Artisan gifts made in Queens and more in the QNYC Evening Edition for Thursday December 6, 2012

Artisan goods made in Queens are great gifts

We’ve put together a guide to some awesome and beautiful gifts made by local artisans all over Queens. There are Queens branded pillows (you can find them at SITE in Astoria), cute stuffed felt pastries (the little croissants slay us), handmade cards, and more. If you’re looking to buy local, this is the way to go.

2013 (Wo)(Men) of Flux calendar

Calendars are great gifts, and thus we bring you the announcement of the 2013 (Wo)(Men) of Flux calendar! More:

This year Flux wants to help you give the best gift ever: our very own 2013 (Wo)(Men) of Flux calendar. It’s a sexy yet antiquated way to manage your schedule, featuring the nearly nude men, women—and one puppy—who are part of Flux Factory.

Photographer and 2012 Artist-in-Residence Alison Nguyen posed our models in Flux Factory’s studios, communal spaces, and rooftop garden, all the while showing off our institutional assets. Catch a glimpse of residents, staff, and members of our extended community like you’ve only seen during Flux kitchen dance parties.

This limited edition wall calendar spans January 2013 to January 2014 and indicates important Flux dates like Crepe Day, Flux Thursdays, and Fluxgiving. It is printed on 100# silk text paper stock, has stapled binding, and measures 17″ x 11″ when opened. We’ll even sign it if you ask nicely.

Five factories that make amazing and successful products

We took a look at five factories in Queens and are impressed with the quality of the products that come out of them – top of the line pianos (Steinway), artisanally made soppressata (Alps Provision), fantastic coffee (Dallis – there’s even a Unisphere blend), Spanish chorizo (Despaña – and the spot for an epic tasting afternoon), and even the largest maker of fortune cookies on the east coast (Wonton – they make 4 million cookies per day). Queens never ceases to surprise us.

Mr. Vino’s Cucina opens soon in Forest Hills

The Edge of the City blog posted about the impending opening of Mr. Vino’s Cucina, which will offer artisan cheese and gourmet food. It’s owned by the same person behind Mr. Vino, a small wine store in Forest Hills. They were poised to open end of October, but Hurricane Sandy delayed the opening. Just after Thanksgiving they put up a neon sign, now we’re just waiting for them to open.

New SSA office opened in LIC

A new Social Security Office opened up in the Dutch Kills section of LIC on 37th Ave near 31st Street. Though government may not be the sexiest topic, no US citizen can do without the SSA. This office will be a help, since it will incorporate SSA offices that were closed in Astoria, Long Island City and Jackson Heights. 17 service windows will be available for both walk-in clients and those folks with appointments. There will also be two managers and two client aides on hand to help, and they will be there from 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday. If you have questions about this SSA office or you want to make an appointment, you can call 1-800-772-1213.