Raul Gustavo lands in New York as City Continue Unbeaten Run

By Noah Zimmerman

noah@queensledger.com

In another daring comeback, New York City FC were able to fend off Eastern Conference contenders Nashville SC over the weekend. In Sunday’s clash at Yankee Stadium the Boys in Blue overturned an early deficit to win 2-1, their third win in their last four MLS matches.

Canadian youngster Jacob Shaffelburg caused all sorts of problems in the opening half as visitors piled on shots early. He was finally able to beat NYC’s shotstopper Matt Freese in the 10th minute with a first-time shot, his second goal of the year.

Maxi Moralez had an opportunity to answer in the 16th minute, but his shot was smothered by Joe Willis. Later in the half, Andres Perea finally scored to draw the hosts level with a gorgeous curling shot from the top of the box.

New York’s remarkable defense once again stepped up in the second half. None of Nashville’s three shots made it on target, as Freese enjoyed a tame 45 minutes.

On the other end, New York City’s crafty attackers got to work. Alonso Martinez and Agustin Ojeda produced a number of late chances, with the final one resulting in a goal. Ojeda’s clever run delivered a pass inside the 6-yard box, and Martinez added to his team-best goal tally with his 13th in MLS play.

Alonso Martinez scored his team-best 13th goal of the MLS season to give New York a late win over Nashville (Photo: New York City FC)

The win gives NYC some breathing room near the bottom of the East’s playoff picture, now in 8th with 41 points after 25 games. They are two clear of both Chicago and the Red Bulls with one and two games in hand respectively.

If they’re able to keep the results coming, NYC is in reach of the top three. They sit just 6 points behind both Nashville and Orlando

In other NYC news, center back Raul Gustavo is signing with the club on a deal through 2027 with options for the next two seasons. 

The defender joins from Ferencvárosi TC in Hungary’s first division where he briefly played under current New York City manager Pascal Jansen. Before that he suited up for both Corinthians and Bahia in his home country of Brazil.

Brazilian defender Raul Gustavo is joining NYC on a deal through 2027 (Photo: New York City FC)

“Raul brings a unique background having already been part of City Football Group, during his loan with Bahia in 2023, and his previous work with Pascal at Ferencváros,” said Sporting Director David Lee. “We believe it will help Raul adapt once he joins us in New York City. We’re confident he will strengthen our backline as we enter the final stretch of the season.”

Already a focal point this season, NYC is currently tied for the league’s 4th best defensive record, conceding 30 goals. With nine matches left remaining, time will tell if NYC’s back line can power them to postseason play.

NYC’s First Soccer-Specific Stadium on Track for 2027 Kickoff

By Sofia Montagna

The New York City Football Club’s long-awaited soccer stadium in Willets Point in Queens – the first soccer-specific stadium in the five boroughs – is set to open in 2027, marking a major milestone for both the club and the city. Construction began in December 2024 and is progressing steadily, with steel framework installation underway since June.

“It’s been 10 years in the making, and it’ll be 12 years when the stadium opens from the time the New York City Football Club launched, and so there’s a lot of excitement around it,” said New York City Football Club (NYCFC) Chief Operating Officer Jennifer O’Sullivan.

Councilmember Francisco Moya was one of a few speakers at last year’s groundbreaking event. He was joined by Mayor Eric Adams, Borough President Donovan Richards, and MLS Commissioner Don Garber.

The 23-acre Willets Point project – led by the Queens Development Group in partnership with the city’s Economic Development Corporation – is transforming what was once a long-neglected area with acres of empty space into a new neighborhood. While New York City FC is solely responsible for the stadium, the broader development will include 2,500 units of affordable housing, a 650-seat public school, and 115,000 square feet of public space.

When completed, the overall Willets Point development project is expected to generate $6.1 billion in economic impact over the next 30 years, creating more than 1,500 permanent jobs and thousands of construction jobs, O’Sullivan reports.

A render of Etihad Park, constructed just beyond Citi Field (Courtesy New York City FC)

New York City FC is on track for the stadium to open in 2027, and plans to host “soft openings” and test events ahead of the first major event in Spring 2027. “Construction will probably take us through 2026 and early 2027,” O’Sullivan said. “The hope is that [the stadium] will be open for our season, which generally starts in the Spring.”

The stadium will be more than a home field for soccer. The club plans to host a range of other sporting events – including lacrosse, American football, and rugby – as well as concerts and other large-scale events. “When you have a venue like this, the goal is to try to attract as many large-scale events as you can,” O’Sullivan explained. The club also hopes to one day field a women’s team at the venue and to bring in international teams.

The new stadium is set to open in 2027 ahead of the MLS season (Courtesy New York City FC)

The stadium will integrate New York City FC’s business headquarters and its nonprofit foundation, City in the Community, which delivers free soccer programming for kids. Sustainability is also a central focus: the facility will be the first all-electric stadium in New York, the first all-electric building in Major League Soccer, and only the third all-electric stadium in North America, with solar panels installed on the roof of the stadium.

The project has faced challenges in the past, such as finding the right site and navigating flood zone construction limitations. “We’re in the flood zone. A lot of stadiums will build into the ground, and we weren’t able to do that. So we’ve had to build up, and we’ve had a slight challenge there,” O’Sullivan noted. However, she reported that at the moment, progress on the NYCFC stadium project is smooth. “Everything has gone really well for us on the construction side,” O’Sullivan said. “We’ve been really pleased with how well things have gone so far for us.”

In Memoriam: Patrick J. DiMotta

Chairman of the Board, Past Board Member, and Dedicated Community Advocate

Queens Public Communications Corporation

It is with profound sadness that Queens Public Communications Corp. (QPCC) announces the passing of our esteemed Chairman of the Board, Patrick J. DiMotta.

A proud U.S. Navy veteran, Patrick first joined QPCC at the recommendation of former New York City Council Speaker Peter Vallone, bringing with him a deep well of experience from his work with numerous Queens County organizations. His appointment came during a formative moment in QPCC’s history, as Queens Borough President Claire Shulman was laying the groundwork for a company dedicated to developing community media for the borough. Patrick’s leadership and insight were instrumental in shaping QPCC into the award-winning media organization it is today.

Throughout his tenure, Patrick remained a tireless advocate for the residents of Queens. His influence touched every facet of the organization—from guiding QPCC through the Y2K transition and the shift from analog to digital production, to overseeing its financial health, strategic direction, and nonprofit compliance. As Chairman, he led with vision and integrity, chairing pivotal meetings that explored emerging platforms such as streaming media and internet distribution. His unwavering commitment to QPCC’s founding mission—to protect and promote freedom of speech—remained central to his work.

Patrick’s dedication extended well beyond the boardroom. As a member of the Alliance of Community Media, a national organization, he attended its annual conference. He was proud to be with his colleagues and was fond of the QPCC staff, as they were of him. His participation enabled him to stay abreast of technological advancements, ensuring the organization remained forward-thinking and responsive to the evolving media landscape.

His legacy is deeply woven into the fabric of QPCC and the broader Queens community. Patrick DiMotta’s impact will continue to resonate through the media, the neighborhoods, and the lives of those he served with such passion and purpose.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of working alongside him.

Daniel Leone
President / CEO
Queens Public Communications Corporation

Golden Age Silent Film “Sentimental Tommy” Filmed in Forest Hills

Help Find A Long-Lost Silent Film, “Sentimental Tommy”

By Michael Perlman

Forest Hills and Rego Park have made the cut for films, television series, and plays, and achieved an impressive record on camera since its founding in the early twentieth century. Rewinding to what is likely one of our neighborhood’s earliest moments on camera, transpired in 1920.

That year, the rural steep hills along 66th Road (formerly Sample Street) between 102nd Street and 110th Street (formerly Colonial Avenue) grasped the attention of the landmarked Kaufman Astoria Studios (originally Astoria Studios), which erected a set depicting Thrums, a Scottish village for “Sentimental Tommy.” This nearly 80-minute acclaimed silent film was a drama, which was released on May 29, 1921, and screened in theaters including Brooklyn’s DeKalb Theatre and the Merrick Theatre, known as “Long Island’s Finest Theatre.”

1921 ad

Residents of the village of Thrums ostracized Grizel and her mother, who was named “The Painted Lady.” Scottish-born Tommy Sandys was a needy boy with a rich imagination, who proves to Grizel that he loves her for who she is, and not on the basis of pity.

In the fall of 1919, the same Forest Hills spot accommodated a replica of a Civil War era American village for Augustus Thomas’ play, “The Copperhead.” Brooklyn architect Robert M. Haas of 101 Union Street, who served as Chair of the art and decoration department of the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation, designed both sets. This same forested hill, where children would tend to their sleds, was nicknamed “The Green Jungle.” In the mid-1960s, Birchwood Towers replaced a destination that was a trace of Forest Hills’ farming days.

The Silent Film Era spans 1894 to 1931. Today, “Sentimental Tommy,” a significant film of the era, is believed to be lost. Either it is concealed in a dusty archive and forgotten about, or may be a complete loss as a result of the unstable nitrate film base that was typically used. Currently, stills of the film survive. Approximately 75 percent of silent films have been lost, according to the Library of Congress. That would account for an estimated 2,749 that exist in a complete form out of an estimated 10,919 American silent films. There is hope, since some silent films that were believed to be lost forever, were rediscovered. Such is the case for the 1915 film “The Heart of Lincoln” starring Francis Ford, which was classified as missing for over a century, but rediscovered this year by intern Dan Martin, who browsed boxes at the Historic Films Archive in Greenport, NY.

Sentimental Tommy still

“If a list were made of the best photoplays ever made, the (director) John S. Robertson production for Paramount of Sir James M. Barrie’s (renowned book) ‘Sentimental Tommy’ would undoubtedly be included,” read a 1921 edition of the Mount Vernon-based publication, The Daily Argus. “When this picture was shown yesterday at the Playhouse, there was not a sound to be heard, and at the close the audience broke into sincere applause.” It also references that Mr. Robertson, who would be remembered for his work, “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” a year prior, produced “Sentimental Tommy” faithfully in respect for the author’s delightful touches. Gareth Hughes, who appeared as Tommy Sandys, was compared to a genuine “flesh and blood Barrie-esque character.” Actress May McAvoy, who appeared as the devoted and pitiful Grizel, was referenced as a great example for her emotional work. The cast of excellence included other major names, such as Mabel Taliaferro who portrayed Grizel’s mother, “The Painted Lady,” and George Fawcett, Harry Coleman, Leila Frost, Kempton Greene, Virginia Valli, Kate Davenport, and Alfred Kappeler.

 

Sentimental Tommy ad Exhibitors Herald March 19, 1921

An April 19, 1921 edition of The Brooklyn Standard Union featured a review of the silent film, which was subject to an extended engagement at Manhattan’s Criterion Theatre in Times Square. It read, “Seldom has a photoplay which relied upon whimsy and refinement been developed with such delicacy and naive romance as ‘Sentimental Tommy.’ With rare artistry, the director, players, and scenarists, have kept the Barrie spell in all its lightness, thus making the story more gripping and realistic. The imagination is stirred, and the emotions are played upon with deft nuances, while the eye is intrigued through the charming and almost toy-like settings. Lovers of good literature are turning to the Criterion to see ‘Sentimental Tommy’ as they rarely turn to a photoplay.”

“An Architect in the Movies” was a headline of The Brooklyn Daily Eagle on October 17, 1920. In the spotlight was Robert M. Haas, who designed a faithful reproduction of the Scottish village. After Haas’ training at the Newark Technical School, Ohio Northern University, and University of Pennsylvania, he practiced with a firm consisting of architects. Among the achievements were the Presidential Palace of Cuba interior, and countrywide estates including Lillian B. Ryan’s in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.

Sentimental Tommy set by architect Robert M Haas, insert, Brooklyn Daily Eagle, 1920

An excerpt read, “After he had completed the Allen place, Mr. Haas had a call from Mr. Allen one day, saying that he was leaving for Europe, and that he had a request from some motion picture people to take some exteriors on the estate. Would Mr. Haas take care of them? He would and did by calling around at the Famous Players’ studio to talk things over. The general manager showed him around the studio and asked him what he thought of some of the sets. From the architectural point of view, he didn’t think much of them, and told him so.” Haas responded to a request for producing improved sets, and abandoned his architectural work to develop a specialized field.

As the head of the art and decoration department of the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation, Haas conducted the business in the manner of a large architect’s office, with directors as his clients, and script was reviewed with him. “Each scene is considered in detail as to the style of architecture, the nationality of the setting, and the character of the actor. For the larger scenes, such as the building of entire villages, fantastic or elaborate sets, models are constructed to scale and arranged and rearranged until satisfactory. The settings are built by carpenters from blueprints developed from the rough sketches made in conference,” the publication continued.

The village of Thrums’ reproduction for “Sentimental Tommy” in 1920 in Forest Hills was highly regarded by experts on Scottish architecture and landscapes. The praise continued in 1921 with the reproduction of Thrums in the shadow of California hills for Barrie’s “The Little Minister.” “Nannie’s home, the manse, the town hall, and the auld licht kirk fairly breathe the air of Scotland,” read The Sunday Star of Washington D.C. on December 5, 1921.

Scottish novelist & playwright, Sir James Matthew Barrie (1860 – 1937) was born in Kirriemuir, Angus, Scotland and later relocated to 100 Bayswater Road in London, a home where he achieved many successes in the literary and theatrical world. One of his great creations was Peter Pan. His novel, “Sentimental Tommy,” was published initially in 1896, and another edition was available in 1920; both copyrighted through the notable Charles Scribner’s Sons of New York. The film is also based on J.M. Barrie’s novel, “Tommy and Grizel.”

Novelist Playwright James Matthew Barrie in 1892 Photo by Herbert Rose Barraud

For leads on locating the long-lost silent film masterpiece and to volunteer, email mperlman@queensledger.com

ClearView Kids Daycare Center Planting Roots in Forest Hills

A Dynamic Daycare Inspiring Young Minds

By Michael Perlman

It is essential to build a solid foundation in our earliest years, and in the forefront is ClearView Kids Daycare Center. Located in the heart of Forest Hills’ residential and commercial district at 68-60 Austin Street, Suite 200, this full-time weekday nursery to prep school center for children, ages 2 to 5, has been educating, motivating, and enriching young minds in distinctive ways since opening day on April 1, 2025.

ClearView Kids Daycare, 68-60 Austin St, 2nd floor, Photo by Michael Perlman

Upon entering the daycare, warm smiles and a friendly demeanor light the way. A logo in the foyer reads, “A place where every child shines. A place of love, learning, & support.” A thought bubble features an eye with three children sharing a book, and lustrous rays extend into depictions of diverse activities. Personalized attention and a variety of group settings becomes apparent.

A welcoming space, Photo by Michael Perlman

Bianna Mazler, who achieved a Masters in Speech and Language Pathology, serves as ClearView Kids’ executive director. After immigrating from Uzbekistan, she settled in Rego Park, and currently resides in Kew Gardens.

Diana Mozner serves as the center’s educational director. She resides in Queens Village and formerly called Rego Park home. She achieved a Masters in Music in Turkmenistan, and locally, she achieved a Masters in Special Education from Touro College. She takes pride in being a licensed music and special education teacher.

ClearView Kids Daycare offers bright and spacious classrooms to teach and nurture up to 100 students, and enrollment currently remains open. Students are enrolled from Forest Hills, Rego Park, Kew Gardens, Fresh Meadows, and sections of Long Island, which indicates how students and their parents value the daycare’s vision and commitment to excellence. The curriculum blends diverse research-based approaches, tailored to developmental milestones and each child’s individual needs.

Developing bonds over interactive games, Photo by Michael Perlman

“In regard to education, we integrate various curriculums to deliver highest quality services. We make learning fun and meaningful,” explained Mozner. Mazler added, “Our children learn best through exploration and play, and we create an environment where those moments materialize daily.”

The highly skillful staff consists of teachers and teachers assistants, who achieved Bachelors and Masters degrees. Also ready to serve are chefs, who Mazler feels are “very kind and loving people,” which is their most important title. “We believe in teamwork. Everyone is valued, and it does not matter if you are cleaning, cooking, or a teacher. We are all one,” she said.

Owners, staff, & children welcome you, Photo by Michael Perlman

Mazler explained how their enduring friendship evolved into a thriving business partnership, after meeting approximately twenty years ago while working in the field. “Since Diana is a special education teacher and I’m a speech pathologist, we were providing homecare services for the same client. We quickly became friends, and then best friends. Over the years, we worked as a team, celebrated many successes, and realized we could achieve so much more together. That’s when we decided to open our own daycare, knowing we could make a greater impact in the lives of many children.” Their shared passion, mutual respect, and seamless collaboration, strengthened by two decades of experience in daycare center environments, remain the driving forces behind their success.

“Our mission is to provide the highest quality of care for children, to embrace inclusivity and diversity, and to nurture each child with love, guiding them toward a life built on compassion and support,” continued Mazler. She also shared the inspiration behind the center’s engaging name, “ClearView,” which was mutually selected. “As parents, we wanted to offer families a ‘clear view’ by being open, transparent, and deeply committed to the well-being of every child in our care. We want parents to know exactly what their child is learning and eating, while we provide a safe and positive environment. Simultaneously, we maintain a clear vision of how we conduct our work by helping children grow strong, confident, and ready to thrive.”

The Monday to Friday schedule, which runs from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM, offers significantly more than a standard daycare routine. It is a day filled with opportunities for growth, learning, and joy. Children enjoy a rich variety of activities, including free play and library time, circle time, learning centers and small-group projects, indoor and outdoor play, gross motor activities, music and movement, art and sensory exploration, and storytime, among others.

Outdoor play area, Photo by Michael Perlman

Mazler highlighted several qualities that distinguish their daycare apart from others. “We truly love children from the bottom of our heart, and that love is felt from the very moment that parents bring them through our doors,” she shared. The team also places great emphasis on helping children transition smoothly from their home to the daycare environment, which is an experience that can be stressful. With years of expertise, they apply gentle, preventative strategies to ease separation anxiety, and create a sense of comfort and security from day one.

Another standout is preparing three balanced meals and two nutritious snacks, consisting of high-quality ingredients in a kosher kitchen. Milk and eggs are among the organic products. They are committed to accommodating dietary needs, as well as diverse tastes, since healthy food should be delectable and suited to a child’s preferences. Breakfast, for example, may consist of oatmeal with fruits, eggs, and toast or French toast. Vegetarian and vegan options are also available. “We introduce our students to a variety of foods and textures, prepared in a healthy manner, and over time, they become curious and often end up loving them,” said Mazler.

“We offer music classes and sports once per week, and we have our students help prepare challah from scratch on Fridays in our weekly cooking class,” said Mozner. The hands-on approach not only engages their senses, but teaches practical skills that they can carry into their homes as they mature.

“By playing sports, children learn how to follow directions and develop motor skills,” said Mazler. The program offers judo and karate classes, which help children develop physical strength, coordination, balance, and self-discipline, while also building confidence and fostering respect for themselves and others. Another unique aspect is etiquette classes, where children acquire essential social skills, such as sharing, expressing gratitude, and showing respect.

Students also participate in themed performances in conjunction with upcoming holidays, such as Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, which reinforces the traditions and values each season represents. Sensory integration therapy consists of exposing children to materials, including sand and water. This summer, shows are held weekly, which feature a range of subjects. Animals were in the spotlight of one show, and others featured interactive foam and paper as a source of entertainment. Water activities enable students to discover the properties of water, develop interpersonal cues and establish bonds, and enjoy the summer warmth in the center’s enclosed on-site playground.

Where creativity is key, Photo by Michael Perlman

Based on Mazler’s observations and feedback from parents, she shared a few of many reasons why co-owning a daycare is gratifying. “After a few months of operation, their children start following directions. They develop speech and language skills. They start interacting with other children and are more mature. They’re never hungry when they come home. Parents tell us ‘Thank you!’ We also hear how their children, even on weekends, are looking forward to visiting our daycare.”

“Kids feel the atmosphere. They feel it’s a home when they come to our daycare, since we all have positive energy,” said Mozner. “When they come here with their parents, they don’t want to leave, even if it is their first visit. They already feel loved. You don’t have to tell them ‘I love you.’ They know. We always recommend parents to take a tour and see for themselves, since only parents can feel if this is the right place for their child. Our daycare is education combined with positive energy and love.”

Colorful interactive spaces along with a Tree of Life, Photo by Michael Perlman

The layout and configuration of rooms with their purpose, lighting, and the whimsical and colorful huge murals lining the hallway also contribute to the daycare’s unique personality. Children are inspired to use their imagination. One of the murals features toddlers steering a rubber duckie alongside a rainbow, above a rainbow pencil-inspired house, and a toddler hitting a drum as another makes their way down a sliding pon. In a room, cutouts of Cookie Monster and Bert surround a miniature library, enabling a classic adventure. Another space features an interactive colorful growth wall, where children can learn to measure their height alongside a giraffe, monkeys, flowers, and insects.

Murals enable one’s imagination, Photo by Michael Perlman

The duo can also be regarded as artists from designing their center’s engaging logo and beyond. Mozner explained, “We conducted much research regarding what is good for kids, such as how the lights are supposed to be and what colors to use. We read lots of literature, but also applied our own imagination.”

A journey begins at ClearView, Photo by Michael Perlman

ClearView Kids Daycare Center is partnering with the QUALITYstarsNY program, a rating and improvement system for early childhood programs, which provides support and resources throughout New York State.

To discover the magic at ClearView Kids, visit www.clearviewkids.com, call 347-730-4235, email Clearviewkidsinc@gmail.com, follow @clearview_kids_daycare_center_ on Instagram, and book a consultation and tour. Enrollment and a journey awaits!

Debate Over Horse Carriages Pits Tradition Against Welfare

Heritage or Humane Progress for Horse Carriages?

MOHAMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

A push to ban New York City’s horse-drawn carriage industry is intensifying with Ryder’s Law, legislation that would phase out the practice by June 1, 2026, and replace the carriages with electric vehicles.

The bill, formally titled Intro 0967, was introduced by City Council Member Robert Holden and has more than a dozen co-sponsors. It would also require humane disposition of carriage horses, prohibiting their sale for slaughter or transfer to other carriage businesses.

The proposal follows years of controversy and repeated incidents of horses collapsing, bolting into traffic, or dying while working in Manhattan. Public outrage surged in August 2022 when Ryder, a 26-year-old underweight horse, collapsed on Ninth Avenue in the summer heat. He died weeks later.

Chris Green, executive director of the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF), said the case highlighted the dangers horses face daily.

“This is important because well, they keep dying on New York streets, that would be top of my list. I mean, it’s just this horrific anachronism. You know, horses were not meant to walk on pavement and just being in traffic and it’s happening pretty regularly,” Green said.

He pointed to multiple incidents in recent years, including crashes and heat-related collapses, as evidence that regulation has failed.

“Records show that children, cyclists, pedestrians, carriage drivers, passengers, and even New York Police Department and police officers had all been physically injured by accidents involving New York’s horse carriages,” Green said. “In one of those instances, a child was rushed to the hospital after falling out of the carriage and being run over by the wheel.”

Under current law, horses can be worked nine hours a day, seven days a week, and are housed in cramped midtown stalls with no pasture access. Green said the conditions compound the risks.

“Heat, you know? I mean, New York City gets hot, and that’s when it’s high tourist season,” he said. “And again, they’re doing that nine hours a day, seven days a week, and they’ve got no access to anywhere else to get through any other sort of just normal exercise or run or… it’s not just an animal welfare issue, although the animal welfare concerns are huge, you know, it’s a really public safety issue as well.”

Courtesy Animal Legal Defense Fund

Ryder’s Law has been referred to the Council’s Committee on Health, but advocates say progress has stalled under pressure from the Transport Workers Union, which represents carriage drivers.

“So, it’s just, it’s really frustrating when you have something that’s very obvious, animal cruelty and public safety issue, and you’ve got 70% of New Yorkers wanting it, but you’ve got these sorts of special interests controlling, preventing it from happening at the city council level,” Green said.

Other cities including Chicago, Biloxi, Camden, Las Vegas, London and Paris have already banned horse-drawn carriages. Green said New York could follow suit by embracing alternatives.

“There was back in like 2014, or 15, the same donors that had sort of knocked out de Blasio competitor, paid all this money to develop this really amazing looking electric carriage. It was huge, and it turned so many heads. I went for a ride in it once. You know, there’s, there’s a lot of things you could do that would be just as appealing to tourists and having an actual, you know, poor animal having to drag them around,” Green said.

For Green, the stakes are moral as well as practical.

“As a resident, I think, you know, there’s the famous Gandhi quote that the moral progress of a nation can be measured by how it treats its animals,” he said. “And you know, as a city, people want to be proud of the city that they live in, and if their city is allowing this type of very visible, overt cruelty to continue where you’ve got literally, these poor horses dropping dead on the streets of New York, sort of with alarming frequency now, yeah, so why? Why are we letting our city do this?”

The ALDF is urging New Yorkers to contact their City Council members in support of Ryder’s Law.

“You can just contact your city council member and ask them why the hell this hasn’t happened yet,” Green said. “Hold your council members’ feet to the fire and just ask them to justify why they’re allowing this type of cruelty to continue.”

As lawmakers and animal welfare advocates press for Ryder’s Law, which would phase out New York City’s horse-drawn carriage industry, Cowboy Eddie of Lynne’s Riding Center in Forest Hills sees things differently.

Eddie, whose family-run stables date back to 1960, said the industry has safeguards in place to ensure horses are not overworked. “Number one, I think that measures have been taken to make sure that the horses are well kept. As a matter of fact, my stables, were asked to be a vacation spot for those city horses that they have to be relieved from their duties at least two weeks a year, or something like a vacation, where they don’t work at all, and they are really taken off the premises and brought to another location.”

According to Eddie, horses thrive when given work to do. “I think that the if those horses weren’t being used for what they are doing, which they love to do, and horses love to pull. They love to work. They love it. They can’t wait to get out there and just do it. And what these people don’t know. If those horses weren’t out there, they’d be dead somewhere. They’d be euthanized, and they’d be useless just because they’re not doing what they’re supposed to be doing.”

Eddie argued that the recent collapses and deaths, including Ryder’s, are being misrepresented. “The last horse had a blood clot or something. So… I don’t think it’s abuse, not at all,” he said, adding that the ASPCA inspects barns like his regularly.

Concerns about extreme heat or cold, Eddie said, are misplaced. “Horses don’t feel the hot pavement because a horse’s hoof is made out of the same thing your fingernail is made out of. Yeah, they don’t transfer heat or cold. You see what I’m saying?” He added that horses are naturally adapted to both seasons. “In the wintertime they grow thick, hairy coats… and in the springtime… I cut away the winter coats to expose the summer coat.”

To Eddie, the bigger issue is preserving New York’s horse heritage. “Me personally talking to an old school guy. I think that New York is one of the largest appreciated horse states in the country. I mean, we have Aqueduct, Belmont, Yonkers Raceway, Saratoga… the oldest surviving horse ranch, cowboy ranch in the country is in New York. There’s a deep Hollow Ranch, which is in Montauk that’s been there since the 1800s. So, I understand that they need the space well, as long as they got the space and the availability to take care of those horses, like I believe they do, I think that they’re doing a disservice to this, to the state, by not allowing that heritage to be still existing in Central Park.”

The future of New York City’s horse-drawn carriage industry now hangs in the balance, caught between competing visions of heritage and humane progress. As the debate continues in the City Council, New Yorkers face a defining question: whether to uphold tradition or chart a new path that reimagines the iconic carriage ride for a modern era.

Flushing Airport Redevelopment to Deliver Thousands of New Homes

Courtesy  S9 Architecture

MOHAMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

New York City Mayor Eric Adams on Sunday announced plans to transform the long-vacant Flushing Airport in Queens into a new community featuring 3,000 homes and 60 acres of open space, marking one of the largest housing proposals on city-owned land in decades.

The $3.2 billion redevelopment will be led by Cirrus Workforce Housing and LCOR Incorporated. Officials say it will create more than 1,300 union construction jobs and over 500 permanent careers. Construction is expected to begin in 2028, following the city’s land use review and environmental approvals.

“For too many decades, this valuable land has sat vacant, but our administration said it was time to change that,” Adams said. “We issued a landmark executive order to build housing on city-owned sites like this one and now, we are excited to announce we will create around 3,000 new homes at the site of the former Flushing Airport.”

The project will be financed and built with union pension dollars and labor. Developers plan to incorporate sustainable construction, explore the use of mass timber, and design wetlands-compatible landscaping that includes walking paths, sitting areas and wildlife habitat.

“The redevelopment of the former Flushing Airport will deliver thousands of affordable and accessible homes that are financed by, built by, and lived in by union workers, as a result of our partnership with Cirrus and Mayor Adams,” said Gary LaBarbera, president of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York.

Originally opened in 1927, Flushing Airport was once the city’s busiest airfield before being decommissioned in 1984. Since then, the site has largely reverted to marshland. Adams said the plan will repurpose a piece of Queens history into homes for working families.

“At the dawn of modern aviation a century ago, Flushing Airport made history as New York City’s first-ever airfield and eventually the busiest airport in the five boroughs. But today, we’re beginning the process of repurposing that incredible piece of Queens’ history into a critical aspect of Queens’ future,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr.

Union leaders and labor groups hailed the announcement as a turning point for affordable workforce housing in the city.

“This transformative project to build working class housing will be built by the members of Building Trades unions such as Steamfitters Local 638,” said Robert Bartels Jr., business manager of the union. “As a union, we have the simple belief that if you build something, then you should be able to afford to live in it.”

Joseph McDonnell, managing partner of Cirrus Workforce Housing, said the development would prioritize middle-class New Yorkers. “Cirrus looks forward to collaborating with local elected officials, labor unions, community organizations, and residents to bring this transformative project to life,” he said.

Adams has pledged to build 500,000 new homes by 2032, calling the city’s housing crisis “generational.” Officials said the Flushing Airport project will play a critical role in that goal, alongside rezonings and other city-led housing initiatives.

“This proposal is exactly what working New Yorkers have been waiting for — thousands of new homes, good union jobs, and a healthier future for our communities,” said Joseph Azzopardi, business manager and secretary treasurer of the District Council 9 of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades.

Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association President Patrick Hendry said the housing could also help keep police officers and first responders in the city they serve. “This development is a welcome step toward making it easier for New York City police officers and our fellow first responders to live in the city we protect,” Hendry said.

NYCEDC President and CEO Andrew Kimball said the project will strike a balance between growth and preservation. “The redevelopment of the former Flushing Airport is finally ready for take-off,” Kimball said. “We are thrilled to work with Cirrus and LCOR to transform this long-vacant site into a mixed-use project that will deliver thousands of workforce housing units, new public green space, and other community amenities all while protecting and preserving the wetlands.”

Andrew Sokolof Díaz Honored for Tenant Rights Activism


MOHAMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

Andrew Sokolof Díaz, a lifelong Jackson Heights resident and dedicated community advocate, was presented the Irma E. Rodriguez Queens Community Builder Award on June 12, 2025, in recognition of his persistent efforts to unite neighbors and safeguard affordable housing in Queens.

The award, established in 2013 by Queens Community House (QCH), honors Queens residents who embody humility, tenacity, kindness, courage, compassion, and collaboration—qualities that the late community leader Irma E. Rodriguez championed throughout her life. The annual Celebrating Local Heroes event also recognized Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. for his leadership in advancing community values amid challenging times.

Sokolof Díaz’s commitment to tenant rights and community resilience has been unwavering. Born, raised, and now raising his family in Jackson Heights, he co-founded the 89th Street Tenants Unidos Association with his wife Jacqueline in 2017. This grassroots group played a critical role in preserving 133 units of deeply affordable housing, protecting longtime residents from displacement in an increasingly gentrified neighborhood.

“I’m a Queens kid. I was born here in Jackson Heights. I’m still here in Jackson Heights. I’m raising my son here with my wife at our building that we return to where we run the tenants Association,” Sokolof Díaz said.

His activism gained new urgency during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many tenants faced job losses and food insecurity. Sokolof Díaz organized a food mutual aid network within his largely Latino immigrant building and helped lead a successful rent strike. “The pandemic, people had no food, literally. So we had to bring food every week from wherever we could for months,” he recalled.

In April 2021, an eight-alarm fire devastated several rent-stabilized buildings in Jackson Heights, displacing over 500 residents. The fire, sparked by an electrical fault in a senior’s apartment, led to months of uncertainty and threats of demolition. Sokolof Díaz and fellow tenant leaders mobilized legal aid, local nonprofits, and elected officials, including a high-profile press conference with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, to demand humane treatment and long-term housing solutions.

“We were able to save the buildings overall, which is another big feat for us. It’s 132 units of really deeply affordable housing,” he said, noting that more than 90% of displaced families returned home after two years.

He credited the strength of community networks for this success. “There’s a lot of community support in Jackson Heights, the restaurants and the people that like brought us thanksgiving meals when people were still living in hotels with their children. That made it humane,” Sokolof Díaz said.

His advocacy extends beyond his immediate neighborhood. He has supported families affected by other fires in the Bronx and Sunnyside and is actively engaged with coalitions like FED-UP and Jackson Heights Indivisible, opposing private development on public land, including a contentious casino proposal.

Sokolof Díaz is firmly opposed to the proposed casino development in Flushing Meadows Park. Speaking from his experience as a tenant advocate, he called the casino plan “one of the most egregious, like thefts, that’s being sanctioned by all of our elected officials.” He emphasized that such projects threaten working-class communities by driving displacement and worsening affordability, saying, “I’m completely, completely opposed to any idea of a casino, let alone in this part of Queens, but in any working-class community.”

In his view, protecting tenants from displacement is inseparable from broader fights against economic and social injustice. “We’re under attack on all fronts in Queens, the working class communities, the immigrant communities here, are all under attack at all angles economically. It’s so important that we’re here, so that we’re not just like responding, but we’re able to push back,” he said.

Receiving the Irma E. Rodriguez Award was a meaningful milestone for Sokolof Díaz. “Personally? It means a lot. I’ve never been personally recognized for, for what I’ve been doing for, I guess, a decade or so now. It feels great. It feels really nice to be recognized,” he shared. Still, he emphasized the collective nature of community work: “It also shows that there’s, like so many other people out there that are, aren’t, you know, necessarily being recognized, but being elevated, so they can do the work they do.”

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. praised QCH’s role in fostering community during turbulent times. “What we have to do especially during this time, when we see civil rights under attack, women’s rights under attack, immigrant rights under attack, democracy under attack, we have to make sure that every community feels seen in our borough,” Richards said.

Queens Community House, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, serves over 26,000 children, youth, adults, and older adults annually across 40 sites in 15 neighborhoods. Executive Director Ben Thomases highlighted the organization’s mission: “In a world of increasing division and social isolation, QCH remains committed to building a Queens where everyone belongs.”

When asked what advice he would offer new organizers or residents interested in tenant advocacy and mutual aid, Sokolof Díaz said simply, “Don’t hesitate. You know, just, just talk to your next door neighbor, and that’s all it takes is to just begin talking to each other. Sometimes we’re looking for heroes and others to come save us, and it’s, it’s us, you know, who, who have the answers.”

Sokolof Díaz also acknowledged the personal sacrifices involved in his activism. “I was displaced in the fire with my wife and my infant son at the time. It’s very hard for people to organize and do this when they have their own families. I want to thank my wife and son, my family and friends who I lost time with and who sacrificed to support the work that I undertook to protect our affordable housing and mitigate our displacement” he said.

 

Astoria Welfare Society Honors Officer Gabriel Tobar for Outstanding Community Service

Astoria Welfare Society USA Inc. has honored NYPD Officer Gabriel Tobar of the 114th Precinct for his significant contributions to the Bangladeshi-American community in New York. A recognition ceremony was held on Monday evening, August 4, at a local restaurant in Astoria.

The event commenced with a moment of silence to honor Detective Didarul Islam Ratan, who was fatally shot by an armed assailant while on duty on Park Avenue in Manhattan. Attendees also reflected on his life and service to the city.

The program was presided over by Shohel Ahmed, President of the Astoria Welfare Society, and conducted by General Secretary Jabed Uddin. Distinguished guests included Dr. Masudur Rahman, NYPD Sergeants Michael Murphy and Asmat, Abu Taher (Editor of Bangla Patrika and CEO of Time Television), senior journalist and author Saeed Tarek, and Shahab Uddin, President of Al-Amin Mosque.

Speakers included Shamsul Haque, founder of the Bangladesh American Police Association (BAPA), BAPA member Syed Enayet Ali. Vice President of the AWS koyes Ahmed, advisor committee Chowdhury Saleh, Abdur Rahman, Dewan Shahed Chowdhury and among others. Officer Gabriel Tobar was presented with a commemorative plaque in recognition of his dedicated community service.

Leaders and members of the Astoria Welfare Society were present in full support, making the event a heartfelt tribute to both past and present contributors to community safety and cohesion.

Glendale Kiwanis Puts The Fun in Fundraising At Myrtle Avenue Street Fair 2025

Christian Spencer

Children tugged at their parents’ hands as the scent of grilled chicken and sweet funnel cakes drifted down Myrtle Avenue.

Some jumped around with excitement while others perched on the edges of their strollers as parents soaked in the sights and sounds of this year’s Myrtle Avenue Street Fair, a lively block party presented by the Glendale Kiwanis Club.

Money raised from vendor sales and ride admissions supported youth programs and community initiatives like scholarships, youth sports, and neighborhood cleanups, something the civic group has been doing for more than seven decades.

Beyond fundraising, the July 20 celebration was about bringing Queens, and even Brooklyn, neighbors together. It was a moment when local vendors wanted not only to sell but also to share in the fun.

“I just want people to have a good time and enjoy our strawberries and our agua frescas,” said Vanessa Dominguez, who runs La Mera La Coca, offering free samples to entice new customers.

Nearby, Randy Nueva’s booth drew anime fans and curious passersby with colorful plant pots inspired by Pokémon and Studio Ghibli films.

“We do street fairs. We started with animated planters for, like, ourselves, and then people just started asking if we did them, so we started a business, and we sell planters now,” he said about his small business, Nena’s Garden.

While Kiwanis did not hold a booth this year, its presence was felt through its partners. The Myrtle Avenue Business Improvement District helped organize the event, while FDNY and NYPD teams were stationed at key points to ensure safety and smooth traffic flow.

For visitors, the fair was just as much about the experience as the shopping.

“I always go to the fair for food,” said Justin Guiracocha, who enjoyed chicken shish kebabs that reminded him of flavors from his Ecuadorian culture.

His friend, David Quito, mirrored the sentiment, saying the event felt welcoming and lively.

“I felt like it was really an experience that I really enjoyed because everywhere I felt comfortable. There was a lot of police, a lot of family, a lot of people. The food was amazing,” he said.

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