The Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens, located on 21st Street in LIC, announced three additions to its Board of Governors joining the founding leaders of the group.  The three leaders joining the Board of Governors are Paula Kirby, Matthew O’Grady and Maria Wilpon.  The Board of Governors at VBGCQ play a pivotal role in the organization bringing together some of the Borough’s best and brightest to help chart the course for Variety’s substantial growth goals of serving 30,000 youth by 2030.  The ‘30 by 30’ campaign provides youth in Queens free access to afterschool and weekend programming allowing each child to reach for the stars and their dreams.

Paula Kirby is Managing Director of Plaxall, a third-generation family business that owns and manages nearly a million square feet of property in Long Island City. Prior to joining Plaxall in 2014, Paula worked in Europe for over 20 years, notably as Head of Marketing for Prada based in Milan. She and her family have lived in Larchmont, NY for the past 17 years. She received a BA in Art History from Duke University, a Masters in Italian Language and Literature from Middlebury, and an MBA from the international business school INSEAD. A Queens native who grew up in Forest Hills, Paula serves on the Boards of the Queens Museum as Chair, the Queens Public Library Foundation as Vice Chair, Queens College Arts Advisory Board as Acting Chair, the Citizens Budget Commission, and the LIC Business Improvement District (BID), as well as on the Board of Advisors of Mount Sinai Queens. She is an active member of the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) and the LIC Partnership. “The Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens has been an incredible pillar of our community for so many years,” said Kirby, “and I am deeply honored to join such an illustrious group of community leaders. I look forward to working with CEO Costa Constantinides and his team to improve the lives of so many children in Queens.”  

Matthew O’Grady is Vice President Leasing at Cord Meyer Development Company, one of New York’s oldest and most prestigious real estate organizations. At Cord Meyer Matthew is responsible for leasing activity throughout the company’s extensive collection of prime retail and office properties, including the 300,000-square-foot Bay Terrace Shopping Center in Bayside.  Prior to joining Cord Meyer in 2022, Matthew served as Director of Acquisitions, Development & Leasing at Colin Development L.L.C. Matthew began his professional career serving as a commercial real estate broker, providing landlord representation across various asset types and tenant representation for retailers in their expansion into new markets throughout New York. A 2002 graduate of University at Albany, where he received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics, Matthew went on to study relevant coursework in Real Estate Development & Investment at New York University. He resides in Sea Cliff, New York with his wife and three children and is a licensed NYS Real Estate broker. “I am deeply honored to join the Board of Governors of the Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens. This organization has been a pillar of hope and opportunity for young people in our community for over six decades. I am committed to upholding its legacy and working alongside my fellow board members to execute its vital mission of enabling all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens.” Stated O’Grady.  

Maria I. Wilpon is a Principal at DLR Group’s New York City office, where she brings over 30 years of diverse experience to drive impactful projects that enrich communities and promote sustainable futures. A visionary leader, Maria seamlessly integrates expertise across public and private sectors, excelling in strategic planning, high-performance team development, and adapting to evolving industry trends. Her talent for building strong client relationships through business development and fundraising has been central to her success. Maria is renowned for her ability to lead organizational change, fostering agility and resilience within her teams. She actively participates in design organizations and industry associations. Her exceptional leadership was recognized with the prestigious UJA Design & Construction Division Award, celebrating her extraordinary vision and achievements in the field. Maria holds a Master of Architecture from Pratt Institute and graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Architecture from Universidad De Los Andes. She is currently an active board member of the Salvadori Center and has previously served on the boards of the Association of Medical Facilities Planning (AMFP), Professional Women in Construction (PWC), and the North Atlantic Council of the Society for College and University Planning (SCUP). Beyond her professional pursuits, Maria is a passionate advocate for cancer research, channeling her commitment into fundraising efforts. She has completed three New York City Marathons and numerous half-marathons around the world in support of this vital cause.

These leaders join the President & CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce; Tom Grech, Group Strategy Director at BBDO; Amadeo Plaza, Senior Director, Stakeholder Relations at Hydro Quebec; Peter Rose, Former Chair of Pediatrics for New York Presbyterian, Queens; Jay Abularrage MD., former NYC Council Speaker Honorable Peter Vallone Sr. and Bob & Su Robotti, as the founding leaders of the Board of Governors.  

“We are thrilled to add highly talented and passionate people like Paula Kirby, Matthew O’Grady and Maria Wilpon to our team. When you bring leaders like these together with our existing Board of Governors only amazing things happen.  The future for the youth we serve and hope to serve by 2030 will be exponentially brightened by the additions we make today”.  – Said Walter Sanchez, President Board of Directors Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens and President of BQE Media.   

“I’m thrilled to welcome Paula Kirby, Matthew O’Grady, and Maria Wilpon to the Board of Governors at the Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens. Their extraordinary leadership and diverse expertise will undoubtedly strengthen our mission of empowering Queens’ youth. Together, we are poised to make an even greater impact as we work toward achieving the ambitious goal of serving 30,000 children by 2030. The Variety Boys and Girls Club is a cornerstone of our community, and I’m honored to serve alongside such dedicated leaders in shaping a brighter future for Queens.” said Tom Grech President and Executive Director of the Queens Chamber of Commerce and one of the founding leaders of the Board of Governors for VBGCQ.

Courtesy Paul Pogozelski

By MOHAMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

A troubling wave of recent graffiti vandalism has disrupted the atmosphere of Juniper Valley Park in Middle Village, with offensive imagery and hate speech appearing regularly over the past few weeks. The vandalism has primarily targeted areas around the park’s hockey rink, track, and baseball batting cages, causing growing concern among local residents and community leaders.

Paul Pogozelski, the leader of the Middle Village Players Hockey League, which serves around 150 families in the area, has been vocal about the issue. The league is a cornerstone of community engagement in the area, and the recent graffiti has sparked fears of its impact on families who frequent the park.

“We first noticed it about a month ago,” Pogozelski said. “At first, it was just regular graffiti, but then it escalated to something much more disturbing. We’ve seen images that are graphic and hateful, including swastikas and other forms of racist and hateful speech. It’s really troubling.”

The offensive graffiti, which often includes anti-Semitic symbols like swastikas and other explicit imagery, has been found around the park’s most popular areas. In some cases, the graffiti targets local elected officials, including current City Councilmember Bob Holden.

The local parks department has responded quickly to reports of the graffiti, with crews typically covering up the offensive messages within 24 hours. However, Pogozelski said that despite the rapid cleanup efforts, the vandalism continues to resurface soon after.

“Once the graffiti is covered, it usually shows up again pretty soon,” he said. “We’ve been working with the parks department and the NYPD to stay on top of it, but it’s really become an ongoing issue.”

The New York Police Department’s 104th Precinct is actively investigating the vandalism. Pogozelski recently met with officers to discuss the situation and share any leads. Though no suspects have been identified yet, authorities are allegedly reviewing surveillance footage from nearby cameras to track down the culprit.

“We think it might be an adult responsible for this, not a teenager or high school kid,” Pogozelski said. “We haven’t heard anything from the usual network of local teens, and we haven’t been able to trace it back to anyone we know. It’s been really quiet on that end.”

Local speculation has linked the vandalism to an incident that occurred several weeks ago when a large-scale crackdown on motorized scooters led to several vehicles being confiscated. Some believe the vandalism could be the result of a disgruntled individual, though this theory is unconfirmed.

“Right now, we don’t have a solid lead, but we’re hoping that information will help us catch the person responsible,” he said.

The graffiti, which has predominantly included swastikas and other graphic symbols, has been described by Pogozelski as both offensive and deeply concerning for the community. The issue has escalated beyond the local precinct, with the investigation now being handled by the NYPD’s Hate Crimes Unit due to the repeated presence of swastikas and other racially charged symbols.

 “It’s crazy to think that someone would come to a public park to spread this kind of hate,” Pogozelski said.

Despite the challenges, Pogozelski remains hopeful that the community can work together to address the issue. He has urged local residents to report any suspicious activity to the 104th Precinct and to remain vigilant as the investigation continues.

“We need to stay proactive,” he said. “If anyone sees something, they should reach out to the police right away.”

Courtesy the Amazura Concert Hall Facebook 

City officials are condemning a mass shooting outside the Amazura Concert Hall in Jamaica, Queens, on New Year’s Day that left ten people wounded.

By MOHAMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

City officials are condemning the reckless violence that marred a memorial event at a nightclub in Jamaica, on New Year’s Day, leaving ten people wounded in a mass shooting outside the Amazura Concert Hall. The attack, which occurred shortly before midnight, has sparked widespread outrage from local leaders, who are calling for immediate action to curb gun violence in the community.

Police say that three or four male suspects fired approximately 30 rounds into a crowd of 15 people standing outside the venue, where a private event was being held in remembrance of a teenager killed last year. The gunmen then fled the scene in a light-colored sedan with out-of-state plates, as paramedics rushed to treat the victims.

The ten people, ranging in age from 16 to 20, were taken to local hospitals. Authorities report that while some sustained minor injuries, all are expected to recover. Six of the victims were taken to Jamaica Hospital Trauma Center, with the remaining individuals treated at other local facilities, including New York-Presbyterian Queens and Cohen Children’s Medical Center.

The shooting took place at a time when over 90 attendees were inside the event space, but it was the group outside waiting to enter that was targeted. Police are now searching for the suspects, who are described as four men seen walking down 91st Avenue just before the gunfire erupted.

Courtesy Freepik

Local leaders are calling for stronger action to curb gun violence, as the investigation continues and suspects remain at large.

Local officials were quick to condemn the incident and demand stronger accountability for establishments with a history of violence.

Council Member James F. Gennaro:

“Many of you may have already heard about the horrific shooting that occurred last night at the Amazura night club in Jamaica within the confines of the 24th Council District, which I represent. Ten victims were shot. My prayers go out to the victims of this violence, and I thank God that all those injured are reportedly in stable condition and are expected to fully recover. This morning, I spoke to NYPD Commissioner Tisch, 103rd Precinct Commanding Officer Clement, and District Attorney Melinda Katz to be briefed on the incident and the investigation. 

Because of past episodes of gun violence at Amazura, this establishment has an arrangement with the 103rd Precinct pursuant to the City’s Cure Violence Program, whereby the precinct would be apprised of events held at Amazura, and the NYPD would advise the establishment and provide police presence to deter violence as needed. Early reports suggest that the Cure Violence protocol was not followed by Amazura in this episode and that the police were not made aware of this event and therefore were not on scene to deter last night’s violence. These details are still being investigated. 

I pledge to work with Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and my Council colleagues to ensure that the NYPD’s successful Cure Violence Program.”

The Cure Violence Program, established by the City Council in 2011, aims to reduce violence by intervening in at-risk situations and preventing potential escalation. Gennaro noted that early reports suggest the venue did not inform the police of the event, possibly violating their agreement under the program.

Council Member Dr. Nantasha Williams:

“My heart goes out to the victims, their families, and everyone affected by the horrific shooting at Amazura last night. Violence like this has no place in our communities, and we must come together to address the root causes and ensure the safety of our neighborhoods. I am in close contact with law enforcement and community leaders to support their efforts and will work tirelessly to advocate for the resources we need to prevent tragedies like this. We stand united against senseless violence and committed to building a safer future for the southeast Queens community”

Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers:

“I am deeply heartbroken by the tragic mass shooting at Amazura nightclub on New Year’s Day. My heartfelt condolences go out to the young people who were wounded and their families. I am keeping them in my prayers for a full recovery. The celebration of life for Taerion Mungo, a victim of gun violence, should never have ended in this tragedy. Yesterday’s events serve as a somber reminder that illegal guns must be removed from our streets to ensure a safer New York. Please stay vigilant, as the perpetrators have not yet been apprehended. If you have any information that can help, please contact local law enforcement.”

Brooks-Powers emphasized the ongoing need for vigilant action to address the illegal gun trade and prevent further bloodshed.

Council Member Farah N. Louis:

“The mass shooting outside Amazura nightclub in Jamaica, Queens on New Year’s Day hits especially close to home – both as a Council Member and as a family member whose relative was struck by four bullets. This senseless act of violence, which injured ten teenagers and saw over 30 rounds discharged into a crowd by four individuals, represents a devastating start to 2025 that will leave lasting trauma on these young people and their families. While I am profoundly grateful that all victims survived, including my own family member, this incident underscores the urgent crisis of gun violence plaguing our communities. The fact that ten young New Yorkers cannot even celebrate the New Year without facing deadly violence is a stark reminder that we are failing our youth. This is not just another incident to add to statistics – these are real lives, real families, and real trauma that will have lasting impacts. As a city, we must treat gun violence with the urgency it demands. This requires both immediate action to remove illegal guns from our streets and long-term investment in creating meaningful opportunities for our young people.

I call on all stakeholders – to come together with renewed determination to address this crisis. My heart goes out to all 10 individuals injured and their families and I pray for their speedy recovery.”

Louis called for a combined effort to address the root causes of gun violence and emphasized the need for both immediate action to remove illegal firearms from the streets and long-term investments in youth programs.

The shooting has also drawn comparisons to another violent incident that took place across the country the same day, when an attacker in New Orleans drove a truck into a crowd, killing 15 people.

As the investigation continues, police are asking anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS or submit tips online at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org. All information is kept confidential.