20 THE QUEENS COURIER • FEBRUARY 16, 2017 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM Stew Leonard Jr. of local food store fame to be crowned a ‘King of Long Island’ BY THE QUEENS COURIER STAFF editorial@qns.com @QNS On Th ursday, April 6, 2017, Stew Leonard Jr., president and chief executive POLITICS AND MORE The bipartisan panda project BY MICHAEL FRICCHIONE The pandas are coming to NYC, and it’s about time, thanks to Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, who held a news conference last week, followed by a black tie panda ball, to help fund bringing a pair of giant pandas to the city. Maloney crossed paths with the adorable pandas in 2012, while travelling in China to meet with financial leaders, and has since worked on getting agreements from the Chinese Ambassador to the United States, as well blessings from Mayor de Blasio and Governor Cuomo. Maloney has also put together a broad coalition of political and financial stakeholders that range from former Congressman Charlie Rangel and former Mayor David Dinkins, to New York State Republican chair Ed Cox and former Republican candidate for mayor John Catsimatidis. Hank Greenberg, former CEO of AIG, is also helping raise some bamboo funds for the Chinese pandas, along with noted NYC philanthropist and animal rights advocate Jean Shafiroff. “We are the financial services center of the world; the media and publishing hub; a ‘foodie’ paradise; the nation’s leading fashion center; and the cultural center of the country. But in my view, we are still missing two key ingredients: a pair of giant pandas and a little good luck. Pandas are the symbol of good luck and I hope to bring them to our great city,” said Maloney in her announcement. Which borough, and where exactly, the pandas would be housed is still up in the air as plans calls for the design of a “panda pavilion” that will need the approval of Chinese zoologists since the pandas would technically be on permanent loan to New York. The last time a panda was seen in New York was some 30 years ago. In 1987, then Mayor Ed Koch made a push to bring two pandas to the Bronx Zoo. But their stay was short, leaving a couple of months after arriving. Currently only four zoos in the United States have panda bears: Atlanta, Washington, D.C., San Diego and Memphis. THE COURIER/Photo by Anthony Guidice Pictured are Victoria Schneps-Yunis; Carly Rose Nieves; mom Lisa Horner; Amy Amato, President, Star Network; and Tonia N. Cimino, Vice President, Star Network. Star Network Gives Back to The Carly Rose Foundation At this year’s “Stars Under For more than fi ve years, TCRF 40,” held on Jan. 26 at Terrace has devoted its energy to bringing on the Park, the raffl e proceeds aid and comfort to the families went to Innovative Resources of children with life-threatening for Independence and Th e Carly illnesses. Carly Rose herself Rose Foundation (TCRF). beat cancer twice, and now Lisa Horner and Carly Rose advocates to allow families to Nieves, recipient of the Star spend time and emotional energy Network’s New York Community on getting their sick children Bank “Inspiration Award,” well again, rather than the many stopped by Th e Courier’s offi ce fi nancial and other burdens they last week to pick up a check for face. $1,100 for TCRF. “I’m very proud to present this check to such a deserving charity, begun by such an inspirational young woman,” said Victoria Schneps-Yunis, president of Schneps Communications and p ublisher of Th e Queens Courier. To learn more about TCRF, visit http://www.carlyrose.org/. To learn more about the Star Network’s Ultimate Networking Events, visit www.starnetwork. com. offi cer of Stew Leonard’s, will be among the Star Network’s “Kings of Long Island.” Th is event honors top Long Island businessmen and leaders for their outstanding leadership and their contributions to the community. Stew Leonard’s, located in Airport Plaza in Farmingdale, is a unique, family owned and operated farm-fresh food store. Winners of the 2017 “Bethpage Best of Long Island” contest for “Best Supermarket” and “Best Garden Store,” Stew Leonard’s originally opened as a small dairy store in 1969 selling only seven items. Th e company now has fi ve locations in Connecticut and New York, welcomes more than 20 million visitors to their stores every year, and will open a sixth food store in East Meadow in summer 2017. Leonard lives by the mantra, “Rule 1: Th e Customer Is Always Right! Rule 2: If Th e Customer Is Ever Wrong, Reread Rule 1.” Th ese are chiseled into a granite rock at the entrance to each of the stores. In addition, Leonard, his wife Kim, and their four daughters have been nationally recognized for their support of children’s water safety through their own foundation. Th ey have authored two children’s books that have sold over 100,000 copies and, since 1990, have raised over $3 million to fund swim lessons and lifeguard training. Th e Star Network’s “Kings of Long Island” will be held on Th ursday, April 6, from 6 to 9 pm at Leonard’s Palazzo, 555 Northern Blvd., Great Neck. For more information, or to get your tickets, email aamato@starnetwork.com or call 718 224 5863, ext 201. Photo courtesy of Stew Leonard, Jr.
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