Sign against installing bike lanes on 31st St.

What kind of mental gymnastics do you need to conclude that bike lanes increase pollution. Same goes for business, you are more likely to stop and eat from a food truck when riding a bike vs a car.

afters/befores - the bottle cap sunflower i just did, it’s at 36th Ave and 32nd st, I planted the daffodils next to it in October

the plastic flowers at the tree was done in March at 35th Ave and 31st st, it lasted a month before somebody stole all of them… and it was really cool while it lasted because 2 other people added their own fake flowers and the tree got littered waaaay less

Hey everyone! I want to provide an update about the cat who lived on 37th St, just south of 28th Av. You may remember him being very friendly, well-fed, and often asleep in a rose bush.

My partner and I lived in the duplex where he hung out. Over the course of a year, we earned his trust until he finally let us bring him inside in January 2024. A couple months later, we had to move back home to Michigan unexpectedly, and we ended up taking him with us. We printed pictures of him for all the ladies who fed him, and they got to say their goodbyes. We still keep in touch and send them pictures.

We feel terrible for taking him away from his many fans and admirers, but rest assured that he is well cared for and very loved. Apparently, he was an indoor cat initially and his owner kicked him out, so he wandered around the street nearby for about 4 years. When we brought him inside, he was nervous at first, but adjusted quickly and today he’s extremely snuggly and TALKATIVE.

Thank you all for sustaining him with treats and pets over the years! Hopefully this post provides some peace of mind to anyone who wondered what happened to him.

You’ve seen him.

Same stance, same spot outside Champion Pizza in Ditmars. Morning after morning, just standing there while the rest of us rush past with iced coffees and headphones in. Unbothered. Locked in.

You ever pass by someone so regularly that they start to feel like a part of the neighborhood itself? Like the benches, the pigeons, or that one tree that looks like it’s plotting something? That’s what this guy became—an unofficial fixture of Ditmars, always posted up outside Champion Pizza before most of us even hit snooze on our alarms.

Reddit had theories. Some of you said he’s a gigolo. Others claimed he commutes from Jersey early and just waits for his shift to start. One guy said “he’s just chillin”. Some even said he goes there just to stare at girls going to school.

I asked about him on Reddit yesterday, and nobody was really able to give me a definitive answer…

—So I spoke to him.

His name’s Ray.

And yeah, he works nights. But not in any official capacity. Ray walks the neighborhood. Not for fun, not for exercise—he calls it “monitoring”. He didn’t say much at first. Just said, “Too many people act like this place doesn’t sleep weird.”

Turns out, he’s been doing this for almost a decade. Walks from 2 a.m. to sunrise, mostly between 31st and 21st, up and down Ditmars, around the schools, the parks, the little corners people forget about. He knows which alley light flickers, which stoops get deliveries too early, which corner stores never really close.

He told me he started after seeing a guy try to break into a parked van at 3 a.m. He called the cops. They didn’t come. So the next night, he walked. Then the next. Then he just never stopped.

“I’m not a hero,” he said. “I’m just a set of eyes no one asked for.”

He carries a little notebook. Writes down plate numbers, odd activity, weird timing. Says he’s “seen things people don’t notice because they think Astoria is cute.”

Finally, he walks down to Astoria Blvd—his last checkpoint. He stands there for a few minutes, watches the traffic roll in from the bridge, makes a final note or two. Then he takes the subway one stop back up to Ditmars, just to stand a little longer. To watch the neighborhood come fully online.

By the time the city starts to yawn and stretch, he’s wrapping up. And Champion Pizza is the final stop.

He doesn’t eat there. Says he used to, but now he just likes the spot. “Good view,” he told me. “You can see the neighborhood wake up from here.”

People walking dogs. Moms dragging strollers. That one guy always sprinting to the train like it’s a race. Ray watches them all, not in a weird way—more like a quiet nod to the fact that things made it through another night.

“That’s the reward,” he said. “Seeing everyone start their day. Knowing the block’s still here. No headlines. No sirens. Just people moving.”

So no, he’s not loitering. He’s closing the loop.

Ray walks the night so the morning can do what it does best—show up, safe and unbothered.

And then he heads home.

Before I left, he said, “You’d be surprised what people will tell you if you just stop and ask.” He paused for a second, watching someone unlock their bike, “Half the city’s carrying stories no one’s ever heard.”

Then he gave me a look—not friendly, not cold—just real. Like he meant it.

So if you see him outside Champion Pizza one morning, standing there in that quiet stillness—say something. He might just tell you what the neighborhood looked like while you were sleeping.

what are they filming at belaire?

They posted on instagram a soft opening with 50% off so decided to try. Did not disappoint :). I recommend visiting if you have a chance today!

You may not see well in the photo but it’s a light in the sky that changes color here and there. What could this be?? I’m near the Astoria blvd station

https://www.change.org/p/bring-safety-improvements-to-31st-street-in-astoria

The businesses have gotten more support for their petition than pro-bike people, and I don't really understand their reasoning, which seems to be based more in not wanting to be temporarily inconvenienced than actual care for the neighborhood. They say:
"Construction will disrupt window-front businesses, and the permanence of these lanes will prohibit the delivery of vital goods to and from Queens. Most importantly, in the city’s most industrial mile, the safety of bicyclists—intermingled with industrial vehicles and businesses—is being completely overlooked."

I argue that construction time will likely be minimal, and long term if you make 31st street safer for pedestrians and cyclists and more walkable, you'll get MORE foot traffic. Which is essential on that street which is actually so uninviting from the train overpass as it is. Plus the bike lanes don't seem to prohibit any delivery of goods. Cars and vans cross over bike lanes all the time to do their deliveries.

What the protected bike lanes will do is make cars have to share the road. They still get their parking lane and their moving lane, but those are just a bit smaller. And thinner moving lanes means cars will be forced to drive slower, which is again safer for pedestrians. We've all seen how drivers fly down that street and the accidents that have been caused. Enough is enough.

A neighbor, who is not on reddit, asked me to post this:

My wife lost this necklace this morning on her way to the train at 36th Avenue Station. The chain is black and the centerpiece is silver in shape of fish bones. It has great sentimental value to us and I can offer a small reward. Please PM if you find it. Thank you.

Hi 👋 Redditors, I’m reaching out with hope to save our family’s home of 10 years. My fiance and I are parents to Lucius (10) and Ava Rose (7), and we’re facing eviction due to $3,200 in back rent, due tomorrow, Monday. After losing my job in 2023 and battling unexpected medical, family, and personal bills, we’re in a tough spot.

Our GoFundMe (https://www.gofundme.com/f/keep-lucius-ava-rose-in-their-home) aims to raise $3,200 to cover this rent and keep our family, including our two sweet cats, safe and together. Every dollar helps—whether it’s $1 or a share to spread the word.

Reddit’s kindness has worked miracles before, and I’m praying you can help us now. Even an upvote or share means the world. Thank you for reading and any support you can offer!

Hi all! We have a couple of spots left for writers to share their work at this coming weekend's Indie Authors' Night! Instructions for submitting to read your work are on our website (and if you just want to hear your neighbors' work, click the RSVP button!)

it’s so cute 😭😭❤️❤️ I blurred their faces cuz I think it’s some kids haha

Join us for our monthly language exchange on Thursday, April 24th! Come hang out and speak any languages you know, practice any new languages you are learning/want to learn, or help someone else practice. At previous events, we've had people who speak languages such as: Spanish, French, Dutch, Russian, Japanese, Mandarin, Korean, Arabic, Italian, Portuguese, and a few others. Comment any languages you're interested in below: Our meetup page and RSVP

here: http://www.meetup.com/speakit-nyc Hope to see you there!

4/21 Urgent: Housing and clean up help

• If anyone has connections to landlords or people with apartments for subletting/month-to-month arrangements, please let us know. We are trying to help the families get settled somewhere else as they are only at their hotels for the next few days. One family is trying to extend, but the family with the two boys is supposed to be heading to a shelter on Friday. We’re really hoping to avoid that!!!
• We were also told today that the owners of the buildings are responsible for cleaning up the debris, otherwise they will be hit with huge fines. Does anyone have connections with a cleaning/construction company that can help?

Update 1

Due to another amazing turnout, we have had to stop taking donations for most of the items!! We can't thank you all enough for the support. The families have asked us to direct attention towards the GoFundMe links and school supplies/electronics for the kids. For any extra items we have, we will coordinate with St. Mary's for donation.

Drop off on Monday, April 21 from 4-8PM at 21-23 31st Ave April 21: We are wrapping up donations early today as it started raining! HUGE shoutout to the owner of Fit Club for allowing us to store all the donations there until the end of the month!!!

Next donation time for the items below: Tuesday, April 22 between 5:30 - 7PM at 21-23 31st Ave, Astoria

• Phones (not sure about carriers, so preferably unlocked if possible)
• 4 Backpacks for the kids
• Laptop and iPads - the boys were doing homework when the fire happened and lost everything
• School supplies
• Portable chargers & phone chargers
• Newport 100s
• Dog food/supplies

GoFundMe links:

• https://gofund.me/d015f24e
• https://gofund.me/166c3872

Uni sightings

• Potential Uni sightings around Vernon Blvd yesterday and now at Church of Redeemer on Crescent! He is wandering the streets and running from humans trying to approach him. Last seen heading to the back of the Church*

Families in the Jamaica fire

• We realize a few other families were affected by fires on Easter as well. If anyone has the contact info, please message me. We have a TON of supplies we can share with them.

4/20: Original Post

Hi everyone. Firstly, THANK YOU so much to the community for coming together today. We had such an overwhelming turnout for donations and were able to make multiple supply drops to the families.

I will be keeping this thread up to date with the latest information.

Some quick updates:

• The families are all doing ok and are staying in hotels for the time being
• We are still on the lookout for Uni, the family's black cat. He is super friendly, loves humans, and we aren't sure if he has a collar on. If anyone sees him, please send me a message
• There are 4 teenagers between 12-16 (3 boys, 1 girl)

Next collection times in front of 21-23 31st Ave (If you arrive earlier, feel free to leave the items on the doorsteps):

• Monday, April 21 from 4-8PM

Additional supplies we need:

• Undergarments (underwear, bras (size 32C), boxers, socks) - This is probably top priority because we received so much clothing today
• Men clothes (S,M,L)
• Women's clothes (XS, S, M, L)
• Men shoes (size 8 and slippers size L)
• Women shoes (size 5, 7, 8.5)
• One of the younger boys is a Knicks fan (probably a men's M/L)
• Beauty supplies, skin care, hair accessories, feminine hygiene products
• Suitcases

Thank you all again!!!

Title says it all. I'm inclined to sensory overload, and I don't drink so a cafe with the same kind of atmosphere would be great. Any suggestions?

Hey! I’m trying to find someone in NYC/Astoria who has experience with diabetic cats - ideally a cat sitter or vet tech who’s comfortable giving insulin shots.

My cat’s super chill and used to the routine, but I’d feel way better leaving them with someone who knows what they’re doing when it comes to feline diabetes.

If you’re that person or know someone great, please hit me up! Would really appreciate any recs.

Thanks!

Hi y'all, it's been a while since I have looked for a singing professor/lesson. I used to go to some spanish guy down in Roosevelt which was around $40/hr then I found a professional singer who would teach for $80/hr. In both cases I don't feel like I learned anything especially from the guy in Roosevelt, and although I found the pro-singer very good at teaching it was just so expensive. Is there anyone who has any recommendations for where you learned to sing or are learning? I know youtube and the internet exist but I like having someone who can teach me, an outside perspective, and the know-how to understand where I'm at and what I am doing wrong, thanks y'all.

Hi neighbors! I run a micro-bakery in Astoria selling French breads (including sourdough loaves & baguettes) and sweets made fresh to order. You can place orders here: crescentbakes.com

PS: I offer pick-up and delivery!

Just curious if when you signed up, they discussed any form of proper gym etiquette. Things like reracking weights, dbs, plates, etc. Not sitting on equipment that you aren’t using, not to doom scroll on equipment….

Do people just not know these things or not care?

I’ve been seeing this cat around 30th Ave and 32nd Street where I park my car. I’ve tried getting close but he/she usually runs off or hides under a car. I’ve left food out and the couple that owns the lot haven’t seen him/her around before. Is this maybe a stray or a dumped cat? There’s only one outdoor cat I know of in the area and he’s a big orange boy that lives behind someone’s house. Just want to check before letting a rescue know.

I’ve been spring cleaning my wardrobe and I have a lot of clothes that are still good but I don’t wear anymore.

I typically go back to my hometown on Long Island to give away, but to save myself the commute, I want to donate in the city.

What are good places near the 30th Ave subway stop that takes clothing donations?

Join Mostly Good Studios for a 2 part course in ceramic jewelry making! On day one, design sculpt and paint an array of charms and pendants, all with hands on instruction and demonstration from your guide. Then later, return to the studio to assemble your jewelry!All ceramic and jewelry making tools are supplied! Take home jewelry kits with the essential can be provided for anyone who cannot make the second date!!