Dec. 31, 2018 By Christian Murray Astoria residents can get rid of their old Christmas trees by dropping them off at Astoria Park or Queensbridge Park between Jan. 4 and Jan. 14. Both parks are part of MulchFest, an annual event organized by the Parks Department, where Christmas trees are recycled into mulch. The two… Read more »
Dec. 27, 2018 By Meghan Sackman Authorities are investigating a transformer explosion at a Con Edison plant in Astoria that took place at around 9:15 p.m. on Thursday. Residents in Queens and Long Island– and even as far away as New Jersey–saw a teal blue color light up the night sky due to an electrical… Read more »
Dec. 27, 2018 By Meghan Sackman A 14-story development with 201 apartments could soon be taking over a busy Northern Boulevard corner in Long Island City currently home to a string of businesses. The development, proposed by Ashley Young LLC, is planned for 47-15 34th Ave., a commercial block at the corner of 48th Street… Read more »
Dec. 26, 2018 By Meghan Sackman Assemblymember Aravella Simotas is continuing to make significant strides toward fighting sexual harassment, with the lawmaker set to introduce six bills in the new legislative session aimed at aiding and protecting victims. Simotas, who will introduce the package of bills next month, says the proposed legislation will help victims… Read more »
Dec. 21, 2018 By Christian Murray A liquor store operator with a checkered history is about to face fierce opposition as he attempts to open a new store by Astoria Houses. Xiao Wang, who operated the now-shuttered Baba Wine & Liquor at 3-15 27th Ave., plans to open a liquor store at 8-23 Astoria Blvd.,… Read more »
Dec. 21, 2018 By Meghan Sackman and Nathaly Pesantez A retired judge and former NYPD officer is facing an uphill battle in his quest to open a bikini bar at the troubled site that housed Aces. John Marks, who served in the Marines, was an NYPD officer in the 1970s, and is now a retired… Read more »
Dec. 21, 2018 By Meghan Sackman The California Farmer’s Market off Ditmars Boulevard has closed, with its last day of business held last Saturday. The 24-hour market, located at 21-61 31st St. opened about six years ago in 2012 and offered organic fruits, vegetables, fish and other grocery products. Calls to the supermarket for comment… Read more »
Dec. 20, 2018 By Meghan Sackman A New York City-based barbecue chain is planning on opening an Astoria location, and has scooped up the recently shuttered Studio Square space for its expansion. Pig Beach, a rustic barbecue-and-beer concept with locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn, will take up the 30,000 square foot venue at 35-33 36th… Read more »
Dec. 19, 2018 By Meghan Sackman A Manhattan hair salon has come under fire after one of its patrons, an Astoria woman, received a receipt from an employee with a racist slur written on it. The patron, Briana Tae, went to a Murray Hill Drybar at around 6 p.m. on Monday to get her hair… Read more »
Dec. 18, 2018 By Meghan Sackman After months of work, Nino’s AQ, an Italian restaurant, has at last opened its doors on Ditmars Boulevard. The restaurant opened at 35-01 Ditmars Blvd. on Dec. 5, and is the second Nino’s location for brothers Michael and Franco Vendome, who also run Nino’s 46 in Manhattan. The restaurateurs… Read more »