Author Archives: Mary Barnes

About Mary Barnes

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250 Words on Astoria

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     The neighborhood I have chosen is Astoria in Queens. I chose this neighborhood because it is where I grew up. I moved away 10 years ago, but whenever I go to visit my family, I see changes happening all around me. Astoria is not the place I once knew. I have noticed a change in the types of businesses that are thriving. Classic diners, pizzerias and clothing stores are going out of business and more organic markets and juice bars are opening. I have also noticed many places are going out of business relatively quickly. Some buildings have ownership and business changes every few years. I think it would be fascinating to learn more about why these places keep closing, and what the owners who have been successful in the area are doing to maintain their profits.

     There is an individual I would like to profile named Andreana Verona. She is a local tattooist from Italy who opened her own shop in 2004, after traveling and tattooing around the world honing her craft. Her shop was named one of the best tattoo shops in New York City by clients and was mentioned in an article on CBS New York’s website.

     There are many local businesses, but the one that stands out most to me is Queens Comfort. The restaurant opened in 2011 and has quickly become a favorite amongst Astoria residents. This pop culture themed eatery serves comfort food with a twist. On the weekends, the line out the door could span to the end of the block.

     An issue in Astoria that I found to be of interest was the proposed closing of Shore Boulevard in Astoria Park to make a pedestrian walkway. The street is along the shore line next to the park and has been the subject of complaints for many years. There have been many fatal car accidents due to driver’s speeding down the road. Many people gather at Astoria Park to ride their bicycles, walk their dogs or even take their children to watch the boats go by. The proposal has angered some residents who enjoy driving and commute via Shore Boulevard. Others are in favor of the road being closed to make the place safer.

Queens Tourists

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This article presented data that show the increase in tourism in Queens in the recent years in comparison to the other boroughs. Along with statistics, the writer uses quotes to further show this increase. In the fourth paragraph, the writer states that “Lonely Planet made a decision” that named Queens the number one tourist destination. What the article does not state is what this decision was based on. The term “made a decision” makes it seem as if the Lonely Planet contributors sat down and discussed and agreed on a place, rather than naming it based on data. Though data is presented throughout the rest of the article, it is still unclear as to how this decision was made.

Further more, I appreciate the diversity in the quotes he attained, interviewing tourists as well as individuals who work in tourism and the like. It allows readers to see both sides of the coin. Queens is the number one tourist destination because the statistics show this increase, but also because these tourists enjoy the area.

The writer has a paragraph that details a conversation Rob MacKay had with a French journalist who said “everybody in Paris is talking about Long Island City.” This paragraph gives us a look into how people around the world are talking about Queens, lending to the idea that it is a popular destination. The paragraph, however, is very conversational and awkwardly phrased. It would have been better off not being a direct quote, but rather a summary of the conversation as MacKay told it.

E.B. White “Here Is New York”

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1.) What is your impression of the opening line of White’s book: “New York bestows gifts of loneliness and the gifts of privacy.” Do you agree or disagree with White? If so, why? If not, why not? How effective is the opening? What does it accomplish, if anything?

The opening line gives the reader a glance into White’s mindset and thoughts about New York City, allowing them to get an idea of the tone of the rest of the book. I agree that New York “bestows gifts of loneliness and…privacy.” The city is so large that one can often feel small and lost in the hustle and bustle. A place with such grandness often makes people feel alone. Despite the overabundance of people, there is a sense of privacy in that everyone is generally more concerned with themselves and their own issues or tasks that they often don’t take notice of others, allowing for that sense of privacy. I feel the opening was very effective. It establishes the topic of the book and it gives the reader a look into White’s view of NYC.

2. How and why does the writer use lists in this book?

The writer uses lists in paragraph form as description. He lists places, situations and people in a way that exemplified that topic being discussed. These examples give the reader a deeper look into New York, aiding in their comprehension of the subjects presented.