NEW BIKE PATH COMING TO LIC, AS FOR SCHOOLS…

LIC is getting a new bikeway thanks to it’s winning an allocation of $500,000 from the participatory budgeting process.  Didn’t know this was such a great need, but maybe you can discern more from the blurb advocating it on the ballot:

Long Island City Bikeway – elements of a bike path exist already, an improved safe and reliable bike way system would increase the level of bike use, reduce cars using path for parking and enhance the neighborhood.

//Moving on to what really matters, schools, several resident-hatched proposals have been put forth and elaborated on in great detail:

1. Build an addition onto the current PS78 on 5th Street in the plot of land just south of it, which is currently undergoing renovation.  Fear not dog people, it would only comprise that piece adjacent to the school, your dog run would remain intact.

2. Lease the large vacant space in Arris Lofts as an annex for additional classrooms.

3. Zone the middle and high school on Center Boulevard for local residents, whereby they would get preference on admissions.

How about we do them all?  Within three years #1 will probably be needed anyway just to accommodate K-5.  #2 can be solely pre-K and K, and will quickly be absorbed by all the new parents coming to Court Square before they have time to build a new elementary school for that area.  #3 is a long term solution, but as we know from the elimination of the middle school, long term can quickly turn into tomorrow.  These plans require action, to get involved contact Bea Murphy at Bea@M-MediaInc.com

//Mu Gets Two, Now Open Tamashii Blue – Mu Ramen got two stars yesterday from Pete Wells in The New York Times.  That should double the lines of people that already queue to eat there.  Fortunately, thanks to a heads up from reader Dan Shin, we learned that Tamashii Blue, the new ramen place on Vernon, has just opened.  I wish the schools could handle their capacity so fluidly.

//Finally, it’s going to be a great weekend to be out ‘n about.  Three things to make note of:

LIC Springs – this Saturday, from 11-4pm on Vernon.  Eat a little, drink a little, schmooze a lot.  It’s free and outdoors, stop asking questions.

Queens Beer Week starts Friday – get yourself a beer passport and visit all the breweries.  For more info contact justine@rockawaybrewco.com

Riverkeeper Sweep – a citywide organization that holds it’s annual clean-up this Saturday.  We have two locations here where they will be doing it: Gantry Park and Newtown Creek.  Help the community first, then you’ll deserve those beers. See the link below for more info.

Ballot For Participatory Budgeting – see all the proposed requests, most of which got nothing

PS/IS 78 Students Guaranteed Seats For At Least One More Year – “if truncation were to happen, grades six through eight would be phased out starting the following years. Every sixth grader starting at IS 78 for the 2016-17 school year would be able to continue through eighth grade in that instance. The opening of new rooms in the second building of PS/IS 78 will increase the number of kindergarten classes from four to eight, according to Composto. The number of first through eighth grade classrooms will remain the same, and class sizes may increase.”  aka The Sardine Solution

Restaurant Review: Mu Ramen – Pete Wells says go, and they do

LIC Arts Open 2015 – May 13-17

Vernon Blvd Closed Saturday For Unusual Street Fair – more detail on LIC Springs

Citi Building in Court Square Up For Sale …again – other peoples money

RiverKeeper Sweep – clean up the river in LIC