Search
There are no ads matching your search criteria.

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

By Alice Moreno

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Forest Hills Stadium Concerts Get Green Light Amid Dispute

By MOHAMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Concert organizers also issued a celebratory announcement:

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

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

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

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

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

‘The Hills Have Eyes’ April 24th Edition

24 Thursday. The Local Eatery and Craft Beer Bar in Forest Hills presents “Bring Your Own Vinyl.” This month’s theme is the 1970’s. Share your vinyl and craft beer.

7 pm. The Local 66-75 Selfridge St., Forest Hills

24 Thursday. Bloom presents “Jasmine Thursdays.” Enjoy 20% off the bill with an advance reservation. This week’s featured instrument is the jazz harp with the Margo Sergent Trio.

7 pm to bedtime. Bloom Botanical Bistro, 103-19 Metropolitan Ave.

25 Friday. Singer David Cerreta performs with his Jazz Quartet at Bloom.

7 pm. Bloom Botanical Bistro

25 Saturday. Nancy Goudinaki is at Neir’s. I recently saw Nick Russo’s band here and enjoyed the brunch. Reservations recommended. No cover. 

2-4 pm. Neir’s 87-48 78th St, Woodhaven

26 Saturday. Queens Symphony Orchestra’s Brass Quintet performs a variety of fanfares and vibrant melodies guaranteed to wake the dead.

4-5 pm. The Center at Maple Grove Cemetery, 127-15 Kew Gardens Road. Parking available.

26 Saturday. Forest Hills Choir presents Spring Carols, their annual cabaret fundraiser. Have fun supporting your local choir! Cash bar, food, entertainment, raffles. Tickets are $25 from fhchoir.org

7-9:30 pm. Our Lady of Mercy Church Hall, 72-02 Juno St.

26 Saturday. Local favorite, Musiquita, plays two sets at the Climate Arts Festival sponsored by the Queens Botanical Garden.

11 am to 4 pm. Queens Botanical Garden 43-50 Main St, Flushing (not so far!)

29 Tuesday. Aaron Adler’s Kew Gardens Musicians jam at Austin’s Ale House. Local musicians still gather in honor of Mr. Adler and keep the tradition alive. Expect to hear a variety of talented people you might see on the street.

7-10 pm. Austin’s Ale House 82-72 Austin St. Kew Gardens

30 Wednesday. Quintet of the Americas (from Queens) presents a concert featuring living American composers including Sunny Knable from Forest Hills. His piece is “Satchmo in New Orleans.” 

4 pm. Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main St

Please check social media to confirm information before you go.

To share an event with the readers of the Forest Hills Times, contact danolson@olsontfp.com

Michael Blake for Mayor: A Proven Manager Ready to Lead New York

By MOHAMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

Michael Blake isn’t just running for mayor—he’s running on a lifetime of service, shaped by the streets of the Bronx and sharpened in the halls of the White House. Now a Democratic contender in the crowded 2025 mayoral race, he offers a rare combination of national experience and hometown heart—with a vision of a New York City where opportunity isn’t a privilege, but a promise. A son of Jamaican immigrants, Blake’s journey has been shaped by his family’s hard work, faith, and dedication to public service.

Blake, now 42, began his path to the mayoral race with a commitment to creating opportunities for all. As a White House aide during the Obama administration, he was part of the team that helped defeat Donald Trump in 2016. Blake, who helped launch the Urban Entrepreneurship Summit, worked tirelessly to create jobs across the country. Later, during his six years as a member of the New York State Assembly, Blake spearheaded efforts such as the My Brother’s Keeper initiative, aimed at supporting Black and Brown boys in education and career pathways.

“My goal has always been to help people achieve their dreams in a very practical way, helping people who didn’t get a chance before now have a chance,” Blake said during a recent roundtable with the Queens Ledger.

Blake is no stranger to the struggles New Yorkers face. Growing up in the Bronx, he learned from a young age the importance of community and hard work. His mother worked at a manufacturing plant for 40 years, commuting two buses a day across the bridge to Jersey, while his late father worked as a janitor in a Bronx union.

Named after two of Jamaica’s most iconic leaders—Michael Manley and Alexander Bustamante—Michael Alexander Blake carries not just a name, but a legacy of bold leadership and a commitment to politics woven into his very identity.

“When your parents name you after Jamaican prime ministers your parents definitely cared about politics.”

Blake’s candidacy is built on a legacy of public service. From expanding the My Brother’s Keeper program to helping implement the first statewide initiative for boys and young men of color in New York, Blake has always fought for policies that uplift marginalized communities. Through his work in the Assembly, Blake helped secure initial funding for My Brother’s Keeper—”$25 million to $18 million state funding to help school districts across state with their college and career community engaging programs to help more Black and Brown boys graduate school and was successful and still goes on till today,” Blake said. 

But it’s his vision for New York City that sets him apart. Blake is not just focused on policies that serve the city’s immediate needs, but on creating long-term solutions for affordable housing, economic equity, and public safety.

On the housing crisis, Blake advocates for building on every available plot of land to meet the city’s growing demand for housing. “If we’re serious about this, let’s find every plot of land that’s available and figure out how to build on that and increase the opportunity for more people to get in the game.” Regarding the City of Yes proposal, he added, “On the city of yes it should have went further; it didn’t address affordability just building more units. ‘Affordable to who?’” 

His vision for “true economic fairness” extends to addressing New York City’s budget challenges. Blake supports reforming how income and creditworthiness are assessed in housing.

“End credit scores for home ownership applications, change local median income.” He also distinguishes between policy approaches: “Guaranteed income is different than universal income, creating the floor with everybody, assessing who actually has a gap and helping them is a more equitable approach.”

On the topic of the ever emerging notion of city casinos, Blake sees opportunity where others criticize. “I Believe it will help create jobs and wages and create a full dynamic opportunity that the community benefits from,” and added, “At the end of the day it’s a person’s choice what they’re doing with their funds.”

Blake also reflects on his unique approach to working with the federal government, informed by both personal and professional experience. “It is impossible to lead New York City if you don’t have an understanding of DC, if you’re laying out a plan you should be able to articulate how exactly you’re paying for it,” Blake said. 

During the COVID-19 crisis, Blake took swift action to support New Yorkers. “We brought World Central Kitchen to New York City during the COVID-19 pandemic and worked with restaurants, Small Businesses and nonprofits to feed and provide P.P.E. to New Yorkers.”

He also led efforts on Capitol Hill. “I led an effort to work with US Senate members on how to get funding for small businesses faster and better because the PPP did not work and they could not access the funds. I helped change that in a significant way.”

Blake’s approach to the economy includes cracking down on empty storefronts and rentals. “Vacant apartment tax, vacant storefront tax, landlord is making a conscious decision to weigh out this small business for a bigger market rate, for Blake behavior like that hurts everybody, look into rescinding licenses.”

His extensive leadership experience, he says, is central to why he’s running. “I fundamentally believe that we are in a moment in time right now where there’s a lot of people who are talking about different ideas that are not realistic given the environment that we’re in.”

Blake also hasn’t shied away from sharp critiques of former Governor Andrew Cuomo, questioning the circumstances around his resignation and the nursing home scandal. “He still hasn’t said if he didn’t do it, why did he resign then?” and “the nursing home issue during COVID and people died because of a book deal.”

As a reverend licensed since 1995, Blake’s faith is a constant thread through both his personal and political journey. “Born with a heart murmur in Bronx hospital on Christmas night 1982, it’s the reason I still have a portrait of the Last Supper in my living room,” he shared, reflecting on the role faith has played in his life. He recounted a near-death experience in 2001, when he fell asleep at the wheel and miraculously survived—an event so pivotal that the words he wrote afterward still hang on his mother’s fridge. And while his career has taken him to the national stage, Blake remains deeply rooted in his Bronx upbringing: “From a local dynamic I’m still that kid who would get pizza from Vinny’s hanging at Van Cortland Park.”

He’s also the CEO of KAIROS Democracy, which works on “positive storytelling of the impact of democracy, people think democracy is not working for them and show them when it is done correctly how it impacts them,” and he’s a partner at the Atlas Strategy Group, focused on applying “consciousness to capitalism.”

For Michael Blake, it’s not about lofty promises—it’s about showing how his leadership can help people “keep the lights on.” He summed up his candidacy by pointing to the connection between his life, his service, and the city: “People are genuinely wanting to understand how my policies are helping them keep the lights on.”

Blake’s campaign is not just about politics. It’s about service—a lifelong dedication to his community, his city, and his faith. As mayor, Blake wants to leave behind a legacy that empowers New Yorkers to keep money in their pockets, build their dreams, and create a more equitable city for future generations.

Maspeth Lions Spread Easter Spirit

The Maspeth Lions Club made a trip with the Easter Bunny to spread the cheer of the season this week to a shelter in Ridgewood. “The Lions Club focuses on helping people who need a boost sometimes,” said Maspeth Lions member Maryann Lattanzio. The Maspeth Lions Club meets every other week at O’Neills, Maspeth.

HardKnox Gym: Fitness Forged in the Fires of Adversity

By MOHAMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

On an unassuming block in Astoria, inside a gym called HardKnox, Bonafide Warhawk is building more than athletes—he’s building resilience. A lifelong martial artist and co-founder of the gym, Warhawk has transformed a personal history marked by violence and hardship into a mission focused on discipline, empowerment, and care.

Warhawk, who was born and raised in Astoria, grew up in instability. After a fire left his family homeless, he and his mother spent time in shelters before he was enrolled at the Milton Hershey School in Pennsylvania, a boarding school for children from under-resourced backgrounds.

“That school was filled with kids who had been through a lot,” Warhawk said. “That shaped the way we grew up. Fighting was just part of the environment.”

Eventually expelled and sent back to New York, Warhawk found himself living with a father whose erratic behavior led him to the streets. At age 12, while defending a friend during an altercation, he was stabbed in the eye in Jackson Heights. 

“I thought I could fight him—knife to bare hand—and when I went to hit him, he dug the knife right into my eye, came out the back of my head,” he said.

The injury left him legally blind in one eye and marked a turning point in his life.

“I was supposed to die, but I didn’t,” Warhawk  said. “I couldn’t see anything for like a month. It was a whole learn how to walk again, learn how to touch things again process. It impacted me greatly, because now I have to learn how to function again. I’m in between two worlds. I don’t function like a blind person… and I can’t do the things that regular people do.”

After recovering, Warhawk began studying a range of disciplines—from Taekwondo and Muay Thai to knife and stick fighting. He adapted his training methods to compensate for his limited vision and ultimately became a certified personal trainer with support from the Commission for the Blind.

Over the next decade, he built experience at fitness clubs across New York City, including Equinox and New York Sports Club, where he learned both technical and customer service skills. He also began training others independently, often in public parks, regardless of weather.

“We were out there in the snow, in the rain, because people wanted to train,” he said. “It wasn’t about money. It was about giving people something they could rely on.”

That same ethos defines HardKnox Astoria, which Warhawk co-founded with partners after the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted their previous training spaces. The gym emphasizes functional fitness; a curriculum rooted in traditional combat systems adapted for modern self-defense and sport.

Warhawk  co-founded the gym alongside Aman Sadiyan, bringing their shared vision of creating a community-driven space that blends fitness, fighting, and the spirit of New York City.

When  Sadiyan and Warhawk  took over a former Chinese wrestling gym in Astoria, they saw an opportunity to create something special. 

“We really put our heart into the aesthetic,” Sadiyan  said, describing how the space was transformed. The gym now features curated graffiti and vintage New York memorabilia. Each room at HardKnox tells its own story—such as the “mamba room,” a tribute to Kobe Bryant. The entryway showcases a custom-built counter, crafted from old MetroCards sealed in epoxy, which Sadiyan described as “our homage to New York City, the grit of New York mixed with fitness and fighting.” Even the bathrooms reflect the city’s energy, with stickers and graffiti reminiscent of a Lower East Side dive bar.

However, what sets the gym apart is not only its visual elements but also its community. “What makes this place different than other places is the kind of clientele that we serve,” Sadiyan said. The members at HardKnox are not just looking for physical transformation but for personal growth as well. “We all have a common thread of always having a hunger—for more, in the sense of growth.” For Aman, HardKnox isn’t just a fitness studio; it’s about fostering a community where people thrive both inside and outside the gym. “It’s more than a fitness studio—it’s a place to become a better version of yourself,” he said. “Our emphasis is on building and serving a community.”

The facility combines practical martial arts instruction with an atmosphere designed to be welcoming, particularly for those who may feel out of place in conventional gyms. The space features community-centered programming and an aesthetic meant to foster comfort and focus.

The facility also boasts a variety of training spaces, each with its own unique vibe and purpose. There’s the personal training room, which is designed like a “glorified home gym,” where clients receive individualized training sessions. The main floor is dedicated to functional fitness, with no shoes or socks allowed, emphasizing barefoot movement. Additionally, HardKnox features a spin studio, where high-energy classes take place weekly.  Every room in HardKnox is designed to tell its own story. 

“We created an atmosphere where these people have hard lives, and you at least need somewhere to escape, even if it’s for a minute.” Warhawk said.

He said the name reflects the nature of the training and the community it serves.

“We created the name HardKnox because life is hard, and sometimes you need to escape from it, and that’s what we chose to be—escape,” Warhawk said.

What sets HardKnox apart, Warhawk said, is its commitment to care.

“People can go anywhere to train,” he said. “What we offer is attention to detail, respect for every person who walks through the door, it’s something a lot of places have forgotten—just care for the people. It’s not about you.”

Those interested in visiting Hardknox Gym can find it at 37-20 Astoria Blvd S, Astoria, or contact them at (718) 210-1465 for more information.

Fill the Form for Events, Advertisement or Business Listing