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Coldwell Banker Kueber Realty Celebrates 35th Anniversary

BQE Admin on March 13, 2025

By MOHAMED FARGHALY
mfarghaly@queensledger.com

 

Coldwell Banker Kueber Realty recently marked its 35th anniversary with a
celebratory event held on March 8 at its Glendale office, bringing together clients,
community members, and longtime supporters to commemorate more than three
decades of dedicated service.

Founded by Debbie Kueber in 1990, the real estate agency has grown to become a
trusted name for buying and selling properties throughout Queens, Long Island, and
parts of Brooklyn. Kueber began her career as a young female broker at a time when
that was uncommon.

“I always believed in helping the community, and I think that’s why it’s been a
success because community service comes first, it’s family and then the business,”
Kueber said.

Coldwell Banker Kueber Realty specializes in the sale of one- to four-family homes,
six-family buildings, small commercial properties, and mixed-use properties. The
firm’s affiliation with Coldwell Banker has allowed it to expand its reach beyond
Glendale, assisting clients with relocations from New York City and Long Island to
places as far away as Texas and Florida.

“If we feel we can’t properly help the customer, then we refer it to a Coldwell Banker
office in the area,” Kueber said. “Just because we’re here on Myrtle Avenue doesn’t
mean we only work in Glendale.”

Kueber credits her agency’s success to a commitment to integrity and community
involvement. “I think they see the honesty. We’re not here just for the paycheck and
then gone tomorrow. We stay in touch,” she said. “We’re involved in all the
organizations — I’m with the Glendale Kiwanis Club, which is a service organization,
and I’m a past president there. We’re here every day.”

Challenges over the years have included market fluctuations and maintaining a
dedicated team of agents. “I have a small group of agents, but they’re all here, and
they’re loving it, and we work well together,” she said.

Reflecting on the milestone anniversary, Kueber expressed deep gratitude. “I’m
grateful that we made it 35 years. A couple of naysayers back when said it would
never work. And I’m a Leo, so don’t tell me I can’t do something.”

Coldwell Banker Kueber Realty is located at 67-13 Myrtle Ave, Glendale. For more
information, contact Debbie Kueber at 347-526-2381.

Woodhaven Kicks Off 190th Anniversary Celebration with Community Mixer

BQE Admin on March 13, 2025

By MOHAMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

Woodhaven officially launched its 190th-anniversary celebration on Feb 27 with a special Community Mixer at the historic Oak Ridge in Forest Park. The event brought together local leaders from schools, churches, and civic organizations for an evening of networking, history, and discussion about the yearlong celebration ahead.

Hosted by Woodhaven Historian Ed Wendell and attended by representatives from All Nations Baptist Church, All Saints Episcopal Church, American Legion Post 118, American Legion Post 118 Auxiliary, Community Board 9, Emanuel United Church of Christ, Forest Park Trust, Leader-Observer, PS 254, PS 97, Richmond Hill Historical Society, School Sisters of Notre Dame Educational Center for Women, St. Thomas the Apostle, Unidad y Fe Lutheran Mission, Woodhaven Art Circle, Woodhaven Cultural & Historical Society, Woodhaven Residents’ Block Association, and WORKS Little League were in attendance.

The gathering also welcomed Sen. Joe Addabbo and representatives from Nydia Velazquez (Jonathan Betancourt), Jennifer Rajkumar (Anna Sargeant), and Joann Ariola (Phyllis Inserillo). While many were able to join, other groups such as PS 60, PS 254, Woodhaven Business Improvement District, Woodhaven Library, Geordie’s Joint, and Neir’s Tavern are also in touch with organizers to participate in future events.

Guests had the opportunity to tour the 120-year-old former golf clubhouse and explore the Museum of Woodhaven History before gathering to share ideas for upcoming festivities. The event set the stage for a larger community-wide celebration planned for Saturday, June 14 at Victory Field, marking both Woodhaven’s milestone anniversary and the 100th anniversary of the beloved local sports venue, which opened in 1925.

The June event, held in partnership with Councilmember Joann Ariola and the Forest Park Trust, will offer a full day of activities and celebrations. The festivities will begin with a 190th Anniversary Parade and ceremony at the track in Victory Field from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., which will include a special ceremony honoring Victory Field’s centennial. Following the parade, a Flag Day event sponsored by Councilmember Joann Ariola will be held from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. on the cement softball field, featuring children’s activities and bounce houses.

At the same time, a vintage baseball game will take place on the big baseball field, where a Woodhaven team will face off against The New York Mutuals, dressed in 19th-century-style uniforms. After the game, children will have the opportunity to play a historic game called rounders, providing a fun and educational experience about the early days of baseball. Throughout the day, the Woodhaven Art Circle will host the Woodhaven Art Market along the road through Forest Park adjacent to the track.

Organizers encourage residents and community groups to get involved as planning continues. For more information on the upcoming event and ways to contribute, please email projectwoodhaven@gmail.com.

 

Resorts World to Redefine Queens with $5B Expansion

BQE Admin on March 13, 2025

Courtesy Perkins Eastman/Resorts World New York City

 

By MOHAMED FARGHALY
mfarghaly@queensledger.com

 

Since its opening in 2011, Resorts World New York City has been a prominent fixture in
the Queens skyline, marking a historic chapter in New York City’s gaming industry.
Located within the Aqueduct Racetrack complex in Jamaica, Queens, Resorts World was
the first legal casino to open in New York City and remains the only casino within the
five boroughs. The casino was a long-awaited project, following decades of debates over
gambling expansion in the state. The facility originally debuted as a video lottery
terminal-based racino, offering 6,500 slot machines. Over time, it has evolved into a full-
fledged gaming resort, with a Hyatt Regency hotel and plans to expand further.

Owned by Genting Malaysia Berhad, the casino quickly became a major revenue
generator for New York State, helping fund public education through its tax
contributions. The complex spans 330,000 square feet of gaming space and features four
automated table games, including baccarat, blackjack, craps, and roulette, alongside a
range of slot machines. As the first Resorts World property built in America, it set the
stage for the brand’s future developments, bringing a touch of luxury and high-end
gaming to the city.

Now, nearly 14 years after its debut, Resorts World New York City is preparing for a $5
billion expansion that could transform the site into one of the largest entertainment and
hospitality destinations in the country. The proposed expansion, which would be subject
to approval by the New York State Gaming Commission, includes plans for a massive
350,000-square-foot casino floor, a new 1,600-room hotel, and entertainment venues, all
poised to reshape the future of Queens.

The centerpiece of the proposed expansion would be a sprawling 350,000-square-foot
casino floor, potentially making it one of the largest in the U.S. Alongside the expanded
gaming space, a new 1,600-room hotel under the Crockfords brand would offer luxury
accommodations, bringing the total number of rooms at Resorts World New York City to
2,000. This hotel expansion could make the resort the largest hotel in New York City,
surpassing even some of the city’s most iconic properties.

“Resorts World New York City came into our community more than a dozen years ago,
and every day since has been a dedicated neighbor who shows up, hears our feedback,
and responds to our needs,” Betty Braton, Chair of Queens Community Board 10 said.

In addition to the expanded gaming and hospitality offerings, the proposal includes the
development of a 7,000-seat arena for concerts and live events, a wellness center, and
more than 30 new dining and retail options. A significant portion of the expansion would
also be dedicated to public spaces, with more than 10 acres of parks, trails, and bike paths
aimed at enhancing the community’s access to green space.

The project’s impact would not be limited to tourism and entertainment. Resorts World
New York City plans to incorporate a range of community-oriented features, including a
$50 million investment in the Genting Innovation Center, which will house the Kenny
“The Jet” Smith Academy, a Community Health and Wellness Center, and a Queens
STEAM Institute. Additionally, a large portion of the development would focus on
workforce housing, with 3,000 new units of affordable, union-built housing planned for
the area.

Michelle Stoddart, Sr. VP of Community Development at Resorts World New York City,
highlighted that the proposed expansion would greatly benefit both the Queens
community and the city at large. The development plans, including additional hotel
rooms, a 7,000-seat event space, and commercial table games, would boost tourism,
create new business opportunities, and attract more visitors to the area, especially with its
proximity to JFK Airport. The team has worked closely with the community board,
incorporating feedback to ensure alignment with local needs. The goal is to submit the
application and begin the project within six months of approval, marking a long-awaited
milestone after 14 years of planning.

“Economically, it will bring more tourism,” Stoddart said. “It will bring more
opportunities to small businesses on this side of town and certainly in terms of the
community that has seen their proximity to JFK, it just opens up opportunity for more
business to pass through and to stay in Queens.”

The ambitious expansion is being backed by notable partners, including Grammy-
winning Queens rapper Nas and NBA Champion Kenny Smith, who have lent their
names and voices to promote the project’s potential to uplift the borough.

“This is an ambitious project that will give new opportunities to the hard-working
families who call Queens home, attract top-tier talent, and build up the next generation of
leaders. Clearly, with this project, the world is ours,” Nas said.

If approved, the expansion would create 5,000 union construction jobs and thousands of
permanent union jobs once the project is completed. Resorts World New York City has
pledged that more than half of these jobs would be filled within the first six months of
operations, providing a much-needed economic boost to the region. The expansion is also
expected to generate significant new tax revenue for New York State, further supporting
public services, including education.

Local residents and business owners have expressed cautious optimism about the project.
Many are hopeful that the expansion will bring increased tourism and economic vitality
to Southeast Queens, an area that has historically struggled with unemployment and
underdevelopment. However, some community advocates are pushing for assurances that
the project will deliver on its promises to local workers and residents, particularly in
terms of affordable housing and job creation.

In total, Resorts World New York City’s proposed expansion could drastically alter the
economic and social landscape of Queens. With a projected price tag of $5 billion, the
project is one of the largest entertainment developments in New York City in recent years
and could solidify Resorts World New York City’s status as a major player in the global
casino and hospitality industry.

Community & Creativity Shine at Malikah’s Iftar

BQE Admin on March 13, 2025

By MOHAMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

The Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria played host to a unifying Iftar event on March 7, organized by Malikah, a global grassroots collective dedicated to building safety, power, and healing for women and their communities. The event brought together community members, elected officials, and talented artists for an evening of reflection, empowerment, and connection during the holy month of Ramadan.

Founded by Rana Abdelhamid, Malikah has spent the past decade providing essential services such as self-defense training, economic empowerment, and organizing skills to more than 20,000 women in 20 cities around the world. With a focus on amplifying women’s power and promoting healing through community, Malikah has established itself as a transformative force for social justice and gender equality.

Abdelhamid, who opened the evening’s program, welcomed the audience with a warm bilingual speech in English and Arabic, emphasizing the importance of Ramadan as a time of unity, compassion, and community service. She reflected on Malikah’s recent achievements and ongoing efforts to empower women and marginalized communities. The event aimed to bring people together, fostering healing, sharing, and collective advocacy for justice.

Local representatives and political figures in attendance included New York City Comptroller and mayoral candidate Brad Lander, Astoria Assemblyman and fellow mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, New York City Council Member Julie Won, and Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez.

Brad Lander, who has been involved with the “Iftar on the Go” program in previous years, spoke passionately about the importance of diversity and his commitment to advocating for MENA (Middle Eastern and North African) representation in city and state data. He recited verses from the Quran, expressing solidarity with the Muslim community, and called for an immediate ceasefire in the ongoing Palestine-Israel conflict, highlighting the necessity of peace and justice worldwide.

Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, another mayoral hopeful, praised Malikah’s efforts in organizing such a diverse and welcoming event. He acknowledged the organization’s dedication to the Muslim and Middle Eastern communities, providing resources and a powerful voice. He outlined his vision for tackling the pressing issues facing New York City, from affordable housing to immigrant rights, pledging that his mayoral campaign would center the needs of the most vulnerable.

City Council Member Julie Won addressed the importance of providing halal and kosher meals in public spaces throughout New York City. She emphasized the significance of inclusivity in essential services, advocating for policies that ensure all communities feel welcome and respected.

Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez used her platform to speak about the ongoing fight to protect immigrant rights and promote justice. A staunch advocate for immigration reform, Velázquez vowed to continue her efforts in Washington to defend marginalized groups and push for policies that safeguard their rights and dignity.

The evening’s program featured moving Quran recitations by local residents, setting a serene and reflective atmosphere. As the call to prayer marked the end of the fast, attendees gathered to share a meal, reinforcing the night’s theme of unity and community-building.

Forest Hills Civic Leaders Gather for Annual State of the Community Meeting

BQE Admin on March 13, 2025

By MOHAMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

Local civic leaders, elected officials, and community members convened at the West Side Tennis Club on Feb 24 for the annual State of Forest Hills Civic Community meeting, where they discussed key neighborhood issues, upcoming initiatives, and the importance of civic engagement.

Councilwoman Lynn Schulman opened the event, addressing local concerns and legislative updates. Michael Carlier, Director of Community Boards for Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, highlighted recent accomplishments and ongoing projects.

A representative from the 112th Precinct Community Council emphasized the importance of police-resident relationships through community meetings. Commander Mike Arcati and Bill Woods of the American Legion in Forest Hills discussed plans for the upcoming Memorial Day Parade.

The NYC Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) provided insights into its disaster preparedness efforts, while Let’s Talk Democracy Club introduced its mission to foster civic discourse. Daniel Olson, a columnist for Forest Hills Times, spoke about his work covering the local music scene.

Representatives from Metro Village of Forest Hills stressed the importance of supporting small businesses to keep money circulating locally. The Friends of the QueensWay team updated attendees on the project to convert an abandoned railway into a public green space.

Jason Simba of Festival Cinema NYC announced a ten-day film festival coming to Regal Midway in Forest Hills. The Forest Hills Green Team detailed plans to restart a composting program at MacDonald Park along with their gardening initiatives.

Additionally, Central Queens Against Hate spoke about efforts to foster unity and combat discrimination. Heather Beers-Dimitriadis of Community Board 6 closed the event by expressing appreciation for the West Side Tennis Club’s hospitality and reinforcing the board’s commitment to keeping residents informed.

The annual gathering, attended by representatives from numerous civic organizations, reinforced the importance of community engagement in shaping the future of Forest Hills.

Will NYC Elect a Socialist Mayor

BQE Admin on March 13, 2025

By Robert Hornak

There’s no arguing that NYC is a blue city and votes mostly for democrats. But if you make New Yorkers unhappy enough and even angry enough, they just might vote Republican. 

That’s what happened in 1993, when David Dinkins was seen as incapable of running the city, crime was sky high, the economy was struggling, and the people’s perception was that NYC was being held together by Band-Aids. Rudy Giuliani was given a chance to show what he could do, and he delivered big-time. 

But after 20 years of the city appearing to have that crime thing under control and the economy booming, voters decided to give an outspoken leftist a chance to see how things would go if we had turned our attention to some of those liberal policies that we were told would make our lives measurably better but kept putting off in favor of dealing with public safety, quality of life, and the putting money in the pockets of hard working people. 

Bii de Blasio had eight years to showcase those liberal policies, and most people now rate him as one of the worst mayors in modern history. Eric Adams, while he promised to be more moderate, has been either unable or unwilling to really stand up to the radical leftists in the City Council. For that, and of course the accusations of corruption and breaking campaign finance laws, his approval ratings are the worst we’ve seen for pretty much anyone in NY. 

Enter Queens Assemblyman Zohran Mamdami, a full-blown socialist, who wants to replace Eric Adams as mayor. Mamdami comes from the one section of NYC, northwest Queens, that loves socialists, and has elected many in recent years, starting with AOC and then down ballot for city and state legislative seats, including Mamdami.

And Mamdami is clever, likely learning from the past mistakes of other far left candidates, who usually focus on telling voters how they want to run your life. But Mamdami instead focuses on the tried-and-true method that the far left uses to try to convince voters they only want to help (not dictate, the true hallmark of socialism), and that’s by offering them all kinds of freebies. 

He calls his menu of giveaways his economic agenda and is promising free public transit, free childcare, a total rent freeze for tenants, and city-run supermarkets offering subsidized food (which worked so well in the Soviet Union it screams for a comeback). He plans to pay for his socialist utopia by raising the corporate tax and claims that will cover the cost of his giveaway buffet.

That worked so well in New Jersey recently, that when they raised the corporate tax to 11.5% it took only two years to cut it back to 9%. Meanwhile, New York’s 7.25% doesn’t appear low enough to keep those large corporate taxpayers here. Goldman Sachs is part of the ongoing exodus and is about to open an 800,000 sq ft corporate campus in Dallas. 

Lower tax states have been reaping the reward of NYC’s high costs and bad leadership. Wall Street has been going everywhere else for years now while slowly shrinking its footprint in NYC. Big Tech dabbled in NYC but appears to be more focused on south Florida instead. And the center of the crypto universe is now in Puerto Rico. Any place but NYC. 

Meanwhile, Mamdami is convinced he has the winning formula. Win them over with promises of paradise. And financially it’s paying off. He raised $643,152 in his first filing according to the Campaign Finance Board, earning him an additional $2,827,443 in public matching funds. 

And while that success has him coming in second in the polls, he is still only attracting 12% support and way behind Andrew Cuomo, the candidate Democrat primary voters perceive as the most centrist in the race. And in a recent ranked choice voting simulation, Mamdami started at 11% and finished at 13%, showing that he was the second choice for almost nobody. 

Even in liberal NYC, while you have a small group of dedicated socialists, most New Yorkers have more common sense and don’t see the radical socialist left as a real option to lead the city forward. And that doesn’t bode well even for Zohran Mamdami and his feel-good version of socialism.

Robert Hornak is a professional political consultant who has previously served as the Deputy Director of the Republican Assembly Leader’s NYC office and as Executive Director of the Queens Republican Party. He can be reached at rahornak@gmail.com and @RobertHornak on X.

 

 

The Lunar New Year Parade: A Photo Essay

BQE Admin on March 13, 2025

By Alice Moreno

The Year of the Snake celebration kicked off in Chinatown on February 16. Though the rain poured through most of the parade, hundreds of guests still attended to bring in the New Year joyfully. 

The annual parade began at 1:00 p.m. on Mott Street, between Broome and Canal St., and continued further into Chinatown, going through Little Italy and SoHo. Giant puppet dragons were covered in plastic bags to ward off the rain and a sea of ponchos were scattered throughout Chinatown. Confetti flew through the skies, easily sticking to those who were drenched, and various goodies, such as a light-up, “2025” glasses, and red envelopes — which symbolize good luck — were passed around to guests. 

Various communities, organizations, and public figures were in attendance, such as the Chinese Counsel General of NY Chen Li and Senator Chuck Schumer. 

The parade was first held in 1998 and each year, the turnout becomes grander, becoming a cultural staple in the community. Each year, the Chinese Zodiac has a rotation of animals that represent a year. Folklore states that the Jade Emperor held a race, and the animals who ran the quickest through a river current were selected. It is even said that cats and rats have a longtime rivalry due to this race!

Though the year of the snake comes every 12 years, every 60 years, one of five elements — known as Wuxing in the realm of traditional Chinese philosophy — is paired with the year, symbolizing certain phenomenons that occur and affect the world we live in, according to The Collector. This year is the Wood Snake, which is marked by a rise in personal growth, transformation, and change. Many guests wear red, which is said to bring good luck and prosperity for the Lunar New Year. 

A parade-goer holds a sign from the District Attorney of New York County, celebrating the Year of the Snake.

Chen Li, the Chinese Consul General (second from left) joins other members of the consulate in the Lunar New Year Parade.

A parade-goer bangs the cymbals as she passes through Mott St.

Parade members carried a plethora of props filled with Lunar New Year symbolism.

Representatives of Panda Mobile walk through the parade.

A volunteer at the parade gave out a variety of goodies, including the “2025” glasses and red envelopes with stickers inside.

A red lion puppet flows through the parade with grace.

A vibrant, neon-colored dragon was the first to go through, signaling the start of the parade.

A flag for the “New York Choy Lay Fut, ” which is known as “New York’s Premier Lion Dance Team,” according to their Instagram.

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