long island city

LIC HALLOWEEN PARADE SUNDAY & MORE

October 26, 2016 by editor 2 Comments

It’s going to be another week of declining NFL ratings, as the annual LIC Halloween Parade takes place this Sunday. It starts at 2:30 and convenes in front of the 108th Precinct House on 50th Avenue, where all children will be biometrically scanned and catalogued to ensure a smooth transition through teenhood, After that the mayhem begins, and will include: a pumpkin patch, photo booth, dunk tank, spooky games, costume contest, and candy.

But wait, there’s more: This Saturday, October 29, is the PS/IS78Q PTA Fall Festival from noon-3pm on Center Boulevard between [Read more…] about LIC HALLOWEEN PARADE SUNDAY & MORE

WELCOME TO THE PLAYBORHOOD – POKELICIOUS

October 24, 2016 by editor 1 Comment

All work and no play make Jack a... — All work and no play makes Jack a…

Playborhood — a version of American kid life featured in shows like “The Little Rascals” and “Leave It to Beaver,” in which kids build forts and ride bikes outside, unsupervised

THUS describes the nirvana a very focused father in Silicon Valley tried to create for his kids and those of his neighbors, according to a lengthy profile on him in this Sunday’s New York Times Magazine. It’s not unlike my description and desires that I have written about and advocated for in LIC since starting this website in 2012. Whether it be requesting foresight in the planning of Hunters Point Park to visualize it all of half a decade ahead, describing LIC as a giant cul-de-sac, or cultivating free-range kids and selbstständigkeit (self-sufficiency).

Unlike the NYT article, which the father uses to proselytize about what should be, the purpose of this missive is to point out what already is: for all the reasons I mentioned in the previous paragraph’s links, Hunters Point is a playborhood. Now, all that’s needed is for it to be advertised, publicized, and written about as such. Whether it be real estate brokers, residents, organizations (hello LIC Partnership), landlords, or politicians, it’s time for a major marketing initiative. This is because playborhoods are nearly impossible to find in 2016 in the U.S., and it takes a herculean effort to actually create one in today’s screen-obsessed world. Thus, one more reason to live in LIC.

//POKE: a raw fish salad, similar to a tartare or even ceviche, though typically less acidic

Ramen is sooo 2014. Though it’s still delicious, I only have it delivered and wouldn’t be caught seen in a ramen joint or mention it in conversation. Nor would anyone who wants to be like the Kardashians.

Nope, today’s hot culinary fad is poke, and Long Island City is about to get it’s first poke restaurant with the opening of PokeLICious. [Read more…] about WELCOME TO THE PLAYBORHOOD – POKELICIOUS

FALCHI BUILDING SOLD FOR TRIPLE PRICE PAID IN 2012

October 20, 2016 by editor Leave a Comment

The little city is rising - in size and price — The little city is rising – in size and price

According to The Real Deal, the Falchi Building is about to be sold for $255 million, more than triple the $81 million paid back in 2012 by current seller Jamestown Properties. Upon purchasing the building, located near the 33rd St. 7-train station (and two blocks from City Ice Pavilion), Jamestown converted it from the old-LIC mode – storage/distribution, to office space. They were the first to do it in LIC, and subsequently numerous others have followed suit.

Evan Daniel, who heads Modern Spaces commercial & investment property group, has heard from sources that Jamestown spent between $13-$15 million in capital improvements to bring the building up to date. Even including those costs, Jamestown’s timing and vision were pretty [Read more…] about FALCHI BUILDING SOLD FOR TRIPLE PRICE PAID IN 2012

DE BLASIO LANDS ON THE OVAL

October 18, 2016 by editor Leave a Comment

FRIDAY afternoon around 6:30pm a helicopter plopped down on the oval. No emergency this, it was actually our Mayor choosing the fastest route between point A (in this case Park Slope via Prospect Park), and B (LIC). The pic above, which I believe to be the only one of his arrival, was sent to us shortly after it occurred with a note basically asking ‘WTF?’ By the time I viewed it in my inbox yesterday ((The Editor faithfully observes the triple sabbath: Fri/Sat/Sun …just in case)) the mystery guest was still unknown, but in the ensuing hours a media frenzy erupted over de Blasio’s use of this mode of transport, so I figured I’d chime in too, especially given my local slant and exclusive photo.

While I’m not overly agitated about the need for speed by the Mayor, and [Read more…] about DE BLASIO LANDS ON THE OVAL

HALLOWEEN IN LONG ISLAND CITY – WHAT’S HOT IN 2016

October 14, 2016 by editor 3 Comments

The Wall of Fortune and its spooky colors

“I will show you fear in a handful of dust”

THOUGH it comes on the very last day of the month, as any parent knows, Halloween dominates October. Equally all-consuming and frequently changing up to the last moment, is the decision as to what a child shall ‘be’ for the holiday. Fortunately, this year’s hot costume is a classic: [Read more…] about HALLOWEEN IN LONG ISLAND CITY – WHAT’S HOT IN 2016