Astorian Weekend Edition, 05.11.09

This weekend brings us Leaf Fest, right here at Astoria Park. The Astoria Park Alliance, working with the Queens Botanical Garden/Queens Compost Project, is collecting your fall leaves for composting (volunteers will turn the pile and gardeners will be able to partake in the compost come spring). Bring them with you to the Astoria Park parking lot on Sunday the 8th, between 11 a.m and 1 p.m., and volunteers will be happy to collect what you have. You'll be able to learn more about composting, too. If you can, please bring any non-perishable food items to donate to local food pantries. Leaf Fest continues on Sunday the 15th and 22nd, too.

Craving pork by chance? Head over to Sac's on Broadway for their annual pig roast. Around 8 p.m. on Thursday night the pig (actually two of them) will be cooked to the point of juicy deliciousness, having roasted on a spit all day. Call 718-204-5002 for reservations on Thursday, November 5 and Thursday, November 12. Sac's is at 25-41 Broadway.

Rèst Âü Ránt, home of the diacriticals, is turning two this weekend! Saturday hails their anniversary party, complete with live music, specials, passed hors d'ouvres and more! Party starts at 9, yum. The fun lives at 30-01 35th Avenue.

Remember the crap weather on October 24th? It totally harshed the plans for It's My Park Day at Queensbridge Park, so much so that they had to postpone it! Good news: this Saturday's the day! The event starts at 10 a.m. and goes til 2 p.m. Consider registering if you're part of a group (contact greenshoresnyc@yahoo.com to register or if you have questions). Snacks and supplies will be provided for all volunteers.

Finally, Waltz Astoria (23-14 Ditmars Boulevard) presents The Ultimate Singer-Songwriter Contest. Details for contestants are here, and it looks like it could be a really good time. The festivities start at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and the Sunday finale starts at 8 p.m. Come see and support great local talent. Also try the pumpkin pie - it's totally NOM-able.

It's My Park Day at Queensbridge Park.

Have you ever been to Queensbridge Park? I have a few times, and it's a pretty nice space. Great river and city views, places to relax, family-friendly... and you can help it stay beautiful!

Queensbridge is participating in It's My Park Day, Saturday, October 24th. Join in the citywide celebration of making our favorite parks ready for the winter. Press release follows:

ASTORIA/LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y. – Winter is right around the corner! Join with Green Shores NYC and the Friends of Queensbridge Park Committee for It’s My Park Day (IMPD) on Saturday October 24th, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. IMPD will take place rain or shine.

The event will give residents of Long Island City and Astoria a chance to spruce up Queensbridge Park after an event-filled summer. Within a few hours, volunteers will take part in several projects, including painting, planting and general park cleanup. Arts and crafts activities for all ages will round out the day.

Queensbridge Park is on the waterfront and provides breathtaking views of the Queensboro Bridge (also known as the 59th Street Bridge), East River and Manhattan skyline. It’s heavily used by children, families, cyclists, runners, and amateur sports teams. Built in 1939, the park features baseball fields, a multi-use field for soccer and football, volleyball and handball courts, a marked bike path, a playground and barbeque areas. Over the past few months, Queensbridge Park has been the site of a festival celebrating the Queensboro Bridge’s Centennial, a concert by the Metropolitan Opera, puppet shows, and innovative dance and theater performances.

Everyone is welcome, but children must be supervised by an adult. This is a great opportunity for community organizations, businesses and schools to volunteer as a group in their community. Volunteers are advised to wear old clothes and shoes and to be ready to roll up their sleeves and have fun! Refreshments will be provided for all volunteers.

All volunteers are asked to enter the park at the 41st Avenue/Vernon Blvd entrance and report to the registration table on OCTOBER 24TH at 10 AM near the field house. By train, take the F to 21st Street/Queensbridge and walk west on 41st Avenue to Vernon Boulevard.

Event Details:
GREEN SHORES NYC and THE FRIENDS OF QUEENSBRIDGE PARK COMMITTEE
It’s My Park Day! in Queensbridge Park
Saturday, October 24th, 2009, 10 AM to 2:00 PM
Queensbridge Park (Vernon Boulevard and 41st Avenue)