This is Queensborough March Edition

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March 2023 . Volume 19 . Issue 3

Digging into Queens

NYCFC COO Jennifer O’ Sulllivan talks on Willets Point Stadium and the future of soccer in Queens

“It’s really kind of doing everything we can to ensure that this stadium journey and the stadium process is successful — not just for us, but for part of the larger development of Willets Point.”

Photo: Matthew McDermott.

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January 2023 • Volume 19 • Issue 1

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO

Green Pride

THOMAS J. GRECH PRESIDENT & CEO

As the saying goes time waits for no one which is a very true statement.

Each month brings an occasion or holiday we greatly anticipate. Of course, March ushers in the ever-popular St. Patrick’s Day, when Irish or non-Irish Americans share in the celebration.

Green pride is on full display on 17th of the third month of the year.

Queens Chamber will host our St. Patrick’s Day Annual Luncheon 2023 on the 15th at our Autun’s in Queens Village, who is also a Chamber member. Make plans to join us we dawn hints of green attire and honor two outstanding

Irish Americans making a difference in our Queens community.

Laura Kavanagh, Fire Commissioner at FDNY and Jennifer O’Sullivan, COO/Chief Legal & Administrative Officer at New York Football Club are our well-deserved honorees this year. Aside from representing Irish pride they’re demonstrating the power of women in leadership roles as we celebrate Women’s History month.

Mark your calendar for Friday, March 24th as Queens Chamber host Celebrating The Women’s History Month – Hispanic Women Empowerment 2023 event at New York LaGuardia Airport Marriott.

We’ll be joined by special guest Daniela Alvarez, the former Miss Colombia for this wonder in-person Hispanic in-person complimentary event.

In typical Chamber fashion we have a lot happening this month and invite you to participate. Visit our www.queenschamber.org for details regarding our upcoming events and numerous resources designed to strengthen your business.

This is the best job in the world! Thank you for allowing myself and the amazing staff at the Chamber to contribute to making a difference in not only your organization but the Queens community.

We greatly appreciate your continued support.

Queens STRONG!

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR The contributions from a specific sector of individuals whose impact on community often goes unappreciated and forgotten. As a way to start to remedy that issue, March has been designated Women’s History Month and has been observed annually since 1987.

This provides us an opportunity to reflect, appreciate, and celebrate many contributions women across the spectrum make to our society.

Queens Chamber is grateful for the opportunity to highlight the event and to recognize the countless number of women in the business, who own, operate, and lead their businesses and the women government leaders who help our communities grow and prosper.

There is no shortage of women in our Queens community who are making a difference in this most diverse borough.

A few outstanding examples: Queens native, Speaker of the New York City Council Adrienne Adams, became the first wom-

Celebrating YOU

en-majority Council in NYC history. In her first term as Speaker secured funding at a record level for her district. She has been and continues to be a friend of the Chamber. Her devotion to the community of her birth is unfounded.

Queens native District Attorney Melinda Katz, elected in

HOWARD GRAF CHAIRPERSON

November 2019 became the first woman to serve in this role, following her two terms as Queens Borough President. She has been a public servant for almost 30 years, making this community a better place to live, work and do business.

Anat Gerstein, whose communication firm Anat Gerstein, Inc., supports wide range of nonprofits, including Queens Chamber providing media relations and advocacy on our behalf. Anat started her namesake in 2010. With an amazing team of extremely talented professionals, she’s a prime example of female leadership.

And Gerri Domenikos, who’s CEO at Airlogix a commercial HVAC/R organization. She’s no stranger to nontraditional female industries with over 25 years of career experience including building services, consumer packaged goods, and construction to name a few. Gerri is proof that women are setting the standard for excellence

in various industries.

There are hundreds, no doubt thousands, of women owning and operating businesses within every industry of all sizes here in Queens County. Many of whom never get the recognition and acknowledgement they so richly deserve. We applaud you all and thank you.

If you’re a woman owned business seeking WMBE Certification I urge you to contact Queens Chamber at www.queenschamber. org for details on how to complete the process. This certification as well as the numerous resources available will change the trajectory of your organization.

Thank you for continually supporting Queens Chamber.

We couldn’t do this work without you.

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

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QUEENS QUICKLY

Goldman gains support in Civil Court Judge Bid Goldman Would Be First Openly Gay Judge in Queens if Elected

By Matthew Fischetti mfischetti@queensledger.com Michael Goldman, a 53 year old attorney, has launched a campaign for Civil Court Judge in Queen County’s first Municipal Court District. If elected, he would be the first openly gay judge to represent Queens.

The civil court justice manages cases where financial relief is up to $50,000, including issues such as housing and small claims. The 1st municipal court district covers Astoria and stretches over to Long Island City and slices of Sunnyside and Woodside.

Goldman has received a series of endorsements from Queens politicians including Councilwoman Julie Won; Assemblyman Juan Ardilla; State Senator Jessica Ramos; State Senator Michael Gianaris; and Borough President Donovan Richards. He also received endorsements from Queens-based district leaders like Nick Berkowitz; Émilia Decaudin; Matthew DiStefano; Breeana Mulligan; Antonio Alfonso; and Melissa Sklarz. ”For far too long, queer New Yorkers living in Queens have had no one on the bench who understands our lives, families, and experiences,” Decaudin said in a statement. “I am excited to support Michael’s campaign—he is some-

one who will not just finally bring this perspective to the New York City Civil Court, but the qualifications, character, and work ethic to be a judge that our community can be proud of.

Goldman has over 25 years of legal experience, having worked in private criminal defense and civil practice prior to serving as a Senior Court Attorney to Justice Jessica Earle-Gargan. Goldman previously ran to represent the Civil Court Judge for all of Queens County in 2021 and lost by just under 2500 votes in a close election.

“I am proud to endorse Michael Goldman for Civil Court, to become the first openly gay judge to be elected in our borough,” Ardilla said in a statement. “Michael knows what it’s like to be the victim of an unjust system that goes against who New Yorkers are, who we love and how we wish to live our lives.”

Goldman was inspired to practice law by family friend Joel Blumenfeld who was a Legal Aid lawyer in the Bronx and a Criminal Judge in Queens, and said that Blumenfeld’s philosophy helped shape his views on how to be a judge.

“If you’re going to be judging someone, you should judge a complete person, not just a case number on a page,” Goldman said in an interview. “So it became my desire to follow his example and eventually

become a judge.”

Goldman said that while he didn’t consider his sexuality the “main part of his campaign” that he was proud of being able to openly run as a gay man. Goldman recounted a story of when he was a young lawyer in Miami, one of the firm’s partners asked him if he was gay. Goldman said that he was fired just two weeks later.

“I had no recourse at the time.

And to have come from that experience, in just over 25 years – to not be able to be a judge and now to do so without having to hide that part of me, is to me, an amazing advancement that our society has made,” he said.

Goldman also highlighted his background in various aspects in law as reasons why he feels he is qualified for the position.

“I’ve been working for judges mostly in the Queens courts for over 20 years now, both civil and criminal,” he said. “I’ve spent [time] in foreclosure parts, in discovery parts, in divorce parts. And this has given me a very broad view of the issues a judge faces each day.”

Goldman continued to say that his experience helped shape his views on how to improve the efficiency of the courthouse and that having practiced on both sides of the bench has given him “a wide understanding of the best way to function and to run a courtroom.”

Goldman currently does not have any competitors in the race at time of publication, but candidates are able to petition for the seat until April 6.

The primary for the election will be held on June 27.

TABLE OF CONTENTS Queens Quickly ................................................................................................... 4 JFK Terminal 6 Enters Final Phase of Construction ........................................... 21 Rockaway Pizza Has Arrived .......................................................................... 7 Stay Connected With the Queen’s Chamber .......................................................... 25 Rising Interest Rate Opportunities ................................................................. 8 Get to Know the Chamber’s Newest Members...................................................... 28 Preparing Your Home for Spring ................................................................. 11 Cover Story: Jennifer O’Sullivan of NYCFC ............................................ 12 Chocolatier Partners with Hudson Group .................................................. 19 $1.5 M allocated to Mount Sinai Queens ................................................... 20 4

PUBLISHER Walter H. Sanchez

MAGAZINE EDITOR Alicia Venter

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

March 2023 • Volume 19 • Issue 3

QUEENS QUICKLY From Asthma Alley to Renewable Row

Astoria Generating Station will convert to renewable energy

By Matthew Fischetti mfischetti@queensledger.com Western Queens pols and community leaders packed into the gymnasium of the Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens last week to celebrate a historic investment towards renewable energy.

At the Friday announcement, it was unveiled that the Astoria Generation Station located on 20th Ave. will be transformed into a converter station for renewable energy, named the Astoria Gateway for Renewable Energy. The new plant is estimated to power 1 million homes starting in the late 2020s with construction for the site predicted to begin in 2025, pending permit

approval.

The project will be completed by Beacon Wind, which is a 50-50 partnership between energy provider Equinor and the gas company BP. Former Astoria Councilman and current C.E.O of the VBGCQ, Costa Constantinides, noted the historical and personal ramifications that the high concentration of plants in the neighborhood, known as Asthma Alley, has had.

“My own son, I remember when he was young – having an asthma medication, a liquid, another medication. Then taking something to settle his stomach because he just took all of that. Then he ate breakfast. Then he would have to put a nebulizer over his face. Not just

U.S. Senator Chuck Shumer.

when he was sick, that was just Tuesday,” Constantinides said.

Officials and activists rallied outside the power plant two years ago when the previous owner NRG wanted to convert the turbines into a natural gas based plant.

“First, I want to acknowledge the change this all around the hundreds of organizing volunteers who worked so hard to change the status quo to make this celebration, what it is today,” said U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer who joined the protests and even testified in front of the Public Service Commission, the entity which regulates public utilities throughout the state.

“But we wanted to send a message for both this community and the

entire state who were serious about the transition to clean energy,” he continued. “They [critics]were saying it's a false choice between jobs and climate justice. Well that was bullshit.’

Schumer also noted in his speech that he wants to make Long Island, including the Brooklyn and Queens parts, the “offshore wind center of the county.”

“If we had listened to the words of NRG all those years ago or a day like today would never have happened,” said Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, who represents parts of Astoria and participated in the protests against NRG. “This is a repudiation of the idea that fossil fuel executives should set the limits of possibility in Astoria. In New York City, in New York state and across this country.”

Equinor also announced a million dollar partnership through Beacon Wind to build a Technology and Media center along with a $750,000 over ten year commitment to help fund a Science and Technology program for youth at the Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens. Morris said that the program aims to be a gateway for New YOrk children to have opportunities to enter the renewable energy sector. “ I've spent 68 years here in Astoria. And I've seen the good, the bad, and the difference when it comes to the air,” former Resident Association President and current Astoria Houses resident Claudia Croger said.

Croger said that when she moved into the neighborhood her seven kids didn't suffer from asthma but that three of her grandchildren did due to the power plant’s effect on the local air quality.

“It gives me joy to know that change is coming,” she continued.

“Our children will be able to live in clean air and breathe. And their parents will gain because they won't have to pay copays out of the lunch money, their food money, or clothes money.”

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QUEENS NEWS

Con Edison’s Reliable Clean City Project Crosses Halfway Mark in Queens

Con Edison is halfway done with the Queens portion of the Reliable Clean City project, a major electric infrastructure upgrade that will deliver increasingly renewable power to New York City residents for decades to come. The work in Queens is on schedule and on budget, with completion expected in spring 2023.

Construction began earlier this year on the Reliable Clean City projects, a trio of new transmission lines and related substation expansions that will help enable the eventual retirement of fossil fuel generators in neighborhoods such as Astoria.

The projects will unlock a greater flow of electricity across New York City, strengthen reliability of service for customers, and help the state meet its ambitious climate and clean energy goals.

The Queens portion of the project includes the expansion of electric substations in Corona and Long Island City, and a new six-mile underground transmission line connecting the two substations. It will add 300 megawatts of transmission capacity in Queens, serving as an off-ramp for renewable energy as New York builds out its wind and solar power resources in the years ahead.

In addition to substation expansion, the work accomplished so far in Queens includes a series of new utility holes and partial installation of underground cable ducts which the new transmission cables will run through.

“The Reliable Clean City projects offer an onthe-ground demonstration of our commitment to building an energy system capable of delivering 100 percent clean power by 2040,” said Richard David, Con Edison’s director of regional and community affairs in Queens. “These lines will carry wind, solar and hydropower to our customers while strengthening reliability of service, and we’re thankful for the continued support and cooperation of Queens residents while we complete this landmark project.”

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Readying the Grid for Vehicle and Building Electrification

Following the work in Queens, similar underground feeder lines will be installed in Brooklyn and Staten Island by 2025, with total planned investments of $800 million across the trio of Reliable Clean City projects. The Queens portion of the project represents a $275 million investment.

All told, the projects will add 900 megawatts of transmission capacity across New York City, facilitating the electrification of vehicles and heating systems in buildings.

By helping to bring renewable power generated outside of New York City into the outer boroughs, the Reliable Clean City projects will pave the way for the eventual retirement of fossil fuel-based peaking power plants. Peaker plants play an important role today in keeping the lights on during periods of high energy demand, but they contribute to air pollution locally and climate change globally, and their negative impacts are felt most severely in environmental justice communities.

New York’s Public Service Commission approved the Reliable Clean City projects in 2021, and they received support from environmental justice organizations.

In addition to investing in transmission lines

that will bring power to customers, Con Edison is strengthening its distribution grid and facilitating the expansion of clean energy resources within New York City and Westchester County, including customer-owned solar panels, battery energy storage systems and electric vehicle chargers.

“We are grateful for Con Edison’s open door and communication with our office,” said Florence Koulouris, District Manager, Community Board 1, Queens. “This partnership has made a difference in the smooth implementation of this landmark infrastructure project. We are happy to play a role in the delivery of reliable and clean power to our communities, and to see the project finish in our district and move forward towards completion.”

Con Edison is a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc. [NYSE: ED], one of the nation’s largest investor-owned energy companies, with approximately $14 billion in annual revenues and $66 billion in assets. The utility delivers electricity, natural gas and steam, and serves 3.5 million customers in New York City and Westchester County. Through Consolidated Edison Inc.’s subsidiary, Con Edison Clean Energy Businesses, the company is the second-largest owner of solar electric projects in North America.

March 2023 • Volume 19 • Issue 3

A ‘SLICE’ OF QUEENS

Rockaway Pizza Has Arrived!

By Robert Intelisano

The people have spoken!

After a month-long voting process and thousands of votes cast all throughout this great Borough of Queens, I witnessed Tom Grech, President of The Queens Chamber of Commerce, announce on “National Pizza Day” on Thursday February 9th, that “Rocco’s of Roc Beach” won the honor of Best Pizza in Queens contest!

Rockaway’s food scene started with “Rockaway Tacos” back in 2007.

Slowly, foodie surfers migrated, mostly from Brooklyn, and the beach food morphed into ethnic delicacies, and then pizza followed.

If you told me back in 2013, when we were rebuilding after Superstorm Sandy, that 10 years later Rockaway Pizza would dominate the first annual Queens Pizza Contest during a pandemic, I would say you should go get your head checked for “delusions of grandeur!”

Don’t pinch me, this just happened!

Vinnie and JoAnne Cotrone opened Rocco’s of Roc Beach at 115-10 Rockaway Beach Boulevard in 2021, after a long process of working with local officials. “We believe in the community,” JoAnne Cotrone said.

The Cotrone’s took a major calculated risk and made a substantial investment of time and money opening this fine establishment. It is very difficult, nearly impossible, to open a “Coal Oven” Italian restaurant today, due to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) cracking down on coal oven emissions.

All of Rocco’s of Roc Beach food is homemade, using family recipes made fresh daily with both the ingredients and the coal oven imported from Italy! My favorite is their white slice which has 4 different cheeses!

When I review a pizzeria, I always ask about the ingredients, the oven and the dough fermentation process.

Dough fermentation is also called “proofing” the dough in the industry.

As per Vinnie, “we use a 48-hour fermentation process in a secret room in the back.”

Fermenting dough that long takes a

coordinated approach. The longer a dough ferments, the lighter and airier it becomes, and it is easier to digest with less gluten. Pizzaiolo Angelo and Chef Bruno Milone (of 5-star Il Mulino fame) take their craft seriously. Their delicious pasta is also homemade daily and Bruno (from Puglia, Italy) told me that he sleeps upstairs overnight occasionally to make sure everything is perfect for the next day.

I mentioned to Chef Bruno that although inflation peaked at 9.1% last year, “Pizzaflation” was much higher as mozzarella prices went up almost 40% in 2022, and the price of flour went up over 30%. When asked how this affects Rocco’s, Chef Bruno said, “I’ve been doing this for 33 years, I will only use the best ingredients, regardless of price!”

The Queens Chamber of Commerce Pizza Contest was no “one trick pony” as Rockaway had several horses in the race. “Pizza D’Amore,” literally around the corner from Rocco’s at 208 Beach 116th street, finished a close second place and “Pizza on the Point” also finished inside the top 10.

“Plum Tomatoes” and “Pop-up Pizza Maestro” Seany Slices, also received numerous votes as Rockaway was very well represented.

“Pizza D’Amore’ (Pizza of Love) also a family-owned business, was launched back in 1997 in Caesar’s Bazaar mall of Brooklyn by Frank (RIP) and Ann Marie Skollo. They opened a 2nd location in Mill Basin and their Rockaway pizzeria opened in 2016. They quickly built a reputation as a favorite on the peninsula featuring their New York style slice, Sicilian, pepperoni and upside down (meaning the cheese on top of the dough with sauce on top) slices.

Frank Skollo Sr., of Sicilian descent, has a street named after him on Mill Avenue and Avenue U in Brooklyn, and his son, Rockaway resident Frank Jr., manages their Rockaway location.

On October 29th, 2022, “Pizza on the Point” opened at 202-20 Rockaway Point Boulevard in Breezy Point! They came out swinging as lines were out the door on the first

day. Locals Tom McGoorty and Mike Strong of Breezy Point teamed up with Rockaway’s Pat Hayden and “Meat Up Grill’s” Chef Michael Fiore to open in the space originally occupied by Country Heart Cooking.

Longtime Rockaway resident Chef Michael Fiore knew he would eventually open up a brick-and-mortar location in Rockaway, now he has two!

He started testing the Rockaway market with a pop-up Meat Up Grill at the Riis Park concessions in 2016, which led to a summer location at Riis concessions in 2017, before opening his current Meat Up Grill restaurant with his business partner Scott Kargman on 116th street, next to Cuisine by Claudette.

With over 10 years in catering experience and clients such as Jerry Seinfeld and Jimmy Fallon, Chef Michael Fiore is no stranger to creating quality food for savvy critics. He is both a master and a student of the “science of food,” and it took him 6

months of experimentation in order to be comfortable with the “Pizza on the Point” sauce recipes. They have 4 different sauces, and I was fascinated to learn that they adjust their dough formula based on weather conditions, as each season has different humidity and dryness levels.

Pizza on the Point (POP) offers the traditional New York slice, an upsidedown Sicilian with sweeter sauce and specialty pies like the McGoorty Vodka Roni pie with Tito’s vodka in it. They shred their own cheese fresh daily, which is a combination of mozzarella and provolone. What really sets them apart is their unique Detroit Sicilian, which is a hybrid of Sicilian and Detroit deep dish pizza, featuring an outside crunch, soft on the inside and crispy cheese on top.

The common theme is Rockaway is the home of quality people creating delicious and mouth-watering pizza.

One thing is for sure, Rockaway Pizza has arrived!

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QUEENS CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS

Rising Interest Rate Opportunities!

Interest rates have been around since the dawn of civilization! They can be traced all the way back to 3000BC. It didn’t take long for people to realize the importance of interest rates as a critical part of the borrowing and lending equation.

Interest rates have changed significantly since back in the early days when a 20% rate was a common occurrence. These days, interest rates that high would cause mass panic.

The Federal Reserve sets interest rates in this country and the benchmark rate is called “The Federal Funds Rate!” This is the rate that banks charge other banks to lend Federal Reserve funds to each other for overnight borrowing. This rate must be manipulated for time to time, moving lower to stimulate growth or moving higher to curb inflation.

The rate is critical because of the ripple effects of the Federal Funds Rate. The FFR affects the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) on credit cards, home equity lines of credit, auto loans, mortgages, Certificates of Deposit (CD’s) and savings account rates just to name a few.

If you look at the history of the Federal Funds Rate, it was at ZERO from 2008-2015, and again at ZERO from March 2020 to early 2022.

Lowering this rate helped stimulate economic growth and triggered the real estate and refinance boom the last 2-3 years. Real estate has cooled off now that mortgage rates have doubled this past year from 3% to 6%.

You might be asking yourself, what does this all mean? The Federal

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Open Market Committee (FOMC) meets every 6 weeks to evaluate rates. They have never been this transparent as they have stated there would be several substantial interest rate increases last year and smaller incremental increases this year.

This means, for conservative investors, there will soon be a major “Safe Investment Opportunity” to lock into these higher “Fixed Annuity Interest Rates” for multiple years with zero risk!

Fixed Annuities are issued by insurance companies as an alternative to bank Certificate of Deposits (CD’s). Fixed annuity rates were under 2.0% early last year, and in New York State there are currently a few insurance carriers offering 5-year and 7-year Guaranteed Fixed Interest Annuity Rates returning just over 5%.

Annuity rates should break the 6% barrier by the 3rd quarter of this year, which would be a great time to lock them in for multiple years going forward! Note that New York State is the most highly regulated state in the country; hence, New York State’s interest rates usually lag the other 49 states by roughly 50 basis points (one half of 1 percent). When planning with clients who own multiple homes in and out of New York State, the multi-year guaranteed interest rates will always be higher outside New York.

See below to read the Lucky 13 Advantages of Fixed Rate Annuities: 1.Guaranteed Interest Rates: The exact amount of cash value is known at the end of the guaranteed term period.

2.Guaranteed Principal: The principal is protected regardless of market conditions or company performance.

3.Interest Rates: Higher than CD’s, bonds or T-Bills.

4.Tax Deferred: Unlike CD’s, income taxes are not paid until funds are withdrawn, which allows for faster accumulation and greater income potential.

5.No Fees: There are no annual management fees while funds accumulate and no fees on death benefits to heirs.

6.Protected From Creditors: If one gets sued creditors cannot go after or attach fixed annuity funds.

7.Bypasses Probate: Fixed annuity death proceeds bypass probate hence they are private, saving on estate fees and going directly to named beneficiaries outside the will.

8.Lifetime Income Options Available: At any time,a fixed annuity may be converted into an income stream one cannot outlive.

9.Annual Withdrawal Options Available: Most fixed annuities allow for 10% annual withdrawals free of surrender charges.

10.Annuitization: This unique annuity feature allows the policyholder take a guaranteed income for life and/or a period certain and have a portion of the income excluded (called an exclusion ratio) from taxation.

11.State Protection: Should the annuity insurance company become insolvent, there are state protections (depends on what state you live in) with aggregate limits between $100,000-$250,000 in most states.

12.Piece Of Mind: Annuities are secure and offer piece of mind to account holders knowing they are safe from harm’s way.

13.Lowers the FAFSA Score: For those parents with college bound students looking to qualify for merit-based (FREE) endowment money, repositioning parental asset into FAFSA-friendly Fixed Rate Annuities can lower the FAFSA score by almost $6000 for every $100,000 moved out of non-FAFSA friendly financial vehicles.

In conclusion, this is a tremendous financial planning opportunity that comes around perhaps once every 25 years. There will soon be multi-year guaranteed fixed annuity interest rates this year that should break 6% at their high point before the Federal Reserve is satisfied that inflation is under control and starts to bring rates lower.

Keep in mind when rolling over monies from other investments, most insurance companies will offer a 60-day rate guarantee whereby the policyowner gets the higher of the current rate (at the time of application) or the rate offered at the time the funds actually transfer into the annuity!

By Robert C. Intelisano CSA, CLU, LUTCF

March 2023 • Volume 19 • Issue 3

QUEENS CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS

2023 Women Entrepreneurs Empowerment Celebration Shreya Uppal QCC Outreach Specialist On March 1st, 2023, commemorating the beginning of an important month for the Queens Chamber of Commerce and women everywhere, we organized an Españolaoriented intimate gathering of business owners, entrepreneurs, and everyday workers to talk about overall financial management on businesses, home buying, and overall monetary growth.

Emphasizing the community, the event was geared towards Latina women in Queens since it is a demographic that is considered a minority when it comes to owning a business or partaking in investments that involve fiscal value.

Consequently, the speakers and sponsors of the event were experts in both fields: Paola Garcia, the Vice President of Pursuit Lending,

and Dahiana Genao, a Community Mortgage Loan Officer at TD Bank. Both speakers have been involved in the work of providing loans and assistance in investment endeavors such as businesses and/ or home-buying, both vital factors when it comes to the growth of an owner, especially for a group of people where it could be very new to explore.

The location of our event was held at the 35ave Diner in Astoria as they are a brand-new restaurant that has a team of Latinos with Oliveiro Rivera as the owner! We were truly grateful for them catering for our event and providing us a space where we can all gather and network with one another, not to forget the delicious food and drinks we got to enjoy!

We also received support in organizing and accessories from La Bonbonniere Marylu located in

Astoria with the help of the owner Elizabeth Flores, and Fidelis Care Community Relations Specialist, Patricia Mahecha, as well! Their team brought the theme of various colors of purple balloons and decorations, as it is significant in the commemoration of Women’s Month!

With the starting time at 3 pm and the Chamber registering over 40 people, our team created personalized bags of mugs, TD Bank giveaways, and our iconic pens, along with other fun goodies that everyone enjoyed! With a large number in attendance, the restaurant was houseful as the list of people ranged from women business owners with 32 years of experience to those who just started, both parties' goals were to learn and gain insight into the booming financial market as it keeps changing every day!

We wanted to make sure everyone was heard, therefore we started off by introducing our speakers and Chamber team which included, Jacqueline Donado, Vicky Ferreira, and myself, and continued around the room, as every woman introduced themselves, specifically their profession and what they wanted to gain from the seminar.

With this, we were able to know everyone more closely and communicate easily since most of them had similar issues/inquiries about their business. The information that was spoken about was vital as many questions were asked and people even continued to gather contact information for one another afterward! It is fair to say it was a successful women’s dinner and the idea of doing this again will truly be beneficial for the community and women entrepreneurs/business owners in the future!

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QUEENS CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS

Helping New Yorkers Thrive in the Workplace By: Samantha Pugh, Associate Vice President of Programs at The Fortune Society The Fortune Society, based in Long Island City, helps formerly incarcerated and justice-involved individuals rebuild their lives. For over 55 years, Fortune has provided comprehensive wrap-around support for our clients, including housing, health services, education, and much more. One program that has had a profound impact on our participants is the Workforce Development program.

A staple in our program offerings since its opening, workforce development services bridges the skills and resources gap that prevents many justice-involved New Yorkers from obtaining satisfying, high-quality jobs and achieving economic stability—and mobility. The program supports not only participants but also employers who benefit when there is a pool of skilled, qualified workers.

Each participant of the Workforce Development program goes through a two-week Career Development Workshop that provides soft skills training, such as resume-building, networking, time management, conflict resolution, workplace etiquette, and interviewing skills—including practice in answering difficult questions about previous criminal legal involvement. Recently, due to the increasing need for technology skills for most jobs, we added a digital literacy curriculum tailored to justiceinvolved job seekers.

Upon completion of the Career Development Workshop, participants have a final resume, a list of employment goals, and a plan for achieving them. We then pair them with an

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Employment Specialist to help them execute their plan to attain these goals. Our Employment Specialists work with local employers to place participants in permanent positions in Queens and throughout the city.

We also offer robust vocational and hard skills training courses in high-demand sectors, such as culinary arts, green building operations and maintenance, environmental remediation, social services, and transportation. In addition to the vocational and hard skills training, we offer transitional employment services for participants with limited on-the-job experience—and those who wish to change career paths—to develop the concrete skills and hands-on experience needed to obtain permanent employment.

We also have a fellowship program.

Participants complete paid corporate fellowships with participants throughout the Bloomberg network and among its affiliates. They gain exposure to the corporate environment, are paired with mentors, and receive professional development and training opportunities in leadership and technology.

While the primary goal of our Workforce Development program is for participants to obtain employment, the program does not end once they are hired. Participants have access to employment services and their Employment Specialist for up to two years after securing a permanent position. They also continue to connect with their case managers to ensure that everything at their job is going smoothly and they are still working towards their greater goals.

Participants receive small gifts, such as a MetroCard, with each milestone and accomplishment.

The Workforce Development program has proven to be highly successful for participants and their employers. In the last fiscal year, we served 2,246 individuals. Though the Workforce Development program is based in Queens, we place

participants with job opportunities throughout the five boroughs.

Some of our employment partners include Amazon, Approved Storage and Waste Hauling, American Maintenance, Citi Field, Columbia Construction, CVS, Pinder Security Services, and various nonprofits that offer healthcare, housing, veterans services, and other community supports. We also have a partnership with the Council for Airport Opportunity’s Office of Second Chance Employment, which enables us to refer justice-impacted jobseekers for consideration for high-quality jobs at JFK airport.

One of our core beliefs at Fortune is that individuals have the power to change when given the proper support and resources. The Workforce Development program is designed to foster successful reentry by tackling the lack of employment opportunities for justice-involved people— one of the most significant factors in recidivism. With Fortune, those impacted by the criminal legal system can obtain credentials, increase self-confidence, and be positive, contributing members of their community and society.

March 2023 • Volume 19 • Issue 3

QUEENS CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS

Feel Better, Faster — Now in Glendale

By Amanda Kaufman We are excited to announce that Northwell Health’s Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation Services (STARS) is now in Glendale. With over twenty locations across Long Island, Queens, Manhattan and Westchester, STARS Rehabilitation, Northwell Health’s outpatient rehabilitation provider is excited to open its first location in Western Queens. Located at 8000 Cooper Ave, 2nd Floor at the Shops at Atlas Park, our experienced and friendly thera-

pists offer the latest rehabilitation techniques and will guide you every step of the way towards a safe, healthy, and rapid recovery using the latest techniques and tools in rehabilitative technology. Whether you need to speed up your recovery, decrease your pain, or return to your favorite activities, our physical therapists, occupational therapists, and other team members will create a personalized treatment plan that will helps you reach your goals and feel better faster.

“The entire staff was exceptional!

They gave me the support, encouragement, and guidance I needed to regain my strength and mobility. I have been very pleased with my progress and the outstanding care I have received.” — Tom M., STARS patient This new 9,000 square foot state-ofthe-art facility provides orthopedicsports therapy, pediatric rehabilitation, lymphedema therapy, and spine care.

The Glendale location opened to the public on January 3rd and is currently accepting patients.

An official ribbon cutting ceremony will be held on March 9th at 10:30am where local politicians and leaders in the community will be in attendance.

Amanda Kaufman, the supervisor for our Glendale location recently expressed her excitement about bringing these services to Western Queens by saying, “My team and I are beyond excited to begin serving the community of Queens in our brandnew, state-of-the-art facility where we will be providing orthopedic and sports therapy, spine care, pediatric rehabilitation, and breast cancer and lymphedema therapy using the latest rehabilitation techniques to guide our patients toward a safe, healthy, and rapid recovery.”

As part of our physical therapy program, we provide specialized services including, pediatric rehabilitation, spine and scoliosis care, head and neck lymphedema therapy, and breast cancer rehabilitation. Our pediatric physical therapists promote optimal physical function and well-being in children from birth through adolescence. Through exercise and therapeutic play, we address movement, strength, balance, coordination, and endurance deficits. For our spine and scoliosis patients, McKenzie-certified

therapists apply a comprehensive approach of assessment, treatment, and prevention techniques. This individualized method of treatment helps you get back to your normal activities as quickly as possible. Patients in our head and neck lymphedema and breast cancer rehabilitation program are provided comprehensive care to help cancer patients and survivors restore functional abilities that may have been lost as a result of cancer or treatment.

As a resident of New York, you have the ability to be evaluated and treated by a physical therapist without a referral from a doctor or other health care practitioner. This benefit is valid for 10 visits or 30 days, whichever comes first. By using direct access, you can begin treatment immediately at most of our physical therapy clinics, which minimizes delays in accessing care.

If you have any additional questions about how direct access works, call (516) 719-3759.

Our Glendale location is open from 7am-9pm Monday-Friday and accepts most insurances. To schedule an appointment with one of our rehabilitation specialists, please call (718) 7257970. For more information on any of our STARS locations, visit Northwell. edu/STARS.

and tenants to review their community’s bylaws to determine what unit responsibilities are theirs.

For example, if your residence has through-the-wall air conditioning units, make certain to caulk around the edges every season and routinely check to see if the sealant has not cracked. Driving Spring rains can enter your unit through any voids to damage both the unit, your interior walls, and your electrical system. Your vigilance may help

you to avoid having to submit a condo or coop insurance claim, as well as repair costs for damages that might not be covered by your tenant or personal property insurance.

On that note, as expert public adjusters, we urge you to consult with United Public Adjusters & Appraisers before the Spring storm season. We’ll gladly review your existing insurance poli-

Preparing Your Home for Spring

Even for those of us who reside in cooperative and condominium units, there are seasonal chores that cannot be overlooked. We’re not referring to yard work and grounds maintenance.

Instead, we’d like to direct your home initiatives towards being proactive and preparing for spring seasonal storms.

The goal here is to avoid having to submit a condo or co-op insurance claim for property damage. Relying solely on the work performed by your community maintenance team will not be enough. United Public Adjusters & Appraisers, as expert public adjusters serving Queens and the five boroughs, offer these reminders to help you avoid property and personal asset losses along with the need to submit a condo

or coop claim.

Those April showers that yield May flowers can be torrential. Spring weather can be severe with wind gusts up to 70 mph causing damage to siding, windows and window screens, HVAC units, roofing, gutters, leaders, and more. Recently, the number of property damage claims due to hail storms soared as over 7.1 million homes and businesses in the U.S. were impacted. The losses amounted to billions of dollars as well. As property damage adjusters, United Public Adjusters & Appraisers has often seen a complacency among condo and co-op owners who believe the full responsibility for their unit’s maintenance falls to Management. We urge these owners

CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

11

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

COVER STORY

NYCFC: Finding its place in Queens

COO Jennifer O’Sullivan shares how the Willets Point Stadium changes everything

By Alicia Venter aventer@queensledger.com Jennifer O’Sullivan grew up in an extensively athletic home, spearheaded by her sports-loving father, and played three sports in her home of Clinton, New Jersey.

Soccer was not one of those sports.

However, O’Sullivan now finds herself sitting in a position that can change Major League Soccer (MLS) at its core — to her, there is no better place to do it than Queens.

“The diversity of Queens as a borough cannot be denied,” O’Sullivan, 48, said over a phone interview. “It’s a true example of how the global game of soccer can really be used as a catalyst to bring people together culturally within the community, but also an economic boom for the borough and the city.”

As the C.O.O/Chief Legal & Administrative Officer at New York City Football Club (NYCFC), O’Sullivan has prioritized helping her club find a permanent place in Queens. The Willets Point Stadium, announced by Mayor Adams on Nov. 16, is a privately financed facility set to offer 2,500 affordable homes, a 25,000 seat stadium and a 250-room hotel. It’s expected to be completed in 2024.

O’Sullivan joined NYCFC in April 2020. Her role broadly encompasses running the operational and administrative areas of the business — human resources, IT infrastructure and facilities, navigating some of the contractual relationships with partners and working closely with NYCFC II, the reserve team and minor league affiliate of NYCFC. Currently, NYCFC has no permanent place to call home. The team has been bouncing around from venue to venue — including Yankees Stadium — for their matches, but with a permanent stadium for their matches, they will be able to focus on the fan experience, and developing the talent of their organization, which is coming off the heels of a championship.

“I think in New York, you have this melting pot of people, many of whom came from nationalities and other areas of the world where the global game of soccer is just a way of life,” O’Sullivan said. “We’re really trying to identify people who have this strong love and passion for the game and say, ‘It’s okay for you to have your Mexican home team that you follow, but we can be your time here in New York,’” MLS is a relatively young league in the United

12

States, founded in 1993. NYCFC joined the league eight years ago, and in O’Sullivan’s three years with the organization, she has seen the program grow throughout the five boroughs, with a youth program or organization in approximately 70% of the city. In her time within the industry, she has seen soccer grow in New York City exponentially — instead of wearing NBA jerseys exclusively, her children and her friends are seen boasting soccer jerseys.

The United States hosting the 2024 World Cups, along with the men’s and women’s teams performing well in their performances in the past world cup, will likely add to this excitement around the sport. She hopes that this, plus the hard work of NYCFC to be involved in the community and be a presence beyond on the field, will help turn the occasional fan to an avid one.This involvement includes adding programs to schools and distributing food O’Sullivan hopes that the next step for NYCFC will be to add a women’s team and a women’s academy to complement their male teams, as “we see real opportunity in the women’s game as well.”

Despite being so young, she doesn’t want NYCFC to settle in their victory with the stadium — as C.O.O, she expects to continue growing the organization as forward as she can.

“We’re really doing everything we can do to ensure that this stadium journey and the stadium process is successful. Not just for us, but for part of the larger development of Willets Point and the

borough of Queens, and growing out what those Photo: Matthew McDermott. community initiatives look like,” she said. “If we can be a real catalyst for growth and change on the women’s side of the game, we would welcome that opportunity as well.”

Photo: Matthew McDermott

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QUEENS CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS

Steven Simicich esq. Recipient of the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Academy Distinguished Alumni Award

“I am so proud to be receiving this honor at our Catholic Schools Week opening mass. It fills me with warmth and pride as the St. Francis of Assisi family has been a part of my family for three generations.” — said Steven Simicich.

My family’s roots run deep in Astoria, my parents got married in St. Francis and I received the sacraments of baptism, communion and confirmation in the church. My father graduated from St. Francis Catholic Academy in 1963.

Born and raised in Astoria, my brothers and I also graduated from St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Academy.

Now I live just two blocks from St. Francis with my wife Mira and sons Luca and Marco. Our sons are also now attending school there.

And our second son was baptized in the church. The Catholic school-

14

ing of St. Francis and the loving and stable upbringing from my parents helped steer my career path.

In 8th grade I knew that I wanted to be a lawyer, with my yearbook even predicting law as my path.

Having graduated from St. Francis I went on to obtain a degree from St. John's Law School. Recently my law firm SL Law Group has taken over the office space of Forchelli & Forchelli on 30th Avenue, a local law firm which was founded in 1931. Our firm, founded alongside my partner Nikon Limberis, is a full service Real Estate and Trust & Estates law firm.

My early education at St. Francis Catholic Academy has served me in every chapter of my life. I know that my Catholic School education has given me the foundation necessary to living a life of purpose.

Throughout my journey the

teachings from St. Francis have provided me with the strength and perseverance to realize my dreams.

There have been trying times when I have felt rudderless, facing personal pains, if it were not for the bedrock of my Catholic school education and upbringing I would have faltered along the way. To put it plainly, St. Francis Catholic Academy was and is my foundation and keeps me moving forward.

As a Board Member of the Astoria Park Alliance I apply my legal expertise to assist Astoria Park and host Board meetings at my firm’s conference room.

As part owner and general council of VSPOT the vegan restaurant group, I understand how important it is to support local business.

Acting as Vice President of the LIC Lawyers Club I support the local business community by host-

ing monthly dinner meetings at restaurants around Astoria and Long Island City.

Astoria is a unique neighborhood business community. Having remained prosperous through the pandemic, Astoria is poised to grow even stronger on the foundation of its diversity and economic stability. This is one of the many reasons my partner and I decided to open our main office on the bustling thoroughfare of 30th avenue.

Throughout my career I have devoted time and energy towards service and community. My law firm continues to support community events for the Park and surrounding neighborhood. Now as a recently inducted member of the Astoria Knights of Columbus, I will continue to support the community that has always been my home.

March 2023 • Volume 19 • Issue 3

this is...

The Business News of Queens & The Official Magazine of The Queens Chamber of Commerce

THE LATEST ON THE MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE IN QUEENS Your inside scoop straight from the business community’s top leaders

Profiling Queens’ Most Dynamic People.

They read it... so should you!

To subscribe to this monthly, glossy magazine, visit thisisqueensborough.com or call BQE Media at 718-426-7200. To place an ad, call BQE Media at 718-426-7200

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CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS

Preparing Your Home for Spring

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

cies with you, compare these with your bylaws, and point out any deficiencies in your coverages. This way you can make necessary changes before you may have to file a condo or coop claim to ensure you are covered for any ‘oversights’ that are actually your responsibility, not your Management Group’s. Should you experience property damage and have to prepare and submit a condo or coop insurance claim, United Public Adjusters & Appraisers can assist with documentation and claim submission.

Additionally, we can negotiate with your insurer to bring about the maximum settlement your policy allows.

Remember the NYPD tip line slogan, “If you see something, say something!”

For the safety of yourself and others in your community, if you see downed wires or tree limbs, cracked sidewalks, broken outdoor lighting, damaged outdoor furnishings, and/or playground equipment in common areas, contact your Maintenance department immediately.

Closer to home, take a hard look around your unit. If you have an outdoor patio or deck, be sure to store any personal outdoor furniture and grills in your basement storage unit. Wind gusts can propel these items into sliding glass doors. If the first warm pre-

Spring days have lulled you into a false sense of security, and you have set up your outdoor patio, be sure to follow the weather reports. If a storm is brewing, take those items back into storage, or at least into your living room or den until the storm passes. Remember, the most effective condo and coop insurance claims are those that do not have to be submitted!

For more seasonal tips and solid advice from expert public adjusters, contact the experts at United Public Adjusters & Appraisers at 1-800-718-5677 or visit us at UnitedPublicAdjusters.com Philip L Maltaghati United Public Adjusters & Appraisers, Inc. Unitedpublicadjusters.com

Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Boulevard, Suite 140 Jackson Heights, N.Y. 11370-1131 Entire Contents Copyright 2021 by Queensborough. All letters sent to the QUEENSBOROUGH should be brief and are subject to condensation. Writers should include a full address and home and office telephone numbers, where available, as well as affiliation, indicating special interest. Anonymous letters are not printed. Name withheld on request. No such ad or any part thereof may be reproduced without prior permission of the QUEENSBOROUGH. The publishers will not be responsible for any error in advertising beyond the cost of the space occupied by the error. Errors must be reported to the QUEENSBOROUGH within five days of publication. Ad position cannot be guaranteed unless paid prior to publication. BQE Media assumes no liability for the content or reply to any ads. The advertiser assumes all liability for the content of and all replies. The advertiser agrees to hold the QUEENSBOROUGH and its employees harmless from all cost, expenses, liabilities, and damages resulting from or caused by the publication or recording placed by the advertiser or any reply to any such advertisement.

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March 2023 • Volume 19 • Issue 3

QUEENS CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS

Chocolatier partners with Hudson Group

By Alicia Venter aventer@queensledger.com If any chocolate Queens resident finds themselves in JFK Airport or LaGuardia Airport, take a few minutes to scan and see if any gold packaged sweet seems familiar. It may be Aigner Chocolates.

The beloved longstanding sweet shop in Forest Hills recently formed a partnership with Hudson Group, one of the largest traveler retail groups in North America.

In this deal, they can be found in various shops around JFK Airport, shared owner Rachel Kellner. She and her husband Mark Libertini have owned Aigner Chocolates for six and a half years.

Recently named the best chocolate shop in New York City by TimeOut New York, Aigner Chocolates has been using the same recipes for their chocolate since they opened.

During the pandemic, Aigner Chocolates found themselves in a unique position — there wasn’t enough chocolate to “cope with all the feelings associated with going through a pandemic,” Kellner said.

Finding themselves in an industry that was doing well during a time where most weren’t, Kellner wanted to do something for those less fortunate. Aigner Chocolates donated almost 30,000 pounds of choco-

late to frontline workers.

Aigner Chocolates was recently nominated to be a Small Business Hero of the Year by the Queens Chamber of Commerce.

It was at this dinner, Kellner said, that she was introduced to the Hudson Group, as well as Resorts World.

“Over the last year, we’ve been working with both of those companies to find ways to collaborate, and it culminated in us being in multiple Hudson News locations in both JFK and LaGuardia Airport.”

“We’ve been working with Resorts World in a variety of different ways… We are just unbelievably grateful for the support that the Queens Chamber of Commerce has given us.”

She could not express her appreciation for the Queens Chamber of Commerce more in a phone interview, noting how the business’ involvement with the chamber has given them the opportunity for exposure they otherwise would not have received.

“We have done everything we can to support the Queens Chamber, and they have done an unbelievable job [helping us] and making these incredible introductions for us that are really elevating our brand and getting us exposure that we could only dream of.”

A loving fan of Aigner Chocolates found it in the airport!

19

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

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QUEENS NEWS

$1.5 M Allocated to Mount Sinai Queens

By Alicia Venter aventer@queensledger.com

$1.5 million has been allocated to Mount Sinai Queens in Astoria, with funding to go towards a new, 22-bed Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Announced by Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. on Friday, Feb. 24 — Day four of his “Borough Hall on Your Block: Western Queens” Initiative — the capital funding reflects a concerted effort to provide quality health care to Queens residents.

“We need to make sure hospitals like Mount Sinai Queens are outfitted with the best possible facilities so we can offer the best possible care,” Richards shared at the event. He discussed the dedication that healthcare workers showed the community during the pandemic, and how this funding is a part of his personal efforts to invest in healthcare. The new ICU will replace the existing eight-bed ICU. “Like many other hospitals, the pandemic quickly led to the ICU

From Left: Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr., Dr. Nazia Mashriqi, Director of Critical Care , and Dr. Cameron Hernandez, Executive Director of Mount Sinai Queens tion to handle a sudden huge influx Executive Director of Mount Sinai being overwhelmed with patients. of critically ill patients,” Richards Queens, expressed his excitement Those dark days showed us that we said. for the $1.5 million in funding, and need Mount Sinai Queens and all Dr. Cameron Hernandez, jokingly added that the hospital our hospitals to be in a better posi“will ask for a wee bit more,” funding next year, drawing a laugh from the Borough President.

Hernandez highlighted the need for Mount Sinai Queens to be “a destination and not a pitstop for Manhattan.” Residents that need serious care should be able to find it in Astoria, he stated, and that with the continual growth of the hospital, he hopes they no longer need to cross the East River to find it.

“You can do as many procedures you want here in Queens, but what you really need is the post care,” he said. “We need all of these people to do their best work and the only way that they can do their best work is by having a state-of-the-art 22 bed ICU.” Dr. Nazia Mashriqi, Director of Critical Care, shared that the need for transfers to Manhattan will likely diminish as post-care becomes available at Mount Sinai.

Funding for the expansion Dr. Cameron Hernandez drew a laugh from Richards when he said— after he graciously thanked comes from Richards and the City him for the $1.5 in funding — that the hospital would as for a “wee bit” more next year.

Council.

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March 2023 • Volume 19 • Issue 3

BUSINESS NEWS

SNAP Emergency Allocations End

Will have devastating effects on struggling Queens residents, advocates say

By Alicia Venter aventer@queensledger.com For the past two years, families that participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) have been provided the maximum amount of monthly benefits that is available for their family size. These emergency SNAP allocations, designed to help families during the pandemic, expired on March 1, greatly impacting those who rely on these services in Queens.

In 2021, during the height of the pandemic, Queens recorded a 48% increase in food insecurity, the highest increase among the five boroughs according to Jerome Nathaniel, the Director of Policy and Government Relations of City Harvest, one of New York City’s largest food rescue organizations. As for children, it increased by 60% In response to the allocations ending, City Harvest is anticipating delivering roughly 75 million pounds of food free of charge to their network.

“For the past 40 years, we have never shied away from stepping up where there’s these sorts of emergencies, even

if there's low unemployment, high unemployment, man made disasters or natural disasters, City Harvest continues to work with our network to do our best to make sure that our pantries are stocked with the food they need to serve folks,” said Nathaniel.

During the pandemic, food insecurity rates drastically increased, as 14.3% of the Queens population faced food insecurity in 2021 compared to 9.7 in 2019.

“Queens was disproportionately hit hard by the pandemic — by job loss, by different low-income communities, low wage workers, immigrant communities, especially in Queens who may have not been eligible for a lot of these sort of government programs but were hit hard by economic impact by the pandemic,” Nathaniel said. “So it certainly had a disparate impact on Queens.”

Nathaniel described how the minimum benefit allowed for some households was $16 per month, and the Emergency SNAP allocations raised that to $281.

“Just imagine over three years benefiting from that, not as some sort of privilege but really as just a survival tool, and then suddenly it’s all pulled

from underneath,” he said.

In December, it was made clear to SNAP recipients that the additional funding was set to end — a three month turnaround that Nathaniel shared was “simply not enough time.”

In a report from the New York City Comptroller on March 1, 2.9 million New York households were enrolled in the SNAP as of December 2022, and that approximately one in 10 New York Households experience food insecurity.

He reported that with the loss of maximum benefits, as well as the increased benefits provided by SNAP for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) ending in October 2023, food insecurity could grow further. His office, among other suggestions, recommended that the federal government should extend temporary benefits related to SNAP and WIC until the increased cost of food due to inflation subsides. Many food organizations stand in agreement.

“To help make up for the loss of benefits, there should be a coordinated response that involves community organizations working with city and state legislative leaders and other key officeholders who should use their bud-

gets to protect New Yorkers from cuts in SNAP benefits by increasing investment in programs that provide crucial food support,” United Way of New York City said in a statement. 'On the federal level, Congress should act to increase SNAP supports and sufficiency through key changes to the Farm Bill. Acting together, we can help make sure fewer New Yorkers go hungry.”

He also recommended that eligibility levels for SNAP and WIC should be increased to at least 200 percent of the federal poverty level, and that the Federal Child Tax Credit be expanded.

Food pantries and food banks are reportedly drawing larger crowds across the city, as reported by the New York Daily News on Feb. 28. They reported that advocates warn the end of the emergency funds will have a devastating impact in the city.

‘To wake up on March 1, and knowing that you're going to lose anywhere from $95 to $200 in grocery benefits, at a time when food is at an all time high inflation rate, is really devastating. Just to really drive home the point of how these past three years really showed us that SNAP needs to be more,” said Nathaniel.

million in capital funding for infrastructure at Terminal 6.

Terminal 6 is the final stage of “JFK Vision Plan,” which is a strategic plan to transform JFK Airport into a world-class airport. First announced in January 2017, the plan provides a framework for Port Authority and partners to completely redesign and expand existing facilities. Terminal 6 follows other construction at the airport, including the development of a New Terminal One as well as an expansion of Terminal 4 and Terminal 8.

“This is a historic day for The World’s Borough and the millions of people from across the world who fly in and out of Kennedy Airport,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. in a statement.

Opportunities for Minority-and-

Women-Owned Business Enterprises include a guarantee from JFK Millennium Partners of at least 30% participation from such businesses.

“JFK is an economic engine for the city and for Council District 31, and its successful redevelopment will help to ensure its status as a global gateway extends far into the future,” said Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, City Council Majority Whip and Chair of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, in a statement. “It is crucial that as this project proceeds, the program meets ambitious MWBE utilization goals, engages the surrounding community, and addresses the needs of impacted community members. I look forward to the completion of Terminal 6 by way of a process that benefits all New Yorkers.”

JFK’s Terminal 6 Enters Final Phase of Construction

By Alicia Venter aventer@queensledger.com

Elected officials and community members gathered at John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport on Feb. 23 to celebrate the final stage of Terminal 6.

Terminal 6 is a $4.2 billion development that will create a 1.2 million square foot terminal on the airport’s north side. 4,000 jobs are predicted to be created for the building of the terminal, 1,800 of which will be in construction.

New features of the terminal include 10 gates for airplanes, an arrivals and departures hall with floor-to-ceiling windows and public art by New Yorkbased artists. There will also be over 100,000 square feet of shopping and

dining.

Governor Kathy Hochul led the groundbreaking ceremony, and the new terminal is set to open in 2026.

Construction is slated for completion in 2028.

“New York remains committed to providing travelers with a premier experience that includes world-class amenities, expanded and streamlined airport transportation, and state-of-theart security,” Governor Hochul said in a statement.

The terminal is a public-private partnership between the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and JFK Millennium Partners, a private company composed of developers and investors.

The agreement set in the partnership is that Port Authority will commit $130

21

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IT’S IN QUEENS!

Celebrate Holi!

By Rob MacKay “March” gets its name from “Mars,” the Roman god of war.

Back in the day, the month was the beginning of the military combat season. Times have changed, though, and Queens is getting ready to host peaceful, enriching activities, such as tea parties, educational plays, and cooking demonstrations, in March 2023. Please read further to get all the details.

First Look Festival

March 15 - March 19 This 12th annual showcase for new international cinema introduces New York audiences to more than two dozen inventive works that seek to redefine the art form, often with the filmmakers in person.

Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35th Ave., Astoria’s Kaufman Arts District, www.movingimage. us.

40 Shades of Green

March 17 @ 3 p.m.

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with six hours of entertainment provided by a cavalcade of local and international performers. New York Irish Center, 10-40 Jackson Ave., Long Island City, www.newyorkirishcenter.org.

Fermenting Workshop

Vegetables

Jan. 7 @ 10:30 a.m.

Cheryl Paswater is the Chief Fermentationist and CEO of Contraband Ferments as well as an educator, artist, and writer. She leads this Zoom workshop about the basic science behind fermenting vegetables.

Participants gain an understanding of the important do’s and don’ts of fermenting, along with copies of the recipes, and a solid foundation in safe preserving practices. $30 per household.

22

March 17 @ 10:30 a.m.

Abha B. Roy, Srijan Dance Company, and the Apoorva Mudgal Ensemble present a concert to celebrate Holi, the Hindu holiday of new beginnings. The lineup includes devotional and Hindustani classical raga music, traditional Kathak dance, a Holi dance drama, and more.

Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., www.flushingtownhall.org.

Metropolitan Piano Stories

March 18 @ 7:30 p.m.

Musica Reginae’s Barbara Podgurski, Carnegie Hall teaching artist Beata Moon, and guests present piano music by living women composers from New York City.

The Church-in-the-Gardens, 50 Ascan Ave., Forest Hills, www. musicareginae.org.

March 2023 • Volume 19 • Issue 3

IT’S IN QUEENS! Tiffany’s Lamps: Luxury, Ongoing

Lighting

March 21 Luis Comfort Tiffany’s leaded-glass lamps debuted in 1898.

Wildly popular, they provided illumination while softening the brightness of early electric light bulbs. Plus, their interplay of richly colored glass and sculpted bronze transformed them from useful household objects into works of art.

Queens Museum, NYC Building, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, www.queensmuseum.org.

Pay down your credit card debt.

Pay down your credit card d

Five Women Wearing the Same Dress March 26 - April 2 City Gate Productions presents this comedic play set at a wedding reception at a Knoxville, Tennessee estate in the early 1990s. Five reluctant, identically clad bridesmaids hide in an upstairs bedroom, each with a reason to avoid the proceedings below. As the afternoon advances, these different women discover a common bond. Shows are 8 pm on Fridays and

Saturday, 3 pm on Sundays.

Moose Lodge Theatre, 72-15 Grand Ave., Maspeth. www.citygateproductions.org.

Black Doll-Making Workshop March 26 @ 2 p.m.

Textile artist and master quilter Thadine Wormly leads a workshop on traditional, 19th-century, Black

dolls.

Flushing Quaker Meeting House, 137-16 Northern Blvd.,Flushing, www.bownehouse.org.

Aaron Keeper

Landsman:

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March 29 - April 8 This new performance is staged

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throughout The Chocolate Factory Theater’s stark industrial space, juxtaposing spoken text with choreography, live music, and projections. Performances are Wednesday to Saturday at 7 pm with a preview show on March 27 at 7 pm.

The Chocolate Factory Theater, 38-33 24th St., Long Island City, www.chocolatefactorytheater.org.

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES 82ND STREET PARTNERSHIP

37-06 82nd Street, Jackson Heights, NY 11372 Executive Director: Leslie Ramos 718.335.9421 82ndstreet.org QUICK GLANCE: Budget of

$224,000 with more than 200 businesses under its umbrella.

The district is on 82nd Street from 37th Avenue to Baxter Avenue. The board meets quarterly with the annual meeting in June.

ASIAN AMERICAN FEDERATION

120 Wall Street, 9th Fl., New York, NY 10005 aafederation.org QUICK GLANCE: The Asian American Federation’s mission is to raise the influence and wellbeing of the pan-Asian American community through research, policy advocacy, public awareness and organizational development.

Established in 1989, the

Federation is a pan-Asian nonprofit organization representing a network of community service agencies in the Northeast.

These agencies work in the fields of health & human services, education, economic development, civic participation, and social justice.

BAYSIDE VILLAGE BID

213-33 39th Avenue, Bayside, NY 11361 Executive Director: Christine Siletti 718.423.2434 info@baysidevillagebid.com QUICK GLANCE: Budget of

$218,000 and over 350 members. Founded in 2007, the BID includes commercial property owners and residents on Bell Boulevard between 35th Avenue and Northern Boulevard, as well as a block east and west on 41st Avenue.

BAYSIDE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

41-16 Bell Boulevard, Bayside, NY 11361 President: Ed Probst Vice President: Judith Limpert 718.229.2277 info@baysideba.com baysideba.com QUICK GLANCE: Founded

in 1997, the Bayside Business Association services all of Bayside business to address issues and concerns those businesses have with regards to running their businesses.

ACCOMPANY CAPITAL (FORMERLY BCNA)

78-27 37 Ave., Ste. 1 Jackson Heights, NY 11372 Business Development: Tshering Gurung 347.730.6468 tgurung@accompanycapital.org QUICK GLANCE: Accompany

Capital is an award-winning Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and Small Business Administration (SBA) micro lender that provides

small and micro business owners in New York City with low-cost loans, access to business training & technical assistance, and oneon-one counseling.

Accompany Capital has disbursed over $34 million in loans and assisted over 10,000 immigrant and refugee entrepreneurs in New York City since its founding as Business Center for New Americans (BCNA) in 1997, as well as provided workshops and one-on-one advice on business management and marketing to over 10,000 businesses.

BUSINESS OUTREACH CENTER NETWORK (BOC, INC.)

85 S. Oxford Street #2 Brooklyn, NY 11217 718.624.9115 bocnet.org QUICK GLANCE: Business Outreach Center Network’s mission is to improve the economic prospects of

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March 2023 • Volume 19 • Issue 3

QUEENSBOROUGH CALENDAR OF EVENTS MARCH COMMERCIAL LEASE ASSISTANCE LEGAL CLINIC (IN-PERSON)

March 16, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

The Queens Chamber of Commerce and Accompany Capital presents a Commercial lease Assistance program in Queens.

Are you a NYC small business owner? If your business needs help with a commercial lease issue, you may be eligible for free legal services.

The Commercial Lease Assistance Program (CLA) program provides free legal representation in connection with commercial leases to underserved, small business owners who otherwise cannot afford counsel.

Join us at Accompany Capital’s Queens Office​and meet with the attorneys for free 1:1 consultation to discuss any issues related with your commercial lease. If you are in the process of signing a new

lease, attorneys can review your lease and advise you.

Your appointment will be for 30 minutes. We will contact you to schedule the appointment after registration.

of her career. Complimentary admission.

Accompany Capital - formerly BCNA 78-27, 37th Avenue Jackson Heights, New York

BALANCING LIFE AND BUSINESS WOMEN INTERNATIONAL MONTH

CELEBRATING THE WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

March 24, 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

The new version of the Hispanic annual event has a human component through Caring and Loving Foundation who are in charge to support children’s who suffer from serious diseases and lives in precarious areas and as well as our special guest Daniela Alvarez, the former Miss Colombia who lost a leg in an operation and she will be sharing her story of how she overcome that adversity at the peak

New York LaGuardia Airport Marriott Ditmars Boulevard 102-05 New York

March 28, 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Business owners, managers and entrepreneurs are constantly facing responsibilities in and outside of the business world.

Let’s meet and greet and learn how to find a balance in our work, personal life, family, and friends.

Ponce Bank 37-60 82nd Street Jackson Heights, NY

QUEENS CHAMBER PRESENTS: INAUGURAL NY METS BOOSTER CLUB LUNCHEON March 28, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30

p.m.

Queens Chamber 2023 NYMets Booster Club Kick-off Luncheon at Citi Field Citi Field Caesars Sportsbook at the Metro Grille Flushing, NY

BUSINESS RESOURCE FAIR

March 28, 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.

The Queens Chamber of Commerce and the office of Council Member Linda Lee are hosting a multilingual small business resource fair on March 30, 2023 at the Hollis Library (202-05 Hollis Ave).

Business Owners will have the opportunity to meet and greet representatives from City agencies and Local Organizations.

This event is open to the public.

Complimentary Admission.

Hollis Library 202-05 Hillside Avenue Hollis, New York

Join Us for July 5th – August 11th Monday — Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Early drop-off available

All children entering Kindergarten through Grade 5 are welcome!

SAVE $50 Register by April 20th

Register to Attend an Open House

at The Kew-Forest School Core Academic & Recreational Options martial arts • drama • dance • STEM arts & crafts • special events & more!

Register for two, four, or six weeks!

Saturday, April 15 at 10 a.m.

Wednesday, May 24 at 6 p.m kewforest.org/summer

119-17 Union Turnpike, Forest Hills, NY • Tel: (718) 551-3123 • Email: summer@kewforest.org 25

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES

traditionally underserved groups, with a focus on low- and moderate-income entrepreneurs and their communities, and thereby create genuinely brighter futures.

At the heart of our mission is the belief that whatever their differences, people and communities share a common goal: to achieve economic stability and growth. Working in partnership with culturally diverse individuals and organizations in support of this shared goal is the hallmark of BOC.

CHHAYA CDC

37-43 77th Street, #2 Jackson Heights, NY 11372 718.478.3848 chhayacdc.org QUICK GLANCE: Core to our strategy is organizing and advocating for systemic changes that remove the barriers to well-being, housing stability, and economic mobility for our communities. For over 20 years, Chhaya has served tens of thousands of individuals and led the charge on key policy issues for immigrants, such as basement legalization, language access, tenants’ rights, and more.

CHINATOWN DISTRICT MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION (CHINATOWN PARTNERSHIP)

217 Park Row, 2nd Floor, Suite 9 New York, NY 10038 chinatownpartnership.org QUICK GLANCE: Chinatown Partnership, led

by Wellington Chen, was formed in 2006 as new start-up from grounds up to bring residents, business owners and community groups together to rebuild Chinatown following 9/11, and to preserve the neighborhood’s unique culture while ensuring its vitality in the future through strategic positioning.

With the highly popular Weekend Walks street festive series, Mid-Autumn Festival, One Day in NYC, annual Beautification/Earth Day, East West Parade with Little Italy, Double Valentine’s Day to promote the softer side of Chinatown and the Jewelry District and all the cafes, eateries in the area. Explore Chinatown marketing initiative, Lunar Stages outdoor film screenings, and Taste of Chinatown street events, Chinatown Partnership helps promote the area as a special destination to live, work, and visit.

FOREST HILLS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

PO Box 751123, Forest Hills, NY 11375 President: Leslie Brown 718.268.6565 FHChamber11375@gmail.com FHChamber@aol.com QUICK GLANCE: Re-formed in 1995, the

group has over 225 members. Chamber meet-

26

ings are held on the last Wednesday of the month at 9 a.m. at the West Side Tennis Club, 1 Tennis Place, in Forest Hills.

GATEWAYJFK

Interim Executive Director: Barbara J. Cohen 516.730.3400 info@GatewayJFK.org GatewayJFK.org QUICK GLANCE: GatewayJFK is a public-

private partnership providing neighborhood services, improvements and advocacy for the District’s off-airport cargo community and all who live, work or visit the area. A vital link in the global supply chain, GatewayJFK is a distinct and unique NYC neighborhood of major economic significance to the region, the nation, and the world. “

GREATER FLUSHING CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

39-01 Main Street, Suite 511, Flushing NY 11354 Executive Director: John Choe john@flushingchamber.nyc 646.783.8985 flushingchamber.nyc QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 2014 and repre-

senting over 200 businesses.

GREATER JAMAICA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

90-04 161st Street, Jamaica, NY 11432 President: Hope Knight 718.291.0282 gjdc.org QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1967, the group

has 75 members. GJDC’s work expands economic opportunity and improves quality of life for the ethnically and economically diverse residents of Jamaica and for the region at large, which benefits from rational, well-planned, and sustainable metropolitan growth.

GREATER WOODHAVEN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION WOODHAVEN BID

84-01 Jamaica Avenue, Woodhaven NY 11421 718.805.0202 gwdcbid@hotmail.com woodhavenbid.com QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $257,000 with

more than 350 businesses under its umbrella on Jamaica Avenue from Dexter Court to 100th Street. They are providing free benches for store owners along Jamaica Avenue. They also provide 2.5 and 5 percent home improvement loans.

JAMAICA CENTER BID

161-10 Jamaica Avenue, Suite 419 Jamaica, NY 11432

Executive Director: Jennifer Furioli 718.526.2422 jamaica.nyc @JamCenterBID (Twitter) @jamcenterbid (Instagram) @Jamaica Center BID (Facebook) QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1979, the

Jamaica Center BID serves over 400 businesses on Jamaica Avenue between Sutphin Boulevard and 169th Street. With a budget of over $1 million, the BID’s goal is to promote and maintain Downtown Jamaica as a thriving business hub and an enjoyable destination to shop, work, live and visit.

JFK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

P.O. Box 300687, Jamaica, NY 11430 Executive Director: Clorinda Antonucci President: Al DePhillips Vice President: Joseph Morra JFKCoCExec@gmail.com jf kairportchamberofcommerce.org QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1978, the group

has over 200 members. The chamber was chartered in 1978 by a group of business people in and around JFK Airport. It is the only airport in the nation to have its own Chamber of Commerce. The chamber seeks to create an environment in which members of the business community can work together to enhance the growth, well being and economic development of the airport community and its aviation industry.

LONG ISLAND CITY PARTNERSHIP

718.786.5300 longislandcityqueens.com QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1979, the Long

Island City Partnership advocates for economic development that benefits LIC’s industrial, commercial, cultural and residential sectors. The goal is to attract new businesses to the neighborhood, retain those already here, welcome new residents and visitors, and promote a vibrant and authentic mixed-use community. The LIC Partnership operates the LIC Business Improvement District and the LIC Industrial Business Zone.

MASPETH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

P.O. Box 780265, Maspeth, NY 11378 President: David Daraio 718.335.1300 maspethchamberofcommerce.org QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1953, they have

120 members and a budget of $115,000.

MASPETH INDUSTRIAL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION (MIBA) BOC: 96-11 40th Road, Corona, NY 11368

March 2023 • Volume 19 • Issue 3

QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES Coordinator: Quincy Ely-Cate 718.205.3773 qelycate@bocnet.org mibanyc.org QUICK GLANCE: Covering roughly 600 busi-

nesses with 30 active members, the Maspeth Industrial Business Association provides a collective voice in advocating the needs and interests of industrial and manufacturing businesses in Maspeth. They help companies in the Maspeth Industrial District in developing workforce, accessing tax credits, obtaining financing, navigating government regulations and, in some cases, finding real estate.

MIDDLE VILLAGE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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

businesses under its umbrella. Formed in 1929. MVCC meets annually and focuses on the Metropolitan Avenue shopping district between 69 and 80 th streets. The mission is to improve the area and assist local businesses if they have any concerns or needs.

MURRAY HILL MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION OF NY

P.O. Box 1897 New York, NY 10156 212.886.5867 murrayhillnyc.org QUICK GLANCE: Murray Hill is a unique residential neighborhood in midtown Manhattan. While there is no formal boundary for the neighborhood, the area served by The Murray Hill Neighborhood Association and its sister organization the Manhattan East Community Association (MECA) extends from Fifth Avenue eastward to the East River and from 42nd Street down to 26th Street (encompassing the 10016 postal code).

MYRTLE AVENUE BID

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

over 300 retail and service businesses under its purview. Board meetings are held four times a year with the annual meeting in June. The district includes Myrtle Avenue in Ridgewood between Fresh Pond Road and Wyckoff Avenue. Program support is provided by the Ridgewood LDC.

QUEENS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION 12-55 Queens Boulevard, Room 309

Kew Gardens, NY 11424 Executive Director: Seth Bornstein 718.263.0546 queensny.org QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $1.5 million

QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1991, the BID

and a resource for over 2,000 businesses in the borough of Queens. Register online for upcoming virtual events, including:

has over 300 members. The Steinway Street Business Improvement District encompasses all 300 business located on Steinway Street from 28th Avenue to 35th Avenue. National chain stores such as Victoria’s Secret, The Gap, Benetton, and Express are side by side with local family-owned shops.

ROCKAWAY BUSINESS ALLIANCE

SUNNYSIDE COMMERCE

a resource for over 200 businesses. The Rockaway Business Alliance was founded in 2012 after Hurricane Sandy. RBA’s vision is to create business corridors that are clean, safe, and welcoming, with shopping, dining, attractions, and engagement for the local community and the visitors drawn to Rockaway’s beaches and open spaces.

$55,000, the chamber is an organization built around assisting and helping local business and professionals by providing resources to increase business, safety and historical preservation throughout the neighborhood.

info@rockawaybusinessalliance.org QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $40,000 and

ROCKAWAY DEVELOPMENT & REVITALIZATION CORPORATION

1920 Mott Avenue, Far Rockaway, NY 11691 President: Kevin Alexander 718.327.5300 www.rdrc.org QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1978, the

Rockaway Development & Revitalization Corporation (RDRC) was established to promote the revitalization of the Rockaway’s economic base and neighborhoods by creating long-standing partnerships with city and state agencies.

ROCKAWAY EAST MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION (REMA4US)

1032 Beach 20th Street Far Rockaway, NY 11691 rema4us.org QUICK GLANCE: REMA 4 US, Inc. seeks to engage in economic development and revitalization in the Rockaway Peninsula. To strengthen our community revitalization programs and community development efforts in the Rockaway Peninsula REMA works alongside businesses, civic groups, government agencies, and non-profit organizations.

REMA works to inform the public about opportunities that exist to strengthen the community, and to create a welcoming and safe environment to help expand economic opportunity in the Rockaway Peninsula.

STEINWAY ASTORIA PARTNERSHIP BID

25-69 38th Street, Suite 1C, Astoria 11103 Executive Director: Marie Torniali 718.728.7820 info@steinwaystreet.nyc steinwaystreet.org

CHAMBER

OF

PO Box 4399, Sunnyside, NY 11104 President: Vanessa Ceballos 718.729.4688 sunnyside-chamber.org QUICK GLANCE: With an annual budget of

SUNNYSIDE SHINES

45-56 43rd Street, Sunnyside, NY 11104 Executive Director: Jaime-Faye Beam 718.606.1800 director@sunnysideshines.org sunnysideshines.org QUICK GLANCE: The BID has a budget of

approximately $480,000 with more than 250 businesses under its umbrella. The mission of Sunnyside Shines is to invigorate and enrich the economic life of the neighborhood by creating a safe and dynamic commercial district.

SUTPHIN BOULEVARD BID

89-00 Sutphin Boulevard, Suite 204C Jamaica, NY 11435 Executive Director: Glen Greenridge 718.291.2110 sutphinblvdbid@verizon.net QUICK GLANCE: The BID was founded in

2004 and represents 134 businesses, 56 properties and 39 property owners along Sutphin Boulevard between Hillside Ave. and 94th Ave.

URBAN UPBOUND

40th Avenue, Long Island City, NY 11101 CEO & Co-Founder: Bishop Mitchell G. Taylor QUICK GLANCE: Urban Upbound, origi-

nally known as East River Development Alliance (ERDA), was co-founded in 2002

by Debra-Ellen Glickstein, a strong advocate of economic development inclusion, and Bishop Mitchell Taylor, a lifelong resident of Queensbridge Houses, with the intention to develop high-quality services that address resident-identified needs. Since then, the organization has grown to serve thousands of youth and adults living in public housing and other low-and moderate-income neighborhoods annually

27

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH MAJOR CORPORATE Eastern Generation, LLC 300 Atlantic Street, 5th Floor Stamford, CT 06901-3522 https://www.easterngeneration.com Contact: Liam Baker, lbaker@uspowergen.com Eastern Generation, LLC (“Eastern Gen”) owns, operates, and manages electric generating facilities totaling approximately 3,000 megawatts through its Astoria Generating Company and other subsidiaries.

CORPORATE Barasch & McGarry 11 Park Place New York, NY 10007 https://www.911victims.com Contact: Hilary Walke, Hilary@baraschmcgarry.com Barasch & McGarry, lawyers for the 9/11 community, represents more 9/11 victims than any other law firm in the country. Our law firm has recovered more than $3 billion for downtown workers, residents, students and responders diagnosed with 9/11-related illnesses. We are honored to represent the 9/11 community.

Capitol Fire Sprinkler 5151 59th Place Woodside, NY 11377 https://www.capitolfire.com Contact: Adam Levine, adaml@capitolfire.com Capitol Fire Sprinkler is a full service and licensed fire sprinkler company proudly helping thousands of residential, commercial, and industrial buildings in the New York area protect their property and people.

Davidoff Hutcher & Citron LLP 605 Third Avenue New York, NY 10158 https://www.dhclegal.com Contact: Joe Benty, jpb@dhclegal.com Founded in 1974, Davidoff Hutcher & Citron LLP, has become one of New York’s most

28

queenschamber.org

NEW MEMBERS

respected mid-size commercial law and government relations firms, with five offices located in New York City, Albany, Washington, D.C., White Plains and Palm Beach, FL. DHC combines a multi-discipline law practice with a distinguished government relations practice, handling legal and lobbying matters from the routine to the complex.

Fenagh Engineering & Testing 54-21 73rd Place Maspeth, NY 11378 https://www.fenaghengineering.com Contact: Des Fetherston, defetherston@fenaghengineering.com At Fenagh Engineering and Testing you can depend on focused dedication to your projects. We have the experience working on high-profile projects with a staff on highly qualified and certified inspectors. Fenagh provides a responsive team that provides the highest level of service to your projects.

Goodman 18201 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 117 Irvine, CA 92612 https://www.goodman.com Contact: Tory Briggs, tory. briggs@goodman.com Goodman is a specialist global industrial property group. We own, develop and manage high-quality, sustainable properties that are close to consumers and provide essential infrastructure for the digital economy.

MSN Air Service Inc. 86 Cargo Plaza Road Jamaica, NY 11430 https://www.msnairservice.com Contact: Roopnarine Singh, rudy@msnservice.com MSN AIR SERVICE, INC is an established airline service provider based in JFK, found in 2005. Our team provides superior, cost-effective, and efficient cargo handling services to our airline clients by meeting or exceeding

all performance measurements or indicators.

Paycor 708 3rd Avenue New York, NY 10017 https://www.paycor.com Contact: Anthony Pipia, apipia@paycor.com Paycor’s HR platform modernizes people management, from recruiting, onboarding and payroll to career development and retention, but what really sets us apart is our focus on leaders.

PBIPayroll & Workforce Technologies 580 Mineola Carle Place, NY 11614 https://www.pbipayroll.com Contact: Joseph Giacinto, JGiacinto@pbipayroll.com PBIPayroll offers quality, professional Payroll, HCM, and ASO services you can trust.

STARS Northwell Health 13157 31st Street Astoria, NY 11106 https://www.northwell.edu Contact: Denise Goncalves-Hutter, dgoncalv@northwell.edu Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation Services (STARS) is the exclusive physical therapy provided for the Hofstra University Athletic Department. Our STARS Rehabilitation therapists provide care at the university and work with a team of healthcare and sports performance professionals, including certified athletic trainers, physicians, and strength and conditioning specialists.

The Ideal Supply Company 19-10 Hazen Street East Elmhurst, NY 11370 https://www.ideal-supply.com Contact: Stephanie Hedean, stephanie@ideal-supply.com Ideal Supply is an Ontario electric supply distributor and NAPA's largest independent auto parts distributor. We offer a large inventory of wholesale

industrial, safety and electrical supplies, generators, new energy, automation and data comm services.

Tristate Safety 18-23 41st Street Astoria, NY 11105 https://www.tristate-safety.com Contact: Ari Tsatsaronis, arie@tristate-safety.com We help contractors, building owners and organizations implement efficient site safety programs.

XPO Express 155 Schoolhouse Road Cheshire, CT 06410 https://www.xpoexpress.com Contact: Ken Caserta, kenc@ xpoexpress.com XPOexpress is an effective, worry-free tradeshow and event management solution. Our product allows you to automate your event registration, order management and reporting processes.

SMALL BUSINESS PARTNERS Allround Logistics Inc. 41-20 39th Street, 3rd Floor Long Island City, NY 11104 https://www.ambient-mechanical. com Contact: Nancy Lara-Repetto, lara@ambient-mechanical.com Astor Apiaries, Inc. 2405 24th Avenue Astoria, NY 11102 https://www.astorapiaries.com Contact: Nicholas Hoefly, nick@ astorapiaries.com Deepwave Business Solutions 38-01 23rd Avenue, Suite 311 Astoria, NY 11105 Contact: Lawrence Hammel, larry@hammelmedia.com EFY Sales, LLC 750 Lexington Avenue New York, NY 10022 https://www.efysales.com CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

March 2023 • Volume 19 • Issue 3 EXECUTIVE COMMMITEE Howard Graf

Patrick Yu

Thomas J. Grech

Brendan Leavy

Richard Dzwlewicz

Michelle Stoddart

Joanne M. Persad

Jacqueline Donado

Chairperson

Associate Treasurer

Vice Chair

Associate Secretary

Treasurer

Immediate Past Chair

Patricia Mezeul Nash Roe

President & CEO

Thomas J. Santucci

Secretary

Business Development Manager

Chief of Operations

Strategic Program Coordinator

Arlene Diangkinay

Jef Gross

Financial Controller

Neil Wagner

Business Service Program Manager

Kenneth J. Buettner Stephanie Baldwin Chad E. Callahan Salvatore Crifasi David Diraio Steven DeClara

Richard Dzwlewicz Charles Everett, Jr. Joseph R. Ficalora Tamara Gavrielof Howard Graf Fran Gross

1st Equity Title & Closing Services A&L Cesspool Services Corp A+ Technology & Security AARP Abrams Fensterman Ads Engineers, DPC AES Allied Risk Management, Inc Amna Construction Corp Andromeda Antun’s of Queens Village APC Specialist LLC ARK Import Export Center, LLC At Your Side Home Care Service Avison Young Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP Balkan Sewer and Water Main Service Barn Truck Rental Barone Management LLC Berkshire HathawayHomeservices Laffey International Realty Blumenfeld Development Group, Ltd.

Manager of Committee Development

Broadway Stages Brooklyn Tile and Design BRP Companies Bulovas Restorations Inc Capital One Bank Carben Construction Inc. Carter Milchman and Frank Catholic Charities Brooklyn & Queens Catholic Health CBRE CDS-Mestel Construction Center for Automotive Education and Training Century Development Group Cerini and Associates, LLP. Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman, LLP Champion Elevator Corp.

Ciampa Organization Cine Magic LIC Studios, LLC Cipico Construction, Inc. Coastal Flooring Solutions Combs & Company

Adrienne Whaley Queens Underground Black & Brown Film Festivals queensunderground718@gmail.com Kelsey Brow King Manor Museum director@kingmanormuseum.org

BANKING & LAW

Mia Sultana Ball Signature Bank nsultana@signatureny.com Jackie Harounian Wisselman, Harounian & Associates jackie@lawjaw.com

COMMUNICATIONS Jake Oliver Anat Gerstein jake@anatgerstein.com Henry Ramos Dedline AV henry@dedlineav.com

HEALTHCARE & WELLNESS

Jay Solly Sol Strategies jaypsolly@gmail.com

ENTREPRENEURSHIP & INNOVATION Bill Staniford Rentigo bill@staniford.com Ryan Letts Cleonmaye Corporation rletts@cleonmaye.com

FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESSES Chad Callahan Plaza College cec4@plazacollege.edu Michael Shoule JW Hampton mikes@jwhampton.com

FOOD, BEVERAGE & HOSPITALITY

Bert Lurch E Central Medical Management bertl@ecmmgt.com Prabhleen S. Virk Citrin Cooperman pvirk@citrincooperman.com

Jim Quent Statewide Public Affairs jquent@statewidepublicaffairs.com Rachel Kellner Aigner Chocolates rachel@aignerchocolates.com

ENERGY

MANUFACTURING

Marshall Haimson E-Capital Development marshall@e-capitaldevelopment.com

Lina DeLaCruz Control Electropolishing Corp. lina@controlpublishing.com

William Blake Vincent L. Petraro, Esq. Dominick Ciampa George Rozansky Joseph Farber Gerard Thornton Louis D. Laurino Jeff Levine Joseph M. Mattone, Sr

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Raymond Irrera Kenneth Koenig Lorraine Chambers Lewis Bert Lurch Meredith Marshall Carl Mattone

Patricia Mezeul Melinda Murray-Nyack Maria Odysseos Stephen Preuss Nash Roe Jeffrey Rosenstock

CORPORATE MEMBERS Community Care Rx INC Cornell Tech Cornerstone Land Abstract Cort CPower Energy Management Crann Integrated Solutions Crescent Properties, Inc Cross County Mortgage LLC. Crown Castle Crystal Window & Door Systems, Ltd Dedline AV Diehl & Sons Inc. D.b.a New York Freightliner Direct Clean Service Solutions E-J Electric Installation Co. Elite Builders and Management EMCOR NY/NJ EMU Health ENP Environmental, Inc. ENT and Allergy Associates, LLP EW Howell Construction Group First Central Savings Bank Forest Hills Financial Group, Inc.

COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

SENIOR ADVISORY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE STAFF

NOT FOR PROFIT

Larry Grubler Transitional Services of NY lgrubler@tsiny.org Christine Deska BellesBoard/Nonprofit Sector Strategies christine@nonprofitsectorstrategies.org

REAL ESTATE

Martin Cottingham Avison Young martin.cottingham@avisonyoung.com Kevin Louie RIPCO klouie@ripcony.com Michael Wang Project Queens michael@projectqueens.com

TECHNOLOGY

Sean C. O’Rourke Combs & Company sorourke@combsandco.com

TRANSPORTATION Phil Jones LIME philip@li.me

Juan Santiago Thomas Santucci Mark Scheinberg Caryn Schwab Sher Sparano Michelle Stoddart

Gil-Bar Industries, Inc. GOLDEN AGE HOME CARE INC Goodwill Industries NYNJ Graf & Lewent Architects Greater NY Automobiles Dealers Association Grubb Properties HANAC, Inc. HE2PD, Inc. Healthy Corner Pharmacy Heatherwood Communities Himmel + Meringoff Properties Holt Construction Corp HQUS DBA Hydro Quebec Hugh O’Kane Electric Co., Inc. IKEA Queens INDA, Association of Nonwoven Fabric Industry Inggroups Innovo Property Group J Strategies, Inc J.W. Hampton Jr. & Co., Inc. Jamaica Multiplex Cinemas / Showcase Cinemas James E Fitzgerald Janney Montgomery Scott Jason Office Products JGM Construction Development, LLC Kasirer, LLC Kaufman Astoria Studios, Inc. KMN Builders, Inc. Krispy Kreme Lenoblelumber Co Levine Builders Liberty Ashes Inc. Littler Mendelson, P.C. Lyons Mortgage Services, Inc. M&J Commissary Inc. Macerich Madison International Realty MediSys Health Network Mega Contracting Group LLC Mesirow Financial Molloy College Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens Mr. T Carting Corp.

NBCUniversal Nelson + Pope New York + Atlantic Railway New York Crystal Cleaning New York Life Insurance Company New York State Energy Coalition, Inc. NOLA CONSTRUCTION INC Nonprofit Sector Strategies, PBC Northwell Go Health Urgent Care NYEEQASC, LLC Omni Funding Corp. of America Onegroup Patrick B. Jenkins & Associates PGA Mechanical Contractors, Inc. Ponce Bank Praxis Public Relations Priority 1 Security LLC ProCleanings Co Prospect Cleaning Service, Inc.

QUEENSBOROUGH (ISSN0033-6068 is published 12 times a year for $12.50 annually by the Queens Chamber of Commerce of the borough of Queens. 75-20 Astoria Blvd, Suite 140, East Elmhurst NY 11370-1131.

Periodicals postage paid at Flushing NY and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Blvd., Suite 140, East Elmhurst NY 11370-1131.

Terri Thomson Henry Wan Mark Weprin Patrick Yu Daniel Zausner

QSIDE Federal Credit Union Queens College CUNY Queens Community House R.A.M.S. Mechanical Inc. RBH Restaurant LLC. Red Eye Group LLC Regal Heights REIL Capital Renaissance New York Flushing Hotel At Tangram Ripco Investment Sales Ronald Fatoullah & Associates Rosco Inc. Royal Waste Services Russo’s on the Bay RXR Realty Samaritan Daytop Village Securitech Group, Inc. Signature Bank Silvercup Studios SkyTrac Access Group, LLC SL Green Realty Corp.

SourceBlue Spectrum Reach Spoton Squad Security Inc. St. Francis Preparatory School St. John’s Episcopal Hospital St. John’s University Standard Group Starbucks Corporation Stellar Global Trading Inc Structural Engineering Technologies, P.C. Sullivan Engineering LLC SUNation Solar Systems Target The Durst Organization The L Grp The Liquidity Source The Sandhu Group Triumvirate Environmental Tully Environmental Inc. Ultrasound Solutions Corp.

United Airlines United Public Adjusters & Appraisers, Inc. Universal Healthcare US Bank Valley National Bank Vassilaros & Sons Coffee Vista LIC Hotel, Best Western Premier Collection VOREA W & M Fire Protection Services Waste Management of New York LLC Watch Guard 24/7 Waymo Webster Bank WellLife Network White Coffee Corp Wisselman, Harounian & Associates, P.C. YMCA of Greater New York / Queens Branches Zara Realty

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

NEW MEMBERS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 28

Contact: Alan Yung, ayung@ efysales.com Health and Welfare Council of Long Island 110 Walt Whitman Road, Suite 101 Huntington Station, NY 11746 https://www.hwcli.com Contact: Kiersten Bartolotta, kbartolotta@hwcli.com H&H Telecom Construction Inc. 118-35 Queens Blvd, Suite 400 Forest Hills, NY 11375 https://www.hnh-us.com

Contact: Fariha Habib, fariha@ hnh-us.com Kidz Klub Family Entertainment 92-23 221st Place Queens Village, NY 11428 Contact: Jesus Horton, hortonjay@ymail.com Latinx Medina Group 23-76 33rd Street Astoria, NY 11105 Contact: Angelica Mendez, latinxmediagroupllc@gmail.com Luxury Wellners Living LLC

DBA Home Helpers Care 90-23 221st Place Queens Village, NY 11428 https://www. homehelpershomecare.com Contact: Dan Harduar, dharduar@ homehelphomecare.com Morgan Elevators LTD 39-23 29th Street Long Island City, NY 11104 https://www.morganelevator.com Contact: Doug Considine, Doug@ morganelevator.com NYFAC 164-14 Cross Bay Blvd Howard Beach, NY 11414

MAJOR CORPORATE MEMBERS

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https://www.asfi.org Contact: Evelyn Magdaleno, emagdaleno@asfi.org United Black Men of Queens Foundation, Inc. 157-11 Rockaway Blvd, Suite 206 Jamaica, NY 11434 https://www.ubmq.org Contact: Steven Board, sboard@ ubmq.org William A. Slutsky, P.C. 118-21 Queens Blvd Forest Hills, NY 11375 https://www.wslawny.com Contact: Justin Waiser, justin@ wslawny.com

March 2023 • Volume 19 • Issue 3 MAJOR CORPORATE MEMBERS

We hope you are enjoying the newly designed, expanded Queensborough, the monthly publication of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. We, the Chamber, direct and approve all content deciding what stories are covered in each issue, editing all copy and forwarding information that is contained in the publication. BQE Media produces it for the Chamber. We look forward to continuing to highlight the outstanding business persons, services and activities that make our borough unique. We welcome all your letters, manuscripts, etc. Please send all materials to the Queens Chamber of Commerce at 75-20 Astoria Boulevard, Suite 140, Jackson Heights, NY 11370 or call 718.898.8500 for more information. We reserve the right to edit for space limitations. Your support of the magazine is critical to its success. We encourage you to include Queensborough in your advertising plans. To place your ad, please call BQE Media at 718.426.7200.

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