Christian Spencer

On a balmy June evening, a small but spirited group of Yelp reviewers stepped inside Tootles & French, a queer-owned wine bar on Ditmars Boulevard, for a Pride Month gathering that mixed subdued elegance with subtle celebration.

Organized as a private event by Yelp Queens, the occasion was open exclusively to members of the app’s Elite Squad, a handpicked group of its most active reviewers.

The turnout was modest—just a few invited guests—but the atmosphere inside the cozy bistro pulsed with the warmth of community and the sparkle of curated detail.

Among those in attendance was Alice Wu, a Yelp Elite member for five years.

Though she now works at a startup, she previously held a sales role at Yelp.

Wu said the Yelp event was her first Pride event of the season.

“I wanted to support the Queens community and LGBTQ-owned businesses,” Wu said. “This felt like the right place to do that.”

For Wu, a self-identified lesbian, Pride is about visibility, strength, and the resilience of living authentically.

“I honestly wouldn’t be myself without it,” she said. “I’ve known since I was a kid, but I was bullied a lot growing up… I didn’t want to live untrue to myself, and I’m really glad I came out—even with the hardship. It’s made me stronger.”

That sense of refuge is why she was drawn to an event like this, especially in a venue like Frenchies.

“Just knowing it’s queer-owned makes me feel safer,” she said. “And Yelp helps with that too—you can tag a place as LGBTQ-friendly or queer-owned, and that can mean everything if you’re unsure about where to go. It signals the space is open and welcoming.”

Also at the event was Hannah Lieberman, a local comedian and owner of the neighborhood comedy venue QED. Her story brought a more entrepreneurial lens to the evening’s themes of identity and community.

When she learned her favorite performance space was in danger of closing, she bought it herself.

“QED has always been my favorite spot to perform,” Lieberman said. “The vibes are just immaculate… It was actually the first club where I was passed as a comedian and the first one I headlined.”

Lieberman’s presence, too, was rooted in personal connection.

“I met Samantha, the organizer, at our Booze and Builds night—our grown-up Legos-and-drinks event. She invited me to this and I thought, ‘Free food? Say no more.’”

Though the event was light on numbers, the space felt meaningful—a reminder that Pride doesn’t need a crowd to be profound. That was echoed in Wu’s reflections on LGBTQ life in the city.

“When I first moved to New York, it felt hit or miss,” she said. “There are strong queer communities, but I’ve also faced harassment—people yelling slurs on the street. So yeah, we’ve made progress, but it’s uneven.”

Each June, Wu takes part in both the Dyke March and the Queer Liberation March, grassroots events she sees as keeping Pride grounded in its original protest roots.

“Pride started with Stonewall—it was always about protest. These marches remind us of that and push for real change.”

On the nuances of language, Wu was clear-eyed.

“Words like ‘dyke’ or ‘queer’—they’ve been reclaimed by many in the community, but context matters. If you’re not part of the group, it’s best to be cautious.”

By the end of the event, guests lingered over rosé and charcuterie, swapping stories and recommendations for local queer-friendly spots. It was not a bash but a subtle celebration.

The event is a demonstration that Pride Month can flourish even without extravagant celebrations.

 

Conley Takes Command of Post 1424

MOHAMED FARGHALY

Mfarghaly@queensledger.com

After years of service to his country, city, and community, Pat Conley has taken on a new mission: leading American Legion Post 1424 in Forest Hills as its newly elected commander.

“I’m happy to do it. I’m going to give it my best. I’m going to devote more time to it, and just to make it better than when I first stepped in,” said Conley, who officially assumes the role this July following a unanimous vote of support from fellow members.

Conley, a Suffolk County native born in September 1960, enlisted in the U.S. Army at just 17. “I saw an opportunity to take advantage of something. I said, let me grab it now, thinking it was the right thing,,” he said of his decision to join the military early. He trained as a 31 Mike radio operator at Fort Gordon and spent nearly three years stationed in Germany with the 26th Signal Battalion, 7th Army.

After completing his military service, Conley went on to a 21-year career with the NYPD, serving in a variety of roles including anti-crime and robbery units. He retired at 44 and has spent the past two decades working at Yerman’s Irish Pub in Glendale, where he developed close ties with the community — and ultimately, with the Legion.

“Being a bartender in the local community, you get involved with a lot of stuff. Hence how I got involved here,” Conley explained. “Approximately 14 years ago, I joined the American Legion here in Forest Hills… and fast forward to 2017… a few of the members came to me. They asked if I could help. At that point, I came back and got more active in the Legion then.”

In 2018, under the previous commander, there were plans to sell the building, but Conley filed an injunction to stop and overturn the sale. He believed that losing the space would have been a major blow to both the community and the organization, potentially leading to its downfall. Although it was a difficult and dark time for the Legion, Conley felt it was important to take a stand to preserve its future. With that chapter now behind them, the focus is on moving forward with a positive outlook.

Conley has been instrumental in revitalizing Post 1424 since 2019. “We’ve completely revitalized the post, not just myself, but the whole board. We have a great team in place,” he said. The group has tackled long-overdue infrastructure issues, raised funds, expanded membership, and transformed the post into a vibrant hub of community activity.

“We got the word out there that there was a new regime in here, and that it wasn’t the same old stale, cigarette-smoking, depressing atmosphere,” he said. “We started having activities — fishing trips, golf outings, ball games through Citi Field… barbecues… and we definitely brought younger members in.”

The annual Memorial Day Parade remains the post’s signature event. “It’s to remember those who gave all and it’s important to the community and the Legion that we interact with the community,” Conley said. “Without strong support from the community and the business community, American Legions wouldn’t exist.”

Conley steps in for outgoing Commander Michael Arcati, who served since 2020 and is stepping back due to new work responsibilities and family commitments. “He’s done a tremendous job. And I think it’s his time,” said Conley. “He’s not going far. He’s staying on the board as a judge advocate.”

Conley’s vision for the post is rooted in outreach, modernization, and continuity. “To make sure I dedicate more time and getting information out to the current members and spending more time on getting a digital newsletter out to members,” he said of his goals. He also wants to expand partnerships with local youth organizations, including the Junior ROTC, Scouts, and Boys and Girls State programs.

Looking ahead, Conley is preparing for the post’s Fourth of July barbecue, an event designed to welcome families and foster engagement. “We encourage members to bring their family, specifically kids and grandkids, to the Legion to see what it’s about,” he said.

Beyond celebrations, the post continues to serve veterans in need. “We do try to provide some financial support, We do referrals to other agencies to see what assistance they can get. Mental health, same thing, we definitely know the referrals where to send them and how to help them.”

Conley’s proudest moment so far has been restoring the post’s appearance and dignity. “The big thing was getting the building lit up, getting it refreshed, getting it look, you know, shining on the avenue.”

His message to the Forest Hills community is clear: “The Legion can and should be a big part of the community, without a strong community involvement, you never have a strong Legion.”

As for why he took the role now, Conley says it’s about setting an example. “To show people that are going to be coming up behind me — and they will — that you can do it.”

FARE Act Shifts Broker Fees to NYC Landlords

MOHAMED FARGHALY

Mfarghaly@queensledger.com

A sweeping new housing law has taken effect in New York City, shifting the financial burden of rental broker fees from tenants to landlords — a change that is already reshaping the city’s rental landscape and causing a stir among renters and real estate professionals alike.

The Fairness in Apartment Rental Expenses (FARE) Act, which officially went into effect on June 11, requires that whoever hires a real estate broker — in most cases, the landlord — must cover the cost of their services. Broker fees, which often amount to 12% to 15% of annual rent, have long added thousands of dollars in upfront costs for New Yorkers signing leases.

Under the new law, if a landlord uses a broker to market their apartment, they alone are responsible for the commission. Tenants are still allowed to hire brokers for their own apartment search, but in those cases, they would pay the fee themselves. 

The FARE Act also requires that all fees — including charges for background and credit checks — be disclosed “clearly and conspicuously” in listings and rental agreements, aiming to make the process more transparent for prospective renters

Tenant advocates have hailed the law as a long-overdue reform. In a city where median rents have surged — with Manhattan’s median asking rent reaching $4,200 in late 2024 — many have decried the practice of renters having to pay fees to agents who represent landlords.

Nick E. Smith, Executive Director of Communities Resist, expressed strong support for the FARE Act following its passage by the New York City Council. Communities Resist, a housing legal services organization led by people of color, focuses on preventing gentrification and displacement in low-income communities.

Courtesy Freepik

“For far too long, renters across this city have faced exorbitant broker fees. With rents soaring, these fees are another obstacle to New Yorkers trying to find an affordable place to live. The Fairness in Apartment Rental Expenses (FARE) Act is a critical step towards combating our housing crisis and helping New Yorkers find a place they can afford to call home. I applaud Council Member Ossé for introducing this critical piece of legislation. I look forward to seeing the FARE Act become law as soon as possible,” Smith said.

Not everyone in the real estate world is convinced of the law’s benefits. Critics warn that landlords may respond to the new financial obligation by raising rents on market-rate units to recoup broker costs — potentially spreading the fee’s impact out over a year, rather than eliminating it altogether.

“From the other side, their position is that the rents will just go up to cover the cost of the agency,” said Ryan Walsh, Esq., of Walsh & Gilad PLLC, a law firm specializing in real estate.

Walsh also warned of a possible “cooling effect” in the real estate profession. With landlords hesitant to shoulder added expenses, agents may be less inclined to represent tenants — especially if renters are increasingly opting to avoid brokers entirely to save costs.

“I spoke to someone renting out a condo in Long Island City,” Walsh said. “He said there were plenty of interested renters — but none of them came with agents.”

Thomas Chimber, a licensed agent with the Corcoran Group, said he views the FARE Act as an opportunity. “This change could actually increase trust and confidence in the market,” he said, noting that reduced upfront costs may encourage more renters to explore their housing options

Despite months of debate and a 42-8 City Council vote approving the law, some renters remain unsure about what the FARE Act actually changes.

Landlords who violate the new requirements can be fined up to $2,000 by the city and face an additional $2,000 in state penalties. Complaints can be filed with the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection.

Until now, New York City and Boston were among the few U.S. cities where tenants regularly paid the broker fees for landlord-hired agents. With the FARE Act’s implementation, the city moves closer to standard practices elsewhere in the country.

Still, the long-term impact of the law — on rents, broker participation, and housing access — remains to be seen.

Walsh emphasizes that real estate agents still provide significant value in the rental process, even under the new FARE Act. He compares them to a concierge service, helping clients identify suitable listings in specific neighborhoods, navigate online platforms like MLS and Zillow, and complete rental applications. Beyond simply finding listings, agents assist in presenting tenants in the best possible light to landlords and can sometimes negotiate better terms. Walsh argues that despite changes in how fees are paid, the expertise and support agents offer remain important.

However, the FARE Act could offer meaningful relief to prospective tenants in New York City, where the high cost of living has left many lifelong residents feeling trapped in their parents’ homes. In a city where upfront costs — including first and last month’s rent, security deposit, and broker fees — can easily surpass $10,000, eliminating the requirement for tenants to pay broker fees could lower a significant barrier to entry. For young people and working-class New Yorkers, this change may provide a more attainable path to independence, making it slightly easier to secure housing in a market that often feels out of reach. By reducing the financial burden at the start of a lease, the FARE Act could be a step toward addressing the broader affordability crisis that continues to push many New Yorkers out of the neighborhoods they grew up in.

“Only time will tell if this will be good or bad,” Walsh said. “Think about it this way: a landlord can now list their apartment for rent on a variety of free platforms without using an agent. At the same time, prospective tenants might avoid using an agent too, because they’ll assume that if they come with one, the landlord might choose another applicant to avoid paying the broker fee. So, I think it’s another way to cut the agent out of the transaction.” 

Courtesy Aaron Sousa

Christian Spencer

The love and labor of a late restaurateur was posthumously honored on June 14 with a street bearing her name.

At the intersection of 26th Street and 24th Avenue, just steps from the quiet Astoria neighborhood she once called home, Giuseppa Vendome was remembered as the unsung hero 9/11 first responders needed.

The rain poured that afternoon, but the smiles never faded. The grand renaming of “Giuseppa Vendome Way” will be a landmark her son, Antonio “Nino” Vendome, and others hope to be remembered – or at least Googled by those curious about its origin.

Known affectionately as “Mama,” her family’s Canal Street restaurant became a crucial hub for thousands of recovery workers in the days and months following the World Trade Center attacks.

With the help of her husband Rocco and Nino, Mama turned Nino’s Restaurant into a round-the-clock refuge for responders.

For nine months, it operated 24/7, serving more than one million free meals to NYPD officers, FDNY firefighters, FBI agents, sanitation crews, military personnel, and laborers stationed at Ground Zero.

“She opened her Canal Street restaurant to all first responders, round the clock, for nine months, for free,” said family friend John Ketcham during the renaming ceremony. “Giuseppa turned wheat into hope and consolation, opening her doors so they could have a place to call their own—a place where she greeted them with an unforgettable smile that shone amid the darkness.”

Even in her late seventies, Mama was present everyday, greeting weary workers, listening to their stories, and feeding them with her signature meatballs and warm spirit. First responders returned the favor by giving her department patches, which she proudly sewed onto her aprons and displayed behind the counter.

“This is really the recognition of many years of community work,” Gennaro Vendome said, one of Mama’s surviving sons told the Ledger. “She found comfort that coming to America, her life and dreams were fulfilled—not only in being able to achieve what she had in her mind, but far greater than anything she could have imagined.”

Born in 1923 in Sant’Angelo dei Lombardi, Italy, Giuseppa immigrated to New York with her husband and raised their two sons in Astoria. Over the years, she worked as a candy maker, seamstress, cigar roller, and factory worker before becoming a real estate manager and restaurateur.

She passed away on April 29, 2024, at the age of 100.

“She’s a one-percenter,” Gennaro said. “People that live to be over 100 are one percent. And then 85 percent of those are women. And how many people over 100 get a street named after them? She’s a super one-percenter.”

“All of us are here today in gratitude for the example that Giuseppa gave to those who knew her,” Ketcham said, standing before members of her family, including sons Gennaro and Antonio, her grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

The renaming ceremony was supported by Councilmember Tiffany Cabán, who was there in person, Community Board 1, and dozens of neighbors.

“She showed the city and the world what New Yorkers are really made of,” Ketcham said. “Tough as nails, here for one another, and ready to work to make this city the best it can be, no matter what.”

NYC Launches New Campaign to Stop Deadly Subway Surfing

MOHAMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

In a new push to deter subway surfing among youth, Governor Kathy Hochul on Monday announced a joint campaign featuring subway announcements recorded by New York City high school students and professional BMX athlete Nigel Sylvester. The initiative, a collaboration between the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), NYC Public Schools, and other city agencies, aims to reach young riders with a clear and urgent message: ride inside and stay alive.

“Nothing is more important to me than keeping New Yorkers safe,” said Governor Hochul. “Through this campaign, young New Yorkers will hear directly from peers and role models about the extreme dangers of subway surfing and the message is clear: ride inside and stay alive. New York will continue to do everything we can to keep our young people safe on the subways.”

The campaign features a series of illustrated comics developed with input from students at the High School of Art & Design, telling the fictionalized stories of teens impacted by subway surfing. The comics—appearing in stations and online—highlight both the personal risks and the broader emotional toll on friends, family members, and first responders.

Eight public service announcements, recorded in both English and Spanish by students and Sylvester, began airing systemwide this week, marking the latest step in an expansive campaign that began last fall in response to a surge in deadly subway surfing incidents. At least six young people have died from subway surfing in 2024, including 13-year-old Krystel Romero, who was killed in October while riding atop a 7 train.

“Subway surfing is not a game – it can have deadly consequences that ripple across entire communities,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “I want to thank NYC Public Schools for their support in raising awareness about the dangers and implore parents to speak with their children about this serious issue.”

The campaign draws on earlier MTA-led initiatives, such as the “Subway Surfing Kills – Ride Inside, Stay Alive” program, and builds on existing partnerships with social media companies to combat the glorification of subway surfing online. According to MTA officials, more than 1,800 videos showing individuals riding outside of trains have been removed from platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube this year alone.

“Partnering with Nigel Sylvester allows us to reach a new audience and show kids exciting alternatives to subway surfing,” said MTA Chief Customer Officer Shanifah Rieara. “And working with social media companies to take down videos of subway surfing is crucial in showing kids that a few likes on social media are not worth losing their life.”

Sylvester, a Queens native and globally recognized BMX rider, serves as the campaign’s official ambassador.

“As a proud native of Queens, I’m both honored and motivated to partner with the MTA and NYC Public Schools to raise awareness about the dangers of subway surfing—an issue that has deeply affected communities across our beloved New York City,” Sylvester said. “BMX riding gave me a powerful outlet to express my creativity and dedicate myself to something meaningful… I hope to inspire the next generation to explore sports like BMX as a way to grow, build discipline, and unlock their full potential.”

In addition to in-station messaging and online content, the campaign includes direct outreach at schools. NYC Transit officials are meeting with school administrators and students to reinforce the safety message. Meanwhile, NYPD officers have been stationed at hotspot stations and are conducting home visits to known subway surfers.

“We are reminding young people that riding outside of subway cars is not only illegal, but reckless and dangerous,” said NYC Transit President Demetrius Crichlow. “Working with local students to create a campaign that will reach their peers will help us challenge this life-threatening behavior.”

City officials and advocates have increasingly emphasized peer-to-peer engagement as a more effective strategy to connect with youth. The campaign’s design, led in part by students themselves, reflects that approach.

“As a mother and a lifelong educator, I am deeply concerned about the dangerous trend of subway surfing among our young people,” said NYC Public Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos. “This partnership is exactly the kind of collaborative approach to reach our students with messages that resonate.”

Earlier this year, Mayor Eric Adams filed a lawsuit against several social media giants, including TikTok and Instagram, blaming their platforms for helping fuel the rise in subway surfing and other dangerous trends.

“Views on social media are not worth losing your precious life,” said Councilmember Julie Won in a prior statement. “The city must invest in more after school programs that give young people an engaging safe space and an outlet to grow their interests outside of the classroom.”

The city’s Department of Youth and Community Development is also playing a key role in the campaign’s rollout.

“Engaging in reckless activities like riding on top of a train is not only dangerous, but causes immense trauma, suffering, and grief to those left behind,” said DYCD Commissioner Keith Howard. “Before making any decision that could potentially lead to a loss of life… please take a moment to consider the impact it will have on others.”

As summer approaches—a peak season for transit-related risks—officials hope this latest campaign will reach the teens most vulnerable to peer pressure and viral social media stunts.

“Subway surfing is a deadly and deeply troubling trend that has already claimed the lives of far too many young New Yorkers,” said Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers. “By engaging directly with students and elevating peer-to-peer messaging, we are taking a more authentic, impactful approach to reaching our young people.”

The campaign’s core message remains blunt, but critical: Subway surfing kills. Ride inside. Stay alive.