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10 The Courier sun • JUNE 12, 2014 for breaking news visit www.couriersun.com Former Woodhaven resident pens play about Sandy BY ERIC JANKIEWICZ ejankiewicz@queenscourier.com/@ericjankiewicz “The Flood,” a play written by then-Woodhaven resident Daniel McCabe as Superstorm Sandy roared into New York City, premieres this August at the New York International Fringe Festival. In the aftermath of the storm, his family in Queens helped with relief efforts and he was reminded of the importance of family and his neighborhood. “They’re the unsung heroes of New York City,” said McCabe, 34, who also stars in the play. “They’re the people who keep the lights on, who run the trains and give the city life.” The other actors and actresses in the play came from around the world to live in New York City and Queens. John Duddy, a former boxer from Ireland who now lives in Middle Village will also be starring in the play. And Emma Ishta, McCabe’s wife from Australia, is featured in the production. McCabe went to Saint Elizabeth School on Atlantic Avenue and 85th Street, where he was surrounded by the Irish working class. And he credits the characters in the neighborhood with influencing him to become a writer. “I was surrounded by storytellers, real characters that just knew how to tell you about things,” he said. “It’s an interesting conversation dynamic when you have the train on Jamaica Avenue going overhead every five minutes and you just have to stop talking for that time.” “The Flood,” which McCabe will also direct, takes place in the East Village just as Sandy begins to loom over the city. Charlie, his character, is a bartender dealing with family troubles and a suicidal brother. “A lot of the conflict of these characters has a lot to do with growing up in working class neighborhoods,” he said. Though McCabe, who has relatives in Forest Hills, Woodhaven, Bayside and Richmond Hill, now lives in Brooklyn, he and his wife often go back to Woodhaven, where his mother still lives. “Woodhaven will always be my home,” he said. Photo courtesy of Pavel Voz Daniel McCabe is the writer of a new play that takes place during Superstorm Sandy in New York City. Build It Back finally building momentum BY SALVATORE LICATA editorial@queenscourier.com   Damage Option Option Reimbursement Construction More than a year after Superstorm Sandy ripped Inspection Review Selected Design Checks Starts through Queens, the efforts to repair damaged homes Meeting and businesses are finally starting to pick up speed, officials said on June 6. As of There has been a marked increase in every category 12/31/2013 2,566 451 -   -  - -  of the relief process, including the issuance of 227 reimbursement checks totaling $3.4 million, according As of 227 (totaling $3.4 to a new report from the mayor’s office. There were 6/3/14 20,176 4,671 1,747 300 million) 42 no checks issued during the last administration, the report says. The first 42 construction starts of the relief effort occurred this year as well, officials said. Homeowners are still skeptical of the Build It Back said. “We’ve had the same experience everywhere we “Five hundred construction starts by Labor Day and process. go.” 500 reimbursement checks in the hands of the people, “The old commissioner let it get out of hand,” With the third round of Sandy relief funds coming to who have been waiting for a long, long time. That will Howard Beach resident Anthony DeRisl said. DeRisl the city, totaling about $639 million, “Everyone in the show people that every level of government is working suffered $77,000 in damages from Sandy and said he Build It Back program will get their assistance,” said for them. So things are working — and every one of has been to numerous Build It Back events but has yet mayoral spokeswoman Amy Spitalnick. us is going to push each other to keep going further,” to see any compensation. “Until every home is rebuilt and all the money is allocated,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said at a Build It Back event last “We want to know where all the money is,” DeRisl Spitalnick said, “our job isn’t done.” month.


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