Astorian Weekend Edition 20.09.07

May I suggest some dinner for tonight at Zenon Taverna or Mundo? You can get in on the Queens Restaurant week specials at these and several other spots throughout town. For only $20 (but not on weekends), I say go for it and try those places you've been meaning to get to!

You can also get your trivia on Thurs... along with $5 pitchers at Dillinger's (46-19 30th Ave). All the useless info your brain can handle brought to you by the Trivia Girls, another 5 bucks and 3 other friends will get you in on the action.

Have you seen the new face on Candy Plum (30-98 36th Street)? Well they've gone pink! Check out their new look and get in on a bunch of new designer originals and sales like crazy.

Last Resort Art Space (8-63 Astoria Blvd @ 12th St) has a show on Saturday at 9 pm. Can't beat 5 bucks for 5 bands! This party will go on until the wee hours so take an afternoon nap if need be :). Its a BYOB type thing so spending stays down (how's that for a cheap date!)

Sunday morning at 11 in Astoria Park, the Pug meetup group will be looking for YOU to create their new Pug T-shirt! HAHAHA I kid you not, they are holding a contest with prizes and all. Get more info here and maybe we'll see your design around town.

Filming at the precinct?

Its midnight and i just got a phone call from my best boy on his way to work to inform me that there is something brewing at the 114th tonight. He saw a bunch of lights and cameras set up. Anyone have the skinny on this? Am i missing out on some big stars 3 blocks away from home?
Should i have gotten my butt up and ran over there? Well, too late- i'm in my jammies and about to shut down. Just wanted to get this out there in hopes of some info from you guys!

thanks :)

Tonight! Grand Opening of Blue Streak Wines & Spirits in LIC

Via the calendar listing at Queens West:

The Grand Opening of Blue Streak Wines & Spirits will be held from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 at the store location: 47-20 Center Blvd., Long Island City, NY 11109. (Eastcoast building @ Pepsi Cola sign).

The event will feature Jan Shrem, owner of Napa Valley, Clos Pegase Winery, presenting: Bacchus the Rascal, A Bacchanalian History of Wine Seen Through 4,000 Years of Art, a vibrant & humorous multi-media presentation with over 100 wine-related images - DaVinci, Rembrandt, Dali, and Picasso, & more – plus a contemporary homage to wine. 8:00 p.m. Also at the event will be a tasting of amazing Clos Pegase wines! Terrific hors d’ oeuvres by East Coast’s own Celebrity Chef, Dave Martin! And, paintings by Long Island City-based artist Sandra Bloodworth. Her installation is a robust pairing of art and wine inspired by life with her culinary talented husband and their shared love for entertaining family and friends.

Free! Fascinating! Fun! (Reservations suggested. Seating space limited.)

Shoreline Cleanup Pictures!

On Saturday, members of the community got together to clean up the shoreline at Astoria Park as part of the International Coastal Cleanup. We were joined by the super volunteers from RockCorps - all teenagers, and really helped make a difference with there hard work. I took a lot of pictures of the event, and am including some of my favorites below.

Hooray for community involvement!



Photo credit: Meg Cotner via a Creative Commons license

Anna's Corner Is Now Athens Tavern

I walked by the location where Anna's Corner was (31st Street and 23rd Ave) and saw that a new awning had gone up with the name "Athens Tavern". I passed by there a week or so ago and asked a couple guys outside (they were taking a smoke break from their work on the space) what kind of restaurant it was going to be and they said "a fish restaurant". Not like we don't have many of those in the neighborhood. But, as Elias Corner and Taverna Kyclades get mixed reviews, maybe a new fish restaurant could give them both a run for their money. I just hope they don't get their fish from the Astoria Fishery on 31st Street - that place smells rank!

What can you say to this?

So there has been alot of coverage lately of crime in Astoria.
I just don't know what to make of this one though...



* don't quote me on this but i think i ripped it out of the Astoria Times or Ledger or something or other like that form the 13th

Queens Restaurant Week

It's restaurant week here in our fair borough! The lunch and dinner specials - around $20 for 3 courses, tax and gratuity separate - happen this week until Thursday, September 20th, and then Monday, September 24th to Friday, September 27th. There are a number of places participating in Astoria and Long Island City. Thanks to John at about.com for putting this Queens Restaurant Week information together:

Astoria:
Arcos Restaurant, 33-05 Broadway, 718-204-2142
Barril Grill, 30-18 Broadway, 718-545-8498
Bartolino's Italian Restaurant, 34-15 Broadway, 718-728-7522
Euros Restaurant, 45-01 Ditmars, 718-204-0168
Gandhi Restaurant, 34-14 30th Ave, 718-956-7555
Margarita Ville Restaurant, 38-01 Broadway, 718-777-1707
Mezzo Mezzo, Mediterranean, 31-29 Ditmars Blvd, 718-278-0444
Mundo Cafe & Restaurant, 31-18 Broadway, 718-777-2829
Opa Souvlaki, 28-44 31st St, 718-728-3638
Paparazzi Restaurant, 40-17 30th Ave, 718-274-9312
Pinocchio Palace, 32-02 30th Ave, 718-932-4976
Ponticello Restaurant, 46-11 Broadway, 718-278-4514
Sanfords Restaurant, 30-13 Broadway, 718-932-9569
Time Cafe, 44-18 Broadway, 718-606-0500
Zenon Taverna, 34-10 31st Ave, 718-956-0133
Zorba's Souvlaki Plus, 29-05 23rd Ave, 718-956-7266

Long Island City

Da Gianni's Ristorante, 21-50 44th Dr, 718-707-0442
Island Restaurant, 35-15 36th St, 718-433-0690
Masso, 47-25 Vernon Blvd, 718-482-8151
Riverview, 2-01 50th Ave, 718-392-5000
Tennisport, 51-24 2nd St, 718-392-1880
Tournesol Restaurant, 50-12 Vernon Blvd, 718-472-4355
Waters Edge Restaurant, Continental, The East River at 44th Dr, 718-482-0033

Personally, my favorite in Astoria is Mundo and in LIC is Tournesol. What are your favorites?

Shoreline Cleanup - Reminder!

Tomorrow is the Shoreline Cleanup at Astoria Park - starts around 9am and goes to about 12:30 or so. Check my previous post for more info. Hope to see you there!

The Creek and the Cave

Last week I finally made it out to The Creek and the Cave in Long Island City; it's about a block from the Vernon-Jackson subway station. And it's interesting - you turn one way out of the subway and it's desolate. You turn another direction and you're just steps away from open businesses and foot traffic. LIC is definitely still developing and parts of it are still very industrial.

We walked in and were greeted by a very nice young man who gave us a rundown of where everything is in the space. There's a bar upstairs and downstairs, a room to play pool, a performance space next door, and a really great outdoor patio in the back with another smaller bar and plenty of tables, chairs, and a movie screen. They show films out there on Thursday nights during the warmer months.

We had some great beer - a Sol, which is kind of like a Corona but much better, and I a red ale from a brewery whose name I forget, but what was notable - beyond its real tastiness - was that it was from a brewery that is women-run in Pennsylvania. We also had a salsa and guacamole ($5.95) sampler which was also really good. The food itself was ok. I had three soft tacos, one of each filled with chicken, pork, and tofu. The pork was by far the best, savory yet sweet. We also tried chicken enchiladas made with flour tortillas, which to me is a little odd - I'm accustomed to enchiladas being corn tortilla-based. Everything was tasty but not stellar. I'd definitely give the food another chance, though, and try other things. I hear the burritos are particularly good.

The guy who served us was terrific, though. Super nice and helpful and gave us great suggestions when we asked for them. It was the kind of service that makes you want to leave a really big tip. And the movie (Kill Bill), while quite violent, was a lot of fun. I'm really curious to know what happens in Kill Bill 2.

So, overall, the beer is great, salsa and guacamole is also great, tacos and enchiladas are ok, service is very good, and the vibe is excellent. Laid back and relaxed, a nice place where you can just hang out with friends and enjoy yourselves. Oh, and they have live music there quite often. Definitely recommended.

The Creek and The Cave
10-93 Jackson Ave.
Long Island City
718-706-8783

Open for lunch, dinner and drinks Tuesday through Friday.
Dinner and drinks Saturday and Sunday.

Astorian Weekend Edition 13.09.07

One of my favorite events is happening this weekend, the Shoreline Cleanup. The big one will be in Astoria Park, starting around 9am, going until around 1pm or so. Check-in is on Shore Blvd across from the war memorial, and you'll most likely see me helping out there. It's a terrific event and a great way to contribute to the community. Be sure to wear sturdy shoes (that means no sandals or flipflops). And if Astoria Park is too far from you, from 11am-2pm that day there's a shoreline cleanup at Gantry Park. Gantry Park is located at at 48th Avenue and the East River. For more info, contact GantryParkFriends@aol.com.

Later that day is the re(Cycle) Plays at Socrates Sculpture Park. This is a free event with a bunch of local theater groups participating. From the press release:

THE (re)CYCLE PLAYS is a free outdoor festival of live performances in theatre, dance, and music with green themes. A dynamic mix of artists will recycle titles from the medieval Cycle Plays and pair them with today's leading ecological issues. This series of short performances will cycle throughout the day on multiple stages.

Also on Sunday, Flux Factory (38-38 43rd Street) is starting a new project, DeluxeFactory. There's a capitalist element to it, which I'm sure will be twisted by FF in their own inimitable way. Saturday at 7pm is the opening party, plus the gallery is open during the weekend.

The Astoria Symphony has a performance this weekend, too. They'll be performing the music of Wagner, Huff, and Brahms. On Sunday at 5pm they'll be playing in Astoria at St. Joseph's Catholic Church (43-19 30th Avenue). Tickets are $12 apiece.

Thursday night the Creek and the Cave in LIC (10-93 Jackson Ave) they're showing Kill Bill 2. I was there last Thursday and had a great time. The food is tasty, the beer is great, and it's fun to be outside in the back watching a movie. Kill Bill was terrifically violent but such a well-crafted film. I'm really curious to see how things happen in the second installation.

If you want to do some shopping this weekend, we've got great boutiques here in town: Kristees (24-01 23rd Avenue), Candy Plum (30-98 36th Street), Loveday 31 (33-06 31st Ave), The Blooming Company (22-75 31st Street), and Mimi's Closet (21-10 31st Street) come to mind. Such cute stuff!

And maybe a trip to Dolce Italia will be in your plans? I understand that apart from the delicious pastries they also sell bread. Pair that with some great feta and olives from Angelo's Food Emporium ( 31-27 Ditmars Blvd) up the street, and a bottle of Greek wine from Omega Wines over on 23rd Ave (29-15 23rd Street), and you're set. Don't forget some gelato later at La Guli (29-15 Ditmars Blvd)!

Coming Soon...

Ok, so I've got 2 places i'm keeping my eye on.
Astoria's first 7/11 looks like its happening over on 29th St and 30th Ave.
I really don't know why but i have to say it intrigues me. Just because growing up in NJ they were a staple i guess? But here? Do we really need one? Is the need for slushies and $.79 "Big Gulps" of syrup water of so overwhelming that they are planting one smack dab in the middle of our fair neighborhood? I guess so.
Will report back once they are open and i get a looksee :)

Then there is Soleil Coffee Shop. They finally named it and put up a coming soon sign scrawled on some cardboard. Its on Astoria Blvd. between 37th & 38th St. This makes me happy. Yes its another cafe and all but this forgotten territory needs one. I say this cause i live around the corner and this is right on the walk to the train. Fingers crossed big time on this place being cool. Shouldn't be much longer til its open, looking inside the couches and counter are all set up already. We shall see.....

The (re)Cycle Plays

THE (re)CYCLE PLAYS

at Socrates Sculpture Park
Saturday, September 15 (rain date September 16)
1 - 6pm

A free Community Eco-Festival featuring:
Confluence Theatre Company
Athena Kokoronis
Adam Matta
New Perspectives Theater
Studio 42
The Subjective Theatre Company
Anne Zuerner/The Roxanne Lola Movement Machine

Special appearance by The Rude Mechanical Orchestra
Festival design by Nicole Frankel and Robert Morris
(lineup subject to change)


THE (re)CYCLE PLAYS is a free outdoor festival of live performances in theatre, dance, and music with green themes. A dynamic mix of artists will recycle titles from the medieval Cycle Plays and pair them with today's leading ecological issues. This series of short performances will cycle throughout the day on multiple stages.

• Sets constructed from salvaged materials

• Powered by 100% bio-diesel

• Ye Olde Eco-Faire will showcase grassroots environmental groups

• Green Kids! area presented by Wingspan Arts with music by Astrograss for Kids

www.recycleplays.com
info@recycleplays.com
718-956-1819

Ditmars and 35th - Something's Happenin'

I am curious, like that man in the picture, as to what is going in at this "doomed" restaurant corner. It was mussels and frites, was empty for about 2 years, now...? I heard somewhere, "Mediterranean". I hope it's not sushi, we have too many of those in the neighborhood. Many hope for Indian.

Rose and Joe's and Rizzo's.

Over on Grub Street, they've noticed my penchant for Rose and Joe's Sicilian slices. So much so, that they wanted to know if they are really that amazing. Well, they got some responses! The result:

There was a bit of volatile reaction from our readers to the quality of Rose & Joe's Sicilian pies: “Any self-respecting pizza eater in Astoria will know that going anywhere but Rizzo’s for a square pie/slice is absolutely maniacal.”

I have to say, even though I love Rose and Joe's, I do love me some Rizzo's. Whenever I'm in that part of town and I'm hungry for a snack, Rizzo's tops my list. I love their slice with ricotta and tomatoes. Square slices are tasty, too. I think Rizzo's has some of the best pizza in Astoria. Oh, they are one of the few places around that sells RC cola "on tap".

Joey likes Rizzo's too! So does flooz, I believe.

FYI, though, I had a Sicilian slice from Rose and Joe's this weekend, this time topped with pepperoni, and it was crazy delicious!

Dolce Italia Bakery in Astoria

While walking home from a fun-filled afternoon with friends, my guy and I spied the Dolce Italia Bakery storefront outfitted with a "Grand Opening" sign. We went to open the door and the owners beat us to it, opening up and showing off all their delicious treats. The store is crisp and clean and the baked goods looked fabulous. Lots of Italian cookies, little tarts, big cakes, amazing looking marzipan fruits, cheesecakes, and my favorite, cannoli. We tried a hazelnut chocolate cannoli and a tiny little strawberry-kiwi tart. Both were really delicious! I loved the hazelnut and chocolate combo in the cannoli, plus the consistency of the filling was smooth yet substantial. The little tart had a lot of fruit flavor in it for such a little thing, and the pastry cream sitting below the fruit was clean and not overly sweet, and balanced well with the fruit. So, a big thumbs up from us. I'll be back for sure.

FYI, Dolce Italia is in the place of the old Modern Italian Bakery.

Dolce Italia Bread & Pastry Shop
36-06 Ditmars Blvd.
Astoria
718-278-4188

Socrates Emerging Artist Fellowship Exibition Opening

Astorian Weekend Edition 06.09.07

Show your love for our wonderful Astoria Park and get out your cameras! From now until October 8, submit your best shots and win bragging rights (and some real prizes, too) for A Salute to Queens Parks Photo contest.

Hey, we're post-Labor Day. Get in your kayaking time while you still can!

Saturday is Temperature Check '07 at Astoria Park. From 3:30 to 7:30 p.m., hit the raffles and science experiments all about global warming. Help look for answers and solutions to power needs and hopefully end the threat of Astoria blackouts while you're at it! No pressure... No cost to attend, just enjoy

presents two shopping extravaganzas in three locations at one place! Got that? There will be the Arts & Crafts Show AND a Vendor Market on Sunday at the Community Rooms at the Queensview Houses (rooms #7 & 14 & courtyard @ 21-15 34th Ave). Shop over 30 vendors worth of paintings, collectibles, antiques, memorabilia, & hand-made items all afternoon, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. There are door prizes - a $50 cash prize even!

Still need something to do, go grab a slice or two at Rose & Joe's (2240 31ST St)!

Upcoming: Shoreline Cleanup

Last night I attended the first fall meeting of the Astoria Parks Alliance. We talked about a lot of things, and one of them was the upcoming Shoreline Cleanup. I've participated in it since I moved to Astoria two years ago, and plan on being there this year too, in an organizational role. I'll probably be one of the people you see as you arrive and sign in.

The Shoreline Cleanup is part of the 21st Annual International Coastal Cleanup, a national event organized by the American Littoral Society. Thousands of volunteers around the world (80 countries, to be exact, and 20 sites in Queens) will be cleaning up their beaches and shorelines, as well as recording the garbage they collect there. The shoreline cleanup will be taking place here in Astoria at Astoria Park. There will also be cleanup events at Hallets Cove (near Hallets Cove Playground) and at Socrates. Here are the details from Green Shores:

• What: 21st Annual International Coastal Cleanup
• When: Saturday, September 15, 9am-12:30pm
• Where: Astoria Park Registration in front of the War Memorial, Astoria Park, along Shore Boulevard.
• Who: All are welcome, though young folks should be accompanied by an adult. Wear hard soled shoes and be prepared to get a bit wet and dirty. Garbage bags and gloves will be provided, though if you have your own gloves please bring them.
  
• Sponsored by: Green Shores NYC, Astoria/LIC Waterfronts Park Alliance, and Partnership for Parks

The cleanup is open to anyone who wants to help, who is 14 years an older. If you need more information or have questions, feel free to contact Karen Overton at 718-706-8044 or Karen.Overton@parks.nyc.gov . We hope to see you there!

Rose and Joe's Spells Delicious

I made a number of visits to Rose and Joe's today, because they are all too convenient for a quick snack before jumping on the subway there at Ditmars. They are one of my favorite bakeries in Astoria. Here are a couple pictures, one of the delicious cookies and one of the awesome sicilian slice. Enjoy!:

Astorian Weekend Edition 30.08.07

Welcome to the end of summer; that gets a frownie face from me. This weekend, of course, is Labor Day, so enjoy a few more days off before you have to put away your summer whites. I hope you have one last picnic (hello Astoria Park!) or BBQ (Randall's Island, anyone?) to attend. I'll be making a batch of something to share with friends this weekend.

Friday night consider going to an art opening, right here in Astoria. Argentinian native and LIC resident Graciela Cassel’s latest work consists of mixed media boxes in acrylic, wood and plexiglass. The opening reception is Friday starting at 6pm at the ArtHome Gallery (29-28 Newtown Avenue). There will be an open bar and live music; h'ors d'oeuvres will be served. Please RSVP to arthomenyc@gmail.com if you plan on going.

This weekend, there's plenty of jazz at Waltz-Astoria (Ditmars and 23rd)- Samba Saurus on Thursday, the Howard Britz Jazz Trio on Saturday, and the Naughty Waltzers on Monday. They've also got a happy hour going on - on Thursday from 8:30-10:30, buy one drink, get second 1/2 off! I had a mimosa there the other day and it was tasty. They've renovated their space, and it looks really nice. On Thursday there's jazz at the Beer Garden, too, part of their regular series.

On Monday, hit the last street fair of the summer, sponsored by the 30th Avenue Business Association. It's on 30th Avenue between 29th & 42nd Streets and lasts from 11-6. I can almost smell the grilled corn and mozzarepas from here!

The ever-eclectic Candy Plum boutique (36th Street at 30th Ave) is having a great sale this week and into the weekend. For every $20 you spend, get a $5 gift card! All clothing is on sale, plus they have a fabulous selection of earrings. The vibe is always fun there, too.

There's a new sushi restaurant in town! Sakura, on Ditmars near 36th Street, just opened and I've heard good things about them. Prices are great and the menu is extensive. Particularly notable if the ume shisho roll, apparently hard to find around here. Definitely worth a try. Also, my tip for your sweet tooth - Il Bambino has the best cupcakes in town. Their chocolate peanut butter cupcake is to die for, simply fabulous. They've also made a few changes to their menu, too.

And while it's not in Astoria/LIC, one of the world's major sporting events has been going on this week in Queens, the US Open. It's a short ride from Queensboro Plaza on the 7 train to Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Get the scoop on queens.about.com, along with tips to make your US Open experience the best ever.

The Neighborhood Has Eyes

Sometimes I walk home behind the newish Staples in the Ditmars neighborhood. It's a most unusual street in Astoria, in that it has a wonderful bit of landscaping that basically cuts the street into two parts. It's extremely pedestrian friendly, and is even accessible, with a path winding up the lower part to the upper part. It's friendly to dog walkers, too, but someone is abusing the space and not picking up the poo their dog leaves behind. The neighbors are aware and have posted up some signs alerting the irresponsible pet owner that they know he/she is neglecting their duty, and offering to help find a solution. There are even plastic bags supplied, hanging there on the fence. Here are pictures of the signs:



I hope the dog owner cleans up their act! Errant dog poo is totally disgusting.

Apollon- revisited

Awhile back i wondered about Apollon. Many of you seemed to be familiar with the place and spoke of it being a restaurant/cafe/bar/club type establishment.
Well its kaput.
Saw the for rent sign this weekend.

Let's see what pops up next!

Lucky Magazine Loves Kristees, Site, and Loveday31

Kristie from Kristees passed on the notice that the September edition of Lucky Magazine has rated Kristees as One of the Top 100 Stores to Shop in New York! Congratulations to her! On page 348 you'll see that along with Kristees, Site and Loveday31 both are part of On Our Radar: Astoria, and also in the Top 100. Congratulations to all!

Astorian Weekend Edition 23.08.07

Now Thursdays at Bungalo (32-03 Broadway) are their hot Latin night. Good to know if you're looking for some salsa with your cocktails!

Friday night, on your way home, pick up some desserts from Bakeway NYC (25-21 Broadway). It's pretty new and in the space of the old Edelweiss Cafe. The cupcakes are gorgeous ,if nothing else, go take a gander. We're talking affordable and tasty!

Saturday will finally be a bit warmer so go cool off at the Freeze Peach for an ice cream tasting! That's right, stop in and fork over $9 at the door and be amazed by the flavorful concoctions of 'Erick's Unexpected'. Salivate forward to... maple sausage, hot chocolate (spicy with ginger and thai peppers), apples and cinnamon oatmeal, strawberry basil, a magical mystery tea sorbet, and who knows what else! Along with crazy ice cream, there will be reflexology, tarot card readings, live music, and an open tea bar for your entrance fee.

At McCann's (36-15 Ditmars) you can enjoy (free of charge) the UFC 74 Respect, a PPV event live from Las Vegas. Fight starts at 10 p.m., but get there early to score a seat and dig into their full menu. It's all cooked with zero "trans fats," even the delicious buffalo wings.

Sunday is for doing good...or so say I for this week:)
A Seeds of Love Fundraising Sidewalk Sale raises money for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. Along with the monies going to the race, a portion will also be going to Paige. We're talking brand new, hot clothing/jewelry/handbags!!!! Oh, and teachers will be honored with free gifts for back to school (while supplies last)! Find these do-gooders at 24-37 Crescent St. between 24th Ave and Hoyt. between 1 & 5 p.m. on Sunday

Bike New York Photo Award

This past May was Bike New York, a cycling tour that visits all 5 boroughs. I was running that day down around Astoria Park, where one of the rest areas was, and I saw lots of bikes! They were heading there for the booths and grassy areas for a break, I imagine. Along with the ride itself, the Bike New York organization held a photo contest. The staff selected four photos as winners, a first prize and three runners-up. One of the runners-up features a terrific view of the Hellgate Bridge in Astoria Park! You can see it and more at the Bike New York Photo Contest page.

Photo credit: Simon Abrams

HipNoHop This Weekend

Just got this in my email box - it sounds promising!

HipNoHop

What: Let the local musicians entertain you with free music that blends all sorts of rhythms together. BBQ (veggie burgers or hot dogs/hamburgers) will be available for purchase in the patio area.

When: Sunday, August 19, 4PM-7:30 PM

Where: LIC Bar, 45-58 Vernon Boulevard.

Who: No cover charge; Dogs and children are welcome!

Astorian Weekend Edition 16.08.07

Looks like a nice, comfortable weekend coming up! Highs in the upper 70s with a little bit of clouds. This will be a great weekend for a couple of bike-related events going on. Friday, it's all about the kids: Teach Your Child to Ride a Bike! That's the name of a class being given from 10am-1pm at ARROW (35-30 35th St.), for kids and their parents (a parent of guardian MUST attend). The class will provide expert guidance on how to balance,start, stop, and steer. It's free, and the NYC Dept. of Transportation will be giving away free helmets, on top of it all. Also, there will be a raffle of donated bikes and scooters from Recycle-A-Bicycle. Pre-registration is required online or by calling 212 932 2453 x159.

On Saturday August 18, from 12-3pm, Recycle-A-Bicycle is having a bike sale at their LIC location (46th Avenue at 5th Street). Six kids through the Summer Youth Employment Program have been working at Recycle-A-Bicycle in LIC for the last 7 weeks to learn basic bike mechanic skills, and this is the final project. There will be adult bicycles and a few children's bicycles- all recycled and refurbished. Cash and credit cars will be accepted, and the sale will take place rain or shine.

There's also fun at Hellgate Social this weekend - music, djing, and movies on the back patio. Always a good time. And speaking of movies, MOMI has some interesting looking films about complex realtionships, including Drive, He Said, Charley Varrick, and Play Misty For Me.

Socrates Sculpture Park continues its pan-arts event,Float. Saturday and Sunday, from 12-7:30pm, come see different kinds of artwork, live performances, and videos by emerging artists Robert Boyd, William Lamson, Ola Vasiljeva, and Shana Moulton. Moulton's Whispering Pines video series ends with a performance on Sunday. Jan Rothuizen's Missing is a tree covered in posters for lost pets, possessions, and people. Sheila Ross and Laura Ten Eyck's installation, Yurt City, will also be on display.

Warm Up at PS1 (22-25 Jackson Ave in LIC) features DJ Spun w/Ben Cook, Eric Duncan, Woolfy Projections, Dewanatron & Ray Sweeten, and Zach Layton, going on from 3-9pm. It's a $10 admission for everyone but locals (bring proof of your Astoria/LIC address/zip to get in free). According to Flavorpill: "Rong Music hosts a lineup that's thick with dubbed-out beat makers, psychedelic incantations, and a proper dash of disco punk. Beyond the spinners, live sets include funk-fueled bass lines, temperamental synths, and all forms of robotic love." Head to Water Taxi Beach afterwards for Akalepse, and great dogs.

Food-wise, there's the aforementioned dogs at WTB. I hear that the pizza at Frankie's (31st Street between Ditmars and 23rd Ave) has changed a bit - an extra garlicky sauce, apparently. I don't necessarily think that's a bad thing. My fave really is Michael Angelo's on 23rd Ave (near 29th Street), which made me a fantastic Marghareta slice the other day. They have a back garden as well, which is so nice in the warmer months. But the place I'm most interested in is the new vegetarian/vegan restaurant run by the same people that run Sai Organics (30th Ave between 36th and 37th Streets), that is finally open!. This new restaurant is in the old Keystone Diner spot, 30th Ave just west of 31st Street. They are serving 100% organic food, too. This is very exciting!

More fun, here.

Freeze Peach got dressed up

So earlier this week, our favorite local tea shop and CSA pickup spot the Freeze Peach got a new awning! Hopefully now people won't have as much of an issue finding the joint!
(They are off the corner of Ditmars and 29th St. btw)

Greek 33rd Street Mural

Greek 33rd Street Mural
Originally uploaded by mcotner

This is the other mural on 33rd Street, across from the newly painted one I posted about yesterday. They have been cleaning it up, and repainting some things. Cadillac Man often sits under this bridge, visiting with friends who stop by. I'm glad they are cleaning up this mural, because the paint has been slowly chipping off and it's been looking a little lackluster. I look forward to when they finish the upgrades.

Ali's Kabab Cafe on No Reservations

There was chatter here and there about Tony Bourdain coming to town to eat at Ali's Kabab Cafe as part of his No Reservations show on the Travel Channel. A number of people said they thought they saw him on the streets of Astoria, but they weren't sure. Well, he ate at Ali's and loved it! Ali cooked him a bunch of offal, not my cup of tea, but it sure impressed Tony Bourdain. Here's the video - enjoy!

33rd Street Mural

33rd Street Mural
Originally uploaded by mcotner

This used to be a mural about firemen and 9/11, I think. Or maybe just about brave firemen. That got painted over and a group of high school kids painted a new set of images.

Attack in the news

We don't hear of this kind of assault in our neighborhood too often, so when it happens it can scare the holy hell out of us (well me anyway.)

If you still haven't heard the news- at approx. 11pm last night Aug 12, a 27 year old woman was robbed and sexually attacked in North Astoria around Ditmars and 26th St.
A police sketch has been released, so keep your peepers peeled for this sad sack of humanity.

If there was ever a time for the neighborhood to get on point, its now.

Anyone with information about the attack is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 800-577-TIPS.

Rock out!

OK people, there is no excuse to miss this (unless you hate him)
I am posting this way in advance... for dorks like me :)
Clear your calendars for the man - the myth - the legend- Tommy Lee
Thats right, the famously infamous MOTLEY CRÜE drummer/Ex Mr. Anderson will be spinning for the locals on Friday night September 7th at the Central Lounge. So get the gang together and stop by for what i assume to be a very eventful night!

Astoria, a Smarter Travel Destination

Today, SmarterTravel published an article called Take a walk on the local side of five top cities, and Astoria is one of them! Barcelona's Born neighborhood, London's Shoreditch neighborhood, Paris' 12th Arrondissement, and Seattle's Ballard district are the other four. The article mentions the usual suspects (MOMI, Beer Garden, Socrates), and it was nice to see both Astoria Park and delicious Mombar get some attention. Our friend John's site on Queens was also mentioned as another great Astoria resource.

Astoria is the place to be!

On the Radio

What a pleasure it was to be on the Brian Lehrer Show talking about Queens and blogging! This was the first time I’d been on the radio, and it was a great experience. The show was a follow-up to Monday’s show (8/6) featuring Brooklyn bloggers. Well, that generated a number of comments in favor of balancing the outer borough representation and giving attention to Queens bloggers as well. Thank you, said commenters, for the Queens love.

I was joined by two other guests, Steve Tiszenkel of Queens Central and Kel Sawyer of The Progressive Southside, both giving their own perspectives on the issues at hand. I’ve communicated with them this past year over email, and this is the first time I’d gotten to meet them; they are both really nice, intelligent, and well-spoken guys, with blogs that are definitely worth reading.

Thanks to everyone who let me know they listened. And if you didn’t get a chance to listen, you can with the audio player below. I hope you enjoy the show!

Blogging on the Radio - Better Late Than Never

As the writer and editor of OuterB, I've been invited to be on the Brian Lehrer Show TODAY!

The subject will be Queens bloggers, and between 11:25am and 11:40am I’ll be there along with fellow blogger Steve from Queens Central, talking about blogging, about Queens, and answering questions, whatever they may be. Specific details are a little fuzzy right now. But please tune in and have a listen (you can listen to it online if you don’t have a radio handy). I’m really looking forward to it.

The Brian Lehrer Show can be heard on WNYC, 93.9 FM and AM 820.

Astorian Weekend Edition 09.08.06

There's music at the park on Thursday, The Glenn Miller Orchestra will be over near Shore Blvd. and the river. Come after work and bring a blanket and some munchies- it starts at 7:30pm For more info: call (718) 728-7820 or visit www.centralastoria.org

Friday, Recycle-A-Bicycle's Summer Ride Club is in effect! Come and learn some urban cycling skills like traffic maneuvering (this should be handy for us city folk). This is an early one, 10am-3pm at their training center at the corner of 46 Ave. and 5th St. for more info: rideclub@recycleabicycle.org

Saturday is Children's Day at Queensbridge Park (41st Ave and Vernon Blvd). From noon-3pm, kids can learn to ride their bikes and just hang out and enjoy the day. There will be picnicking at 3pm to maximize the socializing! Sponsored by Queensbridge Park Committee

Summer is definitely still here by the looks of Steinway on Sunday- yet another Street Fair! We love those :) Catch it between 28th and 34th Avenues.

Saturdays and Sundays in August are filled with art at Socrates (Broadway at Vernon Blvd.) with the FLOAT installation. It's a biennial series of time-based and ephemeral works installed and performed throughout the Park- they've got it all- live music and art.

If the hunger strikes, try the new Valverde (corner of Steinway and 36th Ave) for some fresh Mediterranean flavors. I got all this delivered for $45 and 2 people were super satisfied.

Astorian Weekend Edition 02.08.07

Welcome to the first weekend in August! I'm amazed how time flies - seems like just yesterday we were ringing in the new year. It's going to be a hot weekend - great for staying inside in the a/c or hanging outside, whichever you are prone to doing. On Thursday, stop by Tell Astorya Cafe (37-05 28th Ave). Sign up at 7pm, show starts at 8pm for 2 hours. You have 8 minutes to show off your talent! If open-miking isn't for you, head to Waltz (23-14 Ditmars Boulevard) for some great Brazilian music in the form of Sambasaurus ($2 Cover, $7 Drink Minimum). Stephanie Wremble will be there Friday night, too ($10 Cover, $7 Drink Minimum). Thursday night also brings us the Waterfront Concert Series - the Marvelettes are performing this week at Astoria Park. Bring a blanket, some food, and friends and enjoy one of NYC's best city parks.

On Friday, you are invited to an opening reception of a group show at LIC's The Space. The show, "1s ad 3s", features artists Eileen Cohen, Adrienne Dowd, Chris Harris, Cristian Pietrapiana, Brandon Schreck, Aleks Zelenina, Jaya Lamba, and Kristy Schopper. The opening reception is from 7-9pm at their gallery, 25-17 41st Ave in LIC.

Saturday of course, bring us Warm Up at PS 1. This week's lineup: Psychic TV and Flaming Fire. DJs include Cool Gypsy Bogdan (Turntable Lab), In Flagranti (Codek Records), plus Ned Rothenberg. Warm Up goes from 3-9pm, and you can head to Water Taxi Beach afterwards for some dogs (meat and soy!) and fries, and views of the East River and Manhattan. If you want to stay cool, for years people have gone to the movies, and you can too at Astoria's own MOMI. Gone are the horror films and now they're showing a bunch of films from the Nixon Era. I'm sure they will be thought-provoking gems.

On Sunday, consider participating in Bike New York's Savvy Cyclist Workshop. Here, you can hone your cycling skills with instructor, Emilia Crotty. She will show you how to do basic bicycle maintenance and repair as well as teach important traffic skills. It's an all day affair, going from 9-5. Meet at the Recycle-A-Bicycle training center, corner of 46th Avenue and 5th Street. Everyone must bring a bike and helmet. Registration is required. Call 212-932-2300x131 or email emiliac@bikenewyork.org for more information.

Also on Sunday is the last Pub Quiz at the Irish Rover for this season. So, if you have been meaning to partake in the Quiz for a while, this would be the night for you! The Irish Rover is on 28th Ave and 38th Street. They pour a great Harp, by the way. Best I've had in the area. That same night,, Socrates Sculpture Park (32-01 Vernon Blvd) presents an evening of outdoor video at 7pm. This is part of the L.I.C., NYC Video project. You can also catch a Czech film that night at the Beer Garden. Holiday Makers (Účastníci zájezdu) is this week's screening.

And on this hot weekend, just over the Pulaski Bridge in Greenpoint (97 Commercial Street, and yes, I know it's not in Queens, but it's close enough!), is the northern location of the Brooklyn Ice Cream Company. It's as good as the stuff in Dumbo - I recommend their chocolate chocolate chip. Of course, you could always hit up Oleput (Ditmars and 33rd), which also has fab ice cream.

More fun, here.

Alba's Pizza

I've been eating at Alba's Pizza for a couple years now, mainly because it's so convenient, being up the street and all. I was there this weekend and learned they have a new takeout menu! They've increased their pasta offerings, for one thing, and the menu itself looks more inviting in its layout. While I was there this weekend, I tried their Grandma slice. I have extremely high standards for Grandma slices, having eaten many of them from the wonderful Via Pizza in Stony Brook. Well, Alba's makes theirs a bit differently than what I'm used to, but the flavors were fantastic! My boyfriend and I liked it so much we had two slices! Highly recommended.

They also will make pizza with a whole wheat crust, which is great in this age of heightened awareness of whole grains. They also serve whole wheat spaghetti - also a great option. I haven't had any of their pasta dishes, so I'm looking forward to trying them.

By the way, you can order pizza from them online, here. They accept credit cards, which is a plus.

Alba's Pizza
36-20 Ditmars Blvd
Astoria, New York

Photo credit: Alba's Pizza

Le Petit Prince Bakery Closed???

I've been hearing rumors that Le Petit Prince bakery might be closed. Apparently people have seen ovens and baking equipment heading out of the bakery, and the space has been shuttered for a while now. So sad! It was a great bakery! Different from anything else in the area and certainly delicious. JIA friend Zora expresses her feelings about the situation here.

I still have hopes that their closing is only temporary, and that they are just upgrading their equipment.

If anyone has any other info, post it here!

Harry & the Potters Redux

Remember when we didn't know how it all ended? Well, if you want to reminisce about those days, Sooz took some bitchin pics of the Harry & The Potters show, weekend before last at the Beer Garden. For a look in the pensieve click here (pics) or here (videos).

Opening Reception for Emerging Artists Exhibit at Subdivision in LIC

Subdivision art. in LIC is the home of an emerging artists exhibit running from July 28 to September 15. Artists exhibiting include:

• Brendan Carroll
• Leidy Churchman
• Ann Flaherty
• Rubens Ghenov
• Andrea Moreau
• René Smith
• Rachael Wren
• Mika Yokobori
• Elizabeth Zans

There's an opening reception tomorrow night from 6-9pm, too; what I've seen on the website looks pretty good. So, if you're in the mood to see some new art, this is the event for you! By the way, here is a flickr set of some of the images from the show (thanks to the artblog for that pointer).

Subdivision art.
48-18 Vernon Blvd
Long Island City, NY

Astorian Weekend Edition 26.07.07

It's the big one- I mean come on, 4 days of fair food!?!?!?! Thu - Sun., occupying 23rd Ave. from 35th to mid 37th Streets and 36th St from 23rd Ave. to under the Amtrak overpass is the St. Irene Chrysovalantou Annual Street Fair.

Hellgate Road Runners meet 4 days/week for group runs at the track in Astoria Park. 7:30pm Thursday nights go for a "group run" or if you want to "go the distance"- stop by the Astoria Park Field House at 9am on Saturday for a long distance run.

Not only are there burgers galore to be had on Saturday, but Grandmaster Flash will be entertaining the masses at Water Taxi Beach. Get a $13.50 ticket and enjoy 3 original burgers :) I've got my tickets already so stay tuned for picks next week!

Ever heard of the Saw Players? Maybe not, but in the past- i'm sure a few of us have ran across the Saw Lady Natalia Paruz on our way somewhere or other. On Saturday at 2pm at the Quinn Memorial Building (35-20 Broadway, 4th floor), Natalia along with a "Chorus of Saws" will be performing and discussing different types of music. It's $10 at the door, but where else can you get the inside scoop on playing hardware from veteran sawists?

The 3rd Official Astoria Pug Meetup takes place this Sunday, July 29, 2007 at 11:00am. They will be meeting at Astoria Park (23rd Ave and 19th St.) There seems to be quite a few pugs and owners in Astoria that are itching to make friends. If only I had a one of those adorable little guys!

Ali and his Kabab Cafe in the NY Times

If you haven't seen it already, head on over to the NY Times to read Peter Meehan's review of Kabab Cafe, with Ali featured prominently. Reminds me that I need to get over there soon!

• Pita With a Generous Helping of Quirkiness

Astoria Profile

about.com has revised their profile of Astoria - check it out! And be sure to add your two cents as to whether or not you think new development is good for the neighborhood.

Brunch at Bistro 33

Latest news from wonderful neighborhood eatery Bistro 33: their outdoor seating is set up and they are offering brunch! From 11am-4pm every weekend, you can head over for a delicious meal - here are some of the things on their brunch menu:

• Cajun omelet - crawfish, andouille sausage, red peppers, green onion
• Apple Brie Omelet
• Quiche Lorraine
• Blueberry Pancakes
• Truffled Eggs and Salmon
• Sushi Brunch (bagel roll [salmon, cream cheese, cucumber] & spicy tuna roll)

Not to mention mimosas, bloody marys, and of course, coffee. Yum!

Mastercard and Visa are now accepted, which is pretty convenient. So, check 'em out! Bistro 33 is on the corner of Ditmars and 21st Street in Astoria.

Buffalo in Astoria

Well, that would be buffalo burgers. While I was at Family Corner, a tiny little diner in the Ditmars neighborhood, this past weekend I noticed they had buffalo burgers on the menu. You can get the burger by itself ($4) or deluxe ($5.50). I am intrigued.

Loved their eggs over medium - so tasty! And the iced coffee isn't half bad.

Family Corner
21-02 31st Street
Astoria

Astorian Weekend Edition 19.07.07

Even the week's end starts out rainy, we should have a beautiful weekend. On Saturday, there are a couple of Trunk Sales going on. The Trunk Sale put on by the Astoria Craft Collective will have jewelry, accessories, and clothing. It will be at the patio on the corner of 29th Street and 35th Avenue, 11am-5pm, plus there will be refreshments! It goes on rain or shine, but it looks like a dry Saturday. Candy Plum (30-98 36th Street) has a lot of t-shirts to offer with a 10% discount. 1-3pm and they'll have sweets and snacks. If you can't make it to either of the Trunk Sales, you might consider the Blooming Company at another time, a cute little boutique on 31st Street between 23rd Ave and Ditmars.

There's always plenty of music happening in Astoria, and this weekend is no different. Stop by Waltz on Thursday for Samba music, performed by Anthony Lanni and friends ($2 cover and a $7 drink minimum). Check out their newly renovated digs, too. Hellgate Social that same night presents indie punk rock in the form of The Johns. HGS also has a movie planned for Sunday around 9pm.

Time Cafe (44-18 Broadway) this weekend has live jazz during brunch on Sunday. Hear the Jacob Varmus Quartet from 12-3 while you enjoy some tasty food. And if you were thinking of heading to Sparrow (across from the Beer Garden) for brunch at 10:30am, you might want to reconsider - I tried eating there last Sunday at 11am and they were still closed! Best bet - check them out at noon. I also hear Ovelia (34-01 30th Avenue) makes a superb frappe.

Head to the AMMI for more horror films, including 1970s classic Carrie and 21st century Japanese film Itchi the Killer. Warm Up at PS1 is Saturday from 3pm-9pm, and particularly interesting sounding that afternoon is Eric Singer's LEMUR (League of Electronic Musical Urban Robots)

More fun, here.

Harry Potter in Astoria

If you're like me, then you're oscillating between twittering anticipation and desperate fear for the fated moment this Friday at midnight when we can all find out what really happens to Harry Potter.

Well, Astorian Harry Potter fans can unite in their suffering on Thursday as we welcome Harry & the Potters, the original wizard rock band, to the Beer Garden. The Harrys will be accompanied by Draco & the Malfoys and the Hungarian Horntails.

I, for one, will be going dressed up as Ginny Weasley. Ah...those green eyes...

New Parks Policy for Bicycles

Bicyclists locking their bikes to trees and their metal fences, beware! According to Streetsblog, Parks and Recreation Department agents are clipping locks and seizing bicycles that they deem "illegally parked". This practice was first caught in Forest Hills Park, but according to a city employee, this is new policy for all 5 boroughs. According to a Streetsblog tipster:

I went to the Parks Department in Flushing Meadows Corona Park where the truck full of confiscated bicycles sat to get the scoop. Here, Captain Kenneth Brown informed me that today began a citywide campaign involving the City Parks and Recreation Department. This time all bikes chained to city trees or to the metal fencing around those trees will be seized in neighborhoods throughout the 5 boroughs. Bikes are then taken by truck to the nearest Parks Department Headquarters where they are held for 2-3 days before being sent to a depot in Long Island. In order to retrieve your bicycle, you must pay a $50 summons - that is if you can find it.
According to the Captain Brown, bicycles are only considered to be parked "legally" to bicycle racks.

I agree with one of the commenters that locking the bike to the tree can be harmful to the tree, but locking the bike to a fence, shouldn't. And the city really should provide more bike racks.

conEveryone

Get your shirt today!

Time-Matter-Energy from the Bronx produces shirts with this graphic, "in honor" of the 2003 and 2006 blackouts, and the impending blackouts coming. He says people come up to him when he's wearing it and totally agree with it. $20 and sizes range from Small to XXLarge. Check it out!

Astorian Weekend Edition 12.07.07

After work Thursday night unwind at Waltz-Astoria (23-14 Ditmars) with some Brazilian jazz. Anthony Lanni will be there to entertain you. It's also a good excuse to see the remodeling they've done.

PeeWee's get to play tennis! On Thursday take your 5-7 year-olds (9:30-10:15 a.m.) or your 8-15 year-olds (10:30-noon) to Astoria Park for free time on the court, now through August 14th. They've also got track and field options too -- check City Parks Foundation.

Site (35-11 34th Ave) is having a "Friday the 13th" sale all day long...all pillows, dishes, and all ART is 13% off on the "unlucky" day!

There's a new community garden getting off the ground that needs our help! The Two Coves Garden at the Goodwill Triangle (30th Ave & Astoria Blvd) is open every Saturday. This Saturday, though, expect there to be planting, weeding, building raised garden beds, and more! Stop over with your dirty-able clothes (11 a.m.-2 p.m.) and get your green thumb going. For more info email twocovesgarden@yahoo.com or call 718-706-8044.

Saturday enjoy the not-so-muggy weather and take a walk and explore the places you haven't gotten to! Go hit up our old stand by Kabab Cafe and enjoy the air conditioning! Ali is back in full force.

Take a cruise up Newton Creek and check out the digs from another angle. Sunday morning enjoy the cruise while you learn about bridges, neighborhoods, and industry from Greenpoint to Maspeth. Sponsored by the Brooklyn Center for the Urban Environment. Call right away to book ahead and pre-pay the $50/40 fee - 718-788-8500.

Remember: give your extra beer money to these guys over at Team MTA so they can have a mighty fine summer racing around the world in the name of Astorians everywhere!

Summer Sale at Kristees

Just got an email from Kristies, the lovely little clothing boutique on 23rd Avenue and 24th Street (it's right there on the northeast corner), and thought I'd pass on the message to all of you:

Summer Sale Started
This week kicks off the start of KrisTees Summer Sale. There is up to 60% OFF of Select Items! So, if you are looking for another sundress to keep you cool, new tees for vacation, or just something new for an occasion or for the weekend, stop in and take a look...

New Delivery of KrisTees T-Shirts
Yes, my second delivery of tees have arrived... lily printed tees, tie printed racerback long tanks, and sunglass tanks. Very fun and great for layering!

I Just Rated the 7!

So, my current temp job has me making the transfer between the N and the 7 at QB Plaza, so I feel fine about answering the questions on the MTA's report card, which has been handed out to 7 train riders. But bummer - I never received a copy of the card. However... after reading the post on the Gothamist, I found I could do it online! Rate the 7 here!

Briggs & Costa Opening Soon!

Almost impossible to find on the Internet, Briggs & Costa is located in LIC; I originally heard about them on the QueensWest board, and most recently there is a posting about them on LongIslandCityNYC. Initially simply an interior design company, they are branching out and opening a storefront! Located on Vernon Blvd between Purple Pumpkin and Lounge 47, they will have fun lighting, furniture (some imported), household goods, candles, art. Eric says it "feels like Dumbo". They get props on QueensWest, too, "They (meaning Briggs and Costa) are both really creative, talented, and experienced. I think their store is going to be really fun too." Yay!

I don't know exactly when they will open full time to the public, but the paper that covered the window is down. Right now they are open by appointment only.

Thanks to Eric for the tip!

Briggs & Costa
47-12 Vernon blvd
LIC 11101
718-392-1102

Make Sure Your JIA is the Real Thing

Who is this Sara?

Joeyinastoria v2?
I was adding things to my google reader today and came upon this gem.
Who said imitation is the best form of flattery?
I just think its plain weird...

us :)
them :(
what do you know about this, anyone?

Talk about the New Gourmet Market in LIC

A little while back, I posted about a new gourmet market coming to LIC, a project by the Manducati's people. Over on Queens West, they've been discussing the possibility of a wine shop, but that doesn't seem to be a potential reality. But, there are already enough wine shops in LIC. Anyway, if you'd like to read the thread, go here.

And apparently Manducati's is a pretty awesome restaurant as well. I need to go soon.

Kabab Cafe Finally Re-opening!

Via JIA friend Zora on Chowhound:

Straight from the horse's mouth: the long dry spell is over! Ali will be back in the kitchen [today]. (I think the super-auspicious date is a coincidence?)

He has done some major revamping of his kitchen, due to perpetual hassle from the fire-code people, so expect some new stuff on the menu.

This is great news! I've had some terrific meals there and look forward to returning for more. Kabob Cafe is on Steinway near exotic 25th Avenue.

Photo credit: flooz!

Beer Garden Today

While walking past the Beer Garden this morning, I noticed a sign saying "Beer Garden open at 3pm this coming Friday". I'm guessing someone put that sign up mid-week. Anyway, looks like the BG is open at 3pm today! Those of you with summer hours, or just have a free afternoon, check it out! The kielbasa is particularly good these days, too.

Astorian Weekend Edition 05.07.07

Hope everyone had a great Independence Day yesterday! I know the Macy's fireworks had some rain to contend with but I hope that didn't dampen anyone's spirits. I went to the beach and skipped the light display (but caught the Grucci show in Astoria Park last Friday). This week's end should have some nice weather mixed in with some thunderstorms - a typical summer in the east. This weekend (Saturday) also brings us 07-07-07. Cool! After Saturday, check out the flickr group called 07-07-07. People will be taking lots of pictures on that day, chronicling their lives. I'll be submitting a few myself.

Also on Saturday, Last Resort is having a rooftop party at 4pm their space... and there will be grilling involved, just bring your own grill-friendly food and/or a drink to share. At 9pm that night, they're having a rock show ($4 cover), including A Fistful of Dynamite, Suburban Riot, OUCH, and Blanketstatementstein. You can find Last Resort at 8-63 Astoria Blvd.

Hellgate Social, a great spot in western Astoria (12-21 Astoria Blvd), is active this week's end - Thursday through Sunday brings all sorts of live music, DJing, and a CD release party. No sign of a movie this Sunday, though (last week's showing of Dr. Strangelove was pretty awesome).

On Saturday, Waltz-Astoria is also holding a big bash at the beautiful Grand Ballroom upstairs at the Moose Lodge (did you know we had one?). There will be music, video-art, a funny guy emcee, and beer and wine to drink. The Lodge is at 41st and Broadway (down by Steinway). Get your $15 tickets at info@waltz-astoria.com.

Also, Thursday begins adult lap swim at Astoria Pool, too. You can swim in the mornings from 7-8:30am or in the evenings, 7-8:30pm. I hope to do some of the evening swims, myself. Lap swimming goes until August 31 this summer. After you swim, you can head over to a number of places in the area: Agnanti (Ditmars and 19th) and Bistro 33 (21st and Ditmars) come to mind, or you can walk a bit further and find yourself at the Beer Garden or Sparrow (across the street from the BG). Their burger sounds like a great ending to a nice swim. Head to Oleput (Ditmars and 33rd Street) after that for a shake or a float. Yummmm!

And remember Warm Up is this weekend. It's always a lot of fun at this event at PS1. You'll get a chance to hear some DJs and live music, dance, dance, dance, then head to Water Taxi Beach for Beach Party afterwards. Warm Up starts at 3pm and goes for 6 hours, until 9pm, and Water Taxi Beach will be all geared up by 9!

More fun, here.

Fireworks Photo Credit: Lia Pelosi

This just in...

[Insert beeping news theme music here]. This just in: Joey in Astoria makes the New York Times blogroll. You heard it here first, folks. (Unless you saw it there first in which case you may have seen it before me.) I heard they posted us because they got so much traffic when we linked to them a couple weeks ago. Okay, that's utter nonsense. They obviously posted us because Astoria rocks.

Thanks writers, readers and all Astorians!

- Joey

PS. Happy 4th of July!

Water Taxi Beach - Awesome!

I still haven't been there, but I read lots of good press about the Water Taxi Beach in LIC. Metroblogging in NYC has a nice writeup about the WTB this week. Nice pix, too! If you plan to go in the next day or so (hello July 4!), take note of this message on their homepage:

On July 4th starting at 3pm there is an all-day concert in our parking lot; NO Parking is available. Access to the beach on July 4th is by Ticket ONLY and is SOLD OUT. Access to the Patti Fund for Children w/ Cancer event in the parking lot is for a suggested donation of $10 and is first come first served.

They're also having post-WarmUp parties Saturday nights, which they call "Beach Party" this year. This night they feature In Flagranti from Brooklyn. From what I can tell they are DJs... I think.

BZ Grill...finally!

I've been wanting to try this place out for awhile now.
Located a little off the beaten path on Astoria Blvd, you can grab what I think is the best pork in Queens... maybe NYC! The BZ Grill is a small but comfortable little greek grill spot on the corner of 27th St. They offer all your favorite bites along with some incredible sounding newcomers like Chicken Bacon Souvlaki and Bifteki (a greek burger STUFFED with cheese)- both and sandwiches and platters. The prices are really really sweet for the amount of delicious food you are getting. The most expensive thing on the menu is the Mix Grill for $14.95 and that serves two! It's also good for those of us that can't make up our minds... chicken, pork, bifteki gemisto, seftalia and loukaniko- that's right, all of that for under $15.

You also can't go wrong with the Mixed spreads for $7.50. You get this heaping plate full of Tzatziki, Kopanisti, Eggplant Salad and the BZ Grill sauce which it turns out is homemade mayo and mustard. It's accompanied by warm fresh pitas, you may need a second helping to get through the plate of dips, I'm telling you its huge. There were 3 of us and we barely put a dent in it.

My personal favorite was the Pork Gyro. Can't beat it. This huge mountain of juicy goodness is $4.60 and worth every penny. It comes with your traditional fixins- lettuce, tomatoes, onions and tzatziki (like we didn't get enough in the dip plate!). If you still have room, order the fries- crunchy and fresh :)

There are slim pickins if you want to accompany your meal with beer, I couldn't even recall which they had but it was only 2 or 3 different ones. Along they ledge of the counter though they displayed about 10 bottles of wine that you can purchase by the glass for around $4.50.

So now you know :)

BZ Greek Grill
27-02 Astoria Blvd.
718-932-7858
Delivery 11am-11pm 7days
Take out Menu Here

The Race is on!

Astoria has a team in the Mongol Rally. Check it out, insanity!

These guys get props from me for sure for even attempting this crazy race. They start the trek July 21st so get in on the fundraising action anytime before then at some of our favorite bars- The Irish Rover Sunday the 8th (37-18 28th Ave), The Quays (4502 30th Ave) and the Glen Oaks Friday the 6th (36-16 3oth Avenue).

Team MTA has just purchased their lovely chariot (a 17yr old VW Polo) and are just about ready to take off.

Check in on the website to keep up with their progress and to donate to their charities Mercy Corps and Send a Cow (gotta love it!)

Be safe racers, Astoria supports you!