Booze

VAN BRAMER ROBBED, BUT WILL PARTY ON

August 12, 2013 by editor 3 Comments

Nice and quiet on the river ...and off — Nice and quiet on the river …and off

The New York Post reported that the home of Jimmy V was robbed while he was away this weekend. There seems to be a rash of robberies going on in his section of Sunnyside. Thankfully it’s not going to stop him from celebrating:

Join Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer

To Celebrate his 44th Birthday!

Join Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer to celebrate his 44th birthday and thank friends, volunteers, donors, petitioners, and just plain supporters of his efforts to make a better NYC! Join the party at Shi Restaurant, 47-20 Center Boulvard, LIC on Monday, August 19th from 7:00 – 10:00 PM.

You know what else Jimmy’s birthday means? Summer is almost over. Thus it’s time for us to take one of our regularly scheduled hiatuses, in order to escape the pressure of deadlines and to give others, aka those who don’t live in LIC, the opportunity to bask in our glow. But this time we’re going to do it a little bit differently: we’re going to publish right through our vacation! Why? Because what we have to share is just way too important to wait until after Labor Day. Plus, papa’s got a brand new ipad. So no matter where you may be headed, be it Nags Head or Nantucket, stay tuned right here and don’t miss a thing.

Councilman Robbed – they didn’t come in thru the bathroom window neither

New Bar on Vernon Blvd. Set to Open Thursday – housed in the former Lounge 47 space, to be called Woodbines and will serve craft beer and have an Irish themed menu

Chocolate Factory Announces New Season – let’s see, I’d like a dozen almond clusters, five champagne truffles, and a pound of fudge

3-D Printing Industry Finds Home in LIC – …oh, while you’re asking, tack on a Kate Upton and Heidi Klum

LIC Scarf Designer Creates Wearable Drama – a profile on local LIC designer Rachel Rowberry

Woman Almost Drowns Near Anable Basin – last night

Mentoring Students to Prevent the Summer Slide – huge story in the NYT all about a local man who created a great local mentoring program

Chinese Invest in Queens Real Estate – Quick, name a New York neighborhood that has investors from China buying properties. Midtown? TriBeCa? The Upper East Side? Guess again. They’re going to Queens.

AUGUST IS HERE, BUT NOT THE DOLDRUMS

August 8, 2013 by editor 3 Comments

The Pretty Ladies of LIC. Who would think that the Midtown Tunnel was across the street?

Come August, long weekends are de rigeur. Especially if one is not taking off the whole week, or like myself the whole month. Thus, it’s a great time to catch up on one’s summer reading …about LIC, and therefore today we provide you with a whole bunch to carry you through until Monday …or Tuesday, …or Tuesday September 3rd.

Before we start, let’s get the nasty business out of the way. First off, from a town in Spain called Brunete, comes a recommendation to push dog owners to clean up after their pets. Which The New York Times describes as a “worldwide battle.” Yeah, based on LIC that’s an apt description.

Next up, comes another nasty rebuke. This one involves a delay, or maybe even a postponement to a date unknown. It regards the play area that was supposed to be built for PS78 in front of Citylights. Here’s the back ‘n forth:

LIC Parent: “We were notified by the SLT, as well as announced at the June PTA meeting that the SCA was approved to build a playground in front of the school/Citilights building. Now summer is more than half way done and weve observed no work at all. Can you please give us a status on this project for ourselves,as well as an update I could communicate to other parents?

Response: “I looked into it and the project is on hold due to issues with the Co-op board.” Thank You – Monica Gutierrez, Project Support Manager, School Construction Authority, (718)472-8114

And there you have it: One small town’s response to a problem, and one large city’s response to a problem.

Let’s move on to something a little more fun. The New York Times is holding a contest looking for the “Unofficial Mayors of New York.” Whether you know it or not, LIC actually has an unofficial mayor, and it’s not Jimmy V. His name is Frank Carrado, he’s 82 years old, he’s lived here in LIC his whole life and documented it with photos, and there’s a good chance you may have already encountered him on Vernon Boulevard handing out a card calling him the Unofficial Mayor of LIC. We’ve got the link, if you know Frank and agree he should be nominated, please do.

Finally, a massive Kids Club/Pre-school is coming to the latest TF Cornerstone rental, aka “The Amenities Building.” They plan on catering to 1800 kids a week, with some packages totaling as much as $17K. At that price your kid better come out with a swing like A-Rod’s and speaking Mandarin.

Or, if you’re looking for something a little lower key, there’s always LIC Kids and the fabulous James Bobo:

Hello! We are having an upcoming Open House, on August 15-16 from 5-8pm, and we would love to promote this free event on your site. We are offering a diverse schedule of demo classes, orientations, and question & answer sessions all free to the public.

Best,

LIC Kids Team

LIC Kids Enrichment center, 5-02 50th Avenue, Long Island City, NY 11101 718.392.KIDS (5437)

http://www.lickids.com/

Grow with us!

Ok, the weekend is here, and if you’re staying in LIC we’ve got the Sixpoint Beer Crawl on Saturday, a perfect way to lead into Shakespeare in Gantry Park that night. Also the LIC Flea, Yoga, and finally a big blowout at 5Pointz celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Hip-Hop on Sunday at 5pm. Who needs St. Tropez? But you may still want to take Monday off.

Special Delivery, of Sorts, for Wayward Dog Owners – this ain’t no birthday present

A Call for the Unofficial Mayors of New York – why not nominate LIC’s Frank Carrado?

Then and Now: the evolutionary arc of LIC – a profile of Mr. Carrado wrapped in the history of LIC

Manhattan Firm to Open Pre-School and Classatorium – the beginning of the road to Harvard

Sixpoint Craft Beer and Food Festival – nothing like a few mugs of Shakespeare Oatmeal Stout before sitting down to the bard

Back to The Roots – free party at 5Pointz for the 40th anniversary of hip-hop. 40th Anniversary, 40 Oz., coincidence? I think not.

Local Art Frame Collector Has Unparalleled Collection – which he keeps right here in LIC

Competition Bubbles Up for Local Craft Brewers – with a shout-out to LIC’s Rockaway Brewing

5Pointz Documentary by the BBC – where has everybody been all these years?

SWELTERING LIC NEWS TIDBITS

July 8, 2013 by editor 3 Comments

No spiel today, just news in a shotgun format:

Shady Park still under repair …no sprinklers yet at Rainbow Park …and I’m hearing that the “Gantry South” opening is now backed up until late July, though by appearance it looks completed. Plus, if you haven’t been able to view it yourself, there is a huge dog run in the new section of Gantry.

The New York Times lead article in the Real Estate section yesterday, was about the changes being made to the amenities in large residential buildings. On that topic, the two Avalon buildings on Center Boulevard are shuffling amenities. Avalon South will be losing its gym completely in order to make room for a daycare center. Avalon North will pick up the slack by expanding and renovating its gym, taking space from its community room to do so.

In the bad new/good news category, as mentioned last week in the comments, the Court Square Library is closed until further notice. On the other hand, as I told you back in June: this Saturday we get free beer in LIC, compliments of Brooklyn Brewery! Wow, just thinking about that makes the heat this week a little more bearable. Prost!

The Total Long Island City Immersion – free beer, those two words make Mondays a lot easier to cope with

Failed Condo Fetches $85 million as Rental – Ahh the Crescent Club, where dreams do come true …for some.

Looking For Fun In All the Queens Places – NYT reviews a new app that lists all the events happening in Queens

Good Friends, Big Helpings – new bbq restaurant in Jackson Heights from LIC’s JB Smokehouse

LEASED UP AND SOLD OUT

June 21, 2013 by editor 7 Comments

In case there were any doubters as to whether all the new residential supply being built in Long Island City would, uhh …find a home, the answer seems to be a resounding “Yes!” The first three articles confirm this: 1) 45-45 Center Blvd is already 30% leased in less than a heartbeat 2) The Murano condominiums on Borden Ave. have announced they are sold out 3) and, in a rehash of a story two weeks ago, The Bindery Condos on 11th St. are 50% sold after two months of marketing. None of this should come as a surprise to regular readers of LICtalk.

In other developments, 5Pointz specifically, comes an excellent “Grand Compromise” from the LIC Parents Group:

“Move the graffiti diagonally across the street right onto the walls of another art-friendly building owner, our own MOMA’s P.S. 1. …The hundreds of running feet of concrete walls along Jackson Avenue and 46th Avenue are highly visible to all folks who track to Queens to experience modern art …Advice to aerosol activists: advocate as aggressively for the right to splash, splatter, and spray onto the MOMA-walls as you agitated against the development plans. This “concrete” solution would provide a new, better, lasting home for your graffiti: more space, more visibility, more foot traffic.”

Steering away from real estate and controversy, it’s the weekend and time to focus on what’s important: FREE BEER! Yes folks, as if living in Long Island City wasn’t awesome enough, there’s an event occurring here in mid-July giving away beer: The Total Long Island City Immersion. You can’t wait until then? No problem, there’s another unique event coming to town next Saturday: The Cheesemonger Invitational. Still too long? Well the now world-famous LIC Flea continues this weekend, and we provide you with the Village Voice’s Top-10 food items, the pictures of which are sure to make you wanna go back for more. Finally, if the weekend alone isn’t enough and you actually need a reason to celebrate, the LIC High School cricket team won the city cricket title this week.

So what do free beer, cheesemongering, and high school cricket have in common? You don’t get these things in Manhattan, or even Brooklyn, enjoy!

LIC Rental Tower is 30% Leased – plus a new park just south of LIC

Current Availability at 45-45 Center Boulevard – wanna see what’s available and for exactly what price?

LIC’s Murano Condo’s Sell Out – no mas

The Bindery 50% Sold – one apartment sold for $1,260 psf, a record

LIC Tower, Reborn as Affordable Housing, Nears Completion – the location is just north of the Queensboro Bridge, and east of the Queensbridge houses. Click to see if you can get a lottery ticket …err qualify

LIC Parents Group 5Pointz Solution – the full editorial

Restoration Underway at LIC’s Shady Park – “the repairs are expected to take about a month.” according to the article

Mayoral Candidates Take on Tech at Forum – I hope they served cake

MTA May Pay for Citibike Expansion For Areas Affected by G-Train Outage

Board Votes Down Outdoor Seating at Alobar – no alfresco dining for Alobar

The Total Long Island City Immersion – free beer, what more can I say?

2013 Cheesemonger Invitational – Saturday June 29 in LIC

10 Favorite Dishes at LIC Flea and Food – the pair served the boerewors last weekend, a roasted coriander- and clove-intense sausage over polenta with tangy tomato sauce.

LIC Captures Cricket Crown – wicketly great

FATHER’S DAY WEEKEND BONANZA: FLEA, MORE BEER, NEW ICE CREAM, AND NYT THUMBS UP TO…

June 14, 2013 by editor 9 Comments

Lots to do this weekend, but I'd be happy to sit on a log. — Lots to do this weekend, but I’d be happy to just sit on a log.

Oh man, it’s a really nice day, I should be outdoors enjoying it. But no, duty calls as I feel compelled to pass on all the wonderful doings going on this Father’s Day weekend in LIC. Best of all, the info today is completely free of the anxiety over the ever increasing real estate prices here. First off, a reminder that the LIC Flea begins this weekend: Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 6pm. Then we have a new brewery opening Big Alice Brewing, a new home-grown ice cream flavor, and if you feel the need to sit down when you imbibe, a thumbs up review of Casa Enrique from The New York Times. Get your weekend started and read it all below.

Outdoor LIC Flea and Food Begins This Weekend in Queens – “the weekly market will bring over 90 food and goods vendors to the ‘hood from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays until at least October”

A Homecoming Away From Home – the NYT positive spin on Casa Enrique. Da me chicharrines!

New LIC Brewery Offers Beer CSA – plus they’re having a grand opening party tomorrow(Saturday) from 1pm to 5pm

Malu Creates New Flavor For Father’s Day – espresso ice cream with chocolate-covered corn flakes.

Z Hotel Kicks Off it’s Summer Concert Series on Rooftop – Thursdays at 7pm, Stones this week, Zeppelin next…rock on!

Hunters Point CSA Now Delivering Once A Week – after all the indulging this weekend, it might be time for something healthy

Lawmakers: Bring Citi Bike to Western Queens – Politics 101: move on to the next cause

Suspects Sought In LIC Street Thefts – a remind that it’s not all peaches and cream above the bridge, Queensbridge