After the Blend bloodbath ensued, we contacted Joe Conley, the chairperson of the Community Board (CB2), in order to gain some clarification and address concerns about businesses and residents living amongst each other on Vernon Blvd. He’s agreed to hold a Q&A with concerned LIC’ers residents, and we will announce the date and location of the Public Hearing when it’s been coordinated. In the meantime, Chairman Conley did pass along a response he wrote to a liQcity commenter who sent him an email regarding the Blend liquor license denial:

Dear LIC Resident »

Blend on Vernon Blvd @ 47th, LIC

The Latino fusion restaurant, Blend is jumping through hoops of fire with the community board to get their liquor license, and seems to be getting burned. Which is too bad, because one really does crave wine with their food. Not to mention, it really sucks for a restaurant business to not get those precious alcohol sales…which is where they make the bulk of their money.

It seems though, from a fervently supportive tipster and general word on the street, that the trouble is not with the board itself, but with a disgruntled neighbor(s) brandishing a conspiracy theory »

Vine Wine, 12-09 Jackson Ave, LIC

“We here at Vine Wine like to pretend we are rock stars (occasionally), but opportunities to show that off are rare in a wine store. So this week’s tasting will take a nod from Radiohead & offer one of the bottles for the price of… whatever you want (yes, really). Taste some of my favorite new Italian wines & put your money where your mouth is. We only have one case of the buyer’s choice wine, so come early, and feel free to wear your rock star apparel.”

For those music lovers out there, here’s a Press Release from a local Long Island City business, Amie Street, which provides a great website promoting independent music. Check them out.

Hello:

Today, 2/26/08, Amie Street is releasing the entire catalogs of Beggars Group (XL, Rough Trade, 4AD), Matador Records and Polyvinyl Recording Co. — more than 15,000 songs.

Thom Yorke, Cat Power, Interpol, of Montreal, Devendra Banhart, The New Pornographers, Sigur Rós, Yo La Tengo, Pavement, Belle and Sebastian, and Architecture In Helsinki are just a few of the artists now available on AmieStreet.com.

This is an exciting new development in the digital music world, as more and more artists embrace fan-based pricing as a viable music sales model.

These artists, like all songs on Amie Street, are initially free to download and rise in price based on popularity, up to $0.98.

Check out the [press release] for more information, go to AmieStreet.com for the music, and feel free to call or email me with any questions.

Thanks, Zane

• Amie Street [Official Website]

Full Press Release »