Chamber Member News........................................................ 18

QUEENS CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS

Launch Creative Minds in the midst of the Pandemic

BY KIMMY MA

March 16, 2020 was the announcement of the shelter in place order, which was soon followed by daily briefings and all the uncertainties have left families afraid and in panic.

There were many tragedies during the heigh of COVID, including the death of my close friend and neighbor. At first, I thought it was going to be brief, but before you knew, it was already the end of June.

The studio’s activities calendar was left blank for over three months. Art patrons were fearful to return. We all missed the hands-on interactions necessary to make art, and all the nuanced creative dialogue that could not be spoken through zoom.

Shortly after re-opening, more bad news flurried in. The music shop and restaurants next door had shut down, and for months, our small businesses were left with little activity. Subsequently, it was only the barbershop and me left standing.

The streets looked rejected and depressed. It reflected the anxiousness of the people. It was so bleak and desolate, you can hear the leaves rustling on the ground.

What kept me going was my faith, my passion for art, and the optimism and support from our art patrons and families. These intangible elements have helped fuel a purposeful sword to slay wretched Covid with determination.

The truth is my work would not be here if it was not for the art families and students, who shared the same passion. As a community, we realize the value of art education, as a beautiful sanctuary for our creative spirits.

Art is a lifelong companion and it teaches an important life lesson, that failure is just a series of experimentations on how to start over, and it helps carve the ultimate path to create something beautiful from a blank page and mistakes.

This taught me how to re-build my business. One phone call, email, and text at a time.

While perfection is unattainable it is something to strive for! As one of a few women owned small

Art instructor Kimmy Ma is a proud member of the Queens Chamber of Commerce and a small business hero of 2021

Art students lend a hand painting a new mural outside of the art studio located at 190-19 Union Turnpike in Fresh Meadows businesses in my neighborhood, I have championed art for over two decades, but it was not done without challenges. Battling hostile COVID added an even more egregious hurdle to Kimmy Ma is the manager of the Kimmy Ma Art Studio in Fresh Meadows

overcome. On top of negotiating the back rent with my landlords, the increasing cost of energy and supplies due to inflation, I had to pay my staff and keep the studio intact.

When we first reopened, there was a point when we had just one student show up to class. But we persevered and we still have a ways to go!

One of our creative solutions was to make art outdoors during the summer. That really helped make the transition to returning more bearable for our art families during COVID, while still giving our students the opportunity to socialize and create art in a healthy environment. Our studio is a small yet bright spot where like-minded young artists can share artistic experiences and their love for art.

It is about time and we are ready to celebrate our creative voices once again with our student’s art show on Saturday, June 4th and Sunday, June 5th, from 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. All are welcome and admission to the show is free.

For K-12, group, private, zoom or in studio art lessons, please visit our program guide at kimmymaartstudio.com.

To us, art is more than an afterschool activity. It is means of selfexpression unlike any other.

NONPROFIT NEWS Flushing Town Hall: 160 Years of Resilience

BY ELLEN KODADEK

This is the story of a historic Queens building.

Not many buildings can claim a tale worth telling, but this one can, and on June 9th, Flushing Town Hall will throw a Happy Birthday Gala in celebration.

The cultural institution is itself only 43-years-old, but its landmarked building, located at the corner of Northern Blvd. and Linden Place, is turning 160. In its storied hallways, Flushing Town Hall will also debut an exhibition looking back at the building’s rich history, to remain on view to the public through year-end.

The building’s first cornerstone was laid on June 7, 1862, soon after the Civil War’s start, when the people of Flushing determined they needed a headquarters for welcoming troops home. The community’s one structure of note was the John Bowne House, a long an established gathering site for abolitionist activism and religious freedom—but it was a mere farmhouse. They envisioned something on a grander scale, emblematic of the pride and appreciation they felt for their returning soldiers.

Built in the Romanesque Revival style that was popular at the time, with a front facade featuring a triple arched portico topped by a classic entablature, the building was constructed in 19 months and opened in January 1864 with a Grand Inaugural Ball.

Over the next few decades, as New York City continued to grow in population and economic vitality, so did the neighborhood of Flushing, and this Town Hall became an important stop on the lecture and vaudeville circuit. The building welcomed an eclectic roster of notable figures, including Frederick Douglass, Ulysses S. Grant, Teddy Roosevelt, P.T. Barnum, and Tom Thumb. It also became a popular venue for military galas.

In 1898, the Town of Flushing was consolidated as part of New York City, which took over control. The building was converted into a courthouse and jail cells were added within. In fact, the “green room” used by performers still retains its original jail cell door and slatted metal bars.

In 1960, the Hall went through a dizzying array of reinventions and was used as a library and a bank. It was also used by the Highway Bureau, the Department of Public Welfare, Big Sisters of Queens, the Flushing Historical Society, the Girl Scouts and the Department of Sanitation.

By 1967 the Landmarks Preservation Commission bestowed the building its protected status, and in 1972, the National Park Service named the Hall a historic site. It can be found in the register of Historic Places. But amid the financial crisis of the early 1970s and following so much turnover, the building fell into disrepair.

Local resident Stephen Phillips stepped up, spending half a million dollars to restore its structure. Flushing Town Hall reopened in 1976 as a 300-seat theater with a restaurant and bar downstairs. Folk singers Peter, Paul & Mary performed in June of that year.

Unfortunately, this new incarnation was short-lived. By 1989 the building was again vacant—a forgotten relic of the past, with broken windows and covered in graffiti. The civil court ordered the construction of a surrounding security fence.

It was then that two women stepped forward, heroic. Claire Shulman, the first female Borough President of Queens, and Jo-Ann Jones, who took the helm, together created The Flushing Council on Culture and the Arts, better known today as the cultural institution Flushing Town Hall.

In 1990, the Council was awarded stewardship to renew the building as a multicultural arts center, receiving $2.1 million for safety upgrades and restoration.

Flushing Town Hall reopened to the public on May 20, 1993, and has been presenting music and dance peformances, fine art exhibitions, and educational programs ever since.

Of course, the building did shutter again—temporarily—when the COVID-19 pandemic ravaged the city. In turn, Flushing Town Hall pivoted to virtual programming, made possible by new technology. With the arrival of vaccines, the Hall swung open its doors once again, welcoming back artists and eager audiences. Ellen Kodadek is the Executive & Artistic Director of the Flushing Council for Culture and the Arts.

Flushing Town Hall is located at 137-35 Northern Blvd. in Flushing.

For tickets to the celebration and info on upcoming programs, visit flushingtownhall.org.

NONPROFIT NEWS In the Heart of the Heart of Queens: Thomas Berry Place

BY MARY LINDA DEWITT

Linguistically and culturally vibrant, home to a cornucopia of cultures and languages, Jamaica has always been, arguably, the dynamic and relevant heart of Queens. Therefore, it makes sense that the spiritual heart of Queens now finds a home in the ecologically-minded, inclusive, and socially conscious, Thomas Berry Place, or “TBP” for short.

Thomas Berry Place is the renewed, renovated and reimagined facility that for decades was known as Bishop Molloy Retreat House, the much-loved spiritual retreat house in Jamaica, Queens. TBP is named after the renowned Passionist priest Fr. Thomas Berry, CP—an academic, author, and pioneer environmentalist. With a particular attention to serving the prolific, interfaith community in which we position ourselves, TBP is devoted to serving communities here in Queens while challenging and pushing notions of what it means today to be a truly inclusive and accessible. We are, decidedly, a center for education, dialogue, and social responsibility. And, while our roots are distinctly Passionist and Catholic, we proudly build on that inspiring history while simultaneously recreating our role in a world where social responsibility is informed by an inclusive and intersectional ecological consciousness.

As they say, location is everything, and that is an understatement when describing where Thomas Berry Place is located. Close enough to Manhattan, but far enough away to feel like an idyllic retreat situated in the gentle, lush rolling hills of Jamaica Estates overlooking Jamaica proper, one can get here from downtown Manhattan in approximately thirty minutes by subway. A transportation hub like no other, our campus is accessible as well from the east by Nassau County buses which run ubiquitously on Hillside Avenue, which is home to thriving Little Bangladesh, Central American, and East Indian communities. The opportunity to enjoy delicious fare on Hillside Avenue is a treat for locals and visitors alike. Where else can you enjoy a mango lassi, some jerk chicken, and a pupusa all on the same street? In the words of Sr. Mary T. Naccarato, PBVM, Director of TBP’s Spiritual Programs, “Thomas Berry Place is an ‘oasis’ where anyone came come to pause from life and encounter the Divine in the beauty and sacredness of this place. We look forward to Welcoming You soon!”

TBP is singular in that is the only full-service retreat and conference facility of its kind in Jamaica, Queens, and actually, the entire metropolitan area. The centrically located TBP also boasts ample parking for guests. Furthermore, it is situated right between two major international airports of JFK and LaGuardia. Available for day, midweek and weekend events, there are fifty renovated bedrooms, twenty of them with Queen size accommodations, and thirty with twin.

Our grounds are teeming with possibility for educational and spiritual pursuit, hosting a board room with accommodations for fifteen people, two spacious conference rooms for eighty to one hundred people, smaller conference rooms that accommodate thirty-five people, a library and break out rooms, not to mention a chapel accessible twenty-four hours a day.

Thomas Berry Place has singular outdoor areas—including an apple orchard and lush gardens—and a fully operational urban organic farm designated to provide organic food sources for our in-house kitchen and dining room that can serve up to one hundred diners, helmed by acclaimed chef Anthony O’Connor.

Moreover, our relationship to the planet as being integral to our daily mission is at the forefront of all our decisions here at TBP. Not only does our facility utilize solar power, but the flooring is carbon neutral across its full life cycle. Ramiro Agredo, COO of Thomas Berry Place, “In the TBP lobby we are also proud to highlight our Living Wall, a verdant lush display of various flora. Its purpose is not solely aesthetic, but rather these plants serve to purify and renew oxygen in an effort to reconceptualize the concept of indoor space and our relationship to it.”

Additionally, the facilities are constantly taking on new and exciting dimensions in the form of a soon-to-be café/bakery run by our mission partner Reconnect. Every single aspect of Thomas Berry Place is directly connected to our commitment to rethinking the ways of reflecting, healing and communicating. Positioned on the same campus as Immaculate Conception Monastery, Parish and Academy, the team at TBP works closely with mission-based partners like Reconnect and Hour Children, Passionist Earth & Spirit Center, Emmaus House, and Sisters of St. Joseph, all who collaborate with us to logistically and theoretically to provide a quality guest experience.

We invite you to visit our campus and learn more about our this our singular endeavor: thomasberryplace.org

Mary Linda DeWitt is the Senior Assistant to the Director of Development and Fulfillment with The Passionists Provincial Office of St. Paul of the Cross.

The Office of Development and Mission Fullfillment, located at 86-45 Edgerton Blvd. in Jamaica, Queens, is responsible for creating and spreading awareness of their mission and the effort made

The grounds at Thomas Berry Place on a sunny day

QUEENSBOROUGH CALENDAR OF EVENTS

JUNE

QUEENS BUSINESS EXPO 2022

June 8, 2022 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Don’t miss out on this business opportunity to meet over 130 Exhibitors, multiple panel discussions, and a wide range of speakers considered to be a who’s-who in their respective field. Complimentary registration is open online.

Citi Field 41 Seaver Way, Flushing

DAILY NEWS LUNCHEON

June 8, 2022 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Join the Queens Chamber of Commerce as we explore the world of tech as it relates to Queens and the future, featuring special keynote speakers and lunch at Citi Field.

Caesars Sportsbook at the Metro Grille 41 Seaver Way, Flushing

U.S. OPEN JOB FAIR

June 15, 2022 from 3 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Begin your career in sports by working at one of the greatest sporting events in the world! Available Opportunities include Player Services, Court Attendant, Guest Services, Courts and Grounds, Credentials, Front Desk, Facility Operations, Box Office, Administration, IT, Access Control, Parking Lot Attendants, Phone Operations and Command Center.

USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center Flushing Meadows Corona Park

QUEENS CHAMBER SUMMER MIXER

June 15, 2022 from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Connect, network, and enjoy a cold pint with the Queens Chamber of Commerce.

SingleCut Beersmiths, 19-37 37th St., Astoria

INSIDE THE MANUFACTURER: WHITE COFFEE TOUR

June 21, 2022 from 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Join members of the Queens Chamber of Commerce for this up-close look at this 80-year-old family owned business in Long Island City.

White Coffee, 18-35 38th St., Long Island City

NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION

June 22, 2022 from 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Rules of engagement to maxamize your membership

Queens Chamber of Commerce, 75-20 Astoria Blvd., Suite 140, Jackson Heights MEET & GREET WITH DEPT. OF BUILDINGS COMMISSIONER ERIC ULRICH

June 22, 2022 from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

On behalf of the Real Estate Committee, the Energy & Environmental Committee and the Board of the Queens Chamber of Commerce, please join us for a meet and greet with newly appointed Department of Buildings Commissioner Eric Ulrich.

The Auditorium at Bulova Corporate Center, 75-20 Astoria Blvd., Jackson Heights

ENTREPRENEUR & INVESTORS UNITE

June 23, 2022 from 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Queens Chamber Entrepreneurship & Innovation Committee presents: Investor & Entrepreneur Q&A Panel Do you have a concept or idea you’re hoping to move from its current state to a fully realized product ready to market and promote?

WeWork Gotham Center, 28-07 Jackson Ave., Long Island City

SUCCESSION PLANNING: PART ONE

June 29, 2022 from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

This seminar is devoted to highlighting the major considerations when planning for the future transition of your family business. Drawing inspiration from the popular HBO show Succession¸ we will discuss various topics and hurdles to building a succession plan including family dynamics considerations, the importance of shared governance, and how to build a comprehensive approach.

VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org

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 MANAGING DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS AND DIFFICULT PERSONALITIES IN THE WORKPLACE

July 15, 2022 from 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Human Resource Specialists face the challenges 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

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

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 youe.

VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org

RESOLVING CONFLICT IN A CULTURALLY DIVERSE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT

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 improving relationships with your supervisors and coworkers. This program will explore the numerous cultural variables that impact how conflict is resolved in different cultures. VIRTUAL

Register at queenschamber.org

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