05/24/13 5:33pm

800px-US_Navy_040531-N-6371Q-223_Marines_and_Sailors_march_in_the_Little_Neck_Memorial_Day_Parade_in_Queens,_N.Y.,_during_the_17th_Annual_Fleet_Week_2004

Queens natives have given a lot to the military over the years. For example, Woodside’s zip code — 11377 — was home to more soldiers who died in the Vietnam War than any other zip code in the U.S. This weekend, the borough will honor its war heroes with countless Memorial Day parades, including biggest one in the country (Little Neck/Douglaston, pictured above). Here are the details: May 26 (Sunday), Forest Hills Memorial Day Parade, noon, Metropolitan and Ascan avenues; Maspeth Memorial Day Parade, 1 p.m., Grand Avenue and 72nd Street; and May 27 (Monday), Laurelton Memorial Day Parade, 9 a.m., Francis Lewis and Merrick boulevards; Howard Beach Memorial Day Parade, 11 a.m., Coleman Square; Glendale-Ridgewood Veterans Memorial Day Parade, 11 a.m., Glendale Memorial Triangle, located at Myrtle Avenue and 70th Street; Woodside Memorial Day Parade, 11 a.m., 58th Street and Woodside Avenue; Whitestone Memorial Day Parade, noon, 149th Street and 15th Road; Little Neck-Douglaston Memorial Day Parade, 2 p.m., Northern Boulevard and Jayson Avenue.

Image Source: Commons Wikimedia/Little Neck-Douglaston

04/24/13 11:00am

Juana Canton of Little Neck has been baking for family and friends for over 40 years, but just launched her own business to sell cookies in February 2013. Mama Juana’s Treats specializes in vegan, gluten-free, and low-glycemic cookies.

Mama Juana's Treats
Image Source: Mama Juana’s Treats

Tempting flavors like banana peanut butter, red velvet, and oatmeal cranberry chocolate chip are satisfying and flavorful, but are made with healthful ingredients like coconut oil, coconut sugar, agave syrup, flax seeds, carob, and organic beets for coloring. The cookies are currently being sold at Vitality & Health Natural Market in Astoria (GMAP), and they will soon hit the shelves at a Whole Foods in Jericho, in Nassau County.

Juana Canton

Canton has personal reasons for wanting to create healthier alternatives to the traditional treats everyone loves. First, she has been redesigning her own diet since being diagnosed with diverticulitis, and later, diabetes. She became vegetarian eight years ago, then went fully vegan, and follows a low-glycemic diet to control her diabetes. She wanted to continue baking, so found ways to make her recipes free of animal products and low in sugar.

Since changing her diet was so effective in improving her own health, Canton developed a passion for nutrition. At the middle school in Astoria where she works as a lunch coordinator, she enjoys helping students make healthier choices, and has introduced both a vegetarian meal and a gluten-free meal to the menu.

One of her cookies is inspired by an 8th grader named Carla, who came to her upset one day because she found out she had to start following a strict gluten-free diet. Now Mama Juana’s Treats puts out a gluten-free oatmeal cookie named after Carla. Just as she developed her first gluten-free product, Canton keeps finding new ways to make her recipes healthier, while maintaining their indulgent flavor.

There’s something special about a bicycle shop. From the attentive service and professional advice, a pro bike shop can outfit you with the custom bipedal ride of your dreams. Proper fitting and selection is always an issue, so you want the right bike for the job at the right size whether off-roading, touring, or just a joyride. But let’s face it: frequent use can lead to a lot of wear and tear, sometimes wheels get dented or pedals fall off. Rest assure, most large and small shops are full service offering a variety of assistance after the sale from tune-ups to parts replacement and repair whether for adults, kids, or professional cyclists.

It doesn’t matter if you’re cycling the entire Queens Green Belt or simply commuting to work, there’s a professional bicycle shop each with it’s own style, specialization, and deals so shop around. The weather outside is getting warmer and it’s time to ride. Visit one of these shops for a great experience:

  • Roberts Bicycles. For over forty years Roberts Bicycles of Bayside has been outfitting the community with hand-built models and a wide selection from BMX to mountain bikes to baby bikes and everything in between. Roberts Bicycles has something to suit the most consummate tastes including helmets and apparel. Trained technicians are on staff to answer your questions and guide you through the selection process.

001

 

  • Peak Bikes. Offering free tune ups for life, Peak Bicycle Pro Shop of Douglaston focuses on the mountain bike crowd. Walk in and staff are eager to talk up bikes while the cycling community often gather here to organize rides in nearby Cunningham Park. Order a custom model, or restore your childhood cruiser.

store-1

 

  • Spin City Cycle. Located in Forest Hills, Spin City Cycles encourages customers to come in for a test ride on all of their models. With cycling being such a popular activity in Queens, sometimes a repair shop can be backlogged, so for those eager to get back in the saddle minus the wait, Spin City promises to repair your bicycle in 48 hours or less.

480729_101018370068315_1594714081_n

 

  • Bellitte Bicycles. You can’t go wrong shopping at the oldest bicycle store in the United States. Since 1918, Bellitte Bicycles of Jamaica has been family owned and operated offering 5,000 models to choose from. Service is a top priority at this huge shop but their low price guarantee is known to draw in customers for over 90 years.

l

 

  • Tony’s Bicycles. Tony’s Bicycles of Astoria has an excellent track record in the cycling community. All of their mechanics are factory trained and certified by companies like Trek, GT, Cannondale, Giant, and many more. Founded in the 1970’s, this bicycle shop is known for their commitment to value and service.

Screen shot 2013-04-24 at 3.28.50 AM

 

  • Bike Stop. While visiting Bike Stop you’ll find a wide selection from BMX to road bikes, even bicycles built for two. An eclectic staff offers expertise from different specialties all the while promising the only thing you’ll have to worry about is peddling. The site offers a comprehensive newbies guide to just about every subject ranging from parts and accessories to how to guides such as a buyer’s guide to rechargeable lighting systems.

Screen shot 2013-04-24 at 3.42.47 AM

01/27/13 9:00am

rob_schneider

Image Source: Splitsider

He’s opened for comedians such as Jay Leno, Jerry Seinfeld and David Letterman. He was a regular on Saturday Night Live for four years and mixed his sense of humor with Adam Sandler on movies such as Grown Ups, You Don’t Mess with the Zohan and The Waterboy. On January 27, Rob Schneider brings his comedic character to the Queensborough Performing Arts Center for an afternoon of jokes and zany acts.

Rob Schneider Live!
Queensborough Performing Arts Center
222-05 56th Avenue, Bayside
Sunday, January 27
8pm – 10pm | $40
09/06/12 1:00pm

This 2 bed/2 bath co-op in Little Neck is priced at $230,000. The listing indicates that the unit has lots of sunlight and cross ventilation.

252-22-58th-ave-little-neck-queens-nyc

It has a nice galley kitchen and a separate dining room.

252-22-58th-ave-dining-room-little-neck-queens-nyc

The tree studded co-op grounds are also a short drive from the Douglaston Park Golf Course and Alley Pond Park, the second largest park in Queens.

Listing: 252-22 58th Ave, Little Neck, NY 11362 (GMAP)

08/24/12 11:00am

Image source: squirrel83 on Flickr

Habitat Magazine published a very interesting article recently about the Little Neck Americana co-op that installed a cogeneration plant, after searching for a non-oil-based fuel solution to heat the water and building, and provide enough power for central air conditioning. The impetus toward this decision was the discovery in 2008 that their 25,000 gallon heating oil storage tank was leaking oil into the ground. (more…)

05/25/12 12:56pm

Anna_Volodko_1-1

In perfect Memorial Day tradition, the Big Apple Circus is coming this weekend. If you don’t get tickets to one of this weekend’s many shows, don’t worry, the big top will be up in Cunningham Park until June 17. Tickets start at $15 and your kids will love you forever.

Memorial Day also means that city beaches are open. Maybe hit the sand in the Rockaways for a beach BBQ. If you’d rather not get in the water, you can go kayaking in the East River for free with LIC Boathouse various trips are available on Sunday and Monday. There are tons of parades you can go to, according to the TimesLedger, or maybe watch “Romeo and Juliet” in an abandoned Long Island City building instead. Tickets are $15 and the show runs this weekend and until June 10 at 26-15 Jackson Ave.

Possibly the most unusual event of the weekend is “Journey On” at the Secret Theatre by improv theater group, “Playing with Reality.” If you go, let us know all about it. Tickets are $15 and the show runs on Saturday at 6 p.m. and on Sunday at 7 p.m. and at various other times until June 10.

Some galleries to check out this weekend include Space Womb from noon to 6 p.m. Radiator Arts, from 3 to 6 p.m., Yace Gallery on Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. Oh, and Spiderman is going to be at the New York Hall of Science, on Saturday at 1 p.m. FYI.

Image: Anna Volodko, courtesy of the Big Apple Circus