Author: schnepsrestagent

Queens advocate fights for NYC’s street vendors amid immigration and policy battles

street vendors

Feb. 25, 2025 By Paulina Albarracin In the heart of Woodside, inside the cozy Moa Coffee, Queens resident Rafi Islam—an organizer with the membership-based organization Street Vendor Project (SVP)—set down his cup of coffee and greeted me with a warm smile. The rhythmic hum of the espresso machine underscored our conversation as he shared…

Saving history: Queens preservationist helps rescue vintage storefront signs

preservationist

Feb. 25, 2025 By Shane O’Brien A Queens preservationist has helped save dozens of signs from iconic businesses that have closed down across the borough by ensuring that they end up in the New York Sign Museum in Brooklyn. Michael Perlman, a historic preservationist based in Forest Hills who founded Rego-Forest Preservation Council, has…

RIOULT Dance NY makes long-awaited comeback with performances at Queens Theatre

rioult dance

Feb. 25, 2025 By Jessica Militello After a four-year hiatus, RIOULT Dance NY is making a triumphant return to the stage with a weekend of performances at Queens Theatre in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park on March 8 and 9. For renowned choreographer Pascal Rioult, the comeback is more than just a performance—it’s a full-circle moment. Queens…

Woodside veteran fired from Bronx VA hospital amid mass government layoffs

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A 20-year Army veteran who served four tours in Iraq and Afghanistan was recently fired from his communications job at the Bronx Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital under the Trump administration’s drastic cuts to the federal workforce.  Luke Graziani, 45, was at work on Feb. 13 when he received an email informing him that his…

QCP’s ‘Evening of Fine Foods’ returns with global cuisine and inclusive menu options

evening of fine foods

Feb. 24, 2025 By Athena Dawson The Queens Centers for Progress (QCP) has expanded its offerings for tomorrow’s “Evening of Fine Foods” celebration. The event will now feature additional inclusive food options to cater to attendees with specific dietary needs. For the first time, ‘Evening of Fine Foods’ features dishes from two Glatt Kosher…

NYC Beer Week is in full swing, here’s how to celebrate in Queens and across the city

beer week

Feb. 24, 2025 By Jessica Militello Why wait until St. Patrick’s Day to raise a pint when the festivities have already begun? New York City Beer Week is in full swing, running through March 2, bringing a citywide celebration of craft beer to over 40 breweries—including plenty of exciting events in Queens. This annual…

JFK Terminal 4 to showcase Queens and NYC eateries in new concessions lineup

jfk

Feb. 24, 2025 By Athena Dawson Travelers passing through JFK Airport’s Terminal 4 will soon have access to popular local eateries as part of a $1.5 billion modernization project. JFKIAT, the terminal’s operator, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced the expansion of local concession options on Feb. 19, aiming…

Jenifer Rajkumar’s Public Advocate campaign gets $1M boost in matching funds

Jenifer Rajkumar

Feb. 21, 2025 By Colum Motherway Jenifer Rajkumar’s campaign to replace incumbent Jumaane Williams as NYC Public Advocate received a significant boost from the NYC Campaign Finance Board (CFB) matching funds program. Rajkumar’s campaign qualified for matching funds on Feb. 18 and received a whopping $1,092,331. She now has 19 times more cash on…

Whitestone town hall addresses crackdown on illegal cannabis shops

whitestone

Feb. 21, 2025 By Jessica Militello The We Love Whitestone Civic Association held a town hall meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 19th, at 7 p.m. at Grace Church, 14-15 Clintonville St. in Whitestone. The meeting featured guest speaker Assistant Commissioner and First Deputy Sheriff Warren J. Glover, who spoke to community members about “Operation Padlock…