BQE Admin, Author at LIC Journal

NYPD Jazz Band Kicks Off the Opening of Astoria Park’s New Performance Center With Sensational Performance

BQE Admin on May 29, 2025

Taylor Dennis

Since 1913, Astoria Park has been a neighborhood staple. People from all over Queens come to this expansive 60-acre park to walk along the East River, admire the Manhattan skyline, practice tricks on their skateboard, run around the track, and picnic in the park. Now locals have the ability to attend free summer concerts at Astoria Park’s new Performance Center.

The night began with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The symbolic green ribbon was held and cut by Borough Commissioner at NYC Department of Parks & Recreation Jacqueline Langsam, Center Astoria’s George Stamatiades and Marie Torniali, and others. Once cut, the night kicked off with Commissioner Langsam giving a powerful speech. She expressed just how important this park is to the community and all it has to offer. “There are not many places where you can go swimming while overlooking the East River, Manhattan skyline, and two spectacular bridges. It’s no wonder Astoria Pool is one of the most popular pools,” Langsam stated. “In fact, it’s the largest pool in New York City and serves not only the Astoria community, but the entire borough of Queens and beyond.”

This new center, located at the site of the pool’s former Olympic high-dive, features amphitheater-style seating, sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline, and an immersive natural setting. The iconic diving boards remain in place as a tribute to the pool’s historical past. Commissioner Langsam highlighted the unique beauty of the space, stating, “The decorative glass, the art deco metal highlights, the proud Olympic history-not to mention this incredible view.”

Although the performance center looks finished, it’s still not done. As they continue to fundraise, they plan on redoing the pool’s locker rooms and fixing up the rooftop deck that overlooks the skyline. Commissioner Langsam stated, “We are still not done. There’s great beauty and potential for the locker room and the rooftop deck, which is just behind me. I hope you can support our effort to continue fundraising to restore these historic spaces.” The diving platform has been a staple of the community since Robert Mosses built it in 1936. Since then, it’s been used summer after summer. Although the community is sad to see the diving pool go, they are welcoming these new changes. These changes were made possible by Center Astoria’s George Stamatiades and Marie Torniali who advocated for and arranged the entire evening.

The free concert drew families, children, and dogs alike, all gathering to enjoy an evening of incredible music by the NYPD Jazz Band. Off-duty officers were also in attendance, showing support for their fellow peers. Many in the community turned it into a full night out, arriving with baskets of food, toys for their children, and cozy cushions. As the band began to play, spectators from across the park streamed in, eager to grab a front-row seat. Mothers and children danced along, some captured the moment with photos and videos, while others joined in singing along to the music.

NYPD Jazz Band members were absolutely incredible at their craft. Two officers took turns signing popular songs such as Ben E. King’s “Stand By Me,” Gladys Knight & the Pips “Midnight Train to Georgia,” Stevie Wonder’s “Isn’t She Lovely” and many more. As the sun began to set, flood lights came on and lit up the amphitheater, really setting the stage for a great night.

If you missed tonight, don’t worry as there are big plans to continue this concert series all summer long. Stamatiades stated, “There’s gonna be a lot more events here…God bless this terrific jazz band that’s going to make you rock.”

Zellnor Myrie, the Brooklyn-Born Reformer Running to Rebuild NYC

BQE Admin on May 15, 2025

By MOHAMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

Zellnor Myrie still rides the subway—not as a campaign prop, but because it’s how he’s always gotten around. One recent evening, as he waited on a platform, a fellow rider recognized him. There were no cameras, no staffers, just a brief exchange and a quiet thank-you. “That’s the kind of interaction that keeps me grounded,” Myrie says. Now a State Senator and one of New York City’s leading mayoral candidates, Myrie is running on a promise to rebuild a city that feels increasingly out of reach for working families. His campaign is rooted in the everyday experiences of New Yorkers — shaped by the same commutes, rent hikes, and after-school pickups — and driven by bold, progressive solutions to make the city more affordable, more just, and more livable for all.

Born and raised in a rent-regulated apartment in Brooklyn to Costa Rican immigrant parents, Myrie is hoping to ride a wave of progressive momentum from Albany to City Hall. The 37-year-old state senator, a Fordham graduate and product of New York City’s public schools and after-school programs, says his lived experience gives him a clear-eyed perspective on the city’s most urgent crisis: affordability.

“I’m living the struggle,” Myrie told the Queens Ledger during a recent roundtable interview. “I have student loans like everyone else. I take the train. I know what it’s like to watch friends leave this city because they can’t afford to stay.”

Myrie, first elected to the State Senate in 2018, quickly made a name for himself as a forceful advocate for tenant protections, criminal justice reform, and gun safety. In his first legislative session, he helped pass a suite of landmark reforms, from the Reproductive Health Act to the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. Since then, he’s sponsored more than 60 bills that have become law, earning him praise from progressive groups and legislative colleagues alike.

Now, he’s turning that track record into a campaign for mayor — anchored by a sweeping housing proposal he calls Rebuild NYC, which aims to deliver one million new homes over the next decade.

“I am excited about this opportunity to lead the city that my parents came to 50 years ago, but that opportunity that they came for that’s slipping away for a lot of us,” Myrie said. “I want to change all of those things, and I believe that I have the record, and I’m the right person to do that at this moment.”

Under Rebuild NYC, Myrie would rezone Midtown to allow for 85,000 mixed-income units and use city tools like mandatory inclusionary housing to build and preserve 1 million homes — 700,000 new, 300,000 preserved. The plan also secures permanent revenue for the city’s public housing authority, NYCHA, and would phase out councilmember veto power over land-use projects, a long-debated political bottleneck to construction.

His passion for public service began early. “The best mayor we’ve had was La Guardia — someone who spoke his mind and fought for all New Yorkers,” he said. Myrie’s journey started with community board meetings and escalated through law school, a stint in the City Council, and finally the State Senate.

He often thinks back to his own childhood — how a public school education, after-school programs, and a stable apartment gave him a foundation. He wants every child in New York to have that same chance. His universal after-school proposal — extending care from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. — would cost billions, but Myrie argues the tax revenue from families staying in the city would offset the price.

“As I mentioned, I’m the product of an after-school program, but you shouldn’t have to be in a neighborhood where you have a PTA that can afford this programming to be able to benefit from that,” Myrie said. “Every kid should have access to it, and it should be high quality. We cannot be a city where you cannot afford to raise a kid here.”

On public safety, Myrie walks a fine line. He proposes a stronger presence in subways, but favors reallocating officers to platforms and train cars, backed by 150 police-clinician teams. His approach to crime is deeply shaped by personal experience, including a mass shooting at a Brooklyn parade last year. He wrote the nation’s first law holding gun manufacturers accountable and was named “Gun Sense Lawmaker of the Year” by Everytown for Gun Safety in 2021.

Myrie is clear-eyed about the fiscal challenges the city faces. He opposes raising property taxes unless absolutely necessary, and says the city has already missed its window to bolster reserves before federal cuts hit. But he’s firm on protecting the city’s social infrastructure: after-school care, summer youth jobs, and safe housing.

Myrie is running against seasoned insiders and political veterans but makes the case that he brings a different kind of experience — one rooted not in decades of power but in firsthand knowledge of what it takes to stay in the city.

“The same folks responsible for our current problems shouldn’t be the ones trusted to fix them,” he says. “We need to do big things again. If we could build the Empire State Building in 13 months, we can build a city people can afford to live in.”

Zellnor Myrie envisions a transformed New York City after four years under his leadership. His promise is clear: a city where every child has access to high-quality after-school programs, where every young person who seeks a summer job can find one, where people feel safe on the street and subway and where the cost of living is lower, making it more affordable for families to stay. With a focus on safety, fairness, and opportunity, Myrie’s vision is one of inclusivity and resilience, where the city’s social infrastructure is robust and accessible for all. He believes that through bold, progressive actions, New York can once again be a place where working families thrive, and where the opportunities his parents came to the city for are restored and expanded for future generations.

New York Becomes Largest State to Ban Smartphones in Schools

BQE Admin on May 15, 2025

Courtesy Officer of Governor Kathy Hochul

By MOHAMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

New York will become the largest state in the nation to impose sweeping, bell-to-bell restrictions on smartphone use in K-12 schools under a new policy announced by Governor Kathy Hochul, marking a landmark move aimed at improving student mental health and reducing classroom distractions.

The statewide mandate, secured as part of the recently passed Fiscal Year 2026 state budget, requires all public, charter, and BOCES schools to restrict unsanctioned use of internet-enabled personal devices during the entire school day, including lunch and study hall periods. The policy goes into effect for the 2025-2026 academic year and is backed by a $13.5 million allocation to help schools implement storage solutions for student devices.

“New York was the first state to target addictive social media feeds — and now we’re the largest state to restrict smartphones in schools throughout the entire school day.” Governor Hochul said. “I know our young people succeed when they’re learning and growing, not clicking and scrolling — and that’s why New York continues to lead the nation on protecting our kids in the digital age.”

The policy mandates that parents still be provided with a way to contact their children during the school day, a move aimed at alleviating safety concerns. Schools will have the flexibility to determine how smartphones are stored, with local implementation plans required to be developed in consultation with teachers, parents, and students. The measure also prohibits policies that could lead to inequitable discipline outcomes.

“This isn’t about being anti-phone or anti-technology — it’s about being pro-childhood,” New York State United Teachers President Melinda Person said. “We’re giving students seven hours a day free from distractions so they can focus on learning, access their creativity, and make real human connections. Tackling social media and technology use as a public health issue will take continued partnership, education, and courage — and New York is ready to lead the way.”

This initiative aligns with the mission of Phone Free New York, a movement founded by Raj Goyle that advocates for protecting children from the harmful effects of smartphones and social media. Goyle emphasizes that while digital technology has transformed modern life, its unchecked use — especially among teens — has fueled a crisis in mental health, exacerbated by the pandemic. The evidence, he notes, increasingly supports that smartphones and social media are major contributors to declining youth well-being.

Courtesy Officer of Governor Kathy Hochul

New York now joins a growing list of at least nine other states that have implemented some form of school-based phone restrictions, signaling a bipartisan recognition of the issue. As Goyle highlights, this movement is not about rejecting technology outright but about ensuring that students have the freedom to learn, connect, and grow in healthier, more focused educational environments.

Hochul’s announcement follows a months-long statewide listening tour that brought together educators, students, parents, and public safety officials to assess the impact of smartphones in schools. The resulting report, More Learning, Less Scrolling: Creating Distraction-Free Schools, concluded that unrestricted access to personal devices hampers academic performance, impedes creativity, and contributes to rising mental health issues among youth.

According to the U.S. Surgeon General, up to 95% of teens use social media, with more than a third reporting near-constant use. The report highlights a correlation between high social media usage and increased risks of anxiety, depression, poor sleep, and cyberbullying — concerns echoed by educators and mental health professionals across the state.

Nearly 75% of teachers surveyed in a 2023 Pew Research Center poll identified cell phone distractions as a major issue in their classrooms. Teachers and administrators who participated in the listening sessions cited increased student engagement and decreased behavioral incidents in schools that had already adopted phone-free policies.

“Smartphones are designed to be addictive in a way that makes it harder for kids to focus and learn,” Mothers Against Media Addiction Founder and Executive Director Julie Scelfo said. “As parents, we are grateful to Governor Hochul and the lawmakers who led this effort to support engaged, distraction-free learning in our schools, making New York a model for the rest of the nation. MAMA volunteers are energized by this victory — five states down, and only 45 more to go.”

In addition to the restrictions, students with documented needs — including medical conditions, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), or translation services — will be granted exceptions under the policy. Students will also continue to use school-issued devices such as laptops and tablets for educational purposes.

Courtesy Freepik

The new statewide standard builds on Hochul’s broader youth mental health agenda. In 2024, she signed the first-in-the-nation “Safe for Kids Act,” which requires parental consent for minors to access algorithm-driven social media feeds, and the New York Child Data Protection Act, prohibiting the sale of personal data from users under 18 without explicit permission.

The governor has also overseen a $1 billion statewide investment in mental health, including $20 million in startup grants for school-based mental health clinics. Since February 2024, 71 new clinic satellites have opened, with 40 located in high-needs districts, expanding the state’s network of over 1,100 school-based mental health sites.

Borough President Richards Outlines Bold Plans in Annual Address

BQE Admin on May 1, 2025

MOHAMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

In his third annual State of the Borough address, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. delivered an ambitious and determined vision for the future of the borough. Speaking before a full house at the Queens Theatre on April 25, Richards reviewed his administration’s progress over the past year, emphasizing key initiatives in education, healthcare, economic development, social services, and environmental sustainability.

The address kicked off with a heartfelt performance of the Star Spangled Banner by students from the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts. The event brought together a diverse group of leaders, starting with New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, who took the podium to express his admiration for Borough President Donovan Richards and the vibrant Queens community. Public Advocate Jumaane Williams also addressed the crowd, praising Queens as a microcosm of America, with its rich blend of cultures and immigrant stories. Williams commended Richards for his deep understanding of the borough’s complexities and challenges.

The evening continued with a performance of Summer Wind by the renowned RIOULT Dance New York, before Speaker of the NYC Council, Adrienne Adams, delivered a pointed critique of the Trump administration. Adams emphasized the importance of standing firm in Queens to protect New Yorkers, underscoring her partnership with Richards in “Trump-proofing” City Hall. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz also spoke, thanking local officials and the community for their support in tackling crime. She highlighted efforts to dismantle gangs, remove illegal weapons from the streets, combat human trafficking, and educate the public on scams, ensuring the borough remains safe and resilient.

Richards began his speech with a sharp critique of federal policies, particularly those under former President Donald Trump, which he argued posed significant threats to the people of Queens. “Now we’re going to do things a little differently this year, no fluff, no rhetoric, because we don’t have time to play games.” Richards said. “The state of our borough is precarious, Queens is under attack. Our wallets, our families, our futures, our values, our way of life.” His defiant tone set the stage for the rest of the address, where he emphasized the borough’s resilience and diverse strength as the key to overcoming these challenges.

Immigration and Social Services

Richards highlighted his administration’s efforts to protect and support Queens’ immigrant communities, underscoring initiatives like the “Know Your Rights” workshops held in Corona and Queens Borough Hall, as well as resource fairs in Flushing. His office’s Immigration Task Force continues to connect residents to essential services, including legal and community support.

Notable investments included:

Make the Road Community Center: $1.8 million to support this Corona-based center, which provides legal services, childcare, and educational opportunities for local residents.

Variety Boys and Girls Club: An additional $5 million toward expanding this Astoria-based facility, following a previous $5 million investment in 2020.

River Fund Center: $3 million allocated for Richmond Hill’s nonprofit that provides food pantry services, SNAP enrollment assistance, and more.

Arverne East Aquatics Center: $46 million secured from the state, alongside an additional $36 million from city and borough funds, aimed at creating a state-of-the-art facility for the community.

Richards also discussed the planned $132 million Roy Wilkins Recreation Center, with $15 million allocated for renovations to the existing facility.

Borough President Richards also pointed to the significant strides already being made to address the swimming disparity gap, citing recent investments in public swimming pools in underserved neighborhoods. He specifically mentioned the allocation of resources to build and refurbish pools in locations where they are most needed, such as in the communities of Far Rockaway and South Jamaica. These new and renovated facilities will serve as vital community hubs, offering swimming lessons, water safety programs, and recreational opportunities for youth and adults alike. Richards emphasized that these pools are not just amenities—they are life-changing investments that equip residents with critical skills, promote physical activity, and enhance community cohesion.

Education Initiatives:

Richards focused on education as a cornerstone of Queens’ future, highlighting the $25 million allocated this year for Queens public schools, including the creation of new culinary arts kitchens at several schools. His administration also secured funding for:

$1 million to renovate P.S. 177Q, a special education school in Fresh Meadows.

Construction of a new 547-seat elementary school in Long Island City and a 700-seat annex at Forest Hills High School.

The opening of Motion Picture Technical High School and the upcoming Northwell School of Health and Sciences.

Since taking office, Richards has directed over $78 million in capital funding for school improvements.

Economic Development and Job Creation:

On the economic front, Richards detailed the progress of the $19 billion redevelopment of JFK Airport, including the $100 million refresh of Terminal 5 in partnership with JetBlue. This project, expected to create over 15,000 jobs, is a significant part of the borough’s broader economic growth strategy. Richards also noted that over $1 billion in contracts from the JFK redevelopment have been awarded to Queens-based businesses.

The Global Tech and Innovation Center, located at One Court Square, also received attention, with $5 million in funding for its development. Richards is committed to making Queens a hub for tech startups and innovation, a goal reinforced by the success of the borough’s annual Queens Tech and Career Expo.

Healthcare Investments:

Queens’ first standalone cancer center at Jamaica Hospital, funded with $180 million in partnership with Memorial Sloan Kettering. Reflecting on his personal experiences, Richards shared a poignant story about his grandmother, who was forced to navigate an inadequate healthcare system that ultimately failed her. He vowed to continue advocating for people in similar situations, ensuring that no one is left behind due to systemic inequities. His commitment to improving the borough’s healthcare infrastructure stems from a deeply personal place, as he understands the critical importance of accessible, quality care for all, particularly those in underserved communities.

The groundbreaking of a $30 million Gotham Health Clinic in Rockaway Village, slated to serve over 19,000 patients annually by 2027.

The expansion of St. John’s Episcopal Hospital’s labor and delivery unit, currently under construction. Richards also addressed the troubling maternal and infant mortality rates in Queens, particularly among Black women, who experience higher rates than any other demographic group. He emphasized that the borough’s new $30 million labor and delivery unit, under construction at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital, is a vital step toward addressing this inequality. No woman, Richards argued, should have to leave her community to receive the care she deserves during one of the most important moments of her life. The new facility will offer comprehensive care to expectant mothers, helping to reduce these disparities and ensure healthier outcomes for both mothers and infants in Queens.

Since taking office, Richards has allocated $36 million toward improving healthcare facilities across the borough.

Environmental and Energy Initiatives:

In the realm of environmental sustainability, Richards emphasized his administration’s commitment to green infrastructure, citing more than $44 million invested into parks across Queens, including major upgrades at Cunningham, Brookville, Baisley, and Juniper Valley parks.

Champlain Hudson Power Express, which will bring hydroelectricity from Canada to Queens starting in 2026.

The transformation of the Ravenswood Generating Station in Long Island City into a renewable wind energy facility, which is expected to power 700,000 homes.

Richards also pledged $5.2 million for hydroponics labs in Queens schools and continued expansion of the borough’s Open Streets program.

Transportation Improvements:

Richards provided an update on several key transportation initiatives, including the upcoming $30 million Queens Bus Network Redesign, set to take effect in June, which will improve service on 20 bus routes and introduce 17 new routes.

Another major transportation project is the $5.5 billion Interborough Express, which will link Queens to Brooklyn, cutting commute times and benefiting millions of riders annually.

Affordable Housing:

Richards also reviewed the borough’s progress on affordable housing, noting the following developments:

Willets Point Development: Phase one, which includes 2,500 affordable units, a new school, and public park space, is slated for completion in 2026.

The One LIC Plan, which would add 14,000 affordable housing units in the Queensboro Bridge area, entered the public review process in April.

Arverne East: A community that has already seen hundreds of families move into newly built affordable housing units.

Beach Green Dunes III: New affordable housing units in Far Rockaway, with 116 units launched in a recent housing lottery.

Looking Forward:

In his closing remarks, Richards urged Queens residents to stand united in the face of national challenges, asserting that their collective strength would continue to drive the borough’s success. “I choose you, Queens. I choose the borough that builds riches, not burns them. I choose the borough that opens its arms to the world, not closes its doors to it,” he said.

Protest to Reopen Rainey Park Brings Community Together

BQE Admin on May 1, 2025

By Alice Moreno

Tom Griffin — a local Astoria resident and protest organizer — stood by Rainey Park at 10:00 a.m. sharp with a makeshift, paper-made yellow megaphone with the words “We the People” and “Thou Shalt Reopen Rainey Park” written on it, and a cart filled with signs in favor of Rainey Park’s reopening. He had one mission to accomplish: to have his and other local residents’ voices heard by city officials.

“I’ve had people contact us about this demonstration, complaining that their 83-year-old mother relies on this green space because she lives just around the corner and is infirm, and this is the sole access to a park for her,” said Griffin, as he shares his frustrations. “So for the past year and eight months, at this point, there’s been no park access for her.”

Rainey Park, located at 34-24 Vernon Blvd in Astoria, has been under construction since September 2023, according to the official website of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. It had a projected completion date of September 2024 and has been adjusted to April 2025. The $8.5 million project was expected to reconstruct the playground, picnic grove, and basketball courts at the park.

However, residents aren’t seeing the change; in fact, the lack of parks is actively affecting their community. From the area, the closest parks are both Queensbridge Park — a 15-minute walk — and Astoria Park — a 25-minute walk — which render them inaccessible to those who are elderly, disabled, or own dogs. Many are also concerned by overcrowding in nearby parks such as Socrates Sculpture Park, making it difficult for those to walk around or play.

“It’s sad that a lot of the kids in the neighborhood don’t have a park anymore,” said Elia Sliba, a protester and resident of Astoria. “They’ve been playing in cement, like around the neighborhood. There are no playgrounds, and the closest Park is Queensbridge, and that’s kind of far for the parents to walk over there.”

Business owners are also getting affected by the park’s closure. Yesse Siqal, owner of “Bakers Cafe LIC” located across the street from Rainey Park, has noticed a significant decrease in foot traffic caused by the closure. It led to his business, which recently opened up two years ago, struggling financially.

“I went from like, going through all my life savings to getting a loan just to survive, because it’s it’s very hard to sustain,” said Siqal.

The idea of a protest began circling around the social media platform Reddit on April 1, when Griffin, under the username KickBlue22, posted on the Astoria thread about his frustrations with the park being closed for so long. Under the thread, many local residents also shared their discontent, with many thinking that the delayed opening is from a lack of budget. On April 11, Griffin made a separate post, urging residents to show up to the protest, hoping that a large number of people causing noise would bring attention to those around it.

Many residents, including Griffin, have also reached out to representatives of New York City Parks and Recreation and city officials, such as Tiffany Caban, via email.

In an email sent October 18, 2024, Griffin had asked the Capital Project Tracker email about the opening date of the park (it was then slated for September 2024). He received a response on November 16 from a representative of NYC Parks, apologizing for the delay due to supply chain issues. Griffin sent follow-up emails from December until February of 2025, with no response.

In an email thread dated from December 11 to 13, Griffin reached out to a representative of District 26 of the NYC Council, asking for clarification on park opening. After being transferred through various representatives, he received a response from John Guana, a representative of Caban’s office, who did not have any information regarding the opening and was still awaiting further information on a timeline for the construction. By December 19, a representative of Caban’s office responded to Griffin, stating that the park was 94% complete, and the opening date on the Park’s website was yet to be updated.

Griffin had also commented on Caban’s Instagram, asking to join him on the protest. He did not receive a response.

With over a dozen people showing up in the cold and rain, Astoria resident’s dedication to their green spaces is evident. As a plethora of cars beeped in support, many of the protesters cheered and chanted, all with a common goal to bring back their beloved park.

“This is the only park we had around here, and now they just took that away from us,” said Marcia Guerra, an Astoria resident. “It’s really upsetting. It’s just a waste of time and resources, and it’s something that our kids should be enjoying.”

Astoria Welfare Society Member Honored

BQE Admin on May 1, 2025

Last month, Sen. Jessica Ramos of the New York State Senate issued a proclamation honoring Mohammed Jabed Uddin for his efforts as the secretary general of the Astoria Welfare Society.

The Astoria Welfare Society provides resources and food to people in need in Astoria and the surrounding area.

They assist families in need, operate food pantries, and collaborate with shelters in the area for the homeless and asylum seekers.

Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens Celebrates Earth Day

BQE Admin on May 1, 2025

Nino Todua

News@queensledger.com

Each year, we celebrate Earth Day – a time where we reflect and remind ourselves on how we should be taking care of the planet’s ecosystem for the upcoming new generations that will inherit the Earth. On April 22, the Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens (VBGCQ) in Sunnyside celebrated Planet’s day. The VBGCQ offers a safe, supportive space where children can thrive academically, physically, and emotionally. Through after-school tutoring, sports, creative arts, and leadership programs, the Club helps kids build confidence, stay active, and explore their talents.

As part of its ongoing commitment to promoting healthy lifestyles and environmental awareness, the Club recently opened a rooftop farm designed specifically for the children who attend its programs. This vibrant space offers a unique blend of fun and education, where kids can actively engage in hands-on gardening – planting, nurturing, and harvesting crops themselves. Through this interactive experience, they not only enjoy outdoor entertainment but also develop valuable habits centered around sustainability, responsibility, and care for nature. The rooftop farm serves as both a physical activity and a learning tool, inspiring a deeper connection to the environment and encouraging a healthy, well-balanced way of life from an early age.

The opening of the event was attended by members of the local community and civil servants including Justin E. Driscoll, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the New York Power Authority (NYPA), among others. The attendees spoke about the importance of the Club in the daily lives of the youth and future generations, emphasizing the need to raise and support them in a healthy environment. They expressed their full support for the Club’s administration in order to promote active participation of children in the organized activities, which they believe is essential and vital for shaping a healthy lifestyle for the new generation.

By encouraging movement, play, and awareness, the club reminded us that caring for our planet begins with nurturing the next generation — the stewards of our future. After all, the energy and well-being of our children mirror the vitality we hope to see in the world around us.

Variety Boys and Girls of Queens Club Receives $2.5 Million Investment for Pool Renovations

BQE Admin on April 24, 2025

By Alice Moreno

For 70 years, the non-profit organization Variety Boys and Girls of Queens Club (VBGC), located at 21-12 30th Rd in Astoria, has been a vital resource for children in the area, granting them access to various activities to help them grow as people. Now, the VBGC will be undergoing a massive change that will bring more benefits to the community.

On April 16, the VBGC received a $2.5 million investment from the office of Senator Jessica Ramos to provide new pool facilities. It is a component of the $293 million expansion of the VBGC, which, upon completion, will make it the largest Boys and Girls Club in the country at 116,000 square feet.

The state-of-the-art pool renovation, titled “The Senator Ramos Aquatic Center,” will include a bevy of new features, including a regulation pool, a wading pool to host “Mommy/Daddy and Me” classes, and a new wet locker. The pool was last updated in the early 2000s.

“My own son was one of those kids who learned how to swim right here at the Boys and Girls Club, and it’s been a resource for our young people in this area,” said Costa Constantinides, the CEO of VBGC of Queens. “Which includes the Queensbridge Houses — the largest public housing development in the country — Ravenswood houses, Astoria houses, and Woodside houses, less than a mile away.”

The Senator Ramos Aquatic Center will also be open year-round, a stark contrast from neighboring Astoria Pool, which is typically only open during the summer.

In addition to the new pool features, a plethora of amenities will also be built at the VBGC, such as Queen’s first planetarium, a 400-seat school, and a 1,500-seat arena. The expansion can house over 16,000 people, which increases the number of children being served at the club by 34%. The VBGC will also include 230 units of affordable housing, with 70 of the units being set aside for those aging out of foster care. The entire building will also be carbon-neutral, ensuring sustainability and a healthier planet.

Furthermore, a mental health clinic will be provided on the first floor, making sure that every child is supported and has someone to talk to.

“I remember playing here as a kid growing up, and remember making lots of friends here,” said Senator Jessica Ramos. “We need more spaces like these, so that we are keeping our youth busy and safe. We are giving parents peace of mind, and of course, even the whole family is able to enjoy the resources.”

The new pool expansion will break ground this December and will roughly take 30 months to complete. According to Constantinides, he hopes that every child can use the resources provided to help them grow into strong adults with flourishing careers.

“We want it to be a space where every child, regardless of their zip code or their income, are able to come here and enjoy themselves and to find their passions, and to be able to carry that forward into their lives,” said Constantinides.

Forest Hills Stadium Concerts Get Green Light Amid Dispute

BQE Admin on April 24, 2025

By MOHAMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

The 2025 summer concert season at Forest Hills Stadium is officially moving forward following a tentative agreement between city officials, the NYPD, and the stadium’s concert partner. But a lingering dispute over the use of private roads has reignited tensions with the historic venue’s neighbors, casting uncertainty over the concert series just weeks before it’s set to begin.

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards announced last week that an agreement had been reached to allow the stadium to host concerts this summer, despite earlier concerns raised by the NYPD, which had revoked sound amplification permits due to access restrictions on privately owned streets surrounding the venue.

Under the agreement, Tiebreaker Productions—the company that manages the concert series—committed to hiring private security to monitor and close surrounding streets with blocker vehicles and barricades before and after each event. That condition satisfied the NYPD enough to issue a conditional sound permit.

“Forest Hills Stadium is a unique cultural destination that annually draws hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world, with its operation providing immense local economic benefits to surrounding businesses, creating hundreds of good-paying union jobs and generating critical tax revenues,” Borough President Richards wrote in a statement. “To expect the stadium to cancel their operations… would be financially devastating.”

But the Forest Hills Gardens Corporation (FHGC), which owns the streets around the venue, pushed back on Tuesday, saying it never authorized the use of its roads and accusing Tiebreaker of misrepresenting its authority to city agencies.

“Tiebreaker has apparently represented to the NYPD that it has an agreement or other legal authority to do what NYPD has concluded it can no longer do—seize private streets for a third-party commercial event,” the group said in a statement.

FHGC also issued a broader statement expressing its growing concerns over the situation. “The Forest Hills Gardens Corporation (FHGC) is deeply troubled by the recent actions of Tiebreaker Productions LLC (Tiebreaker) in connection with the concert operations at the Forest Hills Tennis Stadium,” the organization said, reiterating that “Tiebreaker has no authority to operate or deploy any personnel within the private streets of the Gardens or close streets without an explicit license granted by FHGC.”

The group cited a March 19 letter from NYPD Legal Bureau Deputy Inspector William Gallagher, which stated that “the NYPD is not permitted to close the privately-owned streets adjacent to the Stadium.”

FHGC noted that although it had agreed to enter professional mediation with the West Side Tennis Club and Tiebreaker to resolve the long-running dispute, it believes the promoter has since circumvented the process. “Tiebreaker’s attempting to secure a unilateral backchannel agreement to use private security forces to close FHGC’s private streets to its residents is not productive,” FHGC wrote. “Engaging in this agreed-upon mediation process based on this framework is the only path forward.”

The group emphasized it is willing to return to the pre-2023 arrangement, which included a limited number of concerts, strict adherence to the city’s noise code, and a formal licensing agreement for street use.

“FHGC does not and will not accept any ‘private security plan’ that purports to allow unauthorized access, use and closure of our private property,” the organization stated. It also highlighted that “in 2024, 85% of concerts tested by the NYC DEP exceeded official noise limits,” urging the NYPD to strictly enforce noise regulations moving forward.

Despite the mounting objections, Forest Hills Stadium publicly declared that the season would proceed as planned.

“Forest Hills Stadium is moving forward with our 2025 concert schedule as planned and our permitting timeline is on its standard schedule,” the venue wrote on social media. “As happens every season, the vocal NIMBY minority of Forest Hills Gardens are attempting to roadblock yet another enjoyable season of music.”

Concert organizers also issued a celebratory announcement:

“FOREST HILLS STADIUM 2025 SEASON OFFICIALLY KICKS OFF MAY 31,” the venue wrote online. “As anticipated, we’re pleased to announce that the City of New York has given Forest Hills Stadium the green light for our 2025 concert season to proceed as planned… We’re excited to welcome fans back this summer and proud to continue our role as a cultural cornerstone of the Queens community.”

The season is scheduled to begin May 31 with a performance by English rock band Bloc Party.

While acknowledging the challenges of living near a major concert venue, Borough President Richards has urged FHGC and residents to negotiate in good faith, emphasizing the broader community’s economic reliance on the stadium.

“But most of all, such a cancellation would economically devastate many nearby restaurants, bars, shops and other establishments who see a surge in patronage on days when events are scheduled at the stadium,” Richards wrote. “The loss of that revenue would undoubtedly put those businesses and the employment of their workers at risk.”

Originally opened in 1923, Forest Hills Stadium has hosted some of the most iconic acts in music history—from The Beatles and Frank Sinatra to Drake and Ed Sheeran. It was named the best amphitheater on the East Coast by Billboard last month. Still, its future now hinges on whether compromise can be reached with the neighbors who share its quiet suburban setting.