Queens Chronicle 07-16-26

Estimates say click-to-cancel rule could save New Yorkers up to $162M per year City targets junk fees and subscription traps

by Kristen Guglielmo Editor

Mayor Mamdani on July 10 announced two new consumer protection rules aimed at banning hidden fees and making it easier for consumers to cancel subscriptions, measures officials say could save New York City residents hundreds of millions of dollars per year.

Mamdani was joined by Department of Consumer and Worker Protection Commissioner Samuel Levine in announcing the finalized “click-to-cancel” rule and a proposed regulation targeting junk fees. The city called the combined measures one of the strongest municipal consumer protection efforts in the country.

“For years, companies have built their business model around making it harder for working people to hold onto their money,” Mamdani said in a statement. “Whether it’s hidden fees that suddenly appear at checkout or subscriptions that take one click to sign up for and a dozen steps to cancel, the result is the same: working people pay more while corporations profit. That ends now. If you can sign up with one click, you can cancel with one click.”

The click-to-cancel rule takes effect Oct. 1, making New York City the first municipality in the nation to require businesses to offer a simple, straightforward subscription cancella-

tion process, officials said.

The rule applies to automatic renewal and continuous service subscriptions, requiring businesses to clearly disclose terms and prohibiting practices such as free trials that convert into recurring charges without clear notice.

Violators face a $525 minimum penalty per violation and must provide restitution to affected consumers.

According to the Roosevelt Institute, the rule is projected to save New Yorkers between $21.5 million and $162.5 million annually.

Meanwhile, the proposed junk fees rule would require businesses to advertise the full price of goods and services up front, including mandatory charges such as service or processing fees.

Businesses would be barred from misrepresenting the purpose, amount or refundability of fees, and would have to document what those fees cover.

Violators would face restitution to consumers and civil penalties starting at $525 per violation.

The proposal is set for a public hearing on Aug. 7, the city said.

Per Consumer Reports, imposing hidden fees cost the average family of four an estimated $3,200 per year, a practice officials said has become widespread among third-party

delivery apps, hotels and ticketing platforms.

More information is available online at nyc. gov/click-to-cancel.

“These two rules will ensure that the price you see is the price you pay — no hidden charges, no endless subscription services and

no advantages for businesses that cheat,” Levine said. “Requiring companies to compete on price will lower costs for all New Yorkers and level the playing field for honest businesses.”

Former Federal Trade Commission Chai r Lina Khan said people should not be trapped in subscriptions or stuck paying unavoidable junk fees.

“These predatory tactics cheat people out of billions of dollars each year,” Khan said. “With today’s rules, Commissioner Levine and DCWP are cracking down on corporate ripoffs, protecting families and honest businesses alike. The Mamdani administration’s work to tackle the affordability crisis and promote economic fairness continues to set a new standard nationwide, modeling effective governance and a relentless focus on using all of the city’s levers to improve life for New Yorkers.”

State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez (D-Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan), a member of the Consumer Protection Committee, in a statement lauded the city’s actions.

“New Yorkers across the five boroughs are feeling the squeeze of the affordability crisis as they pay more and more for less and less,” Gonzalez said. “Big companies can’t play by their own rules, charging customers for things they don’t want or need.” Q

Suspect, 36, held by feds for separate incident; Queens charges still pending Man hurled Molotovs at worship sites: cops

by Kristen Guglielmo Editor

A 36-year-old man has been arrested after allegedly throwing Molotov cocktails at places of worship in Ozone Park and Woodhaven, according to the NYPD.

Cops said that on July 8, just before midnight, officers responded to a call of criminal mischief at Iglesia Bautista El Mesias, a Baptist church at 97-44 75 St. in Ozone Park.

Upon arrival, officers were informed that a male suspect threw a Molotov cocktail at the door, which exploded on the ground and caused a fire.

The perpetrator then proceeded to Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, at 92-04 78 St. in Woodhaven, cops said, and threw another Molotov cocktail at the door. It exploded on the ground, again causing a fire.

Yogesh Sayrange of Ozone Park was arrested not long afterward at a nearby deli in connection with the incidents.

According to multiple reports, he is a Guyanese citizen whose Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals protections are expired.

Sayrange is being held without bail, and though he has not yet been formally charged in the Queens incidents, he is facing federal charges for arson at a smoke shop in Brooklyn late last month, per a criminal complaint. Multiple reports said prosecutors suspect that he is involved in several similar incidents.

The FDNY responded and extinguished the fires at both locations. There was no significant damage to either building, cops said, and no injuries were reported.

Upon further investigation, police discovered that the same perpetrator allegedly threw a Molotov cocktail at an additional building, at 76-19 Rockaway Blvd. Again, there was no significant damage to the building and no injuries were reported, the NYPD said.

The defendant also allegedly has made numerous disparaging remarks against Muslim people. Multiple reports, including from the Daily News and the New York Post, say that Sayrange admitted to the Brooklyn arson, telling investigators, “They’re Muslims, scum and terrorists.” He also allegedly told a group near the church on 75th Street, “Do you want this institution to be turned into a mosque?”

According to a federal criminal complaint, Sayrange was identified by authorities through facial recognition prior to his arrest last week in Queens.

Sayrange also faces unrelated charges in

Sayrange, inset, was arrested after he allegedly threw Molotov

tista El Mesias in Ozone Park,

and Kingdom

July 8. Though he has not yet formally been

for separate arson incidents.

state court. He was arrested June 12 in Manhattan on a fourth-degree weapon possession charge, and also was arrested June 16 within the NYPD’s 106th Precinct in South Queens on charges of second-degree menacing, fourthdegree criminal possession of a weapon and second-degree harassment.

He is due back in New York Criminal Court Aug. 6 and Queens Criminal Court Aug. 18.

The Cityline Ozone Park Civilian Patrol condemned Sayrange’s alleged actions.

“As a Muslim and as Executive Director of COPCP, I know the fear these attacks were meant to create,” Mohammad Khan said in a written statement. “I remember when uncles in our community were assaulted walking to prayer, when brothers were robbed coming home from work; that is why COPCP was founded. We were born out of a belief that our community has a duty to stand up for one another and never to allow fear to take over our streets.” Q

Ariola secures $5M for firehouse renos

Howard Beach, Ozone Park and Rockaway engines to get

by Kristen Guglielmo Editor

Three firehouses in District 32 will undergo long-awaited renovations after Councilmember Joann Ariola (R-Howard Beach) secured $5.6 million in funding for the FDNY.

Of that total, $5 million will fund critical repairs at Engine 266 in Rockaway, Engine 33/ Ladder 173 in Howard Beach and Engine 285/ Ladder 142 in Ozone Park. Engine 266 and Engine 285/Ladder 142 will get roof replacements, and Engine 331/Ladder 173 will receive a full masonry restoration and window replacements.

Ariola, who chairs the Council’s Committee on Fire and Emergency Management, told the Chronicle that the firehouses, some more than a century old, have been plagued by leaking roofs, damaged bathrooms, broken flooring and windows without shades. She said the disrepair has become a safety issue for firefighters pulling in their rigs.

“If Department of Buildings or fire inspectors had come to any one of these firehouses, they would have shut them down because they’re dangerous,” Ariola said.

The roof-first approach at Engine 266, Ario-

la said, is because windows deteriorate when roofs leak.

“We had one of the worst roofs in our firehouse,” she said. “So I wanted to make sure that we would be able to fix the roof.”

The councilmember said she pushed for the funding after similar repairs at other firehouses were delayed to future fiscal years. Ariola met directly with Council Speaker Julie Menin (D-Manhattan) and her budget team to make the case.

“I said, ‘Look, we need to do something for these firehouses,’” Ariola said. “They were in total agreement, and I was able to secure $5,680,000.”

She credited relationship-building for the win, despite being part of the Council’s minority conference —she is one of five Republicans in the 51-member body.

“It is all about relationships,” Ariola said. “Sure, we don’t agree on everything. But I think that we can agree on what’s most important for the city, for the city’s safety, for the citizens’ safety, and so that our first responders have what they need to do their job.”

Beyond the firehouse repairs, Ariola secured an additional $330,000 for an emer-

repairs

gency crew truck to provide 24/7 roadside assistance to FDNY vehicles across Queens, along with funding for a new EMS van and a new ceremonial vehicle.

“No one really can even imagine the amount of work and the value of the ceremonial unit for the FDNY,” Ariola said, adding that the unit is

responsible for Medal Day ceremonies, promotions, graduations and memorial services.

“They’re unsung heroes,” Ariola said of the unit.

FDNY Deputy Commissioner of External Affairs Jason Shelly thanked Ariola in a letter,

Blood supply is running dry Weather blamed for low inventory, worst since Covid

by Andrew Karpan Associate Editor

The regional blood supply is now at its lowest levels since the everyday emergency days of the Covid-19 pandemic.

That’s the alarm being rung by the New York Blood Center, which declared a blood emergency on July 8, the second such emergency it has declared so far this summer.

The regional blood bank first declared a blood supply emergency shortly after Memorial Day, noting that donations were down nearly 15%, with about 4,500 fewer donations than needed to meet the demand of hospitals across the region.

Typically, the summer months bring an increased need for blood transfusions, at the same time that donations are at their lowest.

“NYBC has never before declared two blood emergencies in a single summer,” reads a statement from the blood bank, which has been around since 1964.

The region’s overall blood inventory has dropped to “approximately 2 days of supply,” the blood bank now says.

“This unprecedented second blood emergency is due to a combination of factors, including extreme heat, severe storms, prolonged power outages, and ongoing storm

al inventories has created an unprecedented situation,” said Andrea Cefarelli, a rep for the NYBC.

The larger blood shortage isn’t only regional.

On Monday, the American Red Cross also declared an emergency, with the national blood supply down about 25 percent last month.

“Without blood available, emergency rooms and maternity wards are paralyzed and patients with life threatening conditions or injuries may not get the treatments they need,” read a statement from Courtney Lawrence, divisional chief medical officer with the Red Cross.

The Chronicle contacted several area hospitals for comment.

Blood donors urgently sought

The New York Blood Center is calling on donors of all blood types to contribute as the region faces trauma season, one of the most critical times of year for maintaining the blood supply. To make an appointment, one may visit nybc.org. There are several upcoming blood drives in South Queens:

• Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 26, in the rectory meeting room at 111-50 115 St. in South Ozone Park; blood drive coordinator Tony Harilall;

• NYPD 106th Precinct, 12 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 28, at 103-53 101 St. in Ozone Park; blood drive coordinator Navdeep Singh;

Hospitals need blood to be available but Long Island Jewish Forest Hills, above, says it can handle fluctuations in supply.

Eugene Bakharev, who runs the clinical lab at Long Island Jewish Forest Hills, told the Chronicle that the hospital has “established processes in place to help ensure blood is available when patients need it.”

GOOGLE MAPS IMAGE

cleanup, all of which have significantly reduced donor turnout,” the blood bank says.

“We prepare for seasonal challenges every year, but the combination of extreme weather, disrupted routines, and low nation-

Bus camera fines begin on Q10/Q80

by Michael Gannon Senior News Editor

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority last week issued a reminder that automatic camera enforcement summonses along the Q10/Q80 bus route began coming with fines effective July 10.

The route runs mostly along Lefferts Boulevard between Kew Gardens and the AirTrain JFK station on Lefferts Boulevard in South Ozone Park.

The cameras, mounted on buses along a growing number of MTA lines, record traffic and parking violations that interfere with the operation of bus lanes and bus stops. The fines are being initiated at the conclusion of a 60-day grace period. Penalties begin at $50 and can escalate to $250 for repeat offenders.

Fines also are beginning along Manhattan’s M7 line that runs between 14th Street downtown and 147th Street in Harlem.

The MTA said ACE tickets are being issued on a total of 63 routes that are traversed by more than 1,900 buses. Mayor Mamdani and MTA officials said at a July 8 press conference that 25 more

routes will be added this year and in 2027.

The agency said enforcement allows buses to run faster, safer and more reliably.

“When combined with dedicated bus lanes and street upgrades, the ACE program has helped to improve bus speeds across the full length of ACE-enabled routes, with some segments on ACE routes achieving gains of nearly 30 percent,” the MTA said last week in a press release.

The ACE program is administered in partnership with the city Departments of Transportation and Finance.

Once violations are captured by cameras on multiple buses, the resulting video, images, license plate information, location and time stamp details are then securely transmitted to the DOT for review by city employees and processing thereafter.

Each corridor with active ACE has signs indicating that those routes are camera-enforced.

Additional details can be found online at mta.info/ace.

“We’re able to leverage a robust network that allows blood products to be shared across hospitals as clinical needs arise,” said Bakharev. “While we’re prepared to respond to fluctuations in supply, the current regional shortage is an important reminder that donated blood remains a critical resource,” added Bakharev. Q

• St. Mary Gate of Heaven Roman Catholic Church, 8:15 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 2, in the basement at 103-12 101 Ave. in Ozone Park; blood drive coordinator Marian Skabeikis; and

• Indo Caribbean Federation & American Guyanese Congress, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 9, in a busmobile at 103-33 Lefferts Blvd. in South Richmond Hill; blood drive coordinator Frank Singh. Q — Kristen Guglielmo

Reps push Con Ed for outage refunds

by Andrew Karpan Associate Editor

After Con Edison shut off power for nearly 10,000 people in southern Queens during last week’s heat wave, Reps. Grace Meng (D-Flushing) and Greg Meeks (D-Jamaica) now want the utility company to refund their aggrieved constituents.

“We respectfully request that Con Edison consider issuing bill credits to households and residents who experienced outages due to technical failures and extreme heat this past weekend,” read a letter penned by both politicians last week, addressed to Con Ed President and CEO Timothy Cawley.

On July 3, after temperatures hit over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, Con Edison cut power to 9,800 customers in Howard Beach, Ozone Park and Richmond Hill, citing equipment problems tied to the extreme heat and heavy demand.

In a statement, the utility company said the shutdown was necessary to prevent even more widespread outages.

“Our impacted constituents deserve to be reimbursed for the hardships they endured,” the pols wrote. “We hope Con

on Con

to issue bill

after

month’s

Edison will do the right thing and quickly provide needed bill credits.”

In a statement, a Con Ed rep told the Chronicle that “outages caused by factors outside the company’s control, such as storms, may not be eligible for reimbursement.”

Only “customers who experienced a loss of perishable food or prescription medication,” are invited to submit claims, the rep said. Customers have 30 days, from last week’s shutdown, to file those. Q

Soccer is coming home to queens

Etihad Park opens in 2027 as New York City FC’s permanent home and the first purpose-built soccer stadium in the five boroughs. Be a part of a historic new chapter for Queens, the Club, and the city.

SECURE YOUR SEAT TODAY

IBX pop-up at Fresh Pond Road M stop

MTA to share info, gather feedback at other transit hubs along the line

by Stephanie G. Meditz Editor

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority on Tuesday morning showed Ridgewood commuters a possible future route at its pop-up event about the Interborough Express.

Agency representatives set up a table at the Fresh Pond Road M train station from 8 to 10 a.m. with informational materials, activities and links to weigh in on the planned 14-mile light rail line between Bay Ridge, Brooklyn and Jackson Heights. End-to-end travel is expected to take less than 32 minutes, per the MTA.

IBX project director Jordan Smith told the Chronicle that the point of the event was to hear what matters most to folks in the area.

“We don’t want to just design in our office,” Smith said. “We want to get information out and feedback from the community.”

The IBX has some strong supporters, including Gov. Hochul, as well as opponents. Residents in and around Middle Village have voiced various concerns, including about the proposed stops on Eliot and Metropolitan avenues.

Also on some neighbors’ minds is eminent domain — Smith said any property needs are expected to be minimal, as the IBX site is an existing rail corridor. But the stretch has never been surveyed before, he continued, so his team is working to understand its limits.

He told the Queens Borough Board June 1 that his team will know more about acquisition needs when the IBX’s draft environmental impact statement is released later this year.

The project’s design phase is set to run through mid- to late 2027.

On potential development along the corridor, Smith said housing falls outside the MTA’s mandate to provide transit service.

Half the project cost, $2.75 billion, was included in the MTA’s 2025-29 capital plan. Smith expects the remaining funds to be allocated in the next capital plan, for 2030-34.

Asked how the project team is balancing the

$5M for

continued from page 4

W’haven blaze hurts two, displaces ten

by Kristen Guglielmo Editor

G. MEDITZ

different views expressed, Smith said, “it’s all good feedback,” and his team wants to hear the opinions of the many people affected.

“I need to analyze it,” one commuter told the Chronicle on the subway platform, as she held an IBX flier. “I’ve heard that it would be very helpful ... but I don’t even know where those stations are located yet.”

Other pop-up events will be held along the IBX corridor throughout the summer. The remaining dates in Queens are:

• Thursday, July 23, 4 to 7 p.m. at the Myrtle Ave and Fresh Pond Rd bus stop serving the Q55, QM24, QM25 and QM34;

• Wednesday, Aug. 5, 8 to 10 a.m. at the Middle Village-Metropolitan Avenue M train stop;

• Thursday, Aug. 6, 4 to 7 p.m. at the Eliot Ave/74 St bus stop serving the Q14, QM24, QM25 and QM34; and

• Tuesday, Sept. 1, 4 to 7 p.m. at the Grand Av and 74 St bus stop serving the Q58, Q59 and Q98. Q

firehouse renovations

calling the funding critical as the department faces rising 911 call volume and a busy summer event season ahead of the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11.

Design and scoping for the firehouse projects will determine whether any companies

need to temporarily relocate during construction, though Ariola said FDNY operations will continue uninterrupted.

“Firefighters don’t complain — they just do their job,” Ariola said. “I want to make sure that they get everything they need so that our citizens can be safe.” Q

Numerous vehicle break-ins in Ozone Pk.

Police confirmed that on the evening of July 13 and the early hours of July 14, the 106th Precinct saw numerous car break-ins in the vicinity of 97th Street and 109th Avenue in Ozone Park.

While the NYPD confirmed six reports of

criminal mischief to the Chronicle, police sources said they expect more reports over the coming days.

Officials recommend not leaving valuable items in cars, using a steering wheel lock and activating vehicle alarm systems. Q

One firefighter and one civilian were injured and 10 residents displaced following a three-alarm fire in Woodhaven late Tuesday afternoon.

FDNY officials said they received multiple calls reporting a fire at 85-42 76 St. just before 4 p.m. When units arrived, they found that the fire had extended to two other homes.

A total of 63 units with 192 fire and EMS personnel responded to the scene, the FDNY said. A firefighter and civilian suffered minor injuries.

According to Deputy Chief Robert Sputh, who held a press conference shortly after the blaze was extinguished, a third alarm was transmitted due to the spread of the fire. Responding units had seven handlines stretched to extinguish the fire, which officials said was brought under control just after 5:30 p.m. The cause of the blaze is under investigation.

Sputh said that due to the extreme heat, the fire would likely have been escalated to a third alarm even if the flames had not spread to the two neighboring homes.

A three-alarm blaze in Woodhaven on Tuesday left one firefighter and one civilian with minor injuries.

Area Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar (D-Woodhaven) in a press release thanked first responders for their efforts. She said she was in close contact with the American Red Cross and the NYPD’s 102nd Precinct following the fire, and encouraged affected residents to reach out to her office if assistance is needed. Q

Two hurt in Howard Beach fire

Two civilians suffered minor injuries in a residential blaze in Howard Beach last Thursday night, according to the FDNY.

Officials said they received a call reporting a fire on the second floor of a private dwelling on 84th Street, between 162nd and 163rd avenues, at approximately 10:15 p.m. on July 9.

A total of 21 units, including 79 fire and

EMS personnel, responded to the scene, the FDNY said.

The fire was under control by 11:13 p.m., and officials said its cause is under investigation.

Photos taken from the scene show extensive damage to the home, with a crowd of onlookers watching the FDNY’s response. — Kristen Guglielmo

Woodhaven pride on display

Dozens of residents, community advocates and elected officials packed the grounds of Emanuel United Church of Christ on July 11 for the unveiling of a shiny new “Welcome to Woodhaven” sign, greeting visitors to the haven in the city.

The gathering, at 93-12 91 Ave., drew a proud crowd, including state Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr., at top right unveiling the sign, and Councilmember Joann Ariola, above left with Woodhaven Mural Project co-founder Jennifer Lambert.

“It was a special day in our community and it was wonderful to spend time with so

many of you,” wrote Ed Wendell, a longtime neighborhood fixture, on the Project Woodhaven Facebook group. He called it one of the nicest gatherings he’s seen in the neighborhood.

Ariola, in a social media post alongside photos, called Wendell “the heart and soul of Woodhaven” — high praise in a neighborhood she said is filled with history and dedicated community-minded residents.

The sign is expected to serve as a lasting welcome point for the neighborhood, reinforcing the community pride on display last Saturday. — Kristen Guglielmo

Free, family-friendly fun in nature, July 25

Jamaica Bay Festival returns for 9th year

by Kristen Guglielmo Editor

The Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy will host the 9th annual Jamaica Bay Festival on City of Water Day, July 25.

The free, fun and family-friendly event takes place along the water around Jamaica Bay and Rockaway, featuring a variety of activities that encompass aspects of wildlife, nature, history, stewardship, arts, culture and recreation of all kinds, including biking, kayaking, canoeing, sailing and swimming.

The festival celebrates those who share the conservancy’s vision to champion the spirit of the Jamaica Bay community.

For more information or to register for programming, one may go online to jbrpc.org/jamaica-bay-festival.

Among the featured events is Clean Up and Create, hosted by Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus, who will present an art activity expanding on Project Prithvi, its beach clean up initiative, at the Joseph P. Addabbo Memorial Bridge

from 9:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Participants are also welcome to join the city Parks Department’s stewardship team to help clean up the coastline of Sunset Cove Park from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. In Broad Channel, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., attendees may join in on a park ranger-led program highlighting the history of the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge.

Also at the refuge, from 12 to 4 p.m., children are welcome to capture the beauty of Jamaica Bay through a lens at the Nature Photo Walk with Kids with Cameras, an organization that aims to bring access to the art of photography to youth. Cameras and memory cards will be provided.

And for those who prefer to take their own time, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., one may stop by the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center to get a Jr. Ranger Book. Participants may explore the trails at their own pace while filling in the book. Once it is finished, the Visitor Center will reward the accomplished Jr. Rangers with a badge. Q

EDITORIAL AGEP

Fair consumer protections

Give credit to the Mamdani administration for two new consumer protection rules, one just finalized and one in progress, that will make the lives of New Yorkers easier.

One is called “click to cancel” — a first-in-thenation rule designed to make it as easy to end a subscription as it is to sign up for one. If the rule works as planned once implemented in October, people will no longer have to jump through hoops to cancel everything from gym memberships to streaming services and recurring software charges.

New York being the powerhouse that it is, and commerce being the interstate concern that it is, you can expect the new standards set here to be adopted widely, either by other governments, by companies that want to universalize their systems, or both. That will redound to the benefit of millions of people who now see funds deducted from their accounts monthly without being able to stop it, and sometimes without even remembering why.

Subscriptions are changing how business is done. You used to buy software and install it. Now

you subscribe to it. You used to buy movies; now you stream. Some car companies even offer options that are in your vehicle but dormant until you subscribe to awaken them, whether it’s entertainment options or more horsepower. And things like gyms have long been membership-based.

Mamdani says if you can sign up with one click, you should be able to cancel with one click. And though we do not subscribe to his beliefs on how much government should control business, we agree this is a reasonable, worthy regulation.

That likely also will be the case with the city’s pending rule on so-called junk fees, which will require businesses to reveal the full cost of their products and services up front. No longer will you think you’re paying one price for something and then get hit with absurd “service” and “processing” fees at checkout. Service and processing are baked into the cost of products and services. It would be nice if businesses didn’t need these new rules, but it’s clear they do; and they don’t seem overly intrusive to us but only what’s fair.

Ban horse-drawn carriages

It’s too bad it took the death of a young man to bring the city to the verge of doing what should have been done long ago: the shutdown of the horse carriage industry and its replacement with something more modern and humane.

The victim was Romanch Mahajan, 18, who came to the city from India with his family in June for a vacation that included a horse-drawn carriage ride in Central Park. As they posed for a photo, the horse suddenly bolted, throwing Mahajan and his mother from the carriage. He was killed.

Now the bill to ban the carriages, formerly named Ryder’s Law, has been renamed Romanch’s Law. It is time for it to pass.

Ryder was one of the many

horses — activists say 30 over the last 40-plus years — to have died while forced to work pulling carriages. The most recent equine victim was Deniz, who died last month after eating a toxic plant. Others are at high risk in weeks like this, when it can be nearly 100 degrees in Manhattan.

Once the City Council and Mayor Mamdani ban the carriages, they can be replaced by some kind of charming electric vehicles. That is a must because the shutdown of the industry must be accompanied by new work for the carriage drivers. We cannot save the horses by harming people.

The Council is to vote on Romanch’s Law next month. We hope it passes without a hitch.

MARK WEIDLER

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LETTERSTO THE EDITOR

Rent law legal ploy

Dear Editor:

If Mayor Mamdani wants to encourage the production of new housing, he should make a clear distinction between rent controls on existing housing and rent restrictions on housing that has not yet been built.

By all means retain or freeze rents on existing buildings. However, Mamdani should support new state law to abolish rent restrictions on housing that does not yet exist to give developers an incentive to build. The legislation should give a solid legal guaranty that any new apartment buildings would be entirely exempt from rent regulations for at least 50 years. No developer will build an apartment building if he thinks to himself, how do I know that controls will not be imposed in five or 10 years? Fifty years will do the trick.

Mamdani also is aware that the landlords have initiated yet another lawsuit in federal court concerning the state law that prohibits them from raising rents on vacant apartments. Since they can’t do that, they lack funds to bring the apartments up to code; therefore there are more than 50,000 uninhabited zombie units in NYC. Should the court rule against the landlords, the matter could wind up in the U.S. Supreme Court. Last time that happened, the high court upheld the lower court. But this time, there is an excellent possibility the Supremes would strike down all rent control laws.

I have a strange suggestion for Mayor Mamdani: Agree to lose one battle so you will win the war. Let the judge know that it is OK with you if he rules against the state on this particular, esoteric point concerning vacant apartments. You will lose a minor battle, but the case will go no further and the high court in DC will stay out of it.

Not a perfect solution, but the least bad option.

Clifton Wellman Elmhurst

PETA wrong on racing

Dear Editor:

This letter is in response to the one sent by the PETA organization last week (“Honor fallen horses,” July 9). As most people know, this group is against the sport of horse racing and has been for years. To prove its point and get

public sympathy, it will embellish their figures and tell fibs on other claims.

Prior to the last two years when Belmont Park was being renovated, Aqueduct only had races six months in a calendar year. PETA is claiming that more than 270 horses were killed there from the years 2009 to 2026. If you use their figures and do the math, they are claiming that approximately three horses a month were killed at Aqueduct.

My question is if these figures were correct, wouldn’t there be public outcry? We see that when one or two horses go down in Central Park there is concern. What about three a month for 17 years at the six months of Aqueduct races? Their figures simply do not add up.

Also in the PETA letter, the writer mentions that horses were whipped and drugged leading to their deaths. The truth is that jockeys cannot excessively whip a horse in a race. The rule has been in effect for years in the U.S., and PETA

LETTERSTO THE EDITOR

knows it. As far as the drugged claim, the New York Racing Association has security guards in the barns to protect the horses from being drugged.

In closing, I am not a NYRA employee, just someone who has loved the sport of horse racing for decades and was sad to see the end of an era with the last horse races at Aqueduct on June 28. Thousands of fans packed the place to say goodbye to the beautiful horses and a place where they have raced since 1894.

John Lynch Middle Village

School construction ruckus

Dear Editor:

Those living near Maspeth High School heard the pounding of heavy equipment breaking up the concrete in the schoolyard. Work went on all day until 9:30 at night for a week. There were no notices or work permits placed in front of the school.

Finally, after people called Councilman Phil Wong’s office, someone there called the School Construction Authority and found out it was a project approved when Councilman Bob Holden was in office.

I wonder why a school just over 10 years old needed a new schoolyard.

A multifaceted crisis

Dear Editor:

I am glad that a teen was removed from Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention after two months of being there. But there was a deadly ICE-involved shooting in Maine.

Inflation is high, the war is ramping up in Iran, the stock market is down, the price of oil and gasoline are up and the rent is high.

Pray for an end to this terrible crisis.

Cynthia Groopman Little Neck

My indoor rain fantasy

Dear Editor:

Miss an article or a letter cited by a writer? Want breaking news from all over Queens? Find the latest news,

The SCA has done this before, with work projects at nearby schools IS 73 and PS 58. No work permits or notices to the community were given until neighbors complained.

SCA officials have to be reined in and follow the laws as everyday New Yorkers do. They are not above the law even though they think they are.

Richard Polgar Maspeth

Advance cultivated meat

Dear Editor:

I think most people know, deep down, that the way we treat animals, especially those we eat, is wrong. What they may not be aware of is a developing technology that will make aligning our morals with our dietary habits easier. I’m talking about cultivated meat, which is grown from livestock cells, without slaughter. Even low adoption rates of the protein would save billions of aquatic and land animals every year.

Unfortunately, cultivated meat is still too expensive to mass produce. This can be overcome with further research. Compassionate legislators should support a significant increase of state and federal funding into cultivated-meat development. Let’s build facilities like the Tufts University Center for Cellular Agriculture at schools across the country.

As dark as things feel now, the possibility remains of building a better world.

Jon Hochschartner Granby, Conn.

Sometimes I sleep in a smaller bedroom as I go to bed earlier than my wife and leave much earlier for work, so I don’t disturb her in the morning. This is especially true in the summer when she’s not working at the school. While she has the comfort of air-conditioning, an open window and a powerful fan are adequate for me. We recently had one of those hazy hot humid days. The evening was oppressively muggy. I put my fan on high when I went to bed. I was not aware that the warm air in the bedroom was replaced with the gusty squall of wind produced by my fan. The room was so humid that the rising air contained a great deal of saturated heat. I was sleeping as a towering cumulonimbus cloud formed over my bed, oblivious of its consequences. I awoke to a thunderous boom.

A bolt of lightning extended from the ceiling to my house shoes. It started to pour. I woke up drenched from the thunderstorm I had unknowingly created. When the rain let up so I reached and shut off the fan. I was delighted to see a rainbow that went from one corner of my bedroom to under my bed for about a minute. I changed into dry pajamas and somehow fell asleep again.

My wife, who slept peacefully through my bizarre weather, questioned me when I got home from work the next afternoon as to how my bed sheets and pajamas got so wet. She refused to believe it had rained and even hailed in my bedroom.

Anyway, the forecast in my bedroom for tomorrow is for a 75 percent chance of heavy thunderstorms, as well as a tornado warning. So I’m not taking any chances. I’m wearing a raincoat and galoshes to bed for the rest of the summer.

Mark Lane Douglaston

Write a Letter!

We want to hear from new voices! Letters should be no longer than 300 words and may be edited for length, clarity and other reasons. They may be emailed to letters@qchron.com. Please include your phone number, which will not be published. Those received anonymously are discarded.

Aqueduct site must get more than just housing OPINION

by Joseph P. Addabbo Jr.

Once in a lifetime opportunity? Maybe. An opportunity to address many issues? Definitely.

The Aqueduct Race Track property is more than a large plot of land; it is the site of a possibly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the city’s, Queens’ and local communities’ future. As the state explores what should be developed at the 100-acre property, I believe we need to create not only housing but also sustainable jobs, an educational site, possibly retail stores and green space.

Aqueduct is at a critical crossroads. It sits on the doorstep of transit, close to vibrant communities and most visible from key corridors. It is also located in a flood-prone area which demands smart, multilayer protection.

ATo some individuals, converting the entire site into a sprawling housing complex would be ideal, but when we think practically, that would be foolish given the terrible strain it would put on the city’s already overburdened infrastructure system and surrounding residential community. We need a stable, long-term, value-creating, jobinducing balanced plan to make a positive impact for generations.

streetscapes, proper electrical supply and natural drainage will protect residents and save insurance dollars in the long term.

We also need to pay special attention to quality-of-life issues, since a good quality of life brings people in — and keeps them. A successful future use of the Aqueduct property should offer new schools, safe parks and easy access to transit. A mixed-use strategy keeps the area vibrant and affordable for families and seniors. It also honors the neighborhood’s character.

mixed-use plan is vital.

The neighborhoods of Ozone Park and South Ozone Park have one- to three-family homes, small streets and a feeling of togetherness. A plan that maintains that community spirit, while providing vital amenities, will seem like a natural addition to the area, not an uncharacteristic permanent eyesore.

FoHi church garden to feed the hungry

Food pantry at First Presbyterian will distribute the food grown there

by Kristina Raevsky Chronicle Contributor

“Why not grow some vegetables instead of just growing grass, which feeds no one?”

A multiuse Aqueduct site could contain small businesses, healthcare buildings, educational institutions and cultural venues in addition to housing. This mixture would bring in tax revenue, employment for the local community and year-round activity that a housing-only plan could not provide.

Moreover, flood mitigation, green infrastructure, drainage planning and improvements to the electrical power grid are necessary for the local Queens shoreline and lowlying areas surrounding Aqueduct. Housing certainly matters, as do the other possibilities of development at the location, but it needs to be complemented with a climatefriendly design. Parks, open space, durable

Reps

Critically important to any development plans at the Aqueduct site is local resident input. Current community residents will have to live with the daily impact of whatever is ultimately built to replace the racetrack. I urge my neighbors who live in the vicinity of Aqueduct to speak out to your elected officials before it’s too late.

Yes, there is a need for new housing development, but it can’t ignore everything else. Let’s take this unique opportunity to work towards a commonsense plan for the Aqueduct property that includes generational benefits such as new schools, sustainable jobs, retail stores, parks and more for everyone to enjoy for decades. Q

Joseph P. Addabbo Jr. is New York State Senator for the 15th District, in South and Central Queens.

would be ‘fair’ to

The newest restriction on private businesses introduced in the City Council comes from some of its most conservative, free-market members.

The bill, Int. 0963, would ban the use of live fish as prizes at events such as street fairs.

It is co-sponsored by Councilmembers Vickie Paladino (R-Whitestone), Phil Wong (D-Maspeth), Joann Ariola (R-Howard Beach) and Frank Morano (R-Staten Island).

“Every year, countless live fish are given

live fish

away as prizes at carnivals, fairs, and other games,” Paladino said on Facebook, noting that the lawmakers worked on the bill with the fish-aid group Betta World For Bettas. “Too often, these animals suffer from improper handling, inadequate care, neglect, and preventable deaths.”

The fish-protection measure comes as the city also eyes new safeguards for much larger animals: a long-sought ban on horse-drawn carriage rides. Q

— Peter C. Mastrosimone

If someone is hungry, there is a new place to go — the First Presbyterian Church of Forest Hills’ food pantry, which will soon be stocked with fruits and vegetables from its community garden.

The church, located at 70-35 112 St., collaborated with Central Queens Mutual Aid, an all-volunteer organization, to create the garden. Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, strawberries and herbs are all growing there.

“CQMA had been setting out non-perishable food items in the little food pantry of FPCFH, which itself began towards the end of the COVID pandemic to address the needs of food-insecure people,” the Rev. Jeff Courter, the church’s pastor, told the Chronicle via email. “CQMA had been faithfully filling the pantry since last year, and thought a community garden would be a good way to produce food for those who could use it.”

“We decided to start the garden to create food to give away,” Courter continued.

The community also has a role to play. Dorothy Gist, who is affiliated with the FPCFH, wrote in a statement:

“Please help our garden grow by keeping pets away from the plants. Do not let children play in the dirt. Do not take plants out of the garden. Help the garden grow by watering or weeding (if you’re not sure what a weed is vs. a garden plant, let it stay!).”

Those interested to help water the garden may visit @centralqueensmutualaid on Instagram.

“I hope the food we grow will help someone eat!” Courter said. “It has also helped create community for those who are helping.”

The FPCFH has been in the neighborhood since 1913. It is part of the Presbytery of New York City, within the Presbyterian Church (USA) denomination. Members hail from nearly every continent, reflecting the diversity of the World’s Borough. Q

Think tank for teens begins

A six-week summer think tank for young people organized by grassroots group Let’s Talk Democracy is kicking off today, July 16.

The free, nonpartisan program, entitled Youth Talk Democracy, consists of 17 teens from 13 middle and high schools throughout the city. The students chose to focus on immigration as a policy issue of importance to them, and they will spend the summer doing research and preparing a document that highlights their vision for the nation.

They will partake in roundtable sessions

every Thursday, alternating between Queens College and the Forest Hills Library, and present their final proposals at a youth summit at the former on Sept. 20.

“Youth Talk Democracy is where tomorrow’s changemakers find their voice today,” Ananya Kothari, a junior at the Bronx High School of Science, said in a press release.

Let’s Talk Democracy was formed by Forest Hills residents in 2016 to promote an understanding of civics and empower citizens through dialogue. Q — Stephanie G. Meditz

Elmhurst wants its LIRR station back

MTA says it wouldn’t be worth it to replace stop it demolished in

by Kristina Raevsky Chronicle Contributor

For over a decade, community members and politicians have been coming together to fight for the reopening of a Long Island Rail Road station in Elmhurst. And they’ve recently renewed the effort.

The LIRR station opened nearly 100 years ago in 1927, serving Elmhurst and surrounding communities for decades. Due to a decline in ridership, the station was shut down and demolished in 1985.

However, the situation in Elmhurst has changed since the 1980s, with U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Flushing) stating, “The population of Elmhurst has skyrocketed since the station was closed, which has created the need for it to be rebuilt and reopened.”

Not only would reopening the LIRR station help accommodate Elmhurst’s growing population, Meng argues, “It would ensure a faster commute to Manhattan for local residents as well as rail access to Long Island and other parts of Queens. It would also make Elmhurst more accessible to other New Yorkers, bringing new customers to the many small businesses in the area. In addition, it would lessen the burden put on crowded subways and buses in the borough.”

Many agree with Meng. One such person is Jonathan Forgash, the founder and executive director of Queens Together, a nonprofit organization that partners with restaurants and has done merchant organizing in Elmhurst to support and promote its businesses.

Forgash, who was involved in the recent Elmhurst Day, said, “This is a win-win-win for the community. A faster travel option in the heart of Elmhurst translates to more time at home for workers, more visitors, and a big boost to the local economy.”

One community member, Lester Lin, head of the nonprofit group City Mission NYC and the owner of Elmhurst coffee shop Elm Roastery, has been advocating for the reopening of the station for nearly 20 years.

For Lin, reopening it is not only about improving the commute and helping local businesses thrive, but about making immigrants feel recognized.

“I feel like it’s not just fighting for a station,” he said. “It is the fact that we’re being overlooked and that we’re being

Rallying to rebuild the Elmhurst Long Island Rail Road station back in May were City Councilman Shekar Krishnan, center, Rep. Grace Meng and residents, officials and activists including Lester Lin, Christian Cassagnol, Matt McElroy, Tom Grech, Mae Francke, Dewi Mulya and Katherine Zapata.

skipped while the trains pass by us every day for an existing station. You’re skipping a minority neighborhood. Again, you’re looking at a very diverse immigrant neighborhood and you’re saying they don’t matter.”

This is why Lin believes “working with them,” meaning Meng, City Councilmember Shekar Krishnan (D-Jackson Heights) and state Assemblymember Steven Raga (D-Woodside), “working with the communities, and being able to translate this into other languages is important.”

When asked to answer three questions regarding the reopening of the station, MTA spokesman Aaron Donovan declined to comment, instead directing the Chronicle to the Comparative Evaluation section of the agency’s 20-Year Needs Assessment published in 2023.

In that report, the MTA states, “This project provides marginal benefits in an area already well served by transit. It would save travel time for new riders but create additional travel time for existing LIRR customers, resulting in no net time savings.”

1985

The report estimated that the 2027 construction cost would be $210 million, the 2027 fleet cost would not be applicable, and the 2027 annual operation and maintenance cost is $1 million.

Upon reading the publicly available report, Lin does not agree that there is “no net time savings,” telling the Chronicle, “The numbers don’t add up. The LIRR is always going to be more resourceful, quicker, faster. For that train to slow down and open the doors, it takes less than five minutes.”

However, the time needed to commute to Manhattan using the subway compared to the LIRR is “so much more,” he said. “On the train it takes 45 minutes. The LIRR will take 15 to 20.”

According to Lin, the 25 to 30 extra minutes added to Elmhurst residents’ commute due to the closure of the LIRR station does not equal the approximate five minutes that would be added to existing riders’ commute.

In addition to grassroots efforts led by community members such as Lin, politicians, including Meng, have been making an effort to reopen the Elmhurst LIRR station.

“I have pushed for LIRR service to return to Elmhurst for more than a decade and have raised the issue with the MTA every year,” Meng told the Chronicle. “In 2013, I worked with the LIRR as it commissioned a survey on the ridership potential of reopening the station. This study, which sampled Elmhurst residents in the area, demonstrated tremendous support for reopening the facility. And that was 13 years ago. Since then, Elmhurst has only continued to grow.”

In regard to funding the reopening of the station, Meng explained, “After the MTA completed its survey, the agency supported reopening the station. It committed $40 million to restoring the facility in its 2015-2019 capital plan. But most of the money was later stripped and the project is no longer being pursued. I have urged the MTA to once again commit to funding this project, and this past May, renewed my call for it to happen.”

The congresswoman, who is running for reelection this year and just beat back a primary challenger by a wide margin, said, “We all know that the MTA has a lot on its plate. But the people of Elmhurst must not be forgotten, and I will continue pushing for this facility to be rebuilt and reopened.” Q

Queens parks are tops for picnics

Bike rental firm analyzes amenities at sites citywide

by Kristina Raevsky Chronicle Contributor

Queens has some of the best parks to picnic in — even better than the famed Central Park!

According to a recent study by Holland Bikes, a bike rental provider, Kissena Corridor Park ranked second out of 166 NYC parks, followed closely by Flushing Meadows Corona Park in third place, and Hunter’s Point South Park in sixth place.

The survey assessed each park according to five equally weighted factors as found in the NYC Open Data Portal: park size in acres, food concession per 100 acres, operational restrooms per 100 acres, bike rack provisions per 100 acres and tree canopy cover as a percentage of parkland.

Kissena Corridor Park, located in Fresh Meadows and Flushing, scored 69.76 percent; Flushing Meadows Corona Park, the second-

largest park in the entire study at 870.8 acres, scored 64.08 percent; and Hunter’s Point South Park in Long Island City scored 58.33 percent. Hunter’s Point South was deemed the best park to reach by cycling due to its having the highest score of the top 10 parks for bike racks per 100 acres — 57.02 percent, or 13 bike racks.

Overall, Queens ranked third out of the five boroughs for the highest average of the park scores. The top borough was Manhattan, though the No. 1 green space was Prospect Park in Brooklyn.

One Corona resident, Michael Anderson, frequents Flushing Meadows Corona Park four to five times a week. “I think it is a wonderful park,” Anderson told the Chronicle over the phone. “It’s got great great history. It has to be one of the most used parks in the city because on a weekend it’s packed.”

Anderson, who leads tours of the park as a

volunteer for the Alliance for Flushing Meadows Corona Park, explained that one of his favorite historical facts about the park is that it was home to the UN General Assembly from 1946 to 1950. The building is currently the Queens Museum.

The park also is renowned for hosting two World’s Fairs — in 1939-40 and 1964-65. The Unisphere was created ahead of the second of the world’s fairs.

Anderson said, “During the fair, it had a light bulb for every major capital city in the world. Except there was one extra light bulb, and that light bulb was set between what would be the New York State line and the and the Canada line. That represents the Mohawk Indian tribe because the Mohawk Indians were the predominant construction workers that built the Unisphere.”

In comparison, Manhattan’s famed Central

Young people like these, and everyone else, have good reason to picnic in Queens, according to a new study conducted by Holland Bikes.

RAWPIXELS.COM

Park scored ninth (57.7 percent) due to the park having zero bike racks.

Eric van der Zanden, managing director at Holland Bikes, wrote in a statement, “New Yorkers are cycling more than ever, and parks are the natural endpoint of any great bike ride, for people to enjoy some food and drink with friends in the sun. We found that the city’s most famous parks aren’t necessarily the best to host a picnic, as many are lacking simple infrastructure such as bike racks or toilet facilities, which can really make or break the experience.” Q

DA: 5 charged in mortgage fraud

Allegedly impersonated couple in $688K scheme

by Michael Gannon Senior News Editor

A Queens grand jury has indicted five people for a scheme that allegedly involved stealing a couple’s identities in order to obtain a “cash out” mortgage on a Flushing home that the defendants do not own.

In a July 8 press release, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said the scheme allegedly was orchestrated by a Queens real estate broker, with two of the defendants pretending to be the actual homeowners at the closing. Three corporations were also named in the indictment, as was defendant Jane Doe, whose identity is not yet known.

“As alleged, the defendants stole the identities of husband-and-wife homeowners, impersonated them at a closing and used fraudulent drivers’ licenses and Social Security cards to take out a mortgage on the victims’ home,” Katz said. “The scheme saddled the victims with a mortgage they did not authorize and allegedly cost a Queens lender more than $688,000.”

The DA’s Office said Tony Wanyiu Cheng, 56, of Bayside; Chun Kong Lau, 46, of Staten Island; Jane Doe; and Gui Li, 45, of Flushing, were indicted on charges of second-degree residential mortgage fraud; five counts of first-degree falsifying business records; six counts of first-degree identity theft; one

Missing man

Police are asking the public’s assistance in locating Kyle Robinson, 25, of South Richmond Hill. He was last seen leaving his residence on 95th Avenue on June 10 at approximately 11 a.m.

He is described by cops as approximately 6 feet, 2 inches tall. He was last seen wearing a blue shirt, blue shorts and beige sneakers.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 577-TIPS (8477), or, for Spanish, 1 (888) 57-PISTA (74782). One may also submit tips by going to crimestoppers.nypdonline.org; or by texting 274637 (CRIMES) and entering TIP577; or by going to @nypdtips on X. All tips are strictly confidential.

count of second-degree forgery; two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument; and one count of firstdegree offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree. The defendants, along with Qiang Li, 59, of Flushing, were also charged with second-degree grand larceny.

Cheng, Lau and Qiang Li were charged with two counts each of second- and fourthdegree money laundering; and one count of second-degree criminal possession of stolen property. Lau and Qiang Li also were charged with one count of forgery in the second degree, one count of criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second degree and two counts of identity theft in the first degree.

Three corporations associated with Cheng, CB Direct Store Inc., YW Capital LLC and MTR Development Co. LLC, were charged with two counts of seconddegree money laundering.

Cheng, Lau, Qiang Li and the corporations were arraigned July 7 and to return to court July 29. They are free on supervised release and face up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

Gui Li and Jane Doe remain at large. Anyone with information about their whereabouts is asked to call Detective Erin Currie of the Queens District Attorney’s Office Squad at (929) 364-6660.

Gui Li and the unidentified woman allegedly used fraudulent Pennsylvania driver’s licenses and Social Security cards with the victims’ personal information.

One day later Lau and Qiang Li, who both allegedly impersonated the male homeowner by using a fake Maryland driver’s license opened a joint bank account at the South Flushing TD Bank.

The mortgage checks totaling $688,403 were deposited into the bank account. Some of the money allegedly was transferred into business bank accounts held by Cheng.

Some of the funds were then transferred to personal accounts. Q

DA: NYPD cop raped, choked his girlfriend

by Stephanie G. Meditz Editor

A cop from the NYPD’s 104th Precinct was arrested July 10 for allegedly raping and strangling his girlfriend.

Amrinder Bawa, 29, forced himself on the woman between 12:01 and 9 a.m. July 5, prosecutors said. Bawa allegedly picked her up, threw her on a bed and got on top of her as she tried to escape and push him away, saying she did not want to have sex. She continued to say no as she was raped, according to the criminal complaint in the Queens District Attorney’s Office.

On the evening of July 8, Bawa was in the car with his girlfriend when he allegedly put his hand around her neck and applied pressure. He did so several times, according to the complaint, and slapped her in the face. She texted 911 to ask for help, prosecutors said.

Bawa also allegedly grabbed his girlfriend’s wrists, forced her arms into an X position, pushed her onto her bed, pressed his knee into her chest and applied pressure to her neck, causing her to lose consciousness. He also grabbed her cell

Driver in Diller killing gets five

The man who was behind the wheel when his passenger fatally shot NYPD Det. Jonathan Diller in Far Rockaway in 2024 was sentenced Tuesday on a weapons charge, according to the office of Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz.

Lindy Jones, 44, of Edgemere, pleaded guilty June 24 to seconddegree criminal possession of a weapon. He was sentenced to five years in prison, followed by five years of postrelease supervision.

Jones was driving a 2016 Kia Soul on March 25, 2024, when his passenger, Guy Rivera, shot and killed Diller during a stop in Far Rockaway, prosecutors said. When Diller opened the car’s passenger door and ordered Rivera out, Rivera instead drew a pistol and shot him, prosecutors said. Both men were arrested at the scene.

A search warrant of the vehicle the next day turned up a loaded, defaced 9 mm pistol in the glove compartment, the DA’s Office said.

Rivera, 36, was convicted April 1 of manslaughter, attempted murder and weapon possession and on April 27 was sentenced to 115 years to life. Q — Kristen Guglielmo

Motorcycle crash fatality

A Laurelton motorcyclist crashed to his death early last Saturday morning, near the corner of North Conduit Avenue and 159th Street in South Jamaica.

phone and cancelled her request for 911 assistance, the complaint states.

Bawa left her apartment at around 12:50 a.m., but was banging on her front door screaming her name five minutes later, per the DA’s Office. He allegedly reentered her residence and followed her into her bedroom, where she called 911. He tried to take the phone out of her hand and slapped her in the face and head, the complaint states.

Bawa then grabbed the phone, ended the 911 call and left the apartment, saying in sum and substance “don’t tell them who I am,” per the DA’s Office.

Bawa faces charges of rape, sex abuse, burglary, strangulation, assault, criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation and criminal mischief, the DA’s Office said. He was arrested within the 108th Precinct last Friday evening.

PIX11 reported that Bawa has been suspended without pay, and he pleaded not guilty on Saturday.

Bawa joined the NYPD in 2021 and has served in the 104th Precinct since last September, according to public department data.

Douglas Simon, 45, of Francis Lewis Boulevard, was fatally injured after losing control of his Yamaha R6 while motorcycling westbound on North Conduit, mounting onto the sidewalk and getting thrown onto the curb, said police, who responded to a 911 call at 4:38 a.m.

EMS personnel brought Simon to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. Investigation by the NYPD Highway District’s Collision Investigation Squad remains ongoing, but no arrests were immediately made.

Police say the traffic fatality was the first of the year in the 113th Precinct, which patrols St. Albans, Hollis, Springfield Gardens, South Ozone Park, South Jamaica, Addisleigh Park, Locust Manor and Kennedy Airport. Last year, the precinct had seen two traffic fatalities by this time.

Queenswide, police report a total of 32 traffic deaths so far this year, compared to 28 by this time last year. Q — Andrew Karpan

Help with maintaining a healthy weight Senior Living Guide

Many factors can affect your weight, including your genes, age, sex, lifestyle, family habits, culture, sleep, and even where you live and work. Some of these factors can make it hard to maintain or achieve a healthy weight.

Regardless, following a nutritious eating pattern and exercising regularly can help keep your body as healthy as possible as you age. Read on to learn why weight may change as you get older, why it’s important to aim for a healthy weight, and what you can do to help meet your goals.

Why does weight change as we age?

As we age, metabolism — how the body gets energy from food — can change. This means that some older adults must become more active or eat fewer calories to maintain or achieve their ideal weight.

Other older adults may lose weight unintentionally. This can happen if you have less of an appetite, difficulty leaving the house to buy food, pain when chewing or swallowing, or forget to eat.

Why should older adults maintain a healthy weight?

Keeping your weight in the normal range is an important part of healthy aging. As in other stages of life, elevated body mass index in older adults can increase the likelihood of developing health problems.

These include heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and diabetes. Losing weight or maintaining a healthy weight can help decrease these risks.

Being underweight also increases your chance of developing health problems. If you have a low BMI, you may be more likely to develop medical problems such as osteoporosis and anemia, and it may be harder to recover from an illness or infection.

How are food, exercise, and calories connected?

Being active and choosing healthy foods can help you main-

tain or achieve a healthy weight, feel more energetic, and decrease your chances of having other health problems. It’s important to choose foods rich in nutrients and aim for at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week.

The energy your body gets from the foods and drinks you consume is measured in calories. Your body needs a certain number of calories each day, depending on your activity level and other factors, to maintain your current weight.

Visit MyPlate Plan to determine how many calories a day you need based on your age, sex, height, weight, and physical activity level.

To lose weight, exercise more or eat fewer calories than is recommended.

To gain weight, increase the number of calories you eat while maintaining a moderate activity level.

Read more about making smart food choices and find recommendations of how much to eat, organized by activity level.

What should I eat to lose or gain weight?

Whether you are trying to lose or gain weight, eating healthy

Am I at a healthy weight?

Healthy weight ranges for older adults are different than for other age groups. The number on the scale — and even online BMI calculators — only tells part of the story. For example, older adults with a normal weight may have more fat and less muscle compared to others who are slightly overweight. Always talk to your doctor before trying to lose or gain weight.

foods matters. Try to follow a healthy eating pattern rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low-fat dairy, and lean proteins.

If you’re concerned about your present weight and want to change it, there are a number of things you can do to get healthier.

Talk with a health care professional about how to make changes in a healthy way that’s right for you.

Trying to lose weight?

Limit portion size to control calorie intake.

Be as physically active as you can be.

Swap out your usual foods for healthier alternatives.

Stay hydrated with water and avoid drinks with added sugar.

Set specific, realistic goals, such as three 15-minute walks per week.

If there’s a break in your healthy eating or exercise, try to get back on track as quickly as possible. Keep track of what you eat in a food diary.

Trying to gain weight?

Eat more foods with healthy fats, such as avocados and peanut butter.

If you get full quickly, eat frequent, smaller meals throughout the day.

Add nutrient-dense snacks such as nuts, cheese, and dried fruit to your menu.

Dine with friends and family to make the experience more enjoyable.

Stay active to boost your appetite.

dening, swimming, and dancing.

Even everyday chores such as vacuuming can provide physical activity. While you’re getting started with exercise, try to stay motivated to move your body regularly.

Then increase the length of time you exercise or add another fun activity.

Talk with your doctor before starting a new or more vigorous exercise program.

For more information on maintaining a healthy weight:

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

1 (301) 592-8573 nhlbiinfo@nhlbi.nih.gov nhlbi.nih.gov

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

How much physical activity do I need?

Exercise and physical activity are good for just about everyone including older adults. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderateintensity aerobic activity — working hard enough to raise your heart rate and break a sweat — each week.

You don’t have to accomplish this all at once, rather, you can break up your activity over the course of seven days.

If you can’t meet the goal right away, try to be as physically active as you can. Doing something is better than doing nothing at all.

For adults at every weight, aging is associated with muscle loss, which makes certain activities difficult. Being active can help older adults maintain muscle mass and make it easier to conduct daily activities, participate in outings, drive, keep up with grandchildren, avoid falls, and stay as independent as possible.

You don’t need to spend a lot of money joining a gym or hiring a personal trainer to get fit. Think about the kinds of physical activities that you enjoy, for example, walking, running, bicycling, gar-

1 (800) 860-8747 healthinfo@niddk.nih.gov niddk.nih.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

1 (800) 232-4636 cdcinfo@cdc.gov; cdc.gov

Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

Move Your Way

1 (240) 453-8280 odphpinfo@hhs.gov https://health.gov/moveyourway

Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion 1 (240) 453-8280 odphpinfo@hhs.gov https://odphp.health.gov

USDA MyPlate 1 (703) 305-2060 www.myplate.gov

USDA Food and Nutrition Service Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program SNAP State Directory of Resources fns.usda.gov/snap/state-directory Q — National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health

Watch for sudden weight loss

Sudden, unintended weight loss can be a sign of a serious medical problem such as cancer, gastrointestinal disorders, and even some neurological diseases. If you or a loved one is losing weight rapidly without meaning to do so, consult a health care professional to find out if there is a medical cause.

Tips for getting and staying active as you age

Deciding to be physically active at any age is a positive choice for your well-being and has many important health benefits. As part of an active lifestyle, older adults should include a combination of exercise types. Even small amounts of activity throughout the day count toward the 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity and two days of muscle-strengthening activities recommended each week.

Starting and maintaining a change in your routine can be hard. Fortunately, there are strategies to help you increase your physical activity levels. Use these tips for getting and staying active.

Take it slow

It’s important to increase your amount of physical activity gradually over a period of weeks to months. To reduce the risk of injury, start with lower-intensity activities that are appropriate for your current fitness level. Then increase the frequency, intensity, and duration of activities over time. Working your way up slowly and steadily can also help to build confidence, motiva-

tion, and a regular routine. When there is a break in your routine, perhaps due to illness or travel, work back up gradually.

Older adults who do not have an existing injury or chronic condition, and who plan to gradually increase their amounts of physical activity, generally do not need to talk with a doctor before becoming physically active. However, for people with or without chronic conditions, doctors and exercise professionals can:

• Assess current physical activity levels;

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• Provide advice on appropriate types of activities and ways to progress at a safe and steady pace; and

• Offer continued support through follow-up appointments.

Set goals and monitor progress

Setting goals for your physical activity can encourage you to achieve increased physical activity levels, starting from your current level. Goals are most useful when they are specific and realistic. This type of goal setting can help update a general goal, such as to increase

physical activity, into a measurable and actionable goal, such as to go for a 10-minute walk three times per week. Be sure to review your goals regularly as you make progress.

To help meet your goals, you can track and record your physical activity. Doing so daily can provide valuable information about progress toward achieving weekly physical activity goals. You can use a device (for example, a step counter) or keep a written log. Some people choose to share their activity with a friend, doctor, or exercise professional for further accountability and feedback. Remember to also celebrate successes!

Identify and overcome barriers

Older adults may face barriers that prevent them from being physically active. Some people don’t know about or have access to safe places to be active, facilities or equipment can be costly, and some people may have concerns about their ability, getting injured, or falling. Other common barriers include time, weather, and interest.

The first step to help overcome

obstacles preventing physical activity is to identify potential barriers for you. Problem-solving, potentially with advice from a doctor or exercise professional, can help address the identified barriers with specific solutions. It’s also important to reassess barriers over time, as situations change.

Build social support

Group-based physical activity, such as exercise classes, walking groups, or “exercise buddy systems,” not only gets you moving, but also provides opportunities for social engagement, friendship, and emotional support. Social support from friends and family can increase motivation and be a key part of success for older adults working toward increasing their activity levels. Encouragement and interaction work well with physical activity!

Engage in a variety of activities

As part of moving more and sitting less each day, older adults should engage in a variety of activities. This approach can make activity

continued on page 20

How the aging brain affects thinking

The brain controls many aspects of thinking — remembering, planning and organizing, making decisions, and much more. These cognitive abilities affect how well we do everyday tasks and whether we can live independently.

Some changes in thinking are common as people get older. For example, older adults may:

• Be slower to find words and recall names;

• Have problems with multitasking; and

• Experience mild decreases in the ability to pay attention.

Aging may also bring positive cognitive changes. For example, many studies have shown that older adults have larger vocabularies and greater knowledge of the depth of meaning of words than younger adults. Older adults may also have learned from their many years of accumulated knowledge and experiences. Whether and how older adults apply this knowledge, and how the brain changes as a result, is an area that researchers are actively exploring.

Despite the changes in cognition

that may come with age, older adults can still do many of the things they have enjoyed their whole lives. Research shows that older adults can still:

• Learn new skills;

• Form new memories; and

• Improve vocabulary and language skills.

How the brain changes as people age

As a person gets older, changes occur in all parts of the body, including the brain.

• Certain parts of the brain shrink, including those important to learning and other complex mental activities.

• In certain brain regions, communication between neurons may be less effective.

• Blood flow in the brain may decrease.

• Inflammation, which occurs when the body responds to an injury or disease, may increase.

These changes in the brain can affect mental function, even in

healthy older people. For example, some older adults may find that they don’t do as well as younger individuals on complex memory or learning tests. However, if given enough time to learn a new task, they usually perform just as well. Needing that extra time is normal as people age. There is growing evidence that the brain maintains the ability to change and adapt so that people can manage new challenges and tasks as they age.

Talk with your doctor if you’re concerned about changes in your thinking and memory. They can help you determine whether those changes are normal or whether it could be something else.

The brain-body connection

There is growing scientific evidence of the brain-body connection. Not only can changes in our brain affect our thinking, but also changes in our physical health may affect our brains.

For example, an NIA-funded study of almost 3,000 older adults showed that healthy lifestyle factors — physical activity, not smoking,

not drinking heavily, following the Mediterranean-style diet, and engaging in mentally stimulating activities — can have important benefits. People who engaged in four or five of these behaviors had a 60% lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s compared to those who only followed one or none. People who followed two or three of the activities had a 37% lower risk.

In another study, older adults with higher levels of physical activity showed slower rates of cognitive decline than peers who were less active. Another example of how physical health can affect brain health has to do with the heart. Observational studies have foun d that high blood pressure in middle age, along with other cerebrovascular risk factors, such as diabetes and smoking, increase the risk of developing dementia.

Results from observational studies such as these can’t prove cause and effect, but they point to how a combination of modifiable behaviors may affect the brain as people age and identify promising avenues to be tested further. Q

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Staying active

continued from page 17

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Activity can be done through exercise, chores, errands, walking or biking for transportation, or leisure-time physical activity.

For example:

• Playing pickleball with friends

• Taking the stairs

• Doing work on the yard

• Swimming

• Dancing

• Carrying groceries

• Helping care for grandchildren

• Joining an exercise class

Consider trying both indoor and outdoor activities. Finding multiple ways to build enjoyable activity into your life and participating in activities you enjoy as you age can offer opportunities to increase physical activity.

For more information:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1 (800) 232-4636 cdcinfo@cdc.gov; cdc.gov

MedlinePlus National Library of Medicine www.medlineplus.gov

National Council on Aging 1 (571) 527-3900

www.ncoa.org Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

1 (240) 453-8280

odphpinfo@hhs.gov; https://odphp.health.gov

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YMCA

1 (800) 872-9622 ymca.org

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ARTS, CULTURE & LIVING July

by Kristen Guglielmo

The ideal beach bag should consist of a towel, sunscreen — and a great book.

From a wedding gone wrong to a trip through ancient Greece, this list of possibilities has something for every kind of reader, while proving that a summer read doesn’t have to be lightweight. Pack accordingly.

“The Wedding People,” by Alison Espach (Henry Holt and Co.) — Divorced English professor Phoebe Stone arrives alone at a luxury Newport, RI hotel, mistaken by everyone for a guest of the wedding that’s taking place there. But she checked in for an entirely different, much darker reason. What follows is an unlikely friendship with a panicked bride that turns the weekend, and their lives, upside down. It’s funny, sharp and surprisingly tender.

“The Correspondent,” by Virginia Evans (Crown) — Sybil Van Antwerp, a retired lawyer in her 70s, firmly believes in the art of letter writing. She prefers it to any other method of communication, even as she begins to lose her vision. This novel is told entirely through her letters, both sent and received. It’s quieter than the others on this list, a slow unspooling of life’s joys and regrets. Perfect for those who want something reflective and heartfelt, but still easy to read.

“Project Hail Mary,” by Andy Weir (Ballantine Books) — Science teacher Ryland Grace wakes up on a spaceship with no memory of how he got there, and figures out he’s been tasked with saving humanity from extinction. Luckily, a lovable rock-like alien is willing to assist. Weir, who also wrote “The Martian,” has a gift for making hard science feel refreshingly easy to follow, even for the math-averse. Readers who loved the movie will find the book just as gripping.

“Lost Lambs,” by Madeline Cash (Farrar, Straus and Giroux) — The Flynns are coming undone. As Catherine and Bud struggle in their marriage, their three daughters spiral in their own chaotic directions. One dates a much-older man nicknamed “War Crimes Wes,” another has a secret online

continued on page 25

All booked up Great summer reads await you

King Crossword Puzzle

I HAVE OFTEN WALKED

Mickey Spillane hit the gangplank in Woodside

by Ron Marzlock Chronicle Contributor

Mickey Spillane was born July 13, 1933 with a twin brother, Charles, on the West Side of Manhattan. His parents, Michael and Margaret, already had five children and were older when he was born.

Mickey was academically very bright and skipped two grades at the Sacred Heart School. He was awarded a full scholarship to Rice High School in Manhattan. His father, a U.S. Mail letter carrier, suddenly died at 53 in 1942. Before Mickey could graduate, he left school to help support his mother.

He turned to crime. With the fleeing felon law still in effect in New York, Spillane was shot in the back running away after holding up the Roxy Theatre in October 1952. Photos of him on the ground with the movie marquee reading the title “The Thief” made him famous. He got four years in prison.

In 1960 he married Maureen McManus, whose father was a powerful Democratic leader. Spillane was a respectful, loyal family man, but because of his prison record he could not get a straight job and lived a life of crime to support his wife and three children.

Photo contest!

Hot town, sweatin’ in the city! Time to enter the Queens Chronicle’s 18th annual Summer in the Borough Photo Contest. We look forward to your entries!

Go out and take your best shots of families gathering, children playing, workers working, lovely landscapes, birds on the bay — whatever says “summertime in Queens.” If you need some inspiration, look at one of 2024’s co-winners, above, taken by Linda

Barone: a canine car congress. As to the rules, there are a few, so please go to tinyurl. com/yafmtxv3 to see them. Send your high-resolution digital photos to peterm@qchron.com, or mail prints to Queens Chronicle Photo Contest, 71-19 80 St., suite 8-201, Glendale, NY 11385. The winner gets a $50 gift card. The deadline is Wednesday, Sept. 23, the day after summer ends. Good luck! — Peter C. Mastrosimone

Known as “the Gentleman Gangster,” Spillane led the Irish mob called the Westies, based in Hell’s Kitchen.

In 1970 Skyview Towers was constructed, nine stories tall with 233 rental units, at 47-50 59 St. in Woodside. Under pressure, Spillane moved his family there in the early 1970s. Sadly, on the night of Friday the 13th, May 1977, he got a call to go downstairs and was shot to death, taking five bullets to the head. He was 43. His brother, Charles, lived a normal life and died at age 87 in 2020. Q

B SPORTS EAT

by Lloyd Carroll Chronicle Contributor

It is a foregone conclusion the Mets will be sellers from now until the Aug. 3 trade deadline, given their dismal place in the standings. The obvious question is “Which Mets players will be packing their bags?”

There is always demand for pitching, be it for starters or relievers.

Freddy Peralta, acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers for Jett Williams and Brandon Sproat last spring, was supposed to be an ace. To say he has been a disappointment would be an understatement. He has acquired the nickname of “Five-inning Freddy” because that is how far he has been able to go in a game in most starts. Nevertheless, there will be no shortage of suitors for his services based on his past record.

Peralta will also be a free agent at the end of the season and there is no guarantee he will resign with the Mets. Former Mets President Sandy Alderson called those pending free agents diminishing assets. “They have no value at the end of the season so you might as well get something for them” was his philosophy. Relievers AJ Minter and Brooks Raley also fall into this category, and surely will be dealt for prospects.

Things get more complicated with the rest of the roster.

The Mets need to rid themselves of oftinjured centerfielder Luis Robert Jr., who has

missed most of the season. His replacement, rookie AJ Ewing, has been terrific. Ironically, they have no choice but to put Robert back in center to build up his value before the deadline. Sean Manaea got off to a very rocky start this season. His velocity was down and he was getting chased out of games often before the fourth inning. Thanks to both recovery and hard work, he has pitched very well over the last month. He has another year remaining on his contract, and teams will ask about him. Teams may not want to be on the hook for his $25 million per annum salary. The Mets may be reluctant to move him because their minor league pitching stinks.

The most intriguing Mets pitcher is Clay Holmes, who is President of Baseball Operations David Stearns’ best signing. Holmes was a terrific relief pitcher for the Yankees, who did not feel the need to have him start. Against all expectations, he was the Mets’ most reliable starter over the last two years. Unfortunately, he has missed the last two months after he broke his fibula getting hit by a laser off the bat of Yankees outfielder Spencer Jones.

Holmes has a player option to become a free agent and will certainly exercise it because he will earn more than his current $12 million

ry. He says he is amenable to a contract

sion. Stearns should get the deal done

version of

Thunderbird Powwow returns July 24-26

by Michael Gannon editor

The Thunderbird American Indian Powwow will come back to Queens next weekend, marking 47 years of celebrating centuries of traditional native American dance.

The Queens County Farm Museum in Floral Park will welcome dancers and musicians from more than 40 tribal nations.

“The Powwow includes six major dance categories for competing dancers,” the Farm Museum said in a statement on its website. “In addition, there are several other non-competitive dances such as Gourd Dance, Round Dance, Rabbit Dance, and demonstrations of various Iroquois, Pueblo and Apache dances.”

Each dance’s significance is explained to attendees.

The QCFM said the Thunderbird American Indian Dancers are the oldest resident Native American dance company in New York. The troupe was founded in 1963 by a group of 10 Native American men and women, all New Yorkers, who were descended from the Mohawk, Hopi, Winnebago and San Blas tribes.

All event proceeds support the Thunderbird American Indian Dancers Scholar-

ship Fund and Queens County Farm Museum Education Program.

Performances on opening night run from 7 to 10 p.m. Gates open at 6 p.m.

The program for July 25 goes from noon to 5 p.m. and 7 to 10 p.m. Gates open at

10 a.m. Closing performances on Sunday, July 26, are from noon to 5 p.m., with gates open at 10 a.m.

A bonfire will be lit Friday and Saturday nights between 8 and 9 p.m., weather permitting.

Limited straw bale seating is available. Visitors are encouraged to bring lightweight, portable seats.

The founders were “first generation,” meaning that their parents had been born on reservations. They started the troupe to keep alive the traditions, songs and dances they had learned from their parents, and added to their repertoire from other Native Americans living in New York State.

A one-day pass to the Powwow is $19 for adults and $12 children ages 2 to 12. Three-day passes are $38 adults and $24 for children. Children under age 2 get in free. Farm Museum members are eligible for discounts.

The Farm Museum is located at 73-50 Little Neck Pkwy. in Floral Park. There is free on-site parking. Farm grounds and restrooms are accessible.

Tickets must be purchased online at queensfarm.org. A ticket is required to enter the powwow and craft/food market; however, there is no gate fee to enter farm grounds.

Additional costs apply for food and craft vendors, hayrides — $6 per person — and additional activities. Accepted payment types vary by vendor. There is no ATM on site. Q

This summer, soak up the sun with a book in hand

continued from page 23

relationship with a fundamentalist and the youngest is convinced a shady billionaire is monitoring the town. This is a great pick for readers who want their summer read with offbeat romance, conspiracy and action.

“Remarkably Bright Creatures,” by Shelby Van Pelt (Ecco) — Following the death of her husband, Tova Sullivan works night shifts at the Sowell Bay Aquarium as a cleaner to occupy her time. She strikes up

Crossword Answers

an unlikely friendship with a giant Pacific octopus, Marcellus, who is nearing the end of his life. It just so happens the octopus may hold the key to a decades-old family mystery. It’s heartfelt without being saccharine, and funny without undercutting the grief at its center.

“The Compound,” by Aisling Rawle (Random House) — This one is “Love Island” meets “Lord of the Flies,” with a touch of “Survivor.” In this dystopian novel, contestants compete for luxury rewards inside a desert compound while the outside world quietly falls apart. The show’s twisted rules blur the line between playing a game and simply surviving. It’s addictive, unsettling and very much a product of our reality-TV moment.

“Odyssey: The Greek Myths Reimagined,” by Stephen Fry (Chronicle Books) — The fourth and final book in Fry’s Greek Myths series retells Homer’s epic with wit, footnotes and art, making Odysseus’ 10-year journey home approachable for newcomers. With Christopher Nolan’s film adaptation on the way, this is a good chance for beginners to brush up on their Greek mythology.

Nothing pairs better with ocean views than a stack of new summer reads, and our list of recommendations has something for everyone.

“How to Be Okay When Nothing Is Okay,” by Jenny Lawson (Penguin Life) — If living through “unprecedented times” has got you down, Lawson offers more than a hundred humorous, heartfelt tools for getting through anxiety, depression and cre-

ative burnout. This book is honest about how hard things can be without wallowing, yet funny at the same time. It’s self-help without a soapbox. Consider it a permission slip to laugh at the chaos while still taking care of yourself.

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Notice of Qualification of 39 WICH LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 07/06/26. Office location: Queens County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 06/22/26. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the

Legal Notices

New York City Department of Transportation

Notice of Public Hearing

Publish in Queens Chronicle

The New York City Department of Transportation will hold a public hearing, the hearing will be held remotely commencing on Wednesday July 22, 2026 at 11:00 AM. via the WebEx platform, on the following petition for revocable consent, in the Borough of Queens.

Ravenswood Operations LLC

– to continue to maintain and use a tunnel under and across 36th Avenue west of Vernon Boulevard, in the Borough of Queens.

Interested parties can obtain copies of proposed agreement or request sign-language interpreters (with at least seven days prior notice) at 55 Water Street, 9 Floor, New York, NY 10041, or by calling (212) 839-6550

New York City Department of Transportation

Notice of Public Hearing

Publish in Queens Chronicle

The New York City Department of Transportation will hold a public hearing, the hearing will be held remotely commencing on Wednesday July 22, 2026 at 11:00 AM. via the WebEx platform, on the following petition for revocable consent, in the Borough of Queens.

Ravenswood Operations LLC

– to continue to maintain and use conduits under and across 36th Avenue, west of Vernon Boulevard, in the Borough of Queens.

Interested parties can obtain copies of proposed agreement or request sign-language interpreters (with at least seven days prior notice) at 55 Water Street, 9 Floor, New York, NY 10041, or by calling (212) 839-6550

Legal Notices

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF QUEENS, BLUE CASTLE (CAYMAN) LTD, Plaintiff, vs. VANESSA HOLMESBENJAMIN, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on March 17, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Queens County Supreme Courthouse, on the second floor in Courtroom 25, 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, NY 11435 on August 7, 2026 at 10:00 a.m., premises known as 130-65 227th Street, Springfield Gardens, NY 11413. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough and County of Queens, City and State of New York, Block 12905 and Lot 5. Approximate amount of judgment is $787,660.31 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #711867/2017. Sally Attia, Esq., Referee Vallely Mitola Ryan PLLC, 6851 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 165, Syosset, New York 11791, Attorneys for Plaintiff

Notice of Formation of 42-25 9th Street LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State (SSNY) on 7/1/26. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Cogency Global Inc., 122 E 42nd St, 18th Fl, NY, NY 10168. Purpose: any lawful activity.

64-45 CENTRAL AVE LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 06/15/2026. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: The LLC, 70-14 Eliot Avenue, Middle Village, NY 11379. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

NOTICE OF SALE EASTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK (ISLIP)

Allison Lending, LLC.; Plaintiff v. NLL Properties Incorporated et al; Defendants Attorneys for Plaintiff: Hasbani & Light, P.C., 450 7th Ave, Suite 1901, NY, NY 10123; (212) 6436677 Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale granted herein on 12/30/25, I will sell at Public Auction to the highest bidder in EDNYIslip, 100 Federal Plaza, Central Islip, NY 11722. On August 17, 2026 at 10:00 AM Premises known as 109-09 211th Street, Queens Village, NY 11429 and identified on the Queens County Tax Map as Block: 11 Lots: 7-9 All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the County of Queens, City and State of New York. As more particularly described in the judgment of foreclosure and sale. Sold subject to all the terms and conditions contained in said judgment and terms of sale. Approximate amount of judgment: $297,011.18 plus interest and costs. Docket Number: 23-cv-9385 Janine T. Lynam, Esq., Referee

Notice of Formation of BASH NYC LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 06/27/2026. Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: RIFAT AHMED, 148-05 87TH ROAD, JAMAICA, NY 11435. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of CHINTEL COUNTRY LIVING LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 05/09/2026. Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: THE LLC, 3512 190TH ST., FLUSHING, NY 11358. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF QUEENS, BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A. AS TRUSTEE FOR MORTGAGE ASSETS MANAGEMENT SERIES I TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. CHARLES WALDEN AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ALBERTA NEWBOLD, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Resettled Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on December 4, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Queens County Supreme Courthouse, on the second floor in Courtroom 25, 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, NY 11435 on August 7, 2026 at 10:00 a.m., premises known as 120-04 146th Street, Jamaica, NY 11436. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough and County of Queens, City and State of New York, Block 12043 and Lot 14. Approximate amount of judgment is $414,322.92 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #706825/2014. Stephanie S. Goldstone, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 260695-1

Notice of Qualification of CRF36A LIC LLC. App. For Auth. filed with Secy of State of NY (SSNY) on 5/20/26. Office location: Queens County. LLC formed in Missouri (MO) on 5/19/26. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to MO address of LLC: Katherine Thompson Holton, 7701 Forsyth Blvd., Ste 1000, St. Louis, MO 63105. Arts of Org filed with MO Secy of State, 600 W. Main St., Rm. 322, Jefferson City, MO 65102. Purpose: any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of Cube It NYC LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 06/10/26. Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: CUBE IT NYC LLC, 30-50 21ST ST, APT 2A, ASTORIA, NY 11102. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Real Estate

EQUAL HOUSING. Federal, New York State and local laws prohibit discrimination because of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, marital status, familial status or disability in connection with the sale or rental of residential real estate. Queens Chronicle does not knowingly accept advertising in violation of these laws. When you suspect housing discrimination call the Open Housing Center (the Fair Housing Agency for the five boroughs of New York) at 212941-6101, or the New York City Commission of Human Rights Hotline at 718-722-3131. The Queens Chronicle reserves the right to alter wording in ads to conform with Federal Fair Housing regulations.

Apts.For Rent

Sunnyside, 50-22 40 St, #5E. 1 BR, 1 bath apt. $2,600/mo. Newly renovated, elevator Co-op bldg, brand new carpet, full kitchen, brand new countertops, board approval required. Avail NOW. Call Javier Cortes (347) 200-0315. Capri Jet Realty Williamsburg, 141 N 8 St, #1R. 2 BR, 1 bath apt. $5,500/mo. Newly renovated, W/D, SS, new kitchen, HWF, decorative fireplace. Avail June 1. Call Theo Eastwind (718) 536-7787. Capri Jet Realty Williamsburg, 99 Meserole St. #4. 3 BR, 2 bath duplex apt. $4,700/ mo. Fully renovated, shared courtyard, separate kitchen, LR. Cats OK. Avail NOW. Call Agata Landa (914) 255-7284. Capri Jet Realty

Legal Notices

Notice of Formation of Desi Asian Nepali Job Agency LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on May 11, 2026. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process to the LLC at: 72-35 Broadway, Suite 210, Jackson Heights, NY 11372. Purpose: Any lawful business activity.

Notice of Formation of FRONTIER SUMMIT LOGISTICS LLC

Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 06/22/2026. Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: FEI DONG, 58-01 215TH STREET, BAYSIDE HILLS, NY 11364. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Home Sweet Home Walk to schools, Uber to train. Great restaurants. Attend community events. Enjoy comforts like gas heat, central air & a deck. Spacious back/front yards. $720K Call Jo Ann @ 631-805-8884 or 631-874-0225

July 16, 2026

Howard Beach. Furnished Room for Rent. All Utilities Included. Close to transportation & shopping. $250 per week plus security deposit. Please call or text: 718-772-6127 or 631-839-0334 Classified Ad Deadline is 12 Noon on Tuesday for Thursday’s paper.

Legal Notices

GILSID, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 05/21/26. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 164-34 89th Street, Howard Beach, NY 11414. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of JUSTIN LIU VENTURES LLC

Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 06/30/2026. Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: JUSTIN LIU, 48-10 202ND STREET, BAYSIDE, NY 11364. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

For the