FEATURES Times Newsweekly Our Neighborhood: The Way It Was • Interesting People • Local History • Events Around Town And More 19 • TIMES, THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014 ‘WE CAN DO IT’ FOR THE FEDS Bill Boosts Contract Availability For Women-Owned Biz Eating Good At Ridgewood Festival Good food and deals were abundant during a street fair hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Glendale on Sunday, Aug. 17, along Myrtle Avenue between Fresh Pond Road and Forest Avenue in Ridgewood. The Times Newsweekly was among the event’s co-sponsors. (photo: Marcin Zurawicz) Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and Rep. Grace Meng, along with State Sen. Toby Stavisky and Assemblywoman Nily Rozic, urged the U.S. Senate to pass federal legislation that would expand access and opportunities for women-owned small businesses (WOSBs) seeking federal contracts. Big Band Concert Tonight In H. Bch. Bringing Back Tunes Of Yesteryear Big Band tunes will serenade Howard Beach residents during the annual Arnie Mig Memorial Concert tonight, Thursday, Aug. 21. Sponsored for the fourth year in a row by State Sen. Joseph Addabbo and the Brady and Marshak law firm, the concert will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. tonight at St. Helen’s Father Dooley Hall, 83-15 157th Ave. in Howard Beach. Arnold Migliaccio, also known as Arnie Mig, played swing tunes from the era to Howard Beach audiences for over 20 years. During this annual memorial concert, Frank Pedulla and the Music Staff Swing Orchestra will once again share that music with the audience in honor of Arnie Mig. Previously, the senator’s annual concerts have attracted hundreds of guests, dancing and enjoying the songs of years past. “Audiences, seniors especially, have been thrilled to hear the familiar beats of yesteryear. It’s my pleasure to host this concert, bring the music back to the people of the community and honor Arnie Mig.” Addabbo said. “Music can bring back a variety of memories and also give people the opportunity to make new ones. It’s important for everyone to relax and have some fun, and this event is, and has been, the perfect event to do so.” For more information, contact Addabbo’s Howard Beach office at 1-718-738-1111. This legislation would help level the playing field for hundreds of City WOSBs who want to access the sizeable market of federal contracts. Women-owned businesses are one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy—nearly 30 percent of all Queens firms are owned by women, according to the latest Census data—but they are systemically shortchanged in terms of being able to access the market of government contracting. More than two decades ago, Congress set a goal of awarding 5 percent of federal contracts to women-owned small businesses. Last year, nationwide, women-owned small businesses once again fell short of that goal with only 4.3 percent of contracts awarded. Across New York City, it was even lower, according to data from Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP), at 1.48 percent of all federal contract dollars. If women-owned businesses had received the existing 5 percent goal, Gillibrand stated, city women-owned small businesses would have grown their revenue by approximately $56 million dollars. Gillibrand and Meng are pushing for legislation, called the Women’s Small Business Procurement Parity Act, which aims to close the gap for WOSBs by helping them tap into opportunities for growth and job creation. The legislation would provide tools that are already available to other small business contracting programs. The House of Representatives passed a similar amendment earlier this spring. “Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and the most powerful job creators we have,” Gillibrand said. “And the fact is, women are the primary income earner for a growing share of homes across America. The key to a growing economy, and the key to an American middle class that is built to thrive in the 21st century is women. When we equip more Queens women entrepreneurs with the access and opportunities to achieve their best in the economy, and their best for their family, that’s when America’s middle class will thrive again. Without a doubt, if given a fair shot, womenowned businesses will help grow our economy.” “Small businesses are what drive the economy here in Queens and across the nation; and women-owned companies play a major role in making it prosper,” added Meng. “It’s time to knock down the barriers that for too long have blocked female entrepreneurs from doing more business with the federal government. Women-owned businesses have just as much right to Hospital’s Fair Offered Healthy Options Free health screenings and information were available to residents during Wyckoff Heights Medical Center’s annual health fair last Saturday, Aug. 16, near the hospital on the Ridgewood/Bushwick border in Brooklyn. Hundreds strolled along Stockholm Street between St. Nicholas and Wyckoff avenues to partake in various programs promoting good health habits. (photo: Marcin Zurawicz) -SEE WOMEN ON PG. 57-
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