July 11, 2023 By Michael Dorgan State Senator Michael Gianaris has secured a $50,000 grant for a Hispanic arts theatre in Sunnyside. The Thalia Spanish Theatre, located at 41-17 Greenpoint Ave., will use the funds to carry out upgrades to its sound systems. The center promotes Spanish/Latin American culture and heritage by hosting productions of… Read more »
July 10, 2023 By Michael Dorgan A Mexican bar/restaurant in Sunnyside is set to close, having never recovered from the pandemic-era lockdowns. Arriba Arriba, known for its margaritas and Mexican flare, will close next month at 40-15 Queens Blvd. after a 15-year run. The establishment has a reputation for its sprightly atmosphere, live sports screenings… Read more »
July 5, 2023 By Michael Dorgan And just like that, it was gone. Having served the Sunnyside community for nearly 50 years, the old-school coffee shop Alpha Donuts closed its doors for good last week leaving patrons shocked and in disbelief. The no-frills diner, located just a few feet from the Sunnyside Arch on Queens… Read more »
June 28, 2023 By Michael Dorgan Incumbents Julie Won and Tiffany Cabán look set to retain their western Queens city council seats after scoring wide-margin victories in Tuesday’s Democratic primary. The progressives, who were both seeking second terms coming into this election, easily brushed aside their only respective challengers. Won, who faced a serious fight… Read more »
June 26, 2023 By Michael Dorgan A Woodside street corner has been co-named after a former Indian human rights leader who is often referred to as the father of the nation’s constitution. The intersection of 61st Street and Broadway is now known as “Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Way,” named after Bhimrao Ramji (B.R) Ambedkar (1891 –… Read more »
June 21, 2023 By Michael Dorgan A BMW driver allegedly shot a skateboarder in Sunnyside late Tuesday night, after the rider collided with his vehicle. The motorist was in a navy-colored BMW on 39th Place, between 47th Avenue and Queens Boulevard, when the 25-year-old skateboarder crashed into the car at around 11:40 p.m., according to… Read more »
June 15, 2023 By Michael Dorgan Councilwoman Julie Won announced that the resurfacing of a badly worn-out Woodside athletic field has begun — and the total cost of the project will likely come in well under budget. The project sees the artificial playing field at Big Bush Park, located between 61st and 64th Street by Laurel… Read more »
June 15, 2023 By Michael Dorgan The Long Island City Partnership held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil a series of new dog-themed art installations in the Court Square section of the neighborhood on Monday, June 12. The installation, which includes a bench shaped like a dog bone and a large dog collar, was erected at… Read more »
June 14, 2023 By Michael Dorgan Summer is here and that means one thing: free outdoor movies on the Long Island City waterfront! A series of outdoor movie nights will kick off at the Hunters Point waterfront on June 22, with the cult classic “Back to the Future” (1985) starting off the 2023 season. The… Read more »
June 14, 2023 By Michael Dorgan A decades-old pool hall in Astoria has shuttered following a protracted legal battle over back rent dating from the onset of the pandemic. Steinway Café Billiards, an iconic venue for western Queens pool players known for its more than two dozen pool tables and a red-carpeted floor that contained… Read more »