Author: Shane O’Brien

Antisemitic messaging sparks outrage over OneLIC neighborhood plan opposition

June 10, 2025 By Shane O’Brien Several elected officials and community members have condemned a text blast circulated ahead of last month’s OneLIC neighborhood plan hearing, calling it antisemitic for describing the proposal as “Zionist capital at work.” The text blast, which was distributed in advance of a joint Community Board 1 and 2 hearing… Read more »

South Jamaica crowned champions of NYCFC’s citywide youth soccer tournament

A Rose Bank player attempts a shot against South Jamaica in Sunday's Community Cup. Photo: Shane O'Brien.

June 9, 2025. By Shane O’Brien. Hundreds of young soccer stars from neighborhoods across the five boroughs competed in New York City FC’s (NYCFC) fourth-annual Community Cup at the Triborough Bridge Playground in Astoria on Sunday. Children aged 8-11 from 30 different neighborhoods across the city took part in the annual tournament, which featured six teams per… Read more »

Opposition and support clash at packed CB2 meeting over Long Island City rezoning plan

Supporters and opponents of the OneLIC Neighborhood Plan hold signs during Thursday's monthly Community Board 2 meeting. Photo: Shane O'Brien

June 6, 2025 By Shane O’Brien Hundreds of people packed Sunnyside Community Services (SCS) Thursday evening to give testimony on the OneLIC Neighborhood Plan at Community Board 2’s monthly in-person meeting. Dozens of local residents testified both in favor and against the neighborhood plan during the June 5 meeting at SCS, located at 43-31 39th… Read more »

Astoria’s fifth annual Pride parade returns June 8 with drag, dancing and community pride

Previous Astoria Pride event at ICON. Photo courtesy of Albatross Bar.

June 6, 2025 By Shane O’Brien Hundreds are expected to turn out for the 2025 Astoria Pride March, which will once again wind its way through 30th Avenue and Steinway Street, celebrating the LGBTQ+ community and spotlighting three of the neighborhood’s most iconic queer-owned establishments. The festivities will begin with a pre-march rally outside Albatross… Read more »

‘It’s choking us’: Blissville and Greenpoint residents raise air quality concerns over Green Asphalt plant

Fumes emitting from the Green Asphalt plant in Blissvillle. Photo courtesy of Thomas J. Mituzas.

June 5, 2025 By Shane O’Brien Residents on both sides of the Newtown Creek in Blissville and Greenpoint have raised concerns about alleged pollution from a green asphalt contractor on Railroad Avenue. Green Asphalt, located at 37-98 Railroad Ave., replaces traditional asphalt mixes with recycled asphalt, stating that recycled mixes help reduce costs for contractors… Read more »

Advocates push for speed limiter law as Queens drivers rack up hundreds of school zone tickets

June 4, 2025 By Shane O’Brien The five most persistent “super speeders” in Queens racked up a combined 643 school zone speed camera tickets in 2024—an average of one every 14 hours—according to new research from street safety groups Transportation Alternatives (TA) and Families for Safe Streets. One driver received 182 tickets alone last year,… Read more »

Valdez calls for NY resistance to Trump policies at Sunnyside town hall

Assembly Member Claire Valdez speaks at a town hall at Sunnyside Community Services on Monday, June 2. Photo: Shane O'Brien.

June 4, 2025 By Shane O’Brien Assembly Member Claire Valdez emphasized the importance of community solidarity in resisting the Trump Administration during her first town hall in Sunnyside since taking office earlier this year. Valdez, who won the District 37 State Assembly seat last year by defeating Johanna Carmona and incumbent Juan Ardila, said New… Read more »

Gianaris delivers $450K for new HVAC system at PS 122 in Astoria

State Sen. Mike Gianaris presents PS 122 with a check for $450,000. Photo courtesy of State Sen. Mike Gianaris.

June 3, 2025 By Shane O’Brien State Sen. Mike Gianaris presented PS 122 in Astoria with a $450,000 check Saturday afternoon to fund new air conditioning units throughout the school. Gianaris made the announcement at the school’s Centennial Carnival on Saturday, May 31, which saw hundreds of families visit PS 122, located at 21-21 Ditmars… Read more »

Remote-working platform Adventurely launches new LIC campaign

June 2, 2025 By Shane O’Brien Adventurely, a remote-working platform that allows workers to book drop-in workspaces in local businesses, has launched its first New York City-based community in Long Island City, featuring eight businesses across the neighborhood offering a variety of unique amenities. Adventurely, which is backed by global start-up network Techstars, announced its… Read more »

New F45 Training studio brings HIIT workouts to Sunnyside

Elected officials, community representatives and F45 staff cut the ribbon at the company's new Sunnyside location on May 23. Photo courtesy of Sunnyside Shines.

May 30, 2025 By Shane O’Brien A new fitness center has officially opened its doors in Sunnyside, with the goal of building a strong, health-minded community among local residents. F45 Training Sunnyside held its grand opening on Friday, May 23, at 39-11 Queens Blvd., offering a range of high-intensity group workouts designed to appeal to… Read more »