Cold Vodka Goodness on a Hot Day

When we were away last week we visited the Dogfish Head Brewery. Thay make great beer and also their own vodka called Blue Hen Vodka.

We've got mint running rampant throughout the community garden, so Steve-o made this.

Tomatoes

We came back to about 50 ripe tomatoes at the community garden. Steve picked them.

Joey's Back in Astoria

Hey there Kids,

Joey was out of Astoria this past week. I had a sweet vacay that included wiffle ball on the beach, catching a shark, a minor league ball game and excessive baking. What more could I ask for? But I'm glad to be back in my Astorian homeland. My buddy John at About.com pinch hit for me on the Weekend Edition bit. You should check it out.

I'll post some choicey pics from this past week soon. I've got some exciting reviews and other tasty Astorian morsels in the queue for this week so don't touch that dial.

Weekend Edition 05.07.22

This weekend, don't be shy. Do something nice for my birthday. Go for a walk, or take advantage of your limberness in the heat - do some (free) Tai Chi. Live it up.

Okay, okay. You've enjoyed the weather. Now you want some air-conditioned viewing pleasure, but you've already seen Wedding Crashers three times. Perennial fave Blow-Up will be screening at the Museum of the Moving Image. Go early and catch Gumby. 1960s Italian film not cultural enough for you? Okay, option 2: Visit the Argentine club scene at Local Project's Red Argentina.

Sunday, grab a salty snack, win a cardboard-stuffed toy, or hear some highly amateur singing at Broadway Station's own street fair with karaoke from 1 to 6. Catch some significantly better music and BBQ at lic bar that night. Make sure to seal the deal with one of their single malts while you're there.

See About.com Edition.

News & Notes 05.07.21

Congressman Anthony Weiner still grasping at the memory of the now-defunct Olympic Village...Read Article

High-tech solution for all the disgusting people who litter in our neighborhood...Read Article

Astoria Can Cool You Off

Feeling like you've been been alternating between frigid recirculated air and the hot humid sauna that is New York City all week?

Well, tonight you can cool off naturally along the East River waterfront for Socrates Sculpture Parks's outdoors presentation of Spare Parts or you can enjoy a nice cool Spatan while debating whether or not Bush is a dumbass in the ever-so-lovely beer garden with Drinking Liberally.

Head's Up to Pretty-Up the Waterfront

You've got a hankering for sun, green grass, and ice cream. It's summer! You go to Astoria Park, walk down to the rail, wink at the motorcycle dudes and lean into the breeze.

Then you lean over and almost barf after seeing all the crap littering our shoreline. Well, at least now you know where air conditioners, McDonald's soda cups and lotto tickets go to die. If you're a lame jerk who litters. Eeow.

Help Astorians clean it up. We'll be scheming with the New York City Partnership for Parks this Thursday in the lovely Socrates Sculpture Park.

The Best Freaking Birthday Present I Could Ever Ask For

Joe, this was a little extravagant, but hey - I like it! Thanks!

Cassidy's Blow-Up

A few months ago I wanted to blog an image seared into my brain when Steve and I popped into Cassidy's (Broadway & 35th) to watch the end of the Yankees game. Sadly, the batteries in my camera were dead.

Cassidy's is seriously a shitbox. Have you ever been there? It's a weird attempt for the owners to re-live (or relieve?) their fraternity days. Several months after opening as Bottoms Up, this storefront re-launched as Cassidy's.

Cassidy's is very dark, has a small stage in the window, booths, a pinball machine, and those chili pepper lights sported by Jimmy Buffett fans. It has a collection of shot glasses behind the bar potentially collected during Spring Breaks next to a collection of crappily-flavored liquers. It's always dark as hell, but the booths (of which there are only two) have an excellent view of the largest TV ever invented, plus four more TVs. There is never anyone in Cassidy's. On the Yankee's opening day, the bar was more crowded than I'd ever seen it - maybe 10 people. They ran out of beer.

Cassidy's has a "Ladies Night" every Thursday advertised by flyers apparently made with the 1990 release of "Print Shop" which include a pixilated image of what appears to be a naked, passed out, woman.

They also feature terrible bands. Seriously, awful music that must be avoided. In addition they have a "tiki lounge" - a claustrophobic outdoor space with plastic tables, chairs, and a cement floor.

The bartenders range from friendly to obnoxious. One fine Sunday, the bartender was nearly screaming on the phone for 3 innings about her friend's wedding. But we were fortunate enough to be distracted by not only the game, but also the naked, female blow-up doll hanging upsidown next to the widescreen, written on in lipstick - said image.

During this past Yankees v. Red Sox series, after a many-month hiatus, we decided to give Cassidy's another try. The evening ended with the owner literally dragging a very young woman out of the bar by her clothes and, of course, a visit by the police. Needless to say, we missed the end of the game.

I don't think a name change can save this bar.

Joey Rocks the Party For Her Birthday in Astoria

Weekend Edition 05.07.15

We all know that waterfront times are a-changin'. See how. Let NYC whiz, Jack Eichenbaum, show you Onboard the Left Bank Bus this Saturday.

If you missed Granny's garage sale this year, you've got a second chance. Sal Val's having a special Summer Sale / fundraiser thing. Treats, drinks and "miscellaneous items". Couldn't've said it better myself. It's Saturday on Broadway & 46th Street.

Toss on that new vintage cami and grab the kiddies if you've got 'em. Or drag of friend. This weekend Queensbridge Park is having Children's Fest from 11am - 6pm. It's going to be awesome. Particularly if we can convince my pal to juggle fire. Dude, don't you guys want to see someone juggle fire? You don't go throwing that out at parties if you're not going to walk the walk. Consider it my birthday present, Dude.

Sunday get your fill of fried dough and drunken encounters with the neighbors at the 30th Ave Street Fair. In the PM slaughterhouse chicks represent at the debut of "The Gut Girls" at the Chocolate Factory. Too bad their not slaughtering chocolate.

PS. See About.com Edition.

Astoria Park: Park of the Month

We like it all year round, but the Queens Gazette just tuned in. Here's a little blurb about our favorite sunny spot. And some neat maps n' stuff on the Parks website.

Joey's Birthday in Astoria

So, these next two weeks are my birthday. Yeah, you heard me. I get two weeks. You only get a day. Suckas.

I know you're thinking...should I get Joey that island in Micronesia or a custom high altitude jet plane? Well, that is a tough call.

Below I've listed the three food pantries I know of in Astoria. In honor of the day of my birth, please find the one closest to you and give a pal some foodies. You'll be glad you did.

Iglesia Hispana de la Comunida
36-16 Astoria Blvd.
Astoria
(718) 205-8225
Every other Saturday, 7-10 am.

New York School of Urban Ministry
31-65 46th St.
Astoria
(718) 204-6471
Tuesday, Friday 10 am-12 noon

Salvation Army/Astoria Corps
45-18 Broadway
LIC/Astoria
(718) 721-9046
Friday 9:30-10:30 am

If you're so lazy that you think Netflix and Fresh Direct have changed your life (see my picture in the dictionary here), then check out City Harvest who's never made it easier for you to help.

PS. They say it's good to call ahead and see what the food pantries need before donating.

Gross + Mean = Office Life

Do you ever wish that the guy who sits next to you making gross noises all day actually sat next to the wench in legal who's the most miserable office creature ever invented?

Buena Vista Social Club @ Socrates

Don't miss Buena Vista Social Club tommorrow at Socrates Sculpture Park. It beats two flights worth of airplane food.

treats

treats
Originally uploaded by jggrossm.

us Astorians eat pretty freaking well.

LIC Greenmarket

Aw yeah - this is what I'm talkin about.

LIC Bar

Whoa, that grilled cheese is magic after a few cold ones.

Weekend Edition 05.07.08

Tonight, drain away the mysterious noises coming from the cubicle next to you or the highly non-ergonmic chair-like creation in front of your computer with some of Sutra's punch.

Tomorrow, start the weekend out right. The long awaited, much lobbied for, soon to be devoured Long Island City Greenmarket starts. Be there, or be stuck with the rotting grocery store variety. Inspired to paint a still-life of your new found fruit? Learn how in watercolor at the Local Project.

Sunday, cruise through the Brooklyn-Queens divide. Jack Eichenbaum will tell you all there is to know about Newtown Creek. Then go rock out with Mike D's sitar playing pal Ravi Rao at the Noguchi Museum.

Happy Weekend!

- Joey

PS. See About.com Edition.

Very sad about London. Lots of us here know how they feel.

Non-Disgusting Produce, Now On Sale!

Tired of getting up at the crack of dawn to elbow Danny Meyer away from your favorite strawberries at the Union Square Greenmarket? Elbow, you shall no longer!

Astoria and LIC now have our own greenmarkets starting this week.

Long Island City's is on 48th Street & Vernon on Saturdays from 8-3.

Astoria's is on 31st Av betweeen 12th and 14th streets (huh?). On Wednesdays from 8-5 (what?). Talk about getting the short end of the asparagus.

It'll be worth the bike trip. See you there!

Queensbridge Houses Documentary

Check out this Queensbridge chick...I hope she pulls it off. I'll be looking for it on Netflix!

Zorba the Greek @ Socrates (free!)

What - if not outdoor cinema - is summer in the City for? Might as well be off in the Hampty-Hamps. Well, Wednesday (today) attend the culturally relavant "Zorba the Greek" at Socrates Sculpture Park at sunset. There will be souvlaki available as well - no joke!

One of the many reasons I love the Village Voice

Sutra's Simple Summer Punch
1 ltr. vodka
2 qts. lychee juice (can use canned)
1 pound red seedless grapes
10 oz. sugar
4 lemons (juiced)
2 limes (juiced)
Remove the stems from the grapes and mash up with the sugar. Combine with the rest of the ingredients in a big punch bowl, cover, and refrigerate for an hour. Ladle out the punch over glasses of ice.

PS. This is *so* good.

finale

finale
Originally uploaded by jggrossm.

yay!

Weekend Edition 05.07.01

Fourth of July is our time, folks. You'll want to be on the Queens side of the East River when the fireworks begin Monday night.

Get a jump on Monday this Friday. Ooh and aah at our very own sparkly pyrotechnics in Astoria Park at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday morning, meet up with the LIC Boathouse
gang at Anable Public Pier (end of 44th Dr) at 10 a.m. for Art Paddles and
canoe along QNS & Brooklyn to DUMBO for some gallery hopping.

Didn't get your art fix? Art Paddles will be back in time for P.S. 1 to kick off its oh-so-hot Warm Up this Saturday.

Since beloved BBQ joint Pearsons picked up stakes and moved to
Manhattan, you'll have to cook out on the sidewalk on the Fourth, but
barbeque you still shall (FYI: I'm not so sure about the legality of
this). Meet your neighbors. Then head back to the water to see the
main event.

Ooooh!...Aaaah!