Friday, July 28, 2006

Astorian Weekend Edition 28.07.06

And here we go ladies and gents, still in the news....Astoria's Blackout. Lets all hope for the best this weekend, meaning full electricity for all!

Thursday and/or Friday nights catch some cool tunes over at Wassi Coffee Lounge (37-05 28th Avenue • 718-777-0544) Bossa Nova and Jazz and coffee and snacks... and wifi! This place is super cute and chill, and not just because its around the corner from me either!

Now we're in the thick of it! Fair time here we come. Get ready for bellyaches galore because for the next 3 days, you can eat all the greasy, sweet, sticky, fattening, delicious street food you could ever want. It started last night actually, but the St. Irene Chrysovalantou Monastery Fair will be running straight through til Sunday the 30th. Find it on 23rd Ave. from 35th to 37th St. and from 23rd Ave. to under the Amtrak overpass, not too shabby!

Head to the other side of town on Sunday the 30th and you'll be in on the 114th Precinct Civilian Observation Patrol on Broadway between Steinway & 47th Streets.

Want another Sunday option? Join in on the book swap taking place over at the Freeze Peach @ 2:00pm (22-00 29th St @ Ditmars). Bring books to share and be prepared to take something new, maybe something you wouldn't ordinarily read - or something you've been wanting to read and just haven't gotten to yet. This could be a cool alternative to trekking into the city for books.

Look alittle further into the week and on tuesday go laugh your funny bone off at Waltz Astoria (24th St @ Ditmars). Little did we know that you can find Matt Taylor and some other funny peeps there every tuesday from 9-10:30pm. I haven't checked it out yet but i plan to since i really do like the cozy vibe at Waltz. There is no cover, but a 1 drink minimum...ok twist my arm.... (they have a growing wine selection!)shouldn't be so bad.

A big internet welcome to fellow astorians over at the new local gay outlet, OUT Astoria. It should prove to be a welcome resource for the overlooked growing LGBT community and its allies.

Wednesday, July 26, 2006

Josh Irving...

... and I are about the only things actually left from Astoria on This Show Again!!! No seriously, Mike became a family man and moved to spacious Pennsylvania and Tom is off in Florida becoming some sort of creature of lore (tune in later for a link to his silliness). In the midst of all the confusion, they came together this week for a podcast update though, and who did they decide to feature on the show? Thats right, Jazz man Josh! Listen in and help support those of us STILL here... blackout and all :)

The guys actually joke with the idea of me taking over the show......hmmmm, nah

Thursday, July 20, 2006

Astoria Weekend Edition 21.07.06

Well, it's been quite a week...and potentially quite a weekend. No power or very little power throughout Astoria/LIC (and Woodside/Sunnyside) had made many people's lives a wreck. There's a lot of frustration and anger, but there are some things you can do to make yourself feel a little bit better. Check out about.com for a number of links and tips on dealing with the results of ConEd's nonsense. Especially notable is the link to the downloadable .pdf form to submit to ConEd regarding reimbursement of food spoilage. Residents can claim up to $350 and up to $7,000 for businesses. There's a lot of talk on astorians.com, here, here, and here. It's been a great resource for sharing observations and news about the power outage. Assemblyman Giannaris's statement in the Daily News just about summs up the general feeling out here in western Queens:

We need to get the power on. This is New York City, for God's sake. This is not a Third World country.... A lot of us feel abandoned....Two days of heat and the whole thing collapses out here? It's a real problem. It's like a disaster zone."

Word on the street is that there may be a City Council meeting to address this issue. More details to come in future days. And thanks to the Gothamist for the picture, which is right on target.

Temperatures should be in the low 80s this weekend, which is good news for those of us without power. Keep cool with these tips, and also perhaps check out Astoria Pool for some cooling down, or even just hanging out in one of the other local parks (Rainey, Socrates, Whitey Ford, Queensbridge, Gantry). You can check out the offerings at the LIC Boathouse, too - being on the water is often a place to stay cool. Friday night is the Chill Paddle and Sunday is the Hallet's Cove Paddle, the details of both can be found here.

Hoping that the power will be restored BEFORE the weekend arrives. Good luck everyone.

Friday, July 14, 2006

Astorian Weekend Edition 14.07.06

Friday from 7-9:00pm get down with some Jazz & Salsa out at Gantry Plaza State Park. A free concert in the nice outdoors is just what you need to get the weekend started.

On your way home from the salsa going on at Gantry Park, hit the El Rey Del Taco truck and sleep with a happy full belly! I will never NOT try Mexican.
I have been seeing this truck on 30th Ave. & 33rd St. at night on my way home. Like the good foodie that i am i did what had to be done... ordered up some dinner for myself and the lucky man at home! I had a torta al pastor (spicy pork) and he had a burrito de carne assada (grilled beef). The burrito was very nice but the torta because of the delicious pork rocked my world! They've got a small menu of dinners but about a dozen fillling options, so i'm going to assume that most everyone should be able to walk away with something to their liking. They are there most nights from 7 pm to 3 am and sometimes 4 am, awesome late night eats!!! get the el pastor... you heard it here...

Saturday from 11:30pm-1am, stop in at the Irish Rover (28th Ave & 38th St) to meet the lovely Miller Models and get $3 Miller Drafts. I tell ya, there is always something going on at the Rover...and never forget their 2 drinks on you, one drink on us deal!

Sunday come one come all, get your fair fix in! Join in with the Friends of Community Board 1 and shop and eat on 30th Avenue between 29th & 42nd Streets.

Pass by the Quinn Building on Saturdays from noon to 4pm, there is a fun display of images of "pleasure" over 50 years old. Laughter, Lager and Leisure

Since its summer and the kids are all home from school, they've got activities going on at Athens Square Park (30th Ave. & 29th Street) Tuesdays @ 10:30 AM. This week (July 18) the fun is all in the balloons with Allynn Gooen-Goowin's Balloowins.

Its a few days away but start your engine and get your blankets ready for movie night at Socrates Sculpture Park! This weds the 19th i'll be there to watch the Motorcycle Diaries. They have food available usually in the theme of the movie, so lets hope for some yummy South American cuisine.

And just because... buy some cool summer gear and work the "Astoria" chic, from The Greater Astoria Historical Society.

Friday, July 07, 2006

My Ironic Post Office Experience

I posted this over on my blog, but thought it was worthy for this blog as well, it being an Astoria experience:

Today I had to send a pile of documents to [un-named government department], and that involved standing in the l-o-o-o-n-g line at the Post Office ("Woolsey Station"). My mind was more on going over my documents rather than being annoyed by the line (well, I was a baby bit annoyed - it's the Post Office!). However, one cranky lady was NOT happy with the way the line was moving, and took it upon herself to let us all know, by screaming "OPEN ANOTHER WINDOW!!!" A little bit of time went on, and she repeated her screeching, "OPEN ANOTHER WINDOW!!!" Shortly after that, they opened another window! Surprise. She was the next person in line and when the bell went "ding" to notify the new open window she walked over and immediately said "This is terrible! All these people in line...!"

And then proceeded to ask, sweetly, "Do you have the LOVE stamps?"

Gave me a good chuckle.

Another try

Here we go again.....
Well this was a restaurant/cafe for about a minute in its last incarnation, 1 guess as to what it will turn out to be this time? I think it was called Dacine before or something like that, and it was actually very cute. Not too sure if this corner cuts the mustard though (30th Ave & 34th St). Guess we'll just have to wait and see....how fun... This is not helping the girls over at Alpha Astoria at all, add another one to your list girls!

Thursday, July 06, 2006

Astoria Weekend Edition 07.06.06

Well, in my mind, the big event this weekend is the Final Match of FIFA World Cup Soccer! It's Italy vs. France, and I'm sure with Astoria's substantial Italian community, there will be loads of people rooting for the Italian team. One of the best, albeit super crowded, places will be the Beer Garden, what with their 3 TVs in the Garden and 2 TVs inside, not to mention the great beer and tasty food. The game itself starts Sunday at 2pm, so get there early; I'm guessing the lines will be madness trying to get in. Other places I've heard that are showing the game: Sparrow, across from the Beer Garden on 24th Ave; the Irish Rover on 28th Avenue near 38th Street; and McCanns Pub on Ditmars and 37th Street. No matter who you're rooting for, though, enjoy!

Elsewhere around town on Sunday is an Alexander Technique class at The Yoga Room. It's from 3:30-5:30pm and costs $35. Alexander Technique is wonderful bodywork that really helps you become aware of how you carry your body. Musicians often use AT as therapy for bad posture and for re-aligning parts of the body. It's wonderful stuff. While you're there, take advantage of signing up for their current special, 3 classes in 3 weeks for $25! Quite a deal, I must say.

If you want to make a difference in your community, hop on over to Queensbridge Park this Saturday from 9am-2pm. Hosted by Friends of Queensbridge Park Committee, help spruce up the park with a fresh coat of paint. The park is at 41st Street and Vernon. All are welcome!

More fun, here.