CB 14 June Recap

By Kami-Leigh Agard

If you thought sitting through a baseball game was trying, Community Board 14’s meeting this past Tuesday felt like the longest cricket match in history, otherwise known as the “Timeless Test.” That being said, the over three-hour meeting, which was the last before CB 14 goes on its customary summer hiatus, was chock-full of information about the Aids Center of Queens County’s (ACQC) public health vending machines coming to Rockaway, Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy’s (JBRPC) development plan for Floyd Bennett Field, the MTA’s re-rehashed plan to make commuting by subway to and from Rockaway more expedient, and more.

First off, here’s some encouraging news. CB 14 Chairwoman Dolores Orr shared that the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey approved a notion that will reroute a significant number of airplanes flying overhead on the peninsula. If the Federal Aviation Administration approves, 1,272 families will benefit in terms of the reduction of overhead airplane noise.

Regarding east end residents who are barred from enjoying the beach due to the piping plover colonies, CB 14 District Manager Gaska read a letter that was sent on behalf of CB 14 to NYC Parks Commissioner Susan Donoghue. The letter stated: “We begin this correspondence with our bottom line that the board (CB 14) strongly requests fairness and equity on the beaches adjacent to Beach 38th to Beach 57th Street must be open for use and have staff for the summer. Living on the Rockaway peninsula and Broad Channel island, we respect, appreciate, and cherish the nature around us… There are three piping plovers nesting areas, Edgemere, Fort Tilden and Breezy Point… With proper fencing, signage, and monitoring by NYC Park Rangers and volunteers, the beaches could and should be open to residents and visitors. It is only during the chick fledgling, which is approximately 29 to 35 days, that the beaches would be closed temporarily, as is done in Gateway National Park in Fort Tilden and Breezy Point beaches. It is our understanding that there are currently 10 paths of piping plovers in the Edgemere area. And yet, as of May 21, Parks has closed the beaches from 38th Street to Beach 57th Street for an endangered species nesting area… The Edgemere community has a population of approximately 19,000 residents, 50% black, 32% Hispanic. Their beaches have been closed for years. We believe it is not for the protection of the endangered piping plovers, but an excuse for NYC Parks to direct staffing to the western end of the peninsula. With the new nature preserve and Parks building on 41st Street with restrooms, the Edgemere community and visitors should have full access to the beach and water.” Gaska said he is still waiting for a response to the letter.

For the public speaking segment, local resident, musician and magician, Adam Cardone, presented his case as to why the Beach 95th Street Amphitheater should be named after the 1970s punk rock band, The Ramones. He said, “I'm here to propose to name our new amphitheater after rock and roll band from Queens, The Ramones. The reason is, first of all, they were formed in 1974 and are considered the grandfathers of punk rock, and that movement of punk rock spawned many other music movements. Also, they're from Queens, NYC. The reason I think it's appropriate to name this amphitheater after the world-famous Ramones, is because they wrote the theme song, ‘Rockaway Beach,’ which I'm sure a lot of you know. These guys embodied the working-class version of musicians. So, to name this amphitheater after these guys, it's very celebratory. It reflects our values as residents of Queens, New York.

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By Katie McFadden

Cheers to Adrienne—and Adrienne’s. Broad Channel’s brand-new waterfront restaurant, named and designed in honor of the late young chef Adrienne Guttieri, is officially open.

In a surprise announcement on Friday, June 9, the partners behind Adrienne’s, Frank Guttieri, Chris Keegan, Leo Chavanne, Jessica Guttieri and Joseph Hanning, announced their doors were opening that evening and advised people to make reservations for the very first seatings in the new spot at 25 Van Brundt Road, for a taste of the Southern Italian menu. Within a few hours, all spots were claimed for opening night and Adrienne’s has been packed ever since.

Adrienne’s cousin, Chris Keegan, and her brother, Frank Guttieri, say they felt Adrienne all around as soon as they opened the doors to her namesake. “We felt Adrienne’s presence with us. We opened the door, and the rain came down sideways and sent the umbrellas sailing across the deck,” Keegan said. After all, it’s something the late chef would’ve done. Asked what she would think of the place, Guttieri said, “She would break mine and Chris’ balls a little bit. She would call us schmucks, that’s exactly what she would say.” Guttieri says Adrienne may not have approved of the location, as the Broad Channel native found a new home in Manhattan, where she last worked as Executive Chef of Trademark, but for the Guttieri family, paying homage to their girl right in their own neighborhood, at a location that was originally owned by the Guttieri family, meant the world to them, and to the community.

But they think she’d approve of everything inside. From the food to the décor, to the staff—everything about the new restaurant screams Adrienne. “I believe that in every aspect, we knocked it out of the park,” Guttieri said. As Adrienne’s awaits its liquor license, the focus of the weekend opening was the food. And while Adrienne herself can’t be there to make it, the restaurant has the next best choice—her mentor, Chef Jeff Haskell. “He was the culinary director for In Good Company Hospitality for a bunch of years and Adrienne’s