Category Archives: Parks and Library

Dec 11 2018
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Parks and Library

2018 XMAS WISH LIST TO SANTA VAN BRAMER

Behold, 5Pointz and its 1000+ residences rising in the east

On behalf of all the people who have assembled here
I would merely like to mention if I may
That our unanimous attitude
Is one of lasting gratitude
For what our friend has done for us today
And therefore I would simply like to say Thank you very much!
Thank you very much!
That’s the nicest thing that anyone’s ever done for me
I may sound Double-Dutch
But my delight is such
I feel as if a losing war’s been won for me

GIVEN that we’re almost done with 2018 and the S&P 500 is nearly flat this year1, I’m going to keep my Christmas wish list modest, unlike in years past.  In fact there’s only one item: renovate the pair of tattered basketball courts in Murray Park.

Repave, reline, replace current backboards with fiberglass ones that jut out another 1-2 feet from the fence to create a baseline that’s not abutting it  That’s all, very simple and shoudn’t be expensive.

Currently they are in such a state of disrepair they Continue reading →

  1. +/-2% on any given day [↩]
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Jun 21 2018
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Parks and Library

HUNTERS POINT SOUTH PARK PHASE II OPENED TO THE PUBLIC TODAY

Here's lookin' at you

Here’s lookin’ at you LIC

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The grassy knoll

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Left by aliens

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They came, they walked, they saw, and then they got beer and ice cream.  Official ceremony be damned, Hunters Point South Park Phase II opened to the public today Continue reading →

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May 31 2018
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Parks and Library

HUNTERS POINT PARK PHASE 2 GETS PICS + LOVE FROM THE NYT

Not your grandpappy's Hunters Point - courtesy NYPL

Not your grandpappy’s Hunters Point – courtesy NYPL

Hunters Point Park Phase 2, which is slated to open at the end of June, gets previewed by The New York Times today in a lovefest and photo essay.  It’s Continue reading →

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Apr 20 2018
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Arts and Entertainment, Parks and Library, Real Estate

HUNTERS POINT SOUTH PARK PHASE 2 TO OPEN LATE JUNE

On the firing line at Astoria Seafood

On the firing line at Astoria Seafood

TWO of my writers were poached by The New Yorker this month so I’ve had to rely on my own faculties to dig up scoops.  Fortunately in a quick perusal of the Hunters Point Parks Conservancy’s newsletter I caught a recap of their community meeting last night which revealed that Phase 2 of Hunters Point Park South will open in late June according to a presenter at the meeting from the EDC.  This is the southern portion of the park, past the volleyball court/LIC Landing, which is supposed to be more “contemplative” and which will NOT include a playground for older kids.  As a consolation the HPPC newsletter also reported that The Wizard of Oz will be the first movie they present at the Oval this year on May 18.

//MORE real estate news for you RE junkies, and in my mind this one’s a big one. Continue reading →

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Apr 18 2018
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Arts and Entertainment, Booze, Eats, Parks and Library, Real Estate

SPRING EVENTS IN LIC TRUMP NEWS

xxx

Here’s my science project teach’

There’s a starman waiting in the sky
He’d like to come and meet us
But he thinks he’d blow our minds

After comprehensively collecting all the data, painstakingly putting it to paper while trying to figure out the complex instructions in order to conform to regulations, and finally staying up late into the night to meet the deadline, the yearly crush is now over! Continue reading →

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Mar 23 2018
2 Comments
Kids, Parks and Library

EGGS 2018

Easter rituals or Eastern rituals, it's all in LIC

Easter rituals or Eastern victuals, it’s all in LIC

AS everyone knows Christmas falls on December 25, St. Patty’s on March 17, and Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November, but Easter is ever so elusive.  Sure I know it’s on a Sunday, but that can land anytime from late March until almost the end of April. This really messes with my vacation schedule – will it be ski-able in Verbier, too cold in Palm Beach, too hot in Anguilla???

Even more elusive than Easter Sunday, is the date of the Annual LIC Egg Hunt, and even more elusive than that is the sign-up date for your child for the egg hunt. Continue reading →

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Jan 10 2018
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Parks and Library, Politics, Real Estate

THE DIRTY LITTLE SECRET OF HUNTERS POINT

Despite the delays and cost overruns at the Hunters Point Library, I personally like it. I know that not everyone in the neighborhood shares my sentiment, some thinking it an overpriced folly and others questioning the need for any new libraries in the 21st century.  But grand projects that may come across as impractical or wasteful at onset, can sometimes transcend their original purpose, as well as transform a neighborhood if the conceptualization of it is on target.  Though we won’t really know for another year about the final outcome, I’m optimistic that the decision to build it will be proven correct.

Yet underlying the creation of the Hunters Point Library, is a dirty little secret: Continue reading →

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Jul 18 2017
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Kids, Parks and Library, Sports

1ST ANNUAL LIC HOOPS BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT THIS WEEKEND

The Battle of 48th Avenue!

The Battle of 48th Avenue!

This Saturday and Sunday from 9am until noon the 1st Annual LIC Hoops Basketball Tournament for kids and adults will take place at the Gantry Plaza State Park courts on 48th Avenue.  The adults bracket on Saturday is completely sold out, but there are slots left for the kids tournament on Sunday.  It is free and open to boys and girls, but parents must pre-register their children and submit signed waivers.

Now, while the odds that your child will ever make it to the NBA Finals are beyond minuscule, there’s a 50/50 chance that Continue reading →

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Jul 03 2017
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Parks and Library

WINNERS AND WHINERS AND SCENES FROM THE JULY 4 WKND IN LIC

Thank you for coming J.Lo, but what's w/ the 6 Train?

This is Queens J.Lo, lose the 6 Train

This is all they have in Dutch Kills playground, but no whining

This is all they have in Dutch Kills playground, but no whining

All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players

WHILE the majority of readers are in Martha’s Tucket, Northampton, and the Jawsy Shore, those who have stuck around have experienced the unusual dichotomy of the calm before the storm and other non-everyday happenings.  Take J.Lo for example – as nice as summer getaways are, watching her do her thing in front of the midtown skyline on a beautiful night is also a treat.  Unless of course you’re one of the handful of people in Continue reading →

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Jun 30 2017
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Arts and Entertainment, Eats, Kids, Parks and Library

WAITING FOR J.LO

J.Lo's playground with Marcus' restaurant in back

J.Lo’s playground with Marcus’ restaurant in way back

 

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness – Oscar Wilde

ALL of LIC is eagerly awaiting the arrival of J.Lo tonight.  Not only does it re-confirm our town as the center of the universe, but it’s also the start of the biggest weekend of the year here – not to mention the weekend in general.  In that manner, might “J.Lo” be a metaphor for life?

While Jennifer Lopez is a huge star and a consummate professional, that can’t necessarily be said for a select few in the Continue reading →

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