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Community Gathers to Commemorate 9/11 with Heartfelt Tributes

BQE Admin on September 16, 2024

The memorial pays tribute to Firehouse 288 and Hazmat 1, which experienced the largest loss of FDNY firefighters.

MOHAMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

The Queens and Maspeth community gathered on September 7 to host a solemn ceremony to mark the anniversary of the September 11 attacks. The event began with opening remarks from Kenneth Rudzewick, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and a performance of the National Anthem by Kathleen Nealon.

Rev. Msgr. Joseph Calise of Transfiguration-St. Stanislaus Kostka Church delivered the opening prayer. A moment of silence was observed before the FDNY laid a wreath at the memorial. The names of 9/11 victims were read by Mike Aylward, with American flags placed in front of the monument as each name was announced.

The ceremony featured a moving rendition of “Go Rest High On That Mountain” by Liz and Bill Huisman, and a poem by Queens Poet Laureate Vincent Tomeo.

“How can I write a poem? When the smell of death is in the air,” Tomeo recited. “How can I write a poem? When I knew four people who perished in the fires of the World Trade Towers.”

Senator Michael Gianaris addressed the crowd at the 9/11 memorial ceremony, reflecting on his personal experiences from that tragic day. He recalled campaigning in the city and witnessing the destruction of the Twin Towers firsthand. Gianaris emphasized the importance of remembering and honoring those who perished, particularly as the years pass and fewer direct witnesses remain.

“These events are becoming fewer every year throughout the city, but more important than ever, and that’s why I will always commit to being here with you and sharing it today,” Gianaris said. “Yes, because the firehouse behind us suffered the greatest loss of life of any firehouse in the city.”

He acknowledged the significant loss suffered by the local firehouse and reiterated his commitment to continue advocating for the need’s of 9/11 responders and victims’ families. Gianaris also spoke about the significance of such events for future generations, including his own young daughter, underscoring the need to preserve the memory of the tragedy and ensure that its lessons endure.

Assembly Member Steven Raga addressed the ceremony with heartfelt remarks, extending his deepest condolences to the families and loved one’s present.

“We know that the pain that we carry as New Yorkers, as Americans, as a country, it’s something that we carry every day during moments like this, but also in the moments we’re not here, those tiny

 moments of quiet, of silence, where even minutes feel like feel like days,” Raga said.

He acknowledged the ongoing pain felt by New Yorkers and Americans, emphasizing that the weight of September 11th is carried every day, not just on anniversaries. Raga highlighted the importance of remembering not only on days like this but also throughout the year. He paid tribute to Firehouse 288 for their ultimate sacrifice and expressed his honor at participating in the commemoration.

Council Member Robert Holden addressed the ceremony, expressing gratitude for the memorial and its significance to the community. Reflecting on September 11, 2001, Holden recounted how he was preparing to teach in downtown Brooklyn when he first saw the attacks unfold on television. He spoke about the initial shock and the unity that followed, noting that while the city and nation came together in the aftermath, that spirit of solidarity has faded over time.

Holden emphasized the importance of honoring first responders continuously, not just on anniversaries. He advocated for recognizing Firehouse 288 as a landmark to honor the firefighters who sacrificed their lives, criticizing the New York Landmarks Commission’s policy of requiring a 30-year wait for consideration. He also highlighted the ongoing struggles of first responders suffering from exposure-related illnesses, underscoring that the fight for their recognition and safety continues. Holden concluded by urging everyone to remember and honor the sacrifices made on September 11 and to revive the unity that characterized the nation’s response in the days following the attacks.

“Do we remember how we felt after the attacks,” Holden said. “Do we remember how close we were as a city and a nation? Can we remember how we thank the first response? We did that for a period of a few months, and then gradually we forgot about it. Everybody says we have to remember this, but so many people in this country forgot about that. This city we should be united to protect our citizens and our first responses, we should honor them every day. That’s why this firehouse should be a landmark. It should be a landmark for those men who gave their lives for this country and this city.”

The memorial at the park honors a number of individuals who made significant sacrifices. Among those remembered are several local residents, including Firefighter Michael Cawley, Cono Gallo, Jennifer Mazzotta, Lieutenant Kenneth Phelan, Firefighter Christopher Pickford, Firefighter Michael Weinberg, Firefighter Matthew E. Barnes, Lieutenant Mario Bastidas, Firefighter Thomas G. Oelkers, and Firefighter Jack Boyle.

The memorial also lists members of Hazmat 1, recognizing Firefighter Dennis Carey, Lieutenant John Crisci, Firefighter Martin Demo, Battalion Chief John Fanning, Firefighter Thomas Gardner, Firefighter John Giordano, Firefighter Jonathan Hohmann, Captain Thomas Moody, Firefighter Dennis Scauso, Firefighter Kevin Smith, and Captain Patrick Waters.

Additionally, Squad 288 is commemorated with names such as Firefighter Peter Brennan, Lieutenant Ronnie Gies, Firefighter Joseph Hunter, Firefighter Jonathan Ielpi, Lieutenant Ronald Kerwin, Firefighter Adam Rand, Firefighter Brian Sweeney, and Firefighter Timothy Welty.

A closing note on the memorial highlights that Squad 288 and Hazmat 1 experienced the single largest loss of firefighters from any FDNY firehouse.

Spectrum Donates $50,000 to Urban Upbound, Boosts Job Training and Technology Efforts 

BQE Admin on September 16, 2024

Courtesy Spectrum

Spectrum has donated $50,000 to Urban Upbound through its Spectrum Community Center Assist initiative.

MOHAMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

Spectrum, the connectivity brand of Charter Communications, has made a significant contribution to Urban Upbound, a nonprofit organization dedicated to breaking cycles of poverty in New York City’s public housing. On September 7, Spectrum announced a $50,000 grant through its Spectrum Community Center Assist (SCCA) initiative, aimed at revitalizing community centers and supporting job training programs in underserved neighborhoods.

The partnership was formally launched during a revitalization event at Urban Upbound’s Queensbridge Houses location in Long Island City. Over 30 Spectrum employees volunteered their time to perform essential improvements to the facility, including painting classrooms and hallways, carpentry work, and setting up a new technology center. The day was marked by a community celebration attended by New York State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, who helped present the donation check and participated in a raffle where attendees had the chance to win free laptops.

The $50,000 grant will be utilized to enhance Urban Upbound’s Workforce Development Program, which provides job readiness training, one-on-one counseling, and other essential services to help community members secure and maintain employment in high-growth sectors. The program is designed to be accessible both in-person and virtually, catering to various learning preferences and ensuring that individuals have the support they need to succeed.

Rahman Khan, Group Vice President of Community Impact at Charter Communications, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership.

“The long-term partnership we are creating with Urban Upbound will make a real difference in the lives of local residents by giving them the skills, tools and updated facilities they need to improve their economic situation,” Khan said. “Thousands of people around the country have participated in SCCA in the neighborhoods we serve, and we look forward to working with Urban Upbound to provide essential job training in a safe and revitalized space.”

In addition to the financial support, Spectrum donated 20 new laptops and a smartboard, and dedicated a new training and technology room to Urban Upbound. Recognizing the critical role of broadband in modern education and training, Spectrum will also provide Urban Upbound with advanced 1 gigabit-per-second internet service for the duration of the program, ensuring reliable and high-speed connectivity for their technology and training programs.

Bishop Mitchell G. Taylor, CEO and co-founder of Urban Upbound, highlighted the significance of Spectrum’s contribution.

“Urban Upbound extends its heartfelt gratitude to Spectrum for their generous donation of funds and equipment, along with their commitment to revitalizing our technology and training space in Queensbridge,” Taylor said. “Our mission relies on extensive resources and strong partnerships, and Spectrum’s ongoing support exemplifies what it means to be a true community partner. With these enhancements, our team is better equipped to empower even more residents with the skills needed to secure meaningful employment and build sustainable careers, helping them rise above poverty.”

Urban Upbound has a long history of addressing the needs of underserved communities in New York City. The organization’s approach includes a comprehensive array of services designed to foster economic prosperity and self-sufficiency.

 “We were the first organization to introduce New York City to Jobs Plus and to launch the first non-city funded Jobs Plus site in Long Island City,” Taylor said. “Our efforts have been the catalyst for the other 43 sites now operating in public housing across the city.”

The aim was to enhance job training and community services in New York City’s public housing.

The services include employment support, college access and youth development, mental health and wellness, financial empowerment and affordable housing counseling, tax preparation and income support, community revitalization through small business innovation, and financial inclusion services anchored by the Urban Upbound Federal Credit Union.

“Urban Upbound was created to break cycles of poverty in public housing neighborhoods, but we do it from a different paradigm—not from the outside in and top down, but from the inside out and bottom up,” Taylor said. “We bring together resident leaders, business leaders, religious leaders, and nonprofit leaders to give residents a hand up and a foot in the door, not a handout.”

In addition to the grant and equipment donation, Spectrum’s revitalization efforts were supported by HomeFront, a community-based organization that specializes in providing home repairs to low-income homeowners at no cost. Sean O’Brien, Executive Director of HomeFront, praised Spectrum employees for their volunteer work.

“Over four decades, HomeFront has had the privilege of working with hundreds of volunteer groups,” O’Brien said. “Spectrum employees set a powerful example of volunteerism with their energy, knowledge and compassion. It is an honor to team up with them and envision the positive, life-changing ripple effects of their work.”

The revitalization event also included a community celebration where Spectrum employees, local residents, and community leaders gathered to celebrate the new resources and improvements. New York State Senator Kristen Gonzalez spoke about the importance of such collaborative efforts in addressing the needs of underserved communities.

“I am deeply inspired by this generous donation, which exemplifies the powerful impact that dedicated partnerships can have on our communities,” Gonzalez said. “At a time when technology is rapidly changing our workforce, this support will significantly enhance the work Urban Upbound does to influence underserved communities in NYC, allow them to continue critical programming on workforce development, and improve their facilities. It is through such collaborative spirit and shared commitment that we can drive change and uplift the lives of countless individuals across our community.”

Spectrum’s SCCA initiative, which was launched in 2021, is a $30 million investment aimed at supporting 100 community centers and job training programs across the company’s 41-state footprint. The initiative provides cash grants, in-kind contributions, physical improvements to facilities, and new equipment such as laptops and furniture. Each location benefits from Spectrum’s comprehensive support, which includes both financial and hands-on assistance from employees.

For more information about Spectrum Community Center Assist and to learn more about how Spectrum is supporting communities across the country, visit corporate.charter.com/community-assist.

“Spectrum’s donation is very refreshing,” Taylor said. “They are not just providing financial support but also participating in a beautification project and addressing critical infrastructure needs. This partnership underscores the importance of human capital and technological support for nonprofits.”

The grant will fund improvements at Urban Upbound’s Queensbridge Houses location, including new technology and facility upgrades, while Spectrum employees volunteered for hands-on renovations.

Roosevelt Avenue Crisis Draws Urgent Community Response

BQE Admin on September 16, 2024

Community leaders and residents gathered at a press conference to address the severe crime and lawlessness along Roosevelt Avenue.

MOHAMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

A community press conference held at 90-20 Elmhurst Avenue on September 5 brought urgent attention to the deteriorating conditions along Roosevelt Avenue. District Leader Hiram Monserrate, along with other community leaders and local residents, voiced their growing frustration over what they describe as an escalating crisis of lawlessness and crime in the Roosevelt Avenue Corridor.

Spanning from approximately 104th Street through Corona, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, and extending to 72nd Street, Roosevelt Avenue has allegedly become increasingly dominated by organized crime syndicates, drug traffickers, human traffickers, pimps, and unlicensed street vendors. The area has also seen a surge in illegal marijuana shops and shoplifting rings, contributing to a pervasive sense of insecurity among residents and small business owners.

“Our community deserves better, and we demand it now,” District Leader and former Councilman Hiram Monserrate said. “We are asking the NYPD to bring back the Roosevelt Avenue Task Force, as well as the Operation Take Back initiative. These initiatives will bring hundreds of police officers into this extremely troubled section of Queens.”

Monserrate, who previously served as a council member and police officer, emphasized that during his tenure, Roosevelt Avenue faced challenges but never the level of lawlessness seen today.

“When I represented this community as a council member, we never allowed this,” Monserrate said. “Roosevelt Avenue has always had its challenges but what we have here now is complete lawlessness, it’s disgusting and must be fixed.”

Ramon Ramirez of the Let’s Improve Roosevelt Avenue Coalition also weighed in, condemning the criminal enterprises that have taken root.

“Police officers need to do their jobs and arrests must be made,” Ramirez said. “These people are not shop-lifting because they are hungry this a criminal money-making enterprise that includes the same stolen items being sold by the unlicensed street vendors right here on Roosevelt Avenue and 91st Street. It must stop.”

Amanda Lopez, a coalition member and Elmhurst resident, expressed her personal fear and frustration.

“I was born and raised in this community, and I live here,” Lopez said. “Roosevelt Avenue at present is very scary. As a woman I am in fear just walking home at night or traveling on the 7 Train. Are our elected officials blind? We need positive change immediately; we need to be safe in our neighborhood”.

Ramses Frias, a local resident and candidate for City Council in District 25, expressed deep concerns about the escalating crime and disorder in the area. Frias highlighted the rampant prostitution, illegal street vendors, and overall deterioration that have plagued the community over the past few years. He emphasized that these issues are negatively impacting local businesses and making the neighborhood unsafe for residents, particularly children.

“We need to come together, we need to grow our voices together and become one, to understand that this is no longer tolerated, that we are going to be here, that we are standing up for each other, and that we will proceed and move forward to start a new day,” Frias said.

Drawing on his 43 years of experience living in Elmhurst, Frias urged for immediate action from the NYPD and city officials to address these problems. He called for increased community engagement and support for new leadership that will prioritize restoring safety and vitality to the area.

District Leader Hiram Monserrate, alongside other officials, criticized the failure of elected representatives to tackle the issues plaguing the community.

Marty Dolan, a congressional candidate, addressed the press conference by highlighting the broader implications of the issues facing the community. He emphasized that the deteriorating conditions in neighborhoods like the one in question reflect poorly on New York City as a whole, tarnishing its global image. He criticized the city’s leaders, questioning the absence of figures such as Mayor Eric Adams, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in addressing these issues.

“We’re all connected,” Dolan said. “New York is connected to the world through the media, through social networks. When you have conditions like you have here in this community, it’s a black eye for New York all over the world.”

To address the ongoing crisis, Monserrate unveiled the “Five Point Plan for a Better Roosevelt,” a strategic proposal designed to restore safety and order:

The “Five Point Plan for a Better Roosevelt” proposes a comprehensive strategy to address the escalating crime and disorder along Roosevelt Avenue. It calls for the expansion of the Roosevelt Avenue Task Force to 120 officers, who would be permanently assigned to the area to ensure consistent law enforcement. Additionally, the plan recommends augmenting the 110th and 115th Police Precincts with 50 more officers each to bolster their capacity. To enhance oversight and accountability, it suggests reconfiguring precinct boundaries so that a significant portion of Roosevelt Avenue falls under a single precinct’s jurisdiction.

The plan also advocates for a multi-agency response to enforce quality-of-life violations, such as issuing summonses and seizing goods from unlicensed vendors. It emphasizes the need for community involvement by establishing partnerships with local organizations to gather intelligence, support beautification projects, and strengthen community bonds. Furthermore, it supports legislative changes to amend bail laws to prevent the release of repeat offenders without bail for crimes like shoplifting, which negatively impact local businesses. The plan also calls for increased funding for police, encapsulated in the movement to #refund the police.

During the Q&A session, District Leader Hiram Monserrate strongly criticized the failure of elected officials to address the severe issues plaguing the community. He emphasized that the residents, many of whom are immigrants or their descendants, are subjected to conditions that would be unacceptable in other neighborhoods.

He highlighted the neglect in basic community responsibilities, such as ensuring safety, cleanliness, and adequate protection for vulnerable populations. Monserrate pointed out that the current state of Roosevelt Avenue has turned the area into a national embarrassment, mocked on social media, and that the community deserves much better.

“Everything that we are confronting right now, we are confronting because all our representatives have failed us, every single one of them, even some that are my friends, they have failed us,” Monserrate said. “We should not be subjected to this, Queen is better than this.”

As community leaders and residents rally for immediate action, the pressure mounts on city officials and law enforcement to address the escalating crisis and restore order to this vital Queens thoroughfare.

The “Five Point Plan for a Better Roosevelt” was unveiled, calling for increased police presence, better oversight, and community involvement to restore order and safety to the area.

Art In JFK’s Oldest Terminal Captures The Vibrancy Of New York City

BQE Admin on September 11, 2024

Artist Ron Bass stands in front of his largest art piece near one of the entrances at Terminal 7. Credit: Jean Brannum

By Jean Brannum | jbrannum@queensledger.com

Brooklyn artist Ron Bass installed four art pieces at Terminal 7’s arrivals area and three locations plane-side. The pieces show the spirit of New York City to visitors and those returning home. 

Ron Bass, born in Crown Heights, created each of the pieces to show his love for New York. His largest piece, “Dear NY,” at the terminal arrivals area showcases himself as a boy looking over a vibrant and magical New York City, which is how he saw the city as a child. 

“It’s an abstract story on New York through my lens, especially the younger years living here,” Bass said. 

Bass has always enjoyed creating art since he was a child, especially drawing and painting. However, his original dream was to be a basketball player for the NBA. He started pursuing art seriously when he lost his mom at the age of 19 and his dad at 22. Bass used art to heal himself. 

“I figured that art allowed me to express the things that I couldn’t say,” Bass said. 

Ron Bass in front of his interactive art piece, called “Destination: New Heights,” at gate nine.

LaSher Harvey, Commercial Manager for JFK Millennium Partners, reached out to Bass because she knew he would be able to capture the spirit of New York, which is a mission of JFK Millenium Partners as the company rebuilds Terminal Six. 

JFK Millenium Partners is building a new Terminal Six next door. Once the new Terminal is opened, Terminal 7 will be demolished and Bass’ pieces will be moved to the new terminal. The site of Terminal 7 will become the second half of Terminal Six. Through local business partnerships and art, Terminal 6 is designed to give people a taste of New York whether they are returning home, on vacation, or passing through. 

Terminal 7 is home to Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, ANA, Condor, Ethiopian Airlines, Frontier, HiSky, Icelandair, Kuwait Airways, Norse, LOT Polish Airlines, and Sun Country Airlines, so many of its customers are likely visiting the city from other places and other countries. 

Despite the plans to demolish the terminal, the team at JFK Millennium Partners still wanted to make improvements to people’s airport experience, said Karen Ali, Chief Operating Officer at JFK Millennium Partners. 

“We are constantly looking at how we can further improve the passenger experience at Terminal 7 and reinvigorate the space. Our aim was to ensure that every traveler and every employee working at T7 felt New York’s vibrancy and positive, welcoming spirit when they entered our building – and we knew that Ron Bass was the artist to do this,” Ali said.

Ron bass poses with a family traveling from Minneapolis that got one of the first looks at the new art.

Bass created the art pieces digitally and printed them on metal sheets. This will make it easy for the pieces to be moved. 

Another piece, “Destination: New Heights” is interactive and features two wings where someone can pose in-between them for a photo. A family visiting from Minneapolis immediately jumped in front to take photos as soon as the curtains were moved. 

The other two pieces heavily feature the word “love”.  “I (Really) Love NY” next to the currency exchange is similar to the famous “I love NY” slogan. A hand holding flowers replace the heart. This piece was printed onto individual postcards and handed to passengers in the terminal. 

Bass’ final art piece near the currency exchange. 

Finally, the piece “Unified” next to gate eight also has the New York City flag over a collage of “I (Really) Love NY” copies. 

People passing through Terminal 7 will hopefully love New York a little more when they see the city’s spirit captured in the art.



Flushing Town Hall Unveils Interactive Digital Site for Queens Jazz Trail Map

BQE Admin on September 5, 2024

MOHAMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

Flushing Town Hall will launch a new interactive website on September 5 for its beloved Queens Jazz Trail Map, making the long-celebrated guide to the borough’s rich jazz history widely accessible for the first time in digital form. The unveiling coincides with the final concert in the Queens Jazz Trail Concert Series, featuring a performance by the George Gee Swing Orchestra at Astoria Park, free to the public.

The Queens Jazz Trail Map, originally printed in 1998, lists over 125 notable jazz artists and landmarks throughout Queens, including the Louis Armstrong House Museum and Flushing Town Hall itself—a Smithsonian affiliate and renowned venue for jazz concerts. The map has served as a vital resource for jazz scholars, fans, and tourists, detailing the lives and contributions of jazz legends such as Billie Holiday, John Coltrane, Ella Fitzgerald, and Count Basie, who once called Queens their home.

Ellen Kodadek, Flushing Town Hall’s Executive and Artistic Director emphasized the significance of the map’s digital launch.

“Queens has been called the home of jazz because so many jazz legends lived and worked in Queens over many, many decades,” Kodadek said. “This is the first ever digital map, so we’re really excited about that.”

The new website, designed by Urban Archive with funding from the Queens Economic Development Corporation/Queens Tourism Council, is the first phase of a dynamic resource that will evolve with additional content and interactive features. Users can explore detailed information about jazz artists and venues by clicking on various points on the map and contributing their own stories and media, which Flushing Town Hall will review and potentially publish.

“Members of the community, if they have something to add, if they have any video footage or audio footage or fun anecdotes, they’re more than welcome to email them to us,” Kodadek said.

Seth Bornstein, Executive Director of the Queens Economic Development Corporation, highlighted the map’s potential to draw visitors to Queens.

 “The launch of a digital Queens Jazz Trail Map will inspire greater visitorship to Queens, a borough rich in musical history and home to a diverse and thriving cultural scene today,” Bornstein said. “I encourage map followers to come for the jazz, delight in our history, and discover all else that Queens has on offer, including beautiful parks and restaurants serving up authentic cuisines from around the world. You name it, it’s in Queens—the world’s borough!”

The interactive digital map will go live on September 5, the same day as the final concert of the Queens Jazz Trail Concert Series, a collaboration between Flushing Town Hall, the Kupferberg Center for the Arts at Queens College, and the Louis Armstrong House Museum, in partnership with NYC Parks. The concert, featuring the George Gee Swing Orchestra, will take place at 6 PM in Astoria Park.

“September 5 is also the final jazz concert of the series that was started this summer in the parks. It’s called the Queens Jazz Trail Concert Series, and it’s a free public performance by the George G Swing Orchestra,” Kodadek said.

The digital map and details about Flushing Town Hall’s programs and events will be available online at the Flushing Town Hall’s website, flushingtownhall.org. The printed version of the Queens Jazz Trail Map is available for purchase at Flushing Town Hall’s Gift Shop. To contact the box office, call (718) 463-7700 x 222, email boxoffice@flushingtownhall.org, or visit Flushing Town Hall at 137-35 Northern Boulevard in Queens.

“First printed in 1998, the original Queens Jazz Trail map had become the stuff of lore—possessed by few, coveted by many,” Kodadek said. “We are thrilled to be selling it again in our Gift Shop and especially excited for its new digital release, which makes it widely available to be used and enjoyed by all for many years to come. We hope that people in Queens will be really proud of the fact that Queens has this extraordinary jazz legacy and history. Also, that it will inform tourists about this incredible jazz legacy.”

Queens Night Market with Dragon Fest’s Panda Day Celebration

BQE Admin on September 5, 2024

MOHAMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

Queens marked a milestone on August 31 with the debut of the Panda Day celebration, as Dragon Fest presented its first-ever night market in Forest Hills. The free event, held along Queens Blvd from Yellowstone Blvd to 70th Road, drew crowds from 2 PM to 10 PM, showcasing a lively fusion of food, culture, and entertainment.

The night market, an interesting addition to Queens’ cultural landscape, featured a diverse array of Asian street food vendors. Attendees sampled an array of delicacies, including savory skewers, tender pork buns, and sweet tanghulu, or candied hawthorn.

In addition to the culinary offerings, the event featured panda-themed inflatables and mascots, providing a playful atmosphere for families. Highlights included traditional Chinese music performances and open mic sessions, where guests had the chance to showcase their talents.

This inaugural event is a significant cultural addition for Queens, offering residents and visitors alike a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in Asian traditions and cuisine in a festive setting. The Dragon Fest First-Ever Night Market at Forest Hills: Panda Day represents a milestone for both the festival and the borough, combining culinary delights with cultural celebration.

Dragon Fest is renowned as New York City’s premier Chinese food and culture festival, dedicated to celebrating the rich diversity of Chinese cuisine and traditions. With a mission to unite cultures through food and art, Dragon Fest provides a platform for cultural exchange and brand visibility, aiming to become a leading celebration of Chinese food and culture nationwide.

Queens Artist Connection to Host Second Annual Artist Meetup Event in LIC

BQE Admin on September 5, 2024

MOHAMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

The Queens Artist Connection (QAC) is set to host its second annual Artist Meetup event on Sunday, September 8, at the Court Square Theater in Long Island City. The event, starting at 1 p.m., aims to bring together local theater makers, arts leaders, and organizations to foster collaboration and support within the Queens artistic community.

Founded in 2023, QAC emerged in response to the lack of resources and information available to theater makers residing in Queens. The organization seeks to build a network where artists and organizations in “The World’s Borough” can support each other, share information about local venues, funding opportunities, and more. QAC’s mission is to create a platform for networking, collaboration, and growth for artists at all stages of their careers.

This year’s event will feature a lineup of notable arts leaders and organizations, including representatives from Flushing Town Hall and the Alliance of Resident Theaters/New York (ART/NY). The meetup is designed to encourage networking among artists, provide information about available resources, and engage with local arts organizations and venues. QAC also aims to build relationships with local politicians to foster cross-functional collaboration and potential future partnerships.

The inaugural event, held in August 2023 at the same venue, attracted over 40 local participants and organizations, including actors, producers, writers, comedians, puppeteers, and dancers. Since then, QAC has continued to expand its community database of artists and organizations, reflecting the diverse and vibrant arts scene in Queens.

The event is open to all theater makers and arts professionals in Queens and beyond. For more information, visit hitthelights.org/queensartistconnection.

Discount Store Owners To Pay 25,000 For Alleged Retaliation Against Employees

BQE Admin on September 5, 2024

By Jean Brannum | jbrannum@queensledger.com

The owners of ABC Deals and now-closed Pick 99c in Astoria Ditmars have to pay $25,000 in penalties and $50,000 in lost wages to employees for retaliating against employees and interfering with a US Department of Labor investigation, according to a consent judgment from the Eastern District of New York. 

Owners Ahmad Perwaiz, Hassan Perwaiz, and Manager Mohammed Perwaiz allegedly directed employees at their stores to lie about the number of hours they worked and made threats toward employees who cooperated with the investigation from the Department of Labor. Ahmed and Hassan Perwaiz are Mohammed Perwaiz’s sons. 

The owners will pay $12,500 to two employees in punitive damages. In a related case, the owners paid up to $50,000 in back pay damages. 

The owners allegedly violated parts of the Fair Labor States Act and impeded the investigation from the Wages and Hour division. In a court filing from July 2022, the Department of Labor said time records showed employees worked from 9 am to 2 pm and never worked over 40 hours per week. However, the Wage Hour observed employees working until 8 pm with no overtime compensation, 1.5 times the hourly wage for additional hours. 

The court document said that the owners disputed the findings during a meeting with the department in June 2022. Mohammed Perwaiz allegedly submitted statements claiming they were written by employees, saying staff did not work overtime. The document said the owners allegedly lied about the number of hours worked and all the statements were nearly identical in terms of syntax. 

After that, Mohammed Perwaiz pressured employees to lie about their work hours and made threatening statements, the complaint said. 

Stephen Hans, the attorney for the defendants, said he did not agree with the department’s findings and that the employers never admitted to any of the allegations. However, ABC Deals resolved the case with a consent judgment rather than spending thousands of dollars in legal fees. Hans said that many of his cases end with employers agreeing to consent judgments because it is cheaper than paying to contest the allegations. 

The department stated in the complaint that the owners’ retaliation discouraged employees from cooperating with the investigation and some refused to speak with investigators. 

In the consent judgment, the court forbids the owners from retaliating against employees in any way, including cutting hours for employees who cooperated with the investigation or terminating employees who cooperated. 

DOL Regional Solicitor of Labor Jeffrey Rogoff said that this is a message to employers that the department will not tolerate retaliation and wage theft.

“When an employer tries to coerce workers and obstruct investigations, the U.S. Department of Labor will swiftly respond with effective and assertive legal actions to protect workers and hold the employer accountable,” Rogoff said. 

Victims of employer retaliation and wage disputes are encouraged to file a complaint with the DOL. All complaints are confidential. 



G Train is Back and Running Its Full Route

BQE Admin on September 4, 2024

Courtesy of Marc A. Hermann / MTA.

By Jean Brannum | jbrannum@queensledger.com

The G Train officially fully reopened the morning of Sept 3, after a series of partial shutdowns for repairs. 

The MTA Interim President Demetrius Crichlow and MTA Construction Development President Jamie Torres-Springer greeted customers at the Metropolitan Ave station to celebrate the reopening. The nine-week project allowed the MTA to add Communications-Based Train Control to improve train service reliability. 

“I was so happy this morning, I got into the ​​ train station, took the train here and had Pharrell’s “Happy” song in my head with an extra bounce in my step,” said Council Member Lincoln Restler.

Work will continue until 2027, but the critical work is complete. Many signals on the G train route date back to the 1930s. Assemblymember Emily Gallagher and State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, along with other elected officials, said that these changes have been necessary for a while. 

 “I think this will set a new standard for what the future of the MTA can look like, the future of transit can look like; something that is on time, reliable, fast, and of course, as you heard modern,” Gonzalez said. 

In addition to adding Communications-Based Train Control, the MTA also replaced 9,495 tiles in G stations, painted 1,802 columns, and repainted 233,645 square feet of platform, track, and mezzanine ceiling. 

Some weekend and overnight outages will occur as work continues from 9:45 pm to 5 am the week of Sept 16. 



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