Queens Chronicle South Edition 05-21-20

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

YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER VOL. XLIII

NO. 21

THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020

QCHRON.COM

PHOTO BY MAX PARROTT

HELPING HANDS

Our Neighbors Civic lives up to its name in food giveaway PAGE 4; FULL VIRUS COVERAGE PAGES 2-16, 20-22, 26 AND 31 The Our Neighbors Civic Association of Ozone Park gave away 200 boxes of food on Monday, in a joint effort with FreshDirect and the Queens Borough President’s Office, and it still wasn’t able to provide as much to each needy family as it planned to. There were just too many people waiting on line outside Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church.

SHORE WARS

HEALTH

HOME

City beaches shut, state’s open, Nassau no-go

FITNESS

FINANCE

PAGES 2 AND 8

&

Section PAGES 17-19

AND

SCREENS AND SCENES

Section

APEC goes online but wants kids outdoors too

PAGES 20-21

SEE qboro, PAGE 23

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QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, May 21, 2020 Page 2

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No swimming, no shopping, no relief Rockaway small businesses fear negative impacts of restrictions

by Katherine Donlevy Associate Editor

C

ity residents are looking at a glum Memorial Day weekend — they won’t be allowed in the waves at Rockaway Beach and they’ll be barred from shoreline parks run by Nassau County — but small businesses are more concerned about the financial impacts. “[Business owners] are far from happy,” said Michael Gliner, a co-board member of the Rockaway Business Alliance. “There’s a lot of revenue from Memorial Day through Labor Day, and if Nassau County beaches are open and Jersey’s beaches are open, there’s no reason we can’t be open.”

Gliner owns Pip Marketing Signs Print, which like other area shops, has seen a 70 percent decline in business since the pandemic began. He said he and other owners worry that the longer the restrictions last, the harder it will be to recover.

“A lot of businesses are saying that if they’re unable to open and there’s no beach and no parks the stores are going to lose a lot of income. They still have to pay rent, insurance, utilities,” said Gliner, who added that seasonal restaurants and retail stores are suffering alike.

Mayor de Blasio had originally stated on May 15 that opening city beaches is “not in the

cards” for the city, but after lobbying from officials like city Councilmember Eric Ulrich (D-Ozone Park) he announced that they would open for pedestrians, but not for swimming.

“Our beaches play a vital role to the local economy and offer recreation that is imperative for New Yorkers to maintain their mental health during this crisis. A full beach closure would have dealt a devastating blow to Rockaway’s local economy,” Ulrich told the Chronicle in an email, adding that he was “thrilled the Parks Department will begin training lifeguards and hiring additional staff.” Owners like Gliner, however, are not convinced the small opening will bring enough relief to small businesses.

“The whole idea is that after sitting in the sun for a couple hours you can go in the shade of a restaurant and get a drink or breakfast or lunch, but to walk outside and have to eat your curbside pickup in the sun? I’m not convinced many will want to do that,” he said, noting that beachgoers from beyond Rockaway might not have an interest in visiting retail shops either because they’d have to tote the bags across crowded subways and ferries.

Even Nassau County Executive Laura Curran’s May 19 announcement that she’d sign legislation designating Nickerson Beach near Point Lookout, LI, for Nassau residents’ use only to reduce overflow from the city doesn’t

With city beaches only open for pedestrian use, small business owners and the Rockaway Business Alliance are worried that the reduced amount of beachgoers will have a negative FILE PHOTO impact on the local economy. convince Gliner that city residents will instead turn to Rockaway Beach and its businesses.

The City of Long Beach also said they wouldn’t allow nonresidents to use its shores.

The moves limit city beachgoers to state parks like Jones Beach, which Gov. Cuomo ordered to operate at 50 percent capacity, and Jacob

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Riis Park in Rockaway, which is federal.

Other restrictions outlined by the governor include closing all concession stands; prohibiting group activities such as volleyball and football; closing areas of social gathering such as picnic areas, playgrounds, pavilions, arcades and amusement rides; enforcing social distancing rules for employees and visitors; requiring masks be worn by employees and visitors when social distancing is not possible; and ensuring staff levels are adequate to achieve the mandates and enforce crowd control.

Even if Rockaway Beach sees large crowds over the weekend despite the governor and mayor’s restrictions, Gliner fears many beachgoers won’t be spending money at the areas shops.

“If people aren’t working they’re not spending money,” he said simply. “These stores are practicing social distancing just because on a normal business day they only get one customer at a time ... It’s gorgeous to be down here, but it’s a ghost town.”

While there is some hope the beaches will resume normal operations at some point this summer, Gliner said it needs to come sooner rather than later. “It’s tough. We’ll have to see in two weeks, but it doesn’t look good,” he said, referring to Cuomo’s latest PAUSE extenQ sion date to June 13.

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WE ARE ENFORCING SOCIAL DISTANCING IN THE STORE

Page 3 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, May 21, 2020

HOME DELIVERY SPRING HOURS:

For the people that would like to come into the store, we are open. We kindly ask that you practice social distancing. The CDC recommends standing at a distance of six (6) feet apart. We have put tape lines on the floor around the entire store to designate the six (6) foot distance between patrons.

WE ARE SANITIZING ALL PUBLIC CONTACT AREAS For the people that would like to come into the store, we are sanitizing all door handles, all shopping basket handles, all shopping cart handles, all freezer door handles and spraying the air with Lysol disinfectant.

(Please excuse the strong disinfectant scent that is extremely noticeable.)

Stay safe! We will get through this together! United, we can defeat and overcome anything!

THANK YOU to all the workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 Coronavirus Crisis 2020

During the Pandemic Temporary Store Hours

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QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, May 21, 2020 Page 4

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Need tops supply at food giveaway Our Neighbors Civic Assn. hands out groceries secured by boro prez

by Max Parrott Chronicle Contributor

A line of people stretched across more than two blocks outside Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Ozone Park on Monday afternoon, with everyone there to pick up a delivery of grocery boxes from the Borough President’s Office.

Some residents got there nearly four hours before the food was scheduled to arrive and ended up waiting for over six hours for their box of groceries. Two months into the coronavirus pandemic, many Ozone Park residents find themselves going to great lengths to get basic necessities.

“I just need food for the kids,” said Neama Rezk, an unemployed mother of two who lives a block away from the church.

The Our Neighbors Civic Association of Ozone Park set the distribution up with the help of acting Queens Borough President Sharon Lee, who partnered with grocery delivery service FreshDirect in its citywide initiative to provide 500 grocery boxes per day through civic organizations throughout the borough.

After ONCA got the word out about the food delivery through a combination of Facebook and fliers, a stream of neighbors started lining up early that morning anticipating that the food would eventually run out.

ONCA gave out 200 boxes of food, handing each resident a ticket voucher — redeemable for one food box — as they waited in line for the delivery, which ended up arriving two hours late.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which has been assisting the effort by providing transportation for the goods, had a delivery to make in Rockaway that delayed its arrival in Ozone Park.

At the Monday disbursement, need still outpaced supply.

There were 17 people left waiting after the ONCA gave food to all the people who had tickets. With only five boxes left, the civic organization had to break up the remaining ones up into individual items and spread them among those left.

“It’s nobody’s fault that the truck has been delayed. We appreciate whatever we’ve been given. We got to pull together and wait until this mess ends,” said a resident who asked not to be named.

Not everyone was that patient. Many became restless after the late start, but they

Volunteers including Frank Dardani, center, and Mike Scala, in gray jacket, handed out 200 boxes of groceries to people who waited in line for hours outside Nativity of the Blessed Virgin PHOTOS BY MAX PARROTT Mary Church in Ozone Park on Monday. had no choice but to wait it out.

“All the savings you have, you have to dig it out,” said Bibi Ally, a mother of seven. Ally said that her construction worker husband had not been able to work since the Pause measures were first enacted.

“It’s very hard for poor people. I live on $1,000,” said Indra Rajopa, a retired 68-yearold neighbor, adding that she was struggling to stretch her Social Security payments to meet the bills.

Iris Vazquez, a furloughed school bus driv-

er for the city, said that she had only been out of work for two weeks, so her financial situation was not quite as dire as some others, but with uncertainty over whether the Department of Education would employ drivers during the summer, she felt she needed to save where she could.

Adding insult to widespread unemployment and loss of income, supermarkets have started to inflate the price of staples like eggs and meat recently, according to multiple residents. continued on page 16

3-K for All held back one year in Dist. 29 Delay in four districts to save $43M

by Max Parrott For the latest news visit qchron.com

Chronicle Contributor

Mayor de Blasio announced a series of cuts to his budget proposal last month that include some reductions to education line items that will directly impact the parents of young children in one district in Southeast Queens.

De Blasio decided to delay one of his education priorities, the expansion of his universal pre-K program for 3-year-olds, which was slated to spread to four new school districts at the start of the next school year, including Queens District 29, which spreads over Cambria Heights, Hollis, Laurelton, Queens Village, Springfield Gardens and St. Albans.

The mayor’s Universal Pre-K program, considered his signature achievement by many, is available for all 4-year-olds in the city. The 3-K for All program has been

growing each year since 2017 and is available in 14 of the city’s 32 education districts, including one in Queens — District 27, extending over Broad Channel, Howard Beach, Ozone Park and the Rockaways.

In addition to District 29, the other districts where 3-K for All was slated to open for the coming school year include Manhattan’s District 1, the Bronx’s District 12 and Brooklyn’s District 14. The postponement will reportedly save the city $43 million.

DOE officials clarified that while the program’s rollout may be temporarily suspended, it will continue to be available for all families that want to participate in the districts where it already exists, including District 27, for the 2020-21 school year.

“Whatever classes were set prior to the pandemic is what is staying in the school in the pre-K centers. We’re not gaining any centers but we’re not losing any cen-

The budget ax has fallen in Southeast Queens with Mayor de Blasio, seen here at right with Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza, recommending a year’s delay in expanding 3-K for All into PHOTO BY MICHAEL APPLETON / NYC Queens District 29. ters,” said Susan Settanni, director of Early Childhood Development for District 2, in a Community Education Council meeting on Monday.

The DOE’s plan for District 29 is to expand the 3-K program in the fall of 2021.

The mayor and City Council must agree Q on a budget plan by July 1.

C M SQ page 5 Y K

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C M SQ page 6 Y K

Death data detailed

Number of deaths per 100,000 people 11239 (Brooklyn): 612 11691 (Queens): 443 11354 (Queens): 436 10469 (Bronx): 429 11224 (Brooklyn): 420 11369 (Queens): 420 11692 (Queens): 393 10304 (Staten Island): 356 10475 (Bronx): 354 11694 (Queens): 354

NYC MAP AND DATA

New York City had lost 20,934 people to the coronavirus as of early Wednesday afternoon, according to city statistics — 16,153 confirmed cases and 4,781 probable. And now the ZIP codes in which the victims lived can be found in an interactive map posted at www1.nyc.gov/site/ doh/covid/covid-19-data.page.

Five of the 10 ZIP codes with the highest death rates are in Queens. ZIP code 11691 in Rockaway was the hardest-hit in the borough by that measure, with 443 deaths per 100,000 people. The other four were 11354, Flushing; 11369, most of East Elmhurst; and 11692 and 11694, both also in the Rockaways.

Aside from the death rate per 100,000, the available data include the actual death count, the case count, the case rate and the share of people testing positive for the virus. The information can be viewed in a map or a chart. On a desktop computer, data on the map shows up as one runs the Q mouse over a given community.

— Peter C. Mastrosimone

Deadliest ZIP codes for COVID-19

Cops mostly pulled off distancing duties Mayor says NYPD will enforce and give summonses only as last resort

by Michael Gannon

For the latest news visit qchron.com

Editor

Mayor de Blasio said last Friday the city is pulling the NYPD back from mask and social distancing enforcement in all but the most serious cases and the largest events.

De Blasio said more emphasis will be placed on the actions of “social distancing ambassadors,” in the wake of some confrontations between police and residents, according to a transcript of his daily press briefing.

Elected officials from minority communities pointed to large racial disparities among those arrested for mask and social distancing violations.

“So, the reset will be this, we start with the fundamental notion — the NYPD is here to protect lives, to save lives, and where we see the greatest danger to lives in terms of the Coronavirus and the area where we can enforce is around gatherings, particularly large gatherings,” de Blasio said. “So, that’s where we’re going to focus, wanting to give people this clarity. And it’s literally the bigger the gathering, the more that needs to be done by the NYPD to make sure that gathering either never gets started to begin with or is quickly broken up.”

But he said if the city can achieve results in smaller, less chaotic situations with the ambassadors, that would be ideal.

“Summonses are an available tool and presence this weekend.” they will be given if people do not disperse, City Hall did not respond to an email but the goal is to not even get to the point of requesting information as to whether the summons, just to make sure that large gather- ambassadors are being paid or how someings don’t happen,” he said. “Large gather- one can apply to be one. ings inherently come with a breakdown in Councilman Donovan Richards (D-Lausocial distancing and the danger of spreading relton), chairman of the Public Safety the disease to a lot of people quickly and Committee, applauded the move in an that’s what we have to guard email on Friday. against. That will be the focus “I commend Mayor Bill de of the NYPD.” Blasio and NYPD CommisThe mayor said the main sioner Dermot Shea for reseteffort will be on “educating, on ting mask enforcement which encouraging, on providing free prevents the NYPD from issuface coverings” done by civiling summonses and making ian agencies, houses of worship arrests for New Yorkers not and community groups. wearing masks,” Richards “[T]he NYPD will be out said. “I’ve pushed to prohibit there as well, but its role will NYPD mask enforcement to be focused again on the posiprevent further exacerbation tives, giving out those face a nd d iv ision du r i ng t h is coverings, giving out remindpandemic.”

Mayor de Blasio ers to people, helping people But speaking Monday on PHOTO BY MICHAEL to u nder st a nd what good APPLETON / NYC NY 1’s “Inside City Hall” — social distancing looks like,” after numerous repor ts of de Blasio said. crowded conditions throughout the city on a The mayor said there are now 2,260 seasonably warm weekend — de Blasio told social ambassadors. host Errol Louis that the police have not been “[T]hat’s a lot of City employees who pulled completely out of the enforcement will be out there educating, giving out face equation. coverings,” he said. “You’ll see a lot of “[R]estaurants and cafes where that’s

going to fit in the timeline, we’re not there yet,” he said in a transcript provided by his office. “That, you know, anytime you’re talking about gathering people together, we’ve got to get it right in terms of health and safety. But I’m very intrigued — the idea of using outdoor space more, we have to find out the formula to do it safely. What we saw this weekend wasn’t safe, and, again, NYPD, sheriff, other agencies will show up to any bars where people are congregating. When the authorities show up, you better scatter. If you don’t, you’re going to get a summons.”

Speaking during a meeting of Community Board 6, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said she is disinclined to prosecute the summonses, citing, as an example, homeless person who was ticketed in the subway.

“I am of the belief that a health crisis should not turn into a criminal justice crisis,” Katz said. “People should social distance.

People should wear masks. When I’m out and I am with people I wear a mask. When I’m just with my family I don’t. The law is either six feet away or wearing a mask. That’s the law. The problem is, it’s interesting to me, the PBA, the sergeants, everyone has stated very publicly they do not want to be out there giving summonses and doing [desk appearance Q tickets] for social distancing.”

David Russell contributed to this story.

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P Everyone gets a day at the beach, except NYC EDITORIAL

I

n the age of the coronavirus, there often are no easy answers. Everything is a trade-off, especially when it comes to the most pressing questions facing policy makers and the public right now: How much can we reopen society without causing an overwhelming spike in cases and therefore deaths, and how much can we keep it closed despite the massive societal, psychological, financial and other costs?

The big question for Memorial Day weekend was whether to open beaches. Gov. Cuomo decided to do so, with strict limitations starting with keeping them at 50 percent capacity. His rules apply to state beaches, and he is allowing county and municipal governments to open the ones they run if they adhere to the same protocols. Many just outside Queens, such as Nassau County and the City of Long Beach, opted to do so. But Mayor de Blasio did not, insisting that New York City beaches must remain closed, except for very limited purposes, and vowing to fence them off if needed.

We believe Cuomo made the right call and de Blasio the wrong one. If Long Beach, Jones Beach, Robert Moses, Sunken Meadow and countless other shoreline parks on Long Island, not to mention the Jersey Shore, can open up, why can’t Rockaway Beach and Coney Island?

AGE

Because, de Blasio said, they would get crowded, and as he told Maria Bartiromo of Fox News, “We’re not going to allow it ... we’re not opening on Memorial Day as we normally do. For folks in the local community who walk on the beach, walk on the boardwalk, they could still do that. But no swimming, no lifeguards, no congregating.” No fun, he may as well have said in that haughty manner of his. As is often the case, it appears his stubbornness is driving him.

All the mayor had to do was ensure the governor’s rules were followed, among them reduced capacity enforced at the entrances, no concession stands, no games such as football and volleyball, social distancing and the wearing of masks by both visitors and employees when keeping far enough apart is not possible. But no, he found it easier to just say no.

One excuse is that the subway to Rockaway would get too crowded. But that could be managed by running more trains and buses. Those could be secured through Gov. Cuomo, who oversees the MTA and, with the exception of the nursing home tragedy, has managed the virus crisis well. It’s too bad de Blasio has such a bad relationship with the governor.

Now we have a situation where Nassau County and Long Beach officials are vowing to keep city residents off their

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beaches. You can’t blame them; they have limited space.

Queens residents will just have to go to Jones Beach, or one of the beaches even farther away if they’re willing and able.

COVID-19 is an absolute horror and has taken far too many lives. It continues to do so and will continue to do so until there’s a vaccine, if there ever is one. And we have taken incredibly drastic measures to slow its spread, to keep it from overwhelming our health system. But in so doing, we also have done incredible damage to our society, the effects of which will be impacting us for years to come. It was one thing to stay indoors for the dreary March and April that we had, but people cannot do that forever. We save lives not just by slowing the contagion but by letting people socialize, to help keep them from breaking down and developing other illnesses. We need a society we can recognize when all this is over. The least we all deserve now is a day at the beach.

It’s the 11th hour, but it’s not too late just yet. De Blasio could still change his mind. He could call Cuomo and coordinate things, could redeploy the police, could send his social distancing counselors where they need to go. He could still relax the tight grip he seems to like having over what people can and cannot do and not be such a killjoy for once.

E DITOR

Reserve MTA seats? Huh? Dear Editor: If there’s an Olympic event for dumb ideas, MTA Chairman and CEO Pat Foye deserves a gold medal. His proposal for a subway and bus seat reservation plan using Ticketmaster technology (New York Post, May 15) shows a total disconnect from reality. When full MTA service resumes, nearly five million riders will use the system as a daily necessity, not a distraction like attending a Taylor Swift concert. If the MTA implements a seat-booking program, its angry customers will shout the lyrics of a Rolling Stones hit song: “I can’t get no satisfaction.”

Richard Reif Kew Gardens Hills

A better way to Brooklyn Dear Editor: “BQX supporters not deterred by economy” (by Michael Gannon, May 14) shows wishful thinking.

I disagree with Queens County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tom Grech, who said the project “will not need funding from the state and won’t be competing with the MTA.” Grant applications to the Federal Transit Administration require a local share. Both the MTA and NYC Department of Transportation usually ask Albany to help with the local share.

The MTA and NYC DOT transit systems depend on annual State Transportation Operating Assistance. The FTA New Starts program is the logical federal funding source.

Both the NYC DOT and Economic Development Corp. lack experience in design, construction and operations of streetcar systems.

Mayor de Blasio will have to ask the MTA to serve as a project sponsor and system operator.

The MTA, not wanting to use its own funding, would serve as sponsor under the FTA New Starts program. The MTA, NYC DOT, Port Authority, New Jersey Transit and Amtrak are all attempting to qualify many other projects for the same federal funding.

Who can guarantee “this project would cre-

C M SQ page 9 Y K

E DITOR

ate tens of thousands of jobs and $30 billion in economic value over the coming decades?”

Instead of BQX, the Brooklyn Queens Connector, run a limited stop bus service. The NYC Transit Queens Bus Network Redesign Draft Plan proposes creation of the new QT1 bus route. It would connect Astoria, Long Island City, Greenpoint, Williamsburg, the Brooklyn Navy Yard and Downtown Brooklyn. Improve service on the crosstown G subway. Both make for low-cost, easy-to-implement improvements today, rather than waiting 10 or more years for the $2.7 billion BQX. Based on 31 years experience at the FTA, I predict BQX may never receive federal funding.

Larry Penner Great Neck, LI The writer is a transportation historian, advocate and writer who worked for 31 years for the U.S. Department of Transportation, overseeing grants for transit capital projects.

of support. The Chinese Communist Party has lied, cheated, stolen our property and put the lives of every member of the world in jeopardy.

Its influence over the World Health Organization and other agencies of the United Nations, besides the moguls of Hollywood, NBA and titans of industry and the mainstream media, should make Americans shudder. We have to take back control of our country and our industry.

Boycott, divest from and sanction China.

Make the Chinese communists pay for everything that they have foisted upon us. Hit them in their pocketbook.

They do not believe in God or anything that does not conform to their ideology. They are not a reliable or trustworthy partner. Send them packing, isolate them from the rest of the world, shame them every chance you have.

Lawrence lancucki Maspeth

Wor$e to come

Dear Editor: When a reporter asks the president a question, and he responds, “That was a nasty question,” the reporter should take pride in that reaction. The president’s response is like that of a batter who strikes out on a curveball that drops over the outside corner of the plate and goes back to the dugout thinking, “That was a nasty pitch.”

Glenn Hayes Kew Gardens

Dear Editor: Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, at the top of the people seeing the devastation being caused, knows the current morass only will get worse as 40 percent of people making $40,000 or less have lost their jobs In NYC, summer is in the rearview mirror with Broadway and Lincoln Center putting up “See you in September” signs.

How is any reasonable person expecting an economic revival to be in place anytime soon?

With the irreplaceable loss of concession, hotel and restaurant jobs, dismal is an optimistic term for any financial recovery. You don’t go to a Broadway show twice to compensate for the one you missed.

Ray Hackinson Ozone Park

Vote via taxes

Boycott China now Dear Editor: Looking back on the events of the last four years, it has become very obvious that the atheist Chinese Communist Party is not our friend and does not even share any of our basic precepts.

The Boycott, Divest and Sanction movement to attack Israel was misdirected toward our strongest ally. However, the BDS movement directed toward China should have a great deal

Trump strikes out

Vote Trump out Dear Editor: After firing another inspector general, basically putting another nail into the democracy of the U.S., President Trump attacked a patriotic whistleblower who told Congress that the pandemic had been mismanaged. He criticized the governor of Pennsylvania, who refused to reopen businesses. He maniacally attacked former President Obama, charging him with “Obamagate.”

Then he stated Obama was “incompetent.”

That’s right, the man who suggested injecting/ ingesting Lysol to cure the coronavirus referred to someone else as incompetent.

Trump then smeared Biden as a senile candidate who “doesn’t know he’s alive.” Not only is Biden alive and well, he cares for the living.

Unlike Trump who only cares about profits — his own. But it was wonderful to see the White House post a message on the official Twitter account saying, “Thank you to hotels around the country for providing healthcare workers and first responders a place to stay while they’re on the front lines of the pandemic.” Of course, no Trump hotels deserve any praise because not one of them has offered refuge to our American heroes. Not one!

Nov. 3 is right around the corner, people. We all know what must be done.

Robert LaRosa Whitestone

Write a Letter!

We want to hear from new voices! Letters should be no longer than 300 words and may be edited. They may be emailed to letters@ qchron.com.

RUSO-077763

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Dear Editor: I think it’s important that we rethink the procedure for voting on the local, state and federal levels.

To validate who is voting and is given the privilege to vote, all voting should be done via our yearly tax filings. This would help eliminate fraud and sloppiness and also save the taxpayer and government a lot of expense, e.g., polling booths.

This procedure also should have been applied to the Census. All this should have been incorporated into the yearly tax forms.

Imagine the amount of money saved!

Jeffrey Tauber Rego Park

Page 9 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, May 21, 2020

LETTERS TO THE

QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, May 21, 2020 Page 10

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IS 238 community rips co-location Success Academy plan discussed two nights before PEP’s decision

by Michael Gannon Editor

The Department of Education gave the community one final opportunity on Monday to weigh in on the proposed co-location in September of a Success Academy middle school for one year within IS 238-Susan B. Anthony Academy in Hollis.

The DOE’s Panel for Educational Policy was scheduled to vote last night, May 20, on both the Success proposal and one to locate a District 75 school for students with special needs in the same space in the 2021-22 school year after Success leaves.

The overwhelming subject of discussion was the Success plan. And with the majority of those seeking to speak during the teleconference being members of the faculty and staff at IS 238, it did not meet with raves.

The teleconference was moderated by Karin Goldmark, deputy chancellor for School Planning and Development. There also were representatives from the Office of District Planning and the Office of Space Planning.

Goldmark said first that under the formula used for middle schools, IS 238 has 18 rooms that can be regarded as extra space.

Success would need 12 of those rooms for the 2020-21 year while it works with the city for a long-term space for the following year.

For the latest news visit qchron.com

HB Kiwanis scholarships The K iwanis Club of Howard Beach will be awarding scholarships to students living in the 11414 ZIP code. Its scholarship fund will benefit high school seniors who will be continuing their education in an accredited college or university in the fall of 2020.

The four $1,000 scholarships available are: • The Paul Anthony Bono Scholarship, to be awarded to a student who will major in any field of study; • The Stanley Merzon Scholarship, for which preference is given to a student who plans to major in journalism or mass media; • The Founder’s Scholarship, also to be awarded to a student who will major in any field of study; and • The August Sirgiovanni Scholarship, for which preference is given to a student who plans to major in the sciences or mathematics.

Anyone interested should contact Dino Bono by calling (646) 4012805 or emailing hbkiwanisdino@ outlook.com. Details are posted on howardbeachkiwanis.org. Scholarsh ip applicat ions must be postQ marked by May 31.

The District 75 school would require eight rooms.

“If both plans pass, Success will have to move out next year,” Goldmark said. She said the DOE is hemmed in by a number of factors, including a state law that requires the city to provide space or rental reimbursement for charter schools requesting them.

Speakers said children at IS 238 have been through a disruptive school year already, brought on by the statewide COVID-19 school closures. The school also has lost two teachers this school year, including one to COVID. And they asked how any social distancing requirements can possibly be implemented while adding more children to the school.

Speakers and DOE officials also made a point of mentioning the former Our Lady’s Catholic Academy in South Ozone Park, which was offered to Success back in November and rejected.

“She just didn’t want it,” Charlene Smith said, without mentioning by name Success Academy founder Eva Moskowitz.

Pressed on the subject later in the meeting, Goldmark acknowledged that the building proved to have serious deficiencies, including plumbing infrastructure, after the DOE recommended it to Success.

“We told them we could have it ready in August,” Goldmark said. “Then the engineers found things we couldn’t have seen in our walkthrough. ... It wasn’t going to be as easy as we thought it would be.” Goldmark also said time has become a factor.

“If this is not approved, we don’t know where these children will be going to school in the fall,” she said.

She also said under the state law, “which this mayor and the Department of Education did not support,” the city must provide money for a lease if it does not provide space.

“We’re spending $100 million on [leasing or renting space],” she said. “That would pay for a lot of teachers.”

During a brief statement, state Sen. Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans) said he felt parents and students had been let down by both Success and the DOE. Even if the one-year plan goes through, IS 238 would have many protections in place.

One teacher asked how time for shared spaces such as the auditorium and stage would be allocated, as the school has built up strong musical and theater programs.

The DOE said that such schedules typically are allocated based on student population, and that IS 238 would still have the larger group. New stage equipment paid for

Special election off, prez primary still on

by David Russell Associate Editor

A judge upheld Gov. Cuomo’s decision to cancel the nonpartisan special election for borough president on Monday.

The ruling means former Executive District Attorney Jim Quinn will not be on the ballot. The race had been slated for June 23. There is still a Democratic primary scheduled for that day.

Quinn and businessman Dao Yin, who is on the Democratic primary ballot, attempted to overturn the governor’s call.

Queens Supreme Court Judge Robert Caloras said reinstituting the special election while other candidates have adjusted their campaig ning for the pr imar y “would likely result in a hardship that borders on unfairness.”

The special election was announced after former Borough President Melinda Katz took office as district attorney. Former Deputy Borough President Sharon Lee is serving as acting borough president.

The ruling stated that the special election is “only to fill a non-legislative and non-executive position” for about six months. “Moreover, the Mayor has

already duly-appointed an individual to function in this role until an election takes place.”

The candidates in the Democratic primary are Councilman Costa Constantinides (D-Astoria), former Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley, retired NYPD Sgt. Anthony Miranda, Councilman Donovan Richards (D-Laurelton) and Yin. The winner will face Queens GOP Chairwoman Joann Ariola-Shanks, who is running on the Republican and Conservative lines in the general election.

New York will hold a Democratic presidential primary on June 23 after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit upheld the decision by federal District Judge Analisa Torres ordering a primary.

The state Board of Elections had voted to cancel it amid concerns over the coronavirus. Former Vice President Joe Biden is the only candidate campaigning after U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) suspended his campaign.

Andrew Yang, who had been running in the election, had challenged the cancellation and the decision was made that the Q move was unconstitutional.

IS 238-Susan B. Anthony Academy could have a new tenant this coming September in a middle school for the Success Academy Charter FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL SHAIN Schools system. out of IS 238’s budget would remain the exclusive property of its students and staff.

Social distancing policies, as everywhere else in the school system, remain a work in Q progress.

Line-of-duty benefits push City officials are calling on state lawmakers to support line-of-duty death benefits for survivors of municipal employees who die of COVID-19.

“Our public servants have gone above and beyond during this crisis, and the loved ones of those we’ve lost deserve our full support,” Mayor de Blasio said in a Tuesday press release.

“That’s why I’m advancing State legislation to authorize line-of-duty death benefits for the families of City employees who die of COVID-19. We must honor their dedication to our city.”

The announcement said the city will work with the state Legislature to pass legislation to establish a presu mption that COV I D -19 deaths occur red in the line of duty. The mayor previously granted a 45-day extension of health insurance to surviving family members of city workers who die of COVID-19.

Several city and state lawmakers from Queens gave their support for line-of-duty benefits in statements accompanying the mayor’s, including A ssembly wom a n St acey Phef fer Amato (D-Rockaway Park), a member of the Gover n ment al Employees Q Committee.

C M SQ page 11 Y K

LEARN HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AND OTHERS AT HOME. WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19?

• The most common symptoms are fever, cough, sore throat and shortness of breath. Other symptoms include feeling achy, loss of taste or smell, headache, and diarrhea.

• Most people with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) will have mild or moderate symptoms and can get better on their own.

WHO IS MOST AT RISK FOR SERIOUS ILLNESS? • People age 50 or older (people age 65 or older are at the highest risk) • People who have other health conditions, such as: Lung disease Kidney disease Asthma Liver disease Heart disease Cancer Obesity A weakened immune system Diabetes

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I GET SICK WITH COVID-19 SYMPTOMS?

If you or someone in your home is sick: • Create physical distance: Do not have visitors.

WHEN CAN I LEAVE MY HOME AFTER BEING SICK? • If you have been sick, stay home until: You are fever-free for three days without Tylenol or other medication and It has been at least seven days since your symptoms started and Your symptoms have improved • Reminder: New York is on PAUSE. This means that even if you have been sick, you should only leave your home for essential work or errands, or to exercise, while staying at least 6 feet from others.

NEED HELP? • If you are having a medical emergency, call 911.

• If you do not have a doctor but need one, call 844-NYC-4NYC (844-692-4692). New York City provides care, regardless of immigration status, insurance status or ability to pay.

• For more information, call 311 or visit nyc.gov/coronavirus.

The NYC Health Department may change recommendations as the situation evolves.

4.20

For the latest news visit qchron.com

If you are sick with COVID-19 symptoms, assume you have it. When you are sick: • If you have trouble breathing, pain or pressure in your chest, are confused or cannot stay awake, or have bluish lips or face, call 911 immediately.

• Call your doctor if you are age 50 or older or have a health condition that puts you at increased risk, or if you do not feel better after three days.

• Always contact a doctor or go to the hospital if you have severe symptoms of COVID-19 or another serious health issue.

• Do not leave your home except to get necessary medical care or essential food or supplies (if someone cannot get them for you).

• If you must leave your home: Avoid crowded places.

Stay at least 6 feet from others.

Cover your nose and mouth with a bandana, scarf or other face covering.

Wash your hands before you go out, and use alcohol-based hand sanitizer while outside.

• Household members can go out for essential work and needs but should monitor their health closely.

Stay at least 6 feet from others.

Sleep head-to-toe if you share a bed with someone who is sick, or sleep on the couch.

Keep people who are sick separate from those at risk for serious illness.

• Cover up: Cover your nose and mouth with a bandana, scarf or other face covering when you are within 6 feet of others.

Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or your inner elbow.

• Keep it clean: Throw tissues into the garbage immediately after use.

Wash your hands often with soap for 20 seconds, especially after you cough or sneeze.

Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if you are unable to wash your hands.

Frequently clean surfaces you touch, such as doorknobs, light switches, faucets, phones, keys and remote controls.

Wash towels, sheets and clothes at the warmest possible setting with your usual detergent, and dry completely.

Do not share eating utensils with others, and wash them after every use.

Page 11 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, May 21, 2020

STOP THE SPREAD OF COVID-19!

QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, May 21, 2020 Page 12

C M SQ page 12 Y K

Liquor stores stay open during crisis Considered essential; sales are steady after initial pandemic spike

by David Russell Associate Editor

Liquor stores are considered an essential business and have been allowed to remain open during the coronavirus crisis.

And they’re doing well.

“We’re seeing a lot of people that we didn’t know before,” Betty Ann Deegan, owner of Deegan’s Wines & Liquors at 95-19 Jamaica Ave. in Woodhaven, told the Chronicle Tuesday.

Deegan said there was an increase in sales as the government ordered many businesses to close, while limiting restaurants and bars to takeouts and deliveries.

“There was a spike in business then, definitely,” she said. “Because people were like, ‘Oh, They’re going to close you, they’re going to close you.’ And they were stocking up.”

Gov. Cuomo signed the “New York State on Pause” executive order in late March to limit the spread of COVID-19.

The State Liquor Authority put out a press release clarifying that liquor stores could remain open. The stores were covered under essential manufacturing, including food processing, which applies to all foods and beverages, and essential retail, consisting of grocery stores, which encompasses all food and beverage stores.

Deegan said she was relieved when she learned she would be allowed to stay open.

“I really didn’t know what I would do if I was told to close because you’ve already ordered stuff, you have it in here and the bills are due in 30 days,” she said.

Deegan said newcomers to the store may have seen their usual liquor store close and that customers have been socially distancing, covering their faces if they forget to come in with a mask.

There have also been more deliveries. She did add that sales calmed down after the spike when people realized the business was going to stay open.

She did admit to having some survivor’s guilt.

“Other people had to close and we didn’t,” Deegan said.

Sutphin Boulevard Liquor Store at 95-25 Sutphin Blvd. in Jamaica also saw a large increase in sales at first but it has leveled off, according to owner Luis Pedres.

“It goes on and off,” he said. “It’s slow, it’s not busy. It’s busy, then it’s sort of slow, then it’s busy again, then it’s sort of slow.”

Pedres said he believes the increase in sales early on was not only because of consumer fears that the business would close but also because people could use its products as a substitute for hand sanitizer.

“So I guess people use it also to make their own hand sanitizer when it was selling out

everywhere,” he said.

Closing liquor stores during the pandemic could have led to more stress on hospitals and medical centers, experts say.

“Each year there are roughly 250,000 emergency department visits and 850 deaths related to alcohol withdrawal,” National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Director George Koob told Newsweek in early April.

“Abruptly limiting access to alcohol could lead to an increase in withdrawal among people with severe alcohol use disorder and add to the burden on the healthcare system.”

Deegan and Pedres said they haven’t seen anybody stumbling around the store looking to be in desperate need of a drink.

Deegan said some different items are selling better than usual because of new customers.

She said there have been slightly slower deliveries during the crisis.

“We always used to get next-day deliveries,” Deegan said. “They’re not always next-day.

Sometimes it’s a couple of days.”

She said it can become “a little iffy” deciding on when to order items and that sometimes she has to tell a customer to wait a few days for something.

“We’re trying to anticipate when we’re going to get something,” Deegan said, adding that she expects good sales from people who have yards Q and want to have Memorial Day picnics.

Liquor stores are considered essential businesses and have remained open during the PHOTO BY DAVID RUSSELL coronavirus crisis.

Businesses look to get their bearings With federal loans approved, many try to plan for reopening opportunities

by Michael Gannon

For the latest news visit qchron.com

Editor

The federal Paycheck Protection Program has, in its second round, been reaching and helping businesses in the borough that have been hammered by the public and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some business owners are trying to keep going as best they can, with hopes that they will, after the current eight-week period, qualify for at least some forgiveness of what needs to be paid back.

Others are very dependent on circumstances almost as much out of their control as the pandemic has been.

Jay Hachadoorian owns Crossfit Gantry, a gym in Long Island City; Fran BidermanGross is the founder and CEO of Advantages, a branding, marketing and digital services agency in Kew Gardens. Both were denied loans in the first round.

Biderman-Gross, a board member of the Queens Chamber of Commerce, wasn’t completely stunned to find out that the big banks courted big clients first.

“I don’t know of anyone who was funded for under $2 million in the first round,” she said. She went through her regular bank and filled out all the required information, only to not hear back and to soon discover that the initial funding had been exhausted.

“I don’t know why I was surprised,” she said. But she said the second round to her knowledge has been far easier, with some businesses that did not even file until after her loan was approved getting funding themselves.

Biderman-Gross was able to go through her regular banker. Hachadoorian wasn’t so lucky.

“I’ve been with my bank for eight or nine years,” he said. “I have a line of credit with them.” He succeeded with an approved online lender. He said, in hindsight, there were sound reasons for his first denial, many, he said, caused by the lack of clarity from the U.S. Small Business Administration on the rules and qualifications.

“At our gym you make appointments with specific instructors or to attend specific classes,” he said. “We’re not a gym where you just show up and begin working out. My instructors are classified as independent contractors. I’m a sole proprietor, and I even do my own books.”

The instructors, he discovered, didn’t qualify under the regulations. He also believes small independent businesses had another handicap.

“Large businesses may have accountants and lawyers on staff,” he said. “If you’re a smaller business, your application may have been one of 10 or 12 you r

Fran Biderman-Gross of Advantages says businesses need to look for new opportunities that will be presented in the post-COVID-19 COURTESY PHOTO landscape. accountant was working on.”

Glenn Greenidge, executive director of the of the Sutphin Boulevard Business Improvement District in Jamaica, believes that the bigger banks have to work more with smaller businesses.

“Businesses with three or four employees, businesses that clear $300,000 or $400,000 a year,” he told the Chronicle in a telephone interview. “I know some barber shops and

beauty salons that are paying $7,000 a month rent and have been out for two months. I’m not sure they’ll be able to open up, and if they do, that they’ll be able to survive.”

Hachadoorian said his gym has put up online offerings, though those have not approached normal revenue levels. He said the eight-week limit on the loan could be troublesome for businesses that don’t know when they can get back to full openings.

“We don’t now where the governor considers gyms to be,” he said. “Are we services or are we recreation? If we’re placed at level four, we might not be able to reopen until August.”

Biderman-Gross said no one really knows what the landscape will look like.

“But I like to think we can look for opportunities,” she said. She said the situation brought a new client looking for Advantages’ services with their own post-COVID future in mind, allowing her to rehire some of her workers to get the job done. They also have been reaching out to existing clients just to check in on them and see if they need help.

Biderman-Gross said the city and the country rebounded after 9/11, the economic collapse of 2008, hurricanes and more.

“Reinvention seems to be my middle name,” she said. “I like to look for opportunity. We have the opportunity to start over ... we Q just have to find it.”

C M SQ page 13 Y K

Two miles of road, one-mile bicycle path set aside by mayor and DOT

by Michael Gannon Editor

The city last Wednesday added just under two miles of open streets and nearly a full mile of temporary bike paths in Queens to its roster of temporary open space.

The streets were part of 12 more miles of open roads and nine miles of protected bike lanes announced by Mayor de Blasio and Department of Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg.

The aim is to set up areas for cyclists and pedestrians to gather that are free from most motor vehicles while allowing for social distancing. The hours are generally from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The aim is to eventually have 40 to 100 miles available through the duration of COVID-19-related shutdowns.

“Now that warmer weather has arrived, New Yorkers will need more options to enjoy the outdoors at a safe, social distance,” said Mayor de Blasio in a prepared statement The 1.95 miles of new open street segments in Queens include: • 0.89 mile of 34th Avenue between 78th Street and Junction Boulevard in Jackson Heights; • 0.19 mile of Skillman Avenue from 39th Place and 43rd Street in Sunnyside; • 0.43 mile of 39th Avenue between Woodside and Barnett avenues in Sunnyside;

This small segment of Roosevelt Avenue will act as a southern extension of Leonard Square for GOOGLE MAPS IMAGE the use of bikers and walkers in Flushing.

• 0.28 mile of 5th Street between 46th and 49th avenues in Long Island City; • 0.16 mile on 27th Street from Hunter Street to Queens Plaza South in Long Island City; • 0.09 mile on Roosevelt Avenue between 155th Street and Northern Boulevard on Flushing; and • 0.1 mile of Peck Avenue between 137th and Main streets in Flushing.

All the streets will be enforced and managed by local NYPD precincts.

A bike path of 0.98 mile will be dedicated in Astoria between Queens Plaza North and Hoyt Avenue North.

“As we continue our efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19, we are also working to help New Yorkers travel more safely by bringing new temporary bike lanes and open streets to more neighborhoods ...” Trotten-

berg said. City Council members in the designated areas were on board.

“These temporary open streets are a great opportunity to provide additional open space for pedestrians and bicyclists so they can maintain social distance while enjoying the outdoors,” said Councilman Peter Koo (D-Flushing).

Councilman Paul Vallone (D-Bayside) said the additions are very well-timed.

“With warmer weather on the horizon, more of our New Yorkers will be bound for recreation in our parks and green spaces,” he said.

“Creating more open spaces and closing these streets for pedestrians enables a healthy environment for people to get exercise while also keeping their distance from others,” said Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Sunnyside). “I am pleased to see so many sites chosen in the district. I am also thrilled with the Mayor’s announcement of a protected bike lane on Crescent Street, which I believe will save lives and go a long way towards making our environment more sustainable by creating more transportation options.”

Cristina Furlong, founder of Make Queens Safer, also was pleased.

“This is a proactive step not only to protect pedestrians, but also to prioritize healthy Q choices,” she said.

Page 13 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, May 21, 2020

More closed streets opened in Queens

CL ASS OF 2020

Graduation KEEPSAKE ISSUE With traditional proms and graduation ceremonies postponed or canceled, congratulating our graduates is more important than ever.

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Deadline: June 9th

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This year's special Graduation issue is the ideal opportunity for parents and grandparents to share their graduate's accomplishments with the community. And for schools, businesses and organizations to show their support for the Class of 2020.

QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, May 21, 2020 Page 14

C M SQ page 14 Y K

Bankruptcy lawyers talk COVID-19 crisis Experts talk about finances during and after the pandemic occurs

by David Russell

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act permits businesses with Executive orders are putting a halt on debts of less than $7.5 million to get Chapevictions and lawsuits as creditors can’t ter 11 relief, nearly tripling the previous total. take action during the coronavirus crisis.

The attorneys noted that Chapter 11 is “What I anticipate once it starts to open up, there’s just going to be a flood of all very costly over time and is really meant for sorts of litigation, all sorts of bankruptcy larger businesses, whereas Chapter 7 is a that are going to come out from this,” said liquidation process and Chapter 13 is for attorney Amish Doshi during a webinar people with income looking to repay debt with nearly 40 people, mostly lawyers, held over a certain period of time.

“Exploring bankruptcy is certainly an last Thursday by the South Asian and Indooption for certain Car ibbean Bar people that, if you A s s o c i a t io n of know it’s not realQueens. The event was held to hat’s a staggering statistic.” istic for them to repay their debt,” show c r e d it or s — Seni Popat on unemployment numbers Popat said. and debtors their Doshi said options. there’s an anticiAttorney Seni Popat added, “There’s no question that pation of overcrowding in bankruptcy courts after the pandemic ends and that they’re going to rise.”

Popat said bankruptcy courts are under- they may not be equipped “just in terms of staffed with the demand they’re going to economics and manpower to handle this or at least they’re going to be falling behind.” face when the pandemic ends.

That will mean, he said, more pressure He also noted that government relief “has on the creditors to do the legwork. barely reached a lot of the small businesses.”

Doshi said it’s important to consider the Americans are carrying $687 billion in credit card debt that isn’t paid in full each relationship of the parties when looking to month and now 36.5 million have filed for collect debt during and after the crisis.

“Were they always on time but now unemployment.

“That’s a staggering statistic,” Popat said. they’re not ... or was there an underlying The number makes up about one-fifth of problem to begin with?” he said. “Every month the landlord had to call the tenant the workforce, according to Doshi.

“It means you are going to be impacted and say, ‘Hey, I didn’t get my month,’ whether it’s your clients are looking for whether it’s residential or commercial.”

Doshi said if the problems are related to somebody like Seni to help out and get them bankruptcy or whether your clients the coronavirus it can be worked out “so have to need somebody on the creditor’s that they can make it through the crisis and side because one of their customers or ten- not have to push them into bankruptcy.”

He said landlords and tenants are trying ants or vendors have filed for bankruptcy,” to get through this together. he said.

“Believe it or not, a lot of people are Popat did point out an option small businicer than one would think,” Doshi said. Q nesses can use, Chapter 11 Subchapter V. Associate Editor

“T

PHOTOS COURTESY ONCA

Tasty tokens of appreciation At the top, some of the cops enjoying 50 bagels donated by Food Emporium are joined

by ONCA Vice President Nadira Indelicato, left, Wilson, Caruana, Garcia and, seated, ONCA Social Media Director Joe Indelicato.

The group was expected, and the officers went through the fare fast, while Caruana spoke of everyone’s appreciation for the work they are doing in these stressful times.

Above, four of the Bravest, who got to enjoy another three dozen bagels the ONCA purchased, are joined by Garcia, Nadira Indelicato, Caruana and Wilson.

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The Our Neighbors Civic Association of Ozone Park and Food Emporium in Lindenwood teamed up Tuesday to make sure the Finest and Bravest got to enjoy a worthy breakfast of bagels.

In what civic President Joe Caruana called “an amazing day” for the group, several of its leaders, joined by Howard Beach Kiwanis Club President Abe Garcia and Community Board 9 Chairman Kenny Wilson, visited police officers at the 106th Precinct and Engine 285/Ladder 142, both in Ozone Park, with more than seven dozen bagels and plenty of spreads.

C M SQ page 15 Y K

Virtual event, complete with family activities, recipe sharing and crafts

by Katherine Donlevy Associate Editor

Just because the pandemic is limiting communities from spending Memorial Day weekend together in a traditional way — parades followed by poolside parties complete with barbecue dinners, ice cream desserts and fireworks at night — doesn’t mean the holiday has to be spent apart. In order to maintain social distancing while still celebrating the weekend that marks the beginning of the summer, the American Cancer Society and the Queens Chronicle have teamed up to virtually gather with veterans, small businesses and Queens families.

“This is the first of its kind,” said ACS Community Development Manager Molly Dougherty. “We wanted to bring it to a virtual platform given the condition ... Who would have ever thought that we’d be relying on technology this way? But it’s providing an opportunity for us — It’s a way to bring us all together and adapt to our situation.”

The virtual event is entertainment for all ages, and includes segments ranging from recipe sharing, family activities and craft instructions. It will take place on Microsoft Teams on Saturday, May 23, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., available at bit.ly/3dVAer6. It is free to attend, though donations are strongly encouraged, 100 percent of which will go toward the ACS, espe-

Unfortunately, there won’t be any Memorial Day weekend parades this year featuring service members, like these in the Army, but the American Cancer Society and the Queens Chronicle are FILE PHOTO offering an alternative way for the community to gather this holiday. cially for soldiers and veterans who have received a cancer diagnosis.

“I’m telling people this event will take place in three folds. First, it’s a fundraiser and a way to promote cancer awareness ... We’re continuing to push forward in our mission to help lives and protect,” said Dougherty, adding that cancer patients are at an especially high risk dur-

ing the COVID-19 pandemic because their immune systems are lower than the average, healthy individuals.

“The second fold — it’s a way to highlight the true meaning of Memorial Day; to honor those who have served,” she continued. In addition to the activities available for families, the show will have three special guests, one of

which is a veteran who survived both his time at war as well as a cancer diagnosis.

“The third fold is a way to shed some light on local businesses,” said Dougherty. Some of the Queens restaurants that will participating in the show and sharing some culinary wisdom include Neir’s Tavern, LIC Caterers, Fillmore’s Tavern and Magna Restaurant. Businesses such as Helium Image will also appear to share some tips for creating unique at-home crafts.

“They are still here and are amazing. They have donated their time to be a part of this, and that speaks volumes.”

Though the program aims to raise awareness for cancer patients, veterans and small businesses, Doughtery says the opportunity it provides to gather as a community is invaluable.

“In my opinion, Queens has always been a strong borough. We’re tough New Yorkers,” she said. “This Memorial Day will look a lot different than last, but it’s a special holiday.

It’s definitely about honoring the holiday and being together ... and it’s a kick off of summer!”

Those interested in more information and or businesses interested in participating can contact Ree Brinn of the Queens Chronicle at (718) 669-0628 or reeb@qchron.com. To make a don at ion t o t he ACS, v isit cha r it y.gof u nd me.com /o /en /ca mpaig n / Q queenschronicle.

Page 15 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, May 21, 2020

MDW cancer fundraiser honors and assists vets

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C M SQ page 16 Y K

DA to crack down on trafficking

Donating to Critics, including former candidate, call for decriminalization the front lines

by David Russell Associate Editor

Dist r ict At tor ney Meli nd a K atz announced the creation of a Human Trafficking Bureau on Monday.

The bureau will combat sex and labor trafficking by prosecuting traffickers and buyers of sex and will connect survivors of trafficking with services to help escape.

“The sex trafficking industry is a brutal, degrading and illegal enterprise that far too often profits by forcing women, children and members of our transgender community into prostitution,” Katz said in a release.

She said the bureau is meant to end the industry as well as help “the victims find a path to freedom with services and programs that will give them positive change in their lives and a future without fear.”

Katz pointed to recent prosecutions in holding people accountable. A 23-year-old man was convicted of sex trafficking a 16-year-old victim, and a 31-year-old man pleaded guilty to attempted murder for an attack against his transgender girlfriend after she refused to continued to engage in prostitution.

The announcement was met with some criticism from those who would legalize prostitution.

“To effectively combat sex trafficking,

District Attorney Melinda Katz, seen here at her swearing in, announced the creation of a Human Trafficking Bureau for the office on FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL SHAIN Monday. we need to decriminalize sex work,” tweeted Tiffany Cabán, who lost a close race to Katz in the Democratic primary for DA last summer. “That means sellers *and* buyers.

This policy does not serve public health or public safety. It makes an already vulnerable

sex work community, more vulnerable.”

The public defender added that “sex work is survival work” for people experiencing barriers to housing, healthcare and job opportunities because of discrimination.

“We all know and love a sex worker,” Cabán tweeted.

Cabán said criminalization creates an environment where some police officers “harass, coerce & threaten sex workers in order to get information on buyers that lead to arrests. It creates opportunities for more state sanctioned violence. So no, this policy ain’t it.”

State Sen. Jessica Ramos (D-East Elmhurst) also voiced criticism.

“Prosecuting buyers of sex will only put more people in danger,” she tweeted Monday. “Customers won’t be incentivized to give sex workers their real name, thus rendering sex workers defenseless if a customer becomes violent.”

There are 24.9 million victims of sex and labor trafficking in the world, according to the 2019 Trafficking in Persons Report issued by the U.S. Department of State.

Jessica Melton, who was awarded the Thomas E. Dewey medal by the New York City Bar Association for her work in combating human trafficking in 2013, is the Q chief of the bureau.

Bills push live market suspensions Backers talk public health; Miller says work with them

by Michael Gannon

For the latest news visit qchron.com

Editor

Two bills pending in the state Legislature are aimed at suspending the permits of socalled live markets, where customers can select live animals and fowl that are then slaughtered for consumption, for up to one year while the state investigates their impact on public health safety.

In the case of kosher and halal establishments, the animals are killed and prepared under religious traditions and guidelines.

The bills, A.10399 sponsored by Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal (D-Manhattan) and S.8291 sponsored by state Sen. Luis Sepulveda (D-Bronx), say the suspensions are an emergency measure geared to prevent threats to public health such as the COVID-19 virus.

Both bills state, “Experts throughout the world have concluded that the COVID-19 crisis is likely attributable to a live animal market ...” Rosenthal’s office acknowledged the Chronicle’s efforts to speak with her or get a statement, but provided neither prior to Wednesday’s publication deadline.

A press release on her website said the aim of the bills is “to determine whether any amount of regulation can make the slaughterhouses safe enough to operate.”

“As policymakers, we have a responsibili-

ty to respond to this crisis by doing everything in our power to prevent the next pandemic,” she said. “Closing New York’s live animal markets, which operate in residential neighborhoods and do not adhere to even the most basic sanitary standards, until we determine whether they can be made safe, is a vital first step.” Sepulveda said there are about 80 such markets in the city, that they are poorly regulated and that they pose risks to workers and the general public.

The Chronicle visited two live markets on Jamaica Avenue in Queens Village this week, but the owners did not respond to requests for interviews or comments.

Edita Birnkrant, executive director of New Yorkers for Clean, Livable and Safe Streets, backs both bills. The Queens resident organized a protest in front of a live poultry establishment in Ridgewood on May 6, and said she approaches it from both public health and animal welfare directions.

“Neighbors have complained to us that they find blood, fecal matter and body parts on the sidewalk,” Birnkrant told the Chronicle in an interview. “And this is wedged into a residential neighborhood. The smell in the summer is terrible.”

She said animal refuge organizations with whom NYCLASS works have received animals from live markets that have tested posi-

tive for numerous diseases and bacteria; that the animals are kept in inhumane conditions; and that state documents obtained through freedom of information requests disclose numerous violations found at live markets through the state.

City Councilman Daneek Miller (D-St. Albans) has many such markets in his district. He also is the only Muslim on the Council.

Miller, in a email, said public safety is and must remain the top priority, given how the coronavirus has changed the world in a brief time.

“In Southeast Queens, there are some live markets in densely populated areas, which is another consideration that a task force might need to consider should this legislation pass,” Miller said. “With that in mind, there is a balance that must be kept.

Revoking the licenses of existing businesses for a one-year period would be detrimental to the communities that rely on them.

Families throughout the state, and many in the outer boroughs, are dependent on these markets for food, including that which is certified as halal and kosher. We may consider a moratorium on granting new licenses until we’ve fully addressed health standards, but we should be working with existQ ing markets instead of closing them.”

MediSys Health Network is accepting monetary donations to support its Flushing and Jamaica Hospital Medical Centers staff during the pandemic.

Contributions will be put toward providing support to doctors, nurses and other frontline medical professionals in a variety of ways, including obtaining appropriate equipment and supplies and providing meals, lodging and transportation services. “[MediSys] front-line employees have been working tirelessly to treat the large number of patients and families affected by the Coronavirus outbreak. We are accepting donations to help us as we provide care to our community. Donate now,” the health network’s website reads.

Those interested in mak ing a donation by credit or debit card can do so by visiting f lushinghospital. org/donatenow and jamaicahospital. org/donate-today.

To donate supplies, such as personal protective equipment and other gea r, email COV I DDonat ions @ jhmc.org.

For more infor mation, contact Michael Hinck at mhinck@jhmc.org or (718) 206-6020.

Grocery boxes continued from page 4 “We’re looking for free food because the supermarket raised the prices,” said Lucia Flores. “A steak is $11.”

In lieu of fresh meat from the store, the boxes each contained two cans of meat or fish, among around 20 other items. ONCA was also able to provide a supply of bread, eggs and diapers for many of the families.

“I’ve been in this country over half my life. I’ve seen the blackout, I’ve seen Sandy. I’ve never seen anything like Q this,” said Rezk.

OPRBA civic group plans food giveaway The Ozone Park Residents Block Association will on May 26 be giving away food secured from FreshDirect

by Assembly ma n Mi ke Miller (D-Woodhaven).

Those in need are asked to visit facebook.com/groups/Ozoneparkvoice or send an email to ozpkrba@aol.com.

An email with a number of details, all of them listed on the Facebook page, will be required to qualify.

The civic is not announcing the time and place of the giveaway and promises that it will not have hundreds of people wait in line for food; Q nor will it run out.

C M SQ page 17 Y K

Home renovation projects can pay numerous dividends. Renovations can have a positive effect on resale value, make homes more livable for residents and, in some ways, make homes more affordable.

Renovation projects that aim to conserve energy can save homeowners substantial amounts of money.

Such projects don’t often require considerable effort or even sizable financial invest ments, which can make homeowners skeptical as to just how much they can save after completing the project. But the scale of a project may have little to do with how much homeowners will save. For example, the U.S. Department of Energy notes that a relatively effortless task like turning back a thermostat between 7° and 10° F for eight hours per day can save homeowners as much as $83 per year. A more labor-intensive task like planting shade trees saves homeowners an average of between $35 and $119 per year.

When looking for ways to conserve energy around the house and save money, homeowners need not necessarily commit to expensive projects. The DOE notes that the following are some energy-saving

projects and details what homeowners can expect to save after completing them.

While each individual project may not result in jaw-dropping savings, homeowners who follow many of these recommendations may end up saving more than $1,000 per year.

Project: Install exterior low-e storm windows.

What is it? Low-e windows reflect infrared heat back into a home. Such windows are coated with a n u lt r a-t h i n laye r of metal that improves the window’s insulation ability.

How much can I save?

Homeowners who install low-e windows can save between 12 and 33 percent on their annual heating and cooling costs.

Project: Seal uncontrolled air leaks.

What is it? Air leaks let cool air in during winter and warm air in during summer. Caulking, sealing and weather stripping all cracks and large openings can cut back on air leaks that are costing you money. The DOE recommends hiring a contractor to seal any leaks on heating and cooling ducts.

How much can I save? Homeowners

who seal uncontrolled air leaks can save between 10 and 20 percent on their annual heating and cooling bills.

Project: Plant shade trees.

What is it? If you plant a deciduous tree between six and eight feel tall near your home, it will begin to shade your windows within a year of being planted.

Depending on the species of the tree and the home, the shade tree will begin shading the roof within five to 10 years. The DOE notes that shading is the most costeffective way to reduce air conditioning costs.

How much can I save? Properly planted shade trees can reduce air conditioning costs by anywhere from 15 to 50 percent.

Project: Insulate the water heater tank.

What is it? New water tanks are likely already insulated. But homeowners with older hot water tanks can insulate their tanks with a water heater insulating blanket kit.

How much can I save? Insulating a water heater tank can save homeowners as much as 16 percent on their annual water heating bills.

Even the smallest DIY projects can produce big savings. More information about energy-saving home improvement projects can be found at www.energy.gov. Q — Metro Creative Connection

Page 17 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, May 21, 2020

Projects that conserve energy around the house

Homeowners who seal uncontrolled air leaks can save between 10 and 20 percent on their annual heating and cooling bills.

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Have a more energy-efficient home this summer With weather forecasts calling for a warmer than normal summer and social distancing encouraging us to spend more time at home, we could all benefit from boosting our home’s energy efficiency to save on energy bills.

Here are some big and small changes that could help: Start with a solid foundation. If you’re adding an extension to your home, a pool to your backyard or even planning a custom-built dream home, choose sust ai nable materials that promote energ y conservation.

Instead of trad it io n a l wo o d framing, consider insulated concrete forms from Nudura. The ecof r iend ly alter native feat u res ther mal mass walls that can reduce heating and cooling costs by up to 60 percent a year.

Work on your windows. Did you know that about 15 to 20 percent of your home’s surface is windows? This means any issues

with them can have a major impact on your energy consumption. Take time to caulk any gaps o r a i r le a k s , a n d c o n sid e r upgrading to energy-eff icient windows. Double-paned windows boost your insulation and help ensure your cooled, air-conditioned air doesn’t escape.

Sw itch to outdoor energ y s o u r c e s . Ta k e advantage of the gorgeous weather to spend more time outside.

Instead of cooking meals in your energy-intensive ove n t h a t a l s o heat s up you r home, break out the barbecue and enjoy d i n ner al f resco. You can also ease up on the clothes dryer by set ting up a line and some pins in the backyard and use the wind and sun for drying power.

Install a smart weather station. Technology can help you make sure you’re consuming energy wisely. A smart thermostat is a great idea, but a smart

Switch to outdoor energy sources to make your home energy-efficient. weather station can work with it and other devices to go a step b eyond , prog r a m m i ng t he m around cur rent and predicted weather patterns. For example, it can ensure your scheduled sprinkler won’t go off in the middle of a downpour.

Be mindful of your refrigera-

tor. If you aren’t careful, a lot of energ y can be used by you r fridge. First, make sure the one in your kitchen (and basement) is a newer model, as older ones can cost hundreds more a year to power. Then, clear it out so the shelves and drawers aren’t overcrowded, which makes the fridge

work harder to pump cool air throughout. Finally, if you let leftovers (covered, of course) cool on the counter before putting them inside, your fridge will use less energy.

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Today’s first-time homebuyers face a variety of hurdles when trying to enter the real estate market. While interest rates remain low and there are is still inventory coming into the market, many buyers continue to feel frustration in finding and financing a home.

Additionally, high levels of student loan debt and entry-level jobs that didn’t pay as much as expected have made homeownership financially difficult for millennials. Many have opted to move in with their parents and save money to purchase a home.

Although being a first-time homebuyer is exciting, it can also be overwhelming. Here are a few tips to ensure a smooth process and happy outcome so you don’t delay buying a home.

Explore what you can afford: It’s important to purchase a home that is within your means but you can actually afford.

Save for closing costs: There are some “hidden costs” associated with buying a home. Closing costs, or fees included at the closing of a real estate transaction, can include a number of charges such as appraisal and attorney fees, recording fees, title and escrow charges. Buyers and sellers often split closing costs, and buyers can typically expect to pay 3 to 4 percent of the cost of the home in closing costs. That means if you buy a $200,000 home, estimated closing costs will be between $6,000 and $8,000. Working with a transparent real estate and mortgage company will also help you manage costs to

ensure there are no surprises along the way.

Manage debt and down payments: You may have heard that you need to eliminate debt and save 20 percent down to purchase a home.

Although those are good goals, there are more flexible loan products available for many types of borrowers. Many lenders have loan programs that make it possible for borrowers with some debt or less-than-perfect credit to qualify for mortgage loans, eliminating some of the barriers first-time homebuyers face. You may be able to qualify for a loan with a down payment of just 3.5 percent.

Research neighborhoods: Housing varies greatly from city to city. It’s important to research the areas you want to live in. This will be unique to each homebuyer, but consider school boundaries, population demographics, crime rates, access to resources like public transportation and commute times to work.

Think long-term: Although your first home won’t likely be your last, it’s important to think long-term. According to the National Association of Realtors, the average time a homeowner stays in a house is 10 years. You want something that you plan to live in for at least the next few years.

A few smart steps can make the first-time homebuying experience easy and stress free.

With a little proactive planning and a few good resources, you’ll have keys to your home in Q hand in no time.

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Page 19 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, May 21, 2020

Real estate tips for first-time homebuyers

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The concept of “social distancing” was no news and social media with other activities doubt a mystery to millions of people prior unrelated to social distancing or quaranto 2020. But in the wake of the outbreak of tine. Make a conscious effort each day to COVID-19, a novel coronavirus that was first read a book, listen to music or even learn discovered in China in late 2019 but soon a new language.

• Get news from reliable sources. Inacspread across the globe, social distancing has become a household term. curate information about COVID-19 can Social distancing refers to actions delib- spread fear, making it even more difficult erately designed to increase the physical for people to cope with social distancing. space between people to avoid spreading The APA recommends people get their illness. The American Psychological Asso- information from news outlets that rely ciation notes that social distancing typically on trusted organizations like the Centers requires that people stay at least six feet for Disease Control and Prevention and the apart from each other while also avoiding World Health Organization. gathering spaces such as schools, churches, • Maintain virtual connections with others. concert halls and public Face-to-face interactions t ranspor tation. In an may not be possible, but effort to prevent commuthe APA notes the value of nity spread, many state phone calls, text messages, ocial distancing has and provincial governvideo chat and social proven challenging ment s m a nd at ed t he media. These channels of closure of all businesses communication provide for millions of people an opportunity to stay deemed “nonessential,” forcing many working connected with loved ones across the globe. professionals to work and express emotions. from home full-time and • Maintain a healthy temporarily putting millions of additional lifestyle. The APA advises everyone to get workers out of work. enough sleep, eat well and exercise while Social distancing measures are designed social distancing. Do not cope with the to serve the greater good, and these efforts issues that result from social distancing can be effective at stopping the spread of by using alcohol or drugs, which may only harmful viruses like COVID-19. But social exacerbate feelings of anxiety and depresdistancing also can produce unwanted side sion. People also can consider their teleeffects. The APA notes that research has health options so they can access psychoshown that people who are social distancing therapists to help them. may be vulnerable to fear and anxiety; Social distancing has proven challenging depression and boredom; anger, frustration for millions of people across the globe. As or irritability; and stigmatization. However, difficult as social distancing can be, there the APA also notes that research has uncov- are ways for people to cope and stay in ered successful ways to cope with social touch with their loved ones. More informadistancing. tion about social distancing is available at Q • Make time for fun activities. Psycholo- apa.org. gists recommend balancing time spent on — Metro Creative Connection

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Life changed overnight for millions of people across the globe in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, which shuttered businesses and forced many people to follow stay-at-home measures issued by their local governments. These measures not only affect the overall health of those infected with the virus, but also those who experience no symptoms and even tested negative for COVID-19.

In recognition of the mental toll that social distancing and stay-at-home measures can take, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised people to exercise regularly. But opportunities to exercise seemingly dried up when stay-at-home guidelines were issued and gyms were shuttered.

People without exercise equipment at home suddenly found themselves wondering how they could stay fit and keep their bodies in the best possible condition to fight a virus that has claimed thousands of lives. Thankfully, there are ways to stay fit and keep immune systems strong without violating stay-athome measures.

• Access online exercise programs. Many gyms that were forced to close to help stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus began offering exercise tutorials and classes via social media or websites such as YouTube.

These videos can be invaluable resources, teaching people how to stay fit at home even

Going for a jog outside is the simplest way to work out during the pandemic. if they don’t have weights or other equipment on hand. In addition to gym-sponsored exercise tutorials, the internet is loaded with free exercise videos and advice that can help people without access to a gym get fit or

maintain their fitness routines.

• Go back to the basics. Many people no doubt recall gym class from their school days.

Such classes teach youngsters the basics of physical fitness without employing dumb-

bells or advanced exercise machines. Those same basic exercises that work for youngsters, including push-ups, sit-ups and lunges, can be effective for adults as well. If it’s been a while since you’ve done your most recent push-up, access an online tutorial so you can be certain your form is correct.

• Do some yard work. It might not feel as high-intensity as a spinning class or a Pilates session, but yard work can be a great workout.

Dust off the push mower the next time the grass needs to be cut, and get to work on pulling weeds in garden beds. The added benefit to yard work is it provides a great opportunity to get some fresh air without violating social distancing guidelines.

• Go for a jog. Perhaps the simplest way to exercise during the pandemic is to go for a daily jog. According to the Mayo Clinic, aerobic exercise repeatedly moves large muscles in the arms, legs and hips while engaging the immune system and helping it to ward off minor viral illnesses. That makes an early morning jog an especially valuable, not to mention easily accessible, way to exercise during the pandemic.

Exercise can help people maintain their immune systems in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, and there are many simple ways to stay fit with a little physical activity even Q while social distancing.

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QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, May 21, 2020 Page 22

C M SQ page 22 Y K

Will summer camp be canceled too?

Commonpoint Queens plans to give children a home for the season

by Katherine Donlevy Associate Editor

City-run summer camps were just one of the hundreds of other slashings made by Mayor de Blasio in April as part of his efforts to mitigate pandemic-driven fiscal shortfalls, but several private organizations, like Commonpoint Queens, have full plans to continue offering camp programs to kids who have nowhere else to go this summer.

“We as a society have to take care of everyone safely that gives everyone what they need,” Melissa Algranati, Commonpoint’s Island Quest Day Camp director, told the Chronicle. “These kids have been put in a difficult situation at a young age ... Try telling a 5-year-old what social distancing is or that the things they look forward to all year are canceled ... they’re stressed.”

Commonpoint has been running emergency childcare since the beginning of the pandemic and plans to continue in the case that the regular camp season is canceled. Among other organizations, the YMCA of Greater New York closed its Sleepaway Camp for the remainder of 2020, and World of Discovery Day Camp of Bayside is waiting until around June 1 to

City-run summer camp programs are canceled for the season, but other organizations are considering creative ways to stay open and FILE PHOTO maintain health guidelines. decide whether it will open for the season. But for now Algranati says Commonpoint still has plans to open day camp because “childcare is just the reality. Parents need somewhere to bring their children.”

Commonpoint is an American Camp Association-accredited organization, and runs daily operations according to its health guidelines as well as those of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but Algranati says the parameters are changing constant-

ly in the face of the novel virus.

“There’s something new to the story every week. We have guidelines on how to safely group kids, our staff knows how to maintain distancing,” she said. “We’re figuring the system as we’re going and ... it’s a really tricky situation. It’s like building a plane as you’re flying.”

Commonpoint traditionally opens its summer camp in early July after the holiday, which leaves some time for Algranati and her colleagues to prepare for accommodations and ACA and CDC guideline changes that may occur between now and then. In the meantime, the camp counselors have been brainstorming ways to keep camp fun and exciting for kids while still keeping it safe.

“How do you change a game [to maintain social distance]? That’s part of the challenge,” she said. “How can I imagine it in a new way that is exciting for the kids, but still consistent with health guidelines?”

Part of the solution is utilizing the outdoors, Algranati said, because it provides wider space between individuals, circulated air and healthier conditions. The health of the children is paramount to Commonpoint Queens counselors, which includes their mental health.

“The ways camps change a kid’s life in a positive way ... The learning in a classroom — it’s part of the magic that doesn’t translate virtually,” Algranati said, adding that camp subtly equips children with tools they often don’t realize they’re learning, making it a space for education and social growth rather than just a daycare.

Despite the ideal, Algranati noted that certain directives could determine that only children of essential workers could be allowed to come to summer camp, a rule that could change every few weeks as the city progresses through the pandemic.

“Phase one, essential workers are hospital workers, phase two could be construction workers,” she said as an example. “It’s a moving target.

Although uncertainty surrounds the 2020 summer camp season, Algranati noted that she personally feels prepared to continue operations full steam ahead.

“You sign up for a job and you do what’s needed to be done,” she said. “I’m blessed to work in an environment where we’re given the tools to stay safe, so on that level I feel like I’m Q being taken care of.”

Bel Aire brings back happy days

“As we celebrate Memorial Day, we remember the brave men and women who sacrificed their lives for the freedom we hold so dearly today.”

Assemblyman

Mike Miller 83-91 Woodhaven Boulevard Woodhaven, NY 11421 Tel: (718) 805-0950 millermg@nyassembly.gov

MIMI-077788

For the latest news visit qchron.com

PHOTO BY WALTER KARLING

The Bel Aire Diner in Astoria has found a great way for people to spend a night out while social distancing, turning the parking lot at Broadway and 21st Street into a small drive-in movie theater. And it’s been packed! The diner already has shown favorites including “Grease,” “The Sandlot” and “Dirty Dancing,” left, with more being planned all the time. For the latest information, don’t call Moviefone, check out belairediner.nyc, and keep in mind that tickets go pretty much immediately.

This weekend, we honor the brave men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

Thank you to the families of the fallen and to all who serve.

Love to all and happy summer!

Assemblywoman

Stacey Pheffer Amato STAA-077790

Screens and scenes

APEC goes online but wants kids outdoors too APEC goes online but wants kids outdoors too

ARTS, CULTURE & LIVING

by Katherine Donlevy

continued on page 25

For the latest news visit qchron.com

Spring has finally sprung, and Alley Pond Environmental Center is providing virtual programming to viewers across all ages so they can enjoy the season from inside the comfort of their own homes.

“Now is a time when fresh air and developing a respect for nature are more important than ever,” Bonnie Bromberg, APEC’s early childhood coordinator, said in an email to the Chronicle. “Although everyone is mindful of social distancing and wearing masks in public spaces, nature is still an accessible safe place. At the end of each Sunny Bunnies Story Time, we encourage children to go on a nature walk, whether it’s walking around the neighborhood, visiting a local park, looking in their backyard or just standing on their step looking around at the sky and the plants right outside their doorway.”

Sunny Bunnies Story Time is a child- and family-ba sed vir tual program available for free through APEC’s website, alleypond.org, as well as its various social media sites. The weekly collections of brief educational videos are geared toward toddlers and preschoolers to promote literacy and features Bromberg and colleague Brenda Detweiler reading aloud children’s storybooks. Each episode includes A Letter of the Day to encourage alphabet recognition, as well a s children’s songs, a discussion of natural items like animal nes t s or shells and live animal guests.

“Many parents are concerned, with good reason, about excessive amounts of screen time tthat children are binging on each day,” said B Bromberg. “[We] keep each Sunny Bunnies Story T Time to less than 10 minutes, so we don’t add to tthe burden of excessive screen time.”

Zach’s Wild World, a twice-weekly program, fo focuses on science education on various topics, ssuch as mammals, reptiles, trees and more. Upper G Grade Coordinator Zachary Kaplan releases an in interpretive science lesson each Monday through P PowerPoint, which includes the popular segment “ “Gross Fact of the Day.” On Thursdays, the prog gram takes viewers on a nature walk that makes re real-life connections to lessons discussed in Mond day’s episode.

Page 23 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, May 21, 2020

May 21, 2020

C M SQ page 23 Y K

For the latest news visit qchron.com

QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, May 21, 2020 Page 24

C M SQ page 24 Y K

I HAVE OFTEN WALKED

King Crossword Puzzle Comedian Anne Meara came from Hollis

ACROSS

1 Comes together 5 Sail support 9 Drenched 12 Met melody 13 From the beginning 14 Wall crawler 15 Voles 17 Back talk 18 Man’s hat style 19 Confound 21 First word of “America” 22 Gotham super-villain 24 Renown 27 Standard 28 Linger 31 Chicken-king link 32 Recede 33 Mongrel 34 Two-wheeler 36 Ph. bk. listings 37 Relinquish 38 Occurrence 40 Letter after lambda 41 Discussion group 43 Insect with pincers 47 Hawaiian neckpiece 48 Crockett and Tubbs’ show 51 Tolkien ogre 52 Beige 53 North Sea feeder 54 Buck’s mate 55 Deli loaves 56 Reps.’ rivals

by Ron Marzlock Chronicle Contributor

DOWN 1 Handled hook 2 Great Lake 3 Told a whopper 4 Biblical dancer 5 One of the 3 Bears 6 Blackbird 7 Moment 8 Make alterations 9 Grain also called water oats 10 Satan’s forte 11 Work at the

keyboard 16 Parched 20 Society newbie 22 Frilly blouse accessory 23 Spheres 24 “Great!”

25 Clay, today 26 “Stop fighting” 27 Teller’s partner 29 Flop 30 Before 35 Leading lady?

37 Not straight 39 “Wabbit” hunter 40 -- tai 41 Walk wearily 42 Prefix re planes 43 Flightless flock 44 -- E. Coyote 45 Warhead weapon, briefly 46 The Bee -49 Unfriendly 50 Exist

Answers on next page

Comedian Anne Meara was born in a Brooklyn hospital on Sept. 20, 1929 to firstgeneration children of Irish immigrants Mary Dempsey and Edward Joseph Meara, a rising star in the American Standard Co. — which at that time made radiators and sanitary plumbing equipment. She spent the first few years of her life in Queens at 100-15 198 St. in Hollis, on a 40-by-100-square-foot lot with a big backyard to play in, before moving out to 69 Hempstead Ave. in Rockville Centre, Long Island in 1935.

On Oct. 15, 1940, Anne’s mother committed suicide. Her father quickly sent Anne off to Catholic boarding school, but she headed for Greenwich Village to study at the Herbert Berghof HB Studio as soon as she turned 18. She also enrolled in a dramatic workshop at The New School, where she met fellow actor Jerry Stiller. The two created a comedy act, fell in love and married in 1954.

Anne and Jerry appeared on the Ed Sullivan show in 1963, becoming the biggest husband/wife comedy team since Burns and Allen. Audiences found them interesting

The childhood home of comedian Anne Meara at 100-15 198 St. in Hollis, c. midINSET PHOTO VIA WIKIPEDIA 1930s. because of their ancestry — Jerry was Jewish and Anne was Irish. Their act broke up in 1970 and they explored other projects. They later said they “didn’t know where the act ended and our marriage began.” They had two children: Amy, born 1961, and Ben, born 1965. Ben became a comedian like his parents, and named his son, born in 2005, Quinlin Dempsey in honor of Anne’s mother.

Anne passed away on May 23, 2015 at age 85; Jerry followed May 11, 2020 at age 92.

Anne’s childhood Hollis home was appraised Q at $664,000 in 2019.

C M SQ page 25 Y K

by Michael Gannon editor

If you could count on anyone to be creative in helping people stay physically and mentally active during the COVID-mandated shutdown, it would be the ar t s community.

And the Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning has responded with free rotating daily pop-up classes in dance, art, music and fitness that can be accessed on the group’s YouTube channel at youtube.com/ channel/UC_D_xuUkmrnHrDUFsg7FZCA, including three programs on Saturdays.

All times listed are through the end of May. While geared toward school-aged children, the programs were devised with all age groups in mind.

“JCAL is so proud to be able to continue to serve our community in a difficult time like this in our capacity,” Executive Director Cathy Hung said in an email to the Chroni-

Calendar Special Notice The Queens Chronicle will not be publishing What’s Happening — our Community Calendar for the time being. We look forward to resuming publication as soon as possible.

cle. “Since the lockdown, JCAL swiftly moved our culture offerings online to provide our students some normalcy and to support our parents at home. We deeply believe that culture is part of our daily life and access to the arts and culture is a right not a privilege.”

Mondays at 4 p.m. feature African dance instruction with CecileNicole Brathwaite, who has been teaching various forms of dance for 20 years, including at the Alvin Ailey School Junior Division while a student.

JCAL’s own Janora Blackman teaches hip-hop dance Tuesdays beginning at 4 p.m. The students learn different moves each session and get to show some of their own at the end of each class, getting training and a workout at the same time.

Wednesdays feature painter, sculptor and teacher Anthony Carter at 4 p.m. helping students explore how to paint or create sculptures out of everyday materials.

Programs focusing on science, technology, engineering and math from the Mentor Project are held every Thursday at 4 p.m. and Saturday at 11 a.m.

Fridays offer drama instruction with Gareth Tidball, an actress, acting teacher and dialect coach, at 4 p.m.

Saturdays feature yoga with Kecia Chin

Page 25 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, May 21, 2020

Creative approach to staying home at JCAL

Pop-up classes to tone the mind and body are being offered for those waiting out the IMAGE COURTESY JCAL end of the state pause at home. at 10 a.m., followed by music with Karin Parker at 1 p.m., with instruction in reading music, history and music appreciation.

Chris Ignacio follows up with a class in songwriting at 4 p.m.

Upcoming events include singer Thana Alexa performing on Thursday Night Jazz at 8 p.m. on June 11.

The program Friday Nights @JAC, spon-

sored by Councilman Daneek Miller (D-St. Albans), is dedicated to emerging artists seeking new audiences.

The center’s website also offers JCAL American Stories, an online creative gallery with artists not only from Queens but around the country.

Further information on upcoming programs and events is available at jcal.org. Q

APEC programming brings spring inside

Crossword Answers

In addition to its programming, APEC is hosting a “Focus of Nature Photo Contest” for children ages 12 and under. With the goal of inspiring children to go outside and explore nature found in their backyard, garden or local park, the digital photo contest will run until May 31.

Although much of its programming is curated for young viewers, APEC has devised virtual workshops and classes for adults seeking to grow in educational and physical areas as well.

“Everyone is experiencing different levels of stress these days,” Bromberg said, adding that APEC’s Lakshmi Voelker Chair Yoga, offered Fridays in May from 4:30 to 5:40 p.m., aims to help promote self-care and provide an outlet for relaxation. Christina Rossi, a certified instructor, leads the class with poses that are modified in order to be attainable while providing the same benefits as traditional yoga positions.

“As we all spend more time at home, we are all cooking more,” Bromberg continued.

“Now is the perfect time to develop new culinary skills and try cooking new ethnic foods.”

The Chef Mom Irie-Experience, led by

Bonnie Bromberg, left, and Brenda Detweiler read aloud “Who Hops?” by Katie Davis during one Sunny Bunnies Story Time virtual program. On the cover: Zachary Kaplan explores the outdoors in Zach’s Wild World, and youngsters are encouraged to submit nature photos for a contest, like APEC SCREENSHOTS, CHILDREN’S PHOTOS these taken by Miriam, 10, Constain, 7, and Timmy, 3 1/2.

Nicola Campbell on May 22 from 6:30 to 8 p.m., will focus on Jamaican-style summer grilling, and promises to include jamming to irie reggae tunes, while Cooking in Quarantine by Chef Biny on May 24 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. will educate viewers on how to make their own vegetarian Bangladeshi

comfort foods.

While children’s programs are being offered for free, the live classes for adults are $10, the funds of which will go toward caring for APEC’s Animal Ambassadors. The center also welcomes donations to help Q “keep the lights on.”

For the latest news visit qchron.com

continued from page 23 Additionally, a collection of nature crafts and activities are available on the center’s homepage along with instructions on how to make items such as “Maple Seed Dragonflies,” “Acorn Necklaces” and “Frog Life Cycle Story Stones.”

“The nature crafts and science activities posted on the APEC website are also intended to help children make further connections with the outdoors,” said Bromberg.

QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, May 21, 2020 Page 26

C M SQ page 26 Y K

Porn star’s beloved wood getting axed Parks Dept. orders erect tree at Ron Jeremy’s childhood home to go

by Katherine Donlevy Associate Editor

The city said Ron Jeremy’s 67-year-old wood is in “poor condition.”

To be clear, we’re talking about the dying Norway maple in front of the porn star’s childhood home in Bayside.

A spokesperson from the Department of Parks and Recreation told the Chronicle that its foresters inspected the 23-inch-diameter tree on May 1 and found that “less than half of the tree’s canopy remains and the few branches left are likely to fall but do not pose an imminent safety threat.” Because of its status, it will be taken down sometime in the future.

Jeremy, who said the tree was planted by his father on March 12, 1953, the day the adult film superstar was born, was devastated to hear the news.

“I used to cuddle the tree all the time ... The tree and me were born the same day. Me and the tree have a kinship ... We used to just hug all the time,” Jeremy told the Chronicle May 18, securing himself as a bona-fide tree hugger. He also said he used to spend days climbing its trunk and throwing acorns at passersby from the shade of the foliage.

Currently in California, Jeremy turned to the power of the internet to save his friend.

“I need your help. help me save my tree,” Jeremy wrote in a May 16 tweet. “Please let

Con Edison know that they cannot tear down this tree ... please help me save my tree.”

Con Edison responded to the tweet, stating, “we understand your concern. However, we are not involved with this tree’s pruning or removal job. Please reach out to NYC Parks department for more information.”

Despite Con Edison’s response tweet to Jeremy, the Parks Deptartment spokesperson said that the energy company will provide clearance prior to the tree’s removal because some of its branches are close to power lines along the Bell Boulevard and 64th Avenue street.

“We appreciate Mr. Jeremy’s personal attachment to the tree in front of his childhood home. Our city’s street trees are not just environmental assets, they can also connect us to our roots, reminding us of the people and places we love,” the spokesperson added.

The star sent a second tweet out with photos of himself hugging and kissing the tree along with further requests to save it, this time tagging the Parks Department and Mayor de Blasio.

Jeremy said he moved out of the Bayside home in the late 1970s and relocated to a residence near Flushing High School, but kept his relationship with the tree alive even as he moved across the country. His body of work eventually made him the number one porn star of all time, according to Adult

Video News magazine.

“Every time I did a gig in New York I would always stop by the tree in Bayside ... It’s a little out of the way but it’s worth it because we have a relationship,” he said, adding that he has stayed connected with neighbors who look after his wood in his absence. When problems had arrived in the past, such as a carpenter ant infestation, Jeremy stepped up and hired an exterminator from across the country. “I’ve been an active participant.”

Jeremy’s love for the tree is so strong he considered catching a flight to Queens to visit it once again, potentially for the last time, but was advised not to by his management because of concerns surrounding the pandemic and preserving his health.

“I’m thinking of taking a piece of the log,” he said, in the case that his efforts to keep the tree standing tall are unsuccessful. “I feel awful because I can’t be there for the final hug because we use to hug a lot. That’s what we did. It hurts.”

To show support for Jeremy, an anonymous individual under the user name “Josh Loves Ron’s Tree” began a petition on change.org calling for the rescue of the 67-year-old tree. The petition, “Save Ron Jeremy’s Tree,” had reached 84 signatures of its 100 goal as of Tuesday afternoon.

“It’s value cannot be replaced. The tree is

Ron Jeremy took to Twitter to save his childhood tree upon hearing the city’s intent to RON JEREMY PHOTO / TWITTER take it down. healthy and there is no reason to cut it down,” the petition says.

“We are custodians of the planet,” concluded Jeremy. “We are to look after it. That is our lot in life. You’d like to think if it were the Q reverse the tree would do it for me.”

PHOTOS BY DAVID RUSSELL

For the latest news visit qchron.com

Staying safe in FoHi

Life around Queens continues during the coronavirus.

A walk around Forest Hills sees different motivational messages and thanks to first responders.

Stones at a Burns Street home showed a painted house with the message “Stay In, Stay Safe,” and another had a

smiling sun with the words “Thank you Heroes” and drawings of people wearing surgical masks.

Another house in the neighborhood has a sign thanking healthcare workers, police, firefighters, grocery workers, truckers and “Everyone who is selflessly doing what needs to

be done Risking your life to save ours.”

On Exeter Street, someone made sure that even a hookhanded pirate with an eyepatch keeping guard outside the house followed safety protocols to limit the spread of the virus with a surgical mask.

— David Russell

C M SQ page 27 Y K

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C M SQ page 29 Y K

Help Wanted

Help Wanted

PJ Solomon, LP located in New York, New York, is seeking a Vice President, Debt Advisory & Restructuring Group who will be responsible for client development and new business development through interaction with new and existing business relationships (external to the firm) as well as through coordination with industry and product team heads (internal of the firm).

Responsible for engaging in business development through interactions with investment professionals, bankruptcy lawyers and other restructuring professionals; oversee team of investment banking professionals in overall case management (development of analysis, presentation materials, client interaction, and collaboration with other restructuring and recapitalization professionals including bankruptcy lawyers, consultants, and claims agents); and perform financial analysis, valuation and client advisory in restructurings and recapitalizations. Represent the firm in industry conferences and events which are critical to expanding the firm’s positioning and footprint in the investment banking community. Requirements are (i) a master’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Business or related field, and (ii) 5 years’ experience in investment banking in the restructuring industry, advising debtors and creditors, formulating plans of reorganization; in-court Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases, outof-court restructuring cases, and restructuring situations in multiple industry verticals, including but not limited to: infrastructure, homebuilding, cement, oil and gas, oil and gas services, energy, power generation and distribution, marketing, shipping, retail, offshore services and gaming. Send resumes and expressions of interest by regular mail only (no calls or emails) to: PJ Solomon, LP, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, 31st floor, New York, NY 10105, attn: Director Recruiting and Administration.

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Page 29 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, May 21, 2020

To Advertise Call 718-205-8000

QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, May 21, 2020 Page 30

C M SQ page 30 Y K

Merchandise Wanted

Legal Notices

Legal Notices

Legal Notices

PLEASE CALL LORI, 1-929-361-0643 (Cell Phone). I PAY THE BEST, MOST HONEST PRICES FOR ESTATES, FURNITURE, CHANDELIERS, LAMPS, COSTUME JEWELRY, WATCHES (WORKING OR NOT WORKING), FURS, COINS, POCKETBOOKS, CHINA, VASES, GLASSWARE, STERLING SILVERWARE, FIGURINES, CANDLESTICKS, PAINTINGS, PRINTS, RUGS, PIANOS, GUITARS, VIOLINS, FLUTES, TAG SALES, CLEANOUTS, CARS

Legal Notice 72-47 Realty LLC Articles of Org. filed with NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 03/10/2020. Office location: Queens County. SSNY desig. agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to c/o Law Offices of C. Fred Weil, 35 Roosevelt Avenue, Syosset, NY 11791. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of House of Wellness LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 03/10/2020. Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: THE LLC, 38-01 23RD AVE UNIT 100, ASTORIA, NY 11105.

Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of Resort Realism, LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 03/16/2020.

Office location: Queens County.

SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: WILLIAM A. SCOTT III, 2026 Stanhope Street, RIDGEWOOD, NY 11385. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

BARRETO PLUMBING LLC JOSE BARRETO Art. of Org. Filed Sec. of State of NY 4/29/20.

Off. Loc.: Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process may be served & shall mail proc.: The LLC, 35-54 95th St., Apt. A1, Jackson Heights, NY 11372. Cel: 718908-5945 Purpose: Any lawful act or activity

Notice of Formation of JEREMIAHS TRUCKING LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 01/28/2020. Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: C/O MESACHA SMITH, 21919 143RD RD, JAMAICA, NY 11413. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of Seeing Things, LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 03/23/2020. Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: STEPHEN MAYES, 2-01 50TH AVE, APT 3P, LONG ISLAND CITY, NY 11101. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Brands Brite LLC filed

Purpose: any lawful.

Notice of formation KIMBERLY ROSE LLC. Articles of Organization (Dom. LLC) filed with Secy. of State of N.Y. (SSNY) on 03/10/2020. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC for service of process. SSNY shall mail process to: Kimberly Rose Stabile, 4-75 48th Avenue, PH 3708, Long Island City, NY 11109 which is also principal business location.

Purpose: any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of The Ninja Base LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 04/21/2020. Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: THE NINJA BASE LLC, 33-07 91ST ST., APT 1B, JACKSON HEIGHTS, NY 11372.

Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of CLOUD PALMS LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 01/17/2020. Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: ELTON ZHAO, 2606 12TH STREET, ASTORIA, NY 11102.

Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of PRISON MOVIE PRODUCTIONS CONSULTING, LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 02/06/2020.

Office location: Queens County.

SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: REGISTERED AGENTS INC, 90 STATE STREET, SUITE 700, OFFICE 40 ALBANY, NY 12207. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

VALKYRIE COMMERCIAL LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 03/05/20. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 467 Woodward Avenue, Office 4, Ridgewood, NY 11385. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of Faloni Law Group LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 03/04/2020. Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: DAVID A FALONI ESQ, 165 PASSAIC AVE SUITE 301, FAIRFIELD, NJ 07004. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of rayluca Limited Liability Company Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 03/04/2020. Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: RAYLUCA LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, 3044 29TH ST., ASTORIA, NY 11102. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Notice is hereby given that a Liquor license, with a Ser. #1328017 has been applied for by 98 ST. H&E Restaurant & Sports Bar Corp, to sell Liquor, Wine and Beer at retail in a restaurant under the ABC Law at 97-15 37TH Ave, Corona, NY 11368, for on-premises consumption.

Wanted to Buy. Freon Wanted: We pay CA$H for cylinders and cans.

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Legal Service BOY SCOUT COMPENSATION FUND—Anyone that was inappropriately touched by a Scout leader deserves justice and financial compensation! Victims may be eligible for a significant cash settlement. Time to file is limited. Call Now! 844-587-2494 Lung Cancer? And Age 60+? You and your family may be entitled to significant cash award. No risk.

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Legal Notices

For the latest news visit qchron.com

To Advertise Call 718-205-8000

To Advertise Call 718-205-8000

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: 542 51st AVE LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 2/18/20 Office location: Queens County. SSNY is designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail a copy of process to the Rosemarie Ciavarella, 542 51st Ave., Long Island City, NY 11101.

For any lawful purpose.

CLASSIFIED ADS AND SERVICE DIRECTORY ARE NOW SEARCHABLE

Look for us in print and online!

QUEENS Queens’ Largest Weekly Community Newspaper Group

qchron.com

w/ SSNY on 4/1/19.

Office: Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: 85-25 Aspen Place, Jamaica,

NY

11432.

Public Notice

CONSTRUCTION BID New York State Certified MBE, WBE, and SDVOB non-union subcontractors who perform: Drywall, Flooring, Millwork, Acoustical Grid & Tiles, Ceramic Tile, Painting & Wallcovering, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, or Sprinkler installations are eligible to provide bids for The Child Center of NY South Jamaica Clinic renovation in Queens, N.Y. Interested parties please contact ricardolopez@childcenterny.org no later than 5pm on May 29th, 2020 for further information and list of bidding General Contractors.

STARTUP, BUILD OR EXPAND YOUR BUSINESS

Advertise in print and online!

QUEENS Queens’ Largest Weekly Community Newspaper Group

qchron.com

To Advertise Call 718-205-8000

Real Estate EQUAL HOUSING. Federal, New York State and local laws prohibit discrimination because of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, marital status, familial status or disability in connection with the sale or rental of residential real estate.

Queens Chronicle does not knowingly accept advertising in violation of these laws. When you suspect housing discrimination call the Open Housing Center (the Fair Housing Agency for the five boroughs of New York) at 212-941-6101, or the New York City Commission of Human Rights Hotline at 718722-3131.

The Queens Chronicle reserves the right to alter wording in ads to conform with Federal Fair Housing regulations.

Apts. For Rent Lindenwood, 2nd fl, 3 BR, pvt dvwy, gar, $2,300/m0. 1 month security, newly painted. Owner, 718-738-2242 or 845-728-2874

Houses For Sale Williamsburg, 264 Withers St., renovated 3 family. 3D virtual tour is available. $2,475,000.

Williamsburg, 225 Bushwick Ave., unique 7 family & store. 3D virtual tour is available. $1,899,000.

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C M SQ page 31 Y K

Cuomo green-lights horse racing June 1

BEAT

A pair of pioneers pass

by Lloyd Carroll Chronicle Contributor

by Michael Gannon Editor

Thoroughbred racing will return to Belmont Park for a 25-day meet beginning June 3, and likely will include the rescheduled Belmont Stakes as the first leg of this year’s reshuffled Triple Crown series.

No fans will be in the grandstand, a condition set by Gov Cuomo last Saturday when he authorized horse tracks and the popular auto racing track at Watkins Glen can reopen effective June 1.

“The problem here is crowds and gatherings,” Cuomo said in a video of his daily COVID-19 briefing. “What economic activity wants to start up without a crowd?

We’re going to do that in this state starting with horse racing tracks. There’s gonna be guidelines for the actual participants, but no crowds, no fans. But for the industry itself, for the television viewers, that can still work.”

The COVID-19 outbreak led in March to the suspension of the final three weeks of winter racing season at South Ozone park’s Aqueduct racetrack, which was scheduled to end on March 29.

Aqueduct’s spring meet from April 2

through 19 also was suspended, including the annual Wood Memorial Stakes, which is one of the country’s major prep races for Kentucky Derby contenders. It was originally scheduled for April 4.

As of now, the Belmont Stakes, traditionally the third leg of thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown, originally scheduled for June 6, is scheduled for June 20. The Kentucky Derby will follow on Sept. 5, and the Preakness Stakes on Oct. 5.

While there will be no fans placing bets at the track, racing officials have been promoting the association’s NYRA Bets online accounts on social media platforms in recent days.

Aqueduct’s grounds, if not the racing facilities, have been pressed into service since the outbreak. The parking lot, which it shares with Resorts World Casino, has been hosting drive-up coronavirus testing since March.

It also was the agreed-upon site of a temporary 1,000-bed hospital that was to have been built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The plan was abandoned as the city’s number of COVID-19 cases plaQ teaued and began dropping.

One wouldn’t normally link Bob Watson and Phyllis George, who both passed away last week, but both were sports pioneers, albeit in different ways.

Watson played 19 seasons and batted .295 with 184 homers. I have no doubt his home run total could easily have been doubled if he didn’t play his first 14 seasons for the Houston Astros, whose home games were in the very pitcherfriendly Astrodome.

Watson was one of the few players who was able to seamlessly transition from the diamond to the executive suite when his career was over.

The Astros hired him as general manager in 1993, making him the second African-American general manager in MLB history. The Yankees would hire him to be their GM in 1995 and he had that role when they won the World Series.

He later worked in the Commissioner’s Office.

I remember chatting with Watson around the batting cage at Shea Stadium when I was a young sportswriter and he was finishing up his playing career during the first Reagan administration. Watson gave me an MBA-style lecture on the difference between various mutual funds and predicted that the Dow Jones average would soon break the 5,000 mark (which seemed an astronomical number at the time) even though the country was in a recession.

Watson deserves consideration for entry to the Baseball Hall of Fame for his contributions.

Phyllis George was crowned Miss America 50 years ago and remains one of the bestremembered titleholders. In 1975, CBS Sports hired her to join Brent Musburger, Irv Cross and Jimmy “The Greek” Snyder on its “NFL Today” pregame show. She had some knowledge of the National Football League but it was revolutionary to see a woman in any aspect of televised sports, let alone pro football.

George primarily anchored player lifestyle features and left it to Cross, a former player, and Snyder, America’s pre-eminent oddsmaker, to handle the game analysis. Musburger’s job was to shill the contests about to be televised. They clicked with the audience as no pregame panel had before them.

Former Mets outfielder Art Shamsky held a Zoom video conference last Tuesday sponsored by a prominent nonprofit agency that assists the elderly, Dorot. Shamsky gave plenty of recollections of that magical year of 1969. He cited Mets reliever Ron Taylor as the unsung hero of that season. He told viewers he believed the death of manager Gil Hodges from a heart attack in 1972 was the key reason why the Mets did not win more titles and endorsed Hodges for enshrineQ ment into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

See the extended version of Sports Beat every week at qchron.com.

Page 31 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, May 21, 2020

SPORTS

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66-83 70th St., Apt 2B, Middle Village 264 Withers St., Williamsburg 184 Conselyea St., Apt 2, Williamsburg Ren. 2BR Condo. 3D Virtual Tour is available. Renovated 3 Family. 3D Virtual Tour is available. 2BR Co-op. 3D Virtual Tour is available. $529,000 $2,475,000 $599,000

QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, May 21, 2020 Page 32

C M SQ page 32 Y K

Every year in May Keller Williams Liberty gives back to the community in an event we call RED DAY!

FDNY Engine Co. 331

The 102nd Precinct

This year is quite different as we all know.

COVID-19 is keeping us apart.

In dedication to SUBHAS

RAMROOP

(whom we tragically lost to the virus),

the unyielding kindness and compassion he represented, we said thank you to first responders in the best way we know how.

96-10 101st Ave., Ozone Park, NY 11416

Tel: 718-848-4700 Fax: 718-848-4865

In partnership with D’Angelo’s, our Agents set out and visited the local neighborhood first responders with meals to let them know we appreciate their dedication and hard work!

School Safety Officers

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North Shore LIJ Forest Hills

FDNY Engine Co. 285

©2020 M1P • JOHD-077766

For the latest news visit qchron.com

kwrliberty@gmail.com