Parade on Sunday

Tomorrow is the St. Pat's for All Parade, one of the biggest events Sunnyside hosts all year.

It kicks off at the intersection of 43rd Avenue and Skillman, and is an alternative to the larger, better known St. Patrick's parade in Manhattan. The main difference is - as the name suggests - is that LGBT parade goers are more celebrated here.

It's also a great chance to see a parade and hear some music without crossing a bridge.

Footage from past parades here.

See the Nominee

Earlier today - hours before the red carpet got rolled out - people were lined up at Center Cinemas, where only one of the movies showing is up for best picture.

The Oscars

Are on at the Diving Bell, for all of us who don't get to walk down the red carpet.

And there's free WiFi there too!

So, predictions...?

$1,000 Winner

The business improvement district here, Sunnyside Shines, will announce the winner of the $1,000 winner of their logo design contest on February 27, on their web site.

The group has a bunch of photos on their site, which makes for a fun patchwork of the neighborhood's flavors.

It's too late to enter the contest, but this would have been my contribution.

How the Neighborhood Does 'Cutesy' Stuff

Thank You Dog Lovers

For not making the neighborhood crappy, which, apparently, is a problem in other areas. (Kudos specifically to Sunnyside United Dog Society)

Today's New York Post looks at the neighborhoods with the highest number of fines for not picking up dog pooh.

Being on the list isn't a prize, but it does show that in those areas there is, at least, an effort to enforce the scoop law.

How To Get Here When the 7 Train Acts Funny

For our friends in Manhattan and Brooklyn that suffer with infrequent 7 train service, which, may end by March 2.

Food for Everyone

Under one roof [at 40-01 Queens Blvd.]

Anyone have a review of the coffee there?

UPDATE: I'm not the only one curious about the reviews from this place. It's existence has been acknowledged, but not much critiqued.

Yoga Classes Coming

At Yoga Tonic, on 44th Street right off Queens Boulevard.

I think it's a good sign, but some, like Shauna Eats Sunnyside, disagree:

the new yoga joint wedged between the diamond-and-gold-buying kazakhi barbershop and an indescript window treatment store, yoga tonic (on 44th st b/w queens blvd and greenpoint ave), touts medieval torture device technology offering results akin to that of an intense boxing workout. um, yeah, that’s exactly what this neighborhood needs - renaissance-era pain machines and women with obnoxiously ripped biceps.

New Bar

The ladies at Astoria NYC have the scoop on a nearby bar opening up next week.

UPDATE: LIQCITY has photos, and says it's sorta fancy.

The Most Optimistic Blog Ever

Posting for an entire year about things he's grateful for.

Appropriately called A Year of Thanksgiving.

If you need that sort of thing.

Crime Stats: Jan 26 to Feb. 1

Compared to a year ago this week...
robberies are on par at 3
but burglaries are up slightly, to 7, compared to 5.

But if you listen to the former chief economist at the city comptroller's office, John Tepper Marlin, it may get worse.

In an NYT article, he said, “I’m concerned about people being so desperate that they lose the fear of losing their own lives and they become so desperate that they’re willing to endanger other people’s lives."

Still on Sale...

The November 5 edition of the New York Times is already a collectors item, and fetching at least $39 on eBay.

But it's still on sale around the neighborhood, like at this deli/supermarket on 43rd Ave. and 45th Street.

Anywhere else?

Couch Lobby

This couch appeared in the lobby of my 39th Place building over the weekend. As of Monday morning, it was still there.

So, if you're interested...