Author: sobrien

Planet Fitness opens at Big Six Towers, bringing new fitness options to Woodside

Planet Fitness Woodside staff, Assembly Member Steven Raga and VBGCQ CEO Costa Constantinides cut the ribbon at the new Woodside location. Photo: Shane O'Brien

Jan. 30, 2025 By Shane O’Brien Global fitness franchise Planet Fitness celebrated the grand opening of its new Woodside location Wednesday evening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, announcing its arrival in the neighborhood with a variety of special offers for the new year. The gym opened before Christmas in the Big Six Towers co-operative complex at… Read more »

Hospitality shakeup: Juliet’s Pizza and Side Hustle close in Long Island City

Jan. 30, 2025 By Shane O’Brien Juliet’s Pizza and Side Hustle, two popular establishments in Long Island City, have closed permanently, marking the latest wave of restaurant closures in the neighborhood’s evolving dining scene. The establishments, both located at the corner of Jackson Avenue, were operated by Stella Hospitality Group, which previously ran four LIC… Read more »

LIC Partnership kicks off fourth-annual Lunar New Year celebration at newly-opened Chi Chicken

Elected officials, LICP representatives and Chi Chicken owner Taro Yang (second from left) pose with ceremonial lions at launch of LIC Lunar New Year. Photo Ramy Mahmoud

Jan. 28, 2025 By Shane O’Brien  The Long Island City Partnership (LICP) launched its fourth-annual Lunar New Year business festival at the newly-opened hot pot restaurant Chi Chicken Friday, with special promotions at dozens of local businesses. The event marks the beginning of a month-long LIC Lunar New Year celebration honoring the area’s rapidly growing… Read more »

Long Island City’s Hunter’s Point South Park named one of NYC’s best parks

Jan. 28, 2025 By Shane O’Brien  Hunter’s Point South Park has been named among the best parks in New York City, according to a new NYC Parks initiative aiming to improve greenspaces across the city and provide New Yorkers with information about the city’s parks. Vital Parks for All, a $3.2 billion vision for improving… Read more »

Mother Cabrini Foundation awards $208M to nonprofits, including $54M for healthcare workforce in Queens and Brooklyn

Jan. 24, 2025 By Shane O’Brien The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, the state’s largest grantmaking nonprofit focused exclusively on advancing the health and well-being of New Yorkers, has announced that it has awarded 209 grants totaling $208 million to nonprofits across the city, including $54 million in grants for 109 programs across Queens and Brooklyn. … Read more »

Social workers rally in Albany to back González-Rojas’ Social Work Workforce Act

Coalition of social workers gathers in Albany. Photo: Social Workers for Justice.

Jan. 24, 2025 By Shane O’Brien  A coalition of New York social workers rallied in Albany on Wednesday in support of the Social Work Workforce Act, sponsored by Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas. The legislation seeks to repeal the exam requirement for applicants pursuing licensure as master social workers. The Social Workers for Justice Coalition—comprising the… Read more »