Astorian Weekend Edition 10.07.08

This weekend provides a number of opportunities to contribute to your community! First, on Saturday is the Shoreline Cleanup at Astoria Park. From 1-4 p.m that day come join your fellow Astoria residents to help clean up the shoreline. Gloves will be provided as well as trash bags. Meet at the War Memorial on Shore Blvd. Wear comfy clothes and durable shoes - that means no sandals or flip flops (glass and crud, gross). Older kids and teens should be accompanied by a parent.

Saturday night come by Fresh Start Market (29-13 23rd Avenue) for a night of live music by Agua Trip, wine, cheese, and freelance photography to raise money for Smile Train, the world's leading cleft surgery charity. The event is in their back garden patio and goes from 7-9 p.m.

On Sunday, Seeds of Love is having their first sale of the summer. The proceeds from this sidewalk sale will go to help 9- year old cancer fighter Jessica Easle. She has Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare soft tissue cancer and has relapsed recently. The sale lasts from 2-7 p.m. at 24-37 Crescent Street. Free gift while supplies last, too!

On Friday night, the Whiskey Dregs are doing an open mic night at Freeze Peach (22-00 29th Street). Bring whatever you want. This is a free for all. Hosted by Carlos Detres, and signups start at 8 p.m.

On Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m., head down to Queensbridge Park for CityParks Dance: Eleone Dance Theatre & Silver Brown Dance Company. Free!

And remember that one way to beat the heat (it's supposed to be hot and humid) is a dip in Astoria Pool. Otherwise, grab some ice cream! There's great gelato at La Guli (29-15 Ditmars) and Martha's Bakery (36-21 Ditmars), and ice cream at Igloo (22-26 31st Street), ColdStone (34-20 Broadway) and Baskin Robbins (multiple locations). If you know other ice cream/gelato sources, please share in the comments.

Backyard at Fresh Start

The other day I stopped in at Fresh Start to buy cat food, and took a gander at their backyard space. It's a nice space, though I can do without the color scheme; I'm willing to look past it, though. Here are a couple of shots I took:


Personally, I love the wicker. And I hope to spend some time in it soon. Their food is pretty good, as are their juices. It's awesome to have them in the neighborhood!

News from Fresh Start

The other day I was at Fresh Start, the natural foods/organic grocery over on 23rd Ave between 31st and 29th (right between delicious Michael Angelo's and the nice people at Omega Wines), and as I was in the back getting cat food (Wellness - my kitty loves it!), I saw a door open...to a backyard patio! They are finally opening the outdoor/garden space they had talked about soon after opening a year and a half of so. It looks really nice. It's a space where you can take your prepared foods and and drink sit back and eat. They also want to make it available to community groups looking for a space in which to meet. I think it's going to be a really nice addition to the area.

Also, the owner told me that they are going to make the changeover to environmentally serving products soon (the order has already been placed). That means instead of plastic cups and straws, they will be made of corn, similar to what Freeze Peach uses. Also, they are going to provide biodegradable cutlery, and I guess maybe serving containers.

Big thumbs up!