Your Resource For All Things LIC |
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Our newsletter is now bi-weekly. Please be sure to follow our social media channels for regular updates |
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This Weekend: Mother's Day is Here |
Mother's Day is this weekend and LIC is replete with an array of experiences to make mom's day extra special. On May 7, Murray's Cheese Bar will host a Mother's Day themed Virtual Mediterranean Cruise featuring an expert-led tour of the region's best eats.
On Sunday, May 9, newcomer American Brass serves up a set brunch and dinner, with highlights such as a rack of lamb and a maple almond tiramisu. Also on Sunday, Brazilian mainstay Beija Flor will offer live music from singers Jackie Ribas from 2-6pm and Anan Fernandez from 6-10pm.
Don't forget to explore a variety of our local restaurants and businesses, many of which offer the perfect experience or gift for Mother's Day!
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LICP Member Hour Children is hosting a special virtual auction May 6-9 to support its family programs. Auction items range from a highly discounted treasure trove of beauty products from goop by Gwyneth Paltrow to private sunset dinner cruises to Mets memorabilia. See the full listing of items here.
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Vernon Blvd. Michelin Star Eatery Bellwether Reopens |
LIC BID restaurant Bellwether is back after a year-long shutdown due to the pandemic. The eatery, which re-opened on Monday, received a Michelin Star in both 2020 and 2019 for its inspired seasonal American cuisine and menu focused on local and sustainably-sourced ingredients. Highlight dishes include grilled monkfish, pork cheeks and the 'Bellwether Patty Melt' made with house queso.
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LIC History in Focus as Part of Jane's Walk Annual Festival |
A delight for urban planning and New York City history enthusiasts! Jane's Walk, the Municipal Arts Society's annual festival of free, community-led walking or virtual conversations returns this week. On May 5 at 6:00 p.m., Robert Singleton, executive director of the Greater Astoria Historical Society (an LICP Member), will lead a virtual session Long Island City: Cradle of Creativity, outlining the community's 375-year history as a center for craft and architectural production.
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34th Ave. Eatery Nneji Receives Glowing New York Times Review |
Local West African Eatery Nneji wowed New York Times restaurant critic Pete Wells with its stews that "hold their shapes and textural contrasts in some magical state of suspended animation" and goat that "smolders with ginger, cayenne and Scotch bonnets." Read the full story here.
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TEI Group Lands on Top Workplaces List |
Congratulations are in order for LICP Member TEI Group, which came in second place on amNewYork Metro's 2021 list of Top Workplaces. TEI Group is the largest full-service independent provider of vertical transportation services in metropolitan New York and New Jersey and has a strong presence in Long Island City. See the full list here.
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Deadline May 9: 1010 WINS Small Business Challenge Offers $10K to Small Businesses |
Looking to relaunch, rebuild, or expand your business? The 1010 WINS Small Business Challenge offers tri-state businesses with up to 100 employees a chance to win $10,000. The radio station has given away almost $150,000 so far. The contest is co-sponsored by Dime Community Bank. Click here to apply.
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Get Your AAPI Stickers and Posters |
Following the marches that took place this weekend in Queens, we continue to help LICP Member i2print and artist Choichun Leung’s by distributing their posters and stickers in support of the Stop Asian Hate movement. If you would like a to request a poster or stickers please contact Angelica Hart at [email protected] or fill out the below form. Posters and stickers can be dropped off if you are located in the LIC BID or they can be picked up at the LIC Partnership office.
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Nursing Program Ranked #1 |
LICP Member LaGuardia Community College earned the top spot on the RNCareers.org list of New York State's best associate nursing programs, part of its 6th Annual Report on Best Nursing Schools. 100 percent of LaGuardia nursing students passed their licensing exams on their first try for eight quarters in a row—all of 2019 and 2020. The college bests 52 other institutions, showcases the incredible opportunities for higher learning in Long Island City.
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LICP Member the Museum of the Moving Image (MoMI) reopened on Friday, April 30, welcoming back guests to explore its award-winning exhibitions and film programming. The museum had been closed for over a year due to the pandemic. Envisioning 2001: Stanley Kubrick’s Space Odyssey is on show through September, part of a retrospective on the seminal cinematographer.
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Upcoming Candidate Debates |
LICP Member Schneps Media, founder of the new site PoliticsNY, which offers in-depth local coverage of politics across the five boroughs, is hosting a series of virtual debates focused on the City Council race. The Queens series kicks off May 10 at 6:30 p.m., culminating with a candidate debate for the Queens Borough President's seat on May 20. Click here to RSVP and see the full series lineup.
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New Member Spotlight: Connected Chef |
New LICP Member Connected Chef is a grass-rooted, community organization re-envisioning food access to ensure that every household has local, nutritious food on a weekly basis. In addition to their local, sliding scale grocery delivery, the Connected Chef's Lifeline Grocery program distributes free, nutrient-dense groceries to over 2,200 households across Queens each week from their LIC distribution center at 49-09 5th street.
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*NEW* Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) – The $29 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) opened for applications on Monday, May 3. Owners of restaurants, bars, cafés, caterers, bakeries, breweries and other eligible businesses are strongly encouraged to apply early. The fund helps cover pandemic-related revenue losses. Businesses owned primarily by women, minorities, and veterans will be prioritized in the first three weeks. Not sure how to get started? Our staff is here to help local businesses navigate the application process. If If you have any questions please contact Osagie Afe, business assistance manager, at [email protected].
*UPDATE* Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) Application – The SBA SVOG program reopened for applications on Monday, April 26. The $16 billion grant program provides emergency assistance for eligible venues affected by COVID-19. Eligible applicants may qualify for grants equal to 45% of their gross earned revenue, with the maximum amount available for a single grant award of $10 million. $2 billion is reserved for eligible applications with up to 50 full-time employees. Contact [email protected] for more information.
Reopening and Recovery Updates:
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*NEW* Beginning May 7:
- Hair salons, barber shops and other personal care services will expand to 75% capacity
- *NEW* Beginning May 15:
- New York City gyms and fitness centers will expand to 50% capacity
- *NEW* Beginning May 17:
- MTA to restore 24-hour subway service
- *NEW* Beginning May 19:
- Restaurants, museums, theaters, retail stores and other businesses will be allowed to reopen at full capacity, as long as six feet of social distancing space is maintained
- *NEW* Expected July 1:
- Both Mayor Bill de Blasio and Governor Andrew Cuomo have announced a July 1 target date for NYC to 'reopen'
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*NEW* Through August 31:
- Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the bill into law on Tuesday May 4, including the measure extending the eviction moratorium to Aug. 31.
- *NEW* COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Expanded:
- The COVID-19 vaccine is now available to all New York residents 16 and older. People who live outside of the state but work or study in New York are also eligible to get vaccinated. People who are eligible based on employment include both paid and unpaid workers. Note: People who are 16 or 17 years old are only eligible for the Pfizer vaccine.
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Application Deadline May 31
After a two month extension, the deadline for PPP applications is drawing near. We encourage businesses to submit their applications as soon as possible. Please see the updated information below:
Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Update
The SBA will provide $5 billion in additional Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) assistance to one million small businesses and nonprofit organizations that have been most severely impacted by the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Effective April 22, the SBA modified the Targeted EIDL Advance loan application process to determine if businesses also qualify for an additional $5,000 available under the new Supplemental Targeted Advance loan program. If you have any questions about your eligibility or how to apply please contact Osagie at [email protected].
Weekly Webinars in Partnership with SBS
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Use #SupportLICLocal or
#LICLocal on Instagram or Twitter to submit your photo of the week
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Thank you to our 2021 Annual Sponsors |
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