In this week’s edition of the Queens Ledger and our 7 other weekly neighborhood papers, we sat down for an hour with to learn more about her campaign for congress. State Assembly Member Claire Valdez, who represents Queens’ 37th District, is running for Congress after a path to politics shaped by labor organizing, economic struggles and early activism. Raised in Lubbock, Texas during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, Valdez first became politically engaged as a teenager through anti-war art before eventually moving to New York to pursue a career as an artist. After years of working retail and service jobs to afford life in the city, her experience with workplace conditions and the loss of employee benefits pushed her toward labor organizing.
Valdez later joined a union at Columbia University and became deeply involved in organizing through United Auto Workers Local 2110 and the Democratic Socialists of America.
She was elected to the New York State Assembly in 2024 and now says her campaign for Congress will focus on expanding union power, strengthening worker protections, improving access to health care and advancing affordable housing. Valdez argues that many of the biggest labor and economic battles happen at the federal level and says her goal in Washington would be to help build greater political and workplace power for working people. Read more on Queensledger.com
Scroll for hyper-realistic portraits, bar scenes worthy of Edward Hopper, and even a fruit fly in a diaper!
On Friday, May 8, more than fifty senior art majors from Frank Sinatra School of the Arts had an opportunity to show their work in a communal show at the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria, to the delight of friends, family, and curious museum-goers.
The collaboration between FSSA and MoMI started in 2022, as the school was searching for a larger venue for its end-of-year showcases. “When we have all four grades together on stage, it’s too stuffed,” explains art teacher Laura Blau. “Here, the seniors get to show everything.”
Many of the students have been recognized with Scholastic Awards, and senior Jenascia Fernandez has a painting hanging in the Met as part of a temporary exhibition.
“There’s nothing more important than letting the student go with the thing they’re gravitating towards,” says Blau. “Even if that means they have to dig themselves deep into a hole and crawl out of it in a way where they’re forced to engage in higher-order thinking.”
Read more online at queensledger.com!
The Grand Opening of @raisingcanes NEW Laurelton, Queens location is Wednesday, May 13th!
Raising Cane’s new restaurant, located at 230-05 Merrick Blvd in Laurelton, Queens features a drive-thru, signature disco ball, outdoor seating, and large garage door style windows that open up when the weather is nice!
Stop by opening day for your chance to be 1 of 20 to win free Cane’s for a year (no purchase necessary, just need to be in line between 8AM-9AM to be entered)!
The First 200 dine-in customers to purchase any combo meal will get a free hat & Box Combo card for their next visit!
Their most popular combo is the Box Combo and it comes with 4 crispy delicious chicken fingers, their signature Raising Cane’s sauce, buttered Texas Toast, Crinkle Cut Fries, Cole Slaw, and a drink.
Shoutout to the Raising Cane’s team in Laurelton, Queens for a great experience! 📍 230-05 Merrick Blvd in Laurelton, Queens, 11413 #caniacambassador #raisingcanes #laurelton #laureltonqueens #laureltonnyc
In a preliminary vote, the Rent Guidelines Board (RGB) set up a possible rent freeze on all rent stabilized units at a public hearing Thursday night in Long Island City, while rejecting a motion that would have guaranteed it.
Seven board members voted in favor of a 0 to 2% range for proposals to increase rents on one-year leases, and 0 to 4% for two-year leases. Landlord representative Christina Smyth voted no, while Mamdani appointee Maksim Wynn abstained.
The vote marks the first time that the RGB has considered a rent freeze for two-year leases, and kicks off a series of public hearings ahead of the final vote in June.
Hundreds of protesters with tenants advocacy groups flooded the sidewalk for a rally before packing into the LaGuardia Community College Performing Arts Center, holding signs and shouting “freeze the rent” as the board voted.
Crispy, golden, and stacked right.
Meet Ocean Prime’s Tempura Sole Sandwich 🐟 Golden tempura sole, lettuce & tomato stacked on a sesame bun
Simple, crispy, and way better than your average fish sandwich 💯
#Maspeth #maspethny #maspethnyc #OceanPrime #FishSandwich
Have you been to @recoverymodenyc in Astoria, Queens yet ⁉️
Recovery Mode is a premier wellness and recovery center based in Astoria, dedicated to helping clients move better, feel stronger, and live pain-free
Founded by Keith, the studio takes a personalized approach to recovery—identifying muscle imbalances and addressing the root cause of discomfort through a combination of acupuncture, cupping therapy, massage therapy, and chiropractic care.
Beyond hands-on treatments, Recovery Mode offers advanced recovery amenities including an infrared sauna, cold plunge, NormaTec compression therapy, and IV drip services administered by a licensed nurse.
Whether you’re an athlete, fitness enthusiast, or simply dealing with everyday stress and tension, Recovery Mode provides a results-driven environment designed to restore, recharge, and elevate your overall performance and well-being.
Shoutout to Keith and the Recovery Mode team and of course big thanks to @victorprado.12 and the team at @astoriastorefronts & @queens_edc & @itsinqueens for organizing programming that assists small businesses, encourages entrepreneurship, and promotes our community with an emphasis on supporting those of low-to-moderate income, women, minorities, and immigrants.
Recovery Mode 📍 30-29 Steinway Street, Astoria, NY 11103
#astoria #astoriaqueens #astorianyc #astoriany #recoverymode
Our first experience at the brand new @montoyasmexican on Metro was magical ✨
1. Nacho Tower
2. Al Pastor & Skirt Steak Taco
3. Montoya’s Margarita w/ Tajin
Shoutout to @theefineartist_ & @chefjaimemontoya & the entire team at Montoya’s Mexican on Metro in Forest Hills 📍 102-15 Metropolitan Ave. Forest Hills, Queens
#montoyasmexican #foresthills #foresthillsqueens #foresthillsnyc #foresthillsny
@curleys_bagels teamed up with @patlafrieda to create the ultimate breakfast sandwich. The “MAK” sandwich features 2 Lafrieda sausage patties ( sweet + spicy ) , medium egg with gochujang aioli, pickled onion , a crispy hash brown and melted American cheese - such a nice way to start the day 🥯 #curleysbagels X #patlafrieda #sourdoughbagel #breakfastsandwich #sausageandeggsandwich
Thank you to The Long Island City/Astoria Journal for featuring Sunnyside Restaurant Week last week!
Sunnyside Restaurant Week is happening now till May 4th. Grab bites from your local faves with exclusive deals and discounts 🍽
#sunnysideshines #sunnyside #sunnysiderestaurantweek #nyc #foodie
Have you been to @fhpizzeria yet ⁉️
If you’ve ever been to a concert at @foresthillsstadium …there’s a good chance you ended up here after 💯
This is @fhpizzeria 🍕 from the hospitality group that brought you the famous @jadeeatery 🙌 and it’s quickly becoming the go-to pizzeria in Forest Hills
What we tried 👇
• Hungry Man breakfast sandwich
• Chicken Caesar salad sandwich
• Spicy meatball sandwich
• BBQ chicken, Caprese, and their Italy slice
• Rigatoni Alfredo with mushrooms
• Shrimp scampi with linguini
Chef Eric’s been running kitchens across Queens for over a decade and his Roman-style dough? 80% hydration and fermented for 3 days… which means it actually healthier for your digestion system!
Next time you’re leaving a show at the Forest hills stadium, stop by forest hills pizzeria and tell chef eric that the forest hills times sent you!
Forest Hills Pizzeria 📍 9 Station Square. Forest Hills, Queens
#ForestHills #ForestHillStadium #ForestHillsPizzeria #ForestHillsNYC #foresthillsquees
Knicks got the real squad… and the AI squad 😂🤖
Either way — we’re watching BOTH tonight at Ocean Prime 🔥
Pull up for the Knicks playoff watch party
📍 64-14 Flushing Ave, Maspeth
⏰ Tonight 8PM
Big screens. Drinks flowing. Crowd loud.
(And yeah… AI Brunson might actually go for 50 😭)
#Knicks #maspethqueens #maspethnyc #QueensNYC #Maspeth
