C R Y D E R P O I N T 16JANUARY Hundreds show support for Astoria boy with rare disorder Broadway Stages to build massive sound studio and retail complex in Glendale BY LIAM LA GUERRE Glendale is ready for its close-up. Brooklyn-based television and film production company Broadway Stages plans to build a massive film studio and retail complex in the neighborhood with existing warehouses. The firm purchased Atlas Terminals, a huge industrial park with buildings adjacent to The Shops at Atlas Park mall, for $19.5 million. “We’re excited to turn the existing warehouses at Atlas Terminals into some TV and film studios and create rental space for local mom and pop retail businesses,” said Jackie Kessel, Broadway Stages spokeswoman. “We look forward to working with local officials as we develop our plans to draw on all of the energy around Atlas Park, bringing new jobs, business growth and economic development to Queens.” The site comprises 82-10, 82-04 and 81-80 Cooper Ave. There are 21 buildings and multiple parking areas on the site with about 500,000 square feet of building space. Damon Hemmerdinger of ATCO Properties, which foreclosed on the Atlas Park Mall in 2009, sold the 16 cryder point courier | JANUARY 2015 | WWW.QUEENSCOURIER.COM property to Broadway Stages. Hemmerdinger began shopping the 11-acre Atlas Terminals site in 2011. The Broadway Stages representative did not say when the studios will open. Map via Google Maps BY ANGY ALTAMIRANO Hundreds of people flocked to an Astoria bar this past weekend to show 6-year-old Gabriel Santini Naughton and his family that they’re not alone in his battle with a blood disorder. On Dec. 7, friends of the Santini Naughton family held a fundraiser at The Quays, located at 45-02 30th Ave., to raise money for Gabriel, who was diagnosed in September with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a rare, lifethreatening autoimmune blood disorder. Although Dana Naughton, Gabriel’s mom, prefers not to say how much was raised, she said over 400 people came by to the corner pub throughout the course of the day. “It was so successful. It’s definitely going to make Christmas comfortable,” Naughton said. “The emotional support of having the community come together was amazing. It looked like a St. Patrick’s Day celebration.” Before Gabriel’s diagnosis, his mother had given birth to his second sister and was on maternity leave from her job as an attorney for the city’s Administration for Children’s Services. In order to continue to care for Gabriel, Naughton is still on leave. Her husband, Jaime Santini, who is a professional chef, has also had to hold back from working full time. Even through these difficult times, the family has felt continuous support from the surrounding Astoria neighbors. During the fundraiser, neighbors donated items ranging from theater tickets to a beer cooler that were used as prizes in a raffle. Entertainment for the day was also all donated, including face painting by The Cheeky Chipmunk and a show by magician Dave Cremin. There were also musical performances by Sean Wiggins, Roylurr, Sam Rasiotis, John Keegan, Jimmy Artache, Lauren Hunt and Lisa Marie Hunt. Other local businesses that donated their time, products and food included Avenue Chemists, Pronto Pizza, Off the Vine, Ovelia, Dilingers, Brooklyn Bagel, Phoenix Beer, Manhattan Beer, Mama Carmelo’s, William Hallett, Lauren Biniaris Yoga, Lost Sock, and Sorriso’s. “The community has been awesome from the get-go. But to see all these people in one space was incredibly overwhelming but in a good way,” Naughton said. “Gabriel loved it.” According to the 6-year-old, his favorite part of the fundraiser was the music and singing, and he felt “really happy” to have the party done for him. “It really is an example that human kindness is really alive,” Naughton said. A few days before the fundraiser, Naughton and her husband, found out that Gabriel’s disorder was environmental and not genetic. That means that it could be treated with medication and he will not necessarily need to go through a bone marrow transplant. Gabriel has also stopped chemotherapy. “We are incredibly relieved and optimistic to try another treatment,” Naughton said. “It’s a day by day-byday thing.” Naughton continues to keep an online blog at posthope.org/gabrielsfight with updates on Gabriel. Donations can also be made on the website. Photo courtesy of Dana Naughton (left to right) Rafael Salinas, Jaime Santini, Dana Naughton, James Kane and Dee Flattery, co-owner of The Quays.
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