More Weekend Events

There are a number of "green" events happening this weekend. Thanks to Green Shores for compiling them:

Saturday, August 22

Focus Group: "Improving the Quality of a Community" Needs Survey. 10 a.m. - Noon or 1PM-3PM Long Island City Library (21st Street and 38th Avenue). Project 126 of the Elmezzi Foundation is sponsoring a series of focus groups to improve the quality of a community needs survey. If you’re a resident of zip codes 11101, 11102 or 11106 please contact aongoco@elmezzifoundation.org or call 718-213-8600 to RSVP.

Pickling Fest (Let's Make Pickles!): 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Two Coves Community Garden, at the triangle where Astoria Blvd, 30th Avenue and 8th Street intersect.

Curious Frog Theater: Plutus 1-2:30 p.m. in Astoria Park. A contemporary version of Aristophanes’ ancient Greek comedy.

Romeo and Juliet 5-6:30 p.m. in Socrates Sculpture Park (Vernon Boulevard and Broadway).

Sunday, August 23

Astoria Water Walk: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at Astoria Park (Shore Blvd. between Ditmars and Astoria Park South). Join the Astoria Park Alliance & Green Shores NYC in re-experiencing Shore Blvd. on this Department of Transportation sponsored temporary pedestrian street. Shore Blvd. will be closed to motorized vehicles during the above times and the street will be filled with fun activities and programming! A complete list of scheduled events can be found here.

"Find Me In Here" dance performance: 2-3 p.m. in Rainey Park (Vernon Boulevard and 34th Avenue). A dance about you and the group.

Astorian Weekend Edition 18.09.08

Summer is on its way out, but not before a weekend's worth of street fair activity. The Hellenic Orthodox Traditionalist Church of America celebrates Thursday right on through to Sunday at 26th St between 23rd Ave and the Amtrak trestles. It's not huge, but I'm sure it can hit the spot.

Friday night at around 8 p.m., the free wheeling peeps at Astoria Music & Arts offer up free music from various artists. All you have to do is bring yourselves and your own refreshments. It's going to be held at their "Headquarters" (25-20 36th St). Hit up the myspace page and RSVP; it is, after all, a small location.

On my block there used to be a ton of homeless cats that were cared for by an elderly lady. Since she's not around anymore, poor little ones have had to fend for themselves. If this sounds familiar to you and you are an animal lover like me, then come to this meeting to discuss humane ways to help and curb the population. It's on Saturday at 2 p.m., run by the NYC Feral Cat Initiative, a program of the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals, and Neighborhood Cats, at Steinway Reformed Church (21-65 41st St).

Before it gets too cold, make sure you get over to Astoria Park and help clean up after the summer's partying. Bright and early at 9 a.m. on Saturday, work with the folks from Green Shores NYC in partnership with Astoria Park Alliance, Astoria/LIC Catalyst Project, and NYC Department of Parks and Recreation. You can find them at the War Memorial on Shore Boulevard.

Don't forget Restaurant Week is happening and some of our local spots are even participating during the weekend!

Astorian Weekend Edition 27.03.08

Well, it's a pretty mellow weekend here in Astoria. But there are a few things I want to highlight:

Last week I finally made it to the wonderful Zenon Taverna (34-10 31st Avenue). We loved the relaxed vibe that night, and enjoyed the food very much. We opted for the Kypriaki Mezedes (Cyprus Meze - Meal). For $17.95 each, we were presented with am amazing amount of food. Every college kid should know about this - you can eat for a couple of days on what they feed you! My favorites were the skordalia, tzatziki, and the various meatballs. A wonderful meal can be had there - if you haven't been, definitely check it out.

Saturdays have been Smoked Tomato Bisque days at Il Bambino (34-08 31st Avenue). This has got to be one of their more popular soups, because it's fan-tastic! I had some last weekend and wanted to lick the bowl. I recommend getting the smoked garlic butter and parmesan crostini. Everything else on the menu is good, too. But get that soup!

New wine bar, Winegasm (31-86 37th Street), is having their soft opening on Saturday. Despite the controversial name, the owners are enthusiastic and excited about becoming part of the culinary community in Astoria. For the soft opening there will be a limited menu and everything will be half price.

My colleague Anne Mironchik is playing at Waltz (23-14 Ditmars Boulevard) this Friday night! She's a very talented singer songwriter and will be participating on the Songwriters Showcase series that night. I'll be there - perhaps I'll see you there, too! $10.

Finally, from Green Shores:

What: Learn how to care for young street trees and greenstreets at this popular workshop. You will receive a free set of tools and get to apply for a Parks Volunteer permit to garden and maintain young trees and greenstreets throughout the city.
When: Saturday, March 29th, 10am - noon.
Where: ARROW Community Center 35-30 35th Street (between 35th Ave.and 36th Ave.)
Sponsored by: Green Shores NYC, Partnerships for Parks, and NY Tree Trust
RSVP: Please RSVP to greenshoresnyc@yahoo.com