July 12, 2024 By Iryna Shkurhan Local residents are growing increasingly concerned about falling rocks from the deteriorating Amtrak railroad bridge on 23rd Avenue in Astoria. After witnessing a larger-than-usual rock fall from the bridge at the intersection of 36th Street last month, two local residents cordoned off the area with yellow tape and a… Read more »
June 28, 2024 By Iryna Shkurhan This weekend, New Yorkers can venture through Japan’s expansive culinary world without having to leave Queens at what is considered the world’s biggest Japanese festival. On Sunday, June 30, dozens of vendors selling traditional and inventive Japanese food and drinks will be in Astoria. They will line Broadway from… Read more »
June 26, 2024 By Iryna Shkurhan On Thursday, June 27, fireworks will light up the Astoria waterfront to mark the 40th anniversary of the neighborhood’s Independence Day celebration. Central Astoria Local Development Coalition, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing the Astoria community, organizes the free event. The area’s City Council Member, Tiffany Cabán,… Read more »
June 24, 2024 By Iryna Shkurhan As the nation’s largest outdoor dining program pivots from a temporary pandemic-era program to a permanent fixture across the city, new federal funding will help some Queens restaurant owners jumpstart their participation. Congresswoman Grace Meng, in partnership with the city’s Small Business Services (SBS) and the Department of Transportation… Read more »
June 21, 2024 By Iryna Shkurhan U.S. Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez visited Sunnyside Community Services on Thursday morning to deliver a check for $450,000 in federal funds for a requested renovation project. The allocation of funding is one of 14 local projects that the Congresswoman, who represents parts of southwestern Queens and much of north… Read more »
June 19, 2024 By Iryna Shkurhan With increasingly hotter summers expected in years to come, the city announced a massive investment in NYC pools this week shortly before dozens of pools are scheduled to open for the season on June 26. On Tuesday, Mayor Eric Adams and the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation launched… Read more »
June 18, 2024 By Iryna Shkurhan The street in front of where Sister Flora Marinelli lived as a devout member of the Sisters of St. Joseph for 35 years is now co-named in her honor. Long Island City Council Member Julie Won was joined by Marinelli’s family, her fellow sisters and representatives from St. Patrick’s… Read more »
June 17, 2024 By Iryna Shkurhan With Long Island City set to receive $10 million in state funding through an economic development grant, the next step is identifying potential projects the community would like to see. Last week, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and the Queens Chamber of Commerce announced the launch of the public… Read more »
June 3, 2024 By Iryna Shkurhan At a community meeting in Astoria on Thursday, dozens of locals erupted in applause after the Department of Transportation (DOT) outlined its proposed changes to a major chunk of 31st Avenue. The biggest potential change is an approximately mile-long stretch of parking-protected bike lanes. Converting the corridor to a… Read more »
May 15, 2024 By Iryna Shkurhan Initially created with emergency authorization from the city during the pandemic, the 31st Ave Open Street Collective is cementing its status as a permanent fixture in the Astoria community. After a year-long effort, the organization recently obtained a tax-exempt nonprofit status just as its fifth season of operation was… Read more »