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Forest Hills Restaurateur Battles Construction Woes, Fights to Keep Doors Open

BQE Admin on March 20, 2025

MOHAMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

Puneet Singh had high hopes for his expanding culinary vision on Ascan Avenue. After the runaway success of his restaurant, White Radish, a farm-to-table American kitchen, which opened in the fall of 2020 and thrived through the turbulent years of the pandemic, Singh decided to double down. In late 2023, he signed a lease to expand to Daikon Sushi Room next door, investing over $400,000 into the sleek new spot at 108-23 Ascan Avenue.

The expansion was supposed to be a lucrative move. But what should have been a promising new chapter for Singh’s businesses instead turned into a nightmare of financial stress and dwindling customer access.

It all began in April 2024, when the MTA launched construction work directly in front of Singh’s establishments. The project, intended to build a new ADA-accessible ramp for the 71st Continental Avenue Long Island Rail Road station, quickly became a source of frustration and financial turmoil.

“They just came and dropped off the paperwork to notify notify us, and that there was no time frame given to us, whether it was going to take up to three months, six months or a year.” Singh said. “They put all these barricades up, they put the fencing up, the sidewalk was closed, and they had detour signs directing people away from the area.”

Throughout the summer of 2024, the barriers remained, stifling foot traffic and cutting deep into the restaurant’s revenue. Singh missed revenue targets and fell behind on rent, payroll, and sales tax obligations. The construction site, which was supposed to be temporary, turned into a drawn-out disaster.

“People do not want to cross a construction zone to get to a restaurant,” Singh said. “You have metal barricades, cranes, construction equipment, and danger signs everywhere. It’s not inviting. They put up even more barriers and took away parking spots. We were losing our customers.”

By August 2024, the barricades were removed after the project was halted due to budget restrains. But the damage was already done. The prime summer season had slipped away, dragging White Radish and Daikon Sushi Room into financial quicksand. While sales began to recover slightly, they remained far below the expected targets.

Just as things started to look up, construction crews returned three weeks ago in early 2025. The barricades, fencing, and trucks are back, and Singh’s frustration is mounting.

“They came back and installed everything again,” Singh said. “They just showed up one morning and started putting everything back up. The permit says three months, but I don’t trust that. Last time, they said it was temporary, and it lasted months. This could drag on for a year or more.”

The ongoing construction has made it nearly impossible for regular customers to return to White Radish and Daikon Sushi Room. With the large green barricades blocking the storefronts, passersby in Forest Hills can no longer see the restaurants, making it difficult to capture the attention of new customers. The constant disruption has caused loyal patrons to avoid the area, while potential diners are unaware of the businesses altogether. As a result, attracting new customers and maintaining steady foot traffic has become an overwhelming struggle.

The renewed construction has already caused further declines in revenue. Singh fears he may lose both of his businesses, which employ local Queens residents and contribute to the neighborhood’s charm.

Due to the ongoing construction disruptions and dwindling business, the number of employees has been cut from 24 to just 14. With revenue dropping significantly, the restaurants have also had to reduce their hours of operation. To make matters worse, the barriers are often moved in the evening, blocking additional parking spaces and further deterring potential diners from stopping by. The lack of foot traffic and customer demand has forced these tough decisions, making it increasingly difficult to sustain the businesses and provide steady work for the remaining staff.

What was once a charming spot for families and friends to gather and enjoy a meal has now become an unpleasant experience due to the constant construction. The noise from the work is so loud that it makes conversation nearly impossible, and the vibrations from the machinery often shake the walls of the restaurants. Adding to the discomfort, a diesel truck frequently pulls up to the construction site, filling the air with a strong, unpleasant odor that drifts into the storefronts, further ruining the dining atmosphere.

“We swallowed the losses last year, this year, we’re just trying to catch up on our bills,” Singh said. “I’ve invested everything into these restaurants. If this keeps on going like this, there is no way we will be able to sustain for another year or so.”

Singh is demanding immediate action: the removal of the barricades and restoration of access to his restaurants, along with formal discussions about financial compensation for the losses incurred.

“We need them to just move this away from our restaurant, there’s an empty store across the street,” Singh said. “There’s a lot of space which is not being used. They should, first of all, remove this barrier, and should cover up our damages.”

Singh has reached out to the MTA multiple times, but they have not been cooperative on the construction aspect. However, he is scheduled to meet with the Senior Director of Public Affairs later this week to discuss the issue.

Until then, he remains in a holding pattern, pouring money into his businesses in the hope that, one day, the view from Ascan Avenue will be clear again.

As White Radish remains caught in construction limbo and fights for support, readers can continue to visit the two storefronts at 108-25 Ascan Ave, Forest Hills, to support a local business during this challenging time.

Starr Street’s ‘Spaceship Bus’ Finally Removed – But at What Cost?

BQE Admin on March 20, 2025

Courtesy Robert Holden’s Office

MOHAMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

 

A long-standing dispute over a large RV parked in a residential neighborhood on Starr Street finally reached a conclusion last week when the vehicle, nicknamed the “spaceship bus” by local residents, was towed away after months of complaints from the community. The operation, however, did not proceed without incident. The removal, has sparked a wave of controversy, with both local lawmakers and the RV’s owner offering differing perspectives on the situation.

 

The RV, which had been parked on the residential street since January, drew growing frustration from nearby residents. The vehicle was described as a “monstrosity” by some, with its colorful, spaceship-like design drawing the ire of those living nearby. What started as a seemingly temporary parking spot for the vehicle, once part of the Brooklyn Club Silo’s outdoor seating arrangement, escalated into a neighborhood controversy. Owner of the vehicle, Robin Russel-French, argues he never intended to leave the RV there permanently and that an illness made it nearly impossible for him to address the situation sooner.

 

After multiple complaints from residents the RV was removed by private tow company VMA Towing.

 

Council Member Holden applauded the swift action taken, calling the removal a necessary step to address the growing issue of commercial vehicles and RVs cluttering the streets of the neighborhood. “The issue of RVs and commercial vehicles parked throughout our district and beyond has grown bigger than ever. When constituents rightfully complain, my office takes swift action.” Holden thanked local agencies and staff members for taking action.

 

Crashes Into Overpass

Courtesy Tarik Simsek, (Seniorsix on Instagram) 

But the towing operation did not go as smoothly as some had hoped. The RV’s size—standing nearly 20 feet tall—was flagged as a concern by multiple parties involved in the operation. Allegedly, city departments were warned about the risk of damaging overpasses and other infrastructure due to the RV’s height, but the towing proceeded anyway. During the process, the RV collided with a low-hanging bridge at the intersection of Myrtle Avenue and Fresh Pond Road resulting in severe damage to the roof of the vehicle and to the structure of the overpass. 

During a virtual COMET (Communities of Maspeth & Elmhurst Together) Zoom meeting last month, Captain Chowdhury of the 104th precinct, responding to complaints about the RV’s presence, issued a warning regarding the risks of towing the large vehicle, a warning that fell on deaf ears. “Our heavy duty towing team told us that they can’t really tow that because it is too tall for them, and they’d hit overpasses and stuff like that. We’ve reached out to sanitation, we’re working with them because they need more information, if this thing has plates then sanitation will be able to tow it, but we’re trying and calling our legal department to see what is the recourse with this,” Chowdrey said during the meeting. 

 

Russel-French, has since accused city officials of negligence, claiming that the towing operation was not only poorly executed but was also politically motivated. Russel-French, who suffers from a debilitating condition known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), insists that he was unable to address the situation due to his medical condition. Diagnosed with CRPS over a year ago, Russel-French explained that the disease has left him bedridden and in constant, excruciating pain, making it nearly impossible for him to take care of the bus as planned.

 

Russel-French, sees things differently than the local officials and residents. In an exclusive interview, he explained that his RV had been parked on Starr Street out of necessity, not neglect. “I had to move it there under duress,” he said, noting that he was unable to drive it due to its size and the ongoing financial and physical challenges presented by his illness. 

 

“I never wanted the bus to stay on Starr Street,” Russel-French said in the interview. “But I’m bedridden and without income. I couldn’t do anything. It was just too painful.” Russel-French described his condition as one of the most painful chronic pain conditions known to medicine, further emphasizing the challenges he faces in managing his affairs.

 

According to Russel-French, the RV had been registered and legally parked when it was moved to Starr Street, though he acknowledged the vehicle was unoccupied for much of the time.

 

The 1967 Leyland Atlantean bus, which had been used as a cultural space for private events and performances, was not in use during the winter months as Russel-French struggled to manage his condition. He claims that he had every intention of moving the RV but was unable to do so due to a lack of funds and mobility. “It took everything for me to get it there,” he said, explaining how the move to Starr Street was temporary while he figured out his next steps.

 

Russel-French also suggested that there were ulterior political motives behind the push to remove the RV, alleging that local officials had orchestrated the vehicle’s destruction. French alleges that the wheels of the RV were deliberately popped, suggesting that it was a coordinated effort to make the vehicle appear unfit for the street and force it to be towed, thereby escalating the situation and making it eligible for impoundment under the city’s public safety guidelines.

 

He claimed the city was complicit in damaging the vehicle when it was towed under a low bridge, causing significant structural damage to the bus. “They purposely drove it under a low bridge so that it would destroy the top level,” he said, hinting at a deliberate attempt to make the vehicle unfit for use.

 

Robin Russel-French operated the RV as a private venue for exclusive parties and events, catering to a select group of guests. He hosted renowned DJs, including Fred Again, who has performed on the bus, making it a unique cultural space within New York’s nightlife scene. The events were not open to the public, with entry restricted to a vetted, invite-only crowd. While guests could make voluntary donations, the gatherings were designed to foster a sense of community rather than profit, blending music, art, and social gatherings in an unconventional setting.

 

The RV, Russel-French argues, was not just an ordinary vehicle. He describes it as a historical relic — a 1967 Leyland Atlantean that once served as part of London’s public transportation system. The vehicle, he says, was registered as a historical vehicle, which granted it certain protections. The fact that the vehicle was destroyed in the towing process has led Russel-French to consult with lawyers, planning to sue the city for what he views as mishandling and unnecessary destruction of his property.

 

Other RV Busses on the Street

 

While he acknowledges that residents had complaints about the bus being parked on the street, Russel-French maintains that he was not the only one causing an issue in the area. “There are two makeshift buses and an RV that have been parked on that block for years,” he said, referring to other vehicles in the vicinity that were also subject to complaints but not removed as swiftly as his own.

 

“I think the way this whole situation unfolded is unfortunate, the goal was never to outright destroy someone’s property, but rather, address the quality-of-life concerns of nearby residents. I would have never posted online about this issue if I knew this was going to happen,” Candidate for City Council, Paul Pogozelski said. “Unfortunately, the whole situation turned into a race to see who could take credit for removing the camper, and that’s when it looks like common sense went out the window.”

 

For many in the neighborhood, the RV’s presence was a constant source of frustration. Neighbors reported that it was an eyesore, detracting from the neighborhood’s aesthetics and causing concerns over potential safety hazards. Some residents also complained that the area became a magnet for garbage and litter, further exacerbating the problems created by the vehicle’s extended stay.

 

While Russel-French’s supporters view him as a victim of political maneuvering and medical hardship, for others, the removal of the RV marked a welcome end to what they saw as a persistent nuisance. The city’s swift action is seen by many as a demonstration of effective leadership, albeit at the expense of one individual’s livelihood.

 

As Russel-French prepares to challenge the city’s actions in court, the case highlights the ongoing tension between personal property rights, public safety, and the need for neighborhood upkeep. 

Courtesy Robin Russel-French

Solving the Homeless Crises Just Requires the Political Will

BQE Admin on March 19, 2025

By Robert Hornak

It’s been just over 30-years since Rudy Giuliani won a historic election for mayor of New York City and ushering in a renaissance that proved Ed Koch was wrong about the city being unmanageable and started an urban reform movement that swept American cities throughout the 1990’s. 

Giuliani demonstrated what policies worked to make American cities better, namely active policing and what was called broken windows enforcement. That meant dealing with all the little quality of life problems, like the notorious squeegee men harassing drivers stuck in traffic and aggressive homeless panhandlers harassing people walking down the street or in the subway. 

But most important, Rudy showed New Yorkers that they don’t need to settle for weak, ineffective, or misguided leadership from our officeholders. 

And if there was one issue that Giuliani surely would have liked to have done better on, and likely every mayor since, is in dealing with our homeless and emotionally disturbed people living on the streets. Things had gotten better for a while, at least for the general public, but the homeless crises never went away and is now worse than ever with more violent incidents than ever. 

The excuse given is the 1975 Supreme Court decision O’Connor v. Donaldson, where, according to the AMA, the “U.S. Supreme Court declared that a person had to be a danger to him or herself or to others for confinement to be constitutional.” This was a seminal decision that, as the NY Times reported then, forced the release of “thousands of the estimated total of 250,000 patients regarded as untreated, harmless and not likely to become community charges.”

But today, we are not dealing with people who are harmless, able to care for themselves, and most important not in need of treatment. Just the opposite, these are mostly people who are in desperate need of mental health treatment and medication, treatment that they are unable to seek and maintain on their own. 

And this is not a controversial position. The public overwhelmingly agrees. A poll just released by the Association for a Better New York showed that 91% of voters agree that “people struggling with severe mental illness should not be denied life-saving psychiatric care because their illness prevents them from recognizing that they need help.”

With 91% agreeing on an issue as critical as the homeless crisis you’d think that the mayor and the governor would act with the strongest sense of urgency to start moving our chronically homeless into treatment facilities. And if you think that, you’d be wrong. 

In January, Hochul announced that she would introduce legislation in the budget to “finally change New York’s involuntary commitment standards.” That was the extent of her statement then on this critical issue. 

In response to the new poll, her spokesman said, “Providing care to people facing significant health risks due to mental illness is a compassionate and humane approach that all New Yorkers can recognize.” In an effort to pass the buck he further stated, “We look forward to working with the Legislature to enact these statutory changes and align New York with 43 other states that already have this in their laws.”

But it’s not clear that new laws are required. Remember this was the same claim about securing the southern border, which President Trump showed just required the willpower and leadership to solve. The same appears to be true here, and has been for years. 

There is plenty of available bed space in underutilized hospitals, like Creedmoor in eastern Queens. 20,000 beds there are mostly unused that could be converted back to an inpatient facility to provide the long-term treatment that is required to hopefully return these people to normalcy. 

But without a mayor, with the help of a governor, willing to make this happen and then fight to defend it in court, no progress is likely to be made on this issue. And no progress, no leadership, and no will, is what New Yorkers learned once before they do not need to tolerate. 

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

 

 

Preparing Kids with Special Needs for a Digital World

BQE Admin on March 19, 2025

Students work on digital projects during a workshop. Photo courtesy of Tech Kids Unlimited

By Jack Delaney |  jdelaney@queensledger.com

As with many great ideas, Beth Rosenberg conceived of Tech Kids Unlimited through equal parts necessity and chance.

The year was 2009, and Rosenberg was working as a special needs consultant at a school in Manhattan, building upon a career at the Guggenheim and in museum education writ large. Yet she was having difficulty finding resources for her own neurodiverse son, Jack, a then 10-year-old who loved technology.

Taking matters into her own hands, Rosenberg put together one week of programming for 12 kids — a crash course in stop motion animation. As she recalls now, the response was both immediate and unambiguous: “The parents said, ‘Well, can we have more?’” There was a need, clearly, and Rosenberg set about meeting it through a fresh slate of classes.

Today, Tech Kids Unlimited (TKU) — whose mission is to “empower neurodivergent youth through technology education and career preparation” — has grown to serve 542 students, encompassing not only New Yorkers but online participants from 12 additional states. Part of that expansion was made possible by a windfall in 2013, after Rosenberg started a job as an adjunct professor at NYU Tandon School of Engineering in Downtown Brooklyn. Her boss, curious about her workshops, asked whether she would bring the burgeoning program to the college.

Until then, the scrappy prototype for TKU had largely been a function of Rosenberg’s force of will — for four years, she pulled together flyers and booked rooms wherever she had an affiliation, typically Pace University or the JCC. But that conversation at NYU changed the equation by offering a long-term space in which to scale, and it spurred Rosenberg to register TKU as a nonprofit in 2014. “From that point on, we had a home base,” she said. “I had access to classrooms in the summer and in the evening and on Fridays, so we could expand the program.”

TKU, still housed within NYU Tandon, now boasts a suite of options. Interested parents of children and young adults can choose from 14 distinct programs that fall within two general tracks: “tech knowledge” and “career ladder.” While the organization was formed around the former, Rosenberg said that the latter has become her main concern. “We’re graduating more and more students from high school and even community college,” she said. “But the work learning piece, the getting a job piece, is virtually not there.”

TKU’s students come from a wide range of backgrounds, both in terms of age (7 to 21) and abilities. But to pick one example, a 2017 census by Drexel University of Americans with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) found that only 38% of respondents were engaged in paid jobs, whether full or part-time, highlighting the barriers those with learning disabilities face in finding employment.

For her part, Rosenberg believes this gap is exacerbated by disinvestment and stigma, and can be closed. “You don’t really see kids with special needs working unless they’re shelving vitamins at the grocery store or at Target,” she said. “I’m sick of it, because our kids are capable of so much more. But the world doesn’t see that.”

One of the nonprofit’s flagship programs is the TKU Digital Agency, which allows students to build skills by designing social media posts and other digital products for big-name partner companies. AMC, a recent client, used students’ creations to promote its show “Orphan Black: Echoes.“ Those posts received high praise: “It was nice to be able to share our knowledge with individuals who truly appreciate it,” AMC reps wrote, “and we were very impressed by all the ideas, work, and execution.”

Later this month, TKU students will be contributing to the fourth installment of the Marvels of Media Festival at the Museum of the Mov- ing Image in Queens, which runs from March 27 to March 29. The free event caps off a year-round initiative by the museum to “showcase, celebrate, and support autistic media- makers of all ages and skill sets,” and will feature VR experiences, video games, and film screenings followed by panel discussions.

Tonya Blazio was a graduate student at NYU when she found TKU through a newsletter. Her son Tate, who has IDD, had always been creative — to this day, he brings the objects he crafts into class to show everybody — but he fell in love with stop motion at a workshop, and has been obsessed ever since. More than that, Blazio said, her son discovered a safe space to learn alongside other kids: “Just seeing the improvement in my son’s work, his social skills, his ability to better communicate and understand how technology is avail- able to help him — it’s been really tremendous.”

That sense of support and be- longing extends beyond the students themselves, Blazio noted. “It takes a village to raise a child,” she said. “When parents realize, ‘Oh, I’m actually not in this all by myself,’ there’s all this information that you can share, and that’s been quite helpful for me.”

Though TKU’s pedagogy has evolved since 2009, it has kept its original emphasis on small class sizes. (“If it was good enough for the Queen of England,” Rosenberg said, referring to personalized tutors, “it should be good enough for our kids.”) Once the organization attained non- profit status in 2014, it indexed heavily into project-based learning and design thinking, incorporating those principles throughout its curriculum. Another guiding paradigm is the special needs-oriented Universal Design for Learning, which encourages teachers to meet students where they are by “offering more than one way to access information.”

Nearly eight million students across America received services for disabilities in 2022-2023, the last school year for which data is available, accounting for roughly 15% of public schoolers. New York City alone is home to 200,000 students with special needs, though that moniker, which applies to 19% of the student population, casts a wide net; about 80,000 kids had learning disabilities, and just over 20,000 had ASD.

With April around the corner, Rosenberg and her team are spreading the word about their summer workshops. Each week is devoted to a different discipline, such as game design or video editing, and timing is flexible: parents can drop their kids off for either half or full days, and can sign up for whichever weeks they need. (You can learn more at techkidsunlimited.org.)

“These kids are interesting, quirky, fabulous — they’re, you know, kids,” said Rosenberg. “[My son] went through TKU for 10 years: he learned time management, how to collaborate, how to take constructive criticism. And he learned how to advocate for himself.”

How is Jack faring, more than a decade after his passion sparked Rosenberg’s early efforts to ensure kids with special needs flourish? “I went out to dinner with all my SPED mom friends in December,” she said proudly, “and he was the only kid who was working.” Her son received an associate’s degree from Pace, which has a disability program, and he now works part-time as an operations assistant at the Shirley Ananias School, a special ed school in downtown Manhattan.

Blazio has seen a similar maturation in Tate, who she said became more independent thanks to TKU’s programs. “At one point, they don’t want you to leave them,” she said. “And then the next year or so, they’re like, “‘See you, mom!’”

Red Storm win First BIG EAST Tournament Since 2000!

BQE Admin on March 18, 2025

#2 Johnnies Head to Providence for 1st Round Matchup with #15 Omaha

By Noah Zimmerman

The St. John’s Red Storm are BIG EAST Tournament champions for the first time in 25 years. A 82-66 win over Creighton punctuated a stellar campaign, following up a regular season championship with a tournament title and sending the program to their 31st NCAA Tournament appearance as a #2 seed, just like in 2000.

The Red Storm weren’t tested by the Butler Bulldogs in their opener at Madison Square Garden as they won comfortably in the quarterfinals 78-57. In the semifinals it was a much tougher battle against nationally-ranked Marquette, hungry to best the Johnnies after two tight regular season losses.

Kai Jones was electric at the Garden as he looked to avenge his Senior Day defeat to St. John’s. The guard put up a strong 24 point, 7 rebound effort in the BIG EAST Semifinals, leading the Golden Eagles.

For the Red Storm it was Zuby Ejiofor dominating on New York’s hardwood. The junior put up a career best 33 points as St. John’s outscored Marquette 44-26 in the second half to complete a season sweep.

With the back-to-back champion UConn Huskies falling 71-62 to Creighton, the Red Storm would face the Bluejays in the BIG EAST final, the team that played them the best all season long.

St. John’s dug themselves into a typical early hole, but they quickly erased a 10-2 deficit as the game entered halftime 28-25 in favor of Creighton. In the second frame RJ Luis Jr. hit the jets as he finished off a 29-point, 10-rebound double-double.

After the Johnnies had opened a 70-55 lead with five minutes left, there was no path back into the game for Creighton, who finished a remarkable season with a 15-5 conference record and NCAA Tournament berth of their own.

On Selection Sunday, St. John’s were drawn into the West Region as the tournament’s best #2 seed, ranked 5th on both the AP Top-25 and Coaches Poll on Monday afternoon. They open the tournament on Thursday night in Providence, RI as they take on the #15 Omaha Mavericks.

The winner will take on either #7 Kansas or #10 Arkansas, meaning there may be another clash between Hall of Fame coaches after Bill Self’s Jayhawks and John Calipari’s Razorbacks face off in the first round.

For head coach Rick Pitino it’s a chance at a third national championship after he led Kentucky and Louisville to glory in 1996 and 2013 respectively. It’s a 20th appearance in the tournament for Pitino, who was named BIG EAST Coach of the Year last week. He also made history as the first BIG EAST coach to win the conference tournament at two schools, winning three times at Louisville.

RJ Luis Jr. continued to rake in national accolades as well, as the Red Storm star was named to the Associated Press 2nd Team All-America on Tuesday afternoon. The BIG EAST Player of the Year will have more to prove as his stage keeps getting bigger and bigger.

Three other BIG EAST teams qualified for the NCAAT, including UConn who were also drawn into the West as the #8 seed as they hunt a third straight title. They take on #9 Oklahoma in round 1 and have a chance to meet the Red Storm in the Elite 8 in San Francisco should both teams advance.

Creighton enter as the South’s #9 seed and Marquette the #7. They could also meet in the Elite 8. Xavier’s BIG EAST Tournament loss to Marquette put them on the verge of missing the NCAAT, but they will take on Texas in a First Four matchup to decide the #11 seed in the Midwest.

JJ: “An All Time New York Coaching Job. Now, The Fun Begins”

BQE Admin on March 18, 2025

By John Jastremski

Let’s be real about something right out of the gate.
There haven’t been a whole lot of great coaching performances by the coaches of our teams over the past decade plus.
Yeah I can give you Tom Coughlin in 2011 leading the Giants to a Super Bowl or Tom Thibodeau resurrecting a dead Knicks franchise, but the examples aren’t littered with great examples in this town since 2010.
I’ve been doing content in this city since 2011 and I’ve lived here my entire life, so that should give this next statement even more perspective.
Rick Pitino’s job with St John’s is one of the best coaching jobs I have seen in my lifetime in New York Sports.
No exaggeration, no hyperbole.
Rick Pitino has brought a program that has been super irrelevant on the national stage for two decades to a place it has not been in a long, long time.
Last week was a party for everyone associated with the St Johns Red Storm basketball program.
After winning their first Big East regular season crown since the days of Lou Carnesecca, the Johnnies completed their first Big East Tournament crown since 2000.
Madison Square Garden was a sea of red for the Johnnie’s dominant second half against the Creighton Blue Jays.
The Red Storm fell behind in both the semi final on Friday night and Saturday’s Championship game, but the common theme in both games was the relentless, top notch defense that overwhelmed their opponents on the Garden Floor.
In a year in which the basketball community mourned the loss of the great Lou Carnesecca, Pitino honored his legacy in the best way imaginable.
He won and he won big.
A sense of accomplishment, pride and good feelings are all over the Red Storm program at the moment.
However, the work is not done.
The NCAA Tournament begins this Thursday and St Johns has a chance to make some more history.
The program has not won an NCAA Tournament game in 25 years.
They are a 2 seed taking on Omaha. The streak of futility must end.
Newsflash, it will. Barring disaster.
Regardless of what happens, the next few weeks, this season will go down as an all timer for the St John’s program.
It’s already the year that brought the program back to life.
There are more memories to make, can Rick Pitino work his magic in the NCAA Tournament like he has done so many times throughout his illustrious coaching career?
We are about to find out…
You can listen to my podcast New York, New York on The Ringer Podcast Network every Sunday & Thursday on Spotify/Apple Podcasts. You can watch me nightly on Honda Sports Nite at 11 PM on SNY. 

Thursday Meeting On Maspeth Church Site

BQE Admin on March 18, 2025

Bulletin Outside of the Transfiguration Church in Maspeth, Queens.

Tonight, March 20th officials from the Brooklyn/Queens Catholic Diocese along with Rev. Msgr. Joseph Calise, will hold a Town Hall style meeting, according to the pastor to “…. explain the situation with the Transfiguration Church property, more completely.”  The meeting will take place at the church at 64-25 Perry Avenue at 7PM. With a post in the Transfiguration bulletin in February, the pastor explained that the condition of the physical structures on the property is weighing too heavily on the parish to maintain. The property runs from Perry Avenue through to Clinton Avenue where the rectory is located. The site is just short of an acre and Msgr. Calise, who says he is not sure it makes sense to keep it open, included the diminishing number of churchgoers at Transfiguration as a main reason for considering selling the property. It’s estimated that less than 200 people attend services at Transfiguration for Sunday services. “We’d love to keep the property,” he said, “but with the repairs so costly, I’m not sure it makes sense.”

Transfiguration Church has never had a school attached in order to help with the growth of parishioners, as does St. Stan’s a few blocks away. There are three churches within blocks of each other. Holy Cross, the Polish Parish on 56th Road and St. Stanislaus Kostka, on Maspeth Avenue, just two blocks away. St. Stanislaus School is a desirable elementary school in Maspeth, busting at the seams with enrollment according to officials at the Academy. The school has maintained an enrollment of more than 300 children for almost a decade.  The families of the children attending the school help maintain parish life in the church.

According to Msgr. Calise, the 7PM meeting is open to anyone. Information will be shared and questions asked will be answered.

Battle of the Badges: “We’re only enemies on the court”

BQE Admin on March 14, 2025

Courtney Kerr
News@queensledger.com

This past weekend it was time for the FDNY and NYPD annual “Battle of the Badges”
volleyball game at the Maspeth High School gym. The annual match is in honor of the people
who have lost their lives in the line of duty throughout the years. For 10 dollars per person,
with kids being admitted free, the community gathers together in order to support their local
city heroes.

The proceeds from this year’s event are going towards two charities, the PBA’s Widow’s and
Children’s fund as well as the Ray Pfeifer foundation. Both organizations are near and dear to
the departments and focus on supporting the families of the people who have lost their lives
in the line of duty. The Ray Pfeifer foundation is dedicated to assisting September 11th first
responders with medical needs not covered by insurance.
Police officer Malcolm Brissett-Ortiz is the president of the NYPD volleyball team, and has
been with the force for nine years. It was the officers he met while studying in downtown
Brooklyn that inspired him to make the change from electric engineering to joining the force
instead.

“The best part of the job is meeting the community and being able to make a difference,
every day is a different story,” Brissett-Ortiz said.

The NYPD volleyball team was founded about four years ago, in September 2021 towards
the end of the pandemic, and they hosted their first game in February the following year. The
game is a dedication to the first responders and the sacrifices they’ve made over the years.

“This year I also want it to be dedicated to the mental health of our officers. It is a tough job
and unfortunately we have lost a lot of officers to suicide” Brissett-Ortiz said.

He continues explaining that there are a lot of active teams and that this is an important part
in caring for the mental health of first responders. Playing sports together is a way for the first
responders to break out of their cycle of everyday life. Through these events, they are also
able to connect more with the communities they serve.

“We also do clinics with kids, it’s a rewarding experience meeting with kids and being able
to teach them to play volleyball,” Brissett-Ortiz said. “We are reaching the gap and
elementary reachout, a form of goodwill tour we do every year.”

The organization just came back from Costa Rica where they donated volleyball equipment
and food, in hope of being able to bring volleyball to more communities and continue to be a
positive influence for everyone.

The FDNY’s volleyball coach Gerry Matacotta has been involved with the sport for 55 years,
he describes the day as a fun opportunity for both the community and the players.

“This neighborhood has been very, very supportive of the police department and all our first
responders. It is always a great time being here,” Matacotta said.

Matacotta and Brissett-Ortiz are both very proud of being able to bring the community
together in order to showcase the fun side of the police and fire departments and to let people
know that they are humans as well, and “only enemies on the court”. The NYPD ended up
walking away as winners in this year’s edition of the “Battle of the Badges”, being able to
raise the trophy for the fourth year in a row.

Coldwell Banker Kueber Realty Celebrates 35th Anniversary

BQE Admin on March 13, 2025

By MOHAMED FARGHALY
mfarghaly@queensledger.com

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Woodhaven Kicks Off 190th Anniversary Celebration with Community Mixer

BQE Admin on March 13, 2025

By MOHAMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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