Dirk McCall de Palomá is a serious epicurean seeker of spicy and ethnic food, and a passionate connector of people. For the past two years, he has also been the executive director at the Sunnyside Shines business improvement district, a nonprofit funded by the city that promotes Sunnyside, Queens, as a destination. “I help businesses and empower communities,” said Mr. McCall de Palomá, 55, who plans cultural celebrations. “People come to me with problems; I find solutions.”The foodie in him loves that he runs the Taste of Sunnyside Restaurant Week. In 1994, he began renting his one-bedroom apartment in Astoria, Queens, on the top floor of a four-story walk-up.

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Persons: Dirk McCall de Palomá, ”, McCall de Palomá, “ Organizations: Sunnyside, Columbia University Locations: Sunnyside, Queens, Georgia, New York, Astoria , Queens