York City businesses eventually rising to $15 per hour by the start of 2019 for large employers and 2020 for small employers.

Rates for Long Island and Westchester rise at a slower pace, reaching $15 per hour by 2022.

Upstate counties will see the minimum wage rate rise the slowest, increasing incrementally until reaching $12.50 per hour at the start of 2021, with any further increases thereafter to be set by the Commissioner of Labor based upon economic indices.

There are also new salary levels for certain exempt “white collar” employees, including those classified as overtime exempt under the administrative and executive exemptions.

Although the anticipated federal salary level increase to $913 per week ($47,476 annually) was stayed by a federal court judge and did not

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Stephen D. Hans, a Long Island City-based labor attorney, is chairperson of the Queens County Bar Association Labor Relations Committee. go into effect as previously anticipated on December 1, New York employers still saw an increase in the required minimum salary levels for such exempt employees.

As of December 31, these levels are now set at $825 per week for large city-based employers (11 or more employees), $787.50 per week for small employers (10 or fewer employees), $750 per week for Long Island and Westchester employers, and $727.50 per week for upstate employers.

Just as with the minimum wage rate, these minimum salary levels will also be rising over the next several years, eventually reaching $1,125 per week in most regions.

Along with the minimum wage increases, there are also new rates for allowances, including tip, meal and lodging credits, and new rates for uniform maintenance pay.

As with the minimum wage, these rates vary by industry, as well as geographic location and employer size, and employers should consult the relevant wage order applicable to their particular industry.

These wage orders, along with other important information including required workplace postings and forms, can be accessed at www.labor. ny.gov.

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QUESTION & ANSWER

HEAD FOR THE WATER!

ON THE RECORD WITH ROLAND LEWIS, PRESIDENT & CEO OF THE WATERFRONT ALLIANCE The Waterfront Alliance works to protect, transform, and revitalize the waterways of the New York and New Jersey metropolitan region. A coalition of more than 950 business and civic organizations, Alliance Partners range from small boathouses and waterfront restaurants to global shipping companies and The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey.

Roland Lewis, president and CEO of the Alliance, is shepherding this organization into its next decade of waterfront advocacy and leadership. We sat down with Roland to learn more about the Waterfront Alliance’s annual Waterfront Conference on May 10, which the Queens Chamber of Commerce is proudly supporting, and about how the Alliance is making the Queens waterfront a great place to live, work, and play.

This is Queensborough: Tell us about the annual Waterfront Conference, this year on May 10.

Roland Lewis: Everyone is welcome at our annual Waterfront Conference, but waterfront advocates, policymakers, scientists, and planners especially will find much food for thought here. A day-long event that takes place aboard the Hornblower Infinity, the 2017 Waterfront Conference will focus on measuring the value of our harbor and waterfronts; assessing educational opportunities, good-paying jobs, public recreation, and waterborne transit. Resiliency and governance will be common discussion threads. Add your voice to the discussion on May 10; information on tickets and sponsorship are available at waterfrontalliance.org.

TIQ: Many Queens residents are within a walk or short subway ride to the waterfront. Tell us how the Waterfront Alliance is advocating for accessible waterfronts. What are some of the events and resources you can point our members to if they want to get out on the Queens waterfront?

RL: Since it was founded in 2007, the Waterfront Alliance has advocated for better public access to the city’s waterfront, especially in Queens. Our Alliance Partners sponsor all sorts of waterfront events in Queens, from public boating programs to shoreline cleanups, waterfront walks, and more. Last summer, we enabled a visit to the Queens shoreline by the Polynesian voyaging canoe Hōkūle‘a, whose long voyage traversing the waters of the world using only the stars, winds, and waves as guides brought attention to the importance of living sustainably.

Later this summer, I recommend checking out the Waterfront Alliance/ HarborLAB kayaking program at the Gantry Plaza State Park Community Eco Dock on the Long Island City waterfront, and activities at Little Bay Park near Fort Totten in northeast Queens, all free!

And of course, on City of Water Day – our annual, free, family-oriented celebration of the waterways of New York and New Jersey, this year on Saturday, July 15 – there will be free City of Water Day In Your

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Neighborhood events along the Queens waterfront. Check out our events calendar and biweekly WaterWire for information on these events and programs, and many more, near you.

TIQ: How does the Waterfront Alliance advocate for shoreline resilience and sustainability?

RL: One of the Waterfront Alliance’s core programs is Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines (WEDG). In a nutshell, this is an easy-to-use ratings system that guides planners, professionals, and community advocates toward waterfronts that are resilient, environmentally healthy, accessible, and equitable to all. Hunter’s Point South is a great example of a Queens waterfront project that achieved an exemplary WEDG score based on its emphasis on sustainable design and equitable development. Members of the Queens Chamber of Commerce can get more information about WEDG on our website.

TIQ: Citywide Ferry Service is coming this summer to the Rockaway and Astoria neighborhoods in Queens, along with stops in other boroughs. Tell us about the Waterfront Alliance’s history in advocating for waterborne transit.

RL: From day one, the Waterfront Alliance has advocated for a ferry network in New York City that is affordable, extensive, reliable, and equitable. Through the years, we have helped organize grassroots activism in waterfront communities calling for ferry service, and we have guided elected officials on maritime transportation policy and plans. It took a few years, but in 2015 Mayor de Blasio announced a new citywide ferry network, with five new routes serving 12 new destinations. The first routes, including Rockaway and Astoria, begin service this summer and a one-way fare will cost the same as a subway ride!

TIQ: Thank you, Roland. We look forward to seeing you at the Waterfront Conference on May 10!

April 2017 • Volume 14 • Issue 4

PUT THEM ‘ON THE MAP’

BY GREGG BISHOP Commissioner NYC Department of Small Business Services Small businesses are the backbone of our local economy and help create vibrant, energetic neighborhoods across our city. To help promote small businesses, our agency has launched the Love Your Local campaign that allows New Yorkers to share their favorite small businesses for others to discover. Businesses can be shared at nyc.gov/loveyourlocal and on social media using the hashtag #LoveYourLocalNYC. Shared businesses will appear on an interactive map on our website for other New Yorkers to browse and discover. These businesses will also be eligible to apply for up to $90,000 in grant funding to help them grow and succeed.

This campaign is designed to create buzz around our city for small businesses and to boost our local economy. Across all five boroughs, there are over 200,000 small businesses that together provide jobs for nearly 1.7 million New Yorkers. Small businesses need support now more than ever to ensure they have the tools and resources they need to thrive.

The Love Your Local campaign is supported by a multi-platform advertising campaign to promote shopping at small businesses throughout New York City, including ads that are running on the subway.

By sharing their favorite local business, New Yorkers are supporting them beyond just using their purchasing power. Not only will small businesses benefit from the free promotion from being featured on the Love Your Local map, but businesses have the opportunity to receive grants and expert advice to put towards maintaining their success and growth in this ever-changing city.

So far, over 170 businesses in Queens have been shared and it’s not too late to log on and show some love for your favorite deli, boutique, locksmith, dry cleaner, etc. We want to ensure all the small businesses that make up this diverse and vibrant borough are represented.

Love Your Local grants will be awarded to 20 shared businesses from across the city and include technical assistance. Grants may be used by businesses to retain jobs, improve their space, step up their marketing, or make important operational changes. To win a grant award, businesses must be longstanding, independent and located within the

five boroughs. Businesses must also have fewer than 100 employees and be located in space they rent, not own.

The grant awards will enhance the business’ resiliency and ability to adapt to change based upon their individual needs. For instance, businesses can use the funds to upgrade the skills of their existing employees, update their shop’s façade, or invest in new systems to manage accounts. My staff will also be providing expert advice so businesses can accurately assess how to optimize their grant awards based on their individual needs.

Please take a minute to log on and share your favorite local small business. Small business interested in participating in the Love Your Local grant program can visit the program’s website at nyc.gov/loveyourlocal to complete a preliminary application. Businesses should also check out the suite of services available through our agency year-round. Our services can help businesses start, operate, and grow.

Our Business Solutions Centers, located in every borough, connect small business owners with the tools and resources needed to succeed.

We work with businesses to develop business plans, connect to opportunities and resources, and navigate city government. Small businesses looking for support can receive one-on-one assistance or attend a workshop at any of our seven Business Solution Centers located throughout the five boroughs. More information is available at nyc.gov/ sbs or by calling 311.

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

queensborough Calendar of events april 4/21, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Five Borough MWBE Recognition Awards Join all 5 NYC Chambers of Commerce as each Chamber honors two MWBE member from their borough.

Featuring • Queens Borough President Melinda Katz • NYC Public Advocate Letitia James • Commissioner of NYC Small Business Services Gregg Bishop • NYC Councilman Robert E Cornegy Presenters: Nunzio DelGreco from the Bronx Chamber of Commerce, Andrew Hoan from the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, Jessica Walker from the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, and Tom Grech from the Queens Chamber of Commerce.

To register, please visit www.queenschamber.org Vaughn College 8601 23rd Avenue, East Elmhurst, NY 11369 4/24, 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM Exclusive Networking Opportunity – Hermes Expo The Queens Chamber of Commerce cordially invites you to join us for a networking event Radisson Hotel Martinique 49W 32nd Street, New York, NY 10001 Complimentary admission – Open to all

• Long-Term and Open-Ended Leave Requests: Your Obligations and Your Options.

• Managing Employee Mental Health Issues within the Confines of Federal, State and Local Discrimination Laws.

• Cleaning Out Your Closet: How Employers Can Fix Previous Disability Management Mistakes.

Free event exclusively for LICP Members LICP Office 27-01 Queens Plaza North, 9th FL Long Island City, NY 11101 4/28, 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM Legislative Committee Meeting This meeting will discuss the Department of Sanitation’s commercial waste zones and their impact on the environment and businesses.

Featuring: NYC Commissioner of Department of Sanitation Kathryn Garcia.

To register, please visit www.queenschamber.org TBD 4/28, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Building Relationships in Business This class will show how to build relationships through networking, foster partnerships in business, and get “buy in” from business acquaintances. To preregister visit jobmap. queenslibrary.org or for more information, call 718-990-8625. Class code: JR310.

Queens Library at Flushing 41-17 Main Street Flushing, NY 11355

361 West 125th Street, Room 1A New York, NY 10027 5/6, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM 2017 LIC Springs!

Celebrate Long Island City and enjoy live music, dance, and theater performances plus interactive lessons, art & sculpture-making, fitness classes, outdoor dining, popup activities, sports games and more, free and open to all ages.

Vernon Boulevard between 50th and 46th Ave. Long Island City, NY 11101

june 6/1, 5:30 - 7:30 PM Networking Event on Bourbon Street Rooftop To register, please visit www.queenschamber.org Bourbon Street 40-12 Bell Blvd Bayside, New York 11361

6/8, 8:30 AM Wage and Hour Series, Part II with Jackson Lewis This series will engage in practi5/8, 6:30 AM cal tips for handling wage and hour Queens Day in Albany under the Department of Labor Queens Borough President Melinda (DOL).

Katz and members • Discuss Wage and Compliance of the Queens Chamber of • What to do and not do during a Commerce and businesses in DOL Audit Queens to showcase the culture, • Handling Wage and Hour Issues tourism, and economic Bulova Corporate Center development of Albany.

75-20 Astoria Blvd. #140, • Tour the Capitol Building and Legislative Chambers Jackson Heights, NY 11370 • Meet and Greet the Queens Open to the public Assembly and Senate delegation.

Complimentary admission, • Join a sampling of Queens restau- parking and breakfast rants and brewers Complimentary breakfast and transportation will be provided.

Queens Chamber of Commerce Bulova Corporate Center 75-20 Astoria Boulevard, Suite 140 75-20 Astoria Blvd. #140, Jackson Heights, N.Y. 11370-1131 Jackson Heights, NY 11370

5/10, 8:30 AM Workshop on Proper Termination Procedures This workshop will help avoid legal ramifications due to the termination of an employee of your business.

Presented by Rita DiStefano, 4/25, 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM Director of HR Consulting Exclusive Networking may •Discuss a successful termination Opportunity – Hermes Expo •The purpose and benefits of proRadisson Hotel Martinique 5/2, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM gressive discipline 49W 32nd Street, New York, 10 Steps to Starting Your Own • Avoid a negative culture and how NY 10001 Business

By Appointment Only Learn what it takes to start your own to limit liability To register, please visit To register, please call business! www.queenschamber.org 1-610-446-1483 This course provides a basic overview of the steps to start a business Bulova Corporate Center 75-20 Astoria Blvd. #140, 4/27, 9:00 AM- 10:30 AM and how NYC Business Solutions Jackson Heights, NY 11370 Member-to-Member Seminar: can guide you along the way.

Jackson Lewis P.C. You will learn about: 5/17, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM Join Jackson Lewis P.C. as they • How to develop a business plan Business Expo at Citi Field share “How to Respond to Difficult • How to determine legal structure Don’t miss out on hundreds of Disability Management Issues”.

• How to set up your bookkeeping Exhibitors, Educational Seminars Topics Include: • How to obtain financing and highly acclaimed Keynote • An Employee Just Requested NYC Business Solutions Upper Speakers.

Intermittent FMLA…What’s Next? Manhattan Center

Entire Contents Copyright 2017 by Queensborough. All letters sent to the QUEENSBOROUGH should be brief and are subject to condensation. Writers should include a full address and home and office telephone numbers, where available, as well as affiliation, indicating special interest.

Anonymous letters are not printed. Name withheld on request. No such ad or any part thereof may be reproduced without prior permission of the QUEENSBOROUGH. The publishers will not be responsible for any error in advertising beyond the cost of the space occupied by the error. Errors must be reported to the QUEENSBOROUGH within five days of publication. Ad position cannot be guaranteed unless paid prior to publication.

Schneps Communications assumes no liability for the content or reply to any ads.

The advertiser assumes all liability for the content of and all replies. The advertiser agrees to hold the QUEENSBOROUGH and its employees harmless from all cost, expenses, liabilities, and damages resulting from or caused by the publication or recording placed by the advertiser or any reply to any such advertisement.

Published by BQE Media 45-23 47th Street, 2nd Floor Woodside 11377• 718.426.7200 Send articles & photos to:

queensboroughmagazine@queensledger.com

For any registration or more information on these events or any other events please call us at 718.898.8500 or visit us on the web queenschamber.org

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April 2017 • Volume 14 • Issue 4

CHAMBER HOSTS SEMINAR ON GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS

BY ERICA FINOCCHIO Queens business owners got a taste of what it’s like to do business with the government, thanks to a seminar led by economic development specialist Man-Li Lin. Lin, works for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), a federal agency that aids, counsels, assists and protects the interests of small business owners.

Thomas Grech, executive director of the Queens Chamber of commerce, kicked off the March 29th seminar at the chamber’s headquarters.

“We’re all about results and growing your business,” Grech said.

In the seminar, Lin went over the myths and realities of government contracting, including the many steps to register as a contractor with the federal government.

She also gave tips on what to do while subcontracting, such as building relationships with a specific federal agency and figuring out their needs.

“Find an attorney and write down everything to protect yourself while subcontracting,” Lin said. “Select an attorney with experience and

make sure you have an advance confidential agreement, and choose partners that have a genuine interest in you and verify their executive level commitment.”

Build on the relationship and ensure that your products will be “better than their original supplier,” she advised. “When you solicit, you really need to read the details and comply with federal regulations.”

Lin delved into how to specifically be a contractor for the General Services Administration (GSA), which services and support all federal agencies. Marketing and technology tools such as websites and blogs can also have an impact on contracting, she said.

“If you don’t do marketing, you can’t get a government contract,” she said. “You have to create opportunities for yourself. Don’t wait.”

Neil Richards, CEO of Nordic LLC Enterprises Financial Services Company, attended the SBA seminar to hear about federal contracting.

“I’ve learned I have to follow regulations, market my company and that it’s possible to get a contract with the federal government,” he said.

Carlos A. Lopez is the owner of CL Electric Corporation, a certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and Disadvantaged Business

(DBE). He said it took him a year to get certified as an MBE and another five months for the DBE designation.

Mario de la Rosa, part-owner of Custom Tees, a business in Brooklyn that makes professional and custom t-shirts, said the government is “very intimidating.”

“You feel they are big and your business is really small when you start out,” de la Rosa said. “The hardest challenge of doing business with the federal government is making sure I have the criteria to match their contract word for word.”

He said the Queens Chamber event was informative, particularly about procedures.

“I want to get into the list to start selling to the government,” de la Rosa added, “and I don’t feel intimidated anymore after this seminar.

Knowledge is power.”

The Queens Chamber of Commerce will host a five-borough Minority and WomenOwned Enterprise (MWBE) Awards ceremony at Vaughn College on April 21. Each borough’s chamber of commerce will attend, as well as elected and city officials.

Each chamber representative will honor two MWBE members from each borough.

Seminar attendees with Man-Li Lin of the U.S. Small Business Administration.

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

CHAMBER HOSTS ST. PATRICK’S DAY LUNCHEON

BY ERICA FINNOCHIO The Queens Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual St. Patrick’s Day luncheon on March 21 at Terrace on the Park in Corona.

The ballroom, decorated with green lights for the Irish holiday, was filled with the sound of music. The tables were filled with Irish soda bread and finger foods as guests checked in and networked.

The annual luncheon, which featured Queens elected officials and companies, honored Northwell Health, one of the largest healthcare systems in the country. Michael J. Dowling, president of Northwell Health, spoke about the merging of the North Shore and LIJ health systems.

“Northwell Health provides the best quality and best service to local communities,” Dowling said. “We’re delighted to work with the Chamber as we expand.”

Dowling was a former director of health, education and human services for Governor Andrew Cuomo. He now runs 21 area hospitals and a medical school, the Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine.

The healthcare network has 550 outpatient practices and employs 175 people per week,

Dowling said. Nearly 12,000 of the 62,000 total employees come from Queens alone.

Dowling also spoke about his Irish immigrant background, and stressed the importance of immigrants in the United States.

“Each and everyone of us is an immigrant,” he said. “Members of your family came here from somewhere else.

“You can’t speak about the history of the United States without speaking about the history of immigration,” Dowling added. “We celebrate immigrant contributions from all over the world in the United States.”

Business leaders across different industries lauded the annual event as an opportunity for both new and old members to meet and work together.

“I think this event brings the local community together,” said Alpa Patel from Swan International. “We all can network, build relationships and connect with many organizations.”

During the luncheon, cover band Brogue performed while the audience enjoyed corned beef and cabbage for lunch. The band was followed by an Irish step-dancing performance by the Fitzpatrick Academy of Irish Dance.

“I loved the festive music as I walked in,” Borough President Melinda Katz said. “It was great. This shows when you come to Queens Chamber events, we can talk about business but have a good time as well.”

Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley also lauded the organization. “I want to thank the whole Queens Chamber for what they do in my district and creating more jobs,” she said.

“Together, we’re going to make this district better.”

Queens Chamber executive director Thomas Grech announced at the end of the event that the chamber is hosting a “Queens Day in Albany” on May 8. Buses and food will be supplied for the trip.

“We want legislators to know who we are and that Queens has arrived,” Grech said.

The luncheon concluded with a raffle drawing. Investors Bank was the big winner, as their representatives won two round-trip tickets to Ireland.

Claire Shulman, former Queens borough president from 1986 to 2002, expressed her gratitude for the event. “It’s a great day,” Shulman said. “Everyone is Irish today.”

PRESIDENT MAYRA DIRICO & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR THOMAS GRECH

NORTHWELL HEALTH PRESIDENT MICHAEL J. DOWLING

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April 2017 • Volume 14 • Issue 4

RICH DZWLEWICZ FROM TD BANK & SAL CRIFASI

COUNCILMAN BARRY GRODENCHIK & THOMAS GRECH

IRISH STEP DANCERS PERFORM

JEFFREY ROSENSTOCK, FELIX MATOS-RODRIGUEZ & WALTER SANCHEZ

JEAN POTVIN, MSGR. AL LOPINTO & FATHER PATRICK KEATING

MICHAEL J. DOWLING & SUSAN BROWNING OF NORTHWELL HEALTH

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

KUPFERBERG CENTER: LOCAL ART, GLOBAL CULTURE

Kupferberg Center for the Arts (KCA) is the award-winning entertainment complex on the campus of Queens College, offering patrons the perfect local venue to catch A-list stars like Nick Cannon, Brian Wilson, Patti LaBelle, and more as part of the Kupferberg Presents season.

Its upcoming shows include performances by Susana Baca, The Spinners and Little Anthony & the Imperials, Damn Yankees, and Cesar Millan. Kupferberg Center offers free parking, easy access to the Long Island Expressway, and excellent dining options.

In addition to the star-studded events that take place at its home at Queens College, Kupferberg Center connects the communities of Queens by presenting diverse programming throughout the borough. With over 50 free yearly concerts and exhibitions by international acts and local artists in many of our neighborhoods, KCA seeks to cross cultural boundaries and link the diverse populations of our borough as well as to attract people from outside Queens to our parks, libraries, schools, and plazas. Our roster for our off-site shows have included world music, reggae, ska, Mexican, Irish, and Arabic folk, jazz, blues, and rock.

The flavor and vibrancy that characterizes our borough today is shown in full force both at KCA’s on-campus events, as well as in those presented in the neighborhoods of Queens.

Kupferberg Center for the Arts also creates wide-reaching programs that are changing the city’s cultural landscape. The CUNY Dance

Initiative (CDI), spearheaded by KCA, is a residency program that provides local dance companies and choreographers with subsidized rehearsal and performance spaces on 13 CUNY campuses throughout the five boroughs. This project that reimagines the use of underutilized spaces for artistic residencies has been garner-

ing attention from national publications, cultural organizations, and major donors.

Tickets for Kupferberg Center’s 2017-2018 season are on sale now on our brand-new website, www.kupferbergcenter.org. With so many events to take part in, which one will you see first?

SWIMMING IS GOOD FOR BUSINESS

BY SHAWN SLEVIN Swim Strong Foundation

I’m sure you know that a healthy employee is a more productive employee. The research is clear: healthy employees lower costs, improve workplace safety and improve productivity. Regular exercise lowers blood pressure and helps prevent chronic health issues such as heart disease, diabetes and obesity. And regular exercise also improves mental acuity by improving concentration, enhancing creativity, sharpening memory and lowering stress.

Swimming is great exercise and one of the most beneficial activities people can do, regardless of age. It is a total-body, low-impact work that has cardiopulmonary and skeletal-friendly benefits. As a self-paced, total-body workout, people of all

18

ages and physical abilities can benefit from swimming.

“There’s no question that a healthier workforce correlates to a more productive and efficient workforce,” according to Henry Petrie, president of Benefits Optimization LLC. “From a hard dollar cost perspective, one major study of a 25,000 person population that went on for seven years showed that on average, an overweight employee (BMI>30) had about a $250 more in actual health care claims cost than employees with a healthy weight (BMI>26). Significantly overweight employees represented nearly $500 per month in additional cost.”

In addition to the physical and mental benefits of swimming, those who embrace swimming at a competitive level also learn skills that

transcend the pool to benefit them in life and business. Competitive swimming requires a laser-like focus that helps to build skills such as self-discipline, goal setting, commitment, teamwork, perseverance, resiliency, organizational and leadership skills.

Some of the lessons I learned as a competitive swimmer that have helped me in business: • Good results come over time with training, practice and patience; • You can achieve great results if you can harness the motivational power of a team; • Creating clear goals helps motivate you to achieve them; • Nothing comes easily and you need to be nimble with multiple backup plans to achieve the results you want; and • If everyone individually does their best, the team benefits by a better result.

For these reasons and more, your company should embrace swimming as a core component of your wellness program. Learn more at swimstrongfoundation.org.

April 2017 • Volume 14 • Issue 4

MUSIC, THEATER, DANCE, LITERATURE, TREES AND BRICKS BLOOM IN QUEENS THIS APRIL It’s spring, and love is in the air.

It’s time to enjoy a concert or a play with a romantic interest. Or maybe a harvest festival or tap dance extravaganza is more appropriate.

The opportunities - for partners and singles - to have a great, enriching experience abound in Queens this April. Here’s a look at what’s about to go down.

Flushing Town Hall: This Northern Boulevard hub presents a global mashup that puts two musical genres on one stage with an open dance floor on April 21.

Sylvain Leroux and Source present a danceable mix of music from Mali with a jazz inflection, and Rachid Halihal and Fez present Moroccan classical and folk music. Then, the groups join together and jam.

On April 29 at the same venue, Pablo Mayor’s Folklore Urbano Orchestra will present a theatrical concert exploring culture, immigration, tradition, and love through music and dance.

King Manor Museum: This historic Jamaica house will offer a concert on April 21. The Baroque duo Black Marble will play 17th and 18th century violin music by Mozart, Leclair, Reger, and others.

The husband-and-wife duo has beautifully matched Stainer violins made in 1660 and 1668.

Kupferberg Center for the Arts: The Spinners will bring down the house at this Queens College site

ARTRAGEOUS

on April 8. Famous for the song “Rubber Band Man,” the up-tempo R&B group is known for precise choreography on stage. Plus, Little Anthony and the Imperials will sing ageless Doo Wop favorites.

The same Flushing entity will stage dog behavior specialist Cesar Millan on May 6.

Musica Reginae Productions: The Klez Dispensers will mix Eastern European Klezmer melodies with the bustling jazz of the 2ndAvenue Yiddish Theatre tradition at The Church-in-the-Gardens in Forest Hills on May 7.

New York Hall of Science: The Corona educational center will organize Brick Fest Live on April 8 and 9. Youngsters - and a large number of adults - will go crazy with LEGO bricks and activities.

Queens Botanical Garden: This verdant Flushing patch will host Arbor Fest on April 30. The annual event will include live music, a petting zoo, food-and-craft vendors, and a beer-and-wine tent. Children’s activities, tours, face-painting, and demonstrations will round out the day.

Queens Museum: This Flushing Meadows-Corona Park landmark will join forces with the nearby Hindu Temple Society of North America to host Holi (aka the Spring Festival of Colors) on April 23. This annual celebration/harvest festival honors the triumph of good over evil

with multi-cultural dancTWELFTH NIGHT es, chanting, and music.

Attendees can expect to see countless colorful saris and get covered in equally colorful talcum powder as part of the fun.

On the same day, B. Alexandra Szerlip, a twotime National Endowment for the Arts Writing Fellow, will discuss and sign copies of her new book, The Man Who interactions. The music ranges from Designed the Future: Norman Ray Charles to John Lennon to Frank Bel Geddes and the Invention of Sinatra. After the gig, the new paintTwentieth Century America. A ninth- ings will be auctioned off from the grade dropout, Bel Geddes designed stage to benefit QPAC. At the same spot on April 30, the General Motors Pavilion, the 1939 World’s Fair exhibition Broadway legend Maurice Hines that contained Futurama. He also will sing and tap dance a tribute to designed the first all-weather stadium his brother, Gregory, and the crooners who have inspired him – from and many theaters.

Queens Opera Theatre: This brand- Frank Sinatra to Lena Horne – with new company will make its debut standards like “Luck Be A Lady” and with a free concert at Flushing Town “It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain’t Hall on April 15. The 90-minute Got That Swing).”

Socrates Sculpture Park: This Long showcase will include ditties that the company plans to put on soon as well Island City green space will host Nari Ward: G.O.A.T. again, consistas other famous pieces.

Queens Theatre: Titan Theatre ing of six outdoor pieces that will be Company, which strives to breathe created on site and displayed from new life into classic plays, is an April 29 until Sept. 4. It’s Ward’s first artist-in-residence at Queens Theatre institutional solo exhibition in NYC, for the second year in a row. As such, and the Jamaica-born artist will the Woodside-based troupe will pres- recast tropes of outdoor structures – ent the Shakespeare comedy Twelfth the monument, the playground, lawn Night at Queens Theatre from March ornaments, architectural barriers, and 24 through April 9. In this story, a the advertising sign – into surreal and shipwreck on a strange shore leaves playful creations. “G.O.A.T.” is an Viola with fears that her twin brother acronym for “Greatest Of All Time,” is dead. She ends up in a wacky love and he will examine how hubris cretriangle after masquerading as a man ates misplaced expectations in cul(in her brother’s clothes) in order to tural and politics.

The Secret Theatre: This Long procure a job with Duke Orsino.

Latin Dance Fiesta will rock the Island City-based arts hub will pressame Flushing Meadows Corona ent Shakespeare’s King Lear from Park venue on April 9. Calpulli March 23 until April 9. Using plenty Mexican Dance Company, Fuákata - of poetic license, this version introCuban Salsa New York, Estudiantina duces audiences to NYC’s real estate Bolivia, and the Colombian Mestizo titans. King Lear has the onset of Dance Company will share the stage. Alzheimer’s disease as he divides Queensborough Performing Arts his empire among his feuding chilCenter: ARTrageous will perform at dren while wrestling with his own this Bayside showground on April mortality.

The Queens Tourism Council pro23. This interactive troupe, which began in youth theater in the 1980s, duces this column with the hope pays tribute to pop culture icons that readers will enjoy the borough’s through live painting, music, sing- wonderful attractions. More info is at ing, dancing, puppetry, and audience www.itsinqueens.com.

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

Queens chamber Partners & Affiliates 82 Street Partnership

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 district is on 82nd St. from 37th Ave. and Baxter Avenue. The board meets quarterly with the annual meeting in June. They are using a Con Edison & Small Business Services grant to help with their April “Shop Local” campaign. They depend on corporate sponsorship to do banner sponLeslie Ramos sorships. A number of their stores have seen up to a 30 percent decrease in shopping due to ongoing immigration issues.

Asian Women in Business

42 Broadway, Suite 1748, New York, NY 10004 President: Bonnie Wong 212.868.1368 info@awib.org awib.org QUICK GLANCE: Established in 1995, AWIB is the only non-profit organization in the country with the primary mission of assisting and developing Asian women entrepreneurs.

Over the years, AWIB has expanded its mission to address identified needs and issues affecting the Asian-American business and professional community. Hundreds of Asian women have thronged to their leadership forums to learn, ask questions and network. Featured speakers represent the top minds from across corporate America, making it a quality experience for participants. They have partnered with various major corporations to host their “Born to Lead” forum. After 9/11, AWIB played a leadership role in the rebuilding of Lower Manhattan by providing technical assistance to adversely impacted businesses, and the group has received various government grants to assist minority and womenowned businesses. AWIB is supported by membership dues and donations from corporations, small businesses and individuals. They have different levels of membership, starting at $50 for full-time undergraduate students.

Bayside Business Association 41-16 Bell Boulevard, Bayside, NY 11361 President: Judith Limpert 718.229.2277 info@BaysideBA.org

Bayside Village bid

213-33 39th Avenue, Bayside, NY 11361

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Interim Executive Director: James Ellis 718.423.2434 info@baysidevillagebid.com

beach 116th St. partnership www.discoverbeach116.com

ecuadorian chamber www.ecuadorianchamber.org

Flushing Chinese Business Association 40-48 Main Street, Flushing, NY 11354 Executive Director: Peter Tu 718.353.2320

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.

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. There are no meetings in July & August. The group’s mission is the Three C’s: Commerce Community and Culture.

Commerce makes the community thrive and culture brings the community together. They have developed an app called membergiveback.com for discounts at chamber member businesses for chamber members only. It will launch in late April.

They will then move on to an app available to the public featuring info and discounts from chamber members called “shopforesthills.” They are planning to produce a new festival called the Forest Hills American Music Festival, an all-day event highlighting American music from jazz to country. Forest Hills has a rich history in music tied to the concerts at the Forest Hills Stadium going back to the 1960’s. They have received grants for Jazz Thursdays Free Outdoor Concerts, The Forest Hills Festival of The Arts, Celebrate Winter, and website development. They are looking for cultural arts grants and neighborhood development grants.

Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce

39-01 Main Street, 5th Floor, Flushing NY 11354 Executive Director: John Choe john@flushingchamber.nyc 646.783.8985 flushingchamber.nyc QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 2014 and representing over 200 businesses.

The poster child for hyper-local chambers around the city, GFCC created the Night Market, a lending circle for businesses, and is paving a new path

forward for Flushing’s growing population of new immigrants. In April, the chamber is running a crowdfunded micro-granting community dinner called Queens SOUP. The event is Saturday, April 22, from 4-7 p.m. at Flushing Meeting House, 13716 Northern Blvd. People will see and help fund proposals from people in the Flushing community. These projects will focus on anything John Choe in community life from arts, culture, civil rights, environmental remediation etc. It’s a $5 donation to attend.

greater jamaica development corporation 90-04 161st Street, Jamaica, NY 11432 President: Hope Knight 718.291.0282 www.gjdc.org

Greater Woodhaven Development Corporation Woodhaven BID

84-01 Jamaica Avenue, Woodhaven NY 11421 Executive Director: Maria Thomson 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 St., the BID features six supermarkets. Saturday, April 8, is their annual Spring Promotion along Jamaica Avenue. There will be clowns, music and free pictures with the Easter Bunny in Forest Parkway Plaza from 1-4 p.m. Staffers from the BID will walk along Jamaica Avenue distributing quarters for motorists to pay for their first 15 minutes of parking. They are providing free benches for store owners along Jamaica Avenue who want benches in front of their business. They also provides 2.5 and 5 percent home improvement loans.

Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of queens

45-10 Court Square, Long Island City, NY 11101 President: Alfonso Quiroz www.hccq.org

Jamaica Center BID

90-50 Parsons Boulevard, Jamaica, NY 11432 Executive Director: Rhonda Binda 718.526.2422 QUICK GLANCE: Budget of over $1 million.

Founded in 1979, the district is on Jamaica Ave. between 170th St. and Sutphin Blvd for the purposes of having the local business get together and

April 2017 • Volume 14 • Issue 4

Queens chamber Partners & Affiliates make a thriving business hub and enjoyable destination. They offer a “value card” for discounts at stores and have employment services, as well as sanitation services.

JFK International Airport Chamber of Commerce

45-10 Court Square, Long Island City, NY 11101 Executive Director: Mercedes Altman 516.492.0513 www.jfkairportchamberofcommerce.org

Junction Boulevard Merchants Association President: John Ferreira 718.899.6563

Long Island african-american chamber of commerce President: Phil Andrews www.liaacc.org

Long island city Partnership President: Elizabeth Lusskin 718.786.5300 www.longislandcityqueens.ccom

Maspeth Chamber of Commerce

P.O. Box 780265, Maspeth, NY 11378 President: David Dario 718.335.1300 maspethchamberofcommerce.org QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1953, they have 120 members and a budget of $115,000.

The Chamber meets the second Tuesday of each month at noon at Connolly’s Corner on Grand Avenue. The majority of their budget is spent on holiday lights, banners, beautification and festivals. The Grand Avenue Street Festival this year is October 8, as opposed to June in previous years.

New street banners will arrive this spring, and they are looking for grants for beautification projects.

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 businesses under its umbrella.

Formed in 1929. MVCC meets annually and focuses on the Metropolitan Avenue shopping district between 69 and 80th streets. Annual membership fee is $150, and they are looking to gain Sal Crifasi momentum through attract-

ing new members. The mission is to improve the area and assist local businesses if they have any concerns or needs. Their new initiative is cleaning Metropolitan Avenue and organizing the holiday lights in December to create a festive atmosphere for the community. The MVCC has received grants for street cleaning and are looking for grants for the holiday lights, since some businesses do not support them.

National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals-Queens President: William Romero www.nahrepqueens.org

new york women’s chamber of commerce President: Quenia Abreu www.nywcc.org

Queens Economic Development Corporation

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 of over 2,000 businesses.

Funded by Department of Small Business Services, they strive to create and retain jobs via programs that grow neighborhoods and assist small businesses. QEDC assists by providing one-onone consultations, hosting workshops, operating training courses and networking events. QEDC assists with Seth Bornstein minority/woman owned business certification and refers business professionals. They are known for their operation of a culinary incubator at 36-46 37th Street in Long Island City. Their commercial kitchen for rent is used 24/7/365. Their newest project, “Made In Queens,” is a pop-up-store at 27-24 Queens Plaza South. The store has a rotating curation of Queens products.

Ridgewood LDC

62-14 Myrtle Avenue, Ridgewood, NY 11385 Executive Director: Ted Renz 718.366.3806 QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $5,000 with 345 businesses under its umbrella.

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. The organization provides,

marketing, street cleaning, holiday lighting and is heavily involved in making sure the historic flavor of Ridgewood stays in tact. The street fair is April 9, and Easter Sidewalk Sale from April 13-16.

rockaway development & revitalization corporation 1920 Mott Avenue, Far Rockaway, NY 11691 President: Kevin Alexander 718.327.5300 www.rdrc.org

southeast queens Chamber of Commerce wwwseqcoc.org

Sunnyside Chamber of Commerce PO Box 4399, Sunnyside, NY 11104 President: Manny Gomez 516.492.0513 www.sunnyside-chamber.org

Sunnyside Shines

45-56 43rd Street, Sunnyside, NY 11104 718.606.1800 director@sunnysideshines.org sunnysideshines.org QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $480,000 with more than 250 businesses under its umbrella.

Sunnyside Shines is the Business Improvement District for properties and businesses along Queens Blvd. from 38th to 50th streets, as well as Greenpoint Ave. from Queens Blvd. to 43 St. Although their two signature events center around food (Taste of Sunnyside & Restaurant Sunnyside Arch Week), there a great deal more to the Sunnyside business environment. They have a “Shop Sunnyside” discount card and a “Holiday Passport.” Sunnyside Shines cares a great deal about its open space and plazas. The Sunnyside Arches are the landmark of the district and can be seen from the 7 train at the Bliss Street Station. Taste of Sunnyside is May 23 under the elevated line on Queens Blvd. between 45th and 46th streets.

woodside on the move

39-42 59th Street, Woodside, NY 11377 President: Robert Piazza 718.476.8449 www.woodsideonthemove.org

21

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

Executive commmitee

Executive Staff

Mayra DiRico

Fran Biderman-Gross

Thomas J. Grech

Brendan Leavy

Howard Graf

Richard Dzwlewicz

Sophia Ganosis

Cathy Berger

President

Associate Treasurer

Vice President

Associate Secretary

Treasurer

Immediate Past President

Henry Wan Nash Roe Secretary

Albert F. Pennisi

Executive Director

Business Development Manager Development Director

Chief of Operations

Jacqueline Donado

Dorothy Owermohle Bookkeeper

Strategic Program Coordinator

Financial Controller

Membership Outreach Coordinator & Member Engagement

Senior council Dominick Ciampa Louis D. Laurino Franklin F. Regan,Jr. John E. Roe,Sr John H. Weaver

Brett Swanson

Alejandra Espejo

Layout Design By advantages.net Published by BQE Media

QueensBorough (issn 0033-6068) is published 12 times times a year, January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December, and the Buyers Guide June/July, for $12.50 annually by the Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens.

75-20 Astoria Boulevard, Suite 140, Jackson Heights, NY 11370-1131.

Periodicals postage paid at Flushing, NY and additional mailing offices. 718-898-8500 Fax 718-898-8599, http://www.queenschamber.org POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Boulevard, Suite 140 Jackson Heights, NY 11370-1131 Produced by: Queens Ledger 45-23 47th Street Woodside, NY 11377

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Andrew Barnes Fran Biderman-Gross Joshua E. Bienstock Willa Brody Kenneth J. Buettner Charles J. Callahan III KY Chow Carol Conslato

Sal Crifasi Mayra DiRico Richard Dzwlewicz Thomas Eagar Joseph R. Ficalora Howard Graf Raymond Irrera Kenneth Koenig

Adam Reece-Cohen Nash Roe Jeffrey Rosenstock Thomas Santucci Mark Scheinberg Caryn Schwab Sher Sparano Terri Thomson

Neil Levin Jeffery E. Levine Carl Mattone Patricia Mezeul Michael Moran Jeffrey Owens Albert F. Pennisi Vincent L. Petraro Esq

Gerard Thornton Henry Wan Swain Weiner Daniel Zausner

corporate members 1st Equity Title Closing Services AARP Advantage Payroll Services Acousticon of Flushing Inc Advanced Cardiovascular Diagnostics Age Well New York AKI Development Allegria Hotel Allied Barton Security Services Alma Bank Alma Realty Corp.

Aloft Long Island City Manhattan View Hotel Altria Client Services Inc. Amazing Destinations Ltd. American Food Basket ATCO Properties & Management Baker Tilly Virchow Krause LLP Bank of America Berkeley College Berkman, Henoch, Peterson, Peddy & Fenchel, PC Bethpage Federal Credit Union Blue Ocean Wealth Solutions Borchert & LaSpina, PC Boro Hotel Boyce Technologies Inc. Bridge Career Centers LLC Broadway Stages Brown Paper Tickets Building Maintenance Corp.

Capital One Bank Cathay Bank Care Connect Insurance Co. Inc. Carmel Car & Limo Service

CDS Mestel Construction Center for Automotive Education & Training Cerini & Associates Certilman Balin Charles Schwab Ciampa Organization City MD CoAdvantage Cleaning Systems Co. Clickable Commercial Express Financial Services Constant Contact Cord Meyer Development LLC Cornell NYC Tech Corporate Development Systems, Inc. Costco Wholesale Courtyard Long Island City CPEX Real Estate Crown Container Cummings Corporation Cyracom International, Inc. D&B Engineers & Architects, PC Daniels Norelli Cecere & Tavel PC DY Reality Services, LLC Dera Restaurants, Inc. Dignity Memorial Funeral Provides of Queens Douglas Elliman E. Gluck Corporations East Coast Energy Group Edible Arrangements Elmhurst Hospital Center Emigrant Mortgage Co.

Exit Realty Lewis & Murphy F & T Group Fairfield Inn Fairway Market Farrell Fritz, PC Fidelis Care New York Financial Resources Brup Investment Services LLC Firecom, Inc. First Central Savings Bank First in Service Staffing Franklin First Financial Group Inc. Forest Hills Financial Gaijin Galaxy Music Productions Inc. Genesys Engineering, PC Gerard T Dolan Agency Farmers Global Bank Mortgage Center Grand Rehabilitation & Nursing at Queens Go Health Ugent Care Grassi & Co. Greater New York Auto Dealers Association Inc. Greencrown Energy Greenwald Doherty LLP Greiner-Maltz of NY H&R Block HF Management Services Haks Healthplex, Inc. Health Republic Insurance Highline Residential Highstreet IT Solution Hilo Materials Handing Group Hilton Garden Inn/ LIC

Manhattan View Holiday Inn LaGuardia Airport Home2Suite LIC Hyatt Place Flushing INDA Association of Nonwoven Fabric Industry International Asbestos Removal Inc. J.F.A. Insurance Brokerage JRT Realty Group, Inc. James F. Capalino & Associates Jaspan Schlesinger LLP Joe’s Crab Shack JP Morgan Chase Kasirer Consulting Inc Kaufman Astoria Studios Inc. Kensington Company King of Queens Laundromat Knockout Pest Control LaGuardia Plaza Hotel La Technology Group Lee & Associates Levine Builders Lerner Agency Lessing’s Inc. Longhorn Steak House Long Island Business Institute Long Island City Volkswagon Luna Park in Coney Island Lyons Mortgage Services, Inc. M&T Bank M&V Provisions Co, Inc. MCR Development LLC MTA-Long Island Rail Road Madeline Chocolate Novelties Marks Paneth Marriott NYC Airport Hotels

Merritt Engineering Consulting PC Metroplus Health Plan Metropolitan Taxi Cab Board of Trade Micro Center Melrose Credit Union Mind Realty Group LLC Moses & Singer LLP Motiva Networks Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens Muss Development Company Nathan’s Famous, Inc. National Supermarket Association Newtown Creek Trusted PRI USD New York Business Corp.

New York Irish Association New York Oil Heaing Association Inc. New York Racing Association Northfield Bank Northwell Health Norhstar Mitsubishi NRG Energy Inc. NY Families for Autistic Children, Inc. NYG/DE Green Partners, LLC Office Depot, Inc. Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care & Rehab Paper Factory Hotel People’s United Bank Petro Energy Solutions Pivotal Payments Portnoy, Messinger, Pearl &

Associations, Inc. Prager Metis CPAs, LLC PMBA, Inc. Progressive Waste Solutions PSEG Long Island Qside Federal Credit Union Quadlogic Controls Corp.

Queens Center Queens Courier Queens Ledger Queensborough Community College Raich Ende Malter & Co LLP Radisson Hotel JFK Airport Radson Development LLC Real Hospitality Group Register Abstract Co. Inc. Rego Center Related Retail LP Renaissance Home Health Care Rochdale Village Inc. Royal Waste Services Inc. Russo’s On The Bay SL Green Realty Corp.

Sage Educational International Group Sandrire Capital LLC Sears Maid Service Shine Electronics Co. Inc. Sholom & Zuckerbrot Realty LLC Signature Bank Silvercup Studios Simon Baron Development Sleep Numbers Staples, Inc. St. John’s University

Steiner Sports Sterling Risk Strat X IT Solutions Suffolk County National Bank Suation Solar Systems Super-Tek, Products, Inc. Terrace on the Park The New York Times The Parc Hotel The Parking Spot Trinity Solar TSC Training Academy LLC Tully Construction Co. Inc. United Airlines United Health Care United Nations Federal Credit Union United Public, Adjusters & Appraisers, Inc. US Security Care Valley National Bank Van Guard Insurance Agency Verizon VHB Engineering Surveying & Landscape Architecture Victory Pharmacy Venture House Vista Penthouse Ballroom & Sky Lounge Vornado Realty Trust Waste Management of NY LLC Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Welllife Network WeWork YMCA of Greater New York York College Zwanger Pesiri Radiology LLP

Major corporate members

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. Schneps Communications 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 the Queens Ledger at 718.426.7200.

22

April 2017 • Volume 14 • Issue 4

New members

Major Corporate

Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company of New York T-Mobile Corporate

Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP Capital One Bank Sears Maid Services SterlingRisk Wells Fargo Home Mortgage introductory

Access Business Lending AP Luxury Limousines Bedrock Publishing Services Colliers International Columbia Aging Center Crown Waste Corp Gastons Group The Kew-Forest School LGBT Network Mid Island Audiology NY State Solar PayPro Premier Facility Management PS Financial Services Right Angle Construction, Inc. VISIONS Services for the Blink & Visually Impaired

The Kew-Forest School

AP Luxury Limousines

119-17 Union Tpke, Forest Hills, NY 11375 718-268-4667 | www.kewforest.org

9808 24th Ave, East Elmhurst, NY 11369 718-753-0401 | www.apluxurylimos.com

The Kew-Forest School is an independent, coed, college preparatory school for students in Grades Pre-K-12, established in 1918 to serve the Kew Gardens/Forest Hills community of Queens. The school draws students from 40 different towns and areas including Forest Hills, Kew Gardens, Douglaston, Bayside, Jamaica Estates, Nassau County, Brooklyn, and Manhattan. Their student body boasts ethnic roots in 65 different countries, spanning the globe.

AP Luxury Limousines provides a level of quality service that stresses safety, reliability and comfort. Ap Luxury Limousines recruits the most experienced drivers in the industry. They conduct scheduled vehicle inspections and driver training programs to ensure each passenger travels safely, securely and in standard setting comfort. Their services include airport transfers, corporate coach, private VIP tours in New York and Night on the Town rides.

Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP

Crown Waste Corp.

More than 2,700 talented and passionate individuals strong, Baker Tilly is a top 15 fullservice accounting and advisory firm, according to Accounting Today’s Top 100 2016, with specialized professionals who connect with you and your business through refreshing candor and clear industry insight each individual patient.

Founded in 1958, Crown Waste Corp is a third generation family-owned and operated private sanitation company. They operate throughout all of Queens, Manhattan and Nassau County.

Over the past 6 decades Crown Waste Corp has earned the reputation of a dependable and competitively-priced trash hauling company that builds respectable loyal relationships with all customers. Crown Waste Corp operates 24/7 365 a year.

1 Pennsylvania Plaza #3000, New York, NY 10119 10 Windsor Court Mineola, NY 11590 718-803-9400 | www.crownwastecorp.com 212-697-6900 | www.bakertilly.com

SterlingRisk

135 Crossways Park Dr #300, Woodbury, NY 11797 516-487-0300 | www.sterlingrisk.com At SterlingRisk, they understand that to your business, the bottom line is the bottom line. That is why they do all they can to help companies of all sizes, as well as the successful individuals who manage them, reduce the real cost of both their personal and commercial insurance. Their approach looks beyond the premium to solve your critical risk challenges, control losses and manage your claims so you spend less protecting your assets and your business in the long run. They are one of the largest national insurance brokers and a leading provider of risk management services and employee benefits.

Mid Island Audiology

115-12 Liberty Ave South Richmond Hill, NY 11419

718-374-5987 | www.midislandaudiology.com As a local hearing care provider, Mid Island Audiology has one goal—to improve the hearing and lives of the members of the local community.

They provide a full range of diagnostic and preventative hearing services, including hearing aid screening, evaluations, hearing aids, and rehabilitative and preventative counseling.

Patients will work with their highly trained staff to couple the latest in hearing aid technology with the best fit for particular hearing needs.

VISIONS Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired 500 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10013 212-625-1616 | www.visionsvcb.org

VISIONS Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired is a nonprofit rehabilitation and social service organization whose purpose is to develop & implement programs to: assist people of all ages who are blind or visually impaired and educate the public to understand the capabilities and needs of people who are blind or visually impaired.

NY State Solar

2545 Hempstead Tpke, Suite #221 East Meadow, NY 11554 516-418-2131 | www.nystatesolar.org NY State Solar is working with local installers, non-profits, community advocates, state and federal agencies to help individual home and business owners make the right move to solar.

They are a grass roots organization dedicated to environmental and financial sustainability helping the state of New York surpass it’s goal of 30% renewable energy production by 2025. NYSS has a specific goal, “To make going solar easy.”

23

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