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 The owners of a successful Italian restaurant and a fine spirits store in Long Island City have opened a pizzeria in the neighborhood after much delay. Stella Hospitality Group, which owns Levante and Enoteca LIC, opened Juliet’s Pizza for a soft opening earlier this month on the corner of… Read more »
June 20, 2023 By Michael Dorgan A last-ditch attempt by a group of progressive Queens lawmakers to have a conservative event canceled in Long Island City on June 17 failed, with the gathering going ahead as planned. Six western Queens lawmakers released a joint statement late on Friday, June 16, calling on Motif Studios, a… Read more »
June 19, 2023 By Michael Dorgan Ample Hills Creamery, the popular ice cream purveyor, is set to reopen under its original owners in what is the latest twist in the brand’s storied history. The husband-and-wife duo of Brian Smith and Jackie Cuscuna have announced that they have acquired the company — known for churning out… 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 15, 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 »
June 7, 2023 By Michael Dorgan Members of the striking Writers Guild of America picketed outside the Silvercup East Studios in Long Island City on Tuesday, June 6, leading to the day’s shooting of the TV show “Daredevil” to be shut down. Around 40 people took part in the picket, most of whom are members… Read more »
June 7, 2023 By Michael Dorgan Approximately 80 firefighters worked to extinguish a large fire that erupted on the rooftop terrace of an apartment building in Long Island City on Tuesday, June 6, according to the FDNY. The fire broke out on the 11th floor of 41-15 23 St. just before 7 p.m., sending heavy… Read more »
June 5, 2023 By Michael Dorgan The city is nearing the completion of a study that seeks to examine alternative sites for a new ferry terminal at Hunter Points South Park, which will replace the existing station. The NYC Economic Development Corp., which oversees the city’s ferry routes, said it is considering the feasibility of… Read more »