🌱 Interborough Express + Bellucci’s Pizzeria + Grand Ave Robbery

Up and at 'em, Queens! Let's get you started this Friday with everything you need to know going on today in Queens.

First, today's weather:

Partly sunny and very cold. High: 23 Low: 13.

Here are the top three stories today in Queens:

1. Gov. Kathy Hochul has released an initial MTA study into the Brooklyn-Queens transit link. For this project, an underutilized 14-mile freight line would be converted into a new “Interborough Express” service connecting neighborhoods in Brooklyn and Queens. The MTA will now launch another feasibility study, complete with an extensive public outreach process, to decide on what mode of transit would be used for the proposal. (New York Post)
2. A renowned Lombardi’s pizza maker is opening a new pizzeria in Queens next month. Andrew Bellucci, a Jersey City native who rose to prominence in the 1990s as the face of Lombardi’s Pizzeria in Manhattan, will be taking over a space previously occupied by sLICe Pizza at 37-08 30th Ave. in Astoria. The new pizza shop, Bellucci’s Pizzeria, will have no ties to Bellucci Pizza, located at 29-04 30th Ave., which Bellucci opened early last year with his former business partner Leo Dakmak. (Astoria Post)
3. Last week, a woman was put in a chokehold and robbed outside of the Grand Avenue station in Elmhurst. On Jan. 10, the 38-year-old victim was in front of the entrance to the Grand Avenue–Newtown subway station when a suspect, believed to be around 30 to 40-years-old, approached her from behind and wrapped his arm around her throat before stealing her purse which contained $1,000, her vaccination card, and her passport which was issued by the nation of Thailand. The victim did not suffer injuries and police are looking for the suspect, who was described as dark-skinned, 6 feet tall, and weighing around 150 pounds. (Forest Hills Post)

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Today in Queens:

• American History Series, At Glen Oaks Branch Library (10:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• Become a Queens Botanical Garden Guide and bring inspiration, positivity, and education to visitors! Assist visitors while they explore plant collections and participate in seasonal programs. (Facebook)
• Liz Larner's 'Don't put it back like it was' show opened at the SculptureCenter on Thursday. (Facebook)
• If you're a tech founder in the early stage of building or growing your startup, join the Queens Economic Development Corporation on Jan. 25 and connect with two tech founders who’ve achieved great success in 2021. (Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• JUST LISTED! In Coveted Forest Hills Closes, Queens, NYC (January 21)
• The Glendale Comedy Show at the Avenue (January 21)
• OPEN HOUSE ! Sunny Enchanting Studio In Forest Hills Gardens (January 22)
• OPEN HOUSE ! *By Appointment* Rare Gem In Beautiful Douglas Manor, NYC (January 23)
• Thursday Night Out In Queens NY (January 27)
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Announcements:

• Full Court Gym for Rent (Details)
• 45-60 yrs? Paid study for your opinions; one session only! (Details)
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You're officially in the loop for today! I'll see you around.

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a born and raised Rhode Islander. 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, hiking, or photographing her neighborhood as a street photographer.