Queens Chronicle South Edition 12-30-21 by Queens Chronicle

C M SQ page 1 Y K SOUTH QUEENS EDITION Serving Howard Beach, Ozone Park, Woodhaven, Richmond Hill, South Ozone Park, City Line and JFK Airport

YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER VOL. XLIV

NO. 52

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2021

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SOUTH QUEENS EDITION Serving Howard Beach, Ozone Park, Woodhaven, Richmond Hill, South Ozone Park, City Line and JFK Airport

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‘Stay safe and stay open’ plan revealed Schools set to reopen after break with policy shift and more testing by Deirdre Bardolf

Associate Editor

he city has released details outlining how children will return to school as scheduled on Jan. 3 following the holiday vacation. The “Stay Safe and Stay Open” plan will double in-school testing and shorten the isolation period for fully vaccinated staff. Athome rapid tests will be sent home with any student or adult who was exposed to someone who tested positive for Covid. Mayor de Blasio, Gov. Hochul and Mayorelect Adams held a press conference on Tuesday to outline the new plan. Together they urged students and staff to test before returning to school on Monday and encouraged all eligible students to get vaccinated. Just under 42 percent of children ages 5 to 17 are vaccinated, according to city data. “Every child who tests negative comes back to school,” said de Blasio. “It’s as simple as that. So long as they’re asymptomatic and so long as they continue to test negative, they keep coming to school. We make sure that every kid has a test kit.” Random testing for vaccinated and unvaccinated students will increase from 40,000 to 60,000. The outgoing mayor said this approach will g uarantee more consistency and

fewer disruptions. The plan follows new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which has recommended a shortened isolation period for those who are fully vaccinated and asymptomatic. The mayor cited recent data including that 98 percent of close contacts of Covid-19 cases do not test positive for the virus. Staff can now return on the sixth day if they do not show symptoms and have not had a fever in 72 hours. Upon return, they must wear a high-quality mask, which will be provided to them. In-school testing will once again be made available as well. Students who are asymptomatic will not be required to quarantine and can continue attending school as long as they are not exhibiting symptoms. This is a shift from the previous practice of quarantining entire classrooms. The Department of Education is expected to provide about two and a half million athome rapid test kits, in addition to the one million test kits provided by the governor, before school resumes. This comes as the Omicron variant has spread, especially in younger populations. “This new variant is affecting children more than the past variants,” Hochul noted in the press conference.

Recent data from before the break showed 1,383 confirmed positive cases in city schools with 65 percent of them among students. Child hospitalization rates have also risen in recent weeks with over 100 statewide. Yet the elected officials maintained that schools are the safest place for kids to be. “The numbers speak for themselves — your kids are safer in school,” said Adams, who takes office on Saturday. “Thanks to testing, vaccinations and athome testing kits we’ll keep it that way. We’re working closely with the de Blasio administration and we’ll be ready to bring students and staff back to the classroom on January 3rd. This is how we move our city forward.” Many Queens parents have pushed for schools to remain open but there has also been a push from those who want a remote learning option. “I’m delighted that our elected leaders are finally recognizing that we need to prioritize in-person schooling and the rare acknowledgement that remote learning was a failed experiment,” said Jean Hahn, a Rego Park parent and leader of the group Queens Parents United. Hochul on Tuesday said, “We saw the failed experiment, despite the very best efforts of incredibly hardworking, passionate

teachers who did their very best with remote teaching, and the parents who were just pulling their hair out at kitchen tables, trying to make sure that it worked successfully. Everybody did their part, but we also understand, as [the mayor] mentioned, schools are safe as a result of our joint mandates.” Hahn agreed that schools have been safe, especially if protocols are followed. She said she was “bracing for the worst,” given the recent pushback on social media from teacher’s unions and their activists, and is glad to see a “test to stay” approach being implemented. She would like to see an “expiration date” on the latest approach, however, including masking and surveillance testing. “I think we know enough now where we can start to dial back some of these these measures,” she said. The Situation Room, a multi-agency partnership between the DOE, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Test & Trace Corps, will increase its staff from 275 to 500 people. Families and DOE staff can go to any city site to get tested or pick up at-home rapid tests. Visit nyc.gov/covidtest, text “COVID TEST” to 855-48, or call 311 to find a testQ ing site.

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Page 3 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 30, 2021

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QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 30, 2021 Page 4

C M SQ page 4 Y K YEAR IN REVIEW

2021

SOUTH QUEENS: PART I

Communities struggle for normalcy

Covid-burdened neighborhoods organize to get fair share of the vax by Max Parrott Chronicle Contributor

Just over a year ago, Queens critical care nurse Sandra Lindsay became the first person in the country to get a Covid jab. Since then, it’s been a slow march back to something resembling normal, with all the exceptions and setbacks that entails. As 2021 grinds to a halt, the Queens Chronicle has been compiling some of the most important stories of the year, an effort that puts the effects of the city’s vaccination effort in perspective. As the city’s adult population exceeds a vaccination rate of 90 percent, it’s easy to forget just what a challenging undertaking the first several months of the effort were. But while we ref lect on South Queens’ struggle to gradually adapt to the pandemic, it’s also important to recognize that the year was full of stories of community organizing and rebirth as well. Here’s an archive of what the first six months of 2021 looked like in South Queens:

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January At the height of last winter’s second wave, some families were still reconciling with the fallout from the first. The D’Amicos, a Glendale couple, whose 30-year-old son with severe Asperger’s was denied a caretaker in the hospital in March 2020, had the unshakable feeling that something could have gone differently if they had been there to make decisions on his behalf. The family began advocating to provide an exception to the law under which Gov. Cuomo in April gave hospitals broad authority to establish rules in response to a pandemic without fear of certain forms of liability. Across the state, guardians or caregivers were not allowed to accompany those with mental disabilities through their hospitalization in an effort to stop the spread of Covid. State Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. (D-Howard Beach) introduced a bill that would prevent hospitals from separating the mentally disabled

Joe Behrens and his girlfriend, Cassidy Locurto, snapped into action to save his neighbors’ lives. FILE PHOTO

ages 11 to 19, faced after the family wound up in the Bronx shelter system. That same month, while families from that December ’19 fire tried to get their lives back on track, another blaze on the Richmond Hill side of Jamaica Avenue displaced another 20 residents. Tragedy continued in February when a customer at an Ozone Park car wash was fatally struck by an allegedly drunk employee as he was pulling out of the wash bay. The employee of the Cross Bay Car Wash & Lube was driving an SUV out of the car wash when he hit Tracy McManus, a 54-year-old Howard Beach resident, who died from the crash. McManus was remembered by her friends and family for having an incredible sense of humor and always telling it like it is. The employee was indicted for vehicular manslaughter and operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol. In environmental news, the Science and Resilience Institute at Jamaica Bay held an online forum that gathered residents of Hamilton and Howard Beach with the aim of creating a community-sourced effort to document and The Jahajee Sisters hosted a community vigil to give members of the Richmond Hill community a combat flooding. The project, called Flood FILE PHOTO chance to grieve those who died from Covid. Watch, is aimed at bringing together a network of residents and community groups to report and share resources related to coastal flooding from an essential support person to accompany especially burdened by the technology gap. “I think most seniors — what they prefer is through an online forum for residents to share them for the duration of their hospitalization. It eventually passed the Legislature and just an automated system to call and register. That’s photographs and reports that document floodhow most of them receive assistance even at a event timing, depth, location and associated recently was signed by Gov. Hochul. On the cusp of the 20th anniversary of 9/11, Social Security or Medicaid office,” Ravina impacts, with the goal of inf luencing city Nick Rotondo, a retired MTA bus driver and Persaud, a Jamaica resident who struggled to policy. At the end of the month, de Blasio neighborhood character in Howard Beach, help her mother, who lives alone without a announced an economic boon to decided to channel his experiences as a first computer, to schedule an appointthe area. Hizzoner extended the responder into a children’s book. The resulting ment. The advocates called for the city’s lease with the Port Authoriwork, “I am a first responder,” tailors his story creation of more vaccine sites run ty of New York and New Jersey, to kids, with a message about the work of trans- by trusted, community organizaallowing a 20,000-job developporting FDNY, NYPD and medical personnel tions and more tech nolog y ment project at Kennedy Airport to Ground Zero the day that the World Trade outreach. to proceed. The decision entailed Though vaccinations remained Center towers fell. labor agreements that included After months of what lawmakers deemed struggle-prone, construction that hiring people of color for at least bureaucratic resistance to setting up testing had been delayed by Covid started 30 percent of construction jobs, centers in the virus-beleaguered South Queens back up. While the Department of ensuring at least 30 percent of the areas, residents finally got a glimmer of hope Education officially approved the contractors are minority- and in the vaccine rollout. South Ozone Park, the plan for a new building for The women-owned businesses, estabMary Ann Carey city’s top Covid hot spot during January, Chris Galas School, PS/MS 47, in became the site of a new vaccination center at Broad Channel in February 2020, FILE PHOTO BY ANTHONY O’REILLY lishing new apprenticeship and scholarship programs within the Aqueduct Race Track, the sole state-run facili- the timeline for the student body had to shift after all school construction proj- area and requiring the new building to meet ty announced in Queens. environmental standards. ects were put on pause during the pandemic. After a fire tore through six buildings on February March Soon after the opening of the Aqueduct Jamaica Avenue in Richmond Hill on Dec. 10, Data that the Mayor’s Office released in Race Track vaccine site, Mayor de Blasio 2019, the neighborhood united to help collect announced that he would be expanding the list and distribute donated items to families dis- March dealt a blow to the sense of relief many of priority vaccine neighborhoods into Wood- placed in the aftermath. The Chronicle report- South Queens residents felt when the large haven, Richmond Hill and South Ozone Park. ed on how the families continue to struggle state-run vaccine site opened at Aqueduct Race The move came shortly after Borough Presi- months later. The children of those displaced Track in January. De Blasio said that residents dent Donovan Richards and South Queens received a donation of laptops to help their from Long Island and elsewhere in the state electeds demanded that the mayor address recovery in February, courtesy of Assembly- accounted for 75 percent of vaccine recipients Covid spread in the area, where the positivity woman Jenifer Rajkumar (D-Woodhaven) and at the site, far outnumbering city residents, not rate had been increasing at an alarming rate for Zara Realty’s philanthropic arm, but the fami- to mention South Queens residents. A hit-and-run death on South Conduit Avelies’ needs went beyond acts of charity. The months. But despite the designation and the area’s Chronicle talked to Arifa Tirmizi’s family, one nue in Ozone Park sparked pressure for the city vaccine center, it continued to be difficult for of those who were affected by the fire and had Department of Transportation to implement many to access the vaccines. Residents and not found permanent housing yet. Tirmizi safety measures that could prevent future accicontinued on page 6 advocates in South Queens said seniors were described the culture shock that her children,

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Now, in Howard Beach, NY, one doctor is helping local residents with knee pain live more active, pain-free lives. Living with knee pain can feel like a crippling experience. Let’s face it, your knees aren’t as young as you used to be, and playing with the kids or grandkids isn’t any easier either. Maybe your knee pain keeps you from walking short distances or playing golf like you used to. Nothing’s worse than feeling great mentally, but physically feeling held back from life because your knees hurt and the pain just won’t go away! My name is Dr. Robert F. Gucciardo, D.C., owner of Gucciardo Specific Chiropractic and Natural Health Center. Since we opened seventeen years ago, I’ve seen hundreds of people with knee problems leave the office pain free. If you’re suffering from these conditions, a new breakthrough in medical technology may completely eliminate your pain and help restore normal function to your knees.

Do You Have Any of the Following Conditions? • Arthritis • Knee pain • Cartilage damage • ‘Bone-on-bone’ • Tendonitis • Bursitis • Crunching and popping sounds Finally, You Have an Option Other Than Drugs or Surgery

Before the FDA would clear the Class IV laser for human use, they wanted to see proof that it worked. This lead to two landmark studies. The fi rst study showed that patients who had laser therapy had 53 percent better improvement than those who had a placebo. The second study showed patients who used the laser therapy had less pain and more range of motion days after treatment. If the Class IV Laser can help these patients, it can help you too.

Could This Noninvasive, Natural Treatment Be the Answer to Your Knee Pain? For 10 days only, I’m running a very special offer where you can find out if you are a candidate for cold laser therapy. What does this offer include? Everything I normally do in my “Knee Pain Evaluation.” Just call before January 9th, 2022 and here’s what you’ll get… • An in-depth consultation about your problem where I will listen … really listen … to the details of your case. • A complete neuromuscular examination. • A full set of specialized X-rays to determine if arthritis is contributing to your pain (if necessary). (If you have films please bring them for evaluation). • A thorough analysis of your exam and X-ray fi ndings so we can start mapping out your plan to being pain free. • You’ll see everything ﬁrsthand and find out if this amazing treatment will be your pain solution, as it has been for so many other patients. Until January 9th, you can get everything I’ve listed here for only $37. The normal price for this type of evaluation including X-rays is $250, so you’re saving a considerable amount by taking me up on this offer. Remember what it was like before you had knee problems – when you were pain free and could enjoy everything life had to offer. It can be that way again. Don’t neglect your problem any longer – don’t wait until it’s too late.

A new treatment is helping patients with knee pain live a happier, more active lifestyle. Here’s what to do now: Due to the expected demand for this special offer, I urge you to call our office at once. The phone number is 718-845-2323. Call today and we can get started with your consultation, exam and X-rays (if necessary) as soon as there’s an opening in the schedule. Our office is called Gucciardo Specific Chiropractic and Natural Health Center and you can fi nd us at 162-07 91st Street in Howard Beach. Tell the receptionist you’d like to come in for the Knee Evaluation before January 9th. Sincerely, Dr. Robert F. Gucciardo, D.C. P.S. Now you might be wondering…

“Is this safe? Are there any side effects or dangers to this?” The FDA cleared the first Class IV Laser in 2002. This was after their study found 76 percent improvement in patients with severe pain. Their only warning – don’t shine it in your eyes. Of course at our office, the laser is never anywhere near your eyes and we’ll give you a comfortable pair of goggles for safety. Don’t wait and let your knee problems get worse, disabling you for life. Take me up on my offer and call today (718) 845-2323. For more information go to www.drgucciardo.com and click on the laser therapy tab.

Federal and Medicare restrictions apply. Dr. Robert F. Gucciardo Upper, Cervical Chiropractor, Master Clinician in Nutrition Response Testing 162-07 91st Street, Howard Beach, NY 11414 • (718) 845-2323

ROBG-079996

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New research in a treatment called Class IV Laser Therapy is having a profound effect on patients suffering with knee pain. Unlike the cutting type of laser seen in movies and used in medical procedures, the Class IV therapeutic laser penetrates the surface of the skin with no heating effect or damage. Laser Therapy has been tested for 40 years, had over 2000 papers published on it, and has been shown to aid in damaged tissue regeneration, decrease inflammation, relieve pain and boost the immune system. This means that there is a good chance cold laser therapy could be your knee pain solution, allowing you to live a more active lifestyle. Professional athletes like The New York Yankees and team members of the New England Patriots rely upon cold laser therapy to treat their sports-related injuries. These guys use the cold laser for one reason only…

It Promotes Rapid Healing of the Injured Tissues.

Page 5 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 30, 2021

How To Get Rid of Knee Pain Once and For All... Without Drugs, Shots or Surgery

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QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 30, 2021 Page 6

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South Queens news in 2021 continued from page 4 dents on a stretch of roadway documented to be dangerous. The stretch of the Conduit around 79th and 80th streets has a documented bad reputation among residents. The location of the Linden Center, a Lindenwood strip mall on the south side of the road, draws Ozone Park pedestrians to try and cross the Conduit median, where cars race by on either side at highway speeds. In response, the DOT said it had begun looking into safety improvements at the location. At the one-year anniversary of the pandemic, the Richmond Hill community gathered to grieve together. The Jahajee Sisters, a nonprofit aimed at empowering Indo-Caribbean women in South Queens, hosted a vigil at the intersection Liberty Avenue and 133rd Street. At the event, residents continued to call for equity in the city’s Covid response to the Richmond Hill and South Ozone Park area, which experienced some of the worst viral spread of Covid in New York City.

encounter problems in the spring. It remained unclear when the strip’s nightlife would return to normal. The boulevard, known for bustling nights, is home to a 24/7 diner, mom-and-pop eateries and a group of established Italian restaurants. Tony Modica, the owner of Prima Pasta, estimated that he was still doing about 50 percent of his usual business. “I find that Cross Bay after 9 o’clock, it’s dead. It used to be a late night [destination],” said Joe DeCandia, the owner of the Roma View catering and Lenny’s Clam Bar. Meanwhile the jostling for City Council races in South Queens had begun to speed up. In the Democratic cohort running for District 32, the petition process stirred up tensions. An affiliate of Democratic candidate Mike Scala’s campaign ruffled feathers by challenging several candidates’ ballot petition signatures after a group of the candidates made a solidarity pact not to do that for safety reasons. After Scala’s opponent Kenichi Wilson, had to mount an unsuccessful legal defense of his petition signatures in order to get on the ballot, the outcome of that legal battle threatened to hold Wilson personally liable for tens of thousands of dollars. Meanwhile across the aisle in the Council District, political newcomer Steve Sirgiovanni announced that he would be running against Queens GOP Chairwoman Joann Ariola, launching a rare Republican primary. It didn’t look like Southeast Queens Council District 28 was going to get a Democratic primary until late in the game, when two candidates jumped in to challenge incumbent Councilmember Adrienne Adams (D-Jamaica). Ruben Wills, a former city councilman in the district who left office amidst a corruption scandal, and Japneet Singh, a young Sikh activist from Richmond Hill, both registered their campaigns shortly before the petitioning process began. In the world of sports, a Howard Beach star gymnast rose in April. Brendah Lomelino won four championship medals in the state USA Gymnastics competition. In the Level 8 Senior B division of the New York

state competition, the 19-year-old Lomelino won first place in vault, bars, floor exercises and the allaround category. She also won second place in the beam category.

May May began with some misfortunes. Mary Ann Carey, a district leader of 30 years and a lifelong community activist, died after suffering a stroke at the age of 81. Carey, an Ozone Park native, had one of the longest tenures in the history of the city as a district manager, serving Community Board 9 from 1984 to 2014. She was remembered by friends While Democratic candidate Raimondo Graziano, center right, and family for her devo- accepted the Board of Election’s decision that he would not April tion to community and her appear on the primary ballot against Mike Scala, top right, felBy April, the Chronicle reported how role as an inspiration to low Democrat Kenichi Wilson weighed whether to appeal his spring had sprung on Woodhaven’s business others to lead a life of pub- removal in higher courts. Meanwhile, Republican Steve Sirgiovanni, above left, fought his removal from the primary ballot corridor on Jamaica Avenue, which actually lic service. attracted a new group of entrepreneurs. The George Schneider, a against Joann Ariola, top left. FILE PHOTOS; GRAPHIC ILUSTRATION BY JAN SCHULMAN news came as a pleasant surprise because the real estate salesman in commercial strip, which runs under the A Ozone Park who set up the subway line and has limited street and sidegreaser on the clock, a conspicuous oddity mally recognized the contributions of the walk space, did not support outdoor dining and area landmark on Cross Bay, also died Guyanese community in Queens with the coover the summer to the degree that other early in May. naming of the intersection of Lefferts Bouleneighborhoods did. Though the pandemic did In mid-May, however, a heroic act stopped vard and Liberty Avenue as Little Guyana have the effect of closing some storefronts, in a near-tragedy. A young Howard Beach resi- Avenue. The stretch of Liberty Avenue from many cases, it didn’t leave them empty long. dent, Joe Behrens, noticed a fire at his neigh- Woodhaven Boulevard to the Van Wyck New businesses pounced on the spaces and bors’ house across the street in the middle of Expressway has been known as Little Guylower-than-usual rents to make a fresh start. the night, and decisively acted to alert the ana for decades. The co-naming was introFor Jairo Ng, for instance, who opened up sleeping family, allowing them all to escape, duced by Adams after Democratic District an electronics store and repair shop called and minimizing injuries. Leader Richard David and other community HDA Global II, it was all about getting a “I don’t really feel that I should be com- activists advocated for it. good deal on the space, so that he could fit as mended. It’s just something you would “Richmond Hill means so much to me much merchandise as he can. The shop used expect somebody to do,” he told the that I wanted to make an invisible commuto be a 99-cent store, but the former owners Chronicle. nity visible,” said Adams. “You will never vacated after retiring. be invisible. You will always have a seat at While there were some new beginnings on June the table as long as I am fighting for you.” Jamaica Avenue, Howard Beach’s business June started with a long-requested mileLater that month, environmentalists corridor, Cross Bay Boulevard, continued to stone for Richmond Hill when the city for- called attention to the problem of illegal hunting off Broad Channel. The problem had been increasing, according to Dan Mundy Jr., of Jamaica Bay Ecowatchers. United States Park Police responded to a group of poachers on Terrapin Point, an area south of West Pond in the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, and issued 20 summonses to two individuals who were gathering turtles, said Mundy. The busts continued throughout the rest of the summer. Finally the city’s first ranked-choice election came on June 22, though early voting had been underway for some time. In Queens, election night was good for incumbents, many of whom seemed poised to avoid the new system’s instant runoff and claimed victory outright after absentee ballots are tabulated. Of those, Adams was immediately positioned to cruise to victory with 56 percent of the unofficial results. Queens County GOP Chairwoman Joann Ariola also came out with a seemingly Brendah Lomelino, left, competed in the USAG New York Championship. Yanette Ramales, right, works at her family’s La Plazita Deli and Gro- insurmountable primary lead in the South Q FILE PHOTO BY EPBEYOND PICTURES, LEFT; FILE PHOTO BY MAX PARROTT cery, one of the new businesses to recently pop up on Jamaica Avenue. Queens race.

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QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 30, 2021 Page 8

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P Encouraging words and acts on crime and the schools EDITORIAL

AGE

ncoming Mayor Eric Adams has his hands full on every front by definition, but on two of the issues that matter most, crime and education, he’s making all the right moves and saying all the right things so far. When it comes to violent crime, Adams and his incoming police commissioner, Keechant Sewell, give every indication that they mean business. He vows to reinstate the kind of plainclothes anti-crime units that are gun control personified, which were disbanded under misguided Mayor de Blasio. She wants people to know “we are absolutely focused on violent crime. Violent crime is the No. 1 priority.” It has to be. Murder jumped more than 40 percent from 2019 to 2020, from 319 cases to more than 450 (different sources have slightly different numbers). Shootings doubled. The spikes are unprecedented since reliable statistics have been kept, and neither statistic came down in 2021. Queens is not as bad overall as many other parts of the city. But we’re seeing our share of violence. On Dec. 18, three people were shot in the middle of the afternoon outside a shopping center in South Jamaica. On Dec. 23, three were shot, one fatally, in the early morning hours outside a club in Astoria. The guns are out there and they’re being used. If we

start accepting triple shootings as normal, we’re done. Also worth noting is a sex assault and attempted robbery that took place just after noon on Dec. 17 in an apartment building elevator — not just because of the time of day but because it happened in the 112th Precinct, one of the safest in the city. Robbery and rape are up this year, as is every other major “index” crime the police track, except burglary. And crimes are happening where they rarely have before. Adams also vows to crack down on the inmates running amok at Rikers Island, which has deteriorated into an even worse hellhole than ever under de Blasio’s purposeful neglect. He will, for example, restore punitive segregation, aka solitary confinement, for those who cannot control themselves. Soft-on-crime members of the City Council, and their allies soon entering it, are complaining, but Adams says, “I am not going to be in a city where dangerous people assault innocent people, go to jail and assault more people.” This is the kind of action that needs to take place. And just imagine how much safer we’d be if the state reversed its insane bail “reform” laws of 2019 and if the city’s district attorneys acted more like prosecutors and less like Legal Aid. It would almost feel like 2018 again, when only 289

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Reflecting on 2021 I Dear Editor: Soon 2022 will be here, and many of us are thinking of our New Year’s resolutions. Throughout 2021 we have faced the Covid-19 pandemic, bad acts by those in government, poverty, homelessness and an increase in crime with too many deaths due to guns on the streets. Then there were attacks on our fellow neighbors due to race, nationality, religious beliefs and differing viewpoints. The list goes on. The question is, what can the average person do to make things better? I have some suggestions. Some are being done and some are not. Just as vaccinations still need to be done, testing is needed, along with washing of hands, masking up and overall doing the right thing to protect us all. Those who can could donate funds to food kitchens and food pantries to feed the hungry. Also give blood, as there is a shortage in blood supply. Those who are able maybe can volunteer for various churches, temples and civic organizations that help those in need of their services. In 2022 we should commit ourselves to acts of kindness for our neighbors in need. That includes our elderly neighbors who need a helping hand. Now, I am not just talking, I try to walk the walk. I am the grand knight of St. Anastasia Knights of Columbus and my council is involved in works of charity. I am also a member of American Legion Post 103 in Douglaston and © Copyright 2021 by MARK I PUBLICATIONS, INC. All rights reserved. Neither this newspaper nor any part thereof may be reproduced, copied, or transmitted in any form, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, microfilming, recording or by any information retrieval system without the express written permission of the publishers. This copyright is extended to the design and text created for advertisements. Reproduction of said advertisement or any part thereof without the express written permission of MARK I PUBLICATIONS, INC. is strictly prohibited. This publication will not be responsiblefor errors in advertising beyond the cost of the space occupied by the error. Bylined articles represent the sole opinion of the writer and are not necessarily in accordance with the views of the QUEENS CHRONICLE. This Publication reserves the right to limit or refuse advertising it deems objectionable. The Queens Chronicle is published weekly by Mark I Publications, Inc.at a subscription rate of $19 per year and out of state, $25 per year. Periodicals Postage Paid (USPS0013-572) at Flushing, N.Y. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Mark I Publications, Inc., 71-19 80th St., Suite 8-201, Glendale, NY 11385.

homicides were logged, the lowest number since 1951. One key way to prevent violent crime down the road is to provide a better education now, and Adams vows to do that too. He’s named David Banks as his schools chancellor, and Banks is just who we need, a true innovator but one who also knows which aspects of traditional teaching are vital. So on the one hand he founded the Eagle Academy for Young Men, raising the bar for young men of color in particular, who lag other groups in school overall, and on the other hand he insists phonics is the right way to teach reading. Only a fool would think otherwise, but there are a lot of fools in education, and they’re destroying kids’ futures. Standards won’t be lowered under Banks; they’ll be raised. Gifted and Talented programs won’t be dismantled; they’ll be broadened. The specialized high schools with their rigorous admissions exam won’t be weakened; they’ll be expanded — with different entry requirements in the new buildings but the same ones in the old sites. This is what’s needed, not tomfoolery like the state canceling Regents exams for the third year in a row using Covid as an excuse. Enough excuses, whether on crime or education. Adams and his lieutenants vow real results and they must deliver.

E DITOR

the Catholic War Veterans in Glen Oaks Village. These organizations are very involved in helping veterans. I also help run two blood drives a year for St. Anastasia Parish. Some people may say, “I don’t have the time.” Well, I’m 72 years old and still work and do find the time. I truly believe that helping the neighbors in our community is a most rewarding experience. So, for your 2022 New Year’s resolution, please make it a year of helping our neighbors in need and dedicating yourself to acts of kindness. Frederick R. Bedell Jr. Bellerose

Reflecting on 2021 II Dear Editor: As we celebrate the coming of a new year, please take a moment to offer a prayer for the members of our human family lost to the pan-

demic in 2021. We might not have known them personally, but in this international community, many of us have benefited from their contributions. Some might have harvested fruits, vegetables and coffee, or processed meat and other produce that graced our tables; some might have delivered mail or other packages to our doors; some might have taught our children the skills and knowledge needed to reap benefits for us later; some might have worked to manufacture a good or offer a service on which we have come to rely; some might have shared their creative or theatrical talent to enlighten and entertain us; some might have saved lives or provided comfort in a hospital; some might have responded in the line of duty to protect others; some might have transported us to our jobs or to see family and friends; and some might have raised families and sacrificed heroically during wars to keep this nation free. All

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exceed the already robust testing infrastructure in New York City. In addition to supporting the City of New York’s request for an increased supply of at-home test kits, I ask that FEMA authorize the opening of 100 mobile test sites in New York City, and to also examine new sites on Long Island. Since the beginning of the pandemic, FEMA has played a central role in New York City’s Unsafe, unclean subways fight against Covid-19. While I am grateful for these efforts and for the work of FEMA staffDear Editor: ers, I ask that FEMA continue this partnership Re “Fare capping is not the solution for and build on its efforts as cases increase due to MTA riders,” Opinion, Dec. 6: the Omicron variant. On Dec. 21, 2021 New It is true that a lot of riders are working from York City recorded its highest seven-day daily home and with the new variants, this could be the way public travel is for a while. However, average of cases at nearly 9,500 cases. As reports of daily cases and hospitalizations conevery day we read about sometinue to trend upward, it is vital one being attacked by another ONLINE that FEMA provide the City with person on the subway, which is the necessary resources to help certainly something that would Miss an article or a slow this spread. With more testkeep me from taking the train letter cited by a writer? ing capabilities in the form of atwhen I go back to work. SomeWant breaking news home kits and testing sites, the thing also needs to be done to from all over Queens? keep the homeless from sleeping City can better gauge the trends Find the latest news, on the trains and in the stations. I of this variant and provide more past reports from all have great sympathy for anyone over the borough and accurate guidance and informawho doesn’t have a decent place tion to residents. more at qchron.com. to live, but I don’t care to ride in Thank you again for your a subway car that stinks from the leadership and assistance over Great Unwashed. the past year as New York and the nation conLinda Sperling tinue battling Covid-19. FEMA has been an Forest Hills invaluable partner in combatting this pandemic and I ask that as the Omicron variant spreads rapidly you continue this partnership and swiftToo much panhandling ly provide New York City with increased atDear Editor: home testing kits and authorize the opening of Has anything changed in Fresh Meadows in 100 testing sites across the City. the last 18 to 24 months? I appreciate your attention to this important I’ve been living and shopping there for more than 50 years. Now when I park my car, my matter and look forward to your response. foot isn’t even on the pavement and somebody’s Please do not hesitate to reach out to my office with any questions. asking me for a dollar. Charles Schumer Go to CVS: “Do you have a dollar?” LeavU.S. Senator from New York ing Bagel Oasis: “Do you have a dollar?” And Brooklyn recently I was at the teller’s window at a local bank and someone asked me for a dollar. What happened to the neighborhood — anyTaxes down the drain body know? George Glowacky Dear Editor: Fresh Meadows Drip, drip, drip, watch as your tax dollars go down the drain. The United States Secret Service recently admitted that almost $100 billion NYC needs FEMA help in the Care Covid-19 relief fund benefits have Dear Editor: been lost to fraud. One wonders how many (An open letter to FEMA Administrator more billions have been lost to waste, fraud and Deanne Criswell) abuse out of several trillion dollars Washington I write today to ask for the Federal Emergenspends on thousands of other programs each cy Management Agency’s assistance as we con- year. In the rush to get Care Covid-19 relief tinue to fight the Covid-19 pandemic and the money out the door, it appears that everyone recent increase in cases due to the Omicron forgot to check and verify the eligibility for variant. The spike in cases has brought upon an recipients of funding. Congress just passed a increased demand for testing that is sure to bill that the president signed authorizing Uncle Sam to increase our national debt by another $2.5 trillion from the present $29 trillion. Isn’t it about time we spend the same amount of Write a Letter! energy to recoup $100 billion and more of lost We want to hear from new voices! Letters funds before borrowing even more? Besides a should be no longer than 300 words and National Debt Clock, we need to add a National may be edited for length, clarity and other Federal Fraud Clock. It should be placed behind reasons. They may be emailed to letters@ the podiums in the chambers of both the House qchron.com. Please include your phone number, which will not be published. Those and Senate as a reminder. received anonymously are discarded. Larry Penner Great Neck, LI

members of our human family lost to the pandemic in 2021 should be remembered. Commonly, we are separated by nationality, ethnicity, race and other categorizations, but the pandemic has shown we are all related in some way. Glenn Hayes Kew Gardens

E DITOR

Page 9 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 30, 2021

LETTERS TO THE

QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 30, 2021 Page 10

C M SQ page 10 Y K

New DOE policy for education councils Some members worry new equity regulation could silence parents by Deirdre Bardolf Associate Editor

The Panel for Educational Policy voted to pass a regulation last week that sparked a heated debate over race and freedom of speech. Chancellor’s Regulation D-210, passed with a vote of 10-2, is an “anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policy governing the conduct of the elected and appointed members of the Community and Citywide Education Councils and establishes a procedure for the filing and resolution of complaints of violation of this regulation,” the Department of Education notice reads. It states that CEC members who violate the regulation may be subject to suspension or removal and that they may be prohibited from serving on any councils in the future. Any behavior that “creates or would foreseeably create a risk of disruption within the district or school community” or act in a way “contrary to the best interest of the New York City school district” could lead to removal. “Council members are expected to be exemplary role models on the councils and communities in which they serve, and to fulfill their responsibilities in a way that respects the rights of all parents and students they serve,” regulation D-210 states. Many parents agreed that some disciplin-

Incoming Chancellor David Banks will be met with several new education policies enacted SCHOLASTIC just before his arrival. ary procedures must be in place to deal with instances of harrassment or discrimination but argued that the regulation was vague and undemocratic. They expressed concern over subjectivity and a “purge” of those with opposing viewpoints. The night before the vote, Dec. 20, the

Citywide Council on High Schools passed a resolution calling on D-210 to be tabled. The CCHS resolution detailed how CECs are governing bodies of the school districts and an “autonomous conduit to address DOE issues ... without fear of removal.” It stated that the regulation would “undermine democratically elected Council Members.” The CCHS concluded that D-210 would “thwart criticism from duly elected council members by fear of disciplinary action and/or removal.” It demanded the legislation be tabled until the new administration and Chancellor David Banks could review it. “I would like to emphasize that our council members who voted in favor of our resolution last night are not against having an antidiscrimination or anti-harassment policy nor are we against accountability,” said CCHS president Karen Wang in the PEP forum. “Codes of conduct are a necessary component in ensuring civility in public discourse today. However, we believe a clear set of standards and accountability should be applied equally. Unfortunately, D-210 does not do that and is flawed as written.” She continued that the regulation would “discourage and silence” parent advocates, adding that the rush to pass it was disheartening. Wang said she was a victim of discrimination but called for the regulation to be

tabled until there was more specificity. Irene Dougherty, a parent leader and Queens Presidents’ Council member, also spoke at the PEP meeting saying, “I agree that there should be strict guidelines regarding any discriminatory or harassing behavior by CEC members or towards CEC members. I do however disagree with the proposed process. CEC members this year were elected by the parents, not appointed by the DOE. Their removal from office, if deemed necessary ... should be decided by the parent voices that elected them.” She continued, “The communication and execution of this meeting tonight, particularly in regards to this proposition, is an insult to my intelligence. First off, the meeting date, [Dec. 21], right before a major holiday and right before a school break when many parents have already left with their children to go elsewhere.” She said links were not made easily available and that she felt “as if the wool is being made over my eyes ... This proposal will silence our parents.” Deborah Dillingham, one of the two PEP members who voted no, said she also faced bullying throughout her time serving on parent boards and her initial reaction was to support the regulation but later decided, “The current proposal is too broad and could easily Q be misused and abused,” she said.

RJC finalizes ballot proposals for Nov. 8

Referendums include Office of Racial Equity, preamble, and cost tracker by Naeisha Rose

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Associate Editor

The New York City Racial Justice Commission put forth its final report on Monday on how to amend the Big Apple’s charter to add ress st r uct u ral racism v ia ballot measures. The first ballot measure included adding a new preamble or introductory statement to the charter that establishes that New York City would be “a just and equitable city for all residents”; the second referendum was to create a Racial Equity Office, a racial equity plan and a racial equity commission; the last item was to measure the true cost of living to track the price of meeting essential needs in the Big Apple, according to the RJC. The RJC spent months hosting in-person and virtual forums to get input from citizens, thought leaders, community-based organizations and government leaders of any age, immigration status or background to learn ways to dismantle structural racism in policy, business, government and law enforcement across the city. One of the meetings was held in Borough Hall in Kew Gardens. Weeks after a summer input session, the RJC released an Oct. 5 report that outlined six persistent patterns of inequity that minorities throughout the city experienced: inequity in quality services, inequity in work, ineq-

uity within and across neighborhoods, the who tend to be concentrated in low-wage marginalization of minorities, the inequity jobs with few protections or pathways to in representation in decision-making and grow career-wise. uneven accountability for government The cost of living tracker, which is entities. called NYCgov Poverty Measure, would “This final report presents in detail help in providing access to more public these three structural changes in the form benefits, because the current measure of ballot proposals to appear on the Nov. 8, paints a false narrative, according to the 2022, ballot, along with a roadmap for furreport. By establishing the tracker, the city ther action the City should take to dismanwould not have to rely on the Federal Povtle structural racism at all levels of governerty Guideline, which determines the criment,” said RJC Chairwoman Jennifer teria for aid, but has remained unchanged Jones Austin. “At their core, the proposals since the 1960s. The official 2021 FPG envision a city where all New Yorkers The New York City Racial Justice Commission pro- says that a family of four living with an have the power, access and opportunities posed three ballot measures to tackle systemic rac- income of $26,501 does not live in poverthey need to not only survive but thrive.” SCREENSHOT/RJC ty, yet the average New Yorker would find ism via the Big Apple’s charter. The proposed preamble starts with that estimate unrealistic. By underestimatdeclaring the city “a multiracial democraing the cost of living, the FPG artificially tee and would create a long-term citywide cy,” that finds in strength in “diversity” and plan to address the six patterns of inequity depresses wages with its inaccurate stanthat it will honor and respect “the cultures, that were identified and explore other ways dards, according to the RJC. languages, and histories of all who call and of tackling disparities for minorities. “We set out to honor the people suffering have called this land home.” The cost of living tracker would help to from structural racism and not settle for proThe current New York City Charter does address inequities that minorities face in grammatic or focused policies but go broad not have a preamble, which is a legal docu- work that prevents advancement and wealth and fundamentally change the NYC Charment that would guide city agencies and offi- building, according to the report. Denizens ter,” said RJC Vice Chairman Henry Garricials in carrying out their duties related to a n d r e p r e s e n t a t ive s of C B O s h ave do. “I believe these proposed charter reviplanning, program reviews and audits, expressed concerns over the cost of hous- sions have a tight grip on the roots of strucaccording to the RJC. The Office of Racial ing, transportation, food and other essential tural racism. We offer these final proposals Equity would support the city’s efforts to dis- needs, which are items that have become to the New York City electorate knowing it mantle racism through a centralized body more expensive for various communities, will take their votes to uproot hundreds of Q within municipal government via a commit- especially women of color and immigrants years of built-up inequity.”

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Fried Calamari, Mussels, Whole Baked Clams (8), Fried Shrimp, Raw Clams (8), Linguine with Red or White Clam Sauce

QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 30, 2021 Page 12

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Hochul signs co-op protections Liu-Braunstein measure enacts financial safeguards by Sophie Krichevsky Associate Editor

Gov. Hochul signed into law legislation that will protect co-op shareholders on Dec. 22. The bicameral bill was co-sponsored by state Sen. John Liu (D-Bayside) and Assemblyman Edward Braunstein (D-Bayside), in addition to several other state senators and assembly persons, i nclud i ng nor ther n Queens’ own Assemblyman Daniel Rosenthal (D-Flushing) and Assemblyman David Weprin (D-Fresh Meadows). A large portion of affordable housing units in northeastern Queens are co-op units, Braunstein told the Chronicle. Under the new legislation, co-op homeowners are no longer limited to requesting one month’s maintenance as a security deposit from applicants; since this is often difficult for applicants, co-ops sometimes instead ask for a year’s worth of maintenance fees. The legislation also gives co-op owners the ability to charge a shareholder for legal fees and background checks. “The underlying point is that the shareholder’s relationship with the corporation is different than a typical, landlord-tenant relationship,” Braunstein said. “When one shareholder’s not meeting that financial obligation, it really falls on everybody else

to make the payments.” Scott Sieber, Liu’s Communications director, said in an email that the impact will be widespread. “From Glen Oaks to Beechhurst, there are thousands of co-op homeowners in northeast Queens who will be impacted by this legislation,” he said in an email. “I don’t have the precise number of units, but for context, there are 1,830 units in Bayside’s Windsor Park alone. “The important point to remember is this bill gives co-op owners more freedom to determine the rules and regulations governing their own properties, such as whether or not they should be required to send communications with shareholders via certified mail, or relaxing restrictions on security deposits so that seniors who may be living on a fixed income could put in larger down payments, and not be prevented from participating in one of Queens’ most unique forms of affordable home ownership.” The bill’s signing comes more than two years after the passage of the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019, which introduced additional protections against eviction, capped security deposits at one month’s rent and made changes to co-op housing ownership, among other things. Some felt, however, that the legislation’s

handling of co-ops was inadequate, hence the need for a new bill. Liu, in a statement, said the legislation protects co-op residents from some unintended consequences of the 2019 law. “This legislation provides important protections for co-op homeowners from unintended provisions of rent laws passed in 2019,” Liu said in a prepared statement. “By implementing this new law, we allow New York City’s cooperatives the freedom to govern themselves independently without weakening the important tenant protections for renters that the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act was intended to reform.” More specifically, Braunstein explained that, because it applied to landlords who owned six or more units — in a co-op, shareholders own those units jointly — HSTPA had repercussions for co-op owners. “Whereas in a traditional landlord-tenant relationship where a tenant’s not meeting their obligations, the burden falls on what is typically a deep-pocketed landlord,” he said. “In the situation with co-ops, it’s all the other shareholders who bear the financial burden when one of their fellow shareholders isn’t meeting their obligations.” The law went into effect immediately folQ lowing Hochul’s signing of the bill.

NYBC Queens blood drives The New York Blood Center has declared a blood emergency for the region, and a number of groups and organizations are hosting blood drives in early January. The Shops at Atlas Park at 80-00 Cooper Avenue in Glendale will host blood drives from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Jan. 5, 7, 14, 21 and 28. Our Lady of Mount Carmel will host a drive from 9:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. on Jan. 9 at 23-20 Newtown Ave. in Astoria. The New York Mets’ drive will take place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Jan. 12 in the Foxwoods Club at Citi Field in Flushing. The address is 123-01 Roosevelt Ave. St. Margaret’s Parish in Middle Village will host a collection from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Jan. 16 at 66-05 79 Place. Commonpoint Central Queens’ blood drive is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Jan. 17 in its multipurpose room at 67-09 108 St. in Forest Hills. The office of Queens Borough President Donovan Richards will host a drive from noon to 6 p.m. on Jan. 18 at Borough Hall at 120-55 Queens Blvd. in Kew Gardens. Information and donation appointments are available online at nybc.org. Q

PHOTO COURTESY OF ROBERT LOCASCIO

PHOTO COURTESY OF NYS SENATE

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HB Kiwanis gifts 10 dinners

Pigeon problem remedied Pedestrians traveling beneath the underpass on 156th Avenue in Howard Beach will no longer be plagued with the pigeon dropping problem that has long been a bother. The area, which features hand-painted murals and is home to the recently dubbed “Never Forget Way,” now has wooden planks to prevent birds from nesting,

thanks to state Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. and the state Department of Transportation. “This is the perfect example of how local government should work,” Addabbo said in a prepared statement. “I want to thank the constituents who brought this issue to my attention and NYSDOT for their action and timely response.”

The Kiwanis Club of Howard Beach helped make the holidays brighter for 10 families last week. They put together enough food to prepare 10 Christmas dinners, including fresh turkeys, hams and dry goods, with generous donations from CTown. The meals went to the Howard Beach

Assembly of God church where they were then donated to those in need. Kiwanis board member Dino Bono, left, secretary Anthony Sama, CTown manager Rene, and board members Robert LoCascio, Joseph DeMarco and Steve Sirgiovanni all took part in the giving. — Deirdre Bardolf

C M SQ page 13 Y K Page 13 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 30, 2021

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QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 30, 2021 Page 14

C M SQ page 14 Y K YEAR IN REVIEW

2021

MID QUEENS: PART I

Times tough, Mid Queens tougher

Consoling friends, replacing a flag, fixing what was thought lost by Michael Gannon and David Russell Senior News Editor and Chronicle Contributor

Folks in Mid Queens may have taken some knocks early in 2021 — and we’re not even talking about Covid-19 — but there always seemed to be someone there to help somebody back up. January The Queens Place mall was evacuated over concern of a possible bomb in a Tesla but police determined the threat was a hoax. A riot at the United States Capitol carried out by a mob of President Trump supporters led to the evacuation and lockdown of the Capitol and five deaths. “I just texted [my family] that I love them,” Rep. Grace Meng (D-Flushing) told CNN. Meng said she heard rioters running through the halls shouting “U.S.A!” as she pushed as much furniture as possible against the door, turned off all the lights and hunkered down for nearly six hours after which she was removed by security. Eduard Florea, 40, was arrested in Middle Village after the FBI discovered online threats for an armed caravan to the Capitol building. Authorities said Florea was not believed to be at the riot at the Captiol earlier in the month. Brendan Hunt, 37, was also arrested in Ridgewood a week later for allegedly making online threats against high-ranking Democratic politicians. Police shot a Maspeth man as he lunged toward them with a knife. The 41-year-old, who police said was on crystal meth and hallucinating, went to a nearby hospital in critical condition. It was the third time in the week police responded to the address. President Biden was sworn in, becoming the 46th president of the United States. “We must end this uncivil war,” he said. Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Sunnyside) announced he would run in the Democratic primary for borough president. Van

Federal authorities found heroin and fentanyl in a February raid in Ridgewood that netted $12 NYPD FILE PHOTO / TWITTER million of drugs.

pandemic. Indoor dining in city restaurants increased to 50 percent capacity on March 19 and high schools restarted in-person learning three days later. While major crimes went down significantly year-to-date in the 104th Precinct in the first quarter of 2021, vehicle theft went up — 175 percent, from 12 to 33. Precinct brass said they are seeing keys left in the ignitions of older cars and fobs being left inside newer vehicles. World War II veteran Gerard Opitz, who lived in Glendale for decades, died at 97. While stationed in Norwich, England, with the 8th Air Force 389th Bomber Group, 564th Squadron, Opitz, a sergeant, flew in Consolidated B-24 Liberators as an aerial reconnaissance photographer. April Fans returned to Citi Field for baseball for the first time since 2019. With capacity limitQueens residents lost to Covid-19 were remembered in a day-long ceremony at Forest Park on ed to 20 percent, more than 8,000 fans turned out to see the Mets beat the Miami Marlins FILE PHOTO NYS SENATE / TWITTER May 1. 3-2 on April 8. The shuttered Modell’s sporting goods Bramer, who would be term-limited out of with placing a false bomb or hazardous suboffice at the end of the year, had dropped out stance in a sports stadium or arena, mass store at Queens Center mall in Elmhurst of the special election for the race in 2020 to transportation facility, or enclosed shopping became a Covid vaccination site. Originally mall, making a terroristic threat and abandon- the Johnson and Johnson vaccine was to be focus on his mother’s health. distributed but following a nationwide pause The Fresh Pond Road Chamber of Com- ment of an animal. An accused major trafficker and three due to blood clotting cases, the Moderna vacmerce was reactivated with a push being other people were charged in connection with cine was distributed at the site. made by several business owners. It was learned that Richard Rivera, who “We’re trying to get all the businesses to a large-scale heroin-packaging mill dismanmurdered off-duty Police Officer hold hands, get each business to help each tled in Ridgewood. ApproxiRobert Walsh during a robbery other,” said Liran Gross, branch manager for mately 39 kilograms of suspected of a Maspeth bar in 1981, was heroin with an estimated street Maspeth Federal Savings bank. serving on a police reform comFollowing weeks of area leaders attempting value of $12 million, 1,000 fenmittee upstate. The panel was to get him off the cold street, a homeless man tanyl pills and $200,000 in cash formed in response to an order situated at Myrtle Avenue and Fresh Pond were recovered during the invesby then-Gov. Cuomo on police Road in Glendale left his spot to go to a tigation. DEA Special Agent in reform. Charge Ray Donovan said it hospital. T h e Q u e e n s C h r o n i cl e “Initially he was hesitant to go,” said the “was like an opioid land mine received 10 awards, including Rev. Mike Lopez of All Saints Church. “He capable of dispersing hundreds three for first place, in the annual said he was happy because this is where his of thousands of heroin doses contest hosted by the New York community is and he didn’t want to go. Even- throughout [the] Northeast.” Press Association. Harry Lambros tually we were able to convince him that it The family of the late BorFILE PHOTO NYC COUNCIL / March wasn’t safe for him to continue staying there, TWITTER ough President Claire Shulman Harry Lambros, the owner of either for him or the community.” joined elected officials in Kew Rogelio Vega, a deacon from Maspeth, was Harry’s Hardware on Eliot Avearrested for seeking sex with a teenage boy. nue in Middle Village, died March 4 at 80. Gardens on April 26 to dedicate Borough Vega, 40, went to meet the 14-year-old only to Lambros suffered from pneumonia after con- Hall with the honorary address of 1 Claire Shulman Way. Shulman in 1986 became the tracting the coronavirus. find out it was a detective. Movie theaters in the city were allowed to first woman to serve as Queens borough presVietnam Veterans of America Chapter 32 moved its headquarters from Whitestone to reopen March 5 at 25 percent capacity, with ident, an office she held until 2002. She was 94 when she passed away last August followMaspeth, as its home for the last decade was moviegoers wearing masks. The city Sheriff’s Office shut down an ille- ing a bout with cancer. put up for sale. The state Legislature, on April 28, voted to gal rave in a Ridgewood warehouse on Irving Avenue on March 6. Deputies found 142 overturn or lessen several of Cuomo’s restricFebruary Indoor dining returned to city restaurants maskless people partying at the site. Two tions on small businesses such as retail and security guards and a DJ were issued tickets restaurants. at 25 percent capacity on Feb. 12. Two men were indicted for making a ter- for defying orders. May Meisha Porter, a long-term employee of the roristic threat and other felony charges for Forest Park on May 1 hosted a seven-hour allegedly planting a fake bomb on top of a car Education Department, became the first Black female schools chancellor following the tribute to the more than 3,000 Queens resiat Queens Place mall in January. Louis Shenker, 22, of Amherst, Mass., and resignation of Richard Carranza. The outgo- dents lost in the Covid-19 pandemic. The Taylor Lyne, 27, of Santa Rosa, Calif., were ing chancellor said he stepped down to deal most somber portion was a display of more continued on page 18 arraigned on an indictment charging them with personal trauma inf licted by the

C M SQ page 15 Y K Page 15 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 30, 2021

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QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 30, 2021 Page 16

C M SQ page 16 Y K YEAR IN REVIEW

2021

CENTRAL QUEENS: PART I

It was business as usual, except ...

2021 brought new faces, new challenges and kept Covid by Michael Gannon and David Russell Senior News Editor and Chronicle Contributor

Central Queens wouldn’t be Central Queens without a few rallies, elections and disputes over bike lanes, traffic and building development. But it also had the city’s first homicide of 2021. And Covid still cast a shadow over all. January Less than 90 minutes into the new year, the Umbrella Hotel in Kew Gardens was the site of a triple shooting that left one dead. Robert Williams was killed the day before his 21st birthday after an argument between two groups broke out. In response, Mayor de Blasio ordered the city to shut down the hotel, which had been a source of concern for area residents and elected officials throughout 2020. Some criticized the mayor, noting that they had asked the city to close the troubled site months earlier. By the middle of the month, management closed the doors of the hotel. “For so many Kew Gardens residents the fear of being the next shooting or assault victim can now be put to rest,” said community leader Ethan Felder. Michael Hurwitz was named a deputy borough president by Borough President Donovan Richards but backed out when tweets ripping Israeli politics surfaced. A riot at the United States Capitol carried out by a mob of President Trump’s supporters led to the evacuation and lockdown of the Capitol and five deaths. “I just texted [my family] that I love them,” Rep. Grace Meng (D-Flushing) told CNN. Meng said she heard rioters running through the halls shouting “U.S.A!” as she pushed as much furniture as possible against the door, turned off all the lights and hunkered down for nearly six hours after which she was removed by security.

Residents rallied in defense of Israel at MacDonald Park during heightened tensions in the MidFILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL GANNON dle East.

It took a fatal shooting shortly less than two hours into 2021 to get the long troublesome FILE READER PHOTO Umbrella Hotel on Queens Boulevard to shut down. Several business owners launched Metro Village of Forest Hills. The commerce group included Aigner Chocolates, Olilolo Arts & Crafts Studio and Dee’s pizzeria at the start. Community Board 6 voted 26-12 in favor of a seven-story mixed-use building at 68-19 Woodhaven Blvd. in Rego Park. The original proposal called for eight stories. President Biden was sworn in, becoming the 46th president of the United States. “We must end this uncivil war,” he said. Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Sunnyside) announced he would run in the Democratic primary for borough president. Van Bramer, who would be term-limited out of office at the end of the year, had dropped out of the special election for the race in 2020 to focus on his mother’s health. Councilwoman Karen Koslowitz (D-Forest Hills) said a developer planned to bring senior affordable housing to 98-60 Queens Blvd. in Rego Park, where Parkside Memorial Chapels operated for around 60 years. February Tom Konchalski, the beloved high school basketball scout who spent decades evaluating thousands of players, succumbed to cancer. The Forest Hills resident was 74. Queens Community House announced it had purchased the Forest Hills Community Center at 108-25 62 Drive. A grand reopening for the site, which features a senior center, afterschool program, English for Speakers of Other Languages classes, youth leadership programming, a day program for frail and memory-impaired older adults and an evening teen center, is scheduled for 2022. Citi Field opened as a Covid vaccination megasite on Feb. 10 after initially being postponed due to a lack of supply. Indoor dining returned to city restaurants

at 25 percent capacity on Feb. 12. Councilman Jim Gennaro was sworn in after he won a nonpartisan special election in District 24. Gennaro had held the seat from 2002 to 2013 before being term-limited out of office. A swastika was spray-painted at Rego Park Jewish Center. Days later, Queens officials vowed to crack down on a ‘plague of prejudice’ that had been seen around the borough, including attacks on Asian Americans.

Located at 91-41 63 Drive, the building is expected to be completed in 2025. Queens Borough Safety Patrol Shmira unveiled its new fleet of vehicles in Forest Hills. The volunteer group raised more than $150,000 in for improved equipment. Borough Hall was the site of two rallies following a string of assaults on Asian Americans in the borough, including a Lyft driver being attacked on the Van Wyck Expressway. “No Taxi and Limousine Commission driver should have to live in fear that the next person who enters their car might attack them,” Assemblyman David Weprin (D-Fresh Meadows) said. Assembly ma n Da n iel Rosenthal (D-Flushing) and state Sen. Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans) announced their legislation passed to give right of first refusal to businesses on the Lefferts Boulevard Bridge in Kew Gardens. Blue-and-black Revel scooters began popping up in droves in Forest Hills. The Brooklyn-based company said it was the expansion of a pilot program to assist people seeking alternative means of transportation during the pandemic. New York State legalized the use of marijuana for those 21 and older.

April Alan Kaufman, the former CEO of the Melrose Credit Union in Briarwood was convicted on federal bribery charges following a two week trial. Fans returned to Citi Field on April 8 for the first time since 2019. With capacity limited to 20 percent, more than 8,000 fans turned out to see the Mets defeat the Miami Marlins 3-2. March The family of the late BorWork began on an 11-story ough President Claire Schulman mixed-use building with 166 joined elected officials in Kew u n it s at Yel lows t o n e a n d Gardens on April 26 to dedicate Queens boulevards in Forest Borough Hall with the honorary Hills. The former Key Food supermarket at the site was torn Eric Adams’ campaign address of 1 Claire Schulman Way. Schulman in 1986 became got off to a good start. down in 2018. FILE PHOTO VIA KRYSTALB97 the first woman to serve as Movie theaters in the city were allowed to reopen March 5 / WIKIPEDIA Queens borough president, an office she held until 2002. She at 25 percent capacity, with moviegoers wearing masks. Two indepen- was 94 when she passed away last August dent theaters, Kew Gardens Cinemas and following a bout with cancer. The state Legislature on April 28 voted to Cinemart Cinemas, opened weeks later. Meisha Porter, a long-term employee of overturn or lessen several of Cuomo’s the Education Department, became the first restrictions on small businesses such as Black female schools chancellor following retail and restaurants. the resignation of Richard Carranza. The May outgoing chancellor said he stepped down to Forest Park on May 1 hosted a seven-hour deal with personal trauma inflicted by the tribute to the more than 3,000 Queens resipandemic. Indoor dining in city restaurants increased dents lost in the Covid-19 pandemic. The to 50 percent capacity on March 19 and high most somber portion was a display of more schools restarted in-person learning three than 400 portraits of people lost that were set on the seats at the park’s bandshell. days later. Three people were arrested for attacking Renderings for the new Rego Park Library were unveiled. The $30 million project will Leo Cai, 15, at Real Good Playground in continued on page 18 have a basement, first floor and second floor.

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Page 17 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 30, 2021

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QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 30, 2021 Page 18

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Mid Queens rolls with the punches in 2021 continued from page 14 than 400 portraits of people lost set on the seats at the park’s bandshell. A major sewer construction project in Maspeth on and around the 70th Street corridor began on May 8. It included badly needed replacement of old sewer lines with larger ones and installation of manholes. It also allowed for the installation of 72-inch water main valves and backfilling on 69th Street between 48th Avenue and Queens Boulevard. Len Santoro, president of the 104th Precinct Community Council, announced at the group’s May 18 meeting that National Night Out Against Crime would be returning to its accustomed time on the first Tuesday of August after a forced one-year hiatus to Covid-19. Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of the Diocese of Brooklyn gave the all-clear signal for Roman Catholic churches in Brooklyn and Queens to return to services with full capacity, though a number of Covid-19 protocols remain in place to this day. A vandal spray-painted “Free Palestine” on a flag display created by Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 32 in the earlymorning hours of May 24. The display was put up in a garden the veterans rehabilitated on 88th Street in Glendale. Ed Britton, a resident of Florida — and a Vietnam era veteran — who grew up in Flushing and read

about the vandalism in the Chronicle’s online edition, sent the group a new flag. And while neighborhoods throughout Queens still couldn’t host their traditional parades on Memorial Day Weekend because of Covid restrictions, American Legion Posts 104 and 562 in Glendale, Vietnam Veterans Chapter 32 and others still were able to have small but powerful remembrances for those who have fallen in service to the United States. June A vandal or vandals spray-painted swastikas and hate graffiti throughout the Queens Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Elmhurst Park on June 2. The damage included the phrases “fallen souls” and “baby killers.” State Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. (D-Howard Beach) and Assemblymembers Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Rockaway Park) and Jenifer Rajkumar (D-Woodhaven) teamed up to sponsor Fred’s Law, named for Fred D’Amico of Middle Village. D’Amico, who had Asperger’s syndrome, was admitted to the hospital with Covid-19 and on a ventilator. But his mother, who also was his primary caregiver, was forced to leave due to emergency restrictions. His condition worsened and his family was not told until days later that he had been taken off life support and

A vandal spray-painted an American flag at a display in Glendale prepared by the Vietnam FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL GANNON Veterans of America Chapter 32. passed away. Fred’s Law would allow the disabled to always have a caregiver present. A statue of Mary the Blessed Mother that has long stood at St. Adalbert Roman Catholic Parish in Elmhurst has been restored after being broken in two by vandals in May. It was restored, in part, with help from an

officer in the NYPD’s 110th Precinct with a knowledge of masonry. Councilman Bob Holden (D-Middle Village) submitted a bill that would force owners of inactive constriction sites to replace wooden fences with chainlink after two years. The aim is to reduce graffiti and have Q safer fences.

For the latest news visit qchron.com

Changes and challenges in Central Queens continued from page 16 Rego Park on April 1 while hurling antiAsian slurs at the boy. Less than a week later, Leo and his family were back in the park as state Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky (D-Flushing) announced the introduction of a Senate bill that would require training or counseling for anyone convicted of a hate crime. Mayor de Blasio announced on May 13 that the final stage of the city’s bike lane project for Queens Boulevard would begin in July and be completed by November, pending final state and federal approvals. The announcement came more than two years after the originally scheduled completion date. Later that day, the more that 100 people gathered in MacDonald Park in Forest Hills to express their support for Israel on the fourth day of increasing rocket attacks on the Jewish state and retaliatory artillery fire and air strikes. Lenin Fierro of Forest Hills was 42 when he died from Covid-19 in March 2020. The city’s Department of Citywide Administrative Services, where he had worked since 2014 on f leet and traffic safety, and Together for Safer Roads presented their first annual Lenin Fierro Vision Zero Fleet Advocacy Award to Nigel Reid, director of transportation for City Harvest, which collects and distrib-

The first digging and foundation work for one of four new city jails — this one near the courtFILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL GANNON house in Kew Gardens — got underway. utes food to food pantries and soup kitchens. June In a two-page letter to de Blasio on June 15, Gennaro and Comrie called plans for a homeless shelter for 175 men at 138-50 Queens Blvd. in Briarwood “entirely inappropriate.” They also said the plan is “borne out of a

total disregard for the wellbeing of a community that has thrived for generations in favor of a punitive notion that stable neighborhoods must, for the sake of ‘fairness,’ pay the price for the homelessness epidemic that your Administration has helped to create.” It is scheduled to open in 2022. Lost Battalion Hall in Rego Park was among 13 city recreation centers permitted to reopen, albeit with restrictions. They were

reopened at the time only to those who were members before the pandemic. Masks, social distancing and other safety guidelines remained in order. In City Council primaries, now-incumbent Democrat Gennaro and Republican Timothy Rosen won their races to square off in the 24th District’s general election. In the race to succeed term-limited Koslowitz in the 29th District in November, Democrat Lynn Schulman won a seven-candidate contest. Republican Michael Conigliaro would await her in November. Democratic Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and Republican Curtis Sliwa, radio host and founder of the Guardian Angels, won their mayoral primaries. Thirty members of the Forest Hills Chamber of Commerce met at Bearburger restaurant on Austin Street on June 30 in an attempt to stop or reduce the construction of new bile lanes, which they fear will cost them parking and businesses. Major construction work began on the first phase of the plan to replace Rikers Island with four community jails by 2027. The first ground to be broken was that for a parking garage and storage building in Kew Gardens that will be part of a new Queens Detention Center. If continued by the new mayor and Council, it will replace the existing jail adjacent to the Queens Criminal Q Courthouse.

C M SQ page 19 Y K Page 19 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 30, 2021

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QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 30, 2021 Page 20

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ARTS, CULTURE & LIVING

by Michael Gannon Even if the cold weather and Covid are keeping you indoors when possible, an inside look at some of the great art of the world, along with its creators, its influences and its time and place in history are available for free in one’s home. All you need is the internet and the website for the Queens Public Library. The popular Art History Lecture Series, led by retired New York City school teacher and principal Mary Dono, returns on Jan. 7 and runs through Feb. 25. It is part of a wide-ranging offering of programs from the QPL that is geared toward seniors but is open to anyone wishing to log in. Some programs require registration. Dono’s topics this year will include the art deco movement; modernist Marc Chagall; the Harlem Renaissance; Black artists and more. She believes the artworks are only part of the story. Dono said first that no art movement is created in a vacuum without influences or begins or ends on a single day. “Art Deco wasn’t even named that until the 1960s, when it had a revival,” she said. “It was at its height in 1925, and it passed through different styles. Into

The art of the world

• • •

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History chats and more at the Queens Library • • • the 1930s it featured streaming, which was a feature of things like diners. By the 1939 World’s Fair [held in Queens] it was on its way out.” Dono doesn’t want people to know only of Pablo Picasso’s greatest paintings. “I want to know who Picasso drank with,” she said. Dono has compiled more than 70 presentations. And it is a labor of love for someone who has a passion for art. Her four academic degrees, including a doctorate from St. John’s University, are related to her professional education background. “I do a lot of research,” she said. Dono said Art Deco, on Jan. 7 and 14, and Chagall

on Jan. 21 and 28, both had enough material to require two parts, as does the Harlem Renaissance double feature on Feb. 18 and 25. “Those are very rich topics,” she said. continued on page 22

C M SQ page 21 Y K

I HAVE OFTEN WALKED

King Crossword Puzzle Filmmaker/actor Burns is proud of his Queens roots

ACROSS

1 Steal from 4 Highlander 8 Streamlet 12 Historic period 13 String 14 Tom Joad, for one 15 Bridgetown’s island 17 “It’s -- real!” 18 Intends 19 Tropical fruit 20 Jazz genre 22 Piece of work 24 Priests’ garments 25 “Excellent work!” 29 Espionage org. 30 Spectrum creator 31 Ms. Thurman 32 Wavering 34 Twain hero 35 Sharp tooth 36 Clearheaded 37 Cream-filled pastries 40 Arrive 41 Jai -42 Chocolatey frozen treat 46 Give up 47 Carry on 48 Citrus drink 49 Crystal gazer 50 Eye part 51 U.K. fliers

DOWN

1 Civil War soldier 2 Man-mouse link 3 Whom Pilate pardoned 4 Rascal

by Ron Marzlock Chronicle Contributor

5 Atlantic catches 6 Granada gold 7 QB stats 8 Hearty 9 Furniture brand 10 Actor Schreiber 11 Sultry Horne 16 Life stories 19 Site of Apra Harbor 20 “Coffee Cantata” composer

21 Writer Wiesel 22 Rubber gasket 23 Nuisance 25 Mom’s mom 26 Place to get a fruit smoothie 27 Hotel chain 28 Combo 30 School orgs. 33 Not as certain 34 Seethe

36 Theater boxes 37 Campaign-funding gps. 38 Fonda’s beekeeper role 39 Lose color 40 406, in Roman numerals 42 Calendar abbr. 43 Eg. and Syr., once 44 Oklahoma city 45 Ump

On July 21, 1937 Edward J. Burns, the third and youngest child of John Patrick and Josephine Burns, was born in Manhattan. He was raised in Astoria at 30-64 43 St. In 1960 Edward married Mary “Molly” McKenna from the Bronx. Edward and his brother John Patrick Jr. joined the NYPD. Edward and his bride made their home in Boulevard Gardens at 55-25 31 Ave. in Woodside. A daughter Mary came The home of actor Edward Burns, Boulevard Gardens, along. A son, Edward Fitzgerald at 55-25 31 Ave. in Woodside, as it looks today. INSET VIA WIKIPEDIA / DAVID SHANKBONE Burns, was born Jan. 29, 1968. T he n a me Fit zge r a ld wa s bestowed as a gift of honor to his paternal entering the entertainment community. His breakout role in “Saving Private grandmother’s maiden name. In 1970, Edward, an NYPD sergeant left Queens and Ryan” made him known as a solid “A” list purchased a home in Valley Stream. A third actor. He made headlines again in 2000 child Brian was born to complete the fami- when he purchased the late John F. Kennely. Tragedy shook the family on Oct. 6, dy Jr. loft in Tribeca for $2 million. Today he does it all from actor and direc1981, when their beloved grandmother, Josephine Fitzgerald Burns, was hit by a car tor to producer and screenwriter. In interand killed in Astoria at age 69. Edward views he always speaks proudly of his Q upon graduating college wasted no time Queens and Long Island roots.

Page 21 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 30, 2021

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Start the new year with a ‘most borrowed’ read by Deirdre Bardolf associate editor

If reading more books is one of your New Year’s resolutions, start with the list of the most borrowed books of 2021 unveiled by the Queens Public Library last week. Historical fiction frequented the top 10 list for adults with “The Four Winds” by Kristin Hannah at number one. The bestselling author’s book tells a tale of love and heroism during the Great Depression. Next up was the first volume of former President Barack Obama’s presidential memoirs, “A Promised Land.” Some books on the most borrowed list have also landed on Obama’s own book recommendation lists, including “The Vanishing Half” by Brit Bennett and “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents” by Isabel Wilkerson. “The Vanishing Half” is about two identical twin sisters who run away from their segregated hometown in the Deep South. Fourth most popular was “The Midnight Library” by Matt Haig, a science fiction book about a fanta-

sy library with infinite books that tell different stories based on each different life choice presented. The Queens Library released the top books for children, too. Seven out of the 10 are by author and cartoonist Dan Pilkey, and all but one are from his “Dog Man” series, a comedic graphic novel about a dog-headed cop protecting the city, with “Grime and Punishment” at number one. Fifth on the list for kids is “Guts,” book three of the trilogy “Smile” by Raina Telgemeier, all based on real life. It is about tummy troubles that lead to conquering fears. QPL’s top 10 list for young adults also saw its share of popular series. Number one was “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” by New York Times bestselling author Leigh Bardugo, book 0 in her “The Hunger Games” series, released in 2020 as a spinoff and prequel to the eponymous first book and trilogy that made it to the big screens in 2012. “The Hunger Games” was also on the list. Second on the young adults list

“The Four Winds” by Kristin Hannah was the most borrowed book for adults at the Queens Public Library this year and “Grime and Punishment” by Dan Pilkey topped the list for children’s books. ST. MARTIN’S PUBLISHING GROUP VIA AMAZON / SCHOLASTIC VIA AMAZON

is “The Book Thief,” the 2005 historical fiction work by Markus Zusak. It tells the story of a foster child who steals books from wherever she can, including Nazi book-burnings. Next up for young adults was “The Cruel Prince,” the first book in “The Folk of the Air” series by Holly Black, following the journey

of a mortal girl and a fairy prince. For the first time, the Queens Public Library released the top 10 checkouts from its international collection. The list includes books in Chinese, Korean and Spanish, from historical fiction to romance. First is Qi Huangfu’s “The Royal Family of the Great Zhou Dynasty,” a popular historical fantasy

about the Three Kingdoms Period and a main character who uses his strength to fight his destiny. The list includes the Korean translation of “Pachinko,” set in 20th century Japan, written by Korean-American author Min Jin Lee, who was raised in Queens. The story follows four generations of a Korean family migrating to Japan. “The people of Queens were so hard hit by the pandemic and Hurricane Ida, and much like the protagonists and figures featured in many of the books on our list, they persevered,” said Dennis Walcott, president and CEO of Queens Public Library, in a prepared statement. “These books provided hope, humor, and joy at a time of tremendous uncertainty and challenge, and show how much people love great writing, and love a great story, no matter the language.” Many libraries have closed again temporarily due to Covid. Visit connect.queenslibrary.org for updates and to see all of the “Most Popular of the Year” lists. Q

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The art of the world from the Queens Library continued from page 20 Another QPL art offering is the two-part series on Jan. 11 and 18 titled “Western Art History: The Big Picture from the Stone Age to the Beginnings of Modern Art.” Speaker Gene Wisniewski will bring participants from the Stone Age through the fall of the Roman Empire to the end of Classicism; and from medieval art to the 20th century. Madlyn Schnieder, the library’s Older

Crossword Answers

Adult/Homebound coordinator, said the library always has tried to get its in-person programs to the branches where they would be of most use to the patrons on-site. That naturally led to going online as the demand grew. Covid two years ago made it absolutely essential to help people who would be forced into isolation. “We wanted to make sure that we could make as many of our programs and activities as possible virtual,” she said. One of Dono’s presentations last year had nearly 70 participants at their screens, and not just in the World’s Borough. “From across the ocean, from California,” she said. Sometimes it would require getting their instructions and presenters familiar with the developing technology going from Zoom to Webex. “We’d train them,” she said. “We’d have rehearsals to make sure they know how to share a screen,” she said. Other activities beginning in January include a memoir-writing workshop beginning on Jan. 5 with registration required; “Still Life - From Drawing to Watercolor “ with Karen Fitzgerald beginning Jan. 6; and “Theatre des Artistes: Modern Art Evenings”

Aaron Douglas’ “The Prodigal Son” from 1927 was used on a U.S. postage stamp, while Kara Walker’s 2017 sculpture “Invasive Species” is on the grounds of Gracie Mansion. On the cover: A Marc Chagall self-portrait from 1913, top left; a Georges Barbier drawing from 1914; Augusta Savage’s 1939 sculpture “The Harp”; and Lee Lawrie’s 1937 art PHOTOS COURTESY QPL deco masterpiece “Atlas” from 1937 in Rockefeller Center. with Jennifer Katanic beginning Jan. 20. Programs beginning in February and later include light aerobics; ukulele instruction with registration required; workshops for

pastels and clay and others. Information on the programs, links and regis trat ion are available online at Q queenslibrary.org.

C M SQ page 23 Y K

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NC-000517-21/QU, a copy of which may be examined at the Office of the Clerk, located at 89-17 Sutphin Blvd., Jamaica, NY 11435, grants me (us) the right to: Assume the name of (First) ANDY (Middle) JOSEPH (Last) GAYMES-HERNANDEZ. My present name is (First) ANDY (Middle) JOSEPH (Last) GAYMES AKA ANDY J GAYMES. The city and state of my present address are Woodhaven, NY. My place of birth is QUEENS, NY. The month and year of my birth are March 1994.

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NOTICE is hereby given that an Order entered by the Civil Court, Queens County on 12-15-2021, bearing Index Number NC-000682-21/QU, a copy of which may be examined at the Office of the Clerk, located at 89-17 Sutphin Blvd., Jamaica, NY 11435, grants me (us) the right to: Assume the name of (First) JOSHUA (Last) ISKHAKOV. My present name is (First) JASHUA (Last) ISKHAKOV (infant). The city and state of my present address are Forest Hills, NY. My place of birth is QUEENS, NEW YORK. The month and year of my birth are August 2017.

Notice of Formation of AMH Luxury Consulting LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 02/19/2021. Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: REGISTERED AGENTS INC., 90 STATE STREET, SUITE 700, OFFICE 40, ALBANY, NY 12207. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Notice of formation of GODS OF ROCK LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York SSNY on 10/13/2021. Office located in Queens. SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC to PO BOX 800085 Elmhurst, NY 11373. Purpose: any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of NEWTON CREEK PRODUCTIONS LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 07/22/2021. Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: EZIAH SYED, 1-50 50TH AVENUE #1129, LONG ISLAND CITY, NY 11101. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

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NOTICE is hereby given that an Order entered by the Civil Court, Queens County on 10-13-2021, bearing Index Number NC-000647-21/QU, a copy of which may be examined at the Office of the Clerk, located at 89-17 Sutphin Blvd., Jamaica, NY 11435, grants me the right to: Assume the name of (First) XILAN (Last) DING. My present name is (First) XILAN (Last) CAI AKA XI LAN CAI, AKA XI L. DING. The city and state of my present address are Maspeth, N.Y. My place of birth is CHINA. The month and year of my birth are September 1946.

Notice of Formation of BHG PROPERTY MGMT LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 09/28/2021. Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: PETERGAY BALGOBIN, 11701 107TH AVE., SOUTH RICHMOND HILL, NY 11419. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of HARMONY DENTAL PLLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 11/05/2021. Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: THE LLC, 22-29 COLLEGE POINT BLVD., COLLEGE POINT, NY 11356. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

SETH BENKEL MD QUEENS

Notice of Formation of 117-02 Rockaway Blvd, LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 11/20/2020. Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: ROHEE SIBADAN, 130-31 LEFFERTS BLVD., SOUTH OZONE, NY 11420. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of DEWAN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT & RENOVATION SERVICE LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 11/04/2021. Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: DEWAN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT & RENOVATION SERVICE LLC, 110-26A 172ND STREET, FLOOR 1, JAMAICA, NY 11433. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of META WORLD LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 11/11/2021. Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: META WORLD LLC, 13101 40TH RD, APT 15D, FLUSHING, NY 11354. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of THE LOCALS HOUSE LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 12/16/2021. Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: THE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, 330 BEACH 92ND ST, ROCKAWAY BEACH, NY 11693. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of 22-61 26TH STREET REALTY LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 03/01/2016. Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: THE LLC, 22-61 26TH STREET, ASTORIA, NY 11105. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

ETHEREAL HEALING ARTS GROUP, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 09/13/21. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 207-14 Melissa Court, Bayside, NY 11360. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of Mommy Scoreboard L.L.C. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 04/08/2021. Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: MOMMY SCOREBOARD L.L.C., 194 BEACH 62ND ST., ARVERNE, NY 11692. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of TRISKEL CLEANING LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 07/28/2021. Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: THE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, 32-19 98TH ST., E. ELMHURST, NY 11369. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of 429 Property LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/16/21. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 133-14 39th Ave., Flushing, NY 11354. Purpose: any lawful activity.

Notice of formation of FANTOM TRUCKING LLC. Art. Of Org. filed with the Sect’y of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/01/21. Office in Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC, 9106 212th Pl, Queens Village, NY, 11428. Purpose: Any lawful purpose

Merchandise For Sale Merchandise For Sale

PLLC. Filed 10/25/2021. Office: Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent for

Lindenwood, 84-27 149th Ave, #1. 2 BR/1 bath, $2,400/mo. Avail Now. Both BRs have closets, renov kit, parking space. Call Stellina Napolitano, 646-372-7145. Capri Jet Realty Maspeth, 70-08 58th Rd #2. 2 BR/1 bath, $2,400/mo. Avail NOW. Fully renov, huge pvt balcony, parking spot, central AC, SS, dishwasher, granite countertops. Call Agnes Siedlik, 917-288-0660. Capri Jet Realty

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process & shall mail to: Howard Beach/Lindenwood, Garden Co-op, 2 BR, 1 bath, for-

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Howard Beach, Mint Colonial. 4 BRs. 3 full baths, Brick/stucco. full basement, in-ground pool w/pavers. Asking $938K, Connexion Real Estate, 718-845-1136 Howard Beach/Rockwood Park. New listing. Hi-Ranch, 4 BR, 3 baths, 2 fireplaces, semi-inground pool. 44x114 lot. Move-in condition! $949K. Connexion Real Estate, 718-845-1136

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To Advertise Call 718-205-8000

QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 30, 2021 Page 26

C M SQ page 26 Y K Brooklyn & Queens Real Estat e Experts!

Howard Beach e Real Estat Experts!

Located in WILLIAMSBURG, Brooklyn’s hottest neighborhood. We have Qualiﬁed International Buyers.

• OPEN HOUSE • Sunday, January 2nd 12-2pm 69 Bay 11th Street, Bath Beach Double Lot 3 Family w/ 2 Private Driveways & 2 Car Garages! $2,199,000

98-09 32nd Avenue, East Elmhurst Renovated Brick 2 Family w/ Garage & Backyard! $1,299,000

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217 Java Street, Greenpoint 2 Family w/ Full Bsmnt & Backyard! Can be sold together w/ 215 Java St! $1,695,000

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60-75 67th Ave., Ridgewood Brick 2 Family w/ Full Finished Basement & Backyard! $999,000

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• OPEN HOUSE (By Appointment) • Saturday, January 1st 3-4pm 163-33 95th Street, Howard Beach Renovated Single Family w/ Full Finished Basement! $719,999

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C M SQ page 27 Y K

BEAT

Happy New Year 2022

The wrestling wars

Dear Clients, Associates, Friends & Neighbors:

by Lloyd Carroll

see old friends and sleep in my old room again,” he told me. Although his sexual orientation is One of the surprising sports-related business not part of his wrestling character, Bowens is stories of 2021 is how All Elite Wrestling has openly gay, and is proud to be a role model to become the Pepsi to World Wrestling Entertain- the LGBTQ community. “Happily, I’ve not faced ment’s Coca-Cola. For decades WWE was syn- a backlash from fans or other wrestlers,” he said. Max Caster grew up four miles east of onymous with pro wrestling. The notion of having a credible rival seemed as likely as Google Queens in Rockville Centre. His father, Richard Caster, was a tight end for the New York Jets and Facebook facing competition seems today. AEW has benefited from the ownership of when they played at Shea Stadium and were a the Khan family from Jacksonville, Fla., who far better team than what currently passes for also own the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars, and them. “I was on the football team at South Side from the investment of Warner Media. AEW High School, but I really didn’t see a career for programming is shown on Wednesday and Fri- me in the NFL. I studied broadcasting at CW day nights on TBS. It had been on TNT for the Post/LIU and went to a wrestling school on last two years, but Warner Media executives Long Island which was the same one Maxwell understandably believe a move to TBS, which Jacob Friedman attended. We’re still friends.” Caster is a devotee of hip-hop music and his specializes in comedic fare, would be a better fit. The upstart promotion has not been shy about wrestling moniker is “Platinum Max” because taking on the WWE in the metropolitan area. he always dreamed of being a top-selling recordWhile it has not gotten access to Madison ing artist. He is very adept at rapid rhyming Square Garden yet, it has held shows at Arthur which mixes in pop culture and current events as Ashe Stadium in Flushing Meadows Corona a way of insulting opponents. “I know it’s corny, Park and at the UBS Arena in Belmont Park. but it does make people appreciate hip-hop who This Wednesday it will hold the debut TBS tele- weren’t into it previously.” The greatest insult comic ever, Jackson cast at Newark’s Prudential Center. Last week I spoke on the phone with a pair of Heights native Don Rickles, would be proud of AEW’s rising stars, Anthony Bowens, and Max Max because his targets are as amused by his Q barbs as the audience is. Caster, the tag team known as “The Acclaimed.” See the extended version of Sports Beat Bowens is from Nutley, NJ, and is excited to be wrestling in his own backyard. “I will get to every week at qchron.com. Chronicle Contributor

ARLENE PACCHIANO Broker/Owner

REAL ESTATE

STEVEN PACCHIANO Lic. Broker Associate

(Brother’s Shopping Ctr.)

718-845-1136 FREE MARKET EVALUATION

CONNEXIONREALESTATE.COM HOWARD BEACH/ ROCKWOOD PARK NEW LISTING! HI-RANCH

$949K

CO-OP FOR SALE Mint JR 4 Co-op, All Updated. No Waiting For Parking

Asking $249K

HOWARD BEACH Mint AAA Cape - This Beautiful Home was recently redone. Featuring radiant heated fl oors. Open fl oor plan, kitchen with granite countertops & stainless steel appliances, renovated bathrooms with whirlpool tub, washer/dryer on fi rst fl oor, new plumbing & electric, new pavers & concrete, new roof & gutters, 3 zone heating, 1 car garage, solar panels for lower electric bills

Asking g $880K

HOWARD BEACH

GLENDALE

718-835-4700

718-628-4700

HOWARD BEACH Mint Colonial 4 Bedrooms, 3 Full Baths, Brick / Stucco, Full Basement, In-Ground Pool with Pavers

Asking $938K HOWARD BEACH LINDENWOOD

HOWARD BEACH/ ROCKWOOD PARK

Triple Diamond Hi-Ranch, Both Floors in Beautiful All New Condition S.S. Appliances with Quartz Counters. Nothing To Do! PLEASE CALL FOR A PRIVATE SHOWING 718-845-1136

HOWARD BEACH/ LINDENWOOD

Garden Co-op

Lovely 1 Bedroom Co-op

Completely renovated Co-op Mint AAA, 2 BR, 2 Baths, Bright Corner Unit, Custom Wood Cabinets with Under Counter Lighting & Granite Countertops Stainless Steel Appliances & High Hats, 2 New Baths, Bali Wood Blinds, lg. Foyer with 3 Closets, lg. Master BR with Walk-in Closet & Ensuite Recently Renovated Lobby & New Elevator - MUST SEE!

2 BR, 1 Bath with Formal Dining Room, 2nd Floor Washing Machine Permitted. Low Maint. 25% D.P. Required

Asking $329,999

Reduced $249K

Happy New Year! From our entire staff to our Family, Friends & Clients who we truly appreciate! Thank you for your patronage!

Asking $899K

Converted from studio. Low Maintenance

Asking $159K

FREE Market Evaluation

718-845-1136 Call Today!

CONR-079993

For the latest news visit qchron.com

4 BR, 3 Baths, 2 Fireplaces, Semi-in-ground Pool. 44x114 Lot. Move in Condition!

HOWARD BEACH/ LINDENWOOD

Best Wishes, Anne Marie Chirichigno Owner/Broker And the Sales Associates and Staff! CENTURY 21 AMIABLE II

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

Connexion 161-14A Crossbay Blvd., Howard Beach

During this holiday season, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the people who have made 2021 a profitable, successful and record-breaking year! Century 21 Amiable Realty Group II has been serving the community of Howard Beach for the past 25 years and the community of Glendale for the past 9 years. Our two offi ces together have been able to service all of Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Nassau County and Suffolk County. No matter what area you are interested in, we are here to help you. As members of several multiple listing services and with state-of-the-art technology, we can better service all of our clients. It has been my pleasure to bring to all my clients, a professional and knowledgeable sales staff, a friendly and helpful offi ce staff to meet all of your real estate and fi nancial needs. Together with my entire staff, we wish you a very Happy Holiday Season and a Blessed New Year fi lled with Love, Health, Wealth, A New Home, and above all Happiness.

Page 27 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 30, 2021

SPORTS

DELIVERY

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For All SENIOR CITIZENS

$AVINGS!

FREE

50-Pack Masks 3-ply With $40 Purchase

With this coupon. Expires 01/06/22. Limit One per family.

Your neighborhood market since 1937 FRI. SAT. SUN. MON. TUES. WED. THURS.

Sale Dec. Jan. Jan. Jan. Jan. Jan. Jan. Dates 31 1 2 3 4 5 6

PHONE ORDERS GLADLY ACCEPTED

“It’s not our intention to please a customer or to satisfy them, our intention is to amaze them”

102-02 101 st AVE. • OZONE PARK • 718-849-8200 FREE CUSTOMER PARKING (Across The Street)

We Accept All Major Credit Cards WIC - EBT

STORE HOURS: Mon.-Sun. 8 am to 9 pm

KEYF-080002

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QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 30, 2021 Page 28

C M SQ page 28 Y K

We reserve the right to limit quantities to one can or package on sale items. Items offered for sale are not available in case lots. Alcoholic beverages may not be available in all locations. We are not responsible for typographical errors. Some Items Not Available in all Locations.