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NYPD, FDNY go head-to-head in 2nd annual volleyball game

Jessica Meditz on February 16, 2023

Game at Maspeth High raises funds, honors fallen heroes

By Jessica Meditz

jmeditz@queensledger.com

Both the NYPD and FDNY teams showed good sportsmanship throughout.

Cheers filled the gym at Maspeth High School this past Saturday as members of the community turned out to show their support for first responders.

After last year’s smashing success, the NYPD and FDNY men’s volleyball teams held their annual volleyball game for a second year.

The game is to bring awareness and honor the lives of NYPD and FDNY personnel killed in the line of duty, including Police Officer Adeed Fayaz, Detectives Wilbert Mora and Jason Rivera, Firefighters Jesse Gerhard, Timothy Klein, William Moon and EMS Lieutenant Alison Russo-Elling.

It was also a community effort to raise funds for NYPD and FDNY families. Proceeds from the $10 admission ticket and raffle sales went to the Police Benevolent Association and FDNY Widows’ & Children’s Benefit Fund.

The raffle prizes were all donated by local businesses, including Patrizia’s, Villa Erasmo, Connolly’s Corner, Enchanted Florist & Greenhouse, Oasis Cafe, Cara Mia, Shop & Go Wine & Spirits and Eliot Pizzeria.

Malcolm Brissett-Ortiz, officer at the 77th Precinct and captain of the NYPD volleyball team, organized the event.

“I’m thankful for everyone’s love and support. It’s important we give back to our fallen officers,” Brissett-Ortiz said. “This game is exciting because it’s a lot of fun, and it’s great for morale.”

The afternoon began with a ceremony at 4:30 p.m., featuring the presentation of NYPD and FDNY colors, the National Anthem and a moment of silence for the fallen heroes.

Jerry Matacotta, volleyball coach at Maspeth High School and of the FDNY team, said that the event is intended to be based in community and unity.

“It’s important to get together after a terrible event, recognize the NYPD and FDNY’s work and the heroes that have died this year,” he said. “We wanted to get morale up and help the families.”

The firefighters and police officers on their respective teams are from throughout the city, who have gone on to compete across the country and in the World Police & Fire Games.

Matacotta said they’ll go up to Winnipeg, Canada for this year’s World Police & Fire Games, as well as Battle of the Badges in Massachusetts.

Saturday’s match was played on a best-out-of-five basis, which kept spectators on the edge of their seats.

For the second year in a row, the NYPD reigned victorious – comfortably beating the FDNY 3-1.

They took home a trophy and earned bragging rights once again.

No matter who won or lost, both teams felt a sense of gratitude to see members of the local community so supportive of their work.

“This community supports EMS and the Police and Fire Departments 100 percent. There’s no maybes in this community,” Matacotta said.

“The tradition of the Police and Fire Departments is over 150 years old. It’s not going to end this year, in 50 years, 100 years or 2,000 years from now,” he continued. “People who have served and died for us will always be remembered.”

Forest Hills resident competes on ‘Jeopardy!’

Jessica Meditz on February 16, 2023

Dan Wohl defeats four-day champion

By Jessica Meditz

jmeditz@queensledger.com

Forest Hills resident Dan Wohl (R) with Jeopardy! host, Ken Jennings (L) Photo courtesy of Jeopardy Productions, Inc

Dan Wohl represented Forest Hills with pride last Wednesday on “Jeopardy!”

Wohl, a 36-year-old Forest Hills resident and social studies teacher at Syosset High School on Long Island, threw his hat into the ring against some talented players, including Matthew Marcus, a four-day, $114,000-plus winner.

Although Marcus was looking good in terms of gameplay, Wohl gave him a run for his money – winning his first game and walking away with $26,799.

Wohl scored big by taking a risk during Double Jeopardy, making it a true Daily Double when he had $10,000.

He answered correctly, doubling his score and putting him ahead of Marcus by $7,000.

Wohl said that before that moment, he knew that if he landed on a Daily Double, he would wager all his money unless he was very uneasy about the category.

“That was the most exciting part and the thing I’m proudest of, that I’m sure I will love recounting for the rest of my life,” he said. “When I did the true Daily Double, the audible gasps that it elicited from the audience will definitely be one of my most cherished memories forever.”

Wohl said that going into Final Jeopardy was smooth sailing for him, since he knew it would be impossible for his opponents to catch him.

He doubted himself in the final category, “European Cities,” as shown through the three question marks he wrote in his response. However, he got it right anyway.

“I felt really cool and badass,” he said.

Wohl kept his momentum going into Thursday’s game with a strong performance in the first two rounds, but was met with stiff competition in the form of Mira Hayward, a writer from Portland, Oregon.

He came up short in Final Jeopardy within the category of “Theater History.”

Even though his run was short-lived, Wohl is proud of his achievements and earnings on “Jeopardy!”

It’s not his first experience being on a game show, as he’s appeared on “Cash Cow” and “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” in the past.

This, plus his teaching experience left him feeling prepared for his “Jeopardy!” run.

“There was an advantage in terms of staying calm and poised (or at least trying to), because that’s a part of teaching and one of the elements I really enjoy,” Wohl said. “That sort of performance aspect of both teaching and Jeopardy! is related.”

As he returned to his life in Forest Hills, teaching history and living with his wife, Marisa, he reflected on his positive experience on the show – meeting host Ken Jennings and all the quick-witted contestants.

“My parents were asking me afterward, ‘What do you want to do next?’ and I told them, ‘I don’t think there is any next. Nothing really beats this,’” he said. “‘Jeopardy!’ is so comforting and it feels good because it’s this tightly edited, 22-minute microcosm of a world that I wish we all lived in, where the important thing is knowledge, intelligence and curiosity.”

No matter what, he’s thrilled to be able to call himself a “Jeopardy!” champion and represent his community.

Ken and Barbara Rudzewick: A Maspeth love story

Jessica Meditz on February 14, 2023

By Jessica Meditz

jmeditz@queensledger.com

Ken and Barbara Rudzewick tied the knot on Oct. 6, 1962 at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church.

“It’s not just mortgages and money, it’s romance as well,” Kenneth Rudzewick said with a smile as he reminisced on the place where he met his soulmate, Barbara.

The Rudzewicks, known lovingly by many in the community as Maspeth’s power couple, or Mr. and Mrs. Maspeth, properly met in 1958 while working at Maspeth Federal Savings Bank.

Ken, 85, met then-Barbara Cheperak, 82, at the bank when he was 20 and she was 17. Because they’re both Maspeth natives and had mutual friends, they knew of each other, but never made that personal connection.

Ken feels it was fate that brought him to his wife.

“I was playing football at the time, the team was having a dance and I needed a date. I wasn’t going to meet anybody at the dance, and I didn’t have a steady girlfriend,” he explained. “But then I said to myself, ‘There’s a cute girl that works at the bank and she lives two blocks away,’ and I asked Barbara to join me. She did, and the rest is history.”

Ken worked at Maspeth Federal during its humble beginnings when it only had 15 employees, and the company has since grown to 144. The Rudzewick family legacy began at the bank in 1999, when Ken was elected president and CEO.

Barbara attended nursing school and worked as a nurse for 25 years at NewYork-Presbyterian Queens located in Flushing, which was known as Booth Memorial Hospital at the time.

The dynamic duo went on to tie the knot on Oct. 6, 1962 at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, where Ken attended grammar school and where they sent their children.

Photographs from the day are enough to evoke a nostalgic feeling – even for those who did not live through the era – as seen through the glamorous mod bridal cap Barbara sported.

“Our reception was at Antun’s in Queens Village, which is still there,” Barbara said. “I still have my wedding gown; I had it preserved.”

They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this past October with their family and friends at West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills.

Ken and Barbara had four children: Thomas, Jill (who passed away in 2012 due to breast cancer), Glenn and Roger.

They have nine grandchildren: Nicholas, 27; Kristian, 22; Emily, 20; Katie, 17; Meghan, 16; James, 14; Matthew, 13; Brendan, 12; and Ryan, 8.

The couple has been on numerous adventures together, traveling as far as Venice, Italy, as well as nearby destinations including Fire Island on Long Island.

The Rudzewicks in Venice, Italy.

Referring to the latter, Barbara said jokingly, “He nearly got me killed that day…we picked up rowboats and Ken had a cooler. The waves were extremely treacherous…I’ll never forget. But it was fun, we made it and we did it together.”

Many of their fondest memories and achievements happened right here in their hometown of Maspeth.

The Rudzewicks can be spotted at most community events, from street co-namings to Maspeth Federal’s annual summer concerts.

In fact, Ken came up with the idea to hold the summer concerts in the bank’s parking lot over 50 years ago, and casually informed his wife about it before a morning stroll.

“I told him, ‘Go ahead, go,’” Barbara said. “I thought he was crazy.”

The tradition’s been alive for 55 years. Another quintessential Maspeth event that the Rudzewicks are involved in is the annual Memorial Day Parade down Grand Avenue, an annual tradition since 1975.

Ken and Barbara also feel it’s important to fulfill their civic responsibilities through groups such as the St. Stanislaus Kostka Educational Endowment Committee, the Maspeth Kiwanis and the Kowalinski Post.

At last year’s 11th annual Hall of Fame Dinner Dance at St. Stan’s, the couple was completely surprised when the announcement was made that the school gym would be rededicated “Rudzewick Hall.”

The gym of St. Stan’s was renamed “Rudzewick Hall” in their honor.

“That was so special. I was absolutely overwhelmed, but so honored,” Barbara said.

“And they spelled our name right,” Ken added with a chuckle.

The Endowment Committee has raised over $380,000 for the school, going toward a STEM lab, scholarships, computers, Smart Boards, upgrades to the school’s electrical service, as well as school summer programs, and the Rudzewicks are proud to play a role in that.

Ken and Barbara attribute their success as a family and couple to the community of Maspeth – being they’ve lived here their entire lives.

They feel the tight-knit neighborhood has allowed them to dedicate themselves to their children and spend quality time with friends and family.

As for their secret to a healthy and happy 60-year marriage, Ken said that luck certainly is a factor, but shared some words of wisdom.

“Never give up on your mate, no matter what happens. It works, if you can do it. It’s not easy – there’s lots of bumps in the road – handle them as they come along,” he said. “And don’t take yourself too seriously…I think a lot of people do. That ruins a relationship. If you lose your sense of humor, it’s all over; that’s why God gave it to us. He knew we’d have to laugh through these things.”

They will continue to laugh together for the rest of their lives – no matter how old the “Ken and Barbie” jokes may get.

Electeds advocate for bike infrastructure a month after tragic death

Jessica Meditz on February 8, 2023

By Alicia Venter

aventer@queensledger.com

Zohran Mamdani, Tiffany Cabán, Kristen Gonzalez and Michael Gianaris called for more bike lanes.

Last Friday, a month after the tragic death of 62-year-old cyclist Tamara “Tammy” Chuchi Kao in Astoria, the neighborhood’s elected officials gathered at the intersection that she was struck by a cement truck driver to demand the Department of Transportation (DOT) build a north-south bike lane and an east-west bike lane — at the very least.

Assemblyman Zohran K. Mamdani demands it by September, and that the DOT begins commencing workshops immediately to determine where these protective corridors should be built.

“What we need to be clear about is that these are reckless policies that allowed for such deaths to occur,” he said.

In the two and a half years Mamdani has been in office, four cyclists have been killed in the 36th State Assembly District he represents.

According to Crash Mapper, 63 cyclists were injured in collisions from January 2022 to January 2023 in Assembly District 36, with one fatality.

“We see this happening again and again and again,” Mamdani said. “What we are calling for is protected bike lanes in Astoria — not just a north-south [corridor], not just an east-west [corridor], but both.”

He shared that he bikes daily, as do many Astorians, and that greater efforts should be taken by the DOT to ensure that street safety for the neighborhood becomes a priority.

Currently, there is one protected bike lane in Mandani’s district: the north-south corridor on Crescent Street. As for the rest of the neighborhood — more than 98 percent of City Council District 22 according to Spatial Equity NYC — all that counts for a bike lane is paint.

“[These are just] suggestions for where cars should not go. That is where our neighbors are being killed,” Mamdani. “These are preventable deaths, and these are deaths that we must ensure that they stop.”

Councilwoman Tiffany Caban, who represents the 22nd City Council District, denounced the recent proposed budget cuts by the mayor’s office, which would lower the budget over the DOT by over $35 million.

“Street safety is public safety,” Caban said. “We have to do better than these skeleton groups. We need really robust personnel and services.”

The intersection Kao was struck, 29th Street and 24th Avenue, is along the route to the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge, State Senator Michael Gianaris shared. As such, there are often trucks traveling down the street, which poses a danger to bikers and pedestrians.

”We are here today for something that is a tragedy but is remarkably simple in terms of why it happened and how we can fix it. There is not enough infrastructure to protect cyclists in our city, and in this neighborhood specifically,” Gianaris said.

New York State Senator Kristen Gonzalez reinforced that what happened to Kao was not an accident — it was a policy failure. These are preventable crashes, she expressed, and there should be funding to create the infrastructure needed to protect bikers in the community.

Climate resilience plan developed for Flushing Meadows-Corona Park

Jessica Meditz on February 8, 2023

Congressional grant solidifies plans to ID climate hazards, resilience strategies

By Jessica Meditz

jmeditz@queensledger.com

From left to right: Jean Silva, Joseph Sutkowi, Cortney Koenig Worrall, Grace Meng, Anthony Sama, Rebecca Pryor

A climate resilience plan is in the cards for Flushing Meadows–Corona Park (FMCP).

As part of a federal spending package to benefit 10 Queens community projects during the 2022 fiscal year, Waterfront Alliance will spearhead “Flushing Meadows Corona Park: A Hub for Climate Resilience” – a plan that’s slated to result in a set of concept-level designs and recommendations to reduce flooding, which would adapt the park for future climate challenges.

On a frigid Friday afternoon, District 6 Congresswoman Grace Meng was joined at the Unisphere by Waterfront Alliance team members, NYC Parks representatives and local conservationists to celebrate the $531,000 allocated for the project, as well as discuss the negative impacts of climate change.

Honing in on the importance of flood mitigation, Meng said this project will go a long way to help identify, assess and address areas in need of remediation.

She added that it will also increase public awareness about climate risks, build community participation, planning and infrastructure projects, as well as ensure that future plantings will be protected from extremely hot temperatures.

“Flushing Meadows–Corona Park was not exempt from [Hurricane Ida] as it suffered from excessive flooding. The severe weather underscored how real climate change is. It has been a gigantic wake up call for Queens, New York and the rest of the country, and more lives and property damage will be at risk from these types of natural disasters if we do not act,” Meng said. “We have to rebuild in a better, stronger and more equitable way for all in our communities and with greater resiliency than ever before. This wonderful project is an example of how we will be able to do that.”

Working with Queens community leaders, partners in city government and academia, Waterfront Alliance will provide tools and lead events to share and gather information that will culminate in a climate visioning for the park.

Cortney Koenig Worrall, president and CEO of Waterfront Alliance, brought up that FMCP was named by the Center for an Urban Future as the most-flooded park in the city alongside Forest Park – due to increasingly heavy rains.

She feels excited to create a preliminary set of designs that could turn into pilot projects, and thus be more eligible for federal and other funding.

“We’re studying this project so that it is designed to not sit on the shelf, that they can move forward and be implemented and constructed. We recognize how important it is for the community to be involved and engaged in all of this work. They have the answers to many of the solutions that we need,” Worrall said. “We’ll be dedicating a tremendous amount of time and effort in this project to engage all people you see here, as well as community members and others who may not consider themselves experts at all, but have expertise that we need to know in order to build the right projects.”

Forest Hills middle schooler brings air pistol to campus

Jessica Meditz on February 7, 2023

Russell Sage parents feel situation was ‘mishandled,’ sparking safety concerns

By Jessica Meditz

jmeditz@queensledger.com

Russell Sage Junior High School is at 68-17 Austin St. Photo: Google Maps.

Parents of students attending Russell Sage Junior High School in Forest Hills were alarmed to hear that their child’s school went on lockdown due to the possibility of there being a weapon on campus.

Police say that on the morning of Jan. 31, officers responded to a call about a possible firearm inside the building.

When they arrived, a Russell Sage staff member reported that a 12-year-old male student was in possession of an imitation firearm (air pistol) in his backpack.

The boy was taken into custody and removed to the 112th Precinct across the street from the school, but was released to his parents on a juvenile report.

Parents told the Forest Hills Times that the 12-year-old was in school the next day, and feel that the faculty’s communication with them in regard to the incident was insufficient.

One parent, who asked to remain anonymous, questioned, “What, if anything, is [Russell Sage] doing to ensure that these students don’t continue to bring weapons to school?”

“The administration continues to dodge that particular aspect of any communication that’s been requested,” she added.

The parent, who’s the mother of three Russell Sage students – two in sixth grade and one in eighth grade – feels completely disappointed in the school’s handling of the incident and refuses to send her children back to school until better communication and a commitment to student safety are implemented.

She said that after receiving the email about the school going on lockdown around 11:30 a.m., she dropped everything and made her way to ensure her children were safe.

Upon arrival, she was told by a school security guard that the lockdown was triggered by a “false fire alarm.”

A bit later in the day, an email was circulated to parents saying that the Building Response Team took possession of a BB gun, the NYPD took over the investigation and that the school was locked down for approximately 10 minutes.

“All students [and] staff members are safe and unharmed. Regular school functions have resumed,” the email read. “The safety of Sage students remains our first priority and we commit to remaining ever diligent in this regard. Bringing a weapon to any NYC Public School is strictly prohibited. The Chancellor’s Regulations regarding this offense will be strictly adhered to.”

At dismissal, the mother approached Russell Sage’s principal, John Greggo, who told her that the security guard’s statement regarding a false fire alarm was inappropriate and simply untrue, leaving her to feel uneasy.

“My reaction to the way that they handled it is definitely disappointment. There could be clear, consistent communication about facts that they are allowed to reveal that don’t violate any pending investigation or current student’s rights,” she said.

School administration told parents that there will be a town hall meeting on Feb. 15 regarding student safety.

“I don’t feel comfortable allowing [my children] to go back to school until the school administration addresses, in as much detail as they can, their plan for security,” the parent said. “We’re just asking the question, ‘What are you doing to keep the students safe in the meantime?’ They’re not getting back to us. How can we, as parents, support the school administration if we’re not being told anything?”

Elaina Starr, the mother of a 12-year-old seventh grader, said she feels horrified regarding the school’s communication strategy regarding this issue.

Starr said she received only a text message signed by Greggo at 11:54 a.m., stating that “the lockdown has been lifted.” She was not aware of any incident that happened in the first place, and even checked her spam messages to ensure she hadn’t missed anything.

“I feel like there’s no transparency, and I brought it to the school’s attention,” she said.

Starr, 34, also attended Russell Sage Junior High School as a child. She feels that the school’s communication process with parents has taken a turn for the worse since she went there.

“When there were fights, or anything, parents would get called right in and have a sit-down with both families,” she explained. “Now they don’t do it that way.”

She feels especially concerned about student safety given that her son experienced bullying at Russell Sage last year. Starr said the bullying got physical, claiming that her son was shoved, pushed down a flight of stairs, hit in the mouth and had his glasses broken.

She hopes her alma mater will take a more proactive approach when it comes to violence and bullying.

“I feel like there’s really a discrepancy between what kids are saying to each other versus what they’re telling their parents, and then what [the school] is not telling the parents and how they’re proceeding to handle situations of bullying and violence,” she said. “Because last year, I don’t feel that my son’s situation was handled properly.”

Russell Sage Junior High School did not respond to a request for comment.

Queens honors life, legacy of Tyre Nichols

Jessica Meditz on February 1, 2023

“Enough is enough,” attendees say at candlelight vigil

By Jessica Meditz

jmeditz@queensledger.com

On a chilly Monday evening, Queens leaders and community residents gathered at Borough Hall in Kew Gardens to honor the life and legacy of Tyre Nichols with a candlelight vigil.

The 29-year-old father, photographer and FedEx worker had a fatal encounter with police in Memphis, Tennessee on Jan. 7, being brutally beaten by five officers during a traffic stop.

The body camera footage of the incident was just released this past Friday, sparking outrage and calls for justice across the nation.

The fate of Nichols, a Black man, has been compared to that of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor – both of whom died at the hands of police.

The five officers involved in the beating of Nichols have been fired and charged with murder. As the investigation continued, additional officers and EMS personnel have been relieved of their duties in relation to his death.

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, a Black man and father to a young son, delivered emotional remarks to the people in attendance. He recalled his own stop-and-frisk encounter at the age of 13, when he had guns drawn on him – because he fit the description of a robber.

Richards was moved to tears as he honored Nichols and reflected his own experiences as a Black man with the police.

He thanked all attendees for showing up and commended the diversity seen in the crowd.

“I didn’t know if I was going to be able to do this, because we often go through this alone – behind closed doors,” Richards said with tearful eyes.

“I held my son a little tighter trying to prepare myself to watch that video. It weighed heavy.”

Richards said that even as people try to come up with theories as to why Nichols was stopped, it does not matter why – and he did not deserve to die.

“[Nichols’ mother] carried the strength of Emmett Till’s mom as I heard her speak. We’ve been on these steps too many times, and this trauma doesn’t get easier,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re Borough President…it doesn’t matter how much legislation we pass, we always live with this.”

He called for the passing of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which would increase accountability for law enforcement misconduct, restrict the use of certain policing practices, enhance transparency and data collection and establish best practices and training requirements, according to its summary.

Richards also demanded the end to qualified immunity, and denounced the plan of NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell to weaken the department’s disciplinary guidelines.

“This is about one standard. One law that works for everyone,” he said.

Councilman James Gennaro echoed Richards’ sentiments, calling for justice and equity for America’s Black community.

Gennaro, 65, says he remembers Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination “like it was yesterday,” and has seen much injustice throughout his lifetime and years of public service.

“Everyone here is trying to make a little bit of a difference by being here – holding onto one another, recognizing the work that still needs to be done, by joining together in prayer for the Nichols family, and all the Tyre Nichols out there that we don’t know about,” he said. “Every day, right now, somebody’s getting pulled over, something’s happening that shouldn’t happen…I don’t want to stand here at 75 years old saying the same thing.”

Richards opened up the space for members of the community to speak to the crowd, where several mothers, fathers, faith leaders and local advocates took the opportunity to grieve together.

“This is another shameful moment in America, and for all of us. When will this tragedy stop? It can stop when we all say ‘enough is enough,’ when police killings change to police protection, when hearts and minds are changed,” said Ashook Ramsaran, executive vice president at Queens Civic Congress.

“This should not happen again and we must make sure of that,” he continued. “To the Nichols family, we feel, we grieve and we mourn with you.”

Lori Zeno, executive director at Queens Defenders, has worked in the criminal justice system for 35 years. She said that she’s lost count of the amount of times clients have informed her over the years about the beatings, name calling and disrespect by police.

“Lives are being ruined, hearts are being broken and spirits are being broken, for what? Because we have a police department who, not all police, but many of our police are brutal and they think that if they are stopping you, or you are in their way, or you’re Black or Brown, that you don’t have a right to live,” she said.

Zeno is angry and appalled at the delayed response of EMS personnel to aid and transport Nichols to the hospital, as well as the fact that his mother had to see her son’s head swollen to the size of a watermelon.

She called on all those in attendance to reach out to the powers that be, including the police commissioner, Mayor Eric Adams, Gov. Kathy Hochul, all local officials and even President Joe Biden to bring police brutality to a full stop and remove all current officers with previous offenses.

Groups of attendees showed up with signs that read “Your silence is violence” and “If you were peaceful, we wouldn’t have to protest,” adorned with flowers and photos of Nichols’ smiling face.

Saxophonist Steven Salcedo serenaded the audience with familiar, sentimental music, including closing out with “Amazing Grace” in Nichols’ memory.

Pol introduces bill to ban e-bikes, e-scooters

Jessica Meditz on February 1, 2023

Cites lithium-ion battery fires, traffic violations

By Jessica Meditz

jmeditz@queensledger.com

The 104th Precinct continues to confiscate illegal e-bikes from the streets. (Photo: @NYPD104Pct, Twitter)

While members of the City Council examine ways to regulate e-vehicles and make their lithium-ion batteries safer for New Yorkers, one councilman in particular looks to ban the notorious vehicles entirely.

Councilman Robert Holden, a Democrat representing Glendale, Maspeth, Middle Village, Ridgewood, Woodhaven and Woodside in District 30, introduced legislation that would repeal regulations that allow e-bikes and e-scooters to be driven in New York City.

The bill would also restore the fines for e-bike and e-scooter violations from the current civil penalty of $250 to the original amount of $500.

Holden cites a disregard of traffic laws, excessive fires caused by lithium-ion batteries and a diminished quality of life as reasons for proposing this legislation. The bill is co-sponsored by Queens Councilmembers James Gennaro and Vickie Paladino, as well as Councilwoman Althea Stevens in the Bronx.

“People are getting killed, and these things are causing accidents,” Holden told the Queens Ledger back in June. “It’s becoming like a third world country, because anything goes in the streets of New York.”

“My goal is to get rid of these illegal scooters. The cops have to cooperate and confiscate them,” he added.

In addition to restoring fines for violations, Holden calls on state legislators to pass laws that would require registration, insurance coverage and licensing for e-vehicles to be permitted back on the road.

On Jan. 21, the 104th Precinct within the district took to Twitter to reveal that its officers confiscated several illegal, unregistered e-bikes from the streets, making arrests for reckless driving and other traffic violations.

In addition to traffic safety, the e-bikes pose a threat to public safety in that the lithium-ion batteries that power them have caused serious fires across Queens.

Attempting to save money, people often purchase batteries that are used. However, if their components are not compatible with one another, it could lead to overheating and fires.

Just recently, two lithium-ion battery fires occurred in Queens, one in East Elmhurst on Jan. 20, and another in Kew Gardens Hills on Jan. 25. In the East Elmhurst fire, one person died and 10 were injured, and the Kew Gardens Hills fire impacted an in-home daycare facility where 18 children were left injured.

In 2022, nearly 200 fires were caused by lithium-ion batteries, according to the FDNY.

Among the proposed City Council bills to regulate the sale of these batteries includes one that would prohibit the sale of batteries for mobility devices, unless such batteries have been listed and labeled by a nationally recognized testing laboratory or other approved organization.

One co-sponsor of the bill is Councilwoman Joann Ariola, a Republican representing District 32. While she feels e-bikes negatively impact the quality of life for her constituents, she doesn’t feel that completely banning them is the answer.

“I’m a realist, so I don’t know if banning them is realistic, but I do know that regulating and requiring them to be registered and insured is much more viable,” she said in an interview.

Holden also co-sponsored this bill.

“The scourge of these devices throughout our city has led to people disregarding traffic laws resulting in injuries or death, lithium ion-based fires that killed several people and injured hundreds, and a feeling of disorder on our streets and sidewalks as well as a diminished quality of life,” Holden said in a statement. “We must ensure that these vehicles are operated safely before allowing them back on our streets.”

Councilwoman, cops burn illegal weed shops

Jessica Meditz on February 1, 2023

By Jessica Meditz

jmeditz@queensledger.com

Paladino joined NYPD officers to raid two Whitestone smoke shops last week, Photo via @VickieforNYC, Twitter)

Two smoke shops in Whitestone were busted for selling to underaged children, marijuana products while unlicensed, along with illegal substances, the local councilwoman reported on social media.

Vickie Paladino, a Republican representing District 19, shared a video to Twitter saying she worked alongside Mayor Eric Adams’ office and New York City Sheriff Anthony Miranda to raid the troublesome joints in the community.

The two smoke shops, Izzy Convenience Shop at 14-05 Parsons Boulevard and Stoney Smoke Shop at 14-03 150th Street got “cleaned out,” according to Paladino, and cops confiscated products that included cannabis and hallucinatory mushrooms

In another tweet, she claimed that these stores were “centers of gang and illegal activity,” as well as the subject of numerous community complaints.

“I look forward to many, many more…my eyes are everywhere; my feet go everywhere,” Paladino said.

She thanked everyone involved in the feat including the sheriff, his officers and Deputy Mayor Phil Banks, and assured her followers that there’d be “more to come.”

“Great news: we killed two shops. They’ll be open, probably, tomorrow, but for now, they were emptied out,” she said upon concluding the video.

New York State first legalized recreational marijuana use in 2021, and the first legal dispensaries opened up in the city over the course of the last month.

It is still illegal to sell marijuana products without a license.

Forest Hills couple to share passion project

Jessica Meditz on January 25, 2023

‘The Monkey King: A Kung Fu Musical’ coming to Queens Theatre

By Jessica Meditz

jmeditz@queensledger.com

Jonathan and Kimbirdlee Fadner.

Husband and wife team Jonathan and Kimbirdlee Fadner first moved to Forest Hills from California about a decade ago to experience the buzzing musical theater scene that New York City has to offer.

After years of experience and community engagement, the duo looks forward to presenting their passion project, “The Monkey King: A Kung Fu Musical,” for the first time as a fully realized production for young audiences at Queens Theatre in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park.

This performance will take place at 3 p.m. on Feb. 11 and 12; however, “The Monkey King” has been a large part of their creative lives since 2018, upon receiving a grant from Queens Council on the Arts.

“That was one of the pinnacle moments for us,” Kimbirdlee said. “At the same time, we both started working with Queens Theatre doing different things like teaching artists’ work, directing, music directing…so that led to us to start to develop ‘The Monkey King.’”

Around the same time, the couple also started working at Main Street Theatre and Dance Alliance on Roosevelt Island.

“It’s been really a wonderful, wonderful thing for us and then just growing with that community and helping that community grow,” Jonathan said.

When co-writing “The Monkey King,” the Fadners took inspiration for the main character from “Journey to the West” by Wu Cheng’en, a classic Chinese novel that dates back to the 16th century during the Ming dynasty.

Their production is unique in that it features a big twist: the Monkey King character is female, portrayed by Kimbirdlee.

As an experienced writer, composer and music director, Jonathan said this was a conscious decision as it pays homage to his wife’s Chinese heritage and opens up a window of opportunity for Asian women in theater. “The Monkey King” is also completely powered by Asian cast members.

Throughout the course of her career in musical theater, Kimbirdlee found that there were not many roles written specifically for Asian women such as herself, and wanted to take initiative and change that.

In “The Monkey King,” despite what its title suggests, the lead character is female. Co-writer Kimbirdlee Fadner will portray her.

She said that New York City is the place that allowed her to truly be herself and excel doing what she loves most: performing and entertaining various audiences.

“It’s really here where I discovered that my own Asian female self, it’s kind of a funny thing to say, but I grew up in the Midwest, not being around too much Asian culture and then moved to California where I felt that there was non-traditional casting going on,” she explained. “But it wasn’t seen through the lens of ‘Let’s actually feature the Asian female actor.’ So that’s one of the really profound things that has happened in my career since moving to New York.”

A story of girl power, anti-bullying and representation, “The Monkey King” follows a tribe of monkeys, living on a mountain, under the oppression of the Demon of Havoc.

In hopes of discovering a magical monkey that will come to save them from all their troubles and lead them to the promised land, the Monkey King shows up…and is a girl.

She tries to increase her power in the world – not just for herself, but for her tribe – and conflicts arise throughout the storyline.

“It’s so cool because never has the Monkey King appeared as a girl…ever,” Kimbirdlee said of the role.

Jonathan said that another unique aspect of the show is that since it is a kung fu musical, the choreography (set by Max Erhlich) is based around the martial art form. In addition, “The Monkey King’s” soundtrack features a mix of classical and rock musical elements.

Jonathan and Kimbirdlee thank the cast and crew for making this production possible: Steven Eng, director; I Chen Wang, projection designer; Erin Black, costume designer; Madeline Goddard, set designer; Kelly Ruth Cole, stage manager; Charlotte Fung Miller, artist; Jerry Fadner, graphic designer; Sarah Lam Chiu, Ellis Gage, Brian Jose, Charles Pang, Gage Thomas, Bella Villanueva and Annie Yamamoto – cast members.

As the parents of two young children, the Fadners understand firsthand the importance of sharing arts and culture with youth.

“The Monkey King” was actually staged as a children’s theater production at first, and being able to share that experience with young people has been incredibly powerful, Kimbirdlee said.

“One really special experience I had was teaching it as an in-school residency early on, and the ending showcase was the entire fourth grade performing a version of ‘The Monkey King’ all in unison,” she said. “We were able to teach the lessons that we were so inspired by with girl power, Asian culture, anti-bullying and just this overall empowerment, in a universal way that every child in this fourth grade could comprehend, could get excited about and then could actually perform it together.”

Taryn Sacramone, executive director of Queens Theatre, is proud to have such a great relationship with the Fadners through the dedicated work they’ve done at the institution.

She said that audiences can expect to be completely delighted and to discover an exciting, action-packed musical in a way that hasn’t been done before.

“We knew this was a passion project and that there was a gap that they saw in the world…you don’t see many of these stories with an Asian actress in the lead and taking an important folkloric tale and telling it in a new way, reaching multiple generations with it,” Sacramone said. “They had this really compelling vision, and they’re also just wonderful people and parents themselves, so they really understand young audiences and what people respond to.”

She shared that years ago, they did a reading of an earlier draft of “The Monkey King” at Queens Theatre, which was extremely well-received.

Sacramone also feels that “The Monkey King” as a production truly aligns with the mission of Queens Theatre, which is to reflect and celebrate the diversity of local communities.

The Fadners feel lucky to maintain and grow relationships within the performing arts community, including with Queens Theatre.

“I think that’s one of the beautiful lessons that we’ve learned coming to New York,” Kimbirdlee said while tearing up, “To have an organization like Queens Theatre believe in us and in our work…means so much to us.”

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit: https://queenstheatre.org/event/the-monkey-king/, or call the box office at (718) 760-0064.

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