The Weekender

First off my apologies for last week. I could not get the blog to post in its entirety and it drove me batty to the point I gave up. Basically I gave you the usual and told you to enjoy the lovely weekend.

Despite the dreariness outside my office window (Thank god for the massive plant I have there to cheer things up) this weekend is set to be L-O-V-E-L-Y. I’m ignoring the threat of rain for tomorrow and focusing on the warm sunny weather I see for Sunday.

Now that the weather is warming up, so is the neighborhood.
And I am happy to report that John and I found a great apartment and my fear of being forced out of Astoria was unfounded. *Sigh of relief*

First up, there’s been chatter about a Green Market coming to Astoria, in Athens Square Park (30th st @ 30th ave). That would be awesome. I love walking through the one in Union Square on my lunch breaks and having one close to home means not having to worry about schlepping stuff home on a crowded rush hour train. Ah, to have fresh locally grown fruits, veg and plants would be lovely (I’m digging that word today, eh?). Sign the petition to voice your support to have this great addition to our community. Make sure to verify you're in Astoria in the comments section.

This weekend Cynthia, from Candy Plum, is celebrating her birthday all weekend, with 10% off everything pink and a free gift with purchase. Sale runs until the shop closes on Sunday. Happy Birthday Cynthia!

Tonight at 7:30 AMMI hosts a screening of “Away from Her” Presented by Director Sarah Polley. “Julie Christie’s radiant and moving performance as a woman who succumbs to memory loss lies at the heart of Sarah Polley’s impressive directorial debut.” Tickets are $18 for non members and after the screening and discussion join in for the reception in the museum galleries.

Saturday from 11-1pm join Richard Melnick from the Greater Astoria Historical Society for a Walking Tour of the neighborhood. Set at a leisurely pace, you’re sure to learn a lot about the neighborhood. RSVP and meet your walking buddies at the corner of Ditmars and Shore Blvd, and you’ll eventually make your way to Rainey Park.

Also Saturday the Steinway Reformed Church(41-01 Ditmars Blvd @ 41st st) is hosting a rummage sale. They’re promising great stuff and great bargains for everybody. Proceeds go to support the church “that supports the community.”

Waltz hosts their monthly wine tasting again Saturday at 9pm. 7 wines paired with meats and cheeses for $25 all while getting a lesson about what you're sipping. Get there early, the last 2 months have sold out.

Saturday night shake your groove thang at Hell Gate Social with Astoria’s DJ Lo-Fi spinning the beats.
It is not a good night to go to the Beer Garden even if the weather is beautiful. They’re hosting a concert and tickets are $30 in advance.
Hold the need for beer until Sunday.

Sunday brings a smile to my heart just thinking about THE FIRST STREET FAIR OF THE SEASON!!! Get your booty over to Steinway and about 28th ave to Broadway (they say it runs to 34th ave, but it never really reaches that far, much to my disappointment). Time to scope out the $2 jewelry, funny t-shirts, deep fried oreos, and all those great things that just spell summer.

Also on Sunday is the grand opening of the QP Marketplace in Queens Plaza. Antiques, crafts, collectables and a farmers market are what’s in store for visitors. I’m excited to check it out.

One more for Sunday (that I’ll miss for sure due to another commitment)-make like a kid and go fly a kite. From 11-2 join kids of all ages as Socrates Sculpture Park and The Noguchi Museum present the fifth annual kite event. “Children and their families draw inspiration from the Park's fantastic view of the Manhattan skyline to build and decorate a kite, and then fly it in the Park. KiteFlight will be held in the education area at Socrates Sculpture Park. The workshop is free and supplies will be provided.”

With all this, how can it NOT be a great weekend?
Enjoy it!

The Weekender

I take back my earlier proclamation that Spring has sprung. We’re back to blustery, wet and cold days. Hopefully that will change. But the weather hasn’t stopped Astoria from heating up.

Of special note this weekend are 2 parades in Manhattan; one of which hits close to home. Saturday is the Tartan Day Parade. Its the largest Scottish celebration in Manhattan and one of the largest Scottish parades in the world. Catch the pipers and drummers strut their stuff down 6th avenue.
And in case you haven’t noticed that a lot more Greek flags have sprung up recently it’s time for the76th annual Greek Independence Day Parade on Sunday. This year’s parade is dedicated to religious freedom. It will also be the first time it is broadcast on television. Catch it on FOX 5 or My9 from 1-3:30pm with hosts from channel 5 news, Rosanna Scotto, Ernie Anastos and Nick Gregory. “The parade commemorates the 186th anniversary of Greek Independence from Turkish Ottoman rule, tyranny and oppression and honors the Greek forefathers who valiantly sacrificed their lives to preserve the ideals of freedom, democracy, and independence. The celebration brings together thousands of Greek-Americans; Philhellenes, civic, religious and political organizations; members of the Greek Orthodox Church, American and Greek government officials on Fifth Avenue to honor Greek independence. All Hellenes and Philhellenes are encouraged to attend the Parade, which showcases the culture and legacy of Greece: a celebration of Greek Independence, culture, family and heritage.” (taken from Hellenic News of America).

Friday night you can stay home and begin the mourning process of the end of Stargate SG-1 (oh, say it really isn’t so! But it is ). Or you can check out Hell Gate Social’s Naughty little evening. At 9pm they host Erotic Consultant Wazina Bibi for Sex Toys, Tips, Erotic Education with Dj Qi spinning her usual unusual mix of electro, alternative rock, 80's & funk-soul Additionally you can pop into Waltz-Astoria to enjoy and acoustic set by Shelly Bhushan. Shelly blends every corner of the pop music scene funk, rock, blues, r&b and jazz, in addition to drawing from her Texas roots to develop a sound that is authentic, original, and alive, and transcends genre definition. Show’s on at 9, $5 cover and $7 drink minimum.

Saturday, after trying to see if Scotsmen really do wear anything under their kilts, rock out at Waltz. Warren Zimmel and the Zen Roses tear it up. They even say “Make sure you get here early, don't say we didn't tell you!” The usual bat time and bat cover.
Afterwards join Astoria’s DJ Lo-Fi spinning the hot beats at Hell Gate Social.
Also earlier on Saturday, Candy Plum is having a trunk show for designer Mary Ann McMahon from 1-3:30.

Sunday, test your trivia skills at the Irish Rover Pub Quiz. Or have drinks with “the family” Tony Soprano’s family that is. Hell Gate Social is airing the second episode of the final season, complete with Sicilian Pizza and $2 Sicilian Kiss shots (amaretto and so-co)

Make it a great one folks!
I’ll be apartment hunting all weekend. Hopefully we find our new home. Wish us luck!

Big Brother Comes to Astoria

http://www.amny.com/news/local/transportation/subway/am-cameras0411,0,2351642.story

Anti-terror cams come to Queen
By Matthew Grant
Special to amNewYork
April 11, 2007

Big Brother will soon be watching, and Queens lawmakers say it's for your own good.Thirty-six high-tech cameras will be installed at three subway stops in Astoria as part as of an anti-terror security plan."What began as an anti-terror initiative in response to both 9/11 and the bombings in London has now proven to be a very successful tool to combat everyday crime," State Assemb. Michael Gianaris (D-Queens) said Tuesday.
The cameras, paid for with $1.7 million in state and federal funds, will be installed at the Broadway, 30th Avenue and Astoria Boulevard stops along the N/W line. Each station will be outfitted with 12 cameras, most of them positioned at the entrances and exits.Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Queens/Brooklyn), who worked with Gianaris to secure funding for the cameras, said a 2003 al-Qaida plot to release poisonous gas in the subways shows how vulnerable the system is.
But Gene Russianoff, staff attorney for the Straphangers Campaign, said he isn't convinced adding a few dozen cameras will improve safety. But, he added, "It's like chicken soup, it can't hurt."Besides, he added, "A lot of riders find solace in seeing these cameras and it makes them feel more secure.
"There are 50 subway stations in the city that have surveillance cameras an MTA spokesman said.However, a spokeswoman for Gianaris said that these will be among the first in Queens. She said the cameras will be similar to those installed in convenience stores, and will be able to store 45 days worth of information.They should be operational by the end of the summer, she said.
A year ago Gianaris announced funding for cameras at the Ditmars Boulevard station; they have been installed and should be operational in two months.Gianaris also hopes to secure money to install cameras at the Steinway Street station along the R line.
"We are now in a period of record-breaking train usage in the city," Gianaris said. "The more we can make people feel safe in getting on those trains the better it'll be for them and for all of New York."Weiner insists, however, that the security cameras will not be used as a substitute for police vigilance, but more as a tool in deterring crime."You can't have too many eyes keeping us safe when it comes to the subways," Weiner said.

The Weekender & Happy Easter!

This weekend is one of those rare religious convergences where both Easter and Greek Orthodox Easter happen the same week (not so good though if you are apartment hunting).
So dye your eggs, hide your baskets...or get creative and make someone a basket...that's what I'll be doing. It's a fun project...now to find a small Ford F150 toy truck....
Most importantly bundle up, it's going to be a cold Sunday.

There's a new addition the Astoria shopping scene - Site Design. Joining the southern Astoria ranks of funky cool shops, it's like the home furnishings version of Candy Plum (which is closed for Easter so no new baubles this weekend ladies). It's 2 doors down from Cafe Bar so you could totally stop in for a peep after having brunch, or while heading over to the Bravo for provisions.

Waltz Astoria provides the locals with more tunes this weekend.
Tonight they welcome back French guitar virtuoso Stephane Wrembel. (9:00, $5 cover, $7 drink minimum)
Saturday M.E.3, an avant- garde jazz trio that reinterpret the meaning of modern jazz and contemporary music hits the shop. (9pm, $5 Cover, $7 Drink Minimum).

Sunday night at 9, Astoria's funnyman Matt Taylor brings the free funny to Stini Yiamis (35th Street @ Ditmars). Come for the comedy and stick around for the after party with Matt playing DJ.

Make it a great one folks!