This Is Queensborough November 2018

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November 2018 . Volume 14 . Issue 11

REAL TALK REBNY HEAD TALKS ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND CHALLENGES AHEAD FOR REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY

“We want people to know developers and property owners love the city as much as other people.”

REAL ESTATE BOARD OF NEW YORK PRESIDENT JOHN BANKS

CHAMBER HONORS FOUR AT ANNUAL BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARDS

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November 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 11

A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

RULING ADDS SALES TAX TO DIGITAL ECONOMY The recent Supreme Court Now, New York and other states decision in South Dakocan require an online ta v. Wayfair, Inc. has seller to collect changed the game when and remit sales tax it comes to sales tax. on purchases made Essentially, the rulwithin the state, ing grants states greater even if the company power to require outdoesn’t have a physiof-state retailers to colcal presence within lect sales tax on sales the state. to in-state residents.

New York had The case marks a masalready been considsive development in the TOM SANTUCCI ering a sales tax on debate over the digital CHAIRPERSON marketplace provideconomy’s responsibilers. However, busiity for the collection of sales tax. nesses with a physical presence

— offices, warehouse, retail stores, and employees — in New York State are likely registered and collecting sales tax from New York customers.

The impact on New York State businesses will be the requirement to register as a sales tax vendor and collect and remit sales tax in other states.

It remains to be seen how prepared retailers in New York are for this change. All online retailers will now be required to register and collect sales and use tax in all states and localities where

the do business.

To further complicate the issue, this may also mean having to remit sales taxes retroactively. If this is the case, we can assume a legitimate constitutional challenge as an undue burden on interstate commerce.

Finally, online retailers have the added concern of cost-conscious consumers. In such a heavilypopulated city such as New York City, where many consumers purchase products online, we’ll have to wait and see the effect upon e-commerce businesses.

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO

CHAMBER HONORS FOUR LEADERS IN BUSINESS On October 10, the Queens Councilman Barry Grodenchik, Chamber of Commerce hosted our and Assemblyman David Weprin.

Annual Business Person of the Year Awards Dinner and honored four Mark Your Calendars wonderful individuals who make Please save the date for the a difference in business and their 2018 Queens Chamber of Comcommunities. The merce Annual event, held at Terrace Building Awards on the Park, broke Gala, which will be previous years’ attenheld on Thursday, dance records with December 6. For nearly 350 guests in over 90 years, this attendance. tradition has honOur Hall of Fame ored the architects, Honoree was John builders, engineers, Catsimatidis, owner lenders, interior and president, chairdesigners and ownman and CEO of Red ers of buildings and Apple Group. The THOMAS J. GRECH building projects in Red Apple Group is PRESIDENT & CEO Queens County. a diversified corporaThis year’s Keytion that has holdings note Speaker is Lorin the energy, aviation, retail and raine Grillo, commissioner of the real estate sectors and over 8,000 Department of Design and Conemployees, including approximate- struction (DDC) and president of ly 2,000 in New York City. the School Construction Authority Other honorees included Chris- (SCA), and John Banks, president topher Horch, associate partner of The Real Estate Board of NY at JB&B; Sister Tesa Fitzgerald, (REBNY) founder and executive director at And Small Business Saturday Hour Children; and Nick Tziazas, is November 24. In an effort to president at Lyons Mortgage Ser- support local shops that make our vices, Inc. communities strong, American Among the attendees were Bor- Express launched Small Business ough President Melinda Katz, Saturday on the Saturday after Councilman Costa Constantinides, Thanksgiving to encourage people

to “shop small” and bring more holiday shopping to small businesses.

As shopping small catches on in communities everywhere, Small Business Saturday goes from a cause to a day of community celebration, and 90 percent of consumers surveyed said Small Business

Saturday has had a positive impact on their community. We strongly encourage all small business owners to get involved.

If you would like to get more involved with the Queens Chamber of Commerce, please reach out to us at info@queenschamber.org or (718) 898-8500.

Red Apple Group CEO John Catsimatidis was the Hall of Fame honoree at last month’s Business Person of the Year Awards Dinner. He is pictured with his wife, Margo, and Borough President Melinda Katz.

(Photo: Dominick Totino)

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QUEENS QUICKLY

Habitat, Delta team up to build home in Queens

Volunteers from Delta Airlines joined Habitat for Humanity in October to start building a fourbedroom, single-family home in Jamaica.

Most of Habitat for Humanity’s work in New York City involves renovating existing structures, but this is the first time the group will build a home from scratch – called a “stick build” - in the five boroughs.

“When we’re out in the community doing things like this, we are helping our fellow Delta people, so we really feel that we are giving back to the community,” said Tricia Rumola, general manager of Community Engagement. “I think

that giving this opportunity to employees has made them have more pride in the company.”

The site previously held a dilapidated house that had been abandoned for 20 years. Volunteers from Delta also participated in the demolition.

Work on the new home will take about nine months, at which point it will be turned over to a deserving family.

Over the past eleven years, Delta volunteers have helped Habitat NYC on 80 builds in New York, from single-family homes to apartment buildings.

Nadia Seebrath has worked for Delta at LaGuardia Airport for 25 years, and has participated in four international builds and several local builds.

“When I came to New York I saw something

very different from what my experience was as an international builder, and I realized how much the families, the communities, need our support,” she said.

PA, Vaughn offering four full scholarships

The Port Authority of New Jersey and New York has partnered with Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology in Queens to create a new scholarship program.

This is the first year that they will provide six high school students in the LaGuardia Airport area a full scholarship to Vaughn College in East Elmhurst.

The scholarship will offer students a tuitionfree education for four years at the aeronautics school, as well as guaranteed paid summer internships and a full-time position in aviation operations at Port Authority airports upon graduation.

Applicants must have a grade point average of 80 or higher, and a combined SAT score of 1,000. They must also write an essay about why they want this opportunity, and be a resident of the zip codes 11369, 11370 or 11105.

Secondary preference will be given to zip codes 11368, 11102, and 11103.

Scholarship recipients must maintain a 3.0 GPA, remain enrolled at Vaughn College fulltime, successfully complete Vaughn’s career development seminar, and participate in Vaughn’s leadership academy.

The idea for this scholarship arose from the need for new people to work in the airport industry as many aviation operations employees reach retirement age.

“Between the community wanting to give back, and then also just recognizing how important Vaughn is to keeping the workforce growing at LaGuardia, that’s how the program started,” said Lysa Scully, general manager of LaGuardia Airport.

On Monday, Scully pitched the scholarship

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

EDC Gives Public First Look at Sunnyside Yard Project ..................................18

Alphapointe Makes Its Move to Richmond Hill .......................................9

Partners & Affiliates News and Happenings ........................................................23

EXPERT ADVICE: Governing Your Nonprofit Legally .....................10

Chamber Welcomes New Members .........................................................................29

EMU Health Opens New State-of-the Art Glendale Facility .............10 COVER STORY: TIQ Sits Down with REBNY’s John Banks .........14 Chamber Honors Four at Business Person of the Year Awards .........16 Queens Chamber of Commerce November Events ...............................19 4

PUBLISHER Walter H. Sanchez

MANAGING EDITOR Shane Miller

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

November 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 11

QUEENS QUICKLY program to seniors at Monsignor McClancy High School in East Elmhurst, urging them to take advantage of this opportunity for education and employment.

She pointed out that Vaughn College is a smaller school that is close to home for many students.

Class sizes are also smaller, giving each student more attention.

“I think the piece we want to emphasize is the employment opportunity,” Scully said. “You’ll have guaranteed summer employment, as well as a job at the end, and so for a student to have that guarantee at 17 or 18 years old is pretty remarkable.”

Celso Alvarez, associate vice president of enrollment at Vaughn College, said the program is a great opportunity for high school kids.

He mentioned that Vaughn

College just spent $2 million updating their tech lab, and emphasized that the school is not just for aviation, they also have management, technology engineering, and more specialty fields.

“We have great program at Vaughn that deals with aviation engineering, so the Port Authority felt that it was important since we are right across from them, to be able to provide students with this opportunity to work with them,” Alvarez said.

“Very few schools are actually offering full-tuition scholarships for their students,” he added, “and this is a great opportunity to work with our local communities and give these students the opportunity to work and actually get a full ride.”

(MEGHAN SACKMAN)

Eneslow Shoes marks 50 years Eneslow has been fitting shoes since 1926, making orthotics and modifying footwear since 1909, and our shoe fitters were the first pedorthists in New York City.

Eneslow’s pedorthists provide foot health benefits, and are trained and qualified professionals. We fit your feet - no matter what shape they are in - from first step to last in shoes that feel as great as they look!

Michael Schwartz recently celebrated 50 years of Schwartz family ownership of Eneslow Shoes & Orthotics. Originally owned by the

Lowe family, the Schwartz family bought Eneslow in 1968. In 2019, Eneslow, a proud member of the Queens Chamber of Commerce, will celebrate 110 years.

Eneslow has a mission to educate and train people on the many benefits of smart footwear choices. Their technique is to demonstrate how footwear can connect the body above with the ground below. Eneslow is able to help people relieve their foot conditions with shoes, related modifications and orthotics. After all, happy feet make people happy.

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

PROMOTIONS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & APPOINTMENTS Ballman to head Cultural Affairs

Phil Ballman was appointed as the director of Cultural Affairs and Tourism by Borough President Melinda Katz.

Ballman is an internationally recognized cultural event producer with two decades of comprehensive experience presenting and producing world-class programming for major institutions and independent cultural organizations and artists.

“I look forward to helping the borough president implement her vision for maximizing the impact and reach of our b o r o u g h ’s great cultural institutions and its BALLMAN other fabulous attractions, which have made Queens a go-to destination for so many visitors and residents,” said Ballman.

From 2015 to 2018, Ballman was manager of Community Engagement and Partnerships for the College of Performing Arts at The New School.

In that position, he created ongoing partnerships and programming with external organizations that included the City Parks Foundation, Make Music New York, the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival, the World Music Institute, the Lincoln Center Atrium, the Union Square Partnership, The Morgan Library, and others.

During the previous five years, Ballman was coordinator of Special Programs for The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, where he curated, produced and coordinated all aspects of public programming, event scheduling and student professional development.

He is also the founder, producer and artistic director of the Otherground Music Festival, a free out-

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door summer concert series that served the diverse Queens neighborhoods of Jackson Heights and Elmhurst with first-class, internationally themed music performances in the summer of 2010.

He was the manager and drummer for the band Antibalas from 1999 to 2003.

Ballman has a Bachelor of Arts degree from The New School, and lives in Jackson Heights with his wife, visual artist Deborah Wasserman.

STJ prof honored

by Ecuador

Dr. Marie-Lise Gazarian, St. John’s University professor of Spanish, was recognized by the government of Ecuador and the Foundation for the Integration and Development of Latin America (FIDAL) with the “Life Path to Educational Excellence Recognition.”

The award is given each year to exceptional teachers and professionals from Latin America, Spain and the United States. The award also shows the importance of literary work in the promotion GAZARIAN of Hispanic literature and Ibero-American culture.

FIDAL was created 20 years ago in Ecuador, and its main objective is to improve the quality of education and self-esteem of teachers in Latin America.

On October 2,Gazarian was named Honorary Professor by The Private Technical University of Loja (UTPL) due to her contribution in the dissemination of Hispanic culture, her outstanding career in the literary field, as well as her contributions to the figure of Fernando Rielo Pardal, founder of the Institute of Christ the Redeemer

Id of Missionaries and Idente Missionaries.

This recognition was issued by the Superior Council of the UTPL and is the highest level appointment that the institution offers to outstanding figures of the science, culture, and education.

LaManna to head QC security

Dr. Beth A. LaManna has been named the new campus security director at Queens College.

LaManna, the first woman ever to serve as campus security director at a senior college of the City University of New York, joins Queens College after 22 years of meritorious service as a special agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

“I am both excited and honored to be a part of the Queens College community,” said LaManna.

“I look forward to the opportunity to interact and work with the faculty, staff, students and guests, and to ensure that Queens College remains a safe and secure environment for all.”

LaManna attended Wayne State University in Detroit, where she earned a master’s degree in School and Community Psychology and a doctorate in Educational and Clinical Psychology.

For almost 10 years she provided clinical counseling and school psychological services in the Detroit public schools, in addition to maintaining a private clinical practice in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.

As an adjunct professor at Wayne State University, LaManna taught graduate psychology courses. She earned her Bachelor of Science from Cornell University.

Throughout her career with the FBI, LaManna was assigned to the Criminal Division in the New York Field Office and conducted investigations involving organized crime and racketeering, complex financial fraud, money laundering, the 9/11 attacks, and civil rights violations.

LaManna held the position of

crisis negotiation coordinator for the New York Office FBI’s crisis negotiation program, in which she participated for over 11 years.

A d d i tionally, as coordinator for the National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime, LAMANN she served as the liaison between local and state law enforcement agencies requesting assistance from the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit in Virginia.

She coordinated and orchestrated training focused on active school shooters, threat assessment mitigation and management, and violence in the workplace. In this capacity, LaManna had extensive opportunities to train and liaise with local, state, and federal law enforcement authorities, in particular the New York City Police Department.

Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Boulevard, Suite 140 Jackson Heights, N.Y. 11370-1131 Entire Contents Copyright 2018 by Queensborough. All letters sent to the QUEENSBOROUGH should be brief and are subject to condensation. Writers should include a full address and home and office telephone numbers, where available, as well as affiliation, indicating special interest.

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

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

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

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November 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 11

QUEENS CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS

REGO PARK NATIVE OPENS KUMON CENTER At just 24 years old, Lily Jiang is doing what many seasoned professionals don’t have the courage to do. She’s taking the leap of faith and becoming a small business owner, opening Kumon Math and Reading Center of Rego Park.

After working as a preschool teacher for the past year, Jiang knew she was in the right line of work; she had a passion for positively impacting the lives of youth.

She wanted to continue her passion for education, but was also interested in owning her own business. That’s how she came across Kumon, the world’s largest afterschool math and reading program.

“I come from a family of educators, but I was also really drawn to the idea of owning my own business. Kumon offered me the best of both worlds,” said Jiang. “I was immediately drawn to Kumon because it’s not just about education. It teaches life skills and allows

students to soar past their grade level.”

There are 43 Kumon Math and Reading Centers in New York City, including 13 in the borough of Queens. The addition of Rego Park is part of Kumon’s 2018 expansion plan of welcoming 100 new franchisees nationwide.

The Kumon Method empowers preschool to high school-aged children to become self-learners. It is designed to advance math and reading skills while fostering a love for learning.

It goes beyond traditional tutoring by actively developing critical thinking skills as children progress independently through a carefully crafted curriculum.

“I have lived in the community since I attended middle school, so I know the neighborhood very well,” said Jiang. “I hope to reach out to the parents within the community so everyone is aware of all the ben-

efits Kumon has to offer.”

Kumon Franchisees must have a four-year college degree, be proficient in math and reading, have investment capital of $70,000 and

a net worth of at least $150,000.

Founded in 1958, Kumon has over four million students enrolled in nearly 25,000 learning centers in 50 countries and regions.

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QUEENS CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS YOUR EVENT+MAGNET PHOTO=HAPPINESS THAT STICKS Are you planning an event and looking for a unique and engaging idea that is also an alternative to a photo booth? Meet Memoristic Productions, a woman-owned magnet photography company taking the event industry by storm.

Memoristic specializes in creating personalized event photo magnets on site within minutes of taking pictures (roaming or stationary), providing the ultimate branding opportunity for organizations and the perfect keepsake for individuals.

How It Works A Memoristic magnet photographer will capture candid photos of you and your guests having fun at your event. Then, with some magic behind the scenes, the magnet engineer will overlay the photos with the event owner pre-chosen frame and branding, and turn the photos into high-quality photo magnets.

The next day, you and your

guests will never pass the fridge again without having a huge smile on your face taking a walk down memory lane.

Everyone knows that event photo magnets are fun and instant hit with guests of all ages, but did you ever think about the far reaching marketing aspect? Or, rather, the power of the magnet.

Are these your objectives?: • I want my guests to have fun and be engaged at my event.

• I want to create a unique experience for my guests and a conversation piece.

• I want to give my guests a personalized branded keepsake they will actually keep.

• I want the guests to remember my event long after it ended and be a constant reminder for future events.

• I want my guests to absorb my business message without being pushy of feeling like they are being

MAKING THE MEMORIES

BY HADAR BURGER

We were just getting out of the Midtown Tunnel and almost We were on our way driving merging onto I-495 when a giganto service a wedding in New Jer- tic bus decided to change lanes. sey and create photo When we realized magnets on site for a what was happening, very excited couple we started screaming and their guests. but other than that Originally, when there wasn’t much the engaged couple we could do. The bus found us they were crashed into us. at the end of their Immediately, we already extended started thinking budget debating what about our options. should they do. On We didn’t have the one hand, they wit- HADAR BURGER heart to call the counessed the roaming MEMORISTIC FOUNDER ple just before they magnet photography were walking down service at a wedding the aisle and tell them in Israeli wedding, and they felt that we weren’t going to make it. like they must have it for their Magically, none of us was hurt, special day. so we thought we would call an On the other hand, budgets are Uber and switch cars while one not unlimited even though we would like them to be.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 31

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sold to.

If you answer “yes” to any of the above statements, then you should consider hiring a Memoristic magnet photographer for your next event.

A question that keeps on presenting itself is “Do I really need a magnet photographer in addition to my event photographer?” The truth is yes. Your still photographer, a videographer, and a magnet photographer have different functions and purpose.

A still photographer will document your day, a videographer will capture the story as it unfolds, and a magnet photographer will engage the crowd, lift the energy in the room, and create memories that stick long after your event has ended.

You might have seen Memoristic setting up a magnet station for the American Cancer Society or at Queens and Brooklyn Pride. Their repertoire includes working at both small and big events with government agencies such as the Israeli

Consulate, schools such as St. Francis College, brands such as Captain Morgan, and many private team building and individual events.

The team loves working with different nationalities and speaks several languages, including English, Hebrew, and Spanish.

Whether you are planning an indoor or outdoor social or corporate event such as a gala, holiday party, wedding, sweet 16 party, Quinceañera celebration, product launch, conference, festival, brand activation at an expo, or in-store promotion, there are countless reasons to hire a magnet photographer for your next event. After all, who doesn’t want a high quality photo magnet of themselves?

With photo magnets on site your event memories will not be printed on paper only to be lost or thrown away, nor will they be digitally stored away on smartphones or float around somewhere in cyberspace via social media. Memories make us who we are; Memoristic makes sure they stick around.

Memoristic Productions is a woman-owned magnet photography company transforming event photos into magnetic memories on the spot. Visit memoristic.com for more information. For bookings, email info@memoristic.com, or text or call (347) 699-0632. Capacity per date is limited, so booking early is advised. Mention the code “THISISMEMORISTICQUEENS” and book within 14 days for 10 percent off all packages.

November 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 11

QUEENS CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS

ALPHAPOINTE PUTS DOWN NEW ROOTS IN QUEENS

BY ANTHONY LUISI It was a massive and ambitious goal: uprooting a complex operation, relocating gargantuan machines, restoring a severely dilapidated property, and acclimating a workforce largely comprised of legally blind employees to new surroundings.

Success would mean survival and a chance for substantial growth for one of New York City’s only – and by far its largest – organizations committed to providing employment and greater independence to those with vision loss. Failure was not an option, as it would leave more than 200 people without a place to work.

Formerly New York City Industries for the Blind, Alphapointe New York is a nonprofit that provides jobs and job placement for

individuals who are blind and visually impaired, as well as needed products and services to businesses around the corner and across the globe.

Having operated out of rented space in Brooklyn since 1995, last year the company purchased a property in Richmond Hill and announced plans to relocate there by the end of 2018.

Since then, we’ve undertaken extensive renovations to the 138,000-square-foot, 19-building complex, moved one or more departments there at a time, and have kept our operations flowing smoothly all the while.

We have painted walls, upgraded electrical, water and sewer systems and replaced the roofs over our heads. We’ve cleared and cleaned internal spaces to make room for

supplies, massive racks in our warehouse and our machines that make mops and brooms.

We’ve also added a high-tech navigational system that guides our blind and visually impaired personnel safely around our facility, using

strategically placed beacons and an app on their phones.

We’ve even cleaned up exterior features of the property, making them safer and more accessible for CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

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EXPERT ADVICE

NONPROFIT GOVERNANCE: IT’S NOT ROCKET SCIENCE

BY DAVID GOLDSTEIN At a recent board meeting with a new client, I found myself at the table with a number of brilliant and acclaimed scientists, some of whom had worked for NASA at different points in their careers.

The board members’ individual accomplishments aside, this organization’s governance was abysmal. It was clear that the board had not been paying attention to governance matters. To bring this point home, I told the board that what many of them do is rocket science, but what I do most certainly is not.

All that it takes for sound non-

profit governance is determination to follow governance requirements mixed with discipline and attention to detail in implementation.

True, it’s not rocket science, yet there are traps that we see nonprofits fall victim to again and again.

• Never lose sight of your corporate purposes. The Certificate of Incorporation was likely the first document your organization prepared. Many organizations lose track of this fundamental document or ignore its provisions. They do so at their great peril.

Your Certificate of Incorporation contains a statement of your organization’s corporate purposes. Any

activities outside of the purposes stated in your Certificate of Incorporation are unauthorized and not permissible.

If you wish to conduct activities outside of the scope of the purposes stated in your Certificate of Incorporation (including expanding your purposes to accommodate new activities not originally contemplated), the Certificate of Incorporation can be amended to change the organization’s purposes.

Such an amendment by a charitable corporation requires obtaining the approval of the New York State Attorney General. An amendment of corporate purposes may also

require notice to, or consent of, state regulatory agencies.

• You can follow your bylaws, yet still be violating the law. Bylaws are fundamental to the operation of any nonprofit. Bylaws are the internal rules for governing your organization, yet bylaws can be almost too easy to change.

As opposed to your Certificate of Incorporation, your bylaws are not reviewed by New York State, either initially or when your bylaws are amended. We very often see bylaws that are rife with provisions that sound good, but are inconsisCONTINUED ON PAGE 11

EMU HEALTH OPENS NEW FACILITY IN GLENDALE

BY JEN KHEDAROO EMU Health opened a new state-of-the-art facility last week that will offer high-quality health care on a local level.

“We’re bringing quality care to Queens,” said EMU chief clinical officer Efrat Yaish. “We’re now able to offer everything from the basics like pre-op and primary care to urology, women’s health, general surgery and orthopedics.”

Located at 83-40 Woodhaven Boulevard in Glendale in a former ambulatory surgery center, on-site lab work and a radiology department will also be part of the services.

Through a partnership with Mount Sinai, Dr. Joseph Tawil of Mount Sinai’s Cardiology Department, which is ranked ninth in the country, will be providing cardiac services.

“This partnership brings EMU another step closer to fulfilling my dream of bringing worldclass medicine to the borough of Queens,” said EMU CEO and founder Daniel Lowy, “eliminating the need for residents to travel to Manhattan for the highest quality of care.”

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EMU Health offers some of the most advanced equipment in the field, including one of just two 3D mammography machines in

Queens.

“It’s so impressive when you take a look around here and see the technology aspect,” said State

Senator Joseph Addabbo. “Anyone who walks in off the street looking for some type of medical help can get it here.”

November 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 11

EXPERT ADVICE

NONPROFIT GOVERNANCE

WATCH YOUR MONEY GROW

WITH YOUR BUSINESS

need to provide for notice and consent using both modalities. tent with the provisions of the NotBut many nonprofit bylaws confor-Profit Corporation Law and its tain outdated provisions that say many mandatory technical require- that notice must be “in writing� ments. or “delivered by mail or overnight For instance, under the law a carrier,� thereby excluding email board is permitted to act without notice. Similarly, the unanimous a meeting if all of the directors consent without a meeting proviconsent to the action being taken sion in many bylaws contains an in writing or by email. An orga- outdated formulation stating that nization with 50 board members consent must be “written,� again ´ :KDW VHWV 5LGJHZRRG DSDUW cannot have a bylaw that allows excluding the use of email because consent without a meeting by 49 under theother law email is not from banks is considtheir of the 50. It is all or nothing. Even ered a writing.

VHUYLFH ,I , KDYH D QHHG if that 50th board member is out of We often find that organizations WKH\ WDNH FDUH RI LW the country or medically unable to with these outdated provisions give consent, the law requires that have been using email notice and , QHYHU KDYH WR ZRUU\ ¾ consent without a meeting must be email consents even though their unanimous to be valid. bylaws do not allow for this. The Jeff Ceraso A new client came in recently result, here Artist also,CafÊ is that actions Starving & Gallery with bylaws that allowed consent taken by the organization can later without a meeting if five of the be held to be improper and invalid. seven directors provided consent Why do we care? After all, don’t in writing. This nonprofit had been these governance missteps constiscrupulously following this pro- tute harmless technical errors? Not vision in their bylaws for years. by a long-shot.

Because this bylaw was inconsisActing outside of the nonprofit’s tent with the law, all the actions purposes, or improper meetings or taken in reliance upon it were actions, each constitute a breach improper and invalid. of fiduciary duty on the part of the • Your bylaws can unintentional- members of the board of directors. ly prevent you from taking advanBreaches of fiduciary duty by As co-owner of Starving Artist CafÊ & Gallery, Jeff Ceraso needed a bank tage of helpful provisions in the directors expose those directors to couldpersonal keep up with the fast pace of his business. He turned to law. There can be important areas that potential liability under 5LGJHZRRG ZKHUH KH IRXQG WKH à H[LEOH DFFRXQWV VRSKLVWLFDWHG WHFKQRORJ\ of flexibility permitted under the the law, and can also provide a law that your bylaws – often unin- and potential basis for anservice insurance fast, responsive he needed to move his business forward. tentionally – make unavailable to carrier to disclaim coverage under your organization. a nonprofit’s insurance policy. *HW WKH VROXWLRQV \RX QHHG WR VDYH WLPH DQG LPSURYH FDVK à RZ We most often see this in the The moral of the story is that Speak with a Business Banking Relationship Manager today. areas of email notice and email governance is most certainly not on balances up to $1 million consent, which have been explic- rocket science, but failure by a itly allowed under New York law nonprofit to be sure to put its govsince 2014. Under the law, email is ernance ducks in a row can have not considered a writing, so bylaws explosive consequences.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

BUSINESS MONEY MARKET ACCOUNT

From “Starving Artist� to Thriving Business.

1.25

% APY*

ZZZ ULGJHZRRGEDQN FRP David Goldstein is a member of the Nonprofit/Tax Exempt/Religious Organiza(844) 772-4722 tions Practice Group at Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman, LLP. He is Chair of the New York State Bar Association’s Not-ForProfit Corporations Law Committee. He represents a broad range of international, national, regional and local not-for-profit entities across a wide variety of nonprofit sectors. You may reach him at dgoldstein@ certilmanbalin.com or (516) 296-7811.

Visit www.ridgewoodbank.com or call (844) 772-4722 to learn more.

Effective Date: 6/16/18. *Annual Percentage Yield (APY). New accounts only. $10,000 minimum to open. Contact an employee for further information about applicable fees and terms. Rates and terms are subject to change without notice. Balances of $1,000,000.01 and over receive a rate of .30% and an annual percentage yield of .30%.

Member FDIC.

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QUEENS CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS BLOCKCHAIN FIRM LAUNCHES CRYPTOCURRENCY EXCHANGE

BY MONGKOL THITITHAMASAK

Navigating the crypto-sphere can be a challenging and cumbersome process. Yezcoin.com is launching a hybrid cryptocurrency exchange that brings together the speed of a centralized exchange with the security of a decentralized model.

These innovations will simplify the user experience while taking transaction security to the next level. Yezcoin has already released (via pop up warning) an anti-scam extension free to the public, warning customers when they attempt to transact with a fraudulent address.

And Yezcoin recently developed the YezWallet, a cryptocurrency wallet for YEZ tokens. A user can create their wallet in seconds using their Google or Facebook account, and the simplified technology allows users

to download all the necessary information in just one step.

It removes the unnecessary complexity of creating multiple wallets and using multiple tokens.

The YezWallet can be used anywhere in the world with default currency settings that instantly convert the YEZ price and net worth to the selected currency with real-time exchange rates.

The YezWallet is also equipped with QR Code scanning for receiving and sending tokens from and to another wallet address. In addition, it can also display a user’s full transaction history with timestamps for a complete record of their transactions. It can be used free of charge at wallet.yezcoin.com.

Yezcoin is presently working on ID management solutions and will store encrypted customer information on the blockchain, where only individual account

A screen shot of the Yezcoin home page.

owners can unlock their information using their private keys.

This idea further allows customers to make their own decisions on sharing private information and even profit from it. It’s a revolutionary improvement over the current trend of data domination and abuse.

Blockchain consulting services Yezcoin is using blockchain technology to provide solutions that bring companies into compliance with Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) rules. Looking forward, Yezcoin plans to grow into an ICO launch pad platform to provide support with the KYC & AML processes, and is currently offering consulting services for start-ups and others interested in entering the blockchain/crypto economy.

Yezcoin provides assistance to companies on use of blockchain to enhance security, efficiency and to grow their customer base.

Yezcoin will also offer services like business registration in cryptocurrency-friendly jurisdictions, Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) of utility tokens, as well as marketing, community building and assistance with getting tokens listed on cryptocurrency exchanges, which is important to provide liquidity to their investors.

Yezcoin strongly believes in the positive contribution of blockchain technology and sees great potential in its development and the security it offers.

By 2019, AI and Biometrics ID will further strengthen Yezcoin’s commitment to security.

The company is building future opportunities to partner with the private sector and governments, using identity management solutions to promote human rights by providing a digital identity to all.

In addition to helping millions of people prove their identity, including refugees and victims of trafficking, identity management can also benefit more than two billion people who have no access to financial services.

Using blockchain technology to establish digital identities for under-served populations can go a long way toward improving people’s lives and increasing their security.

The company uses the NEO Blockchain as a platform, and Yezcoin’s partnership program has grown considerably. The company will continue to launch subsidiary companies on its platform to address different sectors, including real estate, healthcare, education, employment, just to name a few.

Finally, the Yezcoin Airdrop is happening now and will reward the first 10,000 users to join the platform when they complete the KYC and AML registration, and engage with Yezcoin on social media as directed on the website.

If you are interested in learning more and tracking the platform’s progress, follow @yezcoin on Twitter, Telegram, or YouTube.

November 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 11

NONPROFIT NEWS

LIVING FREE-LY: NONPROFIT EXPANDS IN QUEENS Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE) was founded in 1977. With headquarters in Old Bethpage, FREE benefits and supports more than 4,000 individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities, mental illness and traumatic brain injury.

It is the mission of FREE to help individuals of all abilities realize their full potential. FREE provides a diverse array of supports and services, including housing, recovery services, transition to work, employment, day, community and family services, respite, crisis services, education and after school support, specialty health services, and advocacy.

FREE has programs from the east end of Long Island to Staten Island. Its expansion into Queens

In honor of the late George Kaufman, founder of Kaufman Astoria Studios, The Astor Room has been renamed George’s.

The 3,500 square-foot restaurant seats 70 in the main dining area, 40 in the private Valentino dining room and 25 at the bar.

Private events can be hosted in the 73-seat screening room, renovated as the Zukor Theater.

Make a reservation at George’s and take a trip decades back in time and revisit the old Hollywood charm still alive in the city today.

Live music weekly!

Visit website for performance schedule.

347-983-6491 www.georges.nyc 35-11 35th Ave., Astoria NY 11106

includes residences, supportive apartments, and Program Without Walls (PWW), where individuals volunteer and participate in recreational activities and work in the community.

The organization has four Individualized Residential Alternatives (IRAs) in Queens, and hopes to continue to expand its array of services and opportunities in the borough. Its newest project serves young adults who have graduated from residential schools and brings them back to their areas of origin.

FREE also collaborates with a variety of diverse nonprofit partners on educational, vocational, rehabilitative and a myriad of other creative initiatives to enhance the local communities and the lives of more than 25,000 people that reside

within them.

Each of the valued partners of the FREE Network has a unique mission, vision and strategic goals that are aligned in purpose and embody the spirit of the meaningful work

we do every day.

For more information, please reach Grace D. Verderame at (516) 870-1600 ext. 1956 or gverderame01@familyres.org.

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REBNY HEAD TALKS ACCOMPLISHMENTS, CHALLENGES

BY BENJAMIN FANG When John Banks joined the Real Estate Board of New York as president in 2014, he was pleasantly surprised to learn just how much policy analysis took place at the organization.

REBNY, which represents New York City’s real estate industry, has its own internal policy and research group. They produce reports for the industry, including the Residential Listing Service Syndication, which gives the most updated real estate listing information.

“They are much more than an advocacy organization,” he said.

Banks, who lives in Pelham Manor with his family, came to REBNY from Con Edison, where he served as head of government relations for 13 years.

His background also includes stints as a chief of staff for the New York City Council and deputy director of the Council’s Finance Division. His government experience dates back to former Mayor Ed Koch, where he worked in the office of operations.

In 2010, Banks served as the vice chairman of the New York City Charter Revision Commission and three years later, on Mayor Bill de Blasio’s transition team.

Both REBNY and Con Ed are ubiquitous to New York, Banks said, and both are committed to the city.

“Because of that commitment, they look at things much more on a community basis,” he said. “The buildings they build are going to be here for a long time.”

Since his appointment to the post in 2014, Banks said the real estate organization has achieved two major feats. One is the East Midtown rezoning, a project that began before his tenure but moved forward under his leadership.

The second is the reauthorization of the old 421-a program, now called the Affordable New York Housing Program. It took two years to complete, but working with Governor Andrew Cuomo and the Building and Construction Trades Council, Banks believes the deal struck the right balance.

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John Banks, president of the Real Estate Board of New York (right), with Mayor Bill de Blasio and Michael Garner, president of One Hundred Black Men, Inc. of New York.

“We came up with a workable alternative that provides more affordability,” he said, “and establishes a wage that is able to allow the construction of the types of building we need to address the affordability crisis.”

Affordable New York provides significant financial relief to the builders of those affordable units, allowing them to offer a greater percentage at deeper levels, he said.

“It’s very expensive to build here,” Banks said. “If we are able to work with government, we think we can bridge the gap between what we need to take on the risk of building and offering a quality product.”

Banks added that property owners, developers and landlords today face many challenges, including a perception that they have been given “an unfair advantage” in New York City.

“We want people to know developers and property owners love the city as much as other people,” he said.

Despite recent major accomplishments, REBNY is closely watching a number of projects that could impact their members. One piece

of legislation in particular is the Small Business Jobs Survival Act, a bill that would give commercial tenants a right to a 10-year lease renewal and rights to negotiate a more fair lease.

REBNY is “adamantly opposed” to the bill. Banks said the 1970sera legislation wouldn’t help momand-pop retailers.

“We want to work with the City Council and the mayor to try to fashion a piece of legislation that can provide some relief to momand-pop stores,” he said, “but also not penalize owners who have invested in the city.”

He noted that the retail world has changed dramatically in the last decade, especially with the introduction of e-commerce. Banks also pointed to over-regulation and additional requirements like family leave, a higher minimum wage and other “worthy changes” that still put pressure on small businesses.

“We want folks to have an honest conversation on all the factors that make it hard for small mom-andpop shops,” he said.

Banks is also paying attention to Albany this upcoming legislative session because New York City’s

rent laws are set to expire. He said there are strong desires to change those laws as well, but REBNY is looking forward to fashioning a reasonable bill.

Within the real estate industry, Banks said REBNY has been focusing on the areas of diversity, equality and inclusion. He noted that the industry includes many people and positions, including brokers, building operators, building managers and operating engineers.

“This is a dynamic industry and there are lots of jobs opportunities,” Banks said, “and they’re as diverse as any section of the economy.”

On December 6, Banks will be honored by the Queens Chamber of Commerce during its 2018 Building Awards Gala “I am honored to be recognized by the Queens Chamber of Commerce,” Banks said of the recognition. “Both REBNY and the Queens Chamber are focused on fostering the growth of New York City and making it a better place to live, work, and raise a family. I want to thank the Queens Chamber and I look forward to our continued strong partnership.”

November 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 11

PARKER HOST ANNUAL DINNER

Queens-based Philanthropist Among First Ever Recipients of Honorary Doctorate from the University of Guyana Jay Sobhraj, co-Founder of Zara Realty, earns honor for decades of charitable work in education, technology, mental health The University of Guyana will award an honorary doctorate to Queens-based philanthropist and entrepreneur Jay Sobhraj, among the first in the university’s history, in recognition of his long dedication to philanthropy and record of success in business.

The honor recognizes his work in founding the Jay and Sylvia Sobhraj Foundation, which this year helped create the nation of Guyana’s first degree program in psychology, as well as a new building and resources to house mental health services at the university.

It further recognizes the Foundation’s work in creating scholarships for students to attend the university, its purchase of equipment for the Guyana police force, as well as for the specialized high school preparatory classes it runs for hundreds of public school students in Queens.

Pictured is Michael Rosenblut and Peter Seideman presenting an award to Carrier’s John S. Moore during a fundraising dinner held at the Queens Museum.

Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation held its 2018 Gala fundraising dinner on October 18 in the Grand Ballroom of the Queens Museum.

Celebrating the institute’s 111-year anniversary, the event also honored Carrier Corporation, one of Parker’s long-time strategic partners.

Built on Willis Carrier’s invention of modern air-conditioning in 1902, Carrier today is a world leader in heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration solutions.

“Our partnership with Carrier has made it possible to pursue an unwavering commitment to deliver superior patient care in a warm and supportive environment, which has been the Parker mantra since our 1907 founding,” said Parker chairman Peter Seideman.

Parker is the region’s leading provider of short term rehabilitation and long term care. At the forefront of innovation in patient-

centered health care and new technology, the Institute is a leader in teaching and geriatric research.

Parker features round-the-clock clinical teams, and is nationally renowned as a Skilled Nursing Facility, as well as a provider of community-based health care, encompassing Social Adult Day Care, Home Health Care and a Hospice Program.

“The needs of our senior population - the nation’s largest - makes your support more critical than ever,” Parker CEO and president Michael Rosenblut told the crowd of 300. “The support of the many here tonight helps strengthen our endowment, which will benefit Parker’s patients and residents for decades to come.”

Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation is located at 271-11 76th Avenue in New Hyde Park. Call (718) 289-2212 for more information.

In bestowing the honor on Mr. Sobhraj, the University of Guyana, which this year is awarding honorary doctorates for the first time, cites his “combination of business acumen, personal distinction in the field of real estate development, connection to The University of Guyana through generous philanthropy as well as exceptional service to the Guyanese community in Guyana and in the United States of America.”

“It is a tremendous honor to receive this recognition from the University of Guyana, whose educational mission has been central to so many of the charitable endeavors Sylvia and I have been fortunate enough to support,” said Mr. Sobhraj. “My family has enjoyed success in the United States and we feel a deep obligation to repay that success by helping others, primarily young people, from Queens, New York, to Georgetown, Guyana, further their education and help realize their dreams.”

Born in Guyana in 1948, Mr. Sobhraj was one of 10 children and the son of a rice farmer. He earned a degree in engineering from Middlesex Polytechnic in London, England, and became a member of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers in 1984.

After working in the oil industry in the United Arab Emirates, Mr. Sobhraj, along with two of his brothers, George and Ken, co-founded Zara Realty in 1982 in Jamaica, Queens. The firm, one of the city’s top providers of affordable housing, also owns or manages more than 3.1 million square feet of commercial real estate in the New York region.

In 2007, after years of independent charitable giving, he officially founded the Jay and Sylvia Sobhraj Foundation with his wife. The foundation has donated more than $2 million to various causes over the years in the United States and Guyana.

This includes the new psychology program at the University of Guyana, five student scholarships a year, crucial equipment for the Guyana police force, and more.

In Queens, the foundation, in partnership with the America Sevashram Sangha temple, runs free preparatory classes for students to take the Specialized High School Admittance Test (SHSAT), which allows entry into the city’s top academic high schools. Ordinarily, families pay thousands of dollars for the classes, which help candidates qualify for four of the top public high schools in the city.

The foundation also donated a computer lab to Richmond Hill High School in Queens.

Mr. Sobhraj will receive an honorary doctorate of the University Degree (D.Unv. UoG) at a ceremony on Nov. 10, 2018 at the university.

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BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARDS DINNER

QUEENS CHAMBER HONORS FOUR AT ANNUAL EVENT

BY MARK GARZON The Queens Chamber of Commerce honored four local business leaders at its annual Business Person of the Year awards last Thursday at Terrace on the Park.

This year’s recipients included Sister Tesa Fitzgerald, founder and executive director at Hour Children, Christopher Horch, associate partner at JB&B, and Nick Tziazas, president of Lyons Mortgage Services, Inc. John Catsimatidis, the president and CEO of Red Apple Group, was this year’s Hall of Fame honoree.

“It’s our opportunity to honor people in the Queens community who have added something special to the business community and to their own community,” said Chamber chair Thomas Santucci.

The honorees were chosen for demonstrating business acumen, street smarts, hard work, success and for “doing well by doing good.”

Queens Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Thomas Grech said the honorees all have made a difference by giving back.

“That’s the legacy of the people out here tonight,” he said.

Pictured from left to right are Queens Chamber CEO & President Thomas Grech, Christopher Horch, Borough President Melinda Katz, Sister Tesa Fitzgerald, John Catsimatidis, Nick Tziazas, Chamber Chair Thomas Santucci and Councilman Costa Constantinides. (All Photos: Dominick Totino)

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November 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 11

BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARDS DINNER

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

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NOVEMBER BRINGS MERCURY & SCROOGE TO QUEENS #7. Nov. 16, NEA Jazz Masters: Speaking in the Language of Jazz, 8 pm. Five NEA Jazz Masters - Slide Hampton, Barry Harris, Jimmy Cobb, Jimmy Heath, and Jimmy Owens - jam with veteran bassist Paul West. This annual concert showcases the love and friendship between men who have devoted their lives to jazz. Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., flushingtownhall.org. #6. Nov. 11, Diwali Celebration, 1 pm.

Diwali is the “Festival of Lights” for Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains. The annual ritual is dedicated to Lakshmi, the Goddess of Light, and for many believers, it’s the most positive time of year, when good triumphs over evil, knowledge overcomes ignorance, and hope prevails over despair. The Flushing Ganesh Temple co-presents this event, which includes clay lamp-painting, regional dances, and the lighting of 3,000 candles. Queens Museum, NYC Building, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, queensmuseum.org. #5. Nov. 8, Frida Libre, Nov. 18. In an encore performance, Mexican actress and singer Flora Martínez presents a one-woman play on Frida Kahlo. She covers the artist’s success, politics, art, sexuality, and the physical pain that followed a trolley accident. She also explores the complex relationship between Frida and his much older husband, muralist Diego Rivera. Martínez offers six English shows and four Spanish ones. Queens Theatre, 14 United Nations Ave. S., Flushing Meadows Corona Park, queenstheatre.org. #4. Nov. 24, The Bliss Plaza Pop Up Holiday Market, Dec. 16. The Sunnyside Shines Business Improvement District and the Queens Night Market offer this bazaar over several weekends from noon to 6 pm. More than 30 rotating vendors offer gift items ranging from 3-D printed jewelry, fine ceramics, artisanal candles, and handmade swaddlers. Bliss Plaza (under the elevated 7 train) at 46th Street and Queens Boulevard, Sunnyside, sunnysideshines. org. #3. Nov. 23, A Christmas Carol, 7:30 pm. Back by popular demand, the North Country Center for the Arts National Touring Company presents this classic Charles Dickens tale of redemption. This version overflows with THE DAN ZANES TRIO HOLIDAY SING ALONG

This November includes the Mid-Term Elections, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, and even National Men Make Dinner Day (look it up). And as always, the borough hosts fantastic events from beginning to end. Since it’s the 11th month of the year, we offers the 11 Best Queens Events in November. #11. Nov. 17, Exploring Colonial Flavors: 18th Century Cooking, 11 am. Learn how early settlers prepared food using an open hearth. Try dishes made with 18th century recipes, seasonal ingredients, traditional cooking utensils, and warm embers. Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Pkwy., Glen Oaks, queensfarm.org. #10. Nov. 17, Zero-Waste Thanksgiving, 1 pm. The NYC Compost Project presents a special guest from All.Things.Cooked, who offers kitchen tips for a zero-waste Thanksgiving, from carrots to turkey bone. This includes demo-delicious and eco-friendly recipes. Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main St., Flushing, queensbotanical.org. #9. Nov. 11, To Honor Fallen Heroes, 2:30 pm. On Veterans Day, James Haas discusses his book, “To Honor Fallen Heroes: How a Small, German-American Village in New York City Experienced the Great War,” a study of more than 650 men from College Point who fought in World War I. This is Haas’s fourth book on College Point. Queens Historical Society, 14335 37th Ave., Flushing, queenshistoricalsociety. org. #8. Nov. 18, Mystic India: A Bollywood Dance Spectacular!, 3 pm. This show tells the story of India’s transition to modernity through dance. It is an explosion of colors and energy and a stunning visual display that fuses dance, theater, and special effects. Queensborough Performing Arts Center, 222-05 56th Ave., Bayside, visitqpac.org.

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FRIDA LIBRE

music, laughter, a couple of really scary ghosts, and one extremely grumpy old man. Queensborough Performing Arts Center, 222-05 56th Ave., Bayside, visitqpac.org #2. Nov. 25, The Dan Zanes Trio Holiday Sing Along, 1 pm & 3 pm. Grammy-winning Dan Zanes and Haitian-American jazz vocalists Claudia Eliaza and Yuriana Sobrino share the stage. This multicultural celebration is highly interactive, and the audience is invited to sing and dance along. Queens Theatre, 14 United Nations Ave. S., Flushing Meadows Corona Park, queenstheatre.org.

And number one... #1. Nov. 17, Killer Queen, 8 pm. Touring since 1993, this Queen tribute band captures the essence of Freddie Mercury and company.

Get ready for “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “We Will Rock You,” and “Another One Bites the Dust.”

Colden Auditorium, Queens College, 153-49 Reeves Ave., Flushing, kupferbergcenter.org.

More information is at itsinqueens.com.

November 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 11

QUEENSBOROUGH CALENDAR OF EVENTS NOVEMBER 11/1, 5:30 PM

BUSINESS CARD EXCHANGE AND 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Join the Chamber for a Business Card Exchange and celebration of 50 years of Schwartz family ownership of Eneslow.

Eneslow Shoes & Orthotics 249-38 Horace Harding Expressway Little Neck, NY 11362 11/7, 9 AM

ANALYZING YOUR COMPETITION REAL COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES

Every company has a unique set of strengths, and it’s critical that you determine yours, as well as those of your competitors, with Stuart Harker, Business Relationship Manager at TD Bank.

FREE Register at queenschamber.org Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Blvd., Ste. 140 Jackson Heights, NY 11372

11/8, 11 AM to 4 PM

ALLIED HEALTH CAREERS JOB FAIR

If you are looking for a career in healthcare and medical support, this event is for you. Open to members of the public and current students, the Allied Health Jobs fair is set to get you hired Plaza College 118-33 Queens Blvd.

Forest Hills, NY 11375 11/13, 6 PM

NOVEMBER NETWORKING - LATIN NIGHT

A fun evening where attendees can network, cut-loose and receive professional instruction from Latin dance choreographers.

Resorts World Casino NYC 110-00 Rockaway Blvd.

Jamaica, NY 11420 11/14, 3 PM

SHOPPING FOR A HOME

This workshop is intended for business owners and the public in general who are seeking financing to either buy a home, commercial

property and start or grow their business. The guest speaker is Lucien Lapierre of TD Bank.

FREE Register at queenschamber.org Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Blvd., Ste. 140 Jackson Heights, NY 11372 11/15, 6 PM

discussion, attendees will have the opportunity to network and learn more about workforce training resources from experts.

FREE Register at queenschamber.org United Nations FCU 24-01 44th Rd. Long Island City, NY 11101

REALIZING THE AMERICAN DREAM HOME BUYING

12/6, 6 PM

11/16, 8 AM

For over 90 years, this marvelous tradition honors the architects, builders, engineers, lenders, interior designers and owners of buildings and building projects in Queens County.

Terrace on the Park 52-11 111th St. Flushing. NY 11368

This workshop is intended for people seeking financing. Develop a plan to increase your credit score, and what you can do to keep it up.

FREE Neighborhood Housing Services of Queens CDC 60-20 Woodside Ave., 2nd Floor Woodside, NY 11377

WORKFORCE SYMPOSIUM SPONSORED

BY VERIZON

Learn about hiring in the gig economy, diversity and language inclusion, keeping up with regulations and more. After a panel

DECEMBER

2018 ANNUAL BUILDING AWARDS & GALA

12/7, 8 AM

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION SKILLS IN THE WORKPLACE

This program covers how HR professionals and managers develop effective communications skills for greater performance. The guest speaker is Joshua Bienstock of NYIT’s School of Management.

FREE Register at queenschamber.org Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Blvd., Ste. 140 Jackson Heights, NY 11372 12/13, 4 PM

NYC RETROFIT ACCELERATOR AND BUILDING ENERGY EFFICIENCY

The U.S. Commercial Service along with the New York District Export Council and Queens Chamber of Commerce, hosted a successful Exporting to Asia seminar for U.S.-based companies focused on developing and managing sales opportunities in China and South Korea. Congresswoman Grace Meng was the keynote speaker of the event, which was held at the Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel, a member of the Queens Chamber.

This program is here to help you boost comfort, control costs, and help fight climate change through energy efficiency. The NYC Retrofit Accelerator offers free advisory services that streamline the process FREE Register at queenschamber.org Vaughn College 86-01 23rd Ave. East Elmhurst, NY 11369

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

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QUEENS CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS

MAKING THE PATIENT’S HEALTH A PRIORITY

BY TANESHA LAWRENCE, MD For years, I have had patients, family and friends alike encourage me to open my own practice, either because they truly believed I was a good physician from the patient’s perspective or because those close to me saw a greater way for me to reach people through medicine.

I receive these compliments and encouragement with great humility.

It is not for me to judge or promote whether or not I am a commendable medical provider, but I do recognize that the field of medicine, especially in the United States, has changed dramatically and not all for the better.

With ever-present factors like insurance company restrictions, potential legal suits and financial burdens, physicians are under intense pressure and patients have voiced sentiments of not feeling like a priority under their medical provider’s care.

Within the space of a diversity of clinical settings, whether it be your local emergency room, free standing urgent care facility or a pharmacy based walk-in clinic, too often the common thread I hear from the patient perspective is “doctors just don’t seem to care anymore.”

Hence, one of the greatest driving forces in my decision to start my own practice is to provide quality medical care to my patients on more of my own terms. Undeniably, it is difficult to escape some aspects of the medical system, but at least with the autonomy of my own practice I can spend the time and provide the quality care every patient deserves.

So are you tired of feeling like just another number in your doctor’s office? Are you frustrated or concerned that your voice isn’t heard?

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Through Renaissance Medical Care, P.C. we are committed to providing compassionate, caring and comprehensive medical services to meet the health care needs of those within the community.

Known for my excellent bedside manner and thorough medical evaluations, I am a board certified Family Medicine Physician with over 15 years experience who is committed to the overall well-being of my patients.

Our motto is that every patient should be treated like family. Our services offered include:

• Well adult exams • Adult and child sick visits • GYN exams • STD testing • Chronic disease management • Brief mental health counseling • Referrals to specialty clinics Although I currently work alone as a medical provider in my practice, I share employees with another physician in the use of medical assistants and front desk staff. I hope in the future to partner with other physicians and to develop a robust multi-specialty practice.

Looking at the patient from a

holistic standpoint is also important. Addressing not only physical, but emotional, mental and even spiritual health is key as well. Many patients just need encouragement, a listening ear and sound support in their health struggles and in their healing process.

I distinctly remember a patient saying, “Dr. Lawrence, it is a physicians like you who still give me hope in medicine.” I am committed to being one of those who will fuel that hope and make sound patient care a priority for those I am privileged to serve.

At Renaissance Medical Care, P.C., your health is our priority!

HOST YOUR EVENT AT KUPFERBERG Since its inception in 2007, Kupferberg Center for the Arts at Queens College has presented artists of the highest caliber to the New York City metro area and beyond, as well as hosted a bevy of events for media titans, politicians, and influencers.

Whether you are staging a full production, producing an acting showcase, or searching for a bright and comfortable space for your rehearsals or staged readings, Kupferberg’s venues will fit your needs.

In addition to providing highquality entertainment, the theatres and reception area also provide picture-perfect settings for graduations, pep rallies, seminars, expos, corporate conferences, award shows, holiday parties, and film shoots.

Past rental clients include “Saturday Night Live,” “America’s Got Talent,” David Bowie, J.Cole, Jason Mraz, Dance NYC, Hong Kong singer and actor Eason Chan, Colombian president Ivan Duque Marquez, and Borough President Melinda Katz.

Conveniently located by the Long Island Expressway, Colden

Auditorium is the largest yearround indoor venue in Queens. The versatile theater seats 2,100 people and offers top-notch lighting, the support of a professional staff to ensure the success of your event, and onsite parking.

The striking LeFrak Concert Hall is a one-of-a-kind performance venue that features a stunning

organ, seats up to 450 people, and boasts a reception area with natural lighting. Whether in the orchestra or balcony, audience members are guaranteed to have an immersive experience in this intimate opera house-inspired theater.

For more information, visit kupferbergcenter.org.

November 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 11

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July 2018 . Volume 14 . Issue 7

MASPETH FEDERAL

BANKING IN ...AND ON...

COMMUNITIES

MARKETING THE EXPERIENCE AT QUEENS CENTER MALL “We’re really a community company that happens to do some banking.”

PRESIDENT & CEO THOMAS RUDZEWICK

5

PAGES OF COVERAGE OF THE QUEENS CHAMBER BUSINESS EXPO

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August 2018 . Volume 14 . Issue 8

SCRAP

METTLE

THE WOMAN BREAKING GENDER STEREOTYPES AT CITY SCRAP METAL IN LONG ISLAND CITY CHAMBER TAKES TO THE SEAS FOR ANNUAL NETWORKING EVENT

OWNER AND PRESIDENT MICHELE ROTHMAN

Profiling Queens’ Most Dynamic People.

They read it.... so should you!

This is Queensborough is published by

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EDC GIVES FIRST LOOK AT SUNNYSIDE YARD PROJECT

BY BENJAMIN FANG The city’s first public meeting on the massive Sunnyside Yard project drew hundreds of locals who gave their input on the development.

Hosted at LaGuardia Community College on October 24, the workshop-style event invited attendees to give their thoughts about neighborhood needs, top priorities and other concerns in western Queens.

Cali Williams, director of the Sunnyside Yard project at the Economic Development Corporation (EDC), said the city will host at least four public meetings in total to collect feedback from people who live and work in the area.

“This is a generational, historic planning effort we just started earlier this summer to come up with a vision for this site,” she said. “We will take the input that we hear and come back with a draft plan.”

EDC has begun its 18-month process to create a master plan for Sunnyside Yard, with the goal of forming a vision for the project and identifying initial phases of development.

A team of consultants, led by Vishaan Chakrabarti’s Practice for Architecture and Urbanism (PAU), will work on the master plan, including engineering, financing and public engagement.

The master plan will be guided by a steering committee, made up of elected officials, community leaders, and content and thought experts. Consultants and steering committee members were at the meeting last week to talk to residents.

Williams said there’s nothing set in stone yet for Sunnyside Yard, and that city officials are listening to local stakeholders about what they’d like to see at railyard.

“This is a true public process,” she said. “There’s no set plan here.”

At 180 acres, Sunnyside Yard is 20 percent bigger than Roosevelt Island and Battery Park City. It’s six times bigger than Hudson Yard.

EDC’s feasibility study concluded that up to 85 percent of the railyard could be capped to build 24,000 new housing units, open space, new schools and retail and community facilities.

Amtrak currently owns 140 of the 180 acres at Sunnyside Yard, and the rest is owned by the MTA and private entities.

The city has the air rights above the MTA portion.

“Any development here would be built over many decades,” Williams said. “We’re thinking not just about what people living in the surrounding neighborhoods need in the near term, but also what

our children and grandchildren will need in the future.”

Long Island City resident Dan Ferrante said while he usually favors development over nothing, he wanted to see what the city wants to do with the railyard.

“I think the growth of Long Island City is such that they’re going to have to increase capacity tremendously on a system that is already strained,” he said.

ALPHAPOINTE LOOKS TO MAKE NEW CONNECTIONS IN QUEENS CONTINUED ON PAGE 9 vehicles and people and more aesthetically pleasing to our neighbors and passersby.

Today, all departments and more than 130 legally blind, as well as another 90 or so typically sighted employees, have settled into our new home. We’re officially open for business in Richmond Hill.

What this means for these individuals and others we hope to hire is a regular, reliable income, an opportunity to interact with others who understand the challenges they’re facing, and access to new skills and the positions that need them – in short, a more fulfilled life.

What it means for organizations throughout New York is a reliable source of products and services: Alphapointe manufactures and sells some 1 million janitorial and office products per year, produces uniforms and critical medical materials for the military, completes

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assembly, contract sewing and other projects for military, government, municipal and general business clients, provides warehouse space and fulfillment services, handles inbound and outbound call center tasks, and more.

We invite you to come see what we do and give us an opportunity to earn your business.

But the efforts to make our Richmond Hill home the hub we’ve envisioned are far from complete.

We still have plans for a beautiful entrance and reception area to welcome visitors and personnel, a sensory garden offering a quiet midday respite, and renovations to our cafeteria to make it a space equally well-equipped to accommodate everyday dining and special events.

These will be tackled as we raise the funds needed to accomplish them, which means opportunities abound to add your name to our facility.

When renovations are complete,

we’ll have taken a rundown property and converted it into the premier campus in the New York metropolitan area devoted to workforce development for people with disabilities.

We’ll also have brought business to local stores and restaurants, banks, transportation providers, electricians, plumbers, HVAC companies and more. We’re proud to be supporting Queens.

In turn, we hope to be embraced and supported by our new community. That starts with simply being mindful and patient as several hundred individuals with vision issues make their way here via public transportation, on foot or via service vehicle each day.

But it might also include making a charitable contribution to our cause, collaborating on a fundraiser, shopping our catalog of products, discussing how we can help you succeed in your operations, and spreading the word that a great new resource has come to Queens.

Anthony Luisi is director of Development for Alphapointe New York. For more information, call (929) 499-3668, email aluisi@alphapointe.org, or visit alphapointe.org.

Nearly 70 percent of people who have vision loss are unemployed, and we’re tamping down that statistic by giving them jobs, placing them in other companies and encouraging more organizations to patronize businesses that support them.

Thank you for welcoming us.

Let’s get to work.

November 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 11

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.

There are free immigration services every Monday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 71-29 Roosevelt Avenue. All services are free, confidential and open to any member of the community. Some of the services include DACA, TPS and document replacement and renewal. Call (212) 652-2071 with any questions.

The Partnership will be promoting Small Business Saturday, which takes place on November 24.

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.

There will be a Holiday Parade on December 2. Any community group that wishes to march should contact the BID office at info@baysidevillagebid.com or contact Councilman Paul Vallone’s Office.

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.

BUSINESS CENTER FOR NEW AMERICANS (BCNA)

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 representing over 200 businesses.

On Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Chamberorganized Greenmarket returns to Maple Playground at 136-50 Maple Avenue.

Upcoming events include: • Monthly Jazz Jam on Wednesday, November 7 from 7 to 10 p.m. at Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., Flushing - Celebrating the Legacy of Louis Armstrong. Open to Jazz students, musicians, and music educators. The house band led by saxophonist Carol Sudhalter opens each jam with the work of Louis Armstrong. All are welcome, regardless of instrument (vocalists, too!). Tickets are $10.

• Information Security on Wednesday, November 14, at 8 p.m. at 8 p.m. at the Tech Incubator at Queens College, 65-30 Kissena Blvd. - Come and learn cybersecurity from the pros. This class will be taught by the CISO (Chief Information Security Officer) of a large bank and two other seasoned cybersecurity professionals.

78-27 37 Avenue, Jackson Heights, NY 11372 Business Development: Tshering Gurung 347.730.6468 tgurung@nycbcna.org QUICK GLANCE: Since 1997, BCNA has been serving New York City entrepreneurs.

BCNA is an approved Small Business Administration Intermediary Lender and a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). BCNA’s Microloan program is the cornerstone of its services. They provide small business loans and microloans to business owners who are not able to obtain loans from traditional lenders.

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.

GREATER FLUSHING CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

NEW LIGHTING IN WOODHAVEN, WITH MORE TO COME

BY JEN KHEDAROO New pedestrian lighting was recently installed along Jamaica Avenue in Woodhaven.

The LED lights were installed at nearly a dozen locations between 91st Street and Woodhaven Boulevard under the elevated J and Z line as part of the project’s initial phase.

Throughout the fall, the Department of Transportation will continue to install more lighting up to 109th Street.

“This is a vibrant community, it’s a dynamic community,” Councilman Eric Ulrich said. “So many immigrant families are moving in here, and we want to show them that we are investing in their community.”

The Jamaica Avenue project was funded with $1.4 million allocated by Ulrich and Borough President Melinda Katz.

Steve Forte, president of the Woodhaven Residents’ Block Association, said the community has been waiting for the lighting upgrades for a while.

“The best things come to those who wait,”

Forte said. “Hopefully this will be the first of many things that we do to better this shopping strip. It’s been around for a long time, and hopefully it will be around for many more years.”

Ulrich added that the late Maria Thomson, who served as executive director for the local BID for decades, pushed to upgrade the lighting along the commercial corridor for years.

“The desire was to have something distinctive, something unique, and something that was energy-efficient and would provide better illumination,” Ulrich said.

Community Board 9 chair Jay Richard Smith hopes safety will improve on Jamaica Avenue through better lighting on both the street and sidewalk.

“This new lighting will not only improve quality of life for commuters and shoppers along Jamaica Avenue,” added DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg, “these new energyefficient LED treatments provide a sustainably lit and safer retail and community environment.”

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QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES GREATER JAMAICA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

90-04 161st Street, Jamaica, NY 11432 President: Hope Knight 718.291.0282 www.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.

JAMAICA CENTER BID

161-10 Jamaica Avenue, Suite 419 Jamaica, NY 11432 718.526.2422 jamaica.nyc @JamaicaAvenue QUICK GLANCE: Budget of over $1 million.

Founded in 1979, the Jamaica Center BID serves over 500 businesses on Jamaica Avenue between Sutphin Boulevard and 169th Street. The

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, the BID features six supermarkets. They are providing free benches for store owners along Jamaica Avenue. They also provide 2.5 and 5 percent home improvement loans.

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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.

The BID’s sanitation team is out on Jamaica Avenue 360 days a year. The BID offers marketing and promotion for the district, including a value card program, banner and rubbish bin sponsorship opportunities, and supports business owners in opening or expanding their operations.

Jamaica BID’s 39th Annual Meeting will be held on Thursday, November 8, at 9:30 a.m. at the Harvest Room, 90-40 160th Street, Jamaica.

Department of Transportation’s Queens Borough Commissioner Nicole Garcia will be the guest speaker. There will also be a review of this year’s accomplishments, plans for the future, and the election of directors.

JFK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

616 Duke Street, Westbury, NY 11590 Executive Director: Mercedes Altman 516.492.0513 jfkairportchamberofcommerce.org QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1978, the group has over 200 members.

JFK Airport is the only airport in the country to have its own chamber of commerce wholly dedicated to the airport business community, which employs 35,000 people. The airport handles more than 50 million passengers a year, using almost a half-million square feet of warehouse space to handle more than a million tons of air freight cargo a year.

Upcoming events include: • Wednesday, November 14th at 8:30 a.m.

- The JFKCoC Directors General Monthly Meeting at JFK International Airport, Building

November 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 11

QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES 14 Conference Room A. Guests are welcome but must RSVP. Light Breakfast will be served.

LONG ISLAND CITY PARTNERSHIP

President: Elizabeth Lusskin 718.786.5300 longislandcityqueens.com 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 mixeduse community. The LIC Partnership operates the LIC Business Improvement District and the LIC Industrial Business Zone.

Upcoming events include: • Friday, November 2nd 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.- 6th Annual Government and Business Matchmaker.

The event matches small businesses with government agencies and prime contractors. Businesses will have the opportunity to schedule one-on-one meetings about immediate procurement opportunities that match their industry. This one-day event will also host panel discussions and informative workshops. It will take place at Con Edison Learning Center 43-82 Vernon Boulevard,

Long Island City.

• Thursday, November 8th, 8 to 10 a.m. Member to Member Seminar with Jackson Lewis P.C. Join LICP for an exclusive member-to-member event with attorneys from LICP Corporate Member Jackson Lewis P.C. for an informational session on “Combating Sexual Harassment in the Workplace.” Attendees will learn everything they need to know in order to comply with these new laws while ensuring a smooth transition in the workplace. LICP Members who attend this presentation will also receive a special discount on management and non-management sexual harassment trainings conducted by Jackson Lewis. The seminar will take place at the LIC Conference Center, Room D 41-21 27th Street.

• Wednesday, November 14th, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. - The LICP Annual Awards Gala. The 31st Annual Awards Gala celebrates three decades of excellence in leadership and community impact in Long Island City. It will take place at Melrose Ballroom, 36-08 33rd Street, Long Island City.

MASPETH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

P.O. Box 780265, Maspeth, NY 11378 President: David Daraio 718.335.1300 maspethchamberofcommerce.org

QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1953, they have 120 members and a budget of $115,000.

MASPETH INDUSTRIAL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION (MIBA)

BOC: 96-11 40th Road, Corona, NY 11368 Coordinator: Quincy Ely-Cate 718.205.3773 qelycate@bocnet.org mibanyc.org QUICK GLANCE: Roughly 600 businesses with 30 active members.

The Maspeth Industrial Business Association, a project of the Business Outreach Center Network, 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.

• Tuesday, November 13th from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Financing Your Business. This free workshop will serve as a guideline to help you start on the right track for your start-up or operating business. This workshop will also preview a new option for business owners to establish business credit. Attend to see if you qualify. The workshop will take place at HSBC Bank, 51-20 Northern Boulevard, Woodside.

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QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES MIDDLE VILLAGE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

79-47 Metropolitan Ave., Middle Village, NY 11379 President: Salvatore Crifasi 718.894.8700 Sal@Crifasi.com QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $8,000 with 35 businesses under its umbrella.

Formed in 1929. MVCC meets annually and focuses on the Metropolitan Avenue shopping district between 69 and 80th streets. Annual membership fee is $150, and they are looking to gain momentum through attracting new members. The mission is to improve the area and assist local businesses if they have any concerns or needs.

MYRTLE AVENUE BID

62-14 Myrtle Avenue, Ridgewood, NY 11385 Executive Director: Ted Renz 718.366.3806 QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $500,000 with over 300 retail and service businesses under its 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. One of the longest running BIDs is also one of the more innovative in its approach to helping maintain an active business corridor by helping landlords rent vacant properties. The website ridgewood-ny. com shows properties that are currently for rent in the district.

Upcoming events include:.

• Wednesday, November 7, 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Ridgewood’s Vacant Storefront Challenge: What can Ridgewood community members do to address the challenge? Sponsored by Ridgewood Savings Bank, 71-02 Forest Ave. • Wednesday, November 21 to Sunday November 25: Myrtle Avenue Fall Sidewalk Sale Days.

Merchants in the Myrtle Ave BID will display merchandise on the sidewalk in front of their businesses.

• Saturday, November 24 - Small Business Saturday. Support small businesses on Myrtle Avenue during this nationwide event sponsored by American Express.

• Saturday, November 24, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.Pictures with Santa. Free pictures with Santa at 71st Avenue Plaza (just off Myrtle & Forest Avenues).

Live holiday music from the NYC Brass Entourage and Opera on Tap Carolers.

QUEENS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION 12-55 Queens Boulevard, Room 309 Kew Gardens, NY 11424 Executive Director: Seth Bornstein 718.263.0546 queensny.org

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QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $1.5 million and a resource for over 2,000 businesses in the borough of Queens.

Funded by Department of Small Business Services, they strive to create and retain jobs via programs that grow neighborhoods and assist small businesses. QEDC assists by providing one-on-one consultations, hosting workshops, operating training courses and networking events.

venated the Rockaway East Merchants Association (REMA). Today with RDRC as its administrator, REMA membership now includes 40-plus local businesses with an active calendar of events that includes an annual merchant’s fair, talent show, fashion event, holiday tree lighting and live concerts.

REMA membership meetings are held on the fourth Monday of the month at 1 p.m. at RDRC, located at 1920 Mott Avenue in Far Rockaway.

ROCKAWAY BUSINESS ALLIANCE

STEINWAY STREET BID

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

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.

Board meetings are held seven times a year.

The BID’s vision is to make Steinway Street user friendly, while highlighting the local businesses on the street and bringing together the Astoria community in a positive way.

SUNNYSIDE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

spaces. RBA seeks to create and curate an inviting atmosphere for all to enjoy year round.

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 group has 30 members.

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 longstanding partnerships with city and state agencies.

RDRC is governed by a twelve-member board of directors and a five-member merchant advisory board.

RDRC’s current city and state collaborations include the Downtown Far Rockaway Storefront Improvement Program, The Downtown Far Rockaway Public Wi-Fi Project, The Rockaway East Workforce Development Program and most recently, the planned $288,000,000 Downtown Far Rockaway Redevelopment Project.

With over 250 businesses and 61,000 or 53 percent of the Rockaway’s entire population living within 2 miles of downtown Far Rockaway, one of RDRC’s goals is to reduce the over $91 million in market leakage to neighboring downtown shopping districts.

To address this challenge, in 2014 RDRC reju-

PO Box 4399, Sunnyside, NY 11104 President: Patricia Dorfman 718.729.4688 www.sunnyside-chamber.org QUICK GLANCE: 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.

SUNNYSIDE SHINES

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

The BID is still looking for sponsors for Sunnyside Street Banners along Queens Boulevard and Greenpoint Avenue. There are still a number of locations still available, call the office for more info.

Companies that are not located in Sunnyside are invited to participate as well. Sponsorships start at $350 and last for one year.

• Tuesday, November 20, 6 to 7:30 p.m.- Sunnyside Holiday Lighting. Celebrate with a street lighting, hot chocolate, music and Santa. Family friendly and free!

The event will take place at 40th Street and Queens Boulevard.

• Saturday, November 24, and Sunday, November 25, from noon to 6 p.m. - Bliss Plaza Pop-up Holiday Market. The outdoor market will have over 30 rotating vendors, including local businesses and crafts people and popular food vendors. Located at Bliss Plaza, 46th Street and Queens Boulevard.

November 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 11

QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES

GREATER JAMAICA HOSTS ANNUAL HARVEST FEST The Greater Jamaica Development Corporation hosted its 18th annual Harvest Festival this past weekend on 160th Street outside the Jamaica Market.

1. Six-year-old Anna Besmail and her friend Serena Cheriet, 11, pause a moment while decorating their gourds.

2. Rashad Parchment looks on has his older brother Ryan takes a pumpkin pause.

3. Festival-goer Barbara Rich-

ards is dwarfed by the Stilt Lady.

4. The Hip-Hop Juggler exhibits his fancy-footwork.

6. Music was provided by the Prest 4 Time band.

7. Ruth Curry and Arnold Hochber trip the light fantastic.

8. An envious equine eyes Genesis Molina’s cotton candy.

9.

The first prize pumpkin pie bake-off winner was Jessica Sutherland.

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(PHOTOS: WALTER KARLING)

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EXECUTIVE COMMMITEE

CHAIRPERSON’S ADVISORY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE STAFF

Thomas Santucci

Richard Dzwlewicz

Thomas J. Grech

Brendan Leavy

Howard Graf

Fran Biderman-Gross

Joanne M. Persad

Jacqueline Donado

Chairperson

Associate Treasurer

Vice Chairperson

Associate Secretary

Treasurer

Immediate Past Chair

Patrick Yu Nash Roe

Mayra DiRico

President & CEO

Chief of Operations

Alejandra Espejo Financial Controller

Secretary

Business Development Manager Strategic Program Coordinator

Brett Swanson

Membership Outreach Coordinator & Member Engagement

William Blake Dominick Ciampa Joseph Farber Louis D. Laurino

Joseph M. Mattone, Sr John E. Roe, Sr. George Rozansky Gerard Thornton

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 Fran Biderman-Gross Joshua E. Bienstock Michael Billia Susan Browning Kenneth J. Buettner Charles E. Callahan KY Chow Adam Cohen

Carol Conslato Sal Crifasi Mayra DiRico Richard Dzwlewicz Thomas Eagar Joseph R. Ficalora Tamara Gavrielof Howard Graf

Raymond Irrera Peter Klein Kenneth Koenig Henry Kuykendall Neil Levin Jeffery E. Levine Carl Mattone Patricia Mezeul

Michael Moran Michael Onghai Jeffrey Owens Nayan Parikh Albert F. Pennisi Vincent L. Petraro Esq Adam Reece-Cohen Nash Roe

Jeffrey Rosenstock Juan Santiago Thomas Santucci Mark Scheinberg Caryn Schwab Sher Sparano Michelle Stoddart Terri Thomson

Henry Wan Swain Weiner Patrick Yu Daniel Zausner

CORPORATE MEMBERS AARP ABS Partner Real Estate Age Well New York AKI Development Alma Realty Corp.

Aloft Long Island City Manhattan View Hotel Aloft Hotel New York LaGuardia Airport Alphapointe Altria Client Services Inc. Amna Construction Corp.

AmTrust Title Anchin, Block & Anchin Ashnu International, Inc. ATCO Properties & Management Baker Tilly Virchow Krause LLP Bank of America Bank United Berkeley College Berkman, Henoch, Peterson, Peddy & Fenchel, PC Bethpage Federal Credit Union Better Home Health Care Borchert & LaSpina, PC Boro Hotel Boyce Technologies Inc. Broadway Stages Capital One Bank Cathay Bank Care Connect Insurance Co. Inc. Carmel Car & Limo Service CDS Mestel Construction Center for Automotive Education & Training Cerini & Associates Certilman Balin Champion Elevators Chaney Construction & Development Charles Schwab Ciampa Organization

City MD City Scrap Metal Cleaning Systems Co. Clickable CoAdvantage Constant Contact Construction Safety Network Inc. Cord Meyer Development LLC Cornell NYC Tech Corporate Development Systems, Inc. Costco Wholesale Court 16, Inc. Courtyard New York CPEX Real Estate Crown Container Cumming Corporation Curaleaf Cushman & Wakefield FedCap D&B Engineers & Architects, PC Daniels Norelli Cecere & Tavel PC DY Reality Services, LLC Dignity Memorial Funeral Provides of Queens E. Gluck Corporations East Coast Energy Group Edible Arrangements Elite Palace Elmhurst Hospital Center Emigrant Mortgage Co. Empire Merchants EMU Health Services, LLC. Enterprise Holdings EXIT Realty New York Metro Fabini Cohen & Hall, LLP Fantasy Forest Amusement Park Farrell Fritz, PC Fedcap Fidelis Care New York Financial Resources Brup Investment Services LLC Firecom, Inc.

First American International Bank First Central Savings Bank Flushing Bank Forest Hills Financial Gerard T Dolan Agency Farmers Grand Rehabilitation & Nursing at Queens Greater New York Auto Dealers Association Inc. Greiner-Maltz of NY GUM Studios HF Management Services Haks Hanover Community Bank Healthplex, Inc. Health Republic Insurance Healthy Corner Pharmacy, Inc. Hilton Garden Inn/ LIC Manhattan View Holiday Inn LaGuardia Airport Home2Suite LIC Hyatt Place Flushing Ibis Styles New York LaGuardia Airport Hotel INDA Association of Nonwoven Fabric Industry International Asbestos Removal Inc. J.F.A. Insurance Brokerage JRT Realty Group, Inc. James F. Capalino & Associates Jaros Baum & Bolles JetBlue Jetro Resataurant Depot JustWorks KMK Restorations, LLC Kasirer Consulting Inc Kaufman Astoria Studios Inc. Kimco Realty Corporation Klein Wealth Management HighTower LaGuardia Plaza Hotel La Technology Group

COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP COMMUNICATIONS Joshua Bienstock NYIT bienlaw@aol.com

ENERGY

Marshall Haimson E-Capital Development marshall@e-capitaldevelopment.com James Sheuchenko PM Advisors js@pmadvisors.co

HEALTHCARE & WELLNESS

Susan Browning Long Island Jewish Forest Hills sbrowning1@northwell.edu Evangeline Rosado-Tripp Queens County Medical Society ertripp@queensmedicalsociety.org

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HOSPITALITY

REAL ESTATE

Jim Quent Statewide Public Affairs jquent@statewidepublicaffairs.com Michael Zayas Real Hospitality Group michael.zayas@rhgcorp.com

Martin Cottingham Avison Young martin.cottingham@avisonyoung.com Michael Wang G8 Real Estate / Flushing Chamber mwang121@gmail.com

MANUFACTURING

TECHNOLOGY

Geoffrey Smith NY Grant Company Geoffrey@nygrants.com Thomas Powell Boyce Technologies tpowell@boycetechnologies.com

Bobby Giurintano TGI Office Automation bgiurintano@tgioa.com Eugene Erichsen Connect Me Voice Eugene@connectmevoice.com

NONPROFIT

TRANSPORTATION

Larry Grubler Transitional Services of NY lgrubler@tsiny.org Maria Odysseus Investors Bank modysseus@myinvestorsbank.com

Kris Amato TD Bank Kristin.amato@td.com Tammy Petsios VHB tpetsios@vhb.com

Lee & Associates Levine Builders Lessing’s Inc. Luna Park in Coney Island Lyft Lyons Mortgage Services, Inc. M&T Bank M&V Provisions Co, Inc. MCR Development LLC MTA-Long Island Rail Road Madeline Chocolate Novelties Marriott NYC Airport Hotels Mazars USA LLP Merritt Engineering Consulting PC Metroplus Health Plan Metropolitan Taxi Cab Board of Trade Melrose Credit Union Metro Franchising Commissary Molloy College Mortgage Depot Moses & Singer LLP Motiva Networks Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens Mr. T Carting Corporation Muss Development Company National Supermarket Association Newtown Creek Trusted PRI USD New York Building Congress New York Life New York Oil Heaing Association Inc. New York Racing Association Northfield Bank Northwell Health Northwestern Mutual NY Building Congress OnForce Solar Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care & Rehab Patrick B. Jenkins & Associates People’s United Bank Petro Energy Solutions Portnoy, Messinger, Pearl & Associations, Inc. Prager Metis CPAs, LLC Premier Payroll Solutions Prime Storage Progressive Waste Solutions Qside Federal Credit Union Quadlogic Controls Corp.

Queens Center Queens Ledger Queensborough Community College Quontic Bank Radisson Hotel JFK Airport Register Abstract Co. Inc.Related Retail LP

Rent A Throne Royal Waste Services Inc. Russo’s On The Bay SL Green Realty Corp.

Sahn Ward Coshchignano PLLC Sandrine Capital LLC Seagis Property Group Sears Maid Service Sholom & Zuckerbrot Realty LLC Signature Bank Silvercup Studios Simon Baron Development Sleep Numbers Solomon Agency St. John’s University Staples #1722 Sterling Risk Structural Engineering Technologies PC Suffolk County National Bank Suation Solar Systems Super-Tek, Products, Inc. Sutton Alliance Terrace on the Park Thales USA, Inc. The Durst Organization The New York Times The Parc Hotel Trinity Solar TSC Training Academy LLC Tully Construction Co. Inc. United Airlines United Health Care United Nations Federal Credit Union United Public, Adjusters & Appraisers, Inc. USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center Valley National Bank Van Guard Insurance Agency Verizon VHB Engineering Surveying & Landscape Architecture Vic Kesser Signs, LTD Victory Pharmacy Villa Russo Venture House Vornado Realty Trust Waste Management of NY LLC Watchguard 24/7 Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Welllife Network WeWork York College Zwanger Pesiri Radiology LLP

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.

November 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 11

NEW MEMBERS MAJOR CORPORATE

Red Apple Group CORPORATE

AAA Northeast The ALLCOT Group, LLC Andromeda Advantage, LLC Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. Greenpoint Manufacturing & Design Center Samuel Goldstein & Co., PC Teachers Federal Credit Union Windstream Enterprise INTRODUCTORY

Essencap Funding, LLC Center for the Women of NY Gee Bee & Sons, LLC J. Addoh Underserved, LLC MyHouseVisit.com Yezcoin STUDENTS & YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

Rebeca Rodriguez Larry Spinner Red Apple Group, Inc.

800 3rd Ave New York, NY 10022 212.484.9193 ragny.com Red Apple Group is a conglomerate that owns and operates assets in the energy, real estate, finance, insurance, and supermarket industries.

United Metro Energy is the largest supplier of home and business heating oil in New York City. It supplies and delivers bioheat, biodiesel, heating oil, ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel, natural gas, and gasoline throughout the New York Metropolitan Area and Long Island from its

terminals in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, and Calverton. Red Apple Real Estate owns, manages, and develops properties throughout the United States with a focus in New York City. Finally, Red Apple owns Gristedes Supermarkets, the largest grocery chain in New York City.

AAA Northeast

20-11 Francis Lewis Blvd.

Whitestone, NY 11357 718.454.4343 northeast.aaa.com Offering insurance-knowledgeable agents, great rates, travel discounts and auto loans.

Explore rates and options with AAA.

The ALLCOT Group, LLC

30 Vesey Street New York, NY 11107 646.764.1799 alcotthr.com No two businesses are alike, and no other human resources outsourcing (HRO) firm is like ALLCOT. That’s because they take a hands-on, high-touch, personal and flexible approach to HR outsourcing that no other PEO can match.

While many of their competitors are more concerned with selling bundled services, their only concern is helping you succeed. That’s why they will work hand-in-hand with you to customize an HR outsourcing solution specific to your business and your HR needs. But their commitment to you doesn’t end once the relationship begins; ALLCOT continues to meet face-to-face with you and your employees, making sure that they truly understand your changing needs so they can keep you compliant, focused and successful at all times.

Andromeda Advantage, LLC

49-12 31st Place Long Island City, NY 11101 718.793.0672 andromeda.nyc Andromeda Academy offers continuing professional education in construction that is highly applied, engaging and context-based. Andromeda Academy designs and manages impactful courses and programs for novice students, experienced professionals and organizations at every stage of development to meet the demands of the ever-changing construction industry.

Andromeda Academy is committed to spurring growth by upholding the highest quality student services and academic standards, in addition to providing a collaborative and enriching work environment for its students and organizations, alike. Our efforts are made to ensure that each student, regardless of their industry experience, is up-to-date and fully engaged in their respec-

tive fields.

Family Residences and Essential Enterprises (FREE)

191 Bethpage-Sweet Hollow Road Old Bethpage, NY 11804 631.870.1600 familyres.org Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE), founded in 1977, benefits and proudly supports more than 4,000 individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities, mental illness and traumatic brain injury. It is the mission of FREE to assist individuals of all abilities realize their full potential. FREE provides a diverse array of supports and services, including housing, recovery services, transition to work, employment, day, community and family services, respite, crisis services, education and after school support, specialty health services, and advocacy.

Greenpoint Manufacturing & Design Center

1155-1205 Manhattan Ave Brooklyn, NY 11222 718.383.3935 gmdconline.org The Greenpoint Manufacturing and Design Center (GMDC) is the premier nonprofit industrial developer in New York City. Since its inception in 1992, GMDC has rehabilitated seven manufacturing buildings in Brooklyn for occupancy by small manufacturing enterprises, artisans and artists. GMDC currently owns and manages six of these properties, the newest among them being 94-15 100th Street in Ozone Park.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 31 Statement required by the Act of August 12, 1970, section 3685. Title 39, United States Code, showing the ownership, management and circulation of QueensBorough magazine, published 12 times per year, and owned by the Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens, 75-20 Astoria Boulevard, Suite 140, Jackson Heights, New York 11370. Statement filed September 1, 2017. Publisher: Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens Editor: Thomas Grech Known bondholders, mortgagees, and other security holders owning or holding one percent or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages or other securities, none. Extent & nature of circulation: Avg. each issue, Actual single issue, Preceding 13 mos., (Nearest to filing date). Total number of copies 3,712 (3,500). Paid and/or requested circulation: Dealer, carrier sales 1,785 (532), Mail subscriptions, 611 (1,937), Total 2,396 (2,469). Free Distribution By mail 187 (400), By other means 0 (0), Total 187 (400). Total distribution 2,583 (2,869), Office Use, leftover, spoiled 1,129 ( 6 3 1 ) , Return from news agents 0 (0), Total 3,712 (3,500), Percent paid 92.76 (86.05).

I certify that the statements made by me above are correct and complete. Thomas J. Grech, Editor

29

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org MAJOR CORPORATE MEMBERS

30

November 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 11

NEW MEMBERS Samuel Goldstein & Co., PC

150 Great Neck Rd. # 202 Great Neck, NY 11021 212.244.2936 sgcpas.com Samuel Goldstein & Co., PC, has experience in employee benefit plan audits, auto dealerships and high net worth individual’s tax planning and reporting. A few key elements of the support infrastructure include the firm’s Entrepreneurial Support Program (ESP), Managed Accounting/ BOSS, a back office support service that enables the firm to take complete responsibility for the accounting and some administration functions for a business, or to manage the company’s in-house accounting, and the Trusted Advisor role that provides goal setting, benchmarking and dashboards to help executives manage their operations.

Teachers Federal Credit Union

102 Motor Parkway Hauppauge, NY 11788 631.698.7000 teachersfcu.org Founded in 1952, TFCU is a not-for-profit,

member-owned financial institution that exists to serve its members. TFCU provides personal financial services to more than 320,000 members, and with over $7 billion in assets, they are one of the largest credit unions in the country.

TFCU has 30 branch locations throughout Long Island, Queens and Manhattan, with the latest in

technology to provide up-to-the-minute financial assistance and security.

Windstream Enterprises 3 Huntington Quadrangle Melville, NY 11747 516.466.3388

MEMORISTIC MAKES THE MEMORIES CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

of us stayed behind. Very optimistic, but we were on a highway. We called the cops instead.

The cops were absolutely wonderful, and were on the scene in two minutes. The cops were able to take us off the road to the next exit fairly quickly.

We finished filing the report and were excited about continuing on to the wedding. A bit nervous, we entered the prestigious Rutgers Gardens with our deeply wounded car to face the shocked valet.

Still shaking from the accident, we managed to set up and start our magnet photography service on time.

Most of the guests had never experienced magnet photography, and were so happy once they realized that the picture the professional photographer just took is going to turn into a photo magnet for them to take home as a free keepsake.

The next day, the newlywed couple woke up with their guests sending them pictures of their fridge covered with photo magnets of their special day. That’s what we call it “Happiness that Sticks.”

MAJOR CORPORATE MEMBERS

31

My

is

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