New York has been on a literal restaurant naming trend recently. We've already got Traif and Pies & Thighs, and now Sunnyside is adding Salt & Fat, a “new American, small plate” restaurant by chef Daniel Yi. The Sunnyside Post reports that it will open in early March. more ›

Yesterday we saw this report come over the wires: "Engine company reporting they have found a baby hawk walking on Queens Blvd." and we said to ourselves "awwww..." Today the Post and the News have pictures of the little guy which only served to confirm our initial response was the right one. more ›

Queens DA Richard Brown announced that the ex-boyfriend of a NYPD criminologist who was found dead in her Sunnyside apartment last year pleaded guilty to her murder. Gary McGurk, 24, told a judge yesterday, "I struck the victim Michelle Lee in the head with a hammer" four times, and, when asked what his relationship was with her, he answered, "Long-time friends, you honor." more ›

One of the first openly gay professional wrestlers in the WWE was found dead in his Sunnyside apartment Friday night, surrounded by pills and several notes. Officially retired since 2004, 40-year-old Chris Klucsaritis (aka Chris Kanyon) debuted in the sport in the late nineties, as part of the construction worker-themed tag team “Men at Work.” The Daily News reports that officials are calling his death—from an overdose of various medications—an apparent suicide. more ›

This week Sam Sifton at the Times files a positive review of Purple Yam, a Filipino restaurant in Ditmas Park that formerly operated under a different name (Cendrillon) in Soho with the same chef/owner (Romy Dorotan). Sifton deems it "a perfect neighborhood restaurant. True to its aesthetic, the menu is resistant to easy division into appetizers and main courses. There are kimchis and chutneys to order. There are vegetables and side dishes. There is pig—almost every part of it. And there are Cendrillon classics, ranging from a sublime chicken adobo to a faintly ridiculous wild-boar pizza." more ›

The Sunnyside blog posts about smidgen of paint spotted on a neighborhood tree (can you see it?). They report back enraged from the scene of the crime: "Graffiti bandits have sprayed a tree on 44th Street in the Gardens with purple paint. The oak tree is not in any danger, but it shows that some of these vandals will not stop at anything." What's next... banana peels on the sidewalks?! These heathens will stop at nothing! Seriously though, it sort of just looks like an accident. more ›

More details have emerged about the suspect killer of an NYPD investigator. Gary McGurk, an Irish national, was indicted on second degree murder charges related to the death of ex-girlfriend Michelle Lee. According to the NY Post, McGurk allegedly "used his forensic expertise to try covering his tracks by making her death look like a kinky sex crime." A police source said he left "a psychopathic crime scene to throw [cops] off his trail. He was pulling pieces from all sorts of different crimes into one scene." Eventually, McGurk apparently admitted he did scam Lee for money by claiming he had cancer, "I absolutely lied about the cancer. It was a means to an end for me," and that their sexual relations included "the bondage...the asphyxiation." McGurk's lawyer told the Daily News, "He denied it to me, he denied it to my partner, he denied it to police. Hopefully the truth will come out." more ›

A grand jury indicted Gary McGurk for the murder of his ex-girlfriend, Michelle Lee. Last month, the body Lee, an NYPD criminalist, was found in her Sunnyside apartment; she was strangled, stabbed in the throat, and burned with an iron. more ›

Every year Transportation Alternatives holds a commuter race to Manhattan between a cyclist, a subway rider, and a motorist to promote the efficacy of cycling. And every year the cyclist wins. When will the gaming commission investigate T.A.? The only difference today between the outcome of last year's race was that this year the car commuter came in dead last, taking 47 minutes, 11 seconds to get from Sunnyside to Columbus Circle in a taxi. Coming in second was NYC transit rider Dan Hendrick, who crossed the finish line in 35 minutes, 16 seconds. more ›

The NYPD is combing through evidence from the apartment of one of their own in hopes of finding her killer. The body of NYPD investigator Michelle Lee, 24, was discovered by her roommate in the Sunnyside, Queens apartment. The Daily News reports that one hypothesis is that she "was knocked unconscious with the iron, bound to her bed with the cord of a cell phone charger and then stabbed in the throat with a kitchen knife." The Post adds, "Investigators found very little blood for someone who had been stabbed...[they think] the killer tied her up and burned her to make it look as if she had been tortured or was the victim of a sex crime," stabbing her as she was dying. The apartment had no signs of forced entry and police are going through her computer and cell phone records and examining her ex-boyfriends, "including one to whom she had been giving money but had recently cut off." Lee's co-workers at the crime lab are the ones who had to comb the apartment and run tests; NYPD spokesman Paul Browne told the Post that they feel it's "important that the killer be found." more ›

According to Forgotten NY, the most recognizable landmark of Sunnyside Queens is its arch at 46th Street and Queens Boulevard, "erected years ago by a now-defunct community group." Now the Daily News reports the arch, after years of disrepair, finally has a new paint job as well as nearby "benches, bike racks and trees." The entire project cost around $500,000, a number that has some skeptics—one business owner offers, "With this economy, the money could have been used somewhere else in the community. It does look better, but I don't think it's attractive," while Queens Crap says, "A half million dollars of our money went into this? Who's buddy got that contract?" But a member of the Sunnyside Chamber of Commerce explains, "The key to the arch is that it's a symbol of a special community. It's not so much just a piece of steel." more ›

Horrible: A 24-year-old NYPD crime-lab worker was brutally murdered at some point over the weekend, her body found Monday morning tied to the bed in her Sunnyside apartment with a knife stuck in her neck. Last year Michelle Lee, originally of College Point, Queens, graduated with a forensic science degree from John Jay College, and began working for the police department. Her roommate, who also works in the crime lab, says she was out of town for the weekend, and when she returned on Sunday night, she assumed Lee was asleep in her bedroom. But investigators believe Lee may have been dead for days. more ›

The Daily News reports that Con Ed will give $3.75 million to the family of a 69-year-old woman who died after a gas explosion last year. Kunta Oza was burned over 90% of her body when a gas leak caused an explosion in Sunnyside, Queens. Though neighbors had called about the gas smell, Con Ed and the FDNY couldn't find the leak and no one was evacuated. The News reports, "The gas main cracked because of corrosion and wear and tear, state regulators found, even though it was not on Con Ed's priority list for replacement." Apparently cast iron pipes are supposed to be replaced (at least that's what federal safety experts say), but Con Ed's rate of replacing its 2,500 miles "of cast-iron pipe" is "just 40 miles a year, said City Councilman Eric Gioia. more ›

This weekend Sunnyside, Queens residents stood up for their local feline friends. NY1 reports that "Anita DiSarli organized a rally Saturday to alert the public to what she calls a problem of animal abuse by some area store managers. She says they house cats, but intentionally keep food away from them so they will be more eager to catch mice." The 99-cent store and National Liquidators on Queens Boulevard are allegedly slowly killing the cats via this neglect--some have been rescued and diagnosed with eye problems, jaundice and other ailments. Mickey, one of the rescued cats, has "doubled in weight, going from six to 12 pounds in just under a month," his new owner saying he's "Friendly as hell, sleeps next to my leg, climbs on my chest. He's been so starved for attention." [via Queens Crap] more ›

A resident of Sunnyside Queens says her neighborhood now “has hoards and I mean hoards of homeless people, derelicts, and the like that have been all and around the neighborhood harassing people.” Today she wrote into local blog Queens Crap to ask if a new half-way house or homeless shelter has opened up nearby, because “the situation has escalated only within the last month and a half!!!!!!! I was walking home one evening, it was dark and felt someone behind me. I started to walk faster and managed to get into my building but this creep followed me into foyer of the building, he didn’t make it in but he pleasured himself on the main door and tried to come after me.” more ›

Charles Mee is renowned for his distinctive approach to playwriting, which synthesizes disparate pre-existing texts into startlingly new theatrical creations bursting with music, dance, video and other inspired surprises. The superb Signature Theatre is now in the midst of their season devoted to his plays; the first production, Iphigenia 2.0, was a devastating depiction of America’s Iraq catastrophe as seen through the prism of classic Greek tragedy. The current show, Queens Boulevard, is a funny, boisterous musical that swerves from hyper Indian ragas to contemporary dancehall tracks by M.I.A., telling the tale of a hapless bridegroom and a chain of absurd events that keep him bouncing around Queens on his wedding night. (It’s been extended through January 6th; tickets.) more ›

Even though winter’s barely a week old, many folks in the city have come down with a doozy of a cold, perhaps due to the sharp temperature drop that marked the end of an otherwise moderate fall. Our nasty respiratory bug is finally on its way out, largely because we’ve been treating it with a variety of potent soups available in Queens. Whether you're sick as a dog or just in need of a warm up, solace can be found in these hearty soups and stews. more ›

The 69-year-old woman who was burned over 90% of her body in a gas explosion in her Sunnyside home died yesterday. City Councilman Eric Gioia said, "It is with great regret and sadness that I announce the passing of Kunta Oza. My deepest condolences go out to her entire family, and I ask that all New Yorkers keep them in their Thanksgiving prayers." On Wednesday afternoon, calls were made to 911 about a gas smell... more ›

Yesterday afternoon, a gas explosion in a Sunnyside home burned a 67-year-old woman over 90% of her body. Six other people were also injured, as over 200 people needed to be evacuated and over a hundred firefighters responded. Kunta Oza, who lives in a three-story at 41st Street and 48th Avenue, is at New York Hospital Burn Center in critical condition. WNBC reports that she "sent her grandchildren outside as a precaution. The move might... more ›

• Today on the Gothamist Newsmap: a woman fell from a building at 35th St. and 5th Ave. in Manhattan, a body part was found on 20th Rd. and 18th St. in Queens, and a pedestrian was fatally struck at 50th St. and 6th Ave. in Brooklyn.
• Architects may lose the 408 foot spire that tops off the Freedom Tower because giant antennas may be technologically obsolete. An alliance of broadcasters are considering moving to a different technology and therefore not pay rent to a downtown mega-building.
• The FBI warned Al Sharpton that an inmate at an upstate prison may attempt to harm him via the mail. The inmate has sent several letters already containing a harmless powder, but the Feds want people at his office to err on the side of caution when handling packages and letters.
• The Landmarks Preservation Commission determined that the renovated Guggenheim Museum would remain grey, rather than reverting to the original color of the building selected by Frank Lloyd Wright.
• When striking writers from The Late Show with David Letterman aren't picketing they keep busy blogging.
• The painting that was rescued from the trash by a vigilant dumpster diver with an eye for art was sold at auction for more than $1 million.
• The new biodegradable to-go boxes used by NYU's dining services break down when exposed to heat and moisture. Unfortunately, that means food served hot and moist causes the boxes to leak almost immediately.
• Queens civic leaders want to preserve the Sunnyside Arch. The city's Municipal Arts Commission says that the arch should be redesigned and made more kitschy.

New Yorkers like to joke about the spread of chain drugstores, bank branches, and Starbucks in the city, but residents of Sunnyside, Queens can claim bragging rights in a shining example of the phenomena. Greenpoint Avenue is home to two adjacent Rite Aid drugstores, which sit literally right next to each other. According to the Daily News, it initially appears to be one giant store, but, in fact, they are two separately owned and operated... more ›

At the Ethnic Market highlights international specialty foods and ingredients that you're very unlikely to find at your local Gristedes. Euro Shop, a small store whose window is decorated with the flag of the European Union has always intrigued us. Among other things it offers a half dozen types of paprika paste; a meat counter filled with bacon, sausages and pork crackling; and a plethora of Hungarian junk food. Now that we’ve had their homemade... more ›

On Thursday night, a fire broke out in a Sunnyside apartment. Firefighters were able to save three children - 1-year-old twins and a 6-year-old - as well as their 59-year-old grandmother Carmen Ospina, who had been watching them. However, they were not able to save their 2-year-old brother C.J., a fact that Opsina lamented, "There's one missing. I barely had enough hands to rescue them." more ›

On Friday, Brooklyn blog Brownstoner was alarmed about a Clinton Hill resident on Grand Avenue who was painting a brownstone's archway white. Though the second comment wondered "are you sure it's not primer?", the comments thread turned into a heated debate about the rights of owners of buildings in landmarked neighborhoods, calling the painting a "disgrace" and a "mortal sin," and whether publicly outing the owner was appropriate. more ›

The Landmarks Preservation Committee unanimously approved designating Sunnyside Gardens a landmark. However, amNew York reports that the preservationists who supported the measure were outnumbered by residents of the Queens enclave. One expressed dismay by saying, "It's going to cause a lot of problems for the low-income people We are disappointed. This process is not a democratic system." more ›

AM New York's cover feature is on the landmark debate amongst neighbors in Sunnyside, Queens. Some residents want the 77-acre area, made up of houses and park area, to be landmarked, while others are worried about the problems landmark status can cause. Sunnyside Gardens, created by the City Housing Corporation in the 1920s, was meant to be affordable housing (there's a nice write-up at Forgotten-NY). more ›

• Today on the Gothamist Newsmap: a North Fork Bank was robbed on Union St. in Queens, a Sovereign Bank on Ave. A in Manhattan was also robbed, and a stabbing on Chauncey St. in Brooklyn.
• A man and his cow return to New York City after 68 years (it's a different cow).
• Al Sharpton doubts that poor minorities would be let out of jail on request, and is upset that Paris Hilton is getting preferential treatment.
• A red Jeep Cherokee with Florida license plates rear-ended a silver sedan stopped at a red light on Queens Blvd. in Sunnyside, Queens, sending the latter car headlong into a group of pedestrians crossing the Blvd. at 46th St. Five people, four of them pedestrians, were injured and a 16-year-old boy will likely lose both of his legs. The Jeep driver fled the scene in his car.
• The cop shot four months ago, while sitting in an unmarked police van with two other officers, returned to work at the 78th Precinct this week. He has still not recuperated enough to return to full active duty, but it's reported that he's happy to be back at work.
• Criss Angel's Times Square encasing-himself-in-concrete stunt was dedicated to Cameron Diaz, who he described as beautiful, talented, and smart.
• Unable to find any children that hang out in bars, Charles Schumer vowed to block OTB terminals in drinking establishments to protect the college students, who he likened to children.
• Streetsblog reports that parking spaces in Williamsburg, Brooklyn are being eliminated to make way for bike parking.

Some 30 years after Landmarks Preservation Commission officials first explored landmarking Crown Heights, the Commission has granted landmark status to the architecturally-rich neighborhood. more ›

A drunk driver hit a livery van on Queens Boulevard early Sunday morning, killing a van passenger - a 28-year-old new mother. The van was carrying a family (six adults and three children; the van did not have seat belts) who had been celebrating in Brooklyn. Paula Serrano was killed, and she had been holding her 3-week-old baby in her lap (the baby was not seriously injured). Serrano's husband and 6-year-old daughter, as well as other relatives, had minor injuries. The crash occurred blocks from their Sunnyside home. more ›

If the clear skies hold out, and that's a big if, tonight is our first chance in three years to see a total lunar eclipse. At 3:18 EST this afternoon the Earth will start passing between the sun and moon, casting its shadow upon the moon. By 5:43 the moon will be completely covered with the Earth's shadow. Sunset occurs a few minutes later, after which the moon will turn a deep orange or red. more ›