Regional journalists have been writing up the hood as exotic Tahiti-like destination on the shores of Manhattan.

Boston Globe piece. "Home to 250,000 residents, Astoria and neighboring Long Island City are thriving urban communities with a small-town feel, where the sidewalks are walkable and there is plenty to walk to." The piece is sort of Astoria focused, as the destinations mentioned are limited to Museum of Moving Image and nearby restaurants.

Times Ledger on a second museum move. "The Museum of African Art will follow the Museum of Modern Art's lead as it prepares to move out of its Long Island City site to relocate along Manhattan's Museum Mile at Fifth Avenue and 110th Street after nearly five years in Queens."

Landmark status for the former piano factory near Socrates. It's going condo, by the way.

Plus, more hotels. "From Long Island City to Forest Hills, Flushing to Maspeth and Jamaica, hotels are popping up across the borough.

The area around Kennedy Airport has seen five new hotels open - a sixth is under construction - in the last several years, according to the Hotel Association of New York City."