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Joe Panik, former St. John’s standout, calls it a career

Dan on May 25, 2022

Former St. John’s standout baseball player Joe Panik has retired from baseball after a successful career that spanned the better part of a decade in Major League Baseball.

The John Jay High School grad appeared in 818 games across eight years in the major leagues, highlighted by a World Series victory with the San Francisco Giants as a rookie in 2014.

Panik hit .305 after joining the club in June of that same year, finishing sixth in NL Rookie of the Year voting.

Panik was named an All-Star the following year and hit a career-best .312, slugging .455 and driving in 37 runs. In 2016, Panik earned the Gold Glove award for being the NL’s top defensive second baseman.

Panik was selected with the 29th overall pick of the 2011 draft, after hitting .370 in three years at St. John’s. He holds the second-highest career average in program history. As a junior in 2011, he earned All-American honors from the ABCA, Baseball America and Collegiate Baseball newspaper after hitting a career best .398 average.

He helped lead the Johnnies to a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances, including a Big East Tournament title in 2010.

Panik signed to play for the New York Mets in 2019, before signing with the Toronto Blue Jays in early 2020. His playing career ended with the Miami Marlins last year at the age of 31.

Panik and his wife, Brittany, welcomed a daughter, Mikayla, in October of 2021.

2022 Election Profile: Assembly Candidate Brent O’Leary

Dan on May 24, 2022

Correction: Eugene Noh does not work as campaign advisor for O’Leary. O’Leary also did not hire Won’s team of field operators in his run for AD37.

Brent O’Leary, one of the founders of the Hunters Pont Civic Association and President of the nonprofit organization Woodside on the Move, announced his bid for the 37th Assembly district seat, currently occupied by outgoing Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan.

Nolan, whose district encompasses the Hunters Point, Sunnyside, Woodside, Maspeth, and Ridgewood communities in Western Queens, has held the position since 1984. Following the announcement of her retirement, four local candidates have opted to throw their hats into the ring.

O’Leary, 52, has been working as an attorney for over 25 years. He was formerly a senior associate at White & Case, one of America’s top law firms, where he specialized in business and financial law.

He previously ran for office in the 2021 Democratic primary election, finishing third among 15 candidates in the running for the New York City Council district seat formerly occupied by Jimmy Van Bramer, losing to political newcomer Julie Won.

“My campaign is going to be run much more professionally this time,” O’Leary said, highlighting what he plans on doing differently.

O’Leary said he considers himself to be an “old school” FDR democrat, running a more moderate-leaning campaign than some of his more progressive opponents like Juan Ardila.

“We have different views on how you get things done,” O’Leary said in an exclusive interview with The Queens Ledger, regarding the three other candidates vying for Nolan’s Assembly seat.

A major proponent of his campaign focuses on providing quality paying jobs, providing a safety net for those who cannot afford private health care, providing quality education for district students, and improving public safety within the community.

“I am capable, caring, and committed,” O’Leary said about representing his community in Albany if elected.

O’Leary says that if he is elected to office he would look to address bail reform, establishing criteria for judges to determine whether or not to keep violent criminals behind bars; housing affordability and rent, promoting homeownership as an investment in the community; and education, which he feels should be left up to the decisions of the Mayor and not Albany lawmakers.

Apart from his work with local nonprofit organizations and civic groups, O’Leary has pitched in by coordinating with community churches to organize emergency food pantries and is working closely with the Hour Children program, dedicated to helping children of those incarcerated at Riker’s Island.

In preparation for the upcoming Democratic primary election on June 28th, O’Leary is canvassing door-to-door across the district, sharing his campaign message and speaking with potential constituents about the issues that matter most to their community.

O’Leary will appear on the ballot against candidates Juan Ardila, Johanna Carmona, and Jim McGee. Stay tuned to The Queens Ledger for election coverage and more to come.

Monserrate leads Lefrak City rally for safety

Dan on May 24, 2022

Assembly candidate proposes plan in wake of shooting

Hiram Monserrate, a candidate running for the 35th Assembly District, which includes East Elmhurst, LeFrak City, and parts of Corona, Woodside, Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, and Rego Park, led a press conference in response to a recent shooting that left a man dead in the stairwell of a Lefrak City apartment building.

Community members joined the call for swift action to curb what they say is a surge of crime and violence in their neighborhood.

Malika Shabazz, a longtime resident of Lefrak City, said the community’s safety is at risk.

“The street crime and shootings have now entered the inside of our buildings, we need real swift and decisive action to keep our community safe,” Shabazz said. “We are beyond sick and tired of all this crime.”

Ruby Muhammad, a Lefrak City resident since 1978, echoed Shabazz’s remarks, saying, “We need these guns out of our community.”

Monserrate cited a shooting last December when two men were shot across the street from Lefrak City.

He has proposed a public safety plan that would not allow bail for anyone caught carrying an illegal firearm in New York, a bill establishing strict minimum penalties for anyone selling illegal firearms in New York, and a permanent funded initiative to increase headcount at NYPD and a return to “beat cops who know their community.”

“First and foremost our condolences to the family at this time of tragic loss,” Monserrate, a democratic District Leader, said. “But, there has been a dramatic uptick in crime in this community and shootings are too commonplace. We need concrete measures now, no more excuses.”

Monserrate also noted that most recent NYPD data shows a 56.7 percent uptick in overall crime in the 110th NYPD Police precinct, with 14 robberies so far this year, compared to seven last year at the same time.

In 2001, there were a total of 614 reported robberies within the 110th precinct, according to NYPD data. Two decades later, robberies have decreased nearly 60 percent in the area, to 257 total reported robberies in 2021.

Monserrate became the first Latino elected to public office in Queens for City Council in 2001, and was then expelled from the the New York State Senate following his misdemeanor domestic assault conviction in 2009. He later spent two years in federal prison for misusing funds while he was a sitting City Councilmember.

VBGC Queens raises over $100K at annual gala

Dan on May 24, 2022

The Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens hosted their annual gala on Wednesday, May 18 and raised over $100,000 for their Astoria-based programming.

The event honored Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, who received the “George Skouras Award,” Peter Vallone Sr., recipient of the “Judge Charles Vallone Award,” Dr. Cameron Hernandez of Mount Sinai Queens, recipient of the “Albert ‘Cubby’ R. Broccoli Award,” and Paula Kirby of Plaxall, recipient of the “Ann Buehler Award.”

Treasure Hodge, an executive recruitment liaison for VBGC Queens, was honored with the “Staff of the Year” award.

Walter Sanchez, BQE Media Publisher and president of the VBGC Queens Board, was inducted into the Hall of Fame, along with his son, John Sanchez, president of the VBGC Queens Young Professionals Board.

The gala’s silent auction featured items from the New York Mets, Museum of the Moving Image, Milkflower, The Row, Chef Moise, Noguchi Museum, Ample Hills Creamery, Alewife Brewing, Untapped NY & Behind the Scenes NY, JetBlue, NFL, Trattoria L’incontro, Ace Hotel, Disney, Cheesecake Factory and Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom.

Marco Santini was in attendance illustrating his iconic “One Love” painting, asking guests what they value most and incorporating their words into art. At the end of the night, the painting was auctioned off to the highest bidder

The evening was sponsored by Mega Contracting, the Vallone Family, Plaxall, JetBlue, Innovation Queens, Robotti Insurance and Wildflower Studios.

The Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens hosted their annual gala on Wednesday, May 18 and raised over $100,000 for their Astoria-based programming
Pictured (l-r) Costa Constantinides, Walter Sanchez, Peter Vallone Sr., Tena Vallone, Paul Vallone, QBP Donovan Richards, and Paula Kirby.

 

From ‘Sex and the City’ to ‘The Kids We Love’

Dan on May 24, 2022

How a local author breaks traditional storytelling with her new kid’s book

Eleni Fuiaxis, a professional model, actress, elementary school teacher, and mother of two from Astoria, can now add published Children’s author to her already expansive resume. Best known for her role as Debbie in the hit HBO series Sex and the City, she hopes to reignite reading and storytelling in schools with a brand new book series designed to help parents and teachers engage and connect with kids.

The first book in the series, “Picky Patrick,” was something she started writing eight years ago as a labor of love. Fuiaxis said that she always enjoyed reading to her kids at night, but would always return home from work exhausted.

“I was so tired by the end of the night,” Fuiaxis said, “I made up these stories for them.”

Her children loved the stories so much that she began to write them down. In fact, her son Zen was so inspired by one of the stories that he asked her if he could make copies of the book to sell to his friends. It was at that moment she became determined to publish them.

“Picky Patrick” hits major book sellers on July 12

But as soon as she found a publisher, everything suddenly came undone. “My marriage fell apart,” she said. “I had no idea what I was doing with myself and my life.”

Fuiaxis said this was when she embarked on a journey of self-discovery. It was during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic that she decided to become certified to teach.

“The modeling and acting industry were completely annihilated,” she said. “And so many teachers were getting sick, retiring, and walking off the job.”

Feeling compelled to help serve in any way that she can, she quickly found herself thrown into the classroom. “It was intense,” she said. “But I have no regrets. It’s one of the most challenging and rewarding things I have ever done.”

Since the children connected organically with the characters in her book, she decided to add 14 different prompts at the end, to serve as a springboard for deep and meaningful conversations.

“Picky Patrick,” tells the story of an 8-year-old boy who seemingly has it all, but spends all of his time nitpicking and choosing to focus on the negative things.

One day, after reading the book to her class, she said that a student approached her with a dilemma–they accidentally colored outside of the lines. That was when a fellow classmate stood up and said, “remember Picky Patrick… it doesn’t have to be perfect.”

“Kids are literally teaching each other how to self-soothe and problem solve,” she said. “It really connected with them… now, coming out of COVID, they need time to connect more than ever.”

Fuiaxis also said that she has finished three more manuscripts for the collection–“Smelly Nelly,” “Scared Steven,” and “Negative Nathan”–which she plans to release at a future date. Her first book in “The Kids We Love” series, “Picky Patrick,” will be released by Mascot Kids and available at major booksellers on July 12.

30th annual Queens Pride Parade and Festival

Dan on May 24, 2022

Tens of thousands of New Yorkers will flock to Jackson Heights on Sunday, June 5, to celebrate the 30th Annual Queens Pride Parade and festival–one of the City’s largest celebrations of LGBT rights and advocacy.

The parade’s Grand Marshals include New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, who will headline the festivities, as well as the nonprofit organizations Colectivo Intercultural TRANSgrediendo, and the Caribbean Equality Project.

In addition, this year’s parade will pay special tribute to Julio Rivera, a gay Queens resident who was brutally murdered in 1990 and helped spark the LGBT movement in Queens. Rivera was the first crime against a member of the LGBT community tried as a hate crime in New York State.

Joining in the festivities are the founders, organizers, and marchers from the first parade 30 years ago, including Queens Pride Parade co-founder and former New York City Councilman Daniel Dromm.

Dromm will join LGBT Network President/CEO David Kilmnick and the Grand Marshals at 12 p.m. for the ceremonial step-off of the parade–signifying three decades of advocacy and progress in Queens.

“I am thrilled to announce our Grand Marshals for the 30th Anniversary of Queens Pride,” Kilmnick said in a statement. “Speaker Adrienne Adams has been a longtime champion for the rights of the LGBT community and her advocacy has been unmatched. We are proud to commemorate three decades of activism in the borough, which emerged out of a tragedy, and has now become a symbol for pride in the City, State, and nation.”

“I am deeply honored to serve as a Grand Marshal for the 30th anniversary celebration of Queens Pride,” Adams said. “Our beautiful and diverse LGBTQ community deserves to be supported, uplifted, and celebrated. For the last three decades, the Queens Pride Parade has provided a safe space for authentic expression of pride, visibility, acceptance, and empowerment. I congratulate my fellow Grand Marshals, Colectivo Intercultural TRANSgrediendo and the Caribbean Equality Project, and the LGBT Network and I look forward to celebrating Queens Pride with all New Yorkers on June 5th!”

Dromm said that Council Speaker Adams, along with Colectivo TRANSgrediendo and Caribbean Equality Project, have continued to be committed to serving the LGBTQIA community in Queens and are helping to provide a strong representation of the diversity of the movement.

“Their work to make the world more accepting is truly commendable,” Dromm said. “It’s a good reminder that LGBTQIA people are everywhere. We are your family, friends, and neighbors. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone on June 5, 2022, on 37th Avenue in Jackson Heights when Queens Pride returns.”

For more information or to register for the New Queens Pride parade and multicultural festival, visit www.NewQueensPride.org

Flushing hosts first-ever restaurant week

Dan on May 24, 2022

To promote the exceptional food and culture in the downtown area, the Flushing Business Improvement District will host its first-ever Flushing Restaurant Week from Monday, May 23, to May 31.

During the week, fifteen participating restaurants in the community will offer prix-fixe lunch and early dinner menus for two, starting at $20. Participating establishments will serve a variety of different Asian cuisines, including Japanese sushi, Malaysian, Spicy Sichuan Style, North China BBQ style, Taiwanese and more.

Celebrate the fantastic dining experience with this week-long event featuring local restaurants including 1392 Seafood, NOLA Seafood, Dim Sum Garden, Betong, Royal Queen Restaurant, Yoi Sushi, Friendship BBQ, Zhang Liang Spice Hot POt, Gao’s Seafood & Kabob, Liuyishou Hotpot, Daxi, OK Ryan Restaurant, Gan-Hoo BBQ, and Hope To See You.

An additional $5 voucher will also be available at the Flushing BID’s info booth in front of the Flushing Library from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. The quantity is limited and is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

For more information on the first-ever Flushing Restaurant Week, visit flushingbid.com

Jastremski: No Max, No Problem For Now…

Dan on May 24, 2022

About a week ago, there was a collective sigh across Met land.

Top of the 6th inning. Ace pitcher Max Scherzer was on the mound up to his usual tricks against the St. Louis Cardinals lineup, then all of a sudden… a gut punch.

Max Scherzer gesturing for the trainer and removing himself from the ballgame put every Met fan on alert.

The prized ace and difference-maker grimaced in pain. What could it be?

Did Mets fans think the worst? Of course, they did, and honestly who could blame them.

It’s part of being a Mets fan, after all just look at what has transpired with Jacob deGrom over the past year.

Thankfully the news on Scherzer was not the worst-case scenario.

Scherzer hurt his oblique. They’re tricky, he will miss around 6 to 8 weeks, but it’s not a season-ending injury.

That said, I wondered following the news how the Mets would respond down two aces.

So far, they’ve been at the top of their game.

On Thursday, the Mets overcame an Edwin Diaz blown save which in reality was the end result of bad defense, and turned that into a Pete Alonso signature walk-off homer moment.

Sunday, the Mets found a way to win yet another series against the Colorado Rockies with some clutch hitting, quality pitching, and top-notch defense.

It’s closing in on Memorial Day weekend which is one of those milestone markers in the baseball season to evaluate progress.

So far, everything about the 2022 Mets season has been a joy to watch.

The team plays hard, they have a ton of grit and unlike the teams of the last few years, they find ways to win.

The 2020-2021 Mets found ways to lose.

The 2022 Mets find ways to win.

Is that the direct result of Buck Showalter’s presence? Well, his leadership most certainly plays a role, because his approach to the game is easy to see all over the Mets team.

The Scherzer injury would have been a convenient excuse for a tailspin.

Not for the 2022 Mets. Not now at least.

It’s the end of May, but the more you see of this baseball team, the more you like…

You can listen to my podcast New York, New York every Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday evenings on the Ringer Podcast Network on Spotify & Apple Podcasts. You can also watch me nightly on Geico Sportsnight on SNY.

JIMMY NEGRON

Dan on May 24, 2022

Jimmy Negron passed away on Sunday, may 15, 2022 at the age of 56. Beloved Father of Justin, Jonathan, Dillon, Isabella, Jonah and James. Dear Brother of Carmen, Margarita, Evelyn and Elsy. Funeral Service held at Papavero Funeral Home on Saturday, May 21, 2022 from 2-6 PM.  Private Cremation followed at Fresh Pond Cemetery, Middle Village, NY under the direction of Papavero Funeral Home, 72-27 Grand Avenue, Maspeth NY 11378.

FRED CUBERO

Dan on May 24, 2022

Fred Cubero passed away on Monday, May 16, 2022 at the age of 90. Beloved Father of Fred (Bella) Cubero and Deborah (Ricardo) Cubero. Cherished Grandfather of Tiffany (Joseph), Kristina and Victor and Great-Grandfather of Bella Mia, Giuseppe, Santino and Salvatore. Dear Brother of Eddie, Nancy and Daisy. Mr. Cubero was a United States Army Veteran who served during the Korean Conflict. Fred worked at NYU Medical Center as a Control Foreman for 48 years, and as a proud teamster fought for the benefits of the workers and will be forever remembered for establishing the first union at NYU. He was the president and founding member of The Andes Democratic Party. Funeral Service held at Papavero Funeral Home on Friday, May 20, 2022 from 1-3 & 5-9 PM. Interment followed on Saturday, May 21, 2022 at Andes Cemetery, Andes, NY under the direction of Papavero Funeral Home, 72-27 Grand Avenue, Maspeth NY 11378.

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