Sunnyside Post

Sunnyside Gardens sidewalk tag sale draws plenty of residents/vendors

May 19, By Bill Parry

More than 120 homeowners set up rickety tables throughout Sunnyside Gardens yesterday as they peddled their goods as part of the first community-wide sidewalk tag sale.

The biggest cluster of vendors was located on 48^th Street, followed by 46^th Street. However, there were residents selling their wares throughout the district, which stretched from 43^rd to 49^th Streets, between Skillman and 39^th Avenues.

While an afternoon shower sent buyers and sellers scrambling for cover at one point, the organizers and participants viewed the event as a success.

“For a first event, I was very pleased” said Patricia Dorfman, who organized the community tag sale with fellow Sunnyside Gardens resident Dorothy Morehead. However, “I guess I would have liked more people to have been involved.”

Meanwhile, Morehead said the event was going great until the rain started. However, she said, “It was well worth doing.”

Bargains to be found

While the sellers were able to get rid of items they no longer needed, bargain hunters had a field day. Neal Sugarman, a sax player for the Dap-Kings (a successful funk band), bought a bike for just $35. Dorfman found a leopard print coat for just $2.

As expected, young parents saw the greatest benefit.  “There was one couple expecting a baby in October,” Morehead said. “They filled their car with baby stuff like strollers, clothes and toys.”

Some owners were surprised to find buyers for unusual items. At 39-58 46^th St., Michael Beck sold a German hand cranked grain mill.

Meanwhile, Joe O’Sullivan, who lives across the street from Sunnyside Gardens Park, sold a refrigerator, a portable air conditioner and even a small window for a grand total over $700.

“The funny thing is I gave away a lot of stuff right before I learned about the sale,” O’Sullivan said. “It was a good day — can’t wait to do it again.”

However, Kathy Sullivan, who was combing through the items, said the event was also about connecting with neighbors. “To me, it was another example of what makes Sunnyside such a powerful community,” she said.

By Sunnyside Post on May 19, 2013. 9 Comments
Posted in General News

Sunnyside pub owner opens new bar in Long Island City

Pat Burke, at the Courtyard Ale House

May 17, By Christian Murray

The owner of a popular Sunnyside pub is expanding his bar/restaurant business by opening a gastropub in the heart of Long Island City.

Pat Burke, 39, who owns the Courtyard Ale House on Queens Blvd, is in the midst of establishing an up-market pub at 47-10 Vernon Blvd, in Hunters Point. The pub, to be called Woodbines, will represent Burke’s fourth establishment in New York City.

Burke, who is from County Cork, bought the Courtyard 14 years ago.

Four years ago, Burke then ventured into Manhattan and opened an establishment on 9^th Avenue, called the Brickyard Gastropub. Last year, he moved into Williamsburg and converted an old building into a pub, calling it the Kent Ale House.

If all goes to plan, Windbines will be open by August.

Burke has named his Long Island City pub after the cigarettes his grandfather smoked in Ireland.

“We want a bit of an older-styled place,” Burke said, adding that the interior would feature “distressed wood” to create a comfortable atmosphere. He said the exterior of the pub would be changed to reflect that feel too.

He said Woodbines would offer 16 craft beers and a high-end bar menu.

But Burke’s Long Island City business will be under constant surveillance by its neighbors—since it adjoins a residential area.

Windbines location in Long Island City

The bar/restaurant owners before Burke—who ran Lounge 47– had a torrid time with some of their outspoken neighbors.

The previous owners were denied the use of their backyard space after a rash of complaints—including video footage.

Burke told Community Board 2 last week that he would not use the backyard space and agreed to clip back his weeknight hours from 4 am to 2am.

Furthermore, he told the community board that he has spent $28,000 on soundproofing the premises, which he was not required to do.

Nevertheless, Burke is excited to be venturing into Long Island City.  “Looking at the neighborhood and all the new residents…it’s a great opportunity.”

By Sunnyside Post on May 17, 2013. 11 Comments
Posted in General News

Revamped Lou Lodati Park to open in June

Lou Lodati Park, located on Skillman Aveune (41st to 43rd Streets)

May 17, By Christian Murray

It’s almost time to let the dogs out.

Lou Lodati/Tornsey Park, which has been undergoing renovation for the past year, is expected to reopen in early June.

The revamp is finishing well ahead of schedule. The Parks Department broke ground in September and anticipated at the time that it would take a year to complete.

The upgraded park will now include a dog run—for both big and small dogs—as well as new planting beds throughout the site.

The Parks Department has also resurfaced the existing asphalt which will contain separate areas for a softball/baseball field, volleyball/ecuavolley and basketball courts.

The renovation was largely the result of a grass-roots campaign by the Sunnyside United Dog Society (SUDS)—and its leader Rick Duro—who pushed for nearly a decade for a dog run and park upgrades. The group’s goal became one of Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer’s campaign promises when he ran for office three and a half years ago.

“I keep on my desk a list of things that I pledged during my campaign,” the councilman said last year.

“When SUDS first approached me… it spurred in me the desire to fix the entire park,” he said, adding that the revamp will be a great asset to the community.

The dog-run advocates, who formed SUDS in 2001, have had many setbacks in pursuit of their dream over the years. Their initial design plans were voted down by the community board, and then when the amended plans were finally approved and the funds allocated in 2007—-the city budget cuts railroaded them.

The revamp comes at a cost of $1.4 million and was funded through allocations from Van Bramer and Queens Borough President Helen Marshall.

By Sunnyside Post on May 17, 2013. 35 Comments
Posted in General News

By Sunnyside Post on May 15, 2013. 6 Comments
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The Knicks visit Sunnyside—with a future hall of famer

Knicks fans outside Chase (46-10 Queens Blvd)

May 15, By Bill Parry

Basketball royalty visited the Chase bank branch on Queens Blvd. on Tuesday, turning a simple Knicks autograph signing promotion into a memorable occasion.

For the nearly 200 fans—many wearing orange and blue jerseys—the afternoon event was something they won’t soon forget.

Bernard King, the prolific scorer who carried the Knicks in the early 80’s, showed up and surprised the fans by high-fiving nearly everyone who waited on line.

Once inside he grabbed a microphone from a DJ to thank the fans for showing up and supporting his old team in their playoff series with the Indiana Pacers.

Former Knick Larry Johnson was also on hand to sign autographs but kept a low profile knowing the fans turned out to see King. “The man’s going into the Hall of Fame in September,” said Johnson.

That is why Bernard King treated the event with extra passion. “Going into the Hall of Fame is the pinnacle of the sport, the highest honor,” King said. “I’m an ambassador not just for the sport but for all of New York City.”

The Brooklyn-born King was a four-time all star playing small forward for the Knicks from 1982-87. He was robbed of two seasons in his prime because of major knee surgery.

Fans, young and old, were excited to see the legend in Sunnyside. “He was one of the best Knicks to ever wear the jersey,” said Kevin, who elected not to give his last name. Another fan agreed, saying, “I was a little kid at the time but he was one of my favorites; it’s a thrill to see him here.”

Nick Reiner, an independent filmmaker and unabashed sports fan, was happy to see King. “I remember when he almost beat Larry Bird’s Celtics single-handedly when Boston was at their peak,” Reiner said. “He was really something.”

Many of the fans asked King about the current team’s troubles in their playoff series with the Pacers. “Anything can happen in a seven-game series,” was the mantra repeated by King with a confident smile. He said, “They haven’t played their best basketball yet.”

The Knicks lost to the Pacers on Tuesday night and now trail in the Eastern Conference semifinals 3-1. If the future Hall of Famer knew that only 8 teams in NBA history have overcome a 3-1 deficit to win a postseason series, he kept it to himself.

Bernard King (L) and Larry Johnson

By Sunnyside Post on May 15, 2013. 9 Comments
Posted in General News

Children’s band to play at Thursday’s Jazz/Irish Music Festival

Children’s band

May 15, By Bill Parry

A critically acclaimed children’s music group will perform at Windmuller Park on Thursday—as part of the second annual Irish Music Festival.

The group–whose members range from 8-to 15-years of age– play in an Irish ceili band (party band), where they play fiddles, banjos and drums.

The group has won a number of regional events in recent years and has just qualified for the All-Ireland Fleadh, in Derry, for a fourth year in a row.

The band, known by the name Gan Ainm, is made up of a number of students from Sunnyside, Westchester and Long Island. The students attend the Niall Mulligan School of Music at the New York Irish Center in LIC.

Gan Ainm will be one of the several groups to participate in the Jazz/Irish Music Festival, which begins at 6pm on Thursday.  The event is being sponsored by Woodside on the Move, the grass roots community organization.

Gan Ainm garnered a great deal of local attention last year when it played in a number of pubs—as a means to raise funds for a trip to Ireland. This year, a St. Patrick’s Day performance at Flynn’s Garden Inn on Skillman Avenue raised the group’s profile even more.

Adrian Bordoni, the executive director of Woodside on the Move, noticed the band through social media. “The pub’s [Flynn’s] Facebook page was full of pictures and videos taken by customers,” he said.

“Folks still talk about the show the kids put on,” said Paul Flynn, the owner of Flynn’s. “They were supposed to play for two hours but they played for four– because of popular demand. It was the biggest crowd we’ve had here since the World Cup.”

UPDATE: THURSDAY: The concert is occurring. Woodside on the Move is referring to the event as a Jazz/Irish concert.

By Sunnyside Post on May 15, 2013. 6 Comments
Posted in General News

Ground broken on a 9 story residential building in Sunnyside

Rendering of new development

May 14, By Christian Murray

Builders have broken ground on a 9-story residential development in Sunnyside.

The development, located on 43^rd Street between 43^rd and Skillman Avenues, will consist of 38 rental units and 17 parking spaces. The apartments will all be one or two bedrooms, with prices expected to fetch about $1,600 for a one bedroom and $1,800 for a two bedroom.

The initial plan was for a six story building, but the developer revised his plan.  The developer, Hooshang Nemat, said he decided to reduce the size of the building’s footprint and build higher.

At 9 stories, the development will be much taller than other buildings on the street. Most are 6 stories.

Hooshang said the development will have a concrete and glass facade.  He hopes that it will be completed in 18 months—but it could take as long as 2 years.

The new building, which will have an address of 41-18 43rd Street, used to be the site(s) of an abandoned home as well as a separate empty lot. The abandoned home was demolished months ago.

Photo of site: Dec 8, 2012

By Sunnyside Post on May 14, 2013. 54 Comments
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Police seek 40th Street burglar

May 14, By Christian Murray

The police are searching for a man wanted for questioning in regards to a burglary which took place on May 1 inside a Sunnyside/Woodside residence on 40^th Street.

The police said that during the course of the burglary a debit card was stolen that was later used by the suspect (see picture) to purchase a drill and a pair of glasses at a Home Depot in Western Queens.

A police spokesman was unable to provide the exact address of the burglary or the particular Home Depot where the card was used.

Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477)

By Sunnyside Post on May 14, 2013. 4 Comments
Posted in General News

A wet grand opening for revamped Sunnyside pub

39-46 Skillman Avenue

By Bill Parry

Sunnyside, Queens: Thunderstorms wreaked havoc on the long-awaited grand opening of Jack’s Sunnyside Ale House on Saturday afternoon.

Young families scattered from the beer garden of the 39-46 Skillman Avenue pub upon hearing the sound of thunder.

“We knew the storm was coming,” said Jimmy McGowan, one of the three McGowan brothers (all firefighters) who own the bar. “We had to cancel the band we had booked to play out back ahead of time.”

Nevertheless, the McGowans did not want to cancel the grand opening, so they went ahead with the festivities that included giveaways and drink specials.

While the afternoon was a washout, the McGowans said their evening business was strong. “It was worth the wait,” Jimmy said.

Jack’s Sunnyside Ale House, formerly known as the Firewater Inn, was closed by the McGowans two years ago for renovations. The delay in the reopening was due, in part, to their architect who was unfamiliar with the new zoning code.

Once the construction was complete, the McGowans had to wait for all the permits before they could open their new kitchen.

“Starting today everything is moving forward,” Jimmy said. The kitchen is open and the pub is offering burgers and steak sandwiches, as well as fish & chips and salads, he said.

The bar offers a large selection of beers on tap, including craft beers from several microbreweries. There are 10 TV screens placed throughout the pub—with one to be added outside in the beer garden.

The brothers are planning to add a raw bar in the early summer.

“We still have a couple of things to do,” Jimmy said. However, “We’re really excited to be open again.”

beer garden

By Sunnyside Post on May 13, 2013. 12 Comments
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Cops seek thug who punched a No.7 train rider

A subway rider contacted the police about a horrifying attack he/she witnessed on the No. 7 train last week, and now the police are searching for the assailant.

According to police, the incident took place on a Queens bound train on Sunday, May 5 at about 1 a.m. In the video, an unidentified man punches a victim and then leaves the train at 69th Street.

The suspect is described as approximately 5’9″, 180 lbs with brown eyes and long black hair with a pony tail. He was wearing a dark T-shirt and blue jeans.

Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).

By Sunnyside Post on May 12, 2013. 16 Comments
Posted in General News