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Drunk naughty grandpa, angry hawk and 8 other popular stories in Queens this week

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Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

It’s been an interesting week in the “World’s Borough.”

A 69-year-old was arrested for DWI after he crashed into a Chase Bank in Bayside, and the suspect of a shooting on the Long Island Expressway turned out to be a spurned lover.

Not surprisingly, the share of million-dollar homes in Queens is rising with neighborhoods such as Astoria, Jamaica Estates and Malba seeing the largest increases.

St. John’s University is now home to an angry mama hawk who attacked two passersby this week when they got too close to her injured baby bird. And just in time for summer, we give you the best 10 outdoor bars and a great story about two lifeguards who are making a Ridgewood High School the best place for lifeguard training.

Here are the top 10 stories of the week:

  1. This 69-year-old man was arrested after driving drunk through a Chase Bank in Bayside on Wednesday. He injured himself and two others in the process.
  2. In just four years, the share of million-dollar homes in New York City has risen from 7 percent to 12 percent, according to a report by Trulia. This trend is also true of Queens where neighborhoods such as Astoria, Jamaica Estates and Malba have seen that share rise. Middle-class neighborhoods like Elmhurst, Corona and Jackson Heights are also part of that trend.
  3. A 37-year-old man was shot in the face by two suspects outside a Dunkin’ Donuts in Jackson Heights. Police said the victim sustained graze wounds to his forehead and under his right eye.
  4. This protective mother hawk attacked two people walking on the St. John’s University campus to protect her baby hawk, which is currently stuck in the bushes near St. John Hall. Representatives from the school said the two victims suffered lacerations to their heads but are currently doing OK.
  5. Lifeguards Chris Sullivan and Felicia Mair took over Grover Cleveland’s swim program 10 years ago and have completely overhauled it. Grover Cleveland has churned out more than 200 lifeguards who have gone on to work for the NYC Parks and Recreation Department, YMCA locations and private pools.
  6. From sun-drenched bars perched along the East River waterfront or Rockaway beaches, to sprawling backyard beer gardens and sky-high rooftop lounges, Queens doesn’t skimp on its standout selection of outdoor bars offering fun in the sun (or under the stars), where the views, booze and breeze are sure to please.
  7. This man was on his way to his family’s electronics store when he was robbed at knifepoint on an N train. After giving his cellphone to the robber, he was stabbed in the torso and had to get 22 stitches. He said he called for help from his fellow riders but received no help.
  8. The motorcyclist who shot a driver on the Long Island Expressway in Queens last weekend allegedly had a previous relationship with the victim’s girlfriend. The victim and his female companion were riding in a car when the shooter rode up in front of them on his motorcycle, pulled out a gun and opened fire.
  9. After months of meetings, proposals, debating and alterations, the final design for the ballfields at Frank Principe Park in Maspeth has been decided.
  10. Police said that the suspect who held up the sandwich shop located at 205-12 Northern Blvd. at knifepoint on June 1 has been linked to other robberies of Queens businesses in May. Last month, two Dunkin’ Donuts locations in Howard Beach and Flushing, and a Carvel ice cream shop in Forest Hills, were held up in a similar fashion.