Order in the Court! Rockaway Women Rule on the Bench

By Katie McFadden

First New York had Judge Judy and now we have Judge Janet and Judge Jenny. In a rare occurrence, two bright female attorneys, who happen to live within half a mile of each other in Rockaway, were elevated to the bench. After being appointed by Mayor Eric Adams, on February 15, Janet McDonnell and Jennifer Tubridy officially became judges for New York’s criminal courts.

Both starting on this new, huge step in their careers, it was a surprise to each woman to find a familiar face going through the same process and being sworn in on the same day. “Jenny’s a little younger but we know all the same people. I have four kids and my kids hang out with her nieces and nephews. It’s such a small world,” McDonnell said. “There aren’t a lot of people you know who get chosen as judges, never mind someone that lives 11 blocks from you.” Among the other two criminal court judges they were sworn in with, McDonnell and Tubridy, both local moms, were the only women. “We’ve gotten really close going through this together,” Tubridy said. “It’s pretty cool that it’s two women from Rockaway.”

Although they were sworn in on the same day, they’ve wound up in different places in their new roles, with Judge McDonnell being assigned to Manhattan’s Criminal Court and Judge Tubridy being assigned to Brooklyn. And they both took different paths to get to this point.

A graduate of Iona College, McDonnell started out in the financial field. “I was a finance major, so I didn’t know I wanted to pursue law until I started working in my early 20s. I was working at a bank for two and a half years, and I hated it,” McDonnell said. But using her finance degree, she went on to become a financial investigator for the Manhattan District Attorney’s office and discovered her passion. “I was an accountant for white collar crimes and testified at grand jury and I absolutely loved it,” she said. It was that experience in that courtroom in Manhattan that would lead her pursuing law. Little did she know, it would be the same building where she now sits on the bench as a judge.

“I was like, wow, I’m gonna have to go to law school to become an assistant district attorney, so I went to law school and I changed my career path,” McDonnell said. In 1997, she graduated from City University of New York School of Law at Queens College and became a prosecutor. She would work for the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office for 21 years and went on to become Deputy Bureau Chief of the Domestic Violence Bureau and Criminal Court Bureau for five years before becoming First Deputy Bureau Chief of the Criminal Court Bureau for the Staten Island District Attorney’s office. But that position would be short lived. She had all the experience she needed to pursue something bigger.

For Tubridy, she was attending Columbia University and had gone on a fellowship in Ireland for a marketing position for Allied Irish Bank. With so many options ahead of her, Tubridy ultimately decided to go to law school. She went to night classes at Brooklyn Law School while working at a cousin’s restaurant, Metro 53, during the day. Through that, she was able to make a solid connection to further her law career. “I spoke to a manager and got a job with a federal judge, working three years in the Southern District, where I was a courtroom deputy clerk. I swore in the witnesses and took in the jury, and I kind of had this front row seat to the courtroom and it made me realize I liked criminal law,” Tubridy said. After graduating law school, she applied for the Queens DA’s office. “I started in the misdemeanor part and became a rider, who goes to lineups and on search warrants, and I went on to do felony trials,” she said. She worked as an Assistant District Attorney for 10 years. Tubridy then went on the work as a court attorney law secretary for Judge Barry Schwartz in Queens until he retired, so she started working for Civil Court Judge Nestor Diaz at the New York County Criminal Court as principal attorney. Judge Diaz went on to the Queens Supreme Court in January and Tubridy followed, but that position would be short lived.

After all, both had their eyes on becoming a judge. After applying for the judgeship position in 2020, things got delayed for the ladies during their process due to Covid. Then came the change of mayor. But after sending in their applications and enduring several grueling rounds of interviews starting in October of last year, the ladies got the good news. Mayor Adams nominated them to the position of judge for the criminal courts in New York City. After being sworn in at City Hall on February 15, the ladies went through training together.

Reaching such a tremendous point in their careers is a point of pride for McDonnell and Tubridy. “It feels amazing,” McDonnell said on her first official day on Monday, February 27. “I was given chambers! I’m shadowing other judges and it was nice. It’s going to take a while to get used to. There’s going to be a lot of hard work ahead but hopefully it goes smoothly. But this has been fun. My kids are so happy for me.”

“This is surreal. I’m honored and humbled and excited,” Tubridy said. “They already have me taking pleas on record because I have some background in this but it’s busy and it’s good. I’m excited and eager to learn from the judges that are already there and I’m grateful to be here. My family is very excited.”

So, order in the court! Judge Janet McDonnell of Manhattan Criminal Court and Judge Jenny Tubridy of Brooklyn Criminal Court will be making those tough decisions on criminal matters, and hopefully, nobody in Rockaway will have to see them besides around town.

Fight With Your Smile Run

On Saturday, March 4, join this 5K fun run or one-mile walk to help raise money for the Fight with your Smile campaign for LLS. Registration and bib pickup begins at 8 a.m. on the boardwalk on Beach 108th Street. Runs start at 9 a.m. To pre-register, head to RockawayTC.org

Rockaway St. Patrick’s Day Parade

On Saturday, March 4, at 1 p.m., line up along Newport Ave or Rockaway Beach Blvd. for the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade from Beach 130th to Beach 101st Street.

Blood Drive

On Monday, March 6 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., head to the NYPD 100th Precinct at 92-24 Rockaway Beach Blvd. to give the gift of blood.

Land Use Meeting

On Monday, March 6, at 7 p.m.

on Webex, the Community Board 14 committee on Land Use will be discussing a zoning change for 2932 Beach Channel Drive. For access info, see: www.nyc.gov/site/ queenscb14/index.page

Purim at West End Temple

On Monday, March 6, head to West End Temple (147-02 Newport Ave) to kick off the Jewish holiday of Purim with a potluck dinner and hamantaschen at 6 p.m. and a musical Purim Spiel at 7 p.m.

Rockaway Beach Volleyball Registration

On Wednesday, March 8, at 7 p.m., head to Jameson's on Beach 129th to register your team for Rockaway Beach Volleyball League. Bring your signed roster and two checks, one for registration and one for t-shirts.

Community Cleanup

On Saturday, March 11, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., head to RISE

(58-03 Rockaway Beach Blvd.) for a spring community cleanup. Adults and kids welcome. Community services hours available.

Morning Moves at RISE

On Mondays at 11 a.m., head to the RISE Center (58-03 Rockaway Beach Blvd.) to join Ann Fosteris’ Fitness to You class. Masks required inside RISE.

JASA Weekly Yoga

On Mondays at 11 a.m. and Fridays at 11:30 a.m., adults 60+ are welcome to JASA Rockaway Park Older Adult Center (106-20 Shore Front Parkway) for weekly Yoga with Cynthia. Open to Adults 60 +; To register, please call 718-634-3044.

JASA Weekly Arts

On Thursdays at 10 a.m., adults 60+ are welcome to JASA Rockaway Park Older Adult Center (10620 Shore Front Parkway) for weekly painting/ arts and crafts. Let your creativity be free! RSVP and for more details: 718-634-3044.

Core on the Floor

On Mondays from 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., head to the RISE Center (58-03 Rockaway Beach Blvd.) for a free core and lower body class with Ann Fosteris of Fitness to You. All are welcome! Bring a mat. Masks required inside RISE.

Cardio Punch

On Saturdays at 11 a.m., head to Seaside Library (116-15 Rockaway Beach Blvd.) to join for a total body, non-contact workout fit for all levels. Punch, hook, and kick to motivating, high-energy music that progress into heart-pumping combinations. Through April 1.

Chair

Movement Class

On Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., head to Temple Beth-El (201 Beach 121st Street) and breathe, balance, move and stretch in this yoga class led by Christine Walker. Donation based. Got events? Send an email to katie@rockawaytimes.com with details for consideration to be listed.

Legal Notices

PARC RE LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 11/29/22. 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, 33-20 Broadway, Astoria, NY 11106. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of VVR LLC. Art. of Org. filed Sec’y of State (SSNY) 1/26/23. Office location: Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY shall mail process to: 157-25 82nd St, Howard Beach, NY 11414. Purpose: any lawful activities

Notice of Formation of 22GRAFFICS

LLC, Articles of Organization Filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 01/04/2023. Office location: Queens, NY. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to The LLC, 88-16 212th Place, Queens Village, NY 11427. Any lawful purpose.

DEL BX NY LLC filed Arts. of Org. with the Sect'y of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/19/2022. Office: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to: The LLC, 72-24 Loubet St., Forest Hills, NY, 11375. Purpose: any lawful act.

Notice of Formation of SHERRI JOY COACHING LLC, Articles of Organization

Filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 02/13/23. Office location: Queens, NY. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to SHERRI JOY COACHING, 3220 35th Street, Astoria NY 11106. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of BABANIUBI LLC, Articles of Organization Filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 08/12/2022. Office location: Queens, NY. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to BABANIUBI LLC, 137-11 32ND AVE #2W FLUSHING NY 11354. Any lawful purpose.

Follow Your Roots LLC Articles of Org. filed with NY Sec. of State (SSNY) on 01/24/2023. Office in Queens Co. SSNY designated agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to 6223 60th Drive Maspeth, NY 11378. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Eun Young Cho, DMD, PLLC filed w/ SSNY on 2/6/23. Office: Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: 35-35 149th St., #206, Flushing, NY 11354. Purpose: Dentistry.

410 MAIN STREET LI LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 02/02/2023. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Simon Blitz & Daniel Gazal, 11-11 44th Drive, Long Island City, NY 11101. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

Stonze LLC filed w/ SSNY on 2/21/23. Office: Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: 21846 82nd Ave., Queens Village, NY 11427. Purpose: any lawful.

Charlotte Abbott LLC Articles of Org. filed with the SSNY on 02/01/23. Office: Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to Charlotte Abbott LLC, 577 Onderdonk Ave, Apt 2R, Ridgewood, NY 11385. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of formation of Limited Liability Company (“LLC”). Name: 5 Bay Street IF Owner LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of the State of New York (“SSNY”) on February 15, 2023. N.Y. office location: Queens County.

The SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The SSNY shall mail a copy of any process to 5 Bay Street IF Owner LLC, c/o Triangle Equities, 30-56 Whitestone Expressway, Flushing, New York 11354. Purpose/character of LLC is to engage in any lawful act or activity.

Legal Notices

AIRA REAL ESTATE LLC Arts. of Org. filed with SSNY on 05/22/2019. Office location: QUEENS County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 104-60 QUEENS BLVD # 20C, FOREST HILLS, NY, UNITED STATES, 11375. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Be Rockaway Enterprises LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 1/04/2016. Office in Queens Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to 114-04 Beach Channel Dr., Rockaway Park, NY 11694 Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice Of Public Sale Of Personal Property

Pursuant to the lien granted by the New York Self-Storage Facility Act, notice is hereby given that the undersigned self-storage units will be sold at a public sale by competitive bidding, to satisfy the lien of the Lessor, with Metro Storage LLC as managing agent for Lessor, for rental and other charges due from the undersigned. The said property has been stored and is located at the respective address below. Units up for auction will be listed for public bidding on-line at www.StorageTreasures.com beginning five days prior to the scheduled auction date and time. The terms of the sale will be by lot to the highest bidder for cash only. A 10-15% buyer’s premium will be charged per unit. All sales are final. Metro Self Storage LLC reserves the right to withdraw any or all units, partial or entire, from the sale at any time before the sale or to refuse any bids. The property to be sold is described as “general household items” unless otherwise noted. All contents must be removed completely from the property within 48 hours or sooner or are deemed abandoned by bidder/buyer. Sale rules and regulations are available at the time of sale.

Property includes the storage unit contents belonging to the following tenants at the following locations:

Metro Self Storage 2727 Knapp Street

Brooklyn, NY 11235 (718) 769-9000

The bidding will close on the website StorageTreasures.com and a high bidder will be selected on 3/22/23 at 1:00pm.

15 +10 x 6= 15 + 60= 75