This is Queensborough - July 2022

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July 2022 . Volume 18 . Issue 7

Directing Development

ALSO

“We need to make sure as the economy recovers that we build that new economy for the future in a way that is as inclusive and equitable as possible.”

NYCEDC PRESIDENT/CEO ANDREW KIMBALL

· Chamber hosts Business Expo at Citi Field · Tech Spotlight: Zel Crampton, CEO of Diggs · A Slice of Queens: La Villa Pizzeria & Restaurant

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July 2022 • Volume 18 • Issue 7

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO

Dive Right In

Our local area beaches and pools are buzzing with activity as the warmer temperatures are drawing folks out for some much-needed rest and relaxation.

Hopefully you’ll avail yourself the opportunity get out and enjoy this refreshing summer pleasure.

I invite you to dive into the calendar of activities Queens Chamber has in store this month.

Something for everyone with tremendous opportunities to network and socialize with your fellow members and business leaders.

On the 14th we set sail on our Annual Summer Networking Cruise. Departing from One World’s Fair Marina in Flushing via the air-conditioned weather-proof Skyline Princess we’ll cruise safely enjoying food, beverages, and tunes from our DJ. This event continues to be one of our most popular and well attended. You don’t want to miss this.

Good health is essential There’s a lot happening so which is why our Healthcare and don’t miss out.

Wellness committee is hosting Visit our website www.queenSummer Health Screen Event: schamber.org to register for these Dental, Vision and events and access Blood Pressure. to numerous other Plaza College in helpful resources Forest Hills will be designed to benthe site of this comefit your organizaplimentary wellness tion. opportunity which is Thank you for open to everyone. being the best part We’ll close out this of my job, I love month with anoththis work which is er one of our most due in large part popular network- THOMAS J. GRECH to each and everying events, Roof- PRESIDENT & CEO one you. Your conTop Networking at tinued support is Bourbon Street in greatly appreciated.

Bayside on Bell Boulevard.

Members and fellow business owners come from all parts of Remember Queens STRONG! Queens to mix and mingle a build strategic new connections.

I guarantee you won’t be disappointed, not to mention walk away with at least three or four additional individuals added to network.

Join the Queens Chamber of Commerce today.

To sign up visit queenschamber.org

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

Worth a thousand words

Vacation season is in f ull swing which means the majority of you will capture those moments on f ilm or via social media. I don’t mess with that stuff, social media, but I stay current.

I do recall during the summer r unning around the neighborhood with my pals from dawn to dusk and enjoying the freedom from school & the normal routine.

As you thumb through the pages of this issue, you’ll notice images from our recent Business Expo held at Citi Field earlier last month. Quite the event and a wonderful turn out.

You’ll notice some of the over 100 businesses from a variety of indust ries who exhibited

throughout the day. owner with a couple years of A technology panel discus- experience under your belt, sion which was held over the or a major cor porate who’s lunch hour and it wouldn’t f ully invested in making a have been an outing d i f fe r e n c e in at Citi Field withthe com mu n it y out Mr. Met. or seeking ways Eve r yo ne who to improve your pa r t icipated defi ndividual pro i n itely benef ited fessional growth whet he r prov idthis is your one i ng spon sor sh ip, stop shop. an orga n i z at ion My archishowcasi ng t hei r tect f i r m, a s products or walkI’ve ment ioned ing th rough as a HOWARD GRAF before, has been spectator. a Chamber memCHAIRPERSON There was someber for a nearly thing for everyone. three decades.

That’s ref lective of Queens Whether ser ving as a volC h a mbe r, somet h i ng for unteer or par ticipating as a everyone. member I recognize the value If you’re a small business of being associated with this

organization. It is a chance to learn and grow, both as a person and your business.

I encou rage you to get involved, participate, kick the tires a bit if you haven’t. For some of you I’m preaching to the choir.

The website is www.queenschamber.org to explore all your options.

On behalf of the Board of Directors who I proudly lead, thank you for your continual supporting Queens Chamber.

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

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QUEENS QUICKLY

QEDC’s Queens Rises Higher showcases local biz

Creativity and dedication shine through local business owners

Market in Astoria’s Kaufman Arts District

Scent by Heaven’s Gisela and her candles

BY JUAN ARTURO TRILLO

news@queensledger.com

Astoria’s Kaufman Arts District played host to Queens Rises Higher, a street market by the Queens Economic Development Corporation that allows local creators and business owners to exhibit and sell their passions and products.

The market occurred on Saturday, June 25 from noon to 5 p.m., and included live music.

The businesses encompassed various sectors, including art, food, and others.

Bianca, founder of Bianca’s Design Shop, said “I just aim to support and be inclusive

to all.” Through Bianca’s Design Shop, she creates apparel and accessories that are inclusive for the LGBTQ+ community.

Bianca loves the sense of community which can be found in Queens, and hopes that it continues to remain inclusive.

Gisela’s small business, “Scent by Heaven,” is a small candle store that began in Forest Hills in 2019.

However, candle making had been one of her hobbies before she started the business.

It is one of her ways of expressing her creativity.

She started the business so that she could spend more time with her son, who has au-

Talisa’s setup for Almonte Studios at the fair tism.

Now, Gisela loves that she gets to pursue a passion of hers while also dedicating time to her son.

Illustrator Talisa Almonte founded Almonte Studios, a business where she sells various art prints, earrings, stickers, stationery, and “whatever [she] can get [her] work on.”

Because Talisa does not have a brick-andmortar store, she appreciates that the fair allows her to connect with the Queens community and other local businesses.

“There’s really no place like Queens,” Talisa said.

TABLE OF CONTENTS Queens Quickly: QEDC, Innovation QNS............................................ 4, 5

It’s in Queens: Dog Days of Summer........................................................................24

Promotions, Announcements & Appointments .................................. 6, 7

Get to Know the Chamber’s Newest Members ................................................... 28

Slice of Queens: La Villa Pizzeria & Restaurantl .............................. 8 Tech Spotlight: Zel Crampton of Diggs.................................................. 9 COVER STORY: Queens Day in Albany...............................................11, 17 Chamber hosts Business Expo at Citi Field.......................................... 12, 13 Celebrating our graduates........................................................................... 18, 19 4

PUBLISHER Walter H. Sanchez

MANAGING EDITOR Daniel Offner

MARKETING DIRECTOR John Sanchez BQE Media, 45-23 47th St., 2nd Floor, Woodside, NY 11377 Phone: (718) 426-7200 Fax: (347) 507-5827

July 2022 • Volume 18 • Issue 7

QUEENS QUICKLY

Thumbs down for Innovation QNS

BY EVAN TRIANTAFILIDIS evant@queensledger.com

A rally preceding last week’s Community Board 1 meeting pitted supporters and adversaries of Innovation QNS against each other, with mixed feelings about the project that seeks to rezone five city blocks to build a mixed-use residential and commercial district in Astoria.

Some seven hours later, the board voted 24-8 in disapproval of the project, marking a setback for the proposed $2 billion redevelopment.

Before the roll call vote was called, Elizabeth Erion, co-chair of the board’s Land Use and Zoning committee, labeled the project as “unprecedented” for the western Queens community.

“We as a board over the years have supported large scale developments,” Erion said. “We supported the Astoria Cove and recently the Hallets North development and we’re open to redeveloping areas of Astoria and Long Island City, as long as the development is appropriate, is contextual and it isn’t overbearing.”

The board was first introduced to the renovation project in December 2019, whose developers include the trio of Kaufman Astoria Studios, Silverstein Properties, and BedRock Real Estate Partners.

Earlier in June, the board’s Land Use committee voted 7-2 to not approve the project.

Erion cited longstanding issues that the board took into consideration, including the scale of the development, size of the buildings, the density of the project, as well as economic impacts it would have on the community.

“In those early meetings, and even now, some of the issues still remain,” Erion said.

She cited a May subcommittee meeting where a consensus was reached on how to proceed with the project’s recommendation.

“We agreed at that particular meeting, that the development as was proposed, as it was presented to us, was really an inappropriate development for the community and would have an impact on it in negative ways,” Erion said.

The proposed $2 billion development would allow for the construction of 12 towers between Northern Boulevard and 37th Street, ranging from eight to 27 stories tall. The redevelopment project also calls for 725—or 25 percent—of the 2,845 units to be affordable for those making $50,000 annually, and 60 percent of units to be within the price range of area median income.

Developers also tout the creation of 3,700 construction jobs that could last up to a decade, as well as 1,700 permanent jobs created. In addition, two acres of open space for play and leisure

is included in the project.

CB1 board member Katie Ellman says that more open spaces in Astoria is a good thing, but cautioned her fellow board members on what the tradeoff for that would be under this redevelopment project.

“The tradeoff of what comes with that will lead to more inequity, displacement of residents, and just a complete change of our community,” Ellman, a third-generation Astoria resident, said.

“So many of us are being pushed out due to the high cost of rent and high cost of living, especially families with young children. So what do we want our community to look like in the next year, five years, ten years? A vibrant community that is diverse in backgrounds, diverse in ages and diverse in incomes. My fear with this is that it will change the entire scope of Astoria.”

She added, “I can barely afford to live here now, how many of us will be pushed out?”

Board member Andre Stith voted in favor of the redevelopment, saying that he would not allow the project to dictate what his children can or can not aspire to.

“I’m not going to tell them that just because something is new and shiny, that they can’t afford it and it’s not for them,” Stith said. “I’m going to tell my kids to go out and get.”

During the public comment section of the meeting, which ran several hours long, Queens Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Tom Grech voiced his approval of Innovation QNS, saying that the project does not include or require public funds for it to be implemented.

“There are a number of projects whose benefits do not come near Innovation QNS, that are being put forth and executed across the U.S. in places like Austin, Texas,” Grech said. “This is a great project that will create 2,000 apartments

including 700 affordable homes.”

The project application will now receive a recommendation from Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, who has 30 days from the Wednesday, June 21 meeting to submit it.

Next in the Uniform Land Use Review Process, or ULURP, the City Planning Commission will vote on the project. If approved, then it would be sent to the City Council for approval and a vote that would have lasting effects in western Queens.

Some opponents of the redevelopment plan, like Astoria resident Gil Lopez, say the ULURP process is broken, and called on their neighbors to continue to express their concerns with the developers.

“MIH (Mandatory Inclusionary Housing) and AMI (area median income) are nothing more than constructs of the real estate lobbyists,” Lopez said. “They are not affordable to the actual residents here, and that must be reformed.”

Lopez called the public engagement effort by developers as nothing more than a “PR stunt”.

“If the city and the community board want more open space, let’s take back the street we gave to Kaufman Astoria Studios and give it back to the people as a park,” Lopez said.

On Thursday, Queens Borough President Richards will hold a virtual public hearing on land use related to the proposed Innovation QNS applications.

Developers are specifically seeking a zoning map amendment, a series of three zoning text amendments and a series of zoning special permits pursuant to the large scale general development regulations in the zoning resolution.

A public live stream of the public hearing will be available at www.queensbp.org on Thursday, June 30 at 9:30 a.m.

Artist rendering of Innovation QNS development proposal

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org Email your announcement or promotion to info@thisisqueensborough.com

PROMOTIONS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & APPOINTMENTS Chamber supports Latina Mentoring Initiative The Queens Chamber of Commerce proudly partners with New York State Mentoring Program (NYSMP), a statewide provider of site-based mentoring services, in supporting the new Latina Mentoring Initiative (LMI).

On October 21st, 2021, Latina Equal Pay Day, the New York State Mentoring Program stepped up to level the playing field for young Latinas across New York.

NYSMP is honored to roll out the Latina Mentoring Initiative to schools, nonprofits, and foster care agencies statewide. In line with all statewide programming, they will provide virtual and hybrid, supervised, one-onone mentoring to youth from 8 to 21 years old.

The unique focus of this initiative will be to connect Latina mentors with mentees to empower and support them by promoting self-advocacy, building soft skills and confidence, and nurturing aspirations.

The Queens Chamber of Commerce encourages those who would like to become a valued mentor or support the program to sign up.

Join the movement to uplift our young women, while celebrating heritage and creating community where success looks like our youth!

The Latina Mentoring Initiative is set to officially kick-off during Hispanic Heritage month, September 15th - October 15th; a fantastic way to open the new academic year.

Volunteers are asked to commit one academic year, just three-to-five hours a month to impact the life of a young woman who can benefit from the guidance and encouragement of a mentor.

There are several ways to give back and become a champion of change in the life of a Latina mentee!

If you would like to support the efforts to elevate our young Latinas, but can’t commit an academic year as a mentor, consider offering the following options (virtually or in-person): hosting a career day or workshop; job shadowing; or sponsoring a mentoring session or field trip for a youth partner.

To learn more on how to contribute to or become involved in the Latina Mentoring Initiative, please reach out to Samantha McQuibban, deputy director at 518-646-1590 or via email at Samantha.

McQuibban@ocfs.ny.gov, for more information. .

Apply for the 2022 Building Recognition Awards

The Queens Chamber of Commerce is calling all architects, builders, engineers,

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lenders, interior designers and owners of building projects in Queens County to enter the 2022 Building Recognition Awards.

Please submit applications online. Application form is downloadable from this event page. For mail in applications, sent to Queens Chamber of Commerce offices at 7520 Astoria Blvd., Suite 140, Jackson Heights, New York.

Justin K. Rodgers appointed President & CEO of Greater Jamaica Development Corporation

The Queens Chamber of Commerce releases the following statement from President & CEO Tom Grech on the appointment of Justin K. Rodgers as the new President & CEO of the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation (GJDC).

Rodgers, who has served in the position in an interim capacity since November of 2021, was unanimously appointed by the Board on Tuesday evening: “On behalf of the oldest and largest business association in Queens, it is my pleasure to congratulate Justin K. Rodgers on his appointment as the new President and CEO of the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation. Justin has an impressive track record of delivering for the Southeast Queens business community, and knows how to foster public-private partnerships that drive economic activity for local businesses and creates jobs,” Grech said.

“Hope Knight leaves behind some pretty big shoes to fill, but I am sure that the GDJC Board has found the perfect candidate in Justin. We look forward to continuing to work with him in this new role.”

David Acosta receives PuroClean Rainmaker Award

David Acosta, owner of PuroClean Restoration Services in Elmhurst, was awarded PuroClean’s Rainmaker Award at the company’s International Convention held on May 17 in Las

Vegas. Acosta was selected from more than 375 franchise owners across North America, after being nominated by fellow franchise owners for going above and beyond, dedicating himself to the success of others and his community.

“I was actually very surprised to have been nominated and to receive this award. I believe that there are so many good people in this organization who are always willing to pick up the phone and help others without expecting anything in return,” Acosta said. “I truly enjoy helping others, as many have done in the past for me.

Thank you for this honor.”

For eight years, Acosta has been a key member of the PuroClean Restoration Services team, providing emergency property restoration and remediation services to clients in the five boroughs of New York City. As a recipient of the Rainmaker Award, Acosta was recognized for his contributions to the empowerment and advancement of other franchise owners in the PuroClean network. Last month, Acosta was also named to the PuroClean 2021 President’s Circle for ranking at the top in a variety of categories, one of which is sales growth. Based in Elmhurst, PuroClean Restoration Services Elmhurst is proud to serve home and business owners who face difficult times during property damage.

“David is an exemplary franchise owner who has found success in balancing the needs of his business, his peers, his customers, and the franchise organization,” Steve White, president/ COO of PuroClean said. “Over the past eight CONTINUED ON PAGE 7 Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Boulevard, Suite 140 Jackson Heights, N.Y. 11370-1131 Entire Contents Copyright 2021 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.

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July 2022 • Volume 18 • Issue 7

PROMOTIONS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & APPOINTMENTS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

years, David has proven himself as a key player in his community; and having him join our President’s Circle this year further solidifies his commitment to the growth of his business.”

PuroClean is one of the leading property restoration franchise companies in the nation. Each year, PuroClean performs thousands of jobs throughout the United States and Canada, providing restoration services from common household mishaps to large-scale disasters.

Ana Champeny named CBC Vice President for Research Ana Champeny has worked at the Citizens Budget Commission

since 2016, most recently serving as the Deputy Research Director.

Her 20-year career in the public and nonprofit sectors includes more than a decade of experience analyzing the New York City budget and finances. Her research has included tax policy, economic development, municipal labor relations, and uniformed agency services.

“I am thrilled to announce the promotion of Ana Champeny to Vice President for Research. Ana is one of the foremost experts on New York City’s finances generally, and has an outstandingly deep understanding of the City’s real estate markets and property taxes,” Citizens Budget Commission President Andrew S. Rein said in a statement. “Ana is a phenomenal researcher with an astute, practical sense on the economic

and social implication of public budgets and policies. During her CBC tenure, she led our work on property tax reform, identified the COVID federal aid fiscal cliffs, developed CBC’s proposed City budget choices needed to weather the pandemic without layoffs, and was an architect of CBC’s Rainy Day Fund recommendation, which was instrumental in the creation of the fund. Ana’s leadership of our research team will deepen our analysis and continue to improve CBC’s capacity to make evidence-based, practical recommendations to our State and City policymakers.”

Champeny previously served as the Director of Property Tax Analysis in the Division of Tax Policy at the NYC Department of Finance and as the Supervising Analyst for Housing, Environ-

ment, and Infrastructure at the NYC Independent Budget Office.

Ana also served as the Director of Budgetary Affairs for the Westchester County Board of Legislators. Ana has a BA from Beloit College and an MPA from Baruch College.

“I am energized by the opportunity to delve into a broader portfolio of City and State policies and services to deepen our knowledge and bring innovative solutions to the forefront,” Champeny said in a statement. “At a time when billions of dollars are coming in from the federal government, and fiscal cliffs loom around the corner, it has never been more important for independent evidence-based research to keep fiscal responsibility and efficient and effective services at the center of policy discussions.”

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

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A ‘SLICE’ OF QUEENS

La Villa Pizzeria & Restaurant

BY ROBERT INTELISANO

Tucked away at the end of the Lindenwood Village Shopping Center, La Villa Pizzeria is a hidden gem that you would probably drive right past unless you knew it was there. The pizzeria and restaurant sits next to the Dunkin Donuts on the corner of 82nd street and 153rd avenue.

Lindenwood is a sub-section of Howard Beach, which was established in 1897 by William J. Howard, a Brooklyn glove manufacturer. Mr. Howard accumulated land in the area, dredged and filled the land until he reached 500 acres by 1914.

The Long Island Railroad established a station called “Ramblersville” in 1905 and a Post Office by that same name opened soon thereafter. A casino, fishing pier and beach were added in 1915 and the name of the neighborhood was changed to “Howard Beach” on April 6th, 1916.

In the early 1950’s more land was developed called “Rockwood Park” to the north and “Spring Park” to the south together comprising what later would be known as “New Howard Beach,” while the area on the east of Cross Bay Boulevard became known as “Old Howard Beach.” Many red-bricked two-story garden-style cooperative apartments were built along with some six-story co-ops and condo apartment buildings thus “Lindenwood” was born.

“During the time Lindenwood was being built in 1955, my Uncle Gino Branchinelli opened the family’s first Pizzeria on 5th avenue in Bay Ridge. He, along with my other uncle Antonio opened more locations around Brooklyn, and in 1960 opened Gino’s Italian Ices on 39th street. In the late 1962, my father Benito joined my uncle and opened Gino’s in Long Beach,” La Villa Co-Owner Alfredo “Alfred” Di Scipio said, detailing the backstory of the family-owned restaurant.

“In the spring of 1982, along with other family members, my

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father Benito opened La Villa in the Lindenwood section of Howard beach. I had spent most of my summers and weekends there and in Long Beach, and soon pizza was my ONLY interest! Every day with their teachings and ‘tough love,’ their passions began to pass on to me. In 1986 I decided to leave the NYU Stern Business School during my senior year to take La Villa over from my father with the help of my Sister Irene D’Ambrosio and my mother, Maurina, who tastes the sauce every morning.”

La Villa, a favored spot for my family, had been on my radar for this column. It moved to the forefront after I spotted the review from my friend, business owner and fellow foodie, Scott Ruscillo.

Ruscillo is the owner of Scott’s Computer Repair located in Rockaway Beach. His firm specializes in IT (information technology) and repairing computers. Scott also resides in my hometown Rockaway Beach as does La Villa Co-Owner Irene D’Ambrosio.

Since reading Scott’s review, I was looking forward to this month’s column and meeting up with Scott and Irene. I first reached out for my brother Ross’s opinion, and he said, “A good Sicilian slice, we order it on the way home from JFK every time after a long trip. The boys order the regular pie with pepperoni.”

I met Scott there on Thursday afternoon, June 9th at 3 p.m.

Parking was easy as there is a big parking lot along with neighborhood street parking around the perimeter as backup. Weather permitting, they have a nice spacious outdoor eating area on the left side of the restaurant. The plan was to get there between lunch and dinnertime so it wouldn’t be crowded, and we could take our time.

This event morphed into a fivehour experience, and it exceeded my already high expectations. We each ordered a carafe of Pinot Grigio, they offer four red and four white wine options, as our waiter Michael first brought out a piece of their “Romana” stuffed pizza for us to

share.

It had an interesting consistency, a mix between a flatter calzone and panini stuffed with oven roasted potatoes, sliced sweet fennel sausage, layered pepperoni, and whole milk mozzarella. This dish was influenced by their family in Abruzzo, Italy.

Traffic was brutal that day and as fate had it, instead of his sister Irene, Alfred came that afternoon from their Park Slope location. They also have locations in Mill Basin, and they recently opened in Dyker Heights. This worked out perfectly for us as Scott had never met Alfred and it turned out, Alfred and I had mutual friends.

Alfred arrived as we asked Michael to bring out a variety of their slices and, as you can see, cut them in half. One thing I like about La Villa is that they offer their slices either in traditional wood-fired or deep-dish style. Since I prefer the thin crust style, it was good that they also brought deep-dish, as I probably would not have ordered it.

My father, known as Padrini, had mentioned to me that his favorite was the circular deep-dish style zucchini slice, so we tried that one first. When tasting pizza’s, I always try the white before the red as the aftertaste from red sauce can affect your palate, so better to start with the white. The La Villa white zucchini slice consists of layers of sliced fried zucchini, homemade mozzarella, pecorino romano, fresh garlic and extra virgin olive oil served deep dish style. This heavenly slice

was also my favorite and melted in my mouth. Padrini knows his food!

Scott’s favorite was their “Grandma” slice, (Nonna in Italian) which is what they are most known for. Their menu is unique, and they change the specials regularly. They also offer healthy alternatives like their popular salads while keeping to their Italian roots. A restaurant is only as good as their ingredients. Their tomatoes are imported from Italy, and they let their blend of flour dough ferment for 24-48 hours. Their family owns 30 restaurants between them, and they go through 1,000 liters of “Extra Virgin Suicide olive oil” per week.

Much of the oil sold as Italian olive oil does NOT come from Italy but from countries like Spain, Morocco and Tunisia. Olives are pickled, taken to a mill, pressed and the oil is shipped to Italy. International labeling laws permit this. Meanwhile, shipments of other cheap oils are smuggled into the same port where the Spanish, Moroccan and Tunisian oil is blended with the cheap oils and bottled as “extra virgin” and “produced in Italy.” This doctoring is why you can find so many inexpensive “extra virgin” olive oils on supermarket shelves!

Scott, my family, and I all agree that you can taste the difference in quality ingredients every time at La Villa!

Email me at Rob@InsuranceDoctor.us to share your favorite Queens pizzeria and slice.

July 2022 • Volume 18 • Issue 7

TECH SPOTLIGHT Zel Crampton of Diggs This month’s featured tech entrepreneur is Zel Crampton, the founder, and CEO of Diggs, a brand of innovative pet supplies.

Based in Queens, Diggs is best known for its collapsible dog crate, Revol.

Could you tell us a little bit about your company??

Launched in late 2018, Diggs is a premium lifestyle brand of safe, innovative, and beautiful pet supplies. We are best known for our dog crate, Revol.

At Diggs, we solve real problems for pets and their parents by uncovering unmet needs and pain points through deep research.

I had an “aha” moment in

2016 when I adopted my dog, Louise, from the North Shore Animal League in Port Washington.

I was easily able to find highquality food, vets, and other pet services, but was very surprised at the low quality of pet supplies (crates, bowls, leashes, toys, etc.).

I knew that people want the best for their pets, and so I set out to create just that: the best pet products on the market.

How have you been working to support your local community during these challenging times??

When the pandemic first started and there was a shortage of surgical masks, we wanted to

help.

We used our connections at Diggs to Asian-based factories to quickly source large quantities of surgical masks that we donated to New York City-area hospitals.

Diggs also grew our team from fewer than five employees in 2020 to nearly 40 today.

We are proud Queens-based employers.

Why are you excited about the future of tech in Queens?

The Queens workforce is young, diverse, and motivated to do great things, making it very attractive to tech companies.

Also, with lower real estate costs than many other areas of New York City and great trans-

portation links, I think Queens is going to attract a lot of highquality companies to set up shop and grow here.

To learn more, visit diggs.pet.

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LETS BEAUTIFY JAMAICA TOGETHER ZARA'S PHILANTHROPY Involvement on community boards richmond hill hs computer lab Voices of Jamaica features community events Fundraising

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July2022 2022• •Volume Volume18 18• •Issue Issue77 July

COVER STORY

EDC President & CEO Andrew Kimball Thoughts on the future of NYC redevelopment

BY DANIEL OFFNER

doffner@queensledger.com

Andrew Kimball was appointed President and CEO of the New York City Economic Development Corporation in February. Since then, he has been working with the Eric Adams administration on its 70-point economic blueprint toward helping the city’s trillion-dollar economy recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The good news is while New York City lost the most jobs during COVID of any city, it’s growing them back at a faster clip the most up than most other cities,” Kimball said. “But we have a ways to go. And you know, there are still real issues that we need to address.

As the head of the nonprofit corporation, he oversees approximately 66 million square feet of city-owned property, which can be leveraged to help create good jobs and drive growth ensuring equitable and sustainable growth across the five boroughs. This includes work to introduce innovative new green energy supplies such as offshore wind, promote growth in the already burgeoning tech sector, and creating new, high-paying jobs for local school students.

Prior to ascertaining his role as head of the EDC, Kimball worked on an eclectic mixture of public-private partnership projects focused on urban transformation. He spent a long stint helping rebuild the branch library system with the New York Public Library. He also helped lead the city in its bid for the 2012 games. He said that simply by bidding, it led to the fast-tracking of the timeline on really key development projects, all of which have continued to

NYC EDC President & CEO Andrew Kimball (PHOTO: DANIEL OFFNER) have a positive impact on the city and its economy.

“From the rezoning of the far west side to the Brooklyn waterfront, to new stadiums for both the Mets and the Yankees, to new parks, like the Highline or the Brooklyn waterfront parks that were built,” he said. “These projects still would have gotten done, but they happened on a much faster timeline because of the importance of showing that we could move full projects forward in New York City.”

His efforts helped facilitate Barclays and Atlantic yards, and projects like Queens West along the Long Island City Waterfront.

After that he became President and CEO of the Brooklyn Navy Yard, where he helped lead the redevelopment of the 300-acre facility, which he said, “had long been a backwater.”

“It still had barbed wire on all the fences when I got there.

And over an eight-year period, we transformed it into a national model for sustainable industrial redevelopment, advanced manufacturing, integration with the neighborhood on workforce development initiatives in particular, and bringing lots of new dynamic businesses there while restoring a lot of spectacular old buildings. Some of which date back to the civil war, but mostly WWI and WWII vintage.”

Kimball left the Navy Yard after eight years, going fully into the private sector for the first time. In 2013, he became CEO of Industry City in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, where he helped launch a 12-year, $1 billion redevelopment aimed at creating 20,000 new jobs through a mixed use blend of innovation economy and modern manufacturing, retail, and academic uses.

“The goal was to see if, without any public subsidy, the pri-

vate sector could do a similar redevelopment where you took old underutilized industrial buildings and made them a hub of innovation economy activity,” Kimball said.

By the term, “Innovation Economy,” Kimball is referring to a broad range of making a physical, digital, or engineered product. This touches on advanced manufacturing, creative/design, and technology.

“What we really went after was creating an ecosystem of small businesses and making it a place where really small startups and small companies would want to grow together and be in a place where they could be in constant interaction with other tenants and be connected to the communities surrounding them,” Kimball said. “Because there was a real interest in not only developing green products Continued on Page 17

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

QUEENS CHAMBER NEWS & EVENTS

Chamber hosts Business Expo at Citi Field

BY DANIEL OFFNER

doffner@queensledger.com

More than 140 local businesses were represented at the Queens Chamber of Commerce annual Queens Business Expo last Wednesday at Citi Field. Some of the businesses in attendance included the New York Daily News, BQE Media, Maspeth Federal Savings Bank, Apple Bank, Queens Community House, W&M Fire Protection, Solace House, Skyline Cruises, Solucore Elevator Solutions, Flushing Bank, Aetna, She Media NY, World Journal, and many more.

The event began with a keynote address by First Deputy Mayor Lorraine Grillo, followed by a panel discussion on the tech industry in Queens featuring Small Business Services Commissioner Kevin Kim, Tech NYC Executive Director Jason Clark, President and CEO of the New York City Economic Development Committee Andrew Kimball, and PropTech Pioneer CSO Bill Staniford.

During the discussion, Queens Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Thomas Grech asked “where do you see the development of the tech industry going over the next three to five years?”

Kimball said he has a “glass half full” view that the economy is roaring back after the COVID-19 pandemic. He added that he expects to see progress in some industries including PropTech, BioTech, and Green Tech/Clean Tech.

According to the NYCEDC President/ CEO, the green tech industry could help provide over 13,000 new jobs over the next ten years thanks to efforts to get off fossil fuels and purchase agreements for offshore wind power supplies.

During the Expo, attendees were given the opportunity to meet St. John’s University alum and NY Mets star John Franco, who was on the show floor all afternoon, as well as attend educational seminars, take home raffle prizes, and even take a picture with Mr. Met. There was also a section of the Expo specifically dedicated to the local food industry, where different business owners provided attendees with a taste of their unique cuisine.

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Keynote speakers (left to right) Small Business Services Commissioner Kevin Kim, Tech:NYC Executive Director Jason Clark, and NYCEDC President and CEO Andrew Kimball participated in a panel discussion on the burgeoning tech industry in Queens.

Former Mets relief pitcher John Franco (left) at the Business Expo with Mr. Met and Queens Chamber President & CEO Thomas Grech (PHOTOS BY DOMINICK TOTINO)

July 2022 • Volume 18 • Issue 7

SHEMedia NY take flight at the 2022 Buisness Expo.

John Franco reads the winners of the raffle.

Expo patrons take a spin at a chance to win one of several prizes.

Patrons also got a chance to enjoy some of the delictable cuisine provided by local restaurateurs in Queens.

People also took the opportunity to network during the luncheon at the Caesars Playbook at Metro Grille in Citi Field.

Queens Rising, the multi-disciplinary arts celebration created to highlight the bborough’s culture and creative diversity, repped there June arts and mustic line-up at the Expo.

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

(Left to Right) SBS Commissioner Kevin Kim, Tech:NYC Executive Director Jason Clark,

Keynote Speaker Deputy Mayor Lorraine Grillo

Representatives with WM Fire Protection

Maspeth Federal Savings Bank participated in the Queens Expo.

Jimmy Gao with World Journal in Whitestone

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July 2022 • Volume 18 • Issue 7

this is...

The Business News of Queens & The Official Magazine of The Queens Chamber of Commerce

THE LATEST ON THE MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE IN QUEENS Your inside scoop straight from the business community’s top leaders

Profiling Queens’ Most Dynamic People.

They read it.... so should you!

To subscribe to this monthly, glossy magazine, visit thisisqueensborough.com or call BQE Media at 718-426-7200. To place an ad, call BQE Media at 718-426-7200

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

QUEENS CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS

Wheel Fun Rentals upgrades Pedal Boats

Wheel Fun Rentals is excited to announce a brand-new, upgraded fleet of pedals boats at their North Meadow Lake bike and boat rental location within Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Wheel Fun Rentals’ new pedal boat offering gives boaters a stylish and fun new way to enjoy a day at the park just in time to kick-off summer and are now available for rent!

The entire fleet of boats has been upgraded to new commercial grade boats featuring a stainless-steel paddlewheel for a more efficient pedaling experience. The new pedal boats are also engineered for more comfort and safety with ergonomic upright seats and large pontoons for increased buoyancy making boarding and exiting from the dock much easier.

“With FUN as our middle name, we like to see people moving, pedaling, and enjoying the great outdoors,” Michael Ullerick, Wheel Fun Rentals’ director of operations, said. “Our new pedal boats are an exciting upgrade to our fleet

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at North Meadow Lake that will allow locals and visitors to enjoy being out on the water even more than before.”

Pedal boat rentals are $30 an hour and each boat can seat up to four people and one small lap child making them perfect for any sized family or group outing. The new boats now also come equipped with a Bimini top for sunshade helping guests beat the heat and enjoy a shaded pedal on the water on those hot New York summer days. Guests are also welcome to bring food and drinks aboard the boats in a small soft cooler or bag (No alcohol or large coolers allowed.) Plus, life jackets are included with every rental to ensure a safe, smooth ride.

For more information on the bike and boat rentals available within Flushing Meadows Corona Park at North Meadow Lake, visit wheelfunrentals.com/NML. In addition to the the new pedal boats, Wheel Fun Rentals offers a full range of rec-

reational rental products to enjoy at five New York City locations: two within Flushing Meadows Corona Park on North Meadow Lake and at David Dinkins Circle, at Bensonshurst Park and Marine Park in Brooklyn, and on the FDR Boardwalk at Sand Lane on Staten Island.

Available rentals include the flagship 4-wheel Surrey cycles, sporty recumbent specialty bikes, cruiser bikes, self-guided bike tours, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and more. For additional location information, current hours of operation, and to learn more about Wheel Fun Rentals available recreational rental options, visit wheelfunrentals.com/NYC. Wheel Fun Rentals has been in the recreation business for over 30 years and has been the official bike and boat rental concessionaire for New York City Parks since 2016. Wheel Fun Rentals continues to operate with enhanced safety measures in 2022. For more information visit wheelfunrentals.com/enhanced-safety.

July 2022 • Volume 18 • Issue 7 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

close to their homes but being a source of job opportunity for the local communities they were based in.”

During his nine years at Industry City, they spent about $450 million on revitalizing the buildings’ basic infrastructure and investing alongside their tenants. It created close to 8,000 new jobs and a thriving community of entrepreneurs which has continued to grow.

“When I had the opportunity to come here [to the EDC], I jumped at it. The only answer was ‘yes.’

Just to have the opportunity to impact the broader economic development portfolio in the city and work for a Mayor like Eric Adams, who understands that if the city’s gonna recover in a robust way public-private partnerships need to be embraced,” Kimball said. “We need to be the ally of the private sector, not the enemy. We need to continue to drive growth sectors in the city. Really that’s the broad range of tech-enabled industries.

Whether it’s film and television, video gaming, advanced manufacturing, biotech, FinTech, or green tech/Cleantech.”

He explained, “we need to make sure as the economy recovers that we build that new economy for the future in a way that is as inclusive and equitable as possible. We spend a significant amount of time here on every deal that we make, making sure there are social impact elements to it that might lead to M/WBE contracting or BIPOC entrepreneurship, or creating a talent pipeline from DOE to CUNY into those sectors of today in the future.”

Kimball said his goals are aligned with the bluprint laid out by Mayor Adams, which includes 70 initiatives aimed to drive economic recovery. One of these initiatives includes investing $200 million in offshore wind, both in port infrastructure and the creation of a supply chain for the industry, which will ensure that as much of it is local green energy, and hopefully create opportunities for

diverse entrepreneurs to get into that industry along the way.

Another big chunk of his work with the blueprint focuses on workforce development.

This includes making sure that today’s public school students are getting trained to be bale to step into some of the high-paying jobs that will be created in the future.

“A very conservative estimate is that over the next 10 years, there’ll be 13,000 new jobs there,” he said.

Another growth sector the NYCEDC is focused on, both in the blueprint and in practice everyday, is biotech, where they have an over a billion-dollar ongoing investment in a range of tools aimed to drive the growth of the industry.

“If you look at the broader New York City region, it now eclipses San Francisco and Boston,” Kimball said. “Again, I’m talking regionally, city-tocity. We’re still behind Boston and San Francisco but we’ve got a lot of wind in our sails as it relates to biotech. And, you know, you see that in every borough. You see it Long Island City. You see it in the Bronx.

You see it in Brooklyn. Obvious in Manhattan. There’s a real hub of it because of the ‘Eds and Meds’ along First Avenue.

Kimball said that in the biotech sector alone, they will easily generate 40,000 jobs in the next 10 years. Film, television, and video gaming are another industry EDC has its focus on.

The EDC wants to make sure that in every place-based project, there are not only strong links to the local leadership and workforce development organizations and community groups, but also to local public schools and CUNY colleges throughout the city to make sure there is a clear pathway into these jobs.

One of the biggest projects the EDC are currently working towards is the creation of an offshore wind port facility, located at the 75-acre South Brooklyn Marine Terminal.

“It will be the largest port servicing facility in the United States, where all of the compo-

Kimball speaking about the booming tech industry at the Queens Chamber’s 2022 Business Expo.

(PHOTO: DOMINICK TOTINO) nent parts for the wind turbines will be put into the water 30 to 50 miles offshore,” Kimball said.

The offshore wind project, which is being executed by a partnership with Equinor and BP, aims to connect these big wind turbine propellers with Boeing 747 wingspan to a substation on land that will help fill the grid with green, clean energy.

Another major project focuses on food security and distribution. Hunts Point food market in the Bronx is a critical facility, where according to Kimball, 25 percent of everything we eat comes through. That amounts to roughly 4 billion tons of food a year.

“But the food distribution center is a really decrepit facility with significant environmental hazards. There are over 900 trucks that idle all day on fossil fuel generators,” Kimball said. “So the mayor announced a hundred million dollars for the Hunts Point market that we hope will leverage a significant multiple of that in other public and private dollars to redevelop distribution center.”

Hunts Point is a critical facility with more than 8,000 union employees. Kimball said that the plan is to make it green and resilient for the future.

“Everywhere where we con-

trol assets, we’re trying to drive jobs and economic activity in the sectors of today and tomorrow,” Kimball said. “A great example is the South Brooklyn Marine terminal. That’s gonna be the nation’s largest wind port. Right next door to that Steiner is doubling in size, creating a vast film and television studio complex. A little bit further south in the Brooklyn army terminal, you see a lot of manufacturing, particularly advanced manufacturing using new technologies… Hunt’s point similar story. Physical assets need to be upgraded in a critical sector for today’s economy and the future economy. We are also partnering smartly with agencies the city’s Department of Citywide Administrative Ser vices to drive commercial development.

With the CARE (City Agencies Revitalizing the Economy) program, we think there’s an opportunity to work with other agencies and academic institutions like CUNY to really capitalize on real estate and connect industry to to educational pathways.”

For more information about the New York City Economic Development Corporation and strategies towards building a sustainable and inclusive economic future for the city, visit https://edc.nyc.

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

QUEENS CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS

Celebrating our graduates

BY DANIEL OFFNER

doffner@queensledger.com

Three bright young interns with the Queens Chamber of Commerce graduated from college this past June. This Is Queensborough Magazine recently caught up with these recent grads to discuss their time with the Chamber, their goals and aspirations, and the many ways that their work has helped prepare them for the future.

JULIO VARGAS Julio Vargas was born and raised in the Dominican Republic and moved to Queens when he was just 14.

After graduating high school, Vargas went on to attend Community College before completing his Bachelor of the Arts degree in Criminal Justice at John Jay College.

He began working for the Queens Chamber of Commerce in 2021, amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under the leadership of the Chamber’s Strategic Program Manager Jacqueline Donado, he helped to provide struggling businesses with city resources that could help them get back on their feet.

Vargas said that on a typical day, he will help Donado by gathering data and information, reaching out to local business owners, contacting city agencies, and generally helping serve the community at large.

He also enjoys photography, which he considers a “side hustle.”

As for the future, he said that he hopes to someday work with prison inmates by helping them manage their lives after release.

“I really believe in second chances,” Vargas said. “I do what I do to be happy… I don’t aspire to have a $2.1 million house. I just enjoy taking photos and helping people where I can.”

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Queens Chamber intern Julio Vargas recently graduated from John Jay College of Criminal Justice

July 2022 • Volume 18 • Issue 7

QUEENS CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS SHREYA UPPAL Shreya Uppal only recently started working for the Chamber’s outreach team but said that she has found they share a common goal in helping others.

“Even though I’ve only worked here for five or six months, it feels like I am doing something impactful,” Uppal said. “Going outside and doing outreach, you learn something new every day. Whether it’s technology or party planning.

All the different kinds of things people do.”

Working with the outreach team has given her a chance to go out and meet with different kinds of busi-

nesses from all different areas of the world. Immigrants, who much like herself, share a hard-working lifestyle with a similar goal of being successful in whatever they do.

“It feels good to know we’re in this together,” Uppal said. “That’s what the Chamber has given me…

I just hope to continue with a career where I am out and about helping any way I can.”

Recently, she received her Bachelor of the Arts degree in Clinical Psych and Sociology from CUNY Hunter College.

In the future, she hopes to continue her studies, pursuing either a Masters or Ph.D., and hopes to someday work with children.

Shreya Uppal recently graduated from CUNY Hunter College with a degree in Clinical Psychology and Sociology

Tasneem Sultana recently graduated from CUNY Hunter College with a triple major in Political Science, Public Policy and Economics.

TASNEEM SULTANA to hit communities that the Chamber hadn’t traditionally served before.

Tasneem Sultana also works She also enjoys the cultural diveras an outreach assistant with the sity of “The World’s Borough,” esChamber of Commerce and has pecially getting to experience the recently graduated from CUNY many different types of cuisine from Hunter College with a triple major all over the world. “They’re just a in Political Science, Public Policy, train ride away,” she said.

In addition to having just comand Economics. pleted her undergraduate degree, In addition to meeting with local businesses, she helps with email Sultana says she is currently studymarketing, webinars, and meetings ing for the LSAT and looks forward to going to law school sometime in with stakeholders.

“I think of it as a combination of the near future.

“I just want to thank the Chamall my studies,” Sultana said. “I like ber for giving me the opportunity working with people in underserved and for being so flexible,” Sultana communities and helping out small said. “[Woriking with the Chamber] and minority-owned businesses.”

Sultana said that being multilin- helped provide me with the expogual has been beneficial to her ex- sure to professional life while conperience because it has allowed her tinuing my academic journey.”

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

NONPROFIT NEWS

Flushing Town Hall celebrates 160th anniversary Flushing Town Hall celebrated the 160th anniversary of its historic facility on Northern Boulevard. To commemorate the occasion, Flushing Town Hall held its “Happy Birthday Gala” on June 9th honoring New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and CUNY Queens College President Frank H. Wu. More than 125 people were in attendance for the historic event, which helped raise funds to support the landmarked building’s operations. The evening was filled with music, performances, networking, and an awards dinner in the renowned institution’s grand theater.

While the Town Hall limited attendance this year, out of an abundance of caution due to the pandemic, it happily held its first in-person event since 2019.

“In spite of everything, culture never closed, and the arts are essential,” Flushing Town Hall Executive and Artistic Director Ellen Kodadek said. “It’s very simple actually, that’s what you can count on us for here at Flushing Town Hall.”

In attendance were Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, New York City Councilwoman Sandra Ung, New York State Sentator John Liu, Assemblyman Khaleel Anderson, and a representative for Council Speaker Adrienne Adams.

When attendees arrived, they were greeted by The Hellfighters—an ensemble created by Black, Harlem-based artistseducator Elijah J. Thomas—before enjoying performances by the New York Chinese Chours, and a “Global Mashup” featuring seven of New York’s finest musicians including Abdulaye Diop, Alioune Fayé, Frank London, Meg Okura, Arcoiris Sandoval, Cillian Vallely, and Jennifer Vincent, who were representing regions from all over the world, including Senegal, Mexico, and Asia.

The Gala was co-chaired by Flushing Town Hall Board Members Pauline Huang and Timothy Chen. Sponsors included Veronica Y. Tsang, Queens College, City University of New York, Raymond Jasen, Graf & Lewent Architects, Tai Wang/ WAC Lighting/Glow Cultural Center/ Glow Foundation, Viviana Benitez, TeHsing Niu, Emily Lin/Lin + Loveall Foundation, and New York-Presbyterian Queens.

During the event, Flushing Town Hall honored New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, the first Black woman

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(PHOTO BY DOMINICK TOTINO) to hold the position and proud representative of the 28th District in Queens. Robbie Welsh, co-director of the community outreach unit / community engagement division of the New York City Council Speaker’s Office, represented Adams, who was unable to attend due to budget negotiations.

“Your stewardship of this historic institution has made Flushing Town Hall a welcome destination for residents of all ages to watch concerts, dance, theater, and much more,” Welsh said.

The second honoree, Queens College President Frank H. Wu, praised Flushing Town Hall for being a beacon of culture in the borough. “Through concerts and jam sessions,” he said, “Flushing Town Hall has helped to establish this borough as a home for jazz. That is the United States’ musical gift to the world: American classical music.”

During the evening, Howard Gilman Foundation Program Officer Emily Sproch called Flushing Town Hall “a very bright spot in this City’s cultural ecosystem,” announcing that the foundation made a $160,000 gift to Flushing Town Hall.

“One thousand dollars for each year

of its impressive life,” Sproch said. “So happy birthday Flushing Town Hall, may you continue to be blessed, and may you continue to share these blessings with this remarkable community.”

Flushing Town Hall is a Smithsonian affiliate, which presents multi-disciplinary global arts that engage and educate the global communities of Queens and New York City in order to foster mutual appreciation.

As advocates of arts equity since 1979, Flushing Town Hall supports local, immigrant, national, and international artists, developing partnerships, and collaborations that enhance its efforts.

Part of the New York City’s Cultural Institutions Group, it serves to restore, manage and program the historic 1862 landmark on behalf of the City of New York.

Flushing Town Hall iscommitted to arts education and hands-on learning, for the arts-curious, art enthusiasts, and professional artists. They continue to serve one of the most diverse communities in the world and strive to uphold the legacy of inclusiveness that has defined the community since the Flushing Remonstrance of 1657.

July 2022 • Volume 18 • Issue 7

NONPROFIT NEWS

Solace House raises over $50K

LIC nonprofit continues mission to tackle stigma of suicide

BY EVAN TRIANTAFILIDIS

news@queensledger.com

The 5:24 a.m. sunrise on the morning of Saturday, June 11 served as a symbolic light at the end of the tunnel for New Yorkers rallying to break the stigma of suicide.

More than 100 people in bright yellow tshirts walked along the waterfront in Long Island City for the annual Solace Sunrise 5K Walk/Run last weekend. During the event, Solace House, a Queens-based nonprofit organziation that provides free counseling services for people who are in suicidal distress, raised over $50,000 for their cause.

Two years into a global pandemic that has called for residents to social distance and shelter in place, Danielle Gallagher, director of operations at Solace House, says the demand for mental health treatment continues to increase.

“There’s been an increase in clientele,” Gallagher explained. “Isolation and loneliness have always been triggers to mental health issues.”

She says the nonprofit acts as a resource for people who are not yet ready for hospital care, but are still in need of someone to talk to. Mental health issues have only been exacerbated with stories of COVID-related losses and loss of employment, she adds.

First launched in 2006 in Dublin, Ireland by Irish politician Joan Freeman, the Pieta House has become an Irish household name with 20 locations and over 200 therapists across the European country.

In 2014, Freeman chose the New York Irish Center in Long Island City to house the United State’s first branch of the Pieta House, which has since evolved into the Solace House.

Following a one-year pilot program that saw the need for the nonprofit’s presence in the area, the Solace House has been offering bereavement counseling, family support, and workshops at its national headquarters in LIC and their other New York location in Yonkers.

From what started in 2015 with just one therapist and approximately 15 clients, Solace House now has six therapists who serve about 75 clients.

Several other Solace Sunrise Walks took place this year in the Catskills, the Bronx, Rockland County, as well as San Antonio, Texas and

an upcoming walk in Asbury Park, New Jersey.

“Our goal would be to have a Solace House everywhere,” Gallagher said. “We would love to be in every city, because we provide a service that you go to when you’re having suicidal thoughts.”

For Queens resident Tara Mullaney, a biweekly bereavement group organized by the Solace House helps her cope with the loss of her husband, James, who took his life in January 2020.

Waking up before 4 a.m. on the morning of the Sunrise Walk/Run 5K, she remembered her husband—an Irishman who she was married to for nearly seven years, who had a passion for welding and World Rally Championship rally car racing.

“It helps to know that there are people who are struggling with the same thing,” Mullaney said. “You always think there’s something you could have done. But when you hear other people tell their story, and they’re like ‘I should have done something,’ and you as an outsider are like ‘no, obviously you couldn’t have done

something,’ that really helps you with your own processing… realizing you couldn’t have done something for the person who you’ve lost.”

Tommy DiMisa, founder of Philanthropy in Phocus, a radio and podcast show, was on hand to walk from darkness to light on Sunday morning, while also shining a light on the nonprofit sector. He walked in last year’s Sunrise Walk/ Run and continues to advocate for nonprofits in New York City.

“We need to end the stigma,” DiMisa said.

“We need to find compassion and love for each other. We all go through dark times.”

DiMisa, who had been up since 2:30 a.m.

Saturday morning, says his passion is to amplify the messages of the 36,000 nonprofits in New York City that do special work like the Solace House.

“If we think in terms of how we just have to look out for somebody, and that everybody needs a little support, versus, how much stuff can I gather or how much money can I get…

I think the world’s a better place if we do the former versus the latter.”

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July 2022 • Volume 18 • Issue 7

QUEENSBOROUGH CALENDAR OF EVENTS JULY

THRIVE IN BUSINESS BY USING GOOGLE BUSINESS

July 13, 2022 from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

You are invited to a webinar presented by Thryv teaching you about how to use Google for Business.

Here you will learn: How to get found on Google without spending money. Learn why you’re NOT getting found online and what you can do about it. How to get your business in front of thousands of potential customers for free. How to nurture your new customers over a lifetime - increasing repeat business sales.

VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org

QUEENS CHAMBER SUMMER NETWORKING CRUISE

July 14, 2022 from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.

The Queens Chamber will take to the high seas once more for its Summer Networking Cruise on July 14. Join the Chamber as we safely “cruise” into the summer.

Tickets include a four-hour open bar, live DJ performance, hor d’oeurves and carving stations, raff les, and giveaways.

The event will be a great opportunity to network with other businesses. The venue is fully air-condition and weather proof.

We will sail rain or shine. The ship is the Skyline Princess, which will dock between Pier 1 and Pier 3 at the marina. The marina also has free onsite parking. Remember to bring your business cards to participate in the raff les.

Skyline Cruises, 1 World’s Fiar Marina, Flushing Register at queenschamber.org

AUGUST

BE EASY TO DO BUSINESS WITH! WHOSE TERMS ARE YOU DOING YOUR BUSINESS IN?

BE EASY TO DO BUSINESS WITH! WHOSE TERMS ARE YOU DOING YOUR BUSINESS IN?

NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION

RESOLVING CONFLICT IN A CULTURALLY DIVERSE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT

July 19, 2022 from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

You are invited to a webinar presented by Thryv on how to be easy to do business with and deal with clients.

Here, you will learn about: How to enhance your client’s experience. Learn how to engage your clients. Modern tips for doing business on their terms. What does your online presence say about you.

VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org July 20, 2022 from 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.

If you’re a new member of Queens Chamber, mark your calendar and join us for this in person session. Here’s your opportunity to explore all the benefits your membership affords.

Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Blvd., Suite 140 - Large Conference Room, Jackson Heights Register at queenschamber.org

BUILDING GREEN TRANSPORTATION COMPANIES: CHALLENGES AND PRACTICES

July 26, 2022 from 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Helping the environment and growing your business – the ultimate reconciliation of environmental and economic concerns. In this new environment, both companies and the environment can win, where being Green is no longer a cost of doing business; it is a catalyst for innovation, new market opportunities, and value creation.

Elmhurst Hospital - Auditorium, 79-01 Broadway, Elmhurst Register at queenschamber.org

August 10, 2022 from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Learn how to manage your clients in this modern world by being flexible with this webinar presented by Thryv.

Here, you will learn about: How to enhance your client’s experience. Learn how to engage your clients. Modern tips for doing business on their terms. What does your online presence say about you.

Aug. 12, 2022 from 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Most conflicts that arise can be avoided or resolved if we have the necessary training in managing conflict. The conflict which is not resolved will spiral out of control and can lead to serious consequences including anger, violence, and loss of customers.

This program will put you on the track to successfully managing conflicts and improve relationships with your supervisors and co-workers. Explore the numerous cultural variables that impact how conflict is resolved in different cultures.

VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org

SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER

EVOLVE WITH TECHNOLOGY AND THE CHANGING TIMES Sept. 27, 2022 from 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.

You are invited to a webinar presented by Thryv on how to evolve with technology and the changing times in a post-COVID world.

VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org

MANAGING D I F F I C U LT C O N V E R S AT I O N S AND DIFFICULT PERSONALITIES IN SUMMER HEALTH SCREENING SO, YOU WANT TO START THE WORKPLACE EVENT: DENTAL AND BLOOD A BUSINESS: THE ABC’S OF July 15, 2022 from 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

STARTING YOUR OWN BUSINESS Human Resource Specialists face the chal- PRESSURE lenges of communicating with employees on many difficult issues including coaching discipline and termination. Communication is further challenged by the many difficult personalities we encounter in the workplace.

This program will offer the nuts and bolts of effectively engaging and succeeding in managing those difficult communications and personalities. We will also focus on the ins and outs of effectively coaching a challenging employee.

VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org

July 27, 2022 from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Wellness pays and we’re making it easily accessible. This complimentary session offers oral exams as well as blood pressure monitoring.

Employee wellness checks all the boxes: Controlling healthcare costs, Improving employee well-being, reducing disease risk, and improving employee productivity, engagement, and retention.

Plaza College - Commons, 118-33 Queens Blvd., Forest Hills Register at queenschamber.org

Oct. 14, 2022 from 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Join the Chamber Breakfast Workshop series for this online discussion about The Nuts & Bolts of Starting a Business: A Guide for the Aspiring Entrepreneur, beginning Fall 2022 through Spring 2023.

Special guest speaker Joshua Bienstock, director of NYIT School of Manangment, will be there to discuss how protect the name of your new business, how to get incorporated, where to start the business and how to get capital.

VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

IT’S IN QUEENS King Manor Museum, 150-03 Jamaica Ave..

By Rob MacKay, Director Public Relations, Marketing & Tourism, Queens Economic Development Corporation Named after Roman general Julius Caesar, July is the seventh month of the year.

On average, it’s the hottest one in this hemisphere and when the “Dog Days of Summer” hit hard.

Just like all the other months, it’s a great time to be in Queens, which hosts tremendous outdoor fun, such as movie nights, free concerts, festivals, and nature-appreciation events.

Indoor options include art exhibitions, community theater, and a zombie apocalypse..

Kiss Me, Kate July 9 - July 24 Maggie’s Little Theatre presents this 1948 Cole Porter musical that was basically a forerunner of the rom-coms. Performances are July 9, 16, and 23 at 8 pm; July 15 at 8 pm; and July 10, 17, and 24 at 2:30 pm.

St. Margaret Parish Hall, 66-05 79th Pl., Middle Village..

WINC x King Manor Comic Book Festival July 9 @ 12 p.m.

The Women in Comics Collective hosts a comic book festival with a light saber demonstration, workshops, music, vendors, and a live model drawing session.

Live at the Gantries July 12 - Aug. 9 Kupferberg Center for the Arts presents weekly concerts in the Great Outdoors. All shows start at 7 pm.

On July 12, Brass Queens, an eight-piece female brass band; July 19, Mariachi Real de Mexico, one of NYC’s foremost ambassadors of Mariachi music; July 26, Zikrayat, an ensemble dedicated to the classical music and dance traditions of the Arab world; Aug. 2, Slavic Soul Party, which consists of nine musicians who pump out a strong Balkan bass sound; and Aug. 9, Gerardo Contino, who leads several high-energy Cuban, Salsa, and Big Band groups.

Gantry Plaza State Park, 4-09 47th Rd., Long Island City.

Satisfaction July 14 @ 7 p.m.

The International Rolling Stones Show performs for free. The cast offers a colorful, energetic, and authentic show reminiscent of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and the other members (Rain date: July 18, 7 pm).

Juniper Valley Park, vicinity of Juniper Boulevard South and 80th Street, Middle Village.

Bang on a Can July 17 @ 4 p.m.

Now in its twelfth year, this popular series presents live music and dance once a month. On July 17, eddy kwon + Iva Casian Lakos interpret works by Joan La Barbara.

The Noguchi Museum, 9-01 33rd Rd., Long Island City.

Celebrate the annual Mexican festival Guelaguetza at Socrates Sculpture Park on July 31 at 2 p.m.

Kombilesa Mi July 23 @ 2 p.m.

Based on the musical heritage of Colombia’s San Basilio de Palenque (the first free Black town in the Americas), the group Kombilesa Mí fuses traditional African sounds with urban pop.

Members rap in Spanish and Palenquero, a fusion of Bantu, Portuguese, French and English.

Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd.

Forest Bathing Walk July 23 @ 10:30 a.m.

Certified guide Linda Lombardo leads a meditative forest walk as per the Japanese Shinrin-Yoku bathing tradition.

The goal is to inspire mindful connections with the natural elements of the woods for a range of healthful benefits.

Alley Pond Environmental Center, 224-65 76th Ave., Oakland Gardens.

Hong Kong Dragon Boat Races July 30 - July 31 The oldest and largest dragon boat festival in the United States returns with more than 100 teams in several categories. The on-shore fun includes martial arts demonstrations, music, crafts, giveaways, and the traditional dragon dance (naturally).

Meadow Lake, Flushing Meadows Corona Park.

Grace Jamaica Jerk Festival July 31 @ 10 a.m.

Check ou the oldest and largest dragon boat race festival from July 30 - July 31 24

A celebration of a West Indian culinary delight along with major West Indian pop acts, dancers, vendors, giveaways, children’s games, and family fun.

Roy Wilkins Park, vicin-

ity of 177th Street and Baisley Boulevard, Jamaica.

Guelaguetza July 31 @ 2 p.m.

Ballet Folklórico Mexicano de Nueva York celebrates this annual Mexican festival, which features the Dance of the Pineapple.

Socrates Sculpture Park, 32-01 Vernon Blvd., Long Island City.

Living with The Walking Dead Open through Jan. 1, 2023 The AMC series “The Walking Dead” depicts survivors in a postapocalyptic world plagued by flesh-eating zombies.

This exhibition includes production material such as costumes, props, concept art, storyboards, scripts, and prosthetic makeup.

Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35th Ave., Astoria’s Kaufman Arts District.

Life Between Buildings Open through Jan. 16, 2023 This show mixes drawings, photographs, sculptures, multimedia works, and performances by 14 artists and collectives.

Their pieces examine a phenomenon that began in the 1970s, when artists started working with community residents to rethink the cityscape.

Their products incorporate such issues as gardening, property rights, gentrification, access to public space, environmental concerns, and community engagement.

MoMA PS1, 22-25 Jackson Ave., Long Island City.

For more information, visit www. itsinqueens.com.

July 2022 • Volume 18 • Issue 7

NONPROFIT NEWS

QCH hosts 10th annual spring event

BY THOMAS CRUZ, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS On June 5, Queens Community House (QCH) marched with tens of thousands of people at the 30th annual Queens Pride Parade in Jackson Heights. QCH was led by Generation Q and the Queens Center for Gay Seniors (QCGS), two QCH LGBTQ programs for youth and older adults respectively.

The Queens Pride Parade returned after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The parade is one of the oldest and largest LGBTQ celebrations in New York City.

QCH has been marching at the parade for years, so plenty of staff, program participants, and supporters of the organization were excited to be able to attend in-person this year.

For several program participants of Generation Q, an LGBTQ after-school youth center, they are new to the program and this was the first Queens Pride Parade they attended.

“Some of our youth never had the opportunity to experience a Pride March, and have never before had a chance to see the support that exists across the borough of Queens,” Lindsey Duel, QCH Director of Generation Q said. “The impact of Queens Pride returning in-person is immeasurable for the youth of our program.”

As for the program participants of QCGS, an LGBTQ older adult center, the pandemic has been especially difficult for them.

Many of the program participants have struggled with losses of loved ones, fear of COVID-19, isolation, and adjusting to remote/online activities.

“I wasn’t sure I would make

Queens Community House celebrates at Queens Pride 2022

Celebrating the 2022 Queens Pride Parade in Jackson Heights it through this because I have deeply missed my friends, who are actually my family,” said a QCGS participant. “Thankfully QCGS made sure to keep us all together with classes online, and by checking in with us through phone calls.”

“As nervous as I was to come out in a crowd,” the QCGS participant continued, “I felt as protected as much as I could be, and

I needed to see my friends, hug them, and laugh the day away during ride Sunday.”

“After a 2-year hiatus that was filled with uneasiness, loneliness, fear, and isolation; we are so happy to be able to get together again for our in-person parades and marches,” said Chynna Pitlock, QCH Director of QCGS. “Everyone was so excited to come together and celebrate love,

life, and continuing the fight for equal rights, and justice.”

The Queens Pride Parade aligns with QCH’s focus on providing intergenerational opportunities for the Queens community.

“There is something uniquely special about seeing the Generation Q youth march alongside the older adults at QCGS, something that we are lucky to experience being a part of QCH,” Duel said.

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QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES 82ND 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 Street from 37th Avenue to Baxter Avenue. The board meets quarterly with the annual meeting in June.

ASIAN AMERICAN FEDERATION

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.

BAYSIDE VILLAGE BID

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.

BAYSIDE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

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.

ACCOMPANY CAPITAL (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 provides small and micro business owners in New

26

York City with low-cost loans, access to business training & technical assistance, and one-on-one counseling.

Accompany Capital has disbursed over $34 million 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 provided workshops and one-on-one advice on business management and marketing to over 10,000 businesses.

BUSINESS OUTREACH CENTER NETWORK (BOC, INC.)

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 professional 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.

GREATER JAMAICA 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 economic 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 metropolitan growth.

GREATER WOODHAVEN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION WOODHAVEN BID

July 2022 • Volume 18 • Issue 7

QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES 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 percent home improvement loans.

JAMAICA CENTER BID

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 enjoyable 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 chamber seeks to create an environment in which members of the business community can work together to enhance the growth, well being and economic development of the airport community and its aviation 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, commercial, 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 operates the LIC Business Improvement District and the LIC Industrial Business Zone.

MASPETH CHAMBER OF

COMMERCE

QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $500,000 with over

120 members and a budget of $115,000.

300 retail and service businesses under its purview. 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.

MASPETH INDUSTRIAL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION (MIBA)

QUEENS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

nesses with 30 active members, the Maspeth Industrial Business Association provides a collective voice in advocating the needs and interests of industrial and manufacturing businesses in Maspeth. They help companies in the Maspeth Industrial District in developing workforce, accessing tax credits, obtaining financing, navigating government regulations and, in some cases, finding real estate.

resource for over 2,000 businesses in the borough of Queens. Register online for upcoming virtual events, including:

P.O. Box 780265, Maspeth, NY 11378 President: David Daraio 718.335.1300 maspethchamberofcommerce.org QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1953, they have

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-

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

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

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 business corridors that are clean, safe, and welcoming, with shopping, dining, attractions, and engagement for the local community and the visitors drawn to Rockaway’s beaches and open spaces.

ROCKAWAY DEVELOPMENT & REVITALIZATION CORPORATION

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 revitalization of the Rockaway’s economic base and neighborhoods by creating long-standing partnerships with city and state agencies.

ROCKAWAY EAST MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION (REMA4US)

1032 Beach 20th Street Far Rockaway, NY 11691 rema4us.org QUICK GLANCE: REMA 4 US, Inc. seeks to engage in economic development and revitalization in the Rockaway Peninsula. To strengthen our community revitalization programs and community development efforts in the Rockaway Peninsula REMA works alongside businesses, civic groups, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. REMA works to inform the public about opportunities that exist to strengthen the community, and to create a welcoming and safe environment to help expand economic opportunity in the Rockaway Peninsula.

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NEW MEMBERS CORPORATE Hugh O’Kane Electric Co., Inc. 30-40 48th Avenue Long Island City, NY 11101 https://www.hokane.com Contact: hrokane@hokane.com Hugh O’Kane Electric Co., Inc. is the leading expert in telecommunications installation, electrical maintenance, and electrical contracting services serving institutions and enterprise in New York City and New Jersey.

Omni Funding Corp. of America 957 Route 109 West Babylon, NY 11704 https://www.omnifc.com Contact: ptroncale@omnifc.com Omni was founded in 1969 by Peter Troncale, who discovered a way to recapture lost revenue and increase productivity and efficiency while creating a methodology that would be scalable to every business.

Rosco Inc. 90-21 144th Place Jamaica, NY 11435 https://www.roscovision.com Contact: Ben.englander@roscovision.com Founded in 1907, Rosco is one of the lead suppliers of backup camera systems, mirrors, visors, video recording, sensor products, collision avoidance systems and other visual safety solutions.

Universal Healthcare 100-18 Ditmars Blvd East Elmhurst, NY 11369 https://www.atyoursidehc.com Contact: Nicolek@atyoursideHC.com At Your Side Home Care provide services in your loved one’s home in the community, or in an assisted living/long-term care setting.

SMALL BUSINESS PARTNERS Alegra Home Care / Bangla CDPAP Services 72-26 Broadway, 2nd Floor Jackson Heights, NY 11372 https://www.banglacdpap.com Contact: netlake111@gmail.com

Lincoln IT 25 Bloomingdale Road Hicksville, NY 11801 Contact: bsmith@lincolnit.com

Alex Beige Web Design 729-08 31st Avenue Astoria, NY 11106 https://www.alexbeigeweb.dev

New York Families for Autistic Children, Inc. 164-14 Cross Bay Blvd Howard Beach, NY 11414 https://www.nyfac.org Contact: emagdaleno@asfi.org

Atlantic Reinforcing Concrete Co. 14 Burt Drive Deer Park, NY 11729 https://www.atlanticreinforcingconcrete.com Contact: erin@atlanticrc.net

RM Friedland 440 Mamaroneck Avenue Harrison, NY 10528 https://www.rmfriedland.com Contact: aholloman@rmfriedland.com

Best Super Management 8139 Tompkins Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11206 https://www.Bestsupermanagement.com Contact: Sales@Bestsupermanagement.com

The Gottesman Organization, Inc. dba Atlus Metal & Marble Maintenance 732 Smithtown Bypass, Suite 304 Smithtown, NY 11787 https://www.altusmm.com Contact: lina@altusmm.com

Cypress Garden Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation 139-66 35th Avenue Flushing, NY 11385 https://www.cypressgardenrehab.com Contact: hsy@cypressgardenrehab.com

Tristate Development Group 749 Front Street Hempstead, NY 11550 https://www.tristatedevgroup.com Contact: madeline@TristateDevgroup.com

Finerr LLC 197 N J 18, Suite 308B East Brunswick, NJ 08816 https://www.finerr.com Contact: Jim@finerr.com

Vesretta Homecare LLC 61-43 186th Street Fresh Meadow, NY 11365 https://www.vesretta.com Contact: janet@vesretta.com

Goldfish Swim School 71-03 80th Street, SPC 7-110 Glendale, NY 11385 https://www.goldfishswimschool.com/glendale Contact: Kristina.young@goldfishss.com

2252 Newbold 1578 Williamsbridge Road Bronx, NY 10461 Contact: newboldllc@aol.com

QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES STEINWAY ASTORIA PARTNERSHIP BID

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 members. The Steinway Street Business Improvement District encompasses all 300 business located on Steinway Street from 28th Avenue to 35th Avenue. National chain stores such as Victoria’s Secrets, The Gap, Benetton, and Express are side by side with local family-owned shops.

SUNNYSIDE COMMERCE 28

CHAMBER

OF

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 assisting and helping local business and professionals by providing resources to increase business, safety and historical preservation throughout the neighborhood.

SUNNYSIDE SHINES

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.

SUTPHIN BOULEVARD BID

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 property owners along Sutphin Boulevard between Hillside Avenue and 94th Avenue in Jamaica.

July 2022 • Volume 18 • Issue 7 EXECUTIVE COMMMITEE Howard Graf

Patrick Yu

Thomas J. Grech

Brendan Leavy

Richard Dzwlewicz

Michelle Stoddart

Joanne M. Persad

Jacqueline Donado

Chairperson

Associate Treasurer

Vice Chair

Associate Secretary

Treasurer

Immediate Past Chair

Patricia Mezeul Nash Roe

President & CEO

Thomas J. Santucci

Secretary

SENIOR ADVISORY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE STAFF Business Development Manager

Chief of Operations

Strategic Program Coordinator

Alejandra Espejo

Jef Gross

Financial Controller

Neil Wagner

Business Service Program Manager

Manager of Committee Development

William Blake Vincent L. Petraro, Esq. Dominick Ciampa George Rozansky Joseph Farber Gerard Thornton Louis D. Laurino Jeff Levine Joseph M. Mattone, Sr

QUEENSBOROUGH (ISSN0033-6068 is published 12 times a year for $12.50 annually by the Queens Chamber of Commerce of the borough of Queens. 75-20 Astoria Blvd, Suite 140, East Elmhurst NY 11370-1131.

Periodicals postage paid at Flushing NY and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Blvd., Suite 140, East Elmhurst NY 11370-1131.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Kenneth J. Buettner Stephanie Baldwin Chad E. Callahan Sal Crifasi David Diraio Steven DeClara

Richard Dzwlewicz Charles Everett, Jr. Joseph R. Ficalora Tamara Gavrielof Howard Graf Raymond Irrera

Kenneth Koenig Lorraine Chambers Lewis Bert Lurch Meredith Marshall Carl Mattone Patricia Mezeul

Melinda Murray-Nyack Maria Odysseus Stephen Preuss Nash Roe Jeffrey Rosenstock Juan Santiago

Thomas Santucci Mark Scheinberg Sher Sparano Michelle Stoddart Terri Thomson Henry Wan

Mark Weprin Patrick Yu Daniel Zausner

CORPORATE MEMBERS 365 Data Centers A&L Cesspool Services Corp AARP Above All Pressure Cleaning Abrams Fensterman Ads Engineers, DPC Aeroterm Amna Construction Corp Antun’s of Queens Village Aora Development Approved General Contracting Inc., ARK Development LLC Aurora Contractors, Inc. Balkan Sewer and Water Main Service Bank of America BedRock Real Estate Partners, LLC Berkshire HathawayHomeservices

Laffey International Realty BJ’s Wholesale Club Blumenfeld Development Group, Ltd. Capital One Bank Carben Construction Inc. Carter Milchman and Frank CBRE CDS-Mestel Construction Center for Automotive Education and Training Cerini and Associates, LLP. Champion Elevator Corp.

Ciampa Organization Cine Magic LIC Studios, LLC Cipico Construction, Inc. CitizensRx CLEAR Secure, Inc. Combs & Company Complete Supply

Cord Meyer Development LLC Cornell Tech Cort CPower Energy Management Crann Integrated Solutions Crescent Properties, Inc Cross County Savings Bank Crown Castle Crystal Window & Door Systems, Ltd Dedline AV Direct Clean Service Solutions East Coast Energy Group Eastern American Technologies EDGE AUTO INC Emigrant Mortgage Company Enterprise Fleet Management EOS Electrical Corp EW Howell Construction Group First Central Savings Bank

COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Adrienne Whaley Queens Underground Black & Brown Film Festivals queensunderground718@gmail.com

BANKING & LAW

Paul Harrison Chase paul.harrison@chase.com Jackie Harounian Wisselman, Harounian & Associates jackie@lawjaw.com

COMMUNICATIONS Jake Oliver Anat Gerstein jake@anatgerstein.com Henry Ramos Dedline AV henry@dedlineav.com

HEALTHCARE & WELLNESS

Bert Lurch E Central Medical Management bertl@ecmmgt.com Prabhleen S. Virk Citrin Cooperman pvirk@citrincooperman.com

ENERGY Marshall Haimson E-Capital Development marshall@e-capitaldevelopment.com Jay Solly Sol Strategies

jaypsolly@gmail.com

azra@azra.com

ENTREPRENEURSHIP & INNOVATION

NOT FOR PROFIT

Bill Staniford Rentigo bill@staniford.com Deepti Sharma Food To Eat deepti@foodtoeat.com

FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESSES Chad Callahan Plaza College cec4@plazacollege.edu Michael Shoule JW Hampton mikes@jwhampton.com

FOOD, BEVERAGE & HOSPITALITY Jim Quent Statewide Public Affairs jquent@statewidepublicaffairs.com Vincent Gentile Vassilaros & Sons Coffee vincent@vassilaroscoffee.com

MANUFACTURING Lina DeLaCruz Control Electropolishing Corp. lina@controlpublishing.com Azra Khalfan-Kermali Plaques by Azra

Larry Grubler Transitional Services of NY lgrubler@tsiny.org Wendy Phaff Gennaro Queens Center for Progress wphaff@queenscp.com

REAL ESTATE

Martin Cottingham Avison Young martin.cottingham@avisonyoung.com Kevin Louie RIPCO klouie@ripcony.com Michael Wang Project Queens michael@projectqueens.com

TECHNOLOGY

Sean C. O’Rourke Combs & Company sorourke@combsandco.com Fred Canone fc1281@gmail.com

TRANSPORTATION Marlon Taylor NY & Atlantic Railway mtaylor@anacostia.com Phil Jones LIME philip@li.me

FLUID MECHANIC’S CORP Forest Hills Financial Group, Inc. Gatsons Electric, Inc. Gil-Bar Industries, Inc. GOLDEN AGE HOME CARE INC goPuff Graf & Lewent Architects Greater NY Automobiles Dealers Association HANAC, Inc. HE2PD, Inc. Healthy Corner Pharmacy Heatherwood Communities Himmel + Meringoff Properties HNY Ferry, LLC Hydro Quebec IKEA Queens INDA, Association of Nonwoven Fabric Industry INF Associates, LLC Innovo Property Group Instacart J Strategies, Inc J.W. Hampton Jr. & Co., Inc. James E Fitzgerald Jason Office Products JGM Construction Development Kasirer Consulting Kaufman Astoria Studios, Inc. Knights Collision Experts Inc. Krispy Kreme Laffey Real Estate Levine Builders Littler Mendelson, P.C. Lyons Mortgage Services, Inc. M & T Bank Madison International Realty Madison Realty Capital McBride Consulting & Business Mega Contracting Group LLC Mesirow Financial Metropolitan Taxicab Board of Trade Molloy College Mondial Automotive Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens Mr. T Carting Corp.

My Benefit Advisor, LLC NBCUniversal New York + Atlantic Railway New York Crystal Cleaning New York Islanders Hockey Club New York Life Insurance Company New York State Energy Coalition, Inc. Nonprofit Sector Strategies, PBC Northwell Health Nuvo Solutions Onegroup Owareco, LLC Patrick B. Jenkins & Associates

PGA Mechanical Contractors, Inc. Popular Bank Priority 1 Security LLC ProCleanings Co QSIDE Federal Credit Union Queens College R.A.M.S. Mechanical Inc. Red Eye Group LLC REDI Group, LLC Reef Technology REIL Capital Related Retail Corporation Ripco Investment Sales RXR Realty Safety Facility Services Samaritan Daytop Village Securitech Group, Inc. Signature Bank SL Green Realty Corp.

Solo Energy & Electrical, Inc. Solve Together LLC Spectrum Reach Squad Security Inc. St. Francis Preparatory School St. John’s University Standard Group Starbucks Corporation Sterling Risk Structural Engineering Technologies, P.C. Sullivan Engineering LLC SUNation Solar Systems Target TGI Office Automation The Center for Musculoskeletal Disorders The First National Bank of Long Island TLC Virtual Resiliency Total Fire Protection Transmission Developers, Inc. TSC Traning Academy, LLC Ultrasound Solutions Corp.

United Airlines United Construction & Development Group Corp United Public Adjusters & Appraisers, Inc. USTA National Tennis Center, Inc. Valley National Bank Vassilaros & Sons Coffee Vista LIC Hotel, Best Western Premier Collection W & M Fire Protection Services W. SCULLY, CPA, P.C. Waste Management of New York LLC Watch Guard 24/7 White Coffee Corp Wisselman, Harounian & Associates, P.C. York College - CUNY

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

NONPROFIT NEWS

APEC presents award for green leadership The Alley Pond Environmental Center presented Gregory Elcock, director of energy efficiency and demand management for Con Edison, with the Corporate Green Leadership award during the nonprofit’s 50th anniversary Green Gala.

“Con Edison shares the Alley Pond Environmental Center’s commitment to educating and informing our communities about the climate crisis,” Elcock said. “We are thankful for the recognition and proud to be APEC’s first-ever Corporate Green Leadership honoree.”

Last year, Con Edison announced that it would expand its clean energy commitment, in an effort to lead New York and the nation in the transition to renewable energy, provide customers with more control over their energy usage, and better prepare their energy-delivery system for the impacts of climate change.

“This year, at our 50th Anniversary Gala, we wanted to pay tribute to a corporation that has supported us through these years and played a significant role in our success,” Irene V. Scheid, executive director of the Alley Pond Environmental Center, said in a statement.

“Con Edison has been that one corporation that has consistently supported APEC since the early days, through contributions, board membership, technical support, and guidance.”

The Alley Pond Environmental Center in Bayside is a nonprofit environmental organization dedicated to educating children and adults about the different ecosystems in Queens, protecting and preserving Alley Pond Park’s nature trails, open spaces, and bodies of water, and advocating for sustainable environmental policies and practices.

Gregory Elcock, director of energy efficiency and demand management with Con Edison, receives the Corporate Green Leadership award from the Alley Pond Environmental Center and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards.

MAJOR CORPORATE MEMBERS

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July 2022 • Volume 18 • Issue 7 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. 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.

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Summer Cruise Networking 1 World's Fair Marina Flushing, NY 11368

Boarding & Event Begins: 5:00PM Ship Departs : 6:00PM SHARP Returns to Port: 9:00PM Fully weather-proof & airconditioned. We sail rain or shine. Complimentary parking adjacent to Marina.

4 hour Open Bar DJ / Carving Stations Passed Appetizers / Raffles / Networking

$95- QCC Members $125- All Others register at queenschamber.org

Sponsorship Opportunities Available - call Joanne Persad@ 718-898-8500 ext. 123 or email jpersad@queenschamber.org