News

Finnegan Shepard, Both& Apparel

glendaleregstg on September 16, 2021

Finnegan Shepard is the brand founder of Both& Apparel, which is devoted to transmasculine fashion. Shepard created this line of t-shirts to help people feel comfortable in their own skin, no matter where they are on their transitioning journey.
“Last summer I was recovering from top surgery and I started Googling ‘trans clothing,’” said Shepard. “I wasn’t very impressed.”
That’s where the idea for Both& Apparel sprouted.
“I interviewed and surveyed a bunch of people, and it turns out that the things that don’t work out for us are pretty common,” Shepard said. “It’s not really rocket science from a design perspective.”
Shepard’s brand is based on building a different fit and sizing system.
“It’s not all trans men who shop from us, but I think the simplest way to describe it is that the people who like our clothing the most are people who were assigned female at birth, but all want to present themselves in masculine way,” explained Shepard.
“Some identify as nonbinary, some trans-masculine, some are lesbians who want the masculine style,” Shepard continued. “We actually have a big fan base of cis women in Japan.”
Shepard is passionate about rejecting the binary system that’s left trans people out of fashion. As a vocal leader of the trans community, he says gender identity through fashion is more nuanced and complex than baggy fitting clothes and gender neutral colors.
“Not everyone wants to be trying to erase gender in their presentation,” said Shepard. “Many people want a more accurate way of expressing gender identity, and brands haven’t yet seen that or innovate fit to accommodate that.”

To learn more, visit bothandapparel.com.

F-ing express!

glendaleregstg on September 16, 2021

Dear Editor,
The maintenance planned for F and G lines is nice, but remember between 1968 and 1976, NYC Transit routinely used the middle track rush hours south of the Church Avenue Station for Manhattan-bound F subway line trains between Kings Highway and Borough Hall.
During the p.m. peak, it was used in reverse for Brooklyn-bound express service.
With future completion of Communication Based Train Control in 2022, NYC Transit could decide to extend rush-hour express service by operating more trains to stations south of Church Avenue using the middle track.
Manhattan-bound express service could run until 1 p.m., while Brooklyn-bound express service could start at 2 p.m. This could save thousands of commuters even more time.
More people work staggered hours rather than the old traditional 9 to 5 jobs.
Assignment of additional subway cars to the F line would require a minimum of additional operating costs and might make for a great MTA investment for improvement of service.
Why not take advantage of this underutilized asset upon completion of CBTC on this subway line?
Sincerely
Larry Penner
Great Neck

Fire Banks

glendaleregstg on September 16, 2021

Dear Editor,
Regarding Jessica Meditz’s article on September 1 (“Sliwa on homeless crisis”), in his interview with this paper’s editorial board, GOP mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa vowed to close 26 shelters filled with mentally ill and drug-addicted homeless people.
He blamed Human Resources Administration (HRA) Commissioner Steven Banks for forcing homeless shelters “down people’s throats with no transparency or discussion.” Sliwa promised to fire banks if he becomes mayor.
But his opponent Eric Adams has a different view. He told news media that Banks “is
doing amazing things” and hinted that he might retain Banks if he wins. That’s like putting an arsonist in charge of the FDNY.
Before joining the de Blasio administration, Banks spent 33 years with the Legal Aid Society advocating for the homeless. He filed a lawsuit resulting in a milestone 2008 settlement creating a permanent right-to-shelter law for the homeless in New York City.
New York is the only U.S. city that has such a law. During his tenure as mayor, Mike Bloomberg blamed the law for attracting people from all over the country to the city for a free roof over their heads.
He urged its elimination. Our next mayor must do the same and gain support from City Hall and Albany to make it happen. Readers should urge their representatives in the City Council and state legislature to revoke this wasteful law.
Sincerely,
Richard Reif
Kew Gardens Hills

Checking out

glendaleregstg on September 16, 2021

Dear Editor,
On Thursday, September 9, I received an email with the subject head “Maspeth Library is closed for the rest of the day due to today’;s heat conditions.”
A few days later, I received the following email: “Maspeth Library is closed for the rest of the day on Monday, September 13, due to today’s heat conditions.”
The message was sent at 2:30 p.m. The weather at that time was 84 degrees with 52 percent humidity. It was a beautiful day.
There is no reason for such closings, they are a disservice to patrons.
Sincerely,
Roger W. Smith
Maspeth

Driven insane

glendaleregstg on September 16, 2021

Dear Editor,
A reckless driver in Clinton Hill killed a three-month-old girl and left her mother critically injured. The car the killer was driving had 160 traffic violations associated with it.
Why was Tyrik Mott still behind the wheel? I am truly appalled and troubled about the many careless drivers out there who just don’t care.
A number of years ago, an 86-year-old neighbor and his dog were killed while crossing the street in Glen Oaks Village.
I’m a senior citizen and often worry about crossing the street. I believe more must be done to punish those who drive carelessly.
Sincerely,
Frederick R. Bedell, Jr.
Bellerose,

What’s the delay?

glendaleregstg on September 16, 2021

Dear Editor,
With schools reopening across the country, why is there still no vaccine ready for children ages 5 to 11 years of age? What is the FDA waiting for? It should have been working on this for the last several months.
Our children need to be protected in the classrooms, and time is of the essence. It has been reported that the FDA may have an approved vaccine later this year, why not within the next couple of weeks?
Put the medical pedal to the metal and get this vaccine approved for these kids.
Sincerely,
John Amato
Fresh Meadows