The Weekender

Coming to you early this week to make up for last week's technical glitch. (I actually had work to do at work and my "reliable" Verizon service was down again at home)

Today is the official start to Summer, whoo hoo! We've got the longest day of the year and what a better way to celebrate it that by heading to Socrates Sculpture Park to partake in their Summer Solstice Celebration. The fun starts at 5 until the sun goes down which should be round abouts 8:30 or so. There will be music, face painting, artmaking workshops, a solstice ritual and food from local restaurants all with the skyline as your backdrop.

Our friends at Waltz are enjoying a much deserved vacation this week. But they'll be back next week with their usual round up of Monday Jazz Lounge, Tuesday Comedy and Wednesday Open Mic Night. And as a sneak peek next Friday as part of their Smokey Jazz Series they bring us the musical stylings of Audrey Silver and Saturday is the monthly Wine Tasting Series with Kevin Rose.

This weekend (and under way right now) Ditmars gets in on the street fair action with the multi day festivities for the St. Antonio Abate Society of Castrofilippo. Check it out on Ditmars between 35 th and 38th streets.

Tomorrow the Beer Garden opens its doors to show their appreciation to some folks who really deserve it; teachers! They also show their love 6-29 as well. BBQ is on and there's no additional cover. Take out a teacher for a pint (hey Michael…want a beer?)

Also tomorrow from 6:30 to 9pm enjoy the Friday Night Chill Paddle brought to us by the good folks at the Astoria Waterfront Group and the LIC Community Boathouse. "Join us for a very casual skyline viewing aboard sit-on-top kayaks. While all paddle trips involve exercise, danger, and cooperation, these weekly outings are maeant to minimize demands and allow participants to unwind." Meet at the LIC Community Boathouse on Anable Cove at East River and 43rd Avenue.

And don't forget, every Sunday, weather permitting, from 1-5pm they have the walk up canoeing and kayaking taking off from Hallets Cove.

Do you have some books you want to get rid of? Maybe see if there are any you can pick up or swap? Have a great book you think folks should read and want to loan it out? Then stop by Freeze Peach Sunday at 2 and look for the folks with the piles of books and join in on the Astorian's book swap. It works like this: you and other folks bring books. You give away what you don't want, take what other people are giving away or loan out a good book to a new trustworthy neighbor. Whatever is left over at the end is collectively carried over to a local thrift store for a donation.

Sunday is also the Opening Day Celebration of PS1. Go get your art on.

Spotted around town:
While I lament the loss of our lovely bona fide French restaurant Le San Souci I noticed that Soho café (don't think it is affiliated with any chain; I've heard there is a chain of sub par bakery/café places called Soho…this looks distinctive) has finished moving in. They've kept a bit of the look of Le San Souci (smart move) I believe I didn't see the distinctive rustic wooden tables but the stone walls are still there. Will have to pop in to investigate soon as I am in the process of moving to that neck of the woods.