🌱 Off The Bone Named One Of 'Hottest' Restaurants + Milestones

Happy Thursday, Queens! Here's everything you need to know about what's happening locally today.

First, today's weather:

Times of clouds and sun. High: 47 Low: 32.

Attention, top law firms! We're now offering sponsorship opportunities for local firms interested in building lasting connections with clients in Queens. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top three stories in Queens today:

1. A Queens man was arrested by the FBI early Wednesday in connection with the U.S. Capitol riot. According to the criminal complaint, 54-year-old Ralph Joseph Celentano III has been accused of assaulting an officer during the insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021, and faces charges of civil disorder, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building, and offenses related to acts of physical violence. A heavy federal response was visible at the scene as Celentano's home in Broad Channel was being searched in connection with the investigation. (NBC New York)
2. A new Bayside halal spot is already among the "hottest" eateries in Queens, critics say. Eater editors named Off The Bone, a 100 percent halal restaurant serving everything from crepes to chicken burgers, among the 15 "hottest restaurants in Queens." The restaurant opened late last year on the corner of 42nd Avenue and 213th Street and offers what editors describe as a "bit of a free-for-all" menu. (Patch)
3. Mayor Adams announced milestones in two projects that will improve infrastructure and quality of life while tackling the affordable housing crisis in southeast Queens. On Wednesday, Mayor Adams and New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams celebrated the completion of a $50 million project, which came in under budget and will deliver more than six miles of new sewers and water mains to alleviate flooding of homes and streets in Rochdale. In addition, construction kicked off for “Habitat Net Zero,” a project that will turn 13 dilapidated homes previously owned by the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) into 16 green homes for affordable homeownership. (NYC.gov)

From our sponsor:

Hey Queens, are you looking to buy a house, refinance or just explore your options? Check out the new Patch Mortgage Center for all your home financing needs!

Today in Queens:

• New York In History With Oliver Hummel, At Glen Oaks Branch Library (11:00 AM)
• Caring Connections: Wellness Through Therapeutic Art (Virtual Program), At Long Island City Library (12:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Need some help filing your NYC Tax return? Register to get a one-on-one tax prep session happening Mar. 23, as well as Apr. 6, from 12:00-4:00 pm at Queens Borough Hall. (Facebook)
• Queens Botanical Garden's membership just got even better! They're bringing back Members-exclusive events, starting with a Wine & Cheese Evening on Apr. 26. (Facebook)
• To celebrate Women's History Month, Queens Chamber of Commerce is sharing their February issue of "This is Queensborough," which features NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams on the cover. Adams, who hails from Queens, is the first African-American woman to lead the New York City Council. (Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• The Learning Experience- Summer Camp Ages 2-10 years old (March 10)
• Clean Energy is Coming to Astoria: Community Info and Q&A Session (March 10)
• Beating the Odds, The Al Rosen Story Film Screening (March 14)
• Freedom Party® NYC Apr 1 (April 1)
• Add your event

Announcements:

• St Patrick's Day Bar Experience at Doha Bar Lounge (Details)
• Add your announcement

For sale:

• Close-out Sale! (Details)
• Add your item

Other classifieds:

• Office Space for Rent - Prime Bayside Location - $2,531/month (Details)
• Add your classified

Loving the Queens Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

• Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe
• Get your local business featured in front of readers

Thanks for following along and staying informed. See you all tomorrow morning for another update!

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a born and raised Rhode Islander, now living in New York. She works as a staff writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and is a graduate of The University of Rhode Island, where she earned a degree in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies. In her free time, you can find her traveling, drinking tea, or photographing her neighborhood as a street photographer.