queenschamber.org THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH Our New Members Look Forward to Opportunities for Revenue Growth By Cathy Berger Any questions? e-mail Cathy at [email protected] Emigrant Mortgage Company is pleased to join the Queens Chamber, and we are looking forward to participating in all of the events and networking opportunities that the Chamber offers. Charles Ruffin, Sales Manager Emigrant Mortgage Company As a Queens resident who is also a labor and employment law attorney 10 for businesses and employers at the law office of Greenwald Doherty LLP, joining the Chamber was important to me so that I could both get to know and potentially assist other members of my community. I have thoroughly enjoyed the Chamber’s business-card exchange nights, which bring in a wide variety of people, each with stories as unique as their businesses. In the future, I am looking forward to getting involved in the wide variety of events that the Chamber offers and finding a way to use my legal skills to positively impact this organization. Joey Elizabeth Pegram, Esq. Greenwald Doherty LLP Human First is honored to be new member of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. As a multicultural nonprofit organization serving individuals with an intellectual/developmental disability living in Queens, we are eager to get to know more Queens’ businesses, help to further integrate the people we serve into Queens, and partner with other nonprofits and businesses as we help to support each other and continue to make Queens great. Cheryelle Cruickshank, CEO Human First, Inc. As a 3D artist known at A Taste Of Modern, I find that some people are not familiar with what 3D art is (we are well known for Achilles the Giraffe on Governor's Island and Pink Elephant under the Manhattan Bridge). We joined the Queens Chamber of Commerce to expand awareness for this art form’s beauty and uniqueness, and because we feel there is so much exposure to be gained through networking with (hopefully) art galleries, private firms looking for unique pieces of decor, etc.. We also look to raise awareness about the growing amount of endangered animals in the world. Hector Orellana A Taste Of Modern Membership in the Queens Chamber of Commerce allows us to interact with a cross section of society, a perfect opportunity to cultivate new relationships and promote business. Naim Rashid HAB Bank I joined the Chamber to get more exposure for our crisp, bold and refreshing new beer “1947 Indian Craft Premium Lager.” We are hoping our partnership with the Chamber can expand our business to restaurants and hotels throughout the borough of Queens. Development Director Cathy Berger is the first contact from the Chamber whom I spoke with extensively during an event in December focused on local businesses in Queens looking to expand. She explained the benefits of joining, and I signed up. She is tremendous to work with, is a really strong advocate for the Chamber and very helpful. Ravish Shah New World Beverages/1947 Beer Excited to be part of this vibrant group of businesses and organizations that make up the Queens Chamber of Commerce. Looking forward to connecting with individuals and expanding our mutual networks. Patty Miller Colliers International LI, Inc. REIMAGINING OUR STREETSCAPE TO IMPROVE OUR ENVIRONMENT BY COUNCIL MEMBER COSTA CONSTANTINIDES Our actions affect all of our environments, both large and small. We all know how increases in carbon emissions worsen our air quality and cause adverse effects in our global climate. Our streetscapes also affect our environment. Greenspace and open spaces are better for our local air quality and our climate on a global level. Just as we think about making our entire city more sustainable through use of alternative energy and renewable technology, we must think about making our streetscape more sustainable. Steinway Street is a great example of how this type of re-evaluation might work. Earlier this year, I proposed updating the thoroughfare to make it more conducive to commerce and to make it greener. The proposals included creating a designated public gathering space on Steinway Street for shoppers to relax or gather with others. Something that many neighborhoods and major commercial hubs have to draw people in is a place to sit, chat with a friend, or gather with a group. These plazas add greenspace and open space to our community, a much-needed and lucrative use of land in our city. Encouraging walkability also gets people to use their cars less often, which helps decrease vehicular carbon emissions. Such a space would improve the local environment, create an anchor space to draw in shoppers, increase economic activity, and encourage community togetherness. I am working with the Department of Transportation, the Steinway Astoria Partnership, and other community stakeholders on these proposals. Starting in the Spring, a community working group will be formed to discuss the public gathering space. In the meantime, we’re looking for public input. Community residents who have ideas for where such a public gathering space would go can email [email protected] with their input. Together, we can adapt our streets to better accommodate commerce and to make our neighborhood greener. Council Member Costa Constantinides represents the New York City Council's 22nd District, which includes his native Astoria along with parts of Woodside, East Elmhurst, and Jackson Heights. He serves as the chair of the City Council's Environmental Protection Committee and sits on six additional committees: Civil Service & Labor, Contracts, Cultural Affairs, Oversight & Investigations, Sanitation, and Transportation. For more information, visit council.nyc.gov/costa.
QB032017
To see the actual publication please follow the link above