Five years ago today, seven Astorians met for happy hour at a new gastropub called Winegasm then marched over to the Irish Rover to (somehow) win trivia night!

Today, 10,000 strong, Why Leave Astoria continues to humble me with the stories of new friends, finding old ones, and overall community enthusiasm.

Thank you to every single person who makes WLA more than a website! We love…

A Texas restaurant has successfully trademarked the term "breastaurant"--making Bikini's Bar & Grill the only official breastaurant chain in the country.

Not exactly tough news for competing restaurants with scantily clad waitresses like Hooters, Canz, and the Tilted Kilt--since none have actually embraced the term, instead leaving the description to the media.

On a side note, "over $2MM in profit in their first year"?…

Harvest Astoria CSA

Join local Harvest Astoria CSA (community supported agriculture), located on Crescent Street off of 30th Avenue. There is one more upcoming opportunity to register -- details below.

This year’s share includes approximately 22 weeks of fresh, organic vegetables straight from Norwich Meadows Farm, NY, with add-ons available for fruit, eggs, milk, and more.  Pick-up times are from 5:30 to 8 PM on Wednesdays starting in June and ending in…

Have you heard about our children's theatre classes, but want to get to know us better?  Here's your chance!

HATCH Theatre is holding an open house with their partners at the Chain Theatre in Long Island City!  Come visit the space and meet the instructors face-to-face.  Learn more about our backgrounds and programs at the same time.  

WHEN: Saturday, April 13th from 9am - 10:30am

WHERE: The Chain Theatre (21-28 45th Road LIC, NY 10001)

Please RSVP to the…

It is hard for most of us to imagine that in the old days of Astoria if you happen to live near the river chances were you owned a boat or a fishing vessel Today with the wall and rail now blocking our natural rights to the water front it seems as though the river is not meant for us to really enjoy but not so in the old days.…

After last week's avalanche of credit card fraud horror stories, another odd one rolled into our inbox today. On Tuesday an Astorian's credit card was used for a Nordstrom shopping spree followed by a charitable donation to the Red Cross!

Can you believe that? Do you think the thief's conscience got the best of him/her or are there ulterior motives?

Check out the…

Photo by Nancy A. Ruhling

Seferino works at the Broadway bakery Omonia Next Door.

Seferino Medina will be back in 10 minutes. He has to ice a birthday cake.

"Has to" aren't the right words…

Just had a second push in at our 6 family house.  Last summer thieves broke into our basement and took a

very expensive bike.  Today they came back and took another one.  They bust open the front basement door, cut the locks, and then leave with them.

This happened on 44th St. between 30th avenue and 31st.  Heads up neighbors!!!  Securely lock your bikes and securely lock your basement doors!!!

Over the weekend, an Astorian cyclist riding in the bike lane was hit by a van and dragged several feet as the driver continued to accellerate. John Kelly, the cyclist miraculously escaped serious injury, but his bike wasn't so fortunate.

Photo of John Kelly's mangled bike

Despite having witnesses AND getting a photo of the van, police…

In the pic: Tara Pappas of UFCW Local 342 (far left), with workers from Trade Fair meat department including Eunice Izquierdo (second from right) and Beatriz Gomez (far right).

Belatedly sharing this post from Saturday (www.30thAve.org):

From last Wednesday, Trade Fair employees have been standing…

WLA's own, Natalia "Saw Lady" Paruz was just named by Gothamist.com as one of the City's best subway buskers--and we agree!

From Gothamist:

THE SAW LADY: Saw Lady, a.k.a.…

Photo by Nancy A. Ruhling

Richard is the owner of the chic cobbler's shop Cordwainers.

Cordwainers, in the middle of a block that's mostly residential, is meant to be as elegant as Richard Ponce…

My girlfriend and I were both notified by our credit card companies that we had our different accounts stolen.  According to the credit card fraud dept, our cards were swiped through a counterfeiting machine, so it probably happened AT A RESTAURANT (we frequently split checks), and it probably happened IN ASTORIA.



(The thief produced counterfeit cards and used them at an out of state Walmart.)



Always keep an eye on your statement.  If anyone else is experiencing this…

Photo by Nancy A. Ruhling

Nella making the pasta.

It's not the awning. That Italian-flag green flap of fabric is pretty pedestrian.

No, what attracts attention to Cassinelli…

Hey.. Astoria residents, meet your one-stop hangout for all things caffeinated, the spanking-new Sweetleaf on Center Boulevard. Located on the street level of TF Cornerstone’s luxury rental tower at 46-15 Center Boulevard, the new Sweetleaf manages to the keep the indie, underground sensibility of their Jackson Avenue original while continuing to serve, no question, LIC’s best drinks.

Sweetleaf LIC also has a Grand Opening Deal for all of our …

FromGothamist:

NEPTUNE DINER: Queens is the motherland for good Greek diners, and Neptune is one of the best of the bunch. The Astoria eatery has all the classic diner fixings like a menu that could double as a novela, display cases filled with cakes and pies, old-school clientele and a bowl of hygienically-questionable self-serve soft mints…

It's official, after nearly three years of rumors, The Daily News announced today, 36th St. between 34th and 35th Aves. will become an outdoor studio production lot. Our buddy, Mackenzi from We Heart Astoria got a couple of quotes about the impact on local business, as well. 

From the…

Photo by Nancy A. Ruhling

Ronnie has been grieving for nearly a half century.

The diamond engagement ring doesn't come off Ronnie Hartley's finger easily. For nearly 46 years, she's worn it, ever since…

From the Bayside Patch:

Police are asking for the public's help in locating a Queens teenager who went missing Tuesday at 8 p.m.

Alyssa Markovic, 16, was last seen leaving her 35th Avenue home in Flushing on Tuesday evening.

Markovic is described as 5-foot-7-inches tall and 108 pounds with dark blonde hair. 

At the time of her disappearance, she was wearing…

Growing up in New York, Manhattan has always held an ineffable mystique to me; propped up by the bourgeois societals, limitless culture and a Hollywood love affair.  Coming into the “city” I would wax poetically about the grandiose air of the people and the pretense of their demeanor. Back then, when the economy was bristling with endless wealth, we romanticized the affluent in hopes that we will someday enjoy the fruits of our own labors.  We chased the reservation of the most highly touted…