Long Island City Post

LIC Bar music director, vocalist for new cable TV series

Gustavo Rodriguez aka Silbin Sandavar

May 10, By Bill Parry

A Long Island City man, who makes his living booking recording artists for local music venues, has joined their ranks.

Gustavo Rodriguez, best known for his work at LIC Bar, is the vocalist on a single called The Poisoned Well  that got picked up as the theme song for the new cable series Maron. The dark comedy, based on comedian Marc Maron, made its debut on The Independent Film Channel last Friday night.

“I’m thrilled, it’s wonderful,” said Rodriguez. “I hope it leads to bigger things.”

He credits his job as a music booker at several nightspots like LIC Bar and Queens Kickshaw for surrounding him with what he calls: “Good people who do great stuff.”

Rodriguez gives the credit to Astoria musician Anthony Rizzo who wrote the song for the show. “He’s gotten more into movie and television composing and he always calls me in for vocals,” Rodriguez said.

The song was cut this past December while Rodriguez was spending much of his time helping Brian Porter’s LIC Bar get back on its feet after Hurricane Sandy. The club was closed for 20 days after seven feet of salt water from the East River destroyed the clubs sound system and instruments.

“It’s been a great year despite that terrible episode with Sandy,” Rodriguez said. However, even the hurricane had its positives, he said, “like the help we [LIC Bar] got from The Who.” The rock and roll super group donated replacement equipment after hearing of LIC Bar’s plight.

The 40-year old Rodriguez, who performs under the stage name Silbin Sandavar, has been a guitarist and vocalist since the age of 14. He says his current brush with fame is “a testament to the power of late bloomers everywhere.”

By admin on May 10, 2013. Leave a Comment
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LIC residents hit with unfair parking tickets, fight for new legislation

47th Road (btw. 11th Street and Jackson Ave.)

May 10, By Christian Murray

Tobi Kahn, a Long Island City resident, parked his car in a perfectly legal spot on 47^th Road on Sunday, April 28—only to find he had a ticket when he returned to his car the very next day.

Kahn had parked his car along 47^th Road, between 11^th Street and Jackson Avenue, for years. However, unbeknownst to him, the city had changed the parking signs that night without warning.  His public parking space had suddenly been re-designated: “No Parking Except Authorized Vehicles 7AM-7PM Monday through Friday.”

Kahn said that seven cars were ticketed that day.  All of the owners of those vehicles along that strip were unaware that the Department of Transportation was switching the parking rules.

Sign change without notice

“The whole thing was really creepy,” Kahn said. “Why didn’t they not mention it to anyone?”

Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer, who represents LIC,  is working with some of the victims to see if he can help them avoid having to pay fines that are about $100.

However, he said, he continues to advocate for legislation that would combat instances like these that have emerged all over the city—and in Long Island City before.

Van Bramer introduced legislation in May 2011 that would require the city to provide 72 hours notice before the effective date of a street sign change.  He has said that the Department of Transportation opposes the law since the agency would have to pay its staff to go out and notify the public.

A public hearing was held before the New York City Council Transportation Committee in December and groups such as AAA of New York supported it.

Van Bramer is hopeful that the city council will vote on it and that it will be passed. His office said that incidents such as these highlight the need for the legislation.

By admin on May 10, 2013. 5 Comments
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Update: Police arrest man wanted for carjackings and armed robbery

Wanted: Nicolas Almonte

May 9, By Christian Murray (update: 7pm)

The police have arrested a Long Island City man who allegedly went on a carjacking and armed robbery spree that took place throughout Sunnyside, Woodside and Long Island City this morning.

The police said that Nicholas Almonte, 27,  stole a a woman’s Mercedes at gun point at 9:37 am near the entrance to the Queens Mid-Town Tunnel.  He took the vehicle and drove the victim around—before the terrified woman was able to flee near Queens Plaza. The woman was not hurt and Almonte ditched the car.

The police said at about 10:00am Almonte pulled out a gun and took a man’s 2007 Lexus at Thompson Ave and Vandam Street. The victim was not hurt and the car was recovered a short time later at 38th Street and Hunters Point Avenue.

About 10 minutes later, Almonte tried to steal car keys from a woman walking her dog near 50th Avenue and 39th Street – but fled after she told him she didn’t have any.

At 10:20 am, Almonte allegedly held a truck driver up at gunpoint in the vicinity of 38th Street and Hunters Point Avenue. Almonte allegedly stole cash and fled on foot, according to police.

Then at about 10:30am, he allegedly carjacked a man driving a 1996 gold Mercedes at 39th Street and Greenpoint Avenue.

He was arrested in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, this evening.

By admin on May 09, 2013. Leave a Comment
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Japanese restaurant to open in September

Location of new Japanese restaurant

May 9, By Christian Murray

A new Japanese restaurant is expected to open in September at 10-70 Jackson Avenue– where Los Amigos deli used to be located.

The restaurant, to be called Hibino LIC, will be run by Sooja Lee and her husband Masaru Fukuda.

The couple runs a Japanese restaurant in Cobble Hill, called Hibino, which has received many positive reviews by food critics.

Lee said the Long Island City restaurant will offer pretty much the same menu as the Cobble Hill location. The main difference is that the LIC restaurant will be a smaller.

There will be 11 tables and 26 seats at the LIC location. There are no plans for a sidewalk café.

Lee said it will take time to refurbish the existing space and that she hopes that the restaurant will be up and running by late August, early September.

Brooklyn location

By admin on May 09, 2013. 2 Comments
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25-year-old to open Peruvian restaurant next week

Jora to open next week

May 8, By Christian Murray

The new owner is young but he comes with plenty of pedigree.

Alejandro Rojas, 25, is opening a restaurant at the corner of 48^th Avenue and 11^th Street that will offer traditional Peruvian food.

The restaurant, to be called Jora, replaces the long-vacant Crossroads Diner and is likely to open next week.

Rojas’s father owns one of the oldest Peruvian restaurants in New York, which was established in Jackson Heights in 1976. That restaurant was initially called Inti raymi, but the name was later changed to Urubama.

Alejandro Rojas

Rojas will be the owner and chef at Jora– and this will be his first restaurant. While this a lot for a 25-year-old to be taking on, he grew up learning how to cook working alongside his father and has also been to cooking school.

“We will offer tapas and a few entrees when we open next week,” Rojas said. Then, “a few weeks later, we will have a complete menu with a proper grand opening.”

The restaurant has a liquor license and has room for about 90 diners. The delay in getting the liquor license played a part in why it took him a while to open the restaurant.

Many thought he would have moved in to that space more than a year ago.

By admin on May 08, 2013. 4 Comments
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Naysayers voice concerns about Alobar’s plan to open backyard space

Alobar’s backyard space

May 7, By Christian Murray

A popular Long Island City restaurant faces a real battle in getting the approval it needs to open its backyard space.

Jeff Blath, the owner of Alobar, is trying to get permission to use his restaurant’s backyard seating area. However, his application has already upset two nearby residents who spoke out against it at last Thursday’s Community Board 2 monthly meeting. Furthermore, many bars and restaurants on Vernon Blvd have been rejected seeking this type of approval in the past.

Blath, whose restaurant is located at 46-42 Vernon Blvd, has never been able to use his backyard space since he assured Community Board 2 that he wouldn’t use it when he applied for his liquor license about 18 months ago.

“When I first made my pitch [for a liquor license], the Lounge 47 war was at its height,” Blath said, referring to the bar/restaurant that was denied the use of its backyard following complaints about noise levels from neighbors. Lounge 47 closed earlier this year.

On Wednesday, Blath is going to present his proposal at the Community Board 2’s City Services Committee—where he will outline his plans to use the 18-by-20 foot backyard area, which has 11-foot high walls and an awning.

Blath said he said he wants to reach a compromise with the community board. “I’m not seeking to open it until 2 am. I plan to close it at 10:30pm.” Furthermore, he said his establishment is a restaurant not a bar.

Blath said that nearly 500 people have signed a petition in support of the opening of the backyard space and that he speaks to customers everyday who support his goal. “I live in Long Island City and know the people here and they support it.”

But Joe Conley, chairman of community board 2, said that he has received several e-mails and they are “overwhelmingly against it [opening].”

Furthermore, the two people who complained about the opening of the backyard space said they represented several residents who live next to the restaurant.

Jeff Blath

Paul Short, whose property abuts Alobar’s backyard, said that the backyard would act as an “echo-chamber” and that the noise of people laughing, drinking and speaking over each other would travel into the shared backyard space of many residents.

Meanwhile, David Hasse, who lives near Alobar’s back space, said it would ruin “our peaceful courtyards,” adding that the opening of the back space would be “disastrous.”

Conley said that Alobar would be provided with a fair hearing when it presents its case. However, he reiterated that “we have heard many objections.”

Should Alobar go ahead and open its backyard without the consent of the community board, it would be taking a risk, one board member said.

Community boards hold a lot of sway on these matters since they make recommendations to the New York State Liquor Authority when it comes time for an establishment to renew its liquor license.

Blath said if the community board denies him the use of his backyard space it would put him at a competitive disadvantage, since many restaurant will soon be permitted to offer outdoor front seating—due to a zoning change. His establishment does not qualify for such seating because the sidewalk in front of his restaurant is too narrow.

By admin on May 07, 2013. 1 Comment
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Public hearing on 5 Pointz development: May 22

May 4, 2013, By Christian Murray

The public will have its first opportunity to weigh in on the plans put forward by the owner of the 5 Pointz graffiti building—who wants to demolish it and replace it with two residential towers.

A public hearing has been scheduled for May 22, at 7pm at MoMA PS1, which is located at 22-25 Jackson Avenue. Testimony from that hearing will be taken into consideration by Community Board 2, when it decides whether to recommend the development proposal to the city planning commission.

The debate is not whether David Wolkoff, the owner of 5 Pointz, will be permitted to demolish the structure. He has the right to do that under the existing zoning law.

The primary reason for the public hearing deals with Wolkoff’s application for a special permit that would allow him to increase the scale of the two buildings above existing zoning code.

Wolkoff plans to erect two residential towers that would contain 1,000 market-rate rental units. One tower would be 47 stories high, while the other 41 stories. The base of the two buildings would include retail shops, artists’ galleries and a 250-car parking garage.

The two buildings would be 980,000 sqf. in total–more than 5 times the size of the lot (which is the limit). Therefore, he is seeking a permit that would allow him to build 8 times the lot area. For instance, Wolkoff is permitted to build 600-units under the existing zoning code; however, he needs a special permit to allow him to build 1,000 units.

As part of Wolkoff’s plan to get the permit, he is willing to provide about 30,000 sqf. in public space—well over the 20,000 sqf. that he is required by current zoning laws. Most of the space that Wolkoff is creating is for a public park at the rear of the site.

Rendering

Community Board 2 members say it is concessions like these where the public will have the most input at the public hearing. The public might be able to put pressure on Wolkoff to provide affordable units, more public space or, smaller items, such as bicycle space. However, the likelihood that the public torpedoes the greater plan is small.

The project would encompass the entire city block along Jackson Avenue, bordered by Davis and Crane Streets and Sunnyside Yards.

The Wolkoff family has owned the property for decades and has allowed local artists to use the warehouse to display their work for years.

The community board has a 60 day period (which began April 26) to review the application and make a recommendation to the city planning commission.  The borough president will then review it and it will go back to the city planning commission for review—with any changes. The city council will ultimately review it and then vote on it.

The process should take no more than seven months.

By admin on May 04, 2013. 6 Comments
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Is 5 Pointz worth preserving?

By admin on May 04, 2013. 5 Comments
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Queenswest website closes after 15 years

The popular Queenswest.com website has closed after being in operation for more than 15 years.

The operator of the site, Jake, wrote on the site that he had built the site in 1998 when Twitter and Facebook didn’t exist and there were few places to find information or talk about the happenings in the neighborhood.

Jake wrote that blogs, Facebook pages and company websites have fulfilled those needs and he doesn’t have time to keep up with the exploding amount of content or the updates.

He has no plans to sell the site.

By admin on May 02, 2013. 2 Comments
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E-bikes likely to be banned from city streets

May 2, By Christian Murray

Those e-bikes and scooters that go screeching down the sidewalks and streets are most likely going to be banned.

The city council passed a bill last Thursday that would take all of them off the streets.

The bill would also impose penalties on businesses—such as Chinese take-out restaurants–that have e-bikes on their premises. The bill, which awaits the mayor’s signature, would fine businesses $100 for a first offense and $250 thereafter. Mayor Bloomberg is likely expected to sign it.

In addition, the legislation would hold business owners responsible for any penalties incurred by employees caught using e-bikes while making deliveries.

The so-called “e-bikes” have long been outlawed on city streets but cops couldn’t issue a citation unless they could prove the rider was exceeding 15 mph.

The bill prohibits all e-bikes regardless of their speed, as well as motorized scooters that are not able to be registered with the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles.

Local residents have often complained about e-bike riders at police precinct meetings, noting their high speeds.

“They are a danger to New Yorkers because they are significantly faster and heavier than regular bikes,” said Council Speaker Christine Quinn, in a statement.

Meanwhile, a series of new rules went into effect last week that regulate delivery cyclists.

Under the new rules, business owners must provide their delivery people with helmets, lights and retro-reflective vests; proper identification showing their business names; and post signs on their premises explaining their legal obligations.

Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer sponsored the bill after hearing from residents that delivery people had almost run them over at night.

Don McCallian, president of the United 40s Civic Association, said in a statement: “Over time this law will save lives and help deter injuries not only to delivery bikers but also to pedestrians, automobile drivers and their occupants. “

The Department of Transportation said that the city will begin monitoring and enforcing the new bicycle delivery rules, which include fines ranging from $100 to $250 for businesses found to be in non-compliance.

By admin on May 02, 2013. Leave a Comment
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Children’s boutique expands in to Long Island City

Jackson Avenue location

Tiny You Sunnyside's location

Jill Callan, owner of Tiny You

Tiny You Sunnyside interior

May 1, By Bill Parry

Tiny You is getting bigger.

The upscale children’s clothing boutique located in the heart of Sunnyside Gardens is opening a new store in Long Island City.

The LIC store will be located at 10-50 Jackson Ave., a space that Chimney Cakes used to occupy.

“LIC was always in my business plan,” said Jill Callan, the owner of Tiny You. “And when I saw the location a couple of weeks ago I knew I had to act fast.”

Callan said that she’s keeping her original store in Sunnyside but wants to be part of the retail boom in LIC. “It’s the perfect place for a store like mine…with all the new residential construction and all the new schools.”

The LIC store, which will also be called Tiny You, is scheduled to open by June 1.

Callan said her new space–at 700sqf.– is nearly double that of her Sunnyside store. “Because it’s so much bigger, I’ll be able to carry products for moms like baby slings and skin care products for mom and baby,” she said.

She will also expand the community activities that she has hosted in Sunnyside to LIC. Tiny You has organized many children’s activities around the holidays as well as informational seminars for mothers. “I’m brainstorming all the new classes I can offer with all the new space,” she said.

Callan was a children’s clothing designer for 17 years before having a daughter three years ago. “I realized there was nothing for the moms locally,” she said. “I see the same need over in Long Island City.”

After the birth of the her second child last year (a son), Callan began working on designs for a clothing line for boys. “I’ll incorporate that clothing line at the new location,” she said.

Callan endeared herself to the Sunnyside community with a policy of being available for customers needs even after the close of business hours. She plans on being at the original store at least one day a week to maintain relationships with her customers.

She is looking to hire one or two people to run the store in Sunnyside. For those interested, Callan can be contacted via email at me@tiny-you.com

Meanwhile, Callan said, “I’m so anxious to get started meeting the new folks in LIC and become a part of their community.”

By admin on May 01, 2013. 2 Comments
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Vendors vie for coveted spots at new LIC Flea & Food Market

April 30, By Christian Murray

The organizers of a new, outdoor flea market have been flooded with applications from potential vendors.

LIC Flea & Food, which will be located at the corner of 5^th Street and 46^th Ave., has room for about 60 vendors. To date, about 200 vendors have applied for those spots, said Joshua Schneps, the president of LIC FLEA & FOOD.

The organizers, who held a press conference at the site of the market on Tuesday, are trying to create a flea market that offers a variety of different product types– from food, antiques, collectibles, arts, crafts and fashion—in making their selections. The market will take place on Saturdays and Sundays– and will start on June 15.

While Long Island City vendors will be among the 60 chosen, Schneps said that the vendors are being selected based on the quality of their products as opposed to where they are based.

Three well-known LIC businesses, however, have already been selected. Manducatis Rustica, Matted LIC and Malu will be selling their products.

The flea market, however, is also going to include new businesses that may not be able to afford a storefront, officials said.

The organizers hope the market will become a weekend destination for residents and visitors from around the city.

“We hope to create a venue for residents to stay connected in their own community by keeping them local and attracting people from all over Queens, New York City and even tourists,” Schneps said at the press conference.

Schneps said that the market is within walking distance from the No. 7, E and G trains. Furthermore, there will be buses that take people to the market—and back– from the East River Ferry.

The market is expected to receive an influx of attendees, since residents at TF Cornerstone’s development at 45-45 Center Blvd will begin to move in by early June. That development, which is next to the site of the market, has 820 apartments.

Location of market

By admin on Apr 30, 2013. 3 Comments
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