Kevin K. Smith passed away on Thursday, December 2, 2021 at the age of 52. Beloved Husband of the late Cindy. Cherished Son of Thomas and the late Margaret Smith. LOving Brother of Thomas, Patrick and Kelly Anna Smith. Mass of Christian Burial offered at Our Lady of Hope church on Tuesday, December 7, 2021 at 10:45aM. Interment followed at St. Charles Cemetery, Farmingdale, NY under the direction of Papavero Funeral Home, 72-27 Grand Avenue, Maspeth, NY 11378.
Robert J. Platte passed away on Wednesday, December 1, 2021 at the age of 86. Beloved Father of Suann Dugan. Cherished Grandfather of Samantha, Jack and Alex. Loving Soulmate and Love-of-her-Life to Joanne Friedman and Love by Jessica and Kenneth. Mr. Platta was a United States Navy Veteran. In Lieu of Flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Best Friends Animal Society. Private Cremation held on Friday, December 3, 2021 at Fresh Pond Crematory, Middle Village, NY . Memorial Visitation at Papavero Funeral Home on Saturday,December 11, 2021 from 1-4PM. Interment of Cremains to follow at Wading River Cemetery, Wading River, NY under the direction of Papavero Funeral Home, 72-27 Grand Avenue, Maspeth, NY 11378.
Irene Kichinski passed away on Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at the age of 94. Beloved Wife of the late Thomas J. Kichinski. Loving Mother of Robert Kichinski, Richard Kichinski, Diane Dellilune, Christine Diele and the late Kathleen Kichinski and Mother-in-Law of Lorraine and Joseph. Cherished Grandmother of Kelly, Robert, Lauren, Joseph and Jacklyn and Great-Grandmother of Skylar and Brody. Mass of Christian Burial offered at St. Stanislaus Church on Monday, November 29, 2021 10:45AM. Interment followed at Long Island National Cemetery, Farmingdale, NY under the direction of Papavero Funeral Home, 72-27 Grand Avenue, Maspeth, NY 11378.
Macchina, a Italian-American restaurant known for its Burrata Pizza, has found a permanent home in the heart of Williamsburg. Macchina’s original location was located in Midtown East but was temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The team behind Williamsburg restaurants Roebling Sporting Club (225 N 8th St, Brooklyn, NY 11211) and The Bedford (right next door to Macchina) played a major role in making the second location a reality. “It’s been a challenging 18 months for everyone and we are beyond happy that we can continue to do what we love, open restaurants and create a menu that we think the neighborhood will really enjoy,” says co-founder Danno X. “We started out making pizzas out of the back room of The Bedford during the pandemic to hopefully spread a little joy in the best way we knew how.”
Williamsburg’s newest restaurant is located at 110 Bedford Ave and sets a cozy but sophisticated atmosphere. Their exclusive cocktail menu complements their wood-fired pizza and their pizza has a take on the classic Neapolitan pie with American influences.
A highly recommended dish would be the Apple and Fennel Tonic with Gin, paired with the Chicken Parm Pizza. The pizzas can be ordered to share or as a personal pie with vegan and gluten-free options available.
Other options that don’t involve pizza would be the Classic Burrata spread with house-made arugula, cherry tomato, and fennel salad with grilled flatbread or the Il Forno Truffle Mac n Cheese which has three kinds of cheese topped with parmesan breadcrumbs presented on a cast-iron skillet.
“Pizza was the perfect take-out option for people to enjoy in their homes and arguably the best comfort food of all time,” said Danno X. “We are humbled by the support we received for the pop-up and that we can now turn that operation into a permanent place for people to come and relax with a pie or stop by to take with them.”
The York Theatre Company highlights the iconic movie musical songwriter Irving Berlin in their brand new production: “Cheek to Cheek: Irving Berlin in Hollywood.”
Reflects on her journey, helping other on Worlds AIDS Day
Small businesses were given a big platform this past weekend as part of Small Business Saturday.
Over a dozen small businesses set up shop in the King Manor House Museum in Jamaica to showcase and sell their goods.
For executive director Kelsey Brow, the sight of local vendors selling their products was a special one.
“It’s a dream come true for me,” said Brow. “I moved from the suburbs of Denver to New York City on purpose to get away from big box stores.”
Brow said it was significant to lend the historic space to local vendors who might not have a brick-and-mortar store. From beauty and healthcare products to artisan jewelry, the first floor of the museum was filled with 16 small businesses, a majority of them based in Queens.
Among them were Sha’s House of Bling, JBM Jewelry, Beauty Bar and Mr. X Stock Market Academy.
“It’s really meaningful, especially because we’re in such a central location,” said Brow. “It’s exciting to have such a wide variety of vendors here today.”
The event was curated by Adrienne Whaley, executive director of the Queens Underground International Film Festival.
Whaley, an artist and entrepreneur who sells her own soaps, set up her display of products alongside the other local small businesses for the all-day event just down the road from her own studio.
“It was important before and now it’s magnified because none of these people have a storefront,” said Whaley on the support of small businesses. “Since the pandemic, it’s become even more important. Shopping online is okay, but here you can talk to the vendors and you can touch the items.”
Whaley also curated a selection of over 30 music and poetry videos that were screened in the parlor of the historic house. A room once used for entertainment purposes was repurposed for the showcase event.
“Of course they didn’t have film back then, but they would have had magic lantern shows, kind of like an old-fashioned slide projector but it was hand done,” Brow explained.
In Astoria, an outdoor holiday event brought out families to Steinway Street and 31st Avenue, where crowds were treated to carolers from Christmas Matters, a puppet show by Penny and the Puppettes, and holiday music performances by the Academia De Mariachi Nuevo Amanecer.
Sponsored by the Steinway Astoria Partnership, the holiday event aimed to bring the community together to support the over 300 businesses on Steinway Street.
“It’s a ‘thank you’ to the residents of Astoria and the Steinway community,” said executive director Marie Torniali. “This little part of Queens is made up of families of many, many different cultures. They all come together as one. Hopefully they’ll support the small businesses that line the streets here.”
It was the end of an era on Sunday.
Tower Diner, a neighborhood cornerstone since 1993 that is housed in a historic Colonial bank building, was forced to shutter. The Queens Boulevard building is currently slated for demolition to make way for a new housing development.
The distinctive white clock tower has been an unofficial landmark in the neighborhood for generations.
“It’s an unofficial landmark,” said Regina Judith Faighes. “I grew up on 99th Street, and when my dad gave people directions to our home, he would tell them to look for the building with the clock tower.”
“I had a long wait for my table, and normally that would upset me,” she said of her final visit Sunday. “But this afternoon I was happy for the delay, because it gave me more time to experience the diner, with its warm and inviting classic decor.”
Longtime patrons had one last meal and took the chance to reminisce with staff, many of whom are regarded as extended family.
“The food was consistently fresh and delicious and the service was always excellent,” said Jane Firkser-Brody. “It is very disheartening to see yet another Forest Hills venue being destroyed, along with the charm and uniqueness of our awesome neighborhood.”
Tower Diner was opened by Jimmy Gatanas and his wife Anthi. Their sons Spiro and John worked in the business and later acquired it. It was the only diner of its kind in the vicinity, and became a go-to spot for dates, family outings, and birthday and graduation celebrations, as well as business meetings.
Tower Diner enticed the palates of notables such as Al Roker, Ti-Hua Chang, and Alonzo Mourning.
For the Gatanas family, who immigrated from Greece, Tower Diner exemplified the American Dream. They employed approximately 40 people, and gave back to the community with fundraisers benefiting St. Jude’s, sponsored PS 175 and Forest Hills High School sports teams, and donated Thanksgiving turkeys to local schools.
David Giwner moved from Manhattan in 2009, and called it his go-to diner in Forest Hills.
“I’ve never had a bad meal,” he said. “Losing Tower Diner is like losing a family member and a staple of our once great community. This is another piece of NYC history gone.”
Kevin Sanichara and his mother said the staff felt like a second family.
“I’ve been coming here almost every week for the past 20 years,” he said. “I will miss the ambiance and aesthetic of the old clock tower and the compass on the ceiling.”
For Matthew Semble, Tower Diner represents a big part of his life with his late wife Kathy Fogel.
“After Kathy’s passing, the employees and management reached out to me and my son Alex, and sent many meals during shiva and beyond,” he said. “There aren’t many businesses that had such a positive impact on our community.”
In addition to enjoying one last meal, patrons had the chance to sign a petition opposing the demolition, which will also include several small businesses and the Trylon Theater, which is currently home to Ohr Natan synagogue.
“I’m going to miss the diner, and especially the tower for which it was named,” said Michael Hennessy. “Hopefully the community will fight any further neighborhood destruction.”
“I strongly oppose the redevelopment plans for Tower Diner and the Trylon Theater,” added Jeffrey Witt. “We do not need nor want the type of the development being proposed. The charm and beauty that attracted people to live here is being destroyed.”
Less than a week remains to apply for FEMA assistance
