Feb. 25, 2025 By Paulina Albarracin In the heart of Woodside, inside the cozy Moa Coffee, Queens resident Rafi Islam—an organizer with the membership-based organization Street Vendor Project (SVP)—set down his cup of coffee and greeted me with a warm smile. The rhythmic hum of the espresso machine underscored our conversation as he shared…
Feb. 25, 2025 By Shane O’Brien A Queens preservationist has helped save dozens of signs from iconic businesses that have closed down across the borough by ensuring that they end up in the New York Sign Museum in Brooklyn. Michael Perlman, a historic preservationist based in Forest Hills who founded Rego-Forest Preservation Council, has…
Feb. 25, 2025 By Jessica Militello After a four-year hiatus, RIOULT Dance NY is making a triumphant return to the stage with a weekend of performances at Queens Theatre in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park on March 8 and 9. For renowned choreographer Pascal Rioult, the comeback is more than just a performance—it’s a full-circle moment. Queens…
Feb. 24, 2025 By Colum Motherway Starbucks baristas at the Fresh Pond Road location in Ridgewood filed a petition for a union election on Wednesday, Feb. 19, officially joining a rapidly growing movement of baristas across the country pushing for better workplace protections. The baristas are seeking to unionize in order to advocate for…
A 20-year Army veteran who served four tours in Iraq and Afghanistan was recently fired from his communications job at the Bronx Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital under the Trump administration’s drastic cuts to the federal workforce. Luke Graziani, 45, was at work on Feb. 13 when he received an email informing him that his…
Feb. 24, 2025 By Jessica Militello Why wait until St. Patrick’s Day to raise a pint when the festivities have already begun? New York City Beer Week is in full swing, running through March 2, bringing a citywide celebration of craft beer to over 40 breweries—including plenty of exciting events in Queens. This annual…
Feb. 24, 2025 By Athena Dawson Travelers passing through JFK Airport’s Terminal 4 will soon have access to popular local eateries as part of a $1.5 billion modernization project. JFKIAT, the terminal’s operator, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced the expansion of local concession options on Feb. 19, aiming…
Feb. 21, 2025 By Colum Motherway Jenifer Rajkumar’s campaign to replace incumbent Jumaane Williams as NYC Public Advocate received a significant boost from the NYC Campaign Finance Board (CFB) matching funds program. Rajkumar’s campaign qualified for matching funds on Feb. 18 and received a whopping $1,092,331. She now has 19 times more cash on…
Feb. 21, 2025 By Athena Dawson The MTA announced the implementation dates for the first and second phases of the Queens Bus Network Redesign on Thursday, Feb. 20. The first phase of the newly implemented bus network redesign is expected to launch on Sunday, June 29, with the second phase following on Sunday, Aug.…
Feb. 20, 2025 By Athena Dawson The City Council recently passed a bill to increase accessibility for people who are deaf and hard of hearing. Sponsored by Southeast Queens Council Member and Majority Whip Selvena Brooks-Powers, Intro138 will increase accessibility for public service announcements (PSAs) for people who are deaf or hard of hearing…