This is Queensborough - March 2022 by BQE Media - Queens Ledger Brooklyn Star Newspaper Group

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March 2022 . Volume 18 . Issue 3

DISRUPTING DONUTS Steve Klein talks about the start-up and growth of Dough Doughnuts

“When Whole Foods started selling our products and celebrities liked it... putting themselves on social media opened up a whole new world.”

ALSO

· CHAMBER ANNOUNCES QUEENS IS GREEN INITIATIVE · WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH · JAMAICA: A CULTURAL DESTINATION

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March 2022 • Volume 18 • Issue 3

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO

STRONG WOMEN Throughout the calendar year, Burdens During the Ongoing several months are set aside to Pandemic”. specifically recognize the accomThis dynamic panel will plishments of those who have include two female Chamber forged a path forward within their members who happen to be manrespective cultures. ufacturers. This month we pause to celCEO of Plaques by Azra, Azra ebrate Women’s Heritage Month, Khalfan-Kermali, Vice President also known as Women’s History at Electropolishing Corporation, Month. Lina De La Cruz, and Kelsy Since 1987 this month has Zimba, the owner of Zimba served to highlight generations Collections, will round out the of women whose commitment to panel. our society has been The moderainvaluable. tor for this outThis year marks standing womenthe return of our driven presentaSt. Patrick’s Day tion will be NYS Annual Luncheon. Assemblywoman Ironically, it was Catalina Cruz. the final in-person These events event hosted by the simply scratch the Chamber before surface of what the spread of the THOMAS J. GRECH we have schedCOVID-19 virus PRESIDENT & CEO uled throughout the back in March month. 2020. F r o m We’re going to be back at Womentoring Day to a commuTerrace on the Park in Flushing nity job fair in Woodhaven, we’re on March 16 to celebrate the committed to continuing to meet Celtic tradition with you. the needs of the business commuSpeaking of strong women, nity in Queens. Keechant L. Sewell will be one of Everyone contributes to the the honorees at this year’s event. wonderfully diverse county She just so happens to be a we call home, however, strong Queens native and a 25-year police women are critical to the forward veteran who was recently tapped movement of the business comto serve as Commissioner of the munity. New York Police Department. It’s with great pleasure that James Whelan, the president the Queens Chamber is able to of REBYN will also be honored celebrate their contributions and during our luncheon. Don’t miss efforts. your opportunity to join the celI count it an absolute blessing ebration and recognize these out- to serve as President of this amazstanding individuals. ing organization. Our Manufacturing Committee Thanks to each and every one will also celebrate Women’s of you for your overwhelming History month with their webinar, support. “Women Manufacturers, Their Queens STRONG!

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR LIFEBLOOD OF THE COMMUNITY

Last month, I had an which connects businesses to opportunity to attend the Queens city resources such as financial Chamber breakfast. assistance, commercial leasing, At the event, there were a and MWBE certification and so number of elected officials in much more. attendance including several New This outreach team York City Council Members. happens to speak 19 different The Queens Chamber languages which is indicative of breakfast event was held at neighborhoods they serve. York College’s new state-ofIf you haven’t already taken the-art Facility Dining Hall at advantage of or experienced the the Academic Core Building in numerous resources the Queens Jamaica. Chamber of Commerce offers, I grew up in South Ozone which are designed to enrich Park and have and nourish your always recognized business, it’s still not that businesses are too late. the lifeblood of the Make it a priority community. to visit the website at Throughout the www.queenschamber. neighborhoods of org for everything Hill Crest, St. Albans, needed to assist in the Briarwood, Hollis, sustainability of your and Kew Gardens, to TOM SANTUCCI organization. just name a few, you CHAIRPERSON On behalf of the will find a plethora Board of Directors of of local businesses the Queens Chamber representing people from all of Commerce, thank you for walks of life. continually supporting this As a business owner, you 111-year-old organization which contribute in ways unimaginable advocates for your rights, creates to the fabric of this most diverse opportunities to build your borough of New York City and network, and curates educational the world. platforms to keep you on the From nail salons to insurance cutting edge of our fast-changing agencies to the mom-and-pop society. restaurants they each bring their Without you doing what you own unique slice of life to the do every day, our communities fabric of these neighborhoods. certainly would not be the same. The presentation at York College highlighted the tremendous work that the Queens Chamber outreach team performs Join the Queens on a regular basis, including Chamber of visiting businesses throughout these Jamaica neighborhoods and Commerce today. neighborhoods all throughout this To sign up visit richly diverse borough. queenschamber.org They provide resources such as Chamber on the Go,

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QUEENS QUICKLY Health Department launches anti-smoking campaign

The city’s Health Department launched an anti-smoking campaign called, “You Quit, You Win!”, while also releasing a new data analysis which found that their previous campaigns have helped nearly 8,000 New Yorkers stop smoking. From between 2015 and 2019, the Department’s anti-smoking media campaigns not only improved New Yorkers’ health, but were also highly cost-effective. Every dollar spent on a media campaign led to $32 in cost savings for the health care system and society because of people becoming inspired to quit and avoiding tobacco-related health issues. The Department’s anti-smoking campaigns led to almost 8,000 successful quits and averted more than 1,000 deaths. They created an estimated $864 million in total cost savings including $26,000 for every premature death avoided, $2,200 for every birthday saved, and $2,000 for every year of good health gained. “You Quit, You Win!” is running citywide via television ads, digital liveboards in the subways, bus shelters, newspapers, and the Staten Island Ferry. “Our anti-smoking campaigns have saved lives – and this year an additional 12,000 New Yorkers will celebrate a birthday that would otherwise have been lost,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Dave A. Chokshi. “I urge all New Yorkers who smoke to consider quitting today, there’s never a better time than right now.” Although adult smoking rates in New York City declined from 21.5% in 2002 to 10.9% in 2020, there are still 700,000 adult New Yorkers who smoke. Troubling inequities also exist because not everyone has equal access to

factors that prevent smoking or make it easier to quit. The 2020 New York City Community Health Survey found that adult smoking rates were higher in Staten Island (19.9 percent), the Bronx (13.7 percent), and Brooklyn (11.2 percent), than in Manhattan (8.1 percent); the rate in Queens (9.6 percent) was similar to Manhattan. Adults with less than a high school education were more than twice as likely to smoke as those with a college degree (16.7 percent vs. 6.3 percent). Men were more likely to smoke than women (13.9 percent vs. 8.3 percent). Smoking was also particularly high among adults with serious psychological distress (SPD), compared to adults without SPD (24.9 percent vs. 10.0 percent). Historically, the tobacco industry has used manipulative marketing tactics to target these communities and youth, while also resisting increased regulation and oversight, which has contributed to these disparities. “We know New Yorkers have had to deal with a lot over the last two years. We want to remind them that by quitting smoking, they will not only improve their health, but other aspects of their lives too,” said Chief Medical Officer and Deputy Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse. “If you are thinking about quitting smoking for any reason, you don’t have to go on that journey alone. Help is available, including coaching and free nicotine medications, which can help you manage cravings and other withdrawal symptoms, to make it a little bit easier.”

Schumer to call for Senate vote next month to lower cost of insulin Standing alongside New Yorkers with diabetes and who need insulin daily, U.S. Senator Schumer doubled down on his push to reduce

the outrageous cost of the drug and will call for a Senate vote in March to get the cost down from $200-$600 per vial to a cap of $35. Schumer said that the price of insulin has been rising rapidly for years, with an average increase of 15-17 percent per year since 2012. Schumer further said that 1 in 4 Americans now ration the drug, which is potentially lifethreatening. Across Nassau and Suffolk, an estimated 8.4 percent and 7.6 percent of adults are diagnosed with diabetes respectively. Across New York City, that number hovers even higher. Schumer pointed out that 48 percent of Americans used some medication—primarily insulin—to treat their diabetes. Overall, an estimated 1.7 million New York adults have been diagnosed with diabetes and another 450,000 have diabetes, but don’t know it, Schumer noted. Schumer said, until now, the diabetes community has felt the impact of the steep rise in the average cost of insulin. According to the American Diabetes Association, for millions of Americans living with diabetes, including all people living with type 1 diabetes, insulin is a life-saving drug that must be taken to control blood sugar. Schumer also said numerous patient advocate groups have prioritized the need for affordable insulin for years. They have worked to educate Congress about the barriers people with diabetes face in accessing affordable insulin. They have shared policy recommendations, testimony, and a collection of patient stories illustrating that people with diabetes continue to suffer due to the high price of insulin. “I am doubling down today on my push to reduce the outrageous cost of insulin by telling New Yorkers, and all Americans, that I will call for a Senate vote on capping this cost come March,” said U.S. Senator Charles Schumer. “The current cost of this life-saving drug runs

TABLE OF CONTENTS Promotions, Announcements & Appointments ............................ 6, 16, 18 Meet the New Head of Queens Botanical Garden.................................. 17 Museum Highlights Jamaica as Cultural Destination ..................... 7

It’s in Queens: March Madness...................................................24

SLICES OF QUEENS: Milkflower Pizza in Astoria............................... 8 Get to Know the Chamber’s Newest Members ....................................................28 TECH SPOTLIGHT.......................................... 9 “Queens is Green” Initiative ......... 10 COVER STORY: Steve Klein, Co-Owner of Dough Donuts......... 11 Steps to Achieve Yours Goals in 2022 .....................................................22 4

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March 2022 • Volume 18 • Issue 3

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from $300-$600 per vial, it is not just ridiculous, it’s dangerous. Millions of Americans and too many New Yorkers stand with me on this push to cap the cost of insulin at $35 so we can stop rationing this drug, buying on the dangerous black market, and other methods that, quite frankly, risk life.”

Broadway Library closing for renovations Beginning Saturday, March 5, the Broadway Library located at 40-20 Broadway will be closed for a renovation project. Queens Public Library expects to reopen the branch in Fall 2023. Improvements to the library will include a new computer center, new public restrooms, updated meetings rooms and new decor. During the closure, patrons can visit other nearby QPL locations, such as Long Island City (37-44 21 Street), Woodside (54-22 Skillman Avenue) or Steinway (21-45 31 Street).

MTA launches new expanded fare initiatives The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced the start of new expanded initiatives to promote best fare options for the most convenient and cost-effective journey for all riders. First, the MTA relaunched and expanded CityTicket, which currently offers a $5 flat fare for rail travel within New York City on weekends. It will now be extended to all weekday off-peak trains. Additionally, a new 20-trip ticket will offer 20 percent off comparable 20-peak one-way fares when purchased through MTA eTix or at a ticket window. These tickets are valid for 60 days. Monthly tickets, which are currently discounted between 48 percent and 61 percent off comparable peak tickets, will be discounted by an additional 10 percent. The CityTicket pilot offers promotional fares designed to encourage railroad ridership within New York City. The reduced rate is a $2.25 or 31 percent discount from Metro-North’s current weekday fare between

the Bronx and Manhattan, which previously cost $7.25, and a $2.75 or 35 percent discount from the LIRR’s current weekday fare between eastern Queens and Manhattan or Brooklyn, which previously cost $7.75. CityTickets must be purchased and activated before boarding the train. Fares purchased onboard for intracity travel will remain $14 for LIRR and $13 for Metro-North. “I’ve made it a priority to get creative on fares. A big part of that is giving customers the best deal for their money. The new 20-trip ticket option was created specifically for the rider who might be coming into the office only a few times a week,” MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said. CityTicket is valid at: Atlantic Terminal, Auburndale, Bayside, Douglaston, East New York, Flushing-Main Street, Forest Hills, Hollis, Jamaica, Kew Gardens, Laurelton, Little Neck, Locust Manor, Mets-Willets Point, Murray Hill, Nostrand Avenue, Penn Station, Queens Village, Rosedale, St. Albans and Woodside stations. The discounted fare packages take effect on Tuesday, Mar. 1, when peak fares return to the LIRR and Metro-North.

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PROMOTIONS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & APPOINTMENTS Tamsin Dillon signs on as new Executive Director of Socrates Sculpture Park

mission, our mental and physical health, to the wellbeing of our communities, and to our ability to stay connected to one another.”

James Nunes appointed to New York State Operation Lifesaver Board of Directors

DILLON

Socrates Sculpture Park announced public art proponent, curator, and commissioner of contemporary art Tamsin Dillon as its next Executive Director. Dillon succeeds Suzy Delvalle, who has served as Interim Executive Director since July 2021, and John Hatfield who served as Executive Director from 2012 until 2021. Dillon begins her tenure at Socrates in mid-February. Dillon’s career spans more than 25 years curating and commissioning contemporary art projects across a range of contexts and settings, from public squares to parks, railways, hospitals, forests, galleries and other, cultural, and non-cultural, organizations. She has worked with and commissioned more than 200 artists including permanent works by Gillian Wearing in Parliament Square in London, Rachel Whiteread in Yorkshire, UK, Daniel Buren, Jacqueline Poncelet and Mark Wallinger for London Underground and Rasheed Araeen, and Amalia Pica in King’s Cross London. Her partnerships span across organizations within the international arts community including Tate Galleries, Trafalgar Square in London, where she sat on the commissioning group for the Fourth Plinth, and Public Art Fund in New York with whom she co-commissioned a dazzleship project with the artist Tauba Auerbach. “I’m thrilled to be joining Socrates Sculpture Park as its new Executive Director and, as a Long Island City resident, I am honored to serve the Queens, New York City, and greater cultural communities in this role, especially at such a time where we’re thinking more deeply about the value of our arts institutions as public spaces,” Dillon said. “Socrates has a unique and special history; established by an artist for other artists, for the community, and as a vital natural resource, it has grown to be an institution of both cultural and civic importance. The pandemic showed us how critical places like Socrates are to the artists whose work we com-

QBP Richards announces Chris Barca as New Director of Communications

BARCA NUNES

James Nunes, Manager of Operations Support at New York & Atlantic Railway (NYA), was recently appointed as a non-voting board member of New York State Operation Lifesaver Board of Directors (OLI), an industry non-profit organization dedicated to raising railsafety awareness. OLI provides free rail safety education presentations designed to prevent collisions, injuries, and fatalities on and around railroad tracks and highway rail grade crossings through public education programs across the U.S. and internationally. Nunes was appointed to a three-year term which began in December 2021. He is the only metropolitan NYC area representative on OLI’s New York State Board of Directors. The OLI Board of Directors is the governing body of the organization. It is responsible for determining OLI’s overall mission, priorities and direction and provides oversight to ensure that programs and services are carried out effectively. The Board also ensures that the organization has adequate resources that are managed with appropriate financial controls and promotes OLI’s public standing to carry out its mission to save lives and reduce injuries at highway-rail crossings and on or around railroad property. Nunes began his career at NYA as a freight conductor locomotive engineer in March 2004. He has also served as NYA Manager of Safety, Training & Systems since January 2013 and was named Operations Support Manager in 2017. He holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Manhattan College and is a resident of Astoria, Queens, NY.

As the Director of Communications, Barca is charged with advancing Borough President Richards’ vision through the development and execution of effective external outreach strategies, managing relationships with members of the news media, including Queens’ expansive array of ethnic media, and building public confidence in the Office of the Queens Borough President’s ability to effectuate positive change in communities across the borough. Joining Barca, Press Officer Michael Scholl and Digital Manager Shameela Ramprasad in the Communications Department in the coming weeks is Angelica Acevedo, who will assume Barca’s former Press Officer position. Acevedo comes to the Office of the Queens Borough President from the Queens Courier, where she currently serves as Digital Editor. CONTINUED ON PAGE 16 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. Ad position cannot be guaranteed unless paid prior to publication. BQE Media assumes no liability for the content or reply to any ads. The advertiser assumes all liability for the content of and all replies. The advertiser agrees to hold the QUEENSBOROUGH and its employees harmless from all cost, expenses, liabilities, and damages resulting from or caused by the publication or recording placed by the advertiser or any reply to any such advertisement.

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March 2022 • Volume 18 • Issue 3

NONPROFIT NEWS MUSEUM HIGHLIGHTS JAMAICA AS CULTURAL DESTINATION By Kelsey Brow Jamaica Avenue is not a legallydesignated cultural corridor, but it might as well be. If you were to start at Merrick Boulevard and end at the AirTrain, you’ll pass over half a dozen sites of arts and culture–ranging from fine arts to live performance and poetry–which include artist studios and numerous historic buildings, the oldest of which is King Manor inside Rufus King Park. Although parts of the museum date back to the 1750s, their mission is to keep things fresh and relevant. At the beginning of the COVID19 pandemic, the “New York State on Pause” executive order included museums in the state-mandated closure, meanwhile, King Manor’s staff took advantage of the opportunity to finish cosmetic repairs and reorganize their storage in order to open up the second floor to the public. Most of the rooms at the Manor had been closed since a fire devastated the building in the 1960s. This newly-opened space includes three rooms of gallery space, which have played host to several contemporary art exhibitions since 2020 and featured primarily works of

Queens Biennial. This year’s exhibition on the theme, “Formations,” was curated by Rejin Leys, a local artist and member of the South East Queens Artist Alliance, in collaboration with Margaret Rose Vendryes, and Nicholas Fraser. Leys writes of the exhibition: “The well-known maxim, “form follows function,” coined by the late 19th-century architect Louis H. Sullivan, is useful when approaching the built environments of abstract visual art. Abstraction is founded on formations. Function

requires not only the intent of the artist, but, and perhaps more importantly, the perspectives their viewers bring to work. The takeaway from engaging with abstract art is individual, singularly personal, and often magical. The 2022 Southeast Queens Biennial will be populated by artists whose primary focus is abstraction in all its diverse manifestations.” Even if you don’t think you “get” abstract art, you can’t help but be mesmerized by the colors, patterns, and textures of these brilliant pieces. The art-curious, art connoisseurs, and even families with children will be drawn to the installations at the York College gallery and at King Manor. It might be just what we need to make sense of the world around us in these pandemic times. Jeanne Heifetz, one of the featured artists, writes “[there is a] universal human drive to create beauty, order, and ritual in the face of our own mortality.” This exhibition marks the first time King Manor has entered into a formal partnership with York College’s Art Gallery. Both venues hope that this partnership will encourage visitors to

best lives. We raise a good amount of money at the event that goes toward our programs.” Gennaro said that the second underlying goal of the event is to provide the community with a fun evening and opportunities for networking and promoting local businesses. The restaurants and businesses that will be featured in the event include Marbella Restaurant, Austin’s Ale House, Bourbon Street, Aigner Chocolate, Café Renis, Havana Central, Javamelts, La Casa de Julia, MadeFresh Organic, Max Bratwurst und Bier, MumsKitchens NYC, One Station Plaza, Schmidt’s Candy and The Wine Room of Forest Hills.

Gennaro said that list could double in size by the date of the event. Rhonda Binda, former Queens deputy borough president and vice president of Government Affairs

local BIPOC artists. Visitors to King Manor this month will have the chance to view a wide range of abstract works in different media from critically acclaimed artists. The museum also serves as a satellite venue for the South East

Kelsey Brow, executive director of the King Manor Museum in Jamaica

“make a day of it” by patronizing the wealth of small businesses on Jamaica Avenue on their way from one gallery to another. The York College Art Gallery is located at 94-20 Guy R. Brewer Blvd. and King Manor is located at 150-03 Jamaica Ave. To learn more about visiting and to book your free tour, go to www.kingmanor.org/visit.

QCP TO HOST 26th ANNUAL ‘EVENING OF FINE FOOD’

By Jessica Meditz Queens Centers for Progress will host food lovers in person this year for its 26th annual “Evening of Fine Food.” Hundreds of people will gather together on March 15 at Terrace on the Park for a night of delicious food, live music, comedy and good company — all for a good cause. “The goal of the event is to raise funds for our organization, which services people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Queens,” said Wendy Gennaro, QCP’s director of Development. “Our mission is to promote the independence of people with disabilities so that they can live their

MSG Entertainment, and Thomas Rudzewick, president and CEO of Maspeth Federal Savings, will be CONTINUED ON PAGE 13

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A ‘SLICE’ OF QUEENS MILKFLOWER PIZZA CAPTURES THE DIVERSITY OF ASTORIA By Robert Intelisano There are few neighborhoods in New York City that can match the diverse “food scene” in Astoria, Queens. When you think of Astoria, great Greek food comes to mind as well as Italian, Brazilian, Asian and excellent seafood restaurants.

The Queen When I agreed to write “A SLICE of Queens,” I wanted to make it fun and informative. I knew I would meet new people and have new and interesting experiences. My plan is to invite different people to each pizzeria every month. My goal is to get the word out that Queens can and will compete on the pizza scene both locally and nationally. You have no idea how good Queens pizza is, until now! Milkflower has a trendy Greenwich Village type feel to it when you walk in if you didn’t walk right past it. It is nestled on 31st avenue in between 34th and 35th streets in Astoria, a nine-minute walk from the Steinway Street and Broadway Train Station’s southwest exit. There is no Milkflower sign (I love this) only a worn wood-fired pizza sign, see the picture. Zagat rated Milkflower 25 out of 30 and describes it as “Funky Neapolitan-style pies with a slight chew and fun starters. A carefully curated beer selection (I had the Narragansett Lager) keeps energetic crowds coming to this Astoria pizzeria.” Foursquare also ranked Milkflower the No. 1 pizza place in Queens, so I was excited to try it. Milkflower is the English transla-

tion from the Italian “Fior di Latte,” which is an Italian cheese slightly softer than mozzarella! I couldn’t wait until 2022, so I met my friend Adrian Miller (Founder of Adrian’s Network) at Milkflower for a Tuesday lunch in November. We shared the roasted beets, a salad and “The Queen” pie named after Queen Margherita. I call this the SAT of pizzerias. The only way to compare pizzerias is to try the same style of pie at each place. This was a great warm-up for my second Milkflower lunch visit in late January. My plan was to invite 6 people and we would try 6 personal pies. Due to COVID-19 and sketchy weather, it wound up to be the three of us, which was perfect because all three of us are serious “foodies!” I arrived early and was greeted by Zach. I handed him the November issue of This is Queens Borough Magazine (TIQ) and showed him the column I wrote on “Business Tips from Mick Jagger.” I told him I was now writing a magazine review on Milkflower for the March Madness edition of “A Slice of Queens” pizza. He said he was familiar with the magazine and seated me. We ordered roasted meatballs and the wood-fired octopus for starters. I was joined by Scott Bloom of Bloom Real Estate Group, LLC, and Ingrid Schwartz of Nest Abstract Title company in Manhattan. The meatballs were light, airy and very good. I couldn’t believe how good the octopus was, “to die for” as Ingrid put it! The first pie we ordered was the “Willy Mo!” This six-smallslice personal pie has tomato, garlic confit, meatballs, mozzarella, basil, and grana padano. Grana Padano is a cheese originating in the Po River valley in Northern Italy that is similar to Parmesan Reggiano cheese. Unbeknownst to us, Zach had phoned Pete Aggelatos, the owner and told him about our Queens pizza review column. This is Queens Borough Magazine has clout as Pete told us he left the dentist chair to come and meet with us

The three amigos enjoyed their visit to Milkflower pizza.

and talk Milkflower pizza. The “Willie Mo” pie arrived as soon as Pete did. Being a baseball fan, I asked Pete if the “Willie Mo” pie was named after former Boston Red Sox outfielder Wily Mo Pena. He said it was named after one of his employees. Pete is an interesting and humble guy. He served in the military and finished his Navy tour in 1999. He waited tables for a while in Northern California then moved to Queens. Pete spent years managing “Avra,” a Greek restaurant on the upper east side. In June of 2013, Pete and his brother Danny opened Milkflower. Danny had experience making pies at his uncle’s pizzeria in New Jersey for over 10 years where Pete and Danny grew up. Pete had been living in Astoria for six years and noticed there was no pizza on the block and the rest is history! As Pete was leaving, our second pie, the “Marky Marc” arrived. This pie consisted of tomato, fontina, speck, fresno chili and green olives. I was wrong again when I asked if it was named after Mark Wahlberg as Zach said it was named after a former employee.

The final pie came out shortly thereafter called “The Wu Tang Clam!” I didn’t have to ask about the name of this pie as I am a fan of oldschool hip hop. This pie is named after the “Wu Tang Clan,” which is a Staten-Island based 90’s hip hop group. The group was fond of “Kung-Fu movies” and Wu Tang is a sword wielded by invincible warriors. I don’t know about warriors or swords, however, this was one of the best pies I have ever tried in my life! It is a “flavor explosion,” topped with cherrystone clams, garlic, fresno chili, parsley, and grana padano. There is a highly rated pizzeria in New Haven, Conn., called Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana that is said to have the best clam pie. Scott had been there and said “the Milkflower Wu Tang Clam pie is better, and it’s not even close!” It is clear Queens Pizza has arrived! We want to hear from you. Email Rob@InsuranceDoctor. Us with suggestions of which Queens pizzeria and slice is your favorite right now?

March 2022 • Volume 18 • Issue 3

TECH SPOTLIGHT

This week’s featured tech entrepreneur is George Landrith, president of Frontiers of Freedom, a public policy think tank. Congress Must Protect IP from Big Tech and China

The U.S. economy runs on startups. For all of America’s megacorporations, it’s young firms that create most of our new jobs during periods of economic growth. Those startups depend on America’s famously strong laws protecting their inventions and intellectual property. The only way someone with a big idea but minimal resources can out-compete established firms is through government protection of their innovations. Today, we are failing in that responsibility. Our laxity is empowering predators foreign and domestic -- endangering not only the next Apple, Microsoft, or Facebook, but our entire economy. For years, the greatest threat to American intellectual property

has been China. Chinese IP piracy became endemic -- totaling an estimated $600 billion in costs to the U.S. per year. A CNBC survey of American corporations found that one-third had experienced IP theft by Chinese pirates. Testifying before Congress, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said, “I think it’s well documented that the Chinese government steals technology from American companies.” More telling than Zuckerberg’s acknowledgment was the strange equivocation by other Big Tech executives at the hearing. The CEOs of Apple, Amazon, and Google - individuals famous for their breadth of knowledge and laser focus on their businesses - all shrugged and testified only that they hadn’t personally seen any Chinese IP piracy. There is a reason those firms might not want to shine a light on IP theft: it’s a valuable part of their own business models. In January, the U.S. International Trade Commission issued a ruling

finding that Google infringed on five patents belonging to Sonos, a company that makes smart speakers. The story is a worst-case scenario for a startup. Sonos developed one of the most advanced wireless audio systems in the market - a product so impressive that Google wanted to partner with the company. Sonos alleges that early in the partnership, Google lifted Sonos-patented technology for Google’s own audio equipment. Sonos was no fluke. Google faced 48 patent infringement lawsuits in 2021. But Google is not the only perpetrator. In 2020, a federal jury ordered Amazon to pay $5 million to Texasbased Vocalife for infringing on its patents. Apple was recently ordered to pay $300 million in damages to Optis Wireless Technology for infringement. It’s no accident that the number of IP lawsuits rose in 2020 for the first time since 2015, and court awards rose to $4.67 billion from just $1.5 billion in 2019. It makes holding China to account much harder. If the richest and most powerful businesses in America are ignoring our intellectual property laws - why shouldn’t

our global adversaries? The issue here isn’t complicated: When laws against theft aren’t enforced, thieves are going to steal. Slaps on the wrist aren’t going to deter pickpockets in Beijing, Silicon Valley, or anywhere else. Congress has to tighten up our IP laws and stiffen penalties, and the Justice Department needs to ramp up enforcement while there are still startups left to save. This story originally ran in The Deseret News in January 2022.

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QUEENS CHAMBER NEWS & EVENTS CHAMBER LAUNCHES “QUEENS IS GREEN INITIATIVE” New initiative strives to make Queens the greenest and most energy efficient borough in the city, includes leading companies in solar, electric vehicles, and more. The Queens Chamber of Commerce, Queens’ oldest and largest business association, announced the launch of the “Queens is Green Initiative.” The initiative will feature industry leaders including Reliable Power Alternatives Corp. (RPAC), SUNation Solar Systems, Green Energy Technology (GET), Con Edison, and National Grid. “I am very excited to help the Queens membership and the great borough of Queens to control energy costs and become more environmentally responsible. We have accomplished these tasks for some of the largest energy users in New York and growing up in Queens, I understand the challenges businesses face with high energy prices and the associated costs to become green,” Stuart A. Belloff, executive vice president of Reliable Power Alternatives Corp, said. “The Chamber has a great sustainable vision and great leadership with Tom Grech at the helm. I look forward to working with all stakeholders in an effort to make Queens greener and a better place to live.“ This new energy partnership will help Queens Chamber members conserve energy and save money. Under the initiative, RPAC will provide Queens Chamber members with expert advice on sustainability, energy procurement, Local Laws 84, 87, 97, 133, and available incentives around efficiencies. “In New York City, we like to lead the way when it comes to innovative solutions to combat the reality of climate change,” New York City Mayor Eric Adams said. “Queens is setting the bar high! This new initiative will ensure residents have clean communities to live in and are saving money at the same time. This is proof that sustainable policies are good for New Yorkers, good for the economy, and good for our planet.”

As part of the Queens is Green Initiative, RPAC has created a lowcost carbon free electric pool for Queens Chamber members. The pool is a first of its kind that will aggregate the membership’s electric load in order to purchase lower cost energy with no long-term commitments. Members have the ability to optout with no penalties if they choose. “Queens knows all too well the drastic impacts climate change has had on our borough and the importance of investing in the use of clean, renewable energy. By connecting our small businesses with green energy industry leaders, this initiative will help ensure Queens remains a leader in combating climate change while significantly cutting energy costs for our local entrepreneurs still recovering financially from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “We’re grateful to the Queens Chamber of Commerce and all our clean energy partners for bringing this critical initiative in support of our businesses and our borough to fruition.” “I applaud the Queens Chamber of Commerce for paving the way to make Queens the greenest and most energy efficient borough in New York City,” New York City Council Member James F. Gennaro, chair of the New York City Council’s Committee on Environmental Protection, said. “This initiative will not only save businesses money during these uncertain times – but will also help Queens Chamber members conserve energy. These types of programs play a crucial role in addressing the very real threat that is climate change. I look forward to working with the Chamber and its partners for a greener and more sustainable New York City!” “An enhanced built environment benefits the quality of life for all Queens residents and the cost savings and efficiencies will be wel-

comed by hard-hit businesses,” Jay Solly, co-chair of the Queens Chamber of Commerce’s Energy and Environmental Committee, said. “The Chamber’s Energy & Environmental Committee looks forward to working with RPAC in the continued good work, as definitely, ‘Queens Is Green!’” “SUNation Solar Systems is very excited to be working closely with the Queens Chamber and Community members on their Green Initiative,” Scott Maskin, CEO of SUNation said. “It is a forward thinking initiative and with the many incentives available, SUNation can help homeowners change their traditional energy to renewable energy very easily.” “We at Green Energy Technology know the future is now and that Queens will be at the center of all the initiatives in New York City,” John M. Comack, the founding member of Green Energy Technology, said. “Our vision for the future is in total alignment with the Queens Chamber and working with Energy & Environmental Committee and his team will make all of New York a better and cleaner City and State for EV Charging Stations and infrastructure for businesses to grow and prosper.” “Reducing energy use is one of the key pillars of National Grid’s Net Zero commitment coupled with the efficient use of existing energy infrastructure and the strategic deployment of renewable technologies,” Bryan Grimaldi, vice president of New York corporate affairs with National Grid, said. “We value our relationship with the Queens Chamber and doing our part to help the borough achieve its sustainability vision and continue to thrive.” “Con Edison is proud to support the Queens Chamber and its members to advance incentives that will accelerate energy efficiency upgrades, reduce the use of fossil fuels, and implement new technologies to ensure a seamless transition to clean

energy,” Richard S. David, director of Queens Regional Community Affairs with Con Edison, said. “We look forward to helping businesses across Queens and beyond to reduce their energy costs and stay up to code with local laws.” “The Queens Chamber of Commerce is proud to convene this group of Chamber members and other industry leaders in an effort to help businesses not only save their hard earned dollars, but also make Queens the greenest county in the largest city in America,” Thomas J. Grech, president and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce, said. “By bringing together Chamber members Reliable Power Alternatives Co., SUNation Solar Systems, Green Energy Technology, National Grid and Con Edison, we will help our businesses become more energy efficient, and ensure Queens is leading the way in the fight against climate change.” In addition to providing this valuable service that helps Chamber members conserve energy and save money, the “Queens is Green” initiative will also play a lead role in organizing a substantive team to respond to the request for public comment on the Climate Action Council Draft Scoping Plan to ensure Queens’ interests are represented in the final plan. The 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act represents one of the most ambitious climate laws in the world. The law created the Climate Action Council, which is tasked with developing a draft scoping plan that serves as an initial framework for how New York State will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve net-zero emissions, increase renewable energy usage, and ensure climate justice. The period for public comment on the Climate Action Council Draft Scoping Plan began on Jan. 1, 2022.

March 2022 • Volume 18 • Issue 3

COVER STORY

HOW DOUGH BROKE INTO THE INDUSTRY TO BECOME THE GO-TO DOUGHNUT OF THE STARS

By Daniel Offner

Dough Doughnuts began as a small business in Bed-Stuy and in less than 10 years’ time, they grew into a city-wide favorite among celebrities, businesses, and international tourists. Their oversized brioche-style dough gives them a unique look and texture to any other breakfast pastry and many have taken notice, including people like Chrissy Teigen, Kevin Durant, Conor McGregor, Christie Brinkley, and Stephen Colbert just to name a few. They can even be seen in the hit HBO original series Billions. Steve Klein, co-owner of Dough Doughnuts, spoke with Queensborough Magazine in front of his store on 31 St. in Astoria. He said that growing up he went to school in Canarsie with worldrenowned businessman and author, Howard Schultz, who is best known as the former CEO of Starbucks. It was during Schultz’s reign as the coffee shop king that Klein first had the idea to get into the doughnut business. “What goes with coffee? Doughnuts!” Klein said. “It’s like a match made in heaven.” At the time, there had not been a national doughnut chain since 1968 when Dunkin Donuts officially went public. Klein started by seeking out a talented chef and his French partner, who he said had a top-notch product but didn’t have the vision needed to expand. The two quickly

Dough Doughnuts are not your average everyday pastry became partners and began to figure out a business plan that would help spread their unique doughnut recipe all across the city. The Dough brand began by testing their oversized doughnuts at Smorgasburg events in Brooklyn. Based on the overall reception they soon began to expand by providing their superior product in stores and local coffee shops throughout the city. Having built the business from scratch, they began to put a business plan into action, but things

The line outside Dough Doughnuts location in Manhattan

didn’t go so easy at the start. They found that they needed to balance the cost of goods and it took them time in order to learn from their mistakes before they were finally able to synergize the plan with the product. In October of 2014, they officially opened their Flatiron location at 14 W 19th Street in Manhattan. Today, this location serves as their central kitchen, where all of the doughnuts are hand-made and prepared fresh for customers to enjoy. Following the success at their other locations, they soon opened up their first Queens location in Astoria. Less than a block from Ditmars Avenue, their shop at 21-70 31st Street is located right in the heart of the Astoria community. Today they are open in five different locations spread out across the five boroughs. Klein said that when it came to the Astoria location, understanding real estate was essential. He picked his location carefully, hoping to

provide people with easy “Grab-nGo” access which made the storefront’s parking and subway access pivotal to the plan. “We’re going to be a destination,” Klein said in regards to his plans for the company. “We can’t just be a fad.” Since the company began they have grown to be the largest artisanal donut company in the city. They are open 7 days a week, 365 days out of the year, and were one of the few companies to continue to produce through the pandemic. In fact, during the pandemic Dough Doughnuts began its own donating platform, providing entire hospitals with their tasty oversized pastries for free. While we were chatting, a woman named Phyllis (@phyllissharp72) stopped by. She stops by the story nearly everyday at closing to take some unsold doughnuts to either a homeless shelter, caregiver facility, school or senior home. So, what could possibly be next for this delectable doughnut company? Currently, they are working in partnership with Nintendo to create CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

WINNING ON THE FIELD, THRIVING IN THE COMMUNITY.

“We chose Ridgewood because they’re front and center in our community. You can sense their commitment.” Brian O.F. Peterkin VP of Operations & Programming New York Crusaders

When the New York Crusaders needed a financial partner, they turned to their neighbor: Ridgewood Savings Bank. Just like the football-based nonprofit, Ridgewood is committed to supporting financial wellness and opportunity in our community.

Connect with our local team today. www.ridgewoodbank.com | (844) 772-4722

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love WHERE YOU

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

166-07 Hillside Avenue Jamaica, NY 11432 718.291.3331 • application@zararealty.com

March 2022 • Volume 18 • Issue 3

NONPROFIT NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7

honored as “Chefs of the Year” at the event. “We select people who have made a difference in their communities in some way, shape or form,” said Gennaro. “Rhonda and Tom are both exemplary people in the community who have served Queens well, either through funding or supporting initiatives in the community. “They are honorees, but unlike most events where you put them up in front and praise them, we put them in front of a crowd and make them serve food,” she added. While guests sample food and enjoy an open bar, they will be entertained by DJ Mike Kouros, comedians Suzanne Windland and Usama Siddiquee, magician Apollo Riego and Jim Altamore, a Frank Sinatra impersonator. Although a remote option will be available to guests who cannot attend, Gennaro said the entertainment experience is part of what makes the live event so exciting. “No one has ever been disappointed with the atmosphere,” she said. “There’s just such an energy to the event that just draws you in, and we work really hard to make that happen. “We set the bar high every year, we try different things all the time and we always want to make it better,” Gennaro continued. “This year, we have quite the challenge ahead of us, but we’re very excited about bringing it back.” Tickets to the event are $135 per person, and can be purchased at queenscp.org until March 13.

teachers, and others in the community. Classes will be offered from April 19 – June 23 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Participants will have a choice of morning (9 a.m. – noon) or evening (6 – 9 p.m.) classes. If you or someone you know is interested in learning English this spring, email us at English@ scsny.org.

PFLAG Read with Love PFLAG National has launched “Read With Love,” a campaign supporting the freedom to learn for all students, no matter their race, genders, or zip code. Beginning March 2, supporters can join Don Lemon and other influencers by using the hashtag #ReadWithLove to share the banned books they are reading, the actions they are taking to donate books to libraries, and their support of honest and inclusive education. “Defending students’ ability to learn about history, science, human development and even the topics that interest them should not be an issue, but lately, it has become a necessity, especially for families of LGBTQ+ students,” Jean-Marie Navetta, Director of Learning and Inclusion for PFLAG National, said. “‘Read with Love’ is about offering an entrypoint for community members who are appalled by efforts to censor what our kids learn. It’s about empowering youth with tools to think critically. It’s about doing what PFLAGers do best: we lead with love. And when you read with love, you can make a difference.”

Sunnyside Community Services ESOL Program

NY Cares hosts 33rd annual Coat Drive

Registration for our free English for Speakers of Other Languages classes opens in midMarch. The classes are taught by expert ESOL instructors. The curriculum was created to meet the needs of all immigrants. Each day will help you to build the skills you need to communicate with employers, doctors, landlords, your children’s

The 33rd Annual Coat Drive was a shining example of #NewYorkCity at its best—volunteers, donors, and community partners came together to show how New Yorkers truly warm one another up, inside and out. Even through the challenges of the pandemic—we persisted and improved. NY Cares far surpassed our fundraising goal of $600,000, and

more than 63,000 coats were distributed. In addition, thanks to our new Coats+ campaign, 262,889 nutritious meals were served. Coat Drive 2021 would not have been possible without the steadfast support of our partners, including Bloomberg Philanthropies, New York Mets and Master & Dynamic. Thank you for bringing warmth, comfort, and nutritious meals to tens of thousands of New Yorkers. We couldn’t do it without you. We invite you to continue serving our communities by volunteering or donating.

Boys & Girls Club host Spring swim sessions Variety Boys and Girls Club in LIC will be hosting Learn-toSwim sessions for children. Learn this essential skill at VBGCQ. Expert instructors will cover everything from their first splash all the way to skilled and selfassured swimming. Due to the COVID-19 virus, VBGCQ is only offering small group lessons with a 4:1 ratio. The Spring session will begins this March and continues through June. Registration is open to new and existing members who wish to reserve a spot for the spring session. For more information visit bgcqueens.org/swimlessons.

Over 5,000 Blood Donations made at the Shops at Atlas Park Hundreds of blood drives have been canceled since the start of the pandemic, however, thanks to the continued effort made by The Shops at Atlas Park, the New York Blood Center was able to receive much need donations over the last two years. “When the New York Blood Center needed partners to host blood drives, The Shops at Atlas Parks stepped up,” Andrea Cefarelli, senior executive director at New York Blood Center, said. “This continued partnership has helped us get through some of the most difficult moments of the pandemic and in our organization’s history.”

For the last two years, The Shops at Atlas Park have provided space to host blood drives that resulted in a total 5,811 donations - equivalent to 17,433 lives saved - providing the blood necessary for transfusions and other medical emergencies. The location has served as a central hub for the New York Blood Center, which does not currently have a presence in Queens. This has also helped to serve donors who may have been limited in travel options due to COVID-19. Earlier this year, the Blood Center announced a blood emergency as the region’s supply has remained critically low. Blood centers across the country are and have been suffering from shortages since the start of the pandemic in March 2020. Prior to the pandemic, 50,000 annual blood donations were made at high schools, but concerns about COVID-19 cases has made it nearly impossible for them to host blood drives in the past year. “When the COVID-19 pandemic forced many blood donation sites and drives to close, Atlas Park was there and opened their space to New York Blood Center over the last two years,” New York State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. said in a statement. In celebration of the life-saving work performed by the Blood Center, Addabbo along with City Councilman Robert Holden held an awards presentation last week to honor The Shops at Atlas Park’s General Manager Peter DeLucia. “We are so thankful to be a part of a community that comes together to support each other,” DeLucia said. “This award wouldn’t be possible if not for people generously donating much needed blood.” Holden said that the community’s effort to donate blood has been critical towards helping save lives during the pandemic. For more information and to make and appointment for an upcoming blood drive, interested donors can call 1 (800) 933-2566 or visit nybc.org/atlaspark.

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

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Pols partner with Juice 101 for PPE distribution Community members rewarded for activism, contributions

By Jessica Meditz jmeditz@queensledger.com Benjamin Robinson, a certified personal trainer, continued his mission of providing others with options for healthy lifestyles when he opened Juice 101 in 2018. Located at 97-16 101st Avenue in Ozone Park, Juice 101 offers accessible and affordable healthy food options to the community in the form of juices, smoothies, bowls and more. Partnering with local elected officials assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar, state senator Joseph Addabbo and council member Joann Ariola, Robinson held a community PPE distribution at Juice 101 on Feb. 24. Residents of Ozone Park gathered at Juice 101 to thank Robinson for his contributions to the neighborhood and to collect disposable masks and hand sanitizer as the state of COVID19 remains uncertain. Robinson is grateful to be able to provide the community with PPE, because many people do not have access to those products.

“Health is inside and out; health is what you do with your body internally, what you ingest,” said Robinson. “To keep yourself healthy is how you protect yourself, like washing your hands, wearing masks and using hand sanitizer.” Rajkumar said that she feels it’s important to have small businesses like Juice 101 that promote healthy lifestyles in south Queens. “You are what you eat, and if you eat well, you become healthier and your life is better,” she said. “Mr. Robinson brought his creative energy to our community and founded this incredible business. We need more healthy eating shops in this district.” She also emphasized the importance of distributing COVID supplies in the district as the omicron variant subsides, because new variants are always a threat. Rajkumar awarded Robinson with a proclamation from the state of New York for his work in the community, which includes various charitable endeavors including free wellness shots, yearly backpack and PPE distributions, coat and

toy drives, raising breast cancer awareness and hosting a youth conference. Rahana Rampershad, a resident who works on efforts to instate gender equality and human trafficking prevention, co-partnered with Robinson on various community outreach projects. Robinson and Rampershad were both honored with various awards from the offices of elected officials, including Rajkumar, Borough President Donovan Richards and Mayor Eric Adams. Sherry Algredo, a longtime community advocate, organized the event and hopes that the rest of Queens is able to discover and support Juice 101. “Ben does such a great job supporting the community and providing affordable, healthy eating options in a neighborhood where junk food is everywhere,” said Algredo. “I hope the community sees the work he’s doing and continues to support Juice 101 and other small businesses like it. And I’m so grateful for our elected officials who came out to support and distribute necessary COVID supplies.”

HERSTORY: “AN INDEPENDENT WOMAN” By Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato, 23rd Assembly District, Queens The late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg said, “My mother told me to be a lady. And for her, that meant be your own person, be independent.” These are words that have stuck with me because it was my mother who taught me that being a lady means to be your own person, be independent. With the start of March, it is officially Women’s History Month. In the last few years there has never been a more critical time to celebrate women, their accomplishments and yes, their independence. We have seen over and over the women of our Borough, City and State standing up, being bold and taking on positions. Independent doesn’t mean you are against or unaffiliated with something, but rather you have the ability and courage to think and act on your own. I have lived my life as an independent person, not afraid to stand up with the strength to say “I agree” because it is what I believe is correct, or even “I disagree” because I believe it to be wrong or not needed. In fact, I learned this trait from my mother, my mentor, Audrey, who served as the Assemblywoman for South Queens for over 24 years.

My mother is a pioneer who helped lead the charge in our State for women. To this day she inspires me, and now she inspires my daughter. Her trailblazing efforts, and the independent thinking of all women, have helped make it possible for what we have today: HERstory. For the first time ever our Governor is a woman, Kathy Hochul. We have a woman Majority Leader in the State Assembly with Crystal Peoples-Stokes, and have an incredible Senate Majority Leader, Andrea Stewart-Cousins. This year, women have continued to break the glass ceiling as we have the first woman of color as the Speaker of the New York City Council, Adrienne Adams - and yes, she’s from Queens.

It was our own Claire Schulman who was the first woman to hold the position of Queens Borough President and brought our borough to new heights. And it is the first time in history that women are the majority in the New York City Council. One thing all these women have, something I admire and am glad to be associated with, is their independence- something that has driven and drives all of these women to not only have a seat at the table, but to bring an extra chair for the next generation of women. Look at my mother and myself, we made HERstory as the first mother-daughter team to represent a district in the New York State Assembly. There have been countless father-son teams, and even brother-brother teams; but only recently was there finally a mother and then a daughter who went on to represent their community. And what better place for that history to have occurred than in Queens, and in the 23rd Assembly District. As we celebrate Women’s History Month, let us be grateful for our free-thinking, multitasking, hardworking grandmothers, mothers, aunts, sisters and friends who showed us that to be a lady means having an independent voice. Happy Women’s History Month!

March 2022 • Volume 18 • Issue 3

RESTAURANT OWNERS RALLY FOR REPLENISHMENT OF RRF By Evan Triantafilidis evant@queensledger.com

The economic burden of the pandemic has taken more than a bite out of New York City restaurants and their sales. Frank McCawley, owner of McGee’s Pub in Midtown Manhattan, is celebrating one year of remaining open this February. Before that, he endured a long eight-month closure. McCawley and some of his fellow restaurant owners joined Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney in Long Island City last week to call on Congress to replenish the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF). “When we opened last February, we were doing about 10 percent of what we usually do,” said McCawley, who said the pub currently brings in about half of what it did pre-pandemic. “It stayed like that for a couple of months. It’s been really tough.” The fund helped secure $28.6 billion for the restaurant industry last year. Over 27,000 applications came from New York State alone, with 9,775 restaurants receiving over $3.6 billion in aid. Maloney said there are more restaurants in her district than in

Michael Muzyk, president of Baldor Specialty Foods, made a plea to Congress to lend financial help to struggling restaurants in New York City and across the country. the entirety of some states, and that “people come to New York to go to our restaurants.” A trio of bills spearheaded

Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney is calling for the replenishment of the Restaurant Relief Fund.

by the congresswoman would replenish the fund with $60 billion in new relief money, create new protections in the form of business interruption insurance, and rework the Paycheck Protection Program. “The restaurant industry is a major economic driving force for our economy,” said Maloney. “We lost so many businesses, many were not able to come back.” The day the initial RRF began accepting applications, the entire $28.6 billion was spent within hours, said Maloney. Within three weeks, the Small Business Administration received more than 362,000 applications requesting more than $75 billion in aid. From pivoting to outdoor dining and to-go offerings, restaurants have been forced to get creative to survive. Michael Muzyk, president of Baldor Specialty Foods,

said his company pivoted to home deliveries at the start of the pandemic, but many small businesses were not able to hang on during the past two years. “If restaurants fail the community fails, and if the community fails, the city fails and the country fails,” said Muzyk. “It took 30 years to build some businesses, and some were gone in 30 minutes.” For McCawley, finding new employees has also proven to be a struggle. He said he’s happy his head chef is back working with him now after nearly moving to Alabama. With St. Patrick’s Day just a few weeks away, he said he’s looking forward to some extra business during tough times, but “one day doesn’t make up for two years.”

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH “Chris Barca is a talented communications professional who has demonstrated a high level of dedication to the important work of this administration, as well as the overall health and well-being of our borough. I look forward to his leadership and the continued success of the entire Communications Department as Queens’ historic comeback advances into 2022 and beyond,” Borough President Donovan Richards said. “In a little more than one year, our administration has achieved so much for the families of Queens, and Breeana Mulligan has been instrumental in that success. An exemplary public servant and friend, Breeana will be deeply missed at Queens Borough Hall. I wish her nothing but the best in her future endeavors and thank her for all she has done to uplift The World’s Borough.”

queenschamber.org Dr. Bentley is a graduate of Bucknell University, the New Jersey Medical School, and the Mount Sinai-Elmhurst Emergency Medicine Residency Program. She is an Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine and Medical Education at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. She is a board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician, fellowship trained simulation specialist, and has also served as the Medical Director of the Simulation Center at NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst since 2014.

NYC Health + Hospitals and Elmhurst Hospital announced three new appointments Dr. Suzanne Bentley has been named as the hospital’s Chief Wellness Officer. In this newly created role, Dr. Bentley will oversee the coordination, management, and implementation of wellness programming for hospital employees, including initiatives related to fostering emotional, physical, social, and mental health. Dr. Bentley’s new role builds off her work during the COVID-19 pandemic, where she coordinated and helped lead employee wellness and mental health support services. She will work closely with hospital leadership to design wellness programming tailored to fit the needs of a diverse workforce made up of close to 4,000 employees. In addition to her new responsibilities, Dr. Bentley will continue her work in simulation as the Director of Simulation Innovation, Research & Scholarship of NYC Health + Hospitals/ Elmhurst’s Simulation Center and as an emergency medicine physician at the hospital. Aiding the System Chief Wellness Officer in the improvement and implementation of enterprise-wide well-being initiatives, Dr. Bentley is a member of the NYC Health + Hospitals Workforce Wellness Taskforce, the Helping Healers Heal (H3) Steering Team, the Combating Stigma Workgroup, and a system lead for delivering HERO-NY/Helping Healers Heal Wellness & Resilience Training. In her new role as Elmhurst’s Chief Wellness Officer, she will combine her passion and commitment to workforce wellness with her expertise in education and debriefing and vast experience in promoting a culture of safety and responsibility in healthcare environments.

GUZMAN

David Guzman, MPA, FAB, will serve as Elmhurst’s new Chief Operating Officer (COO). He previously worked for several years as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the hospital, where he managed a staff of 300 in the Patient Accounts, Revenue Integrity, Medical Records, Utilization Management, Care Management, Managed Care, Budget, Grants, Financial Counseling, and Registration departments. As COO, Guzman will be responsible for the optimal and efficient operations of NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst, which includes the oversight of high quality, cost effective, and integrated clinical programs at one of the City of New York’s largest healthcare facilities. He will also be responsible for the implementation of key strategic projects. In 2021, Guzman was named to Crain’s list of New York City’s Notable Hispanic Leaders and Executives. He holds a Master of Public Administration degree from Baruch College, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Hunter College. Dr. Laura Iavicoli has been appointed as Deputy Chief Medical Officer. In this role, Dr. Iavicoli will work closely with Dr. Jasmin Moshirpur, the hospital’s Chief Medical Officer, to oversee quality improvement, risk management, patient safety, and medical department service line operations. She will also be assisting with facility growth initiatives and system service line operations.

Dr. Iavicoli, an experienced and seasoned board-certified emergency medicine physician with an expertise in disaster preparedness and pandemic response, previously served as NYC Health + Hospitals system-wide Assistant Vice President for Emergency Management. She played a pivotal role in guiding the hospital through the first COVID-19 surge, using her background in disaster management to develop new and innovative procedures and treatment protocols in the hospital. Dr. Iavicoli is an emergency medicine physician at NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst, where she’s practiced for 20 years. Dr. Laura Iavicoli has worked as an emergency medicine physician at NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst since 2001. During her time at Elmhurst, she’s held the title of Associate Director of the Emergency Department and Clinical Emergency Management and Emergency Medicine Services Director. She’s also served as the Sexual Assault Response Team Director for NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens. Dr. Iavicoli has devoted much of her career to emergency management issues, with publications, trainings and seminars pertaining to disaster preparedness, including pandemic response, terrorism and mass casualty incidents. She has also been a disaster relief team member for more than 10 years for New York City and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). She most recently served as NYC Health + Hospitals’ Assistant Vice President of Emergency Management for the system. She is a graduate of Boston University. She received her Doctor of Medicine degree from Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at the State University of New Jersey. “I am extremely pleased to welcome these three dedicated healthcare professionals as they take on exciting new leadership roles here at Elmhurst,” NYC Health + Hospitals/ Elmhurst Chief Executive Officer Helen Arteaga Landaverde, MPH, said. “Dr. Iavicoli, Dr. Bentley and Mr. Guzman have a deep commitment to our patients. They have all been instrumental in helping us through the unprecedented healthcare disaster brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. ”

For more information about programs and services at NYC Health + Hospitals/ Elmhurst, please call 844-NYC-4NYC or visit nychealthandhospitals.org/ Elmhurst.

March 2022 • Volume 18 • Issue 3

NEW QBG HEAD TAKES GARDEN TO NEXT LEVEL Work on new Education Center slated to begin in fall

By Jessica Meditz jmeditz@queensledger.com

Evie Hantzopoulos began her role as the executive director of the Queens Botanical Garden in late January, just in time to see her favorite plant, the red dogwood, in its prime. In the same way the dogwood’s stems turn a beautiful bright red in the winter, Hantzopoulos brings a bright new perspective to the 39-acre oasis in Flushing. She fills the shoes of Susan Lacerte, who held the position for 27 years and brought the garden back to life during a time of crisis. “I’m super grateful for the work Susan has done, like helping to make the new Visitor and Administration Building happen and expanding the collections,” said Hantzopoulos. “Now I think about how I can build on her incredible work and honor the work that she did, and then really work with the staff and the community to take the garden to the next level.” Originally from Massachusetts, Hantzopoulos lives in Astoria with her husband and three children, and has called Queens her home for nearly 24 years. Although her background is not in environmental horticulture, Hantzopoulos feels passionately about gardening and environmental causes. “My parents were both farmers when they lived in Greece, and they brought a lot of that knowledge with them when they came here,” she said. “I garden in my backyard, and when my kids were younger I helped bring gardens to their schools. “I know a bit as an amateur, but I’m going to be learning a lot in terms of horticulture and working in the garden,” she added. “I’m very grateful we have experts here who really know their stuff.” Hantzopoulos has extensive experience managing nonprofits. She served has worked at Global Kids for the last 25 years, the final 11 years serving as executive director.

Evie Hantzopoulos speaks at the garden’s recent Lunar New Year celebration. (Photo/ Josh Feinberg) Global Kids is a nonprofit organization that works with kids in all five boroughs, focusing on youth development, civic engagement and global education in underserved communities. In addition to developing the organization’s programs and expanding its outreach to different cities, Hantzopoulos spent time mentoring educators and teaching workshops. “Children add a perspective to the conversation that is really meaningful and critical,” she said. “Everyone questions how much

they know, but children have thoughts, ideas, experiences and viewpoints that should be listened to, because a lot of times it’s their future we’re talking about.” Hantzopoulos is excited to continue her journey as an educator through her new role at the Queens Botanical Garden, especially with a $34 million state-of-the-art Education Center on the horizon. The building, which is expected to break ground in the fall, will allow staff to serve more than double the amount of people through expanded programming. “Right now, our education

building is not serving our needs,” said Hantzopoulos. “It’s very limited. “Also during COVID, there’s limitations on how many people we can have in the building,” she added. “This new building is going to be designed to be adaptable, with indoor and outdoor classrooms.” Hantzopoulos has been a member of Community Board 1 since 2010, and also co-founded Frontline Foods Queens, which distributes meals to frontline workers, NYCHA residents and food pantries. She is a founding member of Astoria Mutual Aid Network, Astoria Urban Ecology Alliance, and 31st Avenue Open Street. She recently ran in the Democratic Primary for City Council in Astoria. “The experience was certainly different than anything I’ve ever done before, and I learned a lot,” Hantzopoulos said of the campaign. “Now I’m figuring out how to serve the city and community in a different capacity.” Hantzopoulos acknowledged that although the garden looks a bit different during the colder months, it is still a serene escape from the chaos of Flushing’s busy streets. She feels optimistic about the warmer months to come, as indicated by the 2,500 people who attended the recent Lunar New Year celebration at the garden. But most of all, Hantzopoulos is grateful to be able to wake up every morning and go to work at such a beautiful place. “I wanted to pick a place where I could fully get behind its mission and potential, as well as somewhere that I could marry my different interests,” she said. “I found a great group of people and a beautiful space that so many people love,” she added. “Now, it’s about working with the team to figure out how to build upon the foundation and really showcase just how special of a place it is.”

Evie Hantzopoulos is the new executive director of the Queens Botanical Garen. (Photo: Eryn Hatzithomas)

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

PROMOTIONS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & APPOINTMENTS Scott Fradenburg Joins Cord Meyer Development as VP of Construction Scott Fradenburg has joined Cord Meyer Development as Vice President Construction. A veteran real estate executive with more than 10 years of experience in the multi-family industry, Fradenburg comes to Cord Meyer from AvalonBay Communities, Inc., one of the largest owners of apartments in the United States. “I had the pleasure of working with Scott at AvalonBay and saw firsthand how he managed and delivered projects on time and within budget,” observed Cord Meyer President and Chief Executive Officer Matthew Whalen, who served as Senior Vice President of Development at AvalonBay before joining Cord Meyer in 2019. “Scott’s extensive knowledge of construction management, financial operations, employee relations, and project planning and design will serve us well as Cord Meyer explores new development opportunities. Our board of directors and everyone at Cord Meyer joins me in welcoming Scott.” At AvalonBay, which he joined in 2011, Fradenburg monitored daily construction and evaluated project progress, contract compliance, and safety. Additional responsibilities included managing project operations, budget, and timeline and collaborating with clientele and subcontracts. As construction manager of AvalonBay’s Long Island Regional construction division, Fradenburg assisted development pipeline construction budgeting, contract negotiations, and all facets of construction management. With roots in construction as a contractor more than 30 years ago, Fradenburg has also served as Vice President for a regional furniture chain during a major expansion period. Additional past positions were in chain management in the eco-friendly construction supply chain industry and closet manufacturing. Incorporated in 1904, Cord Meyer Development Company sets the standard for real estate development throughout the borough of Queens. In addition to prestigious commercial and retail properties, including The Bay Terrace Shopping Center, the company is responsible for the development of award-winning apartment buildings, single family homes, and the

high-rise condominium projects The Windsor at Forest Hills and The Aston, built in 2005 and 2015 respectively. Current residential development includes Bay Lane Estates in Bayside, Queens. More information on Cord Meyer Development Company is available at www. cordmeyer.com.

Jennifer Jarvis Named VP of Students Affairs at Queens College

JARVIS

Queens College President Frank H. Wu has appointed Jennifer Jarvis to the position of vice president for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. Jarvis has been serving as the assistant vice president for Student Affairs since 2012 and has helmed the office for the past year. The enrollment responsibilities of her new position will enable her to help the college to better serve students. Jarvis’ relationship with Queens College dates to 1995, when she joined the college as assistant director of Student Life. Since that time, she has served in a variety of positions, including director of Student Life, executive director of the Student Union, and executive director of Student Development. Jarvis holds a Master of Education from James Madison University

GREENE

Lindsay Greene named new head of Brooklyn navy yard Mayor Adams has announced that the Brooklyn Navy Yard Developmentment Corporation will be headed by the first Black woman and first openly LGBTQ+ CEO. Lindsay Greene, who was announced in a February 23 press conference, will oversee the development of over 500 businesses and 11,000 employees as a center of urban manufacturing and innovation. As CEO of the Navy Yard, Greene will work to recruit people from underserved communities for jobs. “I am grateful to Mayor Adams for the opportunity to lead the Yard through its next phase, with a focus on building local businesses, creating pathways for worker advancement, and ensuring that the people shaping the inventions, tools, and companies of the future are as diverse as our great city,” Greene said at the press conference. “The success of the Yard comes from its workers, tenants, and neighbors, and I look forward to a continued strong partnership with local residents and leaders, elected officials, and the people working across the campus to cement the Brooklyn Navy Yard as an inclusive economic hub.” Greene has previously served as a senior advisor and deputy mayor for housing economic development from September 2015 to March 2020. Most recently, she worked as chief strategy officer and executive vice president for the New York City Economic Development Corporation. “I’ve worked with Lindsay for many years and am thrilled that she’ll bring her vision, energy, and leadership to the Navy Yard as it enters its next phase of growth,” said David Ehrenberg, outgoing president and CEO of the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation.

March 2022 • Volume 18 • Issue 3

“Time to make the Doughnuts”

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11 a pink Kirby doughnut in preparation for the upcoming launch of Kirby and the Forgotten Land on Nintendo Switch. Klein said they hope to continue to scale their operation to try and go national and possibly even international. They are also working on coming up with new types of infused doughnuts that nobody has ever done before. All of their products are handmade with organic ingredients and

certified Kosher. And they even offer vegan doughnuts for those who don’t partake of eggs and dairy. Their locations also provide delivery through DoorDash, GrubHub, and UberEats. They also ship nationwide, and while they do not provide wholesale any longer, they still provide large orders for catering. To learn more about the company and its locations visit their website at doughdoughnuts.com

Dough barista Emily Suarez has been working at the Astoria location for almost a year.

FAQS Q: Did You Know? Doughnuts were first introduced by Dutch settlers on their voyage to New York City? Q: What are some popular flavors? Plain Glaze & Cinnamon Sugar, but Dulce de Leche and Nutella are close runner-ups. Q: What are some other flavors? Blueberry Lemon, Hibiscus, Lychee Rose, Passion Fruit, Raspberry White Chocolate, Salted Chocolate Carmel, Peanut butter Crunch, and

Boston Cream Q: How many people do you have on staff? 40 employees total Q: How many doughnuts do you make each day? Approximately 4,000 doughnuts are made each day. Q: Where can I find these doughnuts? We have locations at Rockefeller Center, Urbanspace Vanderbilt, and the Flatiron Building in Manhattan.

We also have locations in Astoria, Queens and on Vanderbilt Ave. in Brooklyn. Q: Where can I find these doughnuts? We have locations at Rockefeller Center, Urbanspace Vanderbilt, and the Flatiron Building in Manhattan. We also have locations in Astoria, Queens and on Vanderbilt Ave. in Brooklyn. Q: How many pounds of flour do you use a month? 10,000 pounds of flour. Q: About how many doughnuts do you make a month? Approximately 90,000 doughnuts are made a month.

Q: How often do you change your flavors? We have all-year round flavors you can find all the time. We try to change the menu ever month to two months based on the season. Q: What kind of oil do you use? We use Canola Oil to fry our dough. Q: Are your doughnuts glutenfree? No, but you never know, we might develop something in the future. Q: Do you offer different sized doughnuts? At the stores, our sizes are always the same, about 4 inches but you can order party doughnuts (about 3.5 inches) or mini (about 3 inches).

Dough Donuts are all made fresh daily and hand dipped and glazed. 19

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

IT’S TAX TIME!

queenschamber.org

EXPERT ADVICE

IMPORTANT FILINGS REQUIRED FOR EXECUTORS AND GRANTORS/TRUSTEES OF TRUSTS By Ronald A. Fatoullah, Esq. and Stacey Meshnick, Esq. During tax season, clients who have engaged in estate planning must be aware of tax documents that have to be filed as a result of creating trusts or being an Executor of an estate. ESTATES There are two kinds of taxes owed by an estate: one on the transfer of assets from the decedent to his or her beneficiaries and heirs (the estate tax), and another on income generated by assets of the decedent’s estate (the income tax). When an individual dies, his or her assets become the property of the estate. Any income those assets generate is also part of the estate and may trigger the requirement to file an estate income tax return. Examples of assets that would generate income to the decedent’s estate include savings accounts, CDs, stocks, bonds, mutual funds and rental property. If the gross income for the estate or trust was $600 or greater, the executor/trustee must file a federal income tax return. Typically, the estate calendar year starts on the day of the estate owner’s death and ends on December 31 of the same year. The executor, however, can file an election to choose a fiscal year, which means the tax year ends on the last day of the month before the one year anniversary of death. The 1041 is due by the 15th day of the fourth month after the tax year end. If you file in December, the estate has a calendar tax year. If you file in any other month, the estate has a fiscal tax year. The tax year for trusts is based on a calendar year (unless the executor and trustee make an election to treat the estate and trust as one for tax purposes). Income that accumulates in a trust rather than being distributed is taxed at a higher rate than the individual rate. TRUSTS Taxation of a trust is dependent upon the type of trust. There are simple trusts and complex trusts. All income of a simple trust must be distributed to a beneficiary. As such, the beneficiary pays tax on his or her portion of the trust income, whether received or not. The income of a complex trust can accumulate, and the trust takes a deduction for any income required to be distributed, if the trust terms require the trustee to distribute

income in the tax year. Also allowed is a deduction for any other amounts properly paid or credited or required to be distributed other than current income, including income or principal payments made in the trustee’s discretion, annuity payments from principal, amounts used to discharge a beneficiary’s legal obligation and amounts paid pursuant to a court order. GRANTOR TRUSTS VS. NONGRANTOR TRUSTS A grantor trust gives the grantor (creator) right to the trust’s assets and/or income and are treated as the owners of the trust assets. On the other hand, a non-grantor trust is a separate entity from the creator. As a result, it is treated as a separate taxpayer. As stated below, the separate treatment allows deductions on an estate tax return. However, for the same reason, it will pay its own tax on any income that is not distributed to beneficiaries. DEDUCTIONS On the IRS Form 1041, estates and non-grantor trusts can take deductions for distributions to beneficiaries, executor’s fees, attorney and accountant fees, etc. Whether an individual has been given the responsibility to act as an Administrator or Executor of an Estate, or has established a trust with regard to personal estate planning, it is wise to consult with a tax advisor as well as an elder law attorney who is knowledgeable in the law, planning and tax compliance. Ronald A. Fatoullah, Esq. is the founder of Ronald Fatoullah & Associates, a law firm that concentrates in elder law, estate planning, Medicaid planning, guardianships, estate administration, trusts, wills, and real estate. Stacey Meshnick Esq. is an elder law attorney with the firm. The law firm can be reached at 718-261-1700 or 516-466-4422. This summary is not legal advice and does not create any attorneyclient relationship. Before the firm can provide legal advice, the specific facts at issue must be reviewed by the firm and the firm must have a signed engagement letter with a client setting forth the Firm’s scope and terms of representation.

IS YOUR QUEENS CONDO / CO-OP COVERED FOR ROOF DAMAGE? By Philip Maltaghati President of United Public Adjuster and Appraisers Inc. Winter into Spring is as good a time as any to discuss liability coverage for the roof structure of your condo or co-op. That is because homeowners, tenants, and even property owners and property managers may be in the dark as to what their policy covers. It is just common sense to know more about your property insurance coverage before you have to file a roof damage insurance claim. In this article, United Public Adjusters, highly experienced as public adjusters for roof claims, will provide insight into your coverage, and how to protect yourself, your personal property, and your home in the event of storm damage to your building’s roof. Let’s cover the types of insurance you are likely to have as either a condo or cooperative owner. For co-ops, your management group’s master building insurance policy will cover damages/loss to all common areas and what is owned by the cooperative. That means the structure of your apartment, i.e. the roof over your head, is covered by this policy and additionally, walls, doors, windows, and plumbing pipes (but not fixtures). Causes of roof damages can be widespread, and range from natural causes such as lightning, trees, storms, wind, rain, snow, and ice. Additionally, the master policy will cover roof damage from sources such as explosions, fire, smoke, vandalism, or roof collapse due to the weight of snow and ice. You might think this type of policy will cover every contingency, but you’d be wrong. Sometimes roof damage can be insidious and cause damage to your unit months after the roof structure has been repaired.

In the event of roof damage, however, your master building insurance coverage will not extend to cover potential damage to your unit and possessions. A Co-op Home Contents insurance policy will. Everything that is not permanently attached to your walls may be covered under this policy. That includes clothing, technology, sporting goods, jewelry, antiques, art, furniture, rugs, kitchen appliances, even bicycles. To learn more about the ins and outs of your coverage, consult a public adjuster. We are impartial, and can point out gaps in coverage, such as sublimits, and other policy limits, that in the event of a roof damage insurance claim could prevent you from obtaining full replacement value for your lost property. For condo owners, in addition to the Condo Association’s Master Policy, most condo boards require that you obtain additional homeowners insurance. Like the co-op master building policy, the Condo Association policy will cover roof damage from a broad scope of sources. However, the additional required policy, known as HO-6 insurance, is specifically designed to begin where the Master policy leaves off. CONTINUED ON PAGE 21

March 2022 • Volume 18 • Issue 3

EXPERT ADVICE 4 TIPS TO RUN A SUCCESSFUL STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT BUSINESS WITH YOUR LOVED ONE PROGRAMS roll tax exclusion for the same

By Brandon Meredith Wells Fargo - Small Business Leader

ness owners.

The challenges that face a typical business owner – working 24/7, operating on tight budgets, and wearing many hats – are often times intensified when a spouse or significant other is a business partner. Yet many couples have achieved success both personally and professionally working together, and offer lessons that can be applied by all small busi-

It’s important to define roles and responsibilities in every business partnership, particularly for couples who operate a business together. As you’re developing your business plan, take time to identify your respective strengths and passions, and divvy up the business operations from there. For example, if you’re highly organized and love crunching numbers, yet your partner is more energized working with people, then it probably makes sense for you to run the books while they manage customer relations and new business efforts. Commit to regularly revisiting your business plan to ensure the structure is still working, and adjust roles as needed. An updated business plan will help keep you focused on company goals and objectives, and track your progress.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 20

This type of policy covers damage to personal belongings, your improvements and betterments plus additional living expenses. What if you are a tenant? Consider an HO-4 policy, designed just for renters’ peace of mind from all types of losses, including those incurred from gaps in their Master Associations policy for a roof damage insurance claim. Residual damage can appear months after a damaged roof has been repaired, so it is wise to explore your options sooner than later. For example, you might want to consider a policy that includes temporary housing in the event that roof damage eventually forces your family from your home while repairs are being made. A public adjuster can assist with this evaluation, so consider contacting a public adjuster for roof claim information. You should be aware that roof damage can create future property damage claims, as well as the importance of being prepared for such an emergency. We recommend that you give our team a call at United Property Adjusters and Appraisers. We’re seasoned professionals and can assist you now, to ensure that you are sufficiently protected, as well as should you ever have to submit a roof damage insurance claim. Request or quote or give us a call now at 800-718-5677.

Define responsibilities

Focus on communication Communication is essential in all areas of life. It lies at the foundation of a happy marriage and a successful business relationship. Whatever it is, you need to develop effective communication with your spouse. This will help you handle problems in the long run, and could also help strengthen your relationship at home, too! Devise a suitable exit strategy One area of business operations that is frequently overlooked is the exit strategy. This is especially true when owning a business with your loved one, as emotions can sometimes get in the way of tough business decisions. While it’s uncomfortable to think about things going south, an exit strategy will lay out a clear process to follow if an unfortunate situation occurs. Separate work and personal life One final tip for couples in business together is to take time for each other outside of the business. To ensure a healthy work-life balance, set clear business hours and respect them, and carve out time away from work to do things that you love. Going into business with a loved one is hard work. However, many couples who have found success will tell you that the benefits of being in business together are worth it.

By Glynis Roberts

Increasingly, individuals comprising today’s workforce are straddled with significant levels of student loan debt. At the same time, these workers are often conflicted as to whether they should focus on paying off their debt or set aside funds to pay for retirement. As an employer, adding a student loan repayment program to your employee benefit portfolio not only helps them address this dilemma, but also represents a tremendous opportunity to help attract and retain key talent. In today’s competitive job market, it’s not enough to simply offer the traditional benefit portfolios of the past. Showing prospective talent and valued current employees that you care about their financial future by providing student loan repayment assistance goes a long way to help you stand out among your industry peers. And by structuring the program as a part of your voluntary benefits package, you have the ability to customize the program according to your workplace demographics and budgetary capabilities. A lesser known component of the Cares Act, signed into law in early 2020, provides a temporary tax-free benefit for employers looking to assist employees by implementing a student loan assistance program. According to the provision, employers can make up to $5250 in student loan payments for an employee within a year either directly to the employee or to the student loan servicer. The money allocated toward each employee is considered taxfree (so the employee does not have to pay income taxes on the amount received, up to $5250). The employer receives a pay-

amount. Although the program was originally intended to come to a conclusion in 2020, the Consolidated Appropriations Act extended the benefit through December, 2025. With these programs, the employer first decides how much, if any, they are willing to contribute into the program. Then, based on the vendor chosen, the program options include models focusing on refinancing, consolidation or payroll deductions: The employer can set a specific amount they agree to pay toward the student’s debt over the course of a year. This is an arbitrary amount set by each employer, typically $1000 or $2000 per year, although larger companies sometimes offer amounts as high as $10,000. An employer can also set certain eligibility criteria, such as being actively at work for the firm for a required minimum time period or having graduated within a certain number of years. The employer can choose to match the student loan payment amount by contributing funds into a 401(k) on behalf of the employee. This relieves the employee with the burden of making the choice to either repay student loan debt or save for retirement. Refinancing the debt, which can lower the interest rate and corresponding monthly payment, converting it from a federal loan to a private one. Consolidating loans…whereby multiple loans are combined into one with a recalculated interest rate and monthly payment. Offering a student loan repayment program not only helps students pay down their loan debt quicker and provides them valuable cost savings, but employers benefit since it also helps to reduce the stress and anxiety levels of these employees, boosting their workplace productivity. The Queens Chamber of Commerce offers its members access to My Benefit Advisor as a solution for employee benefits, including voluntary offerings. For more information about My Benefit Advisor, visit our website at qcc.mybenefitadvisor.com or contact Glynis Roberts at (212) 706-9451.

Member

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Shiftyy Health is a division within Shiftyy Sesame Eat! AI VIRTUAL WAITER + ONLINE MENU + Technologies Inc., an IoT solutions provider. ONLINE PAYMENT + E-MARKETING service for Shiftyy Health provides innovative IoT solutions restaurants, cafes, and bodegas. Built for for temperature monitoring devices for all contactless, and efficient operations. Special 6industries. month complimentary service for members of the Shiftyy Health has created innovative Queens Chamber of Commerce. temperature monitoring devices to assist Contact: businesses with temperature monitoring that Amy Leu, US Lead Business Development, meet HIPAA requirements, are efficient, and amy@imago.ai reduce the time and costs in conducting manual Willie Lee, Project Manager, willie@imago.ai temperature monitoring. Visit: http://queenschamber.shiftyyhealth.com/ Website:https://join.sesameeat.com/?pop=qnyc

Visit our website at queenschamber.org for additional member benefits.

March 2022 • Volume 18 • Issue 3

QUEENSBOROUGH CALENDAR OF EVENTS MARCH

SMALL BUSINESS TAXES

March 30th at 2 p.m. Whether you are self-employed or own a small business, there will be something helpful for everyone at this webinar. VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS: NAVIGATING THE FINE LINE

March 11th at 9:30 a.m. This workshop will help you understand which interview questions are legal and appropriate and which questions cross the line and are illegal and inappropriate. We will explore how to phrase an appropriate question gathering the needed information from the applicant within the boundaries of the law. VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org

MULTICULTURAL BUSINESS FAIR

March 12th from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Elmhurst Celebrate cultures together in Queens. There will be traditional food, local vendors, arts and crafts, and business resources. Proof of vaccination and ID required for entry. Masks required inside the venue and safe social distancing measures are in place for your safety. VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org

BUILDING A BLOG BEFORE YOU START YOUR BUSINESS March 15th at 2 p.m. Learn the Why, What, When, and How to build a blog to establish your reputation and promote your business. This workshop is provided in partnership with SBA, Queens Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by DIME Bank. VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.or

ST. PATRICK’S DAY ANNUAL LUNCHEON

March 16th from 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. Celebrate the Celtic tradition with Special Guest Honorees NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell and Real Estate Board of New York President/CEO James Whelan. There will be great food and entertainment, corned-beef and cabbage, a live band, networking, and much more. Terrace On the Park 52-11 111th Street, Flushing Register at queenschamber.org

WOMEN MANUFACTURERS: THEIR BURDENS DURING THE ONGOING PANDEMIC March 22nd @ 10 a.m. In celebration Women’s History Month, three female manufacturers gather to share the burdens and challenged they’ve faced. The pandemic created a huge shift in everyone’s lives personally and professionally. All of the panelists have overcome challenges and are here to discuss how they navigated the process. Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz will serve as moderator for this conversation. Join the conversation to discover how our extremely knowledgeable panelist overcame their challenges. VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org

SPRING NETWORKING 2022

March 22nd at 6 p.m. Join the Queens Chamber of Commerce and the Floral Park Bellerose Indian Merchants Association on March 22 for our 2022 Spring Networking Event! Flavor of India 259-17 Hillside Ave., Glen Oaks Register at queenschamber.org

DOUGHNUTS, ORIENTATION

COFFEE,

AND

March 23nd at 10 a.m. Maximize your membership with the Queens Chamber of Commerce. This 45 minute oriention comes with Krispy Kreme dougnuts. Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Boulevard, Jackson Heights Suite 140, Large Conference Room Register at queenschamber.org

COMMUNITY JOB FAIR

March 29th from 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. The Queens Chamber of Commerce, the Woodhaven BID and the office of NYC Council Member Joann Ariola will be holding a Community Job Fair and Small Business resources Day at the Woodhaven Manor in Woodhaven. The event is in partnership with the NYC Small Business Services - SBS and The New York City Council. Whether looking to land a new job or switch careers, jobseekers will have the opportunity to meet with employers from the Airport Industry, Hospitality, Health Providers and more companies being represented. This is an in person job fair held at Woodhaven Manor in Woodhaven. In person interviews, bring your resume and dress professionally!

Woodhaven Manor 96-01 Jamaica Avenue Woodhaven New York Register at queenschamber.org

HOW SBA’S PROGRAMS HELP YOU START AND GROW March 30th at 3 p.m. In this webinar, you will learn about SBA’s Lender Match, Readiness is All, financing programs, investment capital, disaster assistance and grants, business education/one-onone counseling, and government contracting assistance. VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org

APRIL

MEET THE LENDERS

April 6, 2022 @ 11 a.m. In this webinar you will learn about: Meeting with the invited Lenders and learn the SBA’s Lender Match, Financing Programs including Loans: 7(a), 504, Microloan, International Trade Loans, Surety Bonds, Grants for R&D, Investment Capital, Disaster Assistance and Grants, One-on-One Assistance through SCORE, SBDC and WBC VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org

BALANCING THE COMPETING DEMANDS OF WORK AND LIFE

April 15, 2022 @ 9:30 a.m. Time is the most valuable resource known to mankind. It is finite and cannot be expanded. Once it’s used it’s gone forever. VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org

DOING BUSINESS WITH FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

THE

April 28, 2022 @ 11 a.m. Queens Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Small Business Administration invites you to join this webinar and learn about how to do engage in business with the federal government. Learn about finding opportunities, what the federal government buys, certification qualifications, marketing to government agencies, subcontracting, resources, and assistance. VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

IT’S IN QUEENS Wintercom March 12th - 13th By Rob MacKay, Director Public Relations, Marketing & Tourism, Queens Economic Development Corporation Winter and Spring play a tugof-war with the weather -- and human emotions -- in March. Named for the Roman god of war, the month features daffodils, mud, longer days, college basketball championships, and women’s history. In Queens, it’s a time for foreign films, fine food, cosplay, crooners, theatrical works-inprogress, and gardening lessons. Please read on to get the details. Screaming Orphans March 10th @ 7 p.m. The all-sister band Screaming Orphans, which combines original songs and a contemporary sound with traditional Irish folk, makes its first NYC appearance since Fall 2019. New York Irish Center, 10-40 Jackson Ave., Long Island City. Tenors Unlimited March 10th @ 7 p.m. The Queensboro Performing Arts Center presents this top-selling British trio that’s also known as “The Rat Pack of Opera.” Scott Ciscon, Jem Sharples, and Paul Martin take audiences through best-loved melodies from the worlds of opera, musical theatre, and popular music.

In Queens for the seventh year, this annual expo mixes cosplay with movie screenings, merchandise, panels, contests, and SciFi celebrities in a giddy, upbeat atmosphere. The Cosplay Contest is on March 12. The Eternal Con Kids Costumer Showcase is on March 13. Resorts World New York City, 110-00 Rockaway Blvd., South Jamaica. The 26th Annuyal Evening of Fine Good March 15th @ 6:30 p.m. Local restaurants provide samples, comedians Suzanne Windland and Usama Siddiquee tell jokes, Apollo Riego performs magic, Jim Altamore does Frank Sinatra, and DJ Mike Kouros spins the tunes. Terrace on the Park, Flushing Meadows Corona Park. First Look March 16th This eleventh version of an acclaimed international festival introduces NYC audiences to inventive movies in a wide range of subjects and styles. The schedule includes 18 features representing more than 30 countries along with workshops and discussions. Two examples are Antoneta Alamat Kusijanović’s “Murina,” a coming-of-age tale set in coastal Croatia, and Pawel Lozinski’s “The Balcony Movie,” a docu-

Screaming Orphans play at the New York Irish Center on March 10th at 7 p.m. mentary shot entirely from the balcony of the director’s apartment in Warsaw, Poland. Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35th Ave., Astoria’s Kaufman Arts District. Crazy Talented: Asians Friends March 18th @ 7 p.m.

The troupe Crazy Talented Asians & Friends presents pianist Sean Chen, violinist Siwoo Kim, and violist Andy Lin for a night of music and exploration. They will share what makes them unique and what drives them to create art. Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd. Early Spring Bulbs March 19th March 19, Early Spring Bulbs & Ephemerals, 11 am. Part of a monthly walk program, staffers lead this exploration of early bulb flowers, blossoms, and other seasonal highlights. Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main St., Flushing. Tribute to Aretha Franklin March 20th @ 8 p.m.

First Look return to the Museum of the Moving Image on March 16th 24

The Queen of Soul has 18 Grammys and 112 chartered singles on Billboard. Damien Sneed, who used to tour with Aretha, performs a tribute to the icon with an accomplished band, R&B legend Valerie Simpson, and fourtime Grammy winner Karen Clark Sheard.

Colden Auditorium, Queens College, 153-49 Reeves Ave., Flushing. Spring Equinox Sunrise Stroll March 20th @ 6:15 a.m. Wake up early and celebrate the start of Spring with a sunrise stroll along the trails led by Jocelyn Perez from Herbalists Without Borders. Watch the sun rise on the season, talk about the vernal equinox, and learn some fascinating facts about local flora. Alley Pond Environmental Center, 224-65 76th Ave., Oakland Gardens. New American Voices: “As I Was, Not As I Am” March 26th @ 8 p.m. This ongoing program allows audiences to listen to works-inprogress and provide feedback to playwrights. Alice Hakvaag’s “As I Was, Not As I Am” follows twentysomething Laurel, who is sick, but lacks health care. Queer roommates, headaches, clubbing, upstairs neighbors, arson, and washing machines tell a story of love, the kind that makes people do anything for each other. Queens Theatre, 14 United Nations Ave. S., Flushing Meadows Corona Park.

this is...

March 2022 • Volume 18 • Issue 3 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

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

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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 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.

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

March 2022 • Volume 18 • Issue 3

QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES GREATER WOODHAVEN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION WOODHAVEN BID

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

President: Elizabeth Lusskin 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

Association (MECA) extends from Fifth Avenue eastward to the East River and from 42nd Street down to 26th Street (encompassing the 10016 postal code).

MYRTLE AVENUE BID

62-14 Myrtle Avenue, Ridgewood, NY 11385 Executive Director: Ted Renz 718.366.3806 QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $500,000 with over

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.

a 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

businesses 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

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

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

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NEW MEMBERS CORPORATE

KMN Builders, Inc. 52-46 69th Street Maspeth, NY 11377 kmnbuilders.com Nelson + Pope 70 Maxess Road Melville, NY 11788 nelsonpope.com Prospect Cleaning Services 249 Empire Blvd. Brooklyn, NY 11225 prospectcleaningnyc.com SkyTrac Access Group, LLC 50-05 47th Avenue Woodside, NY 11377 skytracusa.com The L Group 18-33 41st Street Astoria, NY 11105 Tully Environmental, Inc. 127-50 Northern Boulevard Flushing, NY 11368 tullygroup.us/tully-environmental-inc

SMALL BUSINESS PARTNERS Allstate - Chenz Agency 3092 51st Street Woodside, NY 11377 allstate.com

Green Light Inspections 91 Walnut Street Lynbrook, NY 11563 greenlightinspections.com

Atria Kew Gardens Senior Living 117-01 84th Avenue Kew Gardens, NY 11418 atriaseniorliving.com

Legends Tavern J.H. Corp 77104 35th Avenue Jackson Heights, NY 11372

AES 1503 132nd Street, Suite 03 College Point, NY 11356 https://www.nyaes.com

Livingston Marketing & Communication 297 Kinderamack Road, Suite 147 Oradell, NJ 07649 livingstonA.com

Christina DeCurtis Team 10-27 46 th Avenue Long Island City, NY 11101 https://www.modernspacenyc.com/agents/ christian-decurtis

North East Biotech, LLC 6955 260 th Place Glen Oaks, NY 11004

El Gibor & My Rock Corp 15 Columbus Avenue Farmingville, NY 11738 therockhaulinganddemolition.com Forest Park Trust Forest Park Trust One Forest Park Woodhaven, NY 11421 Five Boro Remodeling, Inc. 106-01 Northern Boulevard, 2 nd Floor Corona, NY 11368 fivebororemodeling.com Focus Eye Care and Surgery 8626 Queens Boulevard Elmhurst, NY 11373 focuseye.io

Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow (OBT) 882 3rd Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11232 P.Z. Insurance Brokerage Inc. 148-29 Cross Island Pkwy Whitestone, NY 11357 https://www.1choiceins.com The Passionist Missionaries 8645 Edgerton Boulevard Jamaica, NY 11432 thepassionist.org Sahara Wireless Inc. 18220 Liberty Avenue, Suite A2 Jamaica, NY 11412 nysahara.com

QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES our community revitalization programs and community development efforts in the Rockaway Peninsula REMA works alongside businesses, civic groups, government agencies, and nonprofit 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.

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 CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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.

March 2022 • Volume 18 • Issue 3 EXECUTIVE COMMMITEE Thomas Santucci

Nash Roe

Thomas J. Grech

Brendan Leavy

Patricia Mezeul

Richard Dzwlewicz

Joanne M. Persad

Jacqueline Donado

Chairperson

Associate Treasurer

Treasurer

Associate Secretary

Patrick Yu Secretary

SENIOR ADVISORY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE STAFF President & CEO

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 Stephanie Baldwin Fran Biderman-Gross Susan Browning Kenneth J. Buettner Charles E. Callahan Ali Chaudhry

Sal Crifasi Steven DeClara Mayra DiRico Richard Dzwlewicz Charles Everett, Jr. Joseph R. Ficalora

Tamara Gavrielof Howard Graf Dr. Cameron Hernandez Raymond Irrera Kenneth Koenig Neil Levin

Bert Lurch 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

COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Leonard Jacobs Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning leonard@jcal.org 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

ENTREPRENEURSHIP & INNOVATION 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

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

azra@azra.com

NOT FOR PROFIT 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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WITH HELP FROM MASPETH FEDERAL, ACS KICKS OFF RELAY 19th year for Juniper Park Event

Some of the volunteers in the Relay event this year The Middle Village Relay For Life began with a small, albeit passionate, band of a few dozen people who used the Juniper Valley Park Track for an ‘all-nighter campout’ to raise awareness, and some money towards cancer. A group of individuals made up teams with names like ‘Pin Heads’ (who were bowlers) and

Charlies Angels, to solicit money for every lap around the track a team walked throughout the afternoon, night and morning on a weekend in June. From it’s beginning, nineteen years ago, Maspeth’s own Leslie Orlovsky, led the event for The American Cancer Society.

She and her volunteers engaged Maspeth Federal, O’Neills. The Queens Ledger, Senator Maltese, The Glendale Kiwanis and The Maspeth Moose Lodge to help it grow from a dozen teams with a hundred participants to a festival of luminaries, camp sites and music for 1500 people with 75 teams, raising $220,000. Since it’s inception Middle Village raised $2.6 million dollars. On March 2nd, the Kick-off for the June 25th, Relay was held at O’Neills in Maspeth. Fifty people, some were cancer survivors, some who have family members afflicted and some who just want to be involved in an epic community event. So far the sponsors this year remain Maspeth Federal and include AllState/Kevin Spann.

MAJOR CORPORATE MEMBERS

Senior Bank Officer at Maspeth Federal Kristen Sapienza with Leslie Orlovsky To kick off the 2022 event Maspeth Federal’s senior bank officer Kristen Sapienza announced a $10,000 donation from the bank to the Relay event.

March 2022 • Volume 18 • Issue 3 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.

As a valued neighbor of the Holiday Inn Express Maspeth, we would like to offer you a 15% Local Loyalty discount.

Pick up a Local Loyalty card at a participating Maspeth business, and present it at our front desk to receive your special 15% OFF rate! Scan the barcode to see the list of participating businesses.

This is Queensborough - March 2022

Articles inside

“Queens is Green” Initiative

SLICES OF QUEENS: Milkflower Pizza in Astoria

Museum Highlights Jamaica as Cultural Destination

Steps to Achieve Yours Goals in 2022

It’s in Queens: March Madness

TECH SPOTLIGHT

Meet the New Head of Queens Botanical Garden

COVER STORY: Steve Klein, Co-Owner of Dough Donuts