LIC Spot

"Peace & Oysters" by {a href="http://www.ten10studios.com/" target=”_blank”}Jesse Winter{/a}

We here at LIC Spot love to eat. And we are pretty good at finding great food and great value throughout Long Island City. Domaine Bar A Vins, for example, is one of our favorite hangouts because of their $1 happy hour oysters from 5-7pm. Yeah, you heard me…a buck an oyster! Plus they’ve got some fabulous wines (hence the name) and cheeses to go with. Bon appetit!

Come and celebrate LIC Spot’s launch party at Ten10 Studios this Saturday, May 5th (aka Cinco de Mayo) starting at 5pm! The first two hours will entertain kids with a massive custom-made piñata filled with toys. There will be Virgin Margaritas (made with agave) and plenty of south-of-the-border food, courtesy of Mamma Gianna. Arts and crafts and oh yeah, did we mention the CHOCOLATE FOUNTAIN?

Adults will then get a treat of their own after 7pm with DJ Special K and plenty of  Not-So-Virgin Margaritas and “antojitos“.

Come celebrate the start of the hottest blog in Long Island City with a “Cinco de Mayo” twist!

The Wyndham Garden on Vernon Blvd. - Photo by {a href="http://www.ten10studios.com/" target=”_blank”}Jesse Winter{/a}

This week a New York Times article highlighted new hotels in the outer boroughs, including the numerous that have popped up recently in Long Island City. What are the benefits of staying here instead of Manhattan? Well, to start off, it’s much more affordable. But these hotels are trying to cater to the Manhattan tourist and giving them proximity to things like Silver Cup Studios, museums like PS1 and easy access to La Guardia Airport. This is good news for Long Island City’s economy, but it makes you wonder if the hotel guests are actually touring LIC or just crashing here.

Senator Michael Gianaris and Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer chatting with locals after the event. Photo by {a href="http://www.ten10studios.com/" target=”_blank”}Jesse Winter{/a}

Last night Senator Michael Gianaris met with numerous LIC locals at Manducatis Rustica to discuss the future of Long Island City. Some were a bit excited about certain issues and others were quite inappropriate  (ok, that was me who asked “When will the Macy’s 4th of July fireworks come back to the east side?”). But all in all, everybody was heard by the senator. Here’s what we learned:

• The new park at at Hunter’s Point South will have another dog park! Apparently other NYC districts have been contacting Gianaris’ office to find out how he was able to install a “state of the art” dog-run in LIC.

• Senator Gianaris tried to get the MTA to offer shuttle services from LIC directly into Manhattan during the 11 week 7-train hiatus. In fact he successfully found funding, but the MTA said no because “it would set a precedence”.  Isn’t that charming? 

• Many residents were worried (ok, angered) about the closing of William Cullen Bryant High School. The senator shared their frustration and insisted that the school was on the right track, but the city had already made its decision. He did acknowledge that more needs to be done to prepare for the influx of families in the coming year before it gets too late and will be discussing it with the Department of Education.

• Hunters Point South will be 60 percent “affordable housing”.  According to NYCEDC “Affordable units are targeted to households with incomes between 80% and 165% of the HUD Income Limit*, roughly $55,000 – $158,000 for a family of four.” This, according to the senator, was the city’s ultimate goal.

• For any other issues (what to make for dinner, perhaps?) Senator Gianaris’ office has an open line: 718 728-0960

Just in case you missed it earlier this month, the head of the MTA announced that there was no chance that an extension of the 7 train to New Jersey was going to happen “in our lifetime”. That begs the question, how old is the head of the MTA? Because if he’s in his 60′s or 70′s, then there is plenty of hope for most of us. Then again, who wants to end up in New Jersey when you’ve got Long Island City?

via NY Times

Shoes hung on a wire on 47th Rd. and Jackson Ave. Photo by {a href="http://www.ten10studios.com/" target=”_blank”}Jesse Winter{/a}

Some of you have noticed shoes thrown on electric wires throughout neighborhoods in NYC, and of course even in Long Island City. What is the meaning behind “shoe tossing” exactly? Some sources (OK, Wikipedia) state: “Some also say that shoes hanging from the wires advertise a local crack house where crack cocaine is used and sold^[2] (in which case the shoes are sometimes referred to as “Crack Tennies”).” OK, maybe we should start looking for better sources, but in the meantime, you tell us: What do shoes on a wire mean?

Photo by {a href="http://www.ten10studios.com/" target=”_blank”}Jesse Winter{/a}

Metro Mary Spencer is turning a mature 25 yrs old tomorrow and today she’s celebrating at her coveted spot in front of the 7 Train on Vernon Blvd.  As a top promoter for The Metro these past two years, she has quickly become a legend on the LIC scene having been placed at their prime location a little over a year ago due to her fantastic attitude, energy and spirit.  We at LIC Spot want to thank you, Mary, for being our very first “People We Love”. The world is in your hands!

by Jesse Winter

Not an actual LIC brothel.

According to our councilman, Jimmy Van Bramer, there are spas that are probably operating “illegal businesses” in the Dutch Kills area of Long Island City. Smile Dawa and Asian Body Work have been in trouble in the past but this time the councilman wants them gone for good. “We have a zero-tolerance policy for illegal businesses and crime in our neighborhood,” he said.

via Times Ledger 

Cross Fit has officially moved away from the Gantry Park area to a more-remote location in Long Island City. What remains are two spinning studios and a field track. Unless you have a gym in your building complex, it’s obvious your workout choices are slim (sorry for the pun). Is LIC ready for a full-blown gym?