⛽️Bland Houses Go 5 Months Without Gas + Man Smuggles Pythons In Pants

Good morning, Queens! 🍾

🐫 Look, I'm probably not the last person you'll hear this from today, but happy "hump" day. Here are today's headlines:

• ⛽️ Residents at the NYCHA Bland Houses in Flushing have been without gas service for the past five months. In addition to this severe service interruption in Flushing, there is another in Woodside, where residents of the Woodside Houses have been without regular heat and hot water since August 2021. NYCHA, what gives?
• 🐍 Is that a snake in your pants, or are you just happy to see me? Oh, so there is a snake in your pants? Sorry, three snakes in your pants? And they're all pythons? One Queens man is in a lot trouble after he smuggled three Burmese pythons into the U.S. via Canada.
• 📚 Queens got an additional 3,596 school seats for students this year, but more are still necessary as, according to Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, "Queens is busting at the seams."

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🌬 Breezy with occasional rain ☔️ High: 61 Low: 54.

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Here are the top stories in Queens today:

1. Queens lawmakers and residents of NYCHA Bland Houses in Flushing gathered for a press conference yesterday after residents in one building have been without gas service for the past five months. In a statement to QNS, a NYCHA spokesperson said the service interruption is due to a leak in the main gas line into the building, and a broken stack in the basement — the restoration work will cost approximately $500,000. Congresswoman Grace Meng discussed the impact of the lack of gas service on residents: "The hard-working, rent-paying residents of the Bland Houses should not be forced to endure this problem for all these months," she said. "Having working gas in their apartments is essential, and they deserve better. It is unbelievable that the problem is occurring yet again." For nearly half a year, residents in 80 apartments at Bland Houses have been forced to rely on hot plates and crockpots for all their cooking. And meanwhile, at NYCHA Woodside Houses, residents have been without regular heat and hot water since August 2021. Councilwoman Julie Won and Assemblywoman Jessica González-Rojas will hold a press conference today, Wednesday, Oct. 5, at Woodside Houses to address this issue.

Queens Courier

2. The New York City School Construction Authority (SCA) discussed its past, current, and future projects at a meeting with the Queens Borough Board on Monday and announced the addition of thousands of school seats for local students. Much of the meeting focused on overcrowding in each school district. Over the last year, the SCA has completed seven projects in Queens, which have created an additional 3,596 seats for students. In the works are 24 upcoming capital projects, including 12 additions to existing schools, as well as a replacement building — these projects are expected to bring the total number of seats to 4,379. Though Queens has seen more SCA capacity projects this year than any other borough, school overcrowding remains a big concern. "For some [school districts], I think it's an equity issue," Queens Borough President Donovan Richards said. "We should remove the politics from the issue and look at it through an equity lens. We're getting more seats than the other boroughs, but Queens is busting at the seams."

Queens Courier

3. A Queens man was arraigned yesterday in federal court on an indictment charging him with smuggling three Burmese pythons into the U.S. Calvin Bautista, 36, of Richmond Hill, hid the three snakes in his pants as he rode a bus that crossed the U.S.-Canadian border on July 15, 2018. Bautista faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years.

San Luis Obispo Tribune ; Department of Justice ; Miami Herald

4. A nursing home investor purchased the two-building Castle Senior Living facility in Forest Hills for $49.5 million according to property records made public Tuesday. Avi Lustig, who purchased the assisted living and memory care facility, previously worked as an administrator for his father's retirement home, the Lakeside Manor Home for Adults on Staten Island, which was dubbed 'out-of-control' due to complaints from neighbors over public intoxication, urination, suspicious exchanges that appeared to be drug deals, and noise. It is not clear yet what Lustig plans to do with the Queens facility, as he has not filed any permits with the Department of Buildings.

Subscription/Commercial Observer

5. Warren Schreiber, a prominent Queens co-op and condo activist, has been named president of the Queens Civic Congress (QCC). Before his presidential appointment, Schreiber served as the QCC'S vice president, and as a member of its co-op and condo committee. He is currently board president at a 200-unit co-op in Queens and is co-president of the influential Presidents Co-op & Condo Council (PCCC), which represents more than 100,000 units of housing across the city.

Habitat Magazine

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🗞 Hankering for more headlines? 👀 Look no further:

• 12th Annual Queens World Film Festival set for grand return (Queens Courier)
• New database shows hundreds of thousands of NYPD misconduct records (Queens Daily Eagle)
• New York City mayor Adams attends Durga Puja celebrations with Bengali community (WION)
• Spider-Man Swoops Onto Public Library Cards (Subscription/The New York Times)
• Queens store robbed at gunpoint by group of 5 (1010 WINS)
• Centenarian named Prom Queen as Senior Appreciation Month winds down in southeast Queens (Queens Courier)

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🗓 To Do Today in Queens:

• Pomonok Community Farmers' Market (9 a.m.)
• YWCA Food Pantry (10 a.m.)
• Kids in Motion Program at Juniper Valley Park (10 a.m.)
• Queens Farm Farmstand (11 a.m.)
• Creatine Crashing Comedy Open Mic (5:30 p.m.)
• Pig Beach BBQ (7 p.m.)
• Zumba Nights at Unidad y Fe (7:30 p.m.)
• Tenant Rights 101 (8 p.m.)

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🗣 Queens Chatter:

• Hispanic Heritage Month at the NY Hall of Science: "Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with us at the New York Hall of Science on Oct. 11. We'll have music, delicious food, cultural performances and much more. RSVP at queensbp.org/rsvp. ~ Celebra el Mes de la Herencia Hispana con nosotros en el New York Hall of Science 11 de octubre Tendremos música, comida deliciosa, actuaciones culturales y mucho más. Registrate en queensbp.org/rsvp ~ Cosponsored by Queens hispanic Parade, Inc., New York State Latino Restaurant Bar & Lounge Association, Consulado General de México en Nueva York, Hispanic Federation and SOMOS Community Care." (Queens Borough President Donovan Richards via Facebook)
• GLASS...it's so much more than clear...: "'The Future's Vessel' ponders the popularity of glass-as-keepsake alongside the dazzling architectural elements present at the 1939–1940s World's Fair. Themed 'Building the World of the Future,' the fair connected materials to the built environment through the symbolism of their physical qualities. The Glass Incorporated Pavilion shared the history and contemporary applications of the material when transparency and inspiration amid economic and global turmoil were particularly desirable. A selection of artifacts from the Museum's collection — brochures, souvenirs, and objects displayed at Glass Incorporated — visualize this juxtaposition between glass as status symbol and "the most versatile servant of mankind." Discover 'The Future's Vessel' now on view." (Queens Museum via Facebook)
• Indigenous Peoples' Day is coming up: "Join us as we commemorate Indigenous Peoples' Day next Monday, Oct. 10, to acknowledge that the land on which Queens Botanical Garden is situated is the traditional land of the Matinecock people, the first people of Flushing, Queens. Our Garden Admission will be free for all. We ask those who are able to make a 'pay what you wish' donation that will support indigenous groups through Niamuck Land Trust @niamucklandtrust and Shinnecock Kelp Farmers @shinnecockkelpfarmers, as well as sustainable land and water stewardship at QBG. On Oct. 10, the Garden will be open 8 a.m.-6 p.m., with special activities 11 a.m.-3 p.m., including farm tours highlighting indigenous farming practices, garden tours, a seed saving activity, educational and art-based activities, including books by indigenous children's authors, and more. Link in bio for more: https://qbgindigenouspeoplesday.eventbrite.com" (Queens Botanical Garden via Facebook)
• Developing developments in Queens: "'Queens is an ever growing and ever changing borough and as it continues to flourish, we see our real estate and development community bringing new and exciting projects and spaces to the area. These talented architects and builders are adding to the richness of the borough, and we look forward to coming together to honor their projects at our 2022 Building Awards on October 13 at the TWA Hotel,' — Tom Grech, president and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce." (Queens Chamber of Commerce via Facebook)

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• City Gate Productions Presents: Rabbit Hole by David Lindsay-Abaire (October 14)
• Poppenhusen's Fall Festival (October 15)
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Alrighty, you're all good for today. I'll see you soon!

— Emma Radu Fighera

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Queens Daily? Contact me at queens@patch.com