2017 New Year’s Resolutions for Astorians

When 2016 began, we put together a list of New Year’s resolutions for Astorians, which was a fun way to make attainable, neighborhood-specific goals that we’d actually look forward to achieving. (Giving up chocolate or caffeine? No thanks!) In that spirit, here are some ideas for 2017:

Make a Neighborhood To-Do List

The amount of new bars, restaurants, and entertainment options that consistently pop up in our neighborhood is mind-blowing. It can be hard to keep track of all the new places to check out, so one goal for 2017 is to be mindful of everything you haven’t done yet, new or old. For example, even though I’ve lived in Queens over five years, I still haven’t had dinner at Mombar, participated in a Writers’ Workshop at Astoria Bookshop, or made a trip to The Baroness in LIC for their famous burgers. All of these items are on my list for 2017, and I’ll make a point to cross each one off!

Get Involved

We are so lucky to live in a neighborhood that we can feel proud of. There’s a real sense of community, and one way to show appreciation is to give back. Whether you have time to volunteer, or a little extra cash to donate, there are plenty of excellent NYC-based organizations to help. Some of my favorite city-wide nonprofits include children’s literacy group First Book NYC and hunger-fighting Food Bank for New York City. If you’re looking for a more local option, Hour Children in LIC focuses on “providing practical, comprehensive services to incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women and their families.” If you enjoy arts-based Astoria groups like Astoria Performing Arts Center and Museum of the Moving Image, consider contributing as a volunteer or monetarily. Those karma points are waiting for you!

 

Venture Around Queens

Sure, Astoria is fantastic, but let’s make an effort to explore other neighborhoods in our beloved borough. Sunnyside, Jackson Heights, Forest Hills, Ridgewood, Woodside, etc., are all just waiting to be visited. Personally, I’d like to try Eddie’s Sweet Shop in Forest Hills, Nowaday’s in Ridgewood, and Donovan’s Pub in Woodside.

 

 

Keep Your Dollars Local

I included this on last year’s list, but it’s worth repeating. There are so many items that we all buy over the course of a month, or a year: things like music, clothes, beer, shoes, coffee/tea, books, and personal care products. Where do you typically buy these items from? Chances are, most of the items you’re buying online or from major retailers can be purchased from a small business here in Astoria. Here’s a few suggestions:

Apparel: 2016 new addition The Stonework, Brass Owl, and Lockwood Style

Music: HiFi Records (for vinyl)

Beer: Growlers from Singlecut, bottles and cans from Astoria Bier and Cheese

Personal Care Products: Little Soap Shop

Books: Astoria Bookshop

Coffee/Tea: Astoria Coffee

Local businesses are at the heart of what makes Astoria such a special place to live, so again, let’s do the best we can to support them!

 

Mix It Up

Okay, this is definitely a “problem that’s not a problem.” BUT – It’s easy to fall in love with a certain restaurant, bar, or takeout option, and never expand your horizons. (Especially when it’s cold out and walking to the closest drinking establishment or ordering a Seamless standby sounds SO good.) If you’ve noticed you’ve ordered from the same sushi or Thai place five times in a row, (guilty!) maybe take an extra few minutes next time to try a different spot, or at least a new dish or two. Variety is the spice of life!

 

What are your (fun) New Year’s Resolutions? Share with us on Facebook and in the comments!