Let's Meet Up in Queens

Free Outdoor Fitness Classes at Socrates!

2008-05-14T20:05:00.000-05:00

SOCRATES
SCULPTURE PARK

OUTDOOR FITNESS IN THE PARK
SPRING / SUMMER / FALL 2008

Yoga in the Park
Saturdays, May 10 - September 27 (rain or shine)
First session: 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Second session: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Socrates offers free Kripalu Yoga, a system of Hatha Yoga that integrates body postures, breathing techniques, relaxation and meditation. Taught by Monique Schubert, participants are encouraged to integrate their yoga practices with this very special waterfront environment of nature and art. Suitable for all experience levels. Participants should bring a mat or towel.

Pilates in the Park
Sundays, May 11 - June 29 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (rain or shine)
Socrates Sculpture Park is pleased to introduce a fourth outdoor exercise class into its weekly repertoire. Classical Pilates encourages proper breathing, spinal alignment, core strengthening, muscle flexibility and balance in the body. Taught by Cortnie Vitali, participants will leave feeling empowered, and stress free.

Tai Chi in the Park
Sundays, May 11 - September 28 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (rain or shine) Socrates hosts free Tai Chi classes in the Park led by members of the Taoist Tai Chi Society. Participants will have the opportunity to relax and exercise among the changing exhibitions of contemporary outdoor sculpture. Classes are designed for all experience levels. Participants should wear comfortable clothing.

Capoeira in the Park
Saturdays, May 10 - September 27 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM (rain or shine) Capoeira is a lively martial art that originated in Brazil over 450 years ago. Self-defense techniques are concealed by graceful dance moves and spectacular acrobatics set to music. Taught by Professor Abará. Classes are designed for all experience levels. Participants should wear comfortable clothing.

OTHER EXHIBITIONS & PROGRAMS:

WASTE NOT, WANT NOT
MAY 4 - AUGUST 3, 2008
Curated by Robyn Donohue with Alyson Baker and Marichris Ty, this group exhibition explores interpretations and responses to the motivations, goals, realities, politics, and practices of recycling, with works by: Jonathan Allen, The Canary Project (Annie Murdock, Ed Morris, and Jussara Lee), Tony Feher, Lars Fisk, Miwa Koizumi, Rainy Lehrman, Carole Frances Lung, Julian Montague, Macrae Semans, Austin Shull, Courtney Smith, Shinique Smith, Jade Townsend & Michael Petersen, Paul Villinski, Letha Wilson, and Randy Wray.

SATURDAY SCULPTURE WORKSHOPS MAY 10 - SEPTEMBER 27
SUMMER SOLSTICE CELEBRATION JUNE 21
OUTDOOR CINEMA WEDNESDAYS, JULY 6 - AUGUST 27
LEARN MORE ABOUT THESE EVENTS HERE!

EVEN A SMALL GIFT
MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE:
A contribution of any size is a tremendous gift to the 72,000 people that visit us annually. Your donation to Socrates Sculpture Park helps us to ensure that all of the Park's dynamic exhibitions, artmaking workshops, film screenings, fitness classes, concerts, performances and annual events remain open to the public for FREE.

You can make your donation right here or mail a check to:

Socrates Sculpture Park
PO Box 6259, 32-01 Vernon Boulevard
Long Island City, NY 11106

TELL YOUR FRIENDS:
An exciting new season is now in development and we look forward to sharing the details with you and your friends. Like you, your friends can receive up-to-the-minute information about Socrates' upcoming exhibitions and programs by email:

ABOUT SOCRATES SCULPTURE PARK:
Socrates Sculpture Park was an abandoned landfill and illegal dumpsite until 1986 when a coalition of artists and community members, under the leadership of sculptor Mark di Suvero, transformed it into an open studio and exhibition space for artists and a neighborhood park for local residents. Once a rubble-strewn lot, it now flourishes as an ever-evolving natural landscape.

Located in an industrial neighborhood in Long Island City, Socrates is a waterfront park that overlooks the Manhattan skyline; the site is an affecting and inspiring place for artists to work and a spectacular setting for the presentation of public art. To date, Socrates has hosted close to 700 artists and currently attracts more than 72,000 visitors annually.

Socrates Sculpture Park is the only site in the New York Metropolitan area specifically dedicated to providing artists with opportunities to create and exhibit large-scale sculpture and multi-media installations in an outdoor environment that invites interaction between artists, artworks and the public.

Socrates Sculpture Park is open 365 days a year from 10am to sunset. The Park is located at the intersection of Broadway and Vernon Boulevard in Long Island City.

DIRECTIONS:
BY SUBWAY: Monday through Friday take the N or W trains to the Broadway stop in Queens and walk eight blocks along Broadway toward the East River. On Saturday and Sunday take the N train to the Broadway stop. For driving, cycling and walking directions, please visit our website: www.socratessculpturepark.org.

Woodside Cafe:Esparks A-OK

2008-05-06T20:08:00.002-05:00

Sunday I went to ESparks Café on Roosevelt Ave @ 59th Street. It turned into a beautiful day as I sat there grading papers. I left the house on a grey Sunday looking for a quiet place to get some work done away from the kids. I got a decent cup of coffee and was treated well by the "barrista" (an awful and pretentious name for a coffee-clerk). There were people in the café on a Sunday afternoon, which made me happy since it is the first "bourgeois" amenity in this part of Woodside. I want this place to thrive, because it is the first place like it in Woodside. Now, I've tried drinking Coffee at Mango Café on 61st St and Woodside Pizza on 60th and 44th Ave and, while they were kind enough the vibes were all wrong: they are restaurants not a cafés, where you can "camp." (La Flor Café, an excellent spot, is just a bit too far away for me to grade, and it is a brunch joint on Sunday afternoons.)
I asked the guy who came by cleaning the counter near me how to pronounce espark's: is ot "e-Sparks" or "Esparks?" Because all the workers that day looked latino I thought it might be that the addition of the "e" to the dipthong "sp," because in Spanish they don't usually start words with s-dipthongs, my brother's name often suffers from that and he becomes Estaffor (for Stafford). Rather, the name is because the Parks started the café to sell Espresso (where the extra "s" went to, I don't know). A Korean-American cafe, peopled by latinos and Asians, serving coffee and cakes to JOJ Irish people pushing fancy strollers, is exactly why I love Woodside Queens.
I had a great day scrapping through six student essays: sinceI only turned the page sideways to write SUMMARY alongside of three paragraphs it was a good day. I had a nice stretch of window counter facing out at Evangeline's Filipino bakery and restaurant. It is so-so according to the mabuhay cognoscenti: Tito Rad's over by PC Richards on Queens Boulevard and 59th is what my Filipino friends like. As I looked up there were almost always people out on the street, families and delivery people mostly, kids licking cones from Carvel and a couple of drunks staggering by with the colors of African Liberation wrapped in their blonde dreadlocks. I think I admire the working class whites that haven't fled the neighborhood as much as anyone, I'm glad I'm allowed to feel comfortable here now.
As I graded the third paper I looked up and jackets were suddenly tied around waists and the sun was streaming down through the Elevated, looking something like the venetian blinds in a noire film. But as the skate punks stood aside to let the families and retirees stream out of St. Sebastian's around the corner after mass I started to see why I am so happy to have moved to Woodside. I am glad to live in a neighborhood where EVERYBODY fits in.
I just have to say watching the three scooter delivery guys from the Chinese restaurant around the corner was a welcome diversion for me. It seemed each time I had to stop to write "¿thesis?" they'd be headed out or back or both. I love seeing delivery guys work out how to stack the goods on the scooters and joke between deliveries around the fur-mittened scooters with the duct-tape holding them together. It is a reminder of my younger days messengering. I miss the esprit de corps of delivery riders, even if they don't have the cachet of the track-bike-messenger I was in the 1980s; it is the same gig. (I'll bet we have the same brakes: none!)
The coffee was good and Esparks had the welcome and welcoming vibe of the corporate megafauna, but I was avoiding the corporatization of Queens. I have to say that when I lived in Sunnyside I liked the two Cafes there "The Grind" @ 39th Pl and Queens Boulevard and Café Aubergine on Skillman and 50th, but now they are too far away, so here is where I'll have to tipple my joe. Woodside lacks the intimacy of Sunnyside gardens with its painfully cute houses, gardens and trees, but Roosevelt Ave is as nice a "high Street" as there is in New York. Esparks is a damn fine addition with all of the comfort and ambiance of any café, well it is a bit bourgeois and neat, not like The Grind or the Mission Café's of San Francisco, but it is a great meeting place in Woodside.
59-02 Woodside Ave Woodside, NY 11377
http://www.yelp.com/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.esparkscoffee.com&src_bizid=5_S4tBhVm7s7kCgDslKmbw
I just learned that they have another branch that was favorably reviewed other places, And if I was a reviewer instead of a romantic I'd tell you the important things that those other reviews included like ireless access and baked goods and the like. I hear they are hiring. I'm glad I already have a job.

Jackson Heights Poetry Contest--Reading & Winners

2008-05-04T22:00:00.000-05:00

Announcing the Winners of the First Annual Jackson Heights Poetry Festival Student Poetry Contest

Winners, listed at www.jhpfest.org, will receive awards and read their poems at the Jackson Heights Poetry Festival on Saturday, May 17

From May 15-17, 2008, Jackson Heights will open its doors to both the local community and NYC at large to celebrate the cultural diversity of Queens and the poetic talent of its students.

The Jackson Heights Poetry Festival is a 3-day event involving workshops taught by professors and poets, a poetry slam, and a series of readings at an all-day outdoor-poetry-extravaganza.

The poetry contest was held in all public and private middle and high schools throughout Queens for students in grades 6 – 12. A celebrity panel of judges, including Jonathan Galassi, Lynne Procope, and Roger Bonair-Agard judged the winners, announced May 1 and who will be featured at the Festival.

Events:

WORKSHOPS: Thursday May 15, 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

The Garden School 33-16 79th Street, Jackson Heights NY, 11372

POETRY SLAM & OPEN MIC: Friday May 16, 9:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Restaurant and Lounge Novo 78-23 37th Avenue, Jackson Heights, NY

THE FESTIVAL: Saturday May 17, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

The Garden School 33-16 79th Street, Jackson Heights, NY

Noted Poets and Educators Taking Part in the JHPF Events:

Patrick Rosal, Jai Chakrabati, Michael Dumanis, Samantha Thornhill, Bill Zavatsky, Richard Marotta, Lee Schlesinger, and the first woman to be named the Poet Laureate of Queens, New York, Ishle Yi Park.

Sponsors/Organizers/Supporters:

New York Council for the Humanities

Jackson Heights Beautification Group

NYS Senator John D. Sabini

NYS Assemblyman José R. Peralta

NYC Councilman Hiram Monserrate

Marina Yoffe, Co-Founder/Director

Sarah Heinemann, Co-Founder/Director

Contact info: JHPFest@gmail.com or (347) 239-2243

For more information please visit www.jhpfest.org

Garden & Grub Potluck Picnic at Two Coves Garden

2008-05-01T08:56:00.002-05:00

Bring your family, friends, and favorite vegetarian dish. Let's picnic and help beautify the largest community gardens in Astoria.

Saturday, May 24th 12:00 – 2:00 pm
Location: Two Coves Garden/Triangle at 30th Ave.,
8th St., & Astoria Blvd

Learn about indoor and outdoor composting

Want a garden? Plots still available contact twocovesgarden@yahoo.com for info.

Co Sponsor: Two Coves Garden Association

Area Mom Fed Up With Parks

2008-04-28T21:00:00.001-05:00

Reader Marie Walnut writes in to share her hair raising experiences as a new mom out in the wilds of Sunnyside playgroundland:

Only recently I found myself venturing into the New York City parks and playgrounds now that I’m a mother. I have always taken walks in Central Park, but it’s really not the same as the local play spaces. Nothing like the play spaces we have here in Sunnyside – Lou Lodati and Noonan playgrounds.

I have spent more hours at Lou Lodati than I care to count on the few warm days we have had so far. I had no idea that I was going to encounter such unfortunate things there. Before I entered for the first time I referred to the rules that are clearly posted on gate. However, after sitting there for a few minutes I started to notice that many of the rules were broken. I noticed dogs, people lying on benches who were not in the company of children, and worst of all cigarette smoke was rampant.

I can forgive most wafting cigarette smoke, but when the blue haze makes way over my newborn’s face I find it totally unacceptable. On one of the first lovely spring days in Sunnyside, the smoke was heavy over at Lou Lodati playground. There were women pushing baby buggies smoking their super 110s. The kids were happily breathing in the thick blue haze when the wind blew in the right direction. Even the park attendant was puffing a butt close to the restroom facilities in plain view of all to see. I had to move to three different benches to save my baby from a lifetime of asthma just from one visit to Lou Lodati.

A few days later I decided that the weather was too nice and I needed to go back for another round of the abusive relationship I have entered into as a park sitter at Lou Lodati. Little did I know that the day would bring some interaction with the local adolescent boys? How does a group of young mothers with little babies get into a verbal altercation with tween boys? Well visit Lou Lodati after school lets out and you will see. After some young punks decided to kick their soccer ball ferociously around four young moms and their babies, one brave mom went to reason with them. They didn’t let up and decided to release as many uses of the F-word they could configure in their broken sentences. No park attendant was to be found though – probably out smoking…

I discovered that hanging out in Sunnyside’s playgrounds is more of a standoff than an enjoyable walk through the park.

Support for Dolce Vita Withdrawn

2008-04-22T09:41:00.001-05:00

See original post. Sorry it took so long to respond to the hue-and-cry in the comments.

2008-04-21T17:50:00.000-05:00

The First Annual Jackson Heights Poetry Festival

to Take Place this May

The Most Culturally Diverse Neighborhood in the U.S. brings togetherCommunity Schools and Organizations to Promote

Diversity Appreciation through Poetry

From May 15-17, 2008, Jackson Heights will open its doors to both the local community and NYC at large to celebrate the cultural diversity of Queens and the poetic talent of its students.

The Jackson Heights Poetry Festival is a 3-day event involving workshops taught by professors and poets, a poetry slam, and a series of readings at an all-day outdoor-poetry-extravaganza.

Leading up to the festival, a poetry contest will be held in public and private middle and high schools throughout Queens for students in grades 6 – 12, and winners will be featured at the festival.

Events:

WORKSHOPS: Thursday May 15, 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

The Garden School 33-16 79th Street, Jackson Heights NY, 11372

POETRY SLAM & OPEN MIC: Friday May 16, 9:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Restaurant and Lounge Novo 78-23 37th Avenue, Jackson Heights, NY

THE OUTDOOR FESTIVAL: Saturday May 17, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

The Garden School 33-16 79th Street, Jackson Heights, NY

Noted Poets and Educators Taking Part in the JHPF Events:

Patrick Rosal, Jai Chakrabati, Richard Marotta, Lee Schlesinger, Michael Dumanis, Bill Zavatsky, and the first woman to be named the Poet Laureate of Queens, New York, Ishle Yi Park.

Sponsors/Organizers/Supporters:

New York Council for the Humanities

Jackson Heights Beautification Group

NYS Senator John D. Sabini

NYS Assemblyman José R. Peralta

NYC Councilman Hiram Monserrate

Dime Savings Bank

Marina Yoffe, Co-Founder/Director

Sarah Heinemann, Co-Founder/Director

Contact info: JHPFest@gmail.com or (347) 517-1506

Online Contest submissions are due by Tuesday, April 22, 2008. Finalists will be announced online May 1, 2008.

For more information, please visit www.jhpfest.org

Kite Flight: Plastic Play on Sunday, April 27

2008-04-15T20:03:00.002-05:00

KITE FLIGHT: PLASTIC PLAY
Sunday, April 27, 2008 at
Socrates Sculpture Park
11AM - 2PM
Free / Rain or Shine!

Socrates Sculpture Park and The Noguchi Museum are proud to present the sixth annual kite making workshop and flying event. This free hands-on workshop will take place at Socrates Sculpture Park and welcomes children of all ages to participate.

This year, children and their families will find an excellent new use for plastic bags by transforming this durable, and light weight material into beautiful recycled kites! Kite designs are provided by artists Miwa Koizumi and Marco Scoffier who will draw inspiration from the Park's fantastic view of the Manhattan skyline. Participants will have the opportunity to build and decorate their kites, then fly them in the Park.

Advance registration is not required, but space is limited, so come early! The workshops are free and will be held - rain or shine - under a tent in the education area at Socrates Sculpture Park; all materials and supplies will be provided.

2008-04-11T06:51:00.000-05:00

THALIA SPANISH THEATRE presents its SPRING session

BILINGUAL THEATRE WORKSHOP FOR YOUNG AND BEGINNING ACTORS.

Experience an intensive theoretical-practical acting workshop at Thalia Spanish Theatre, taught by the prestigious Ecuadorian actor and director Franco Galecio. The class will culminate with a special performance for invited guests, including industry professionals.

The fee for the entire twelve-week session is $150. The classes are on Mondays, from 6pm to 9pm. The workshops begin April 7 and continue through June 23, with the final performance for the general public, critics, and industry professionals, on June 25.

For more information and to register, call 718-729-3880, or visit the theatre’s website: www.thaliatheatre.org.

Sponsored by Citibank, Con Edison, Independence Community Foundation, The New York State Council on the Arts, the New York City Dept. of Cultural Affairs, and New York State Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan.

THALIA SPANISH THEATRE

41-17 Greenpoint Avenue, Sunnyside (Queens)

Subway # 7 Local to 40^th St. Station. Buses Q60, Q32 to Queens Blvd & 41^st St.

www.thaliatheatre.org

2008-04-11T06:50:00.000-05:00

THALIA SPANISH THEATRE ANNOUNCES ITS BILINGUAL THEATRE FOR CHILDREN WORKSHOP/TALLER DE TEATRO PARA NIÑOS

Thalia Spanish Theatre is proud to announce the return by popular demand of its BILINGUAL THEATRE FOR CHILDREN WORKSHOP, directed by award-winning actress, Soledad Lopez incorporating mime, masks, puppetry, and theatre, to explore our children's diverse cultural backgrounds.

The class will be taught by bilingual actresses/instructors Angelica Ayala and Mariana Buoninconti. It will accommodate both Spanish and English-speaking children.

Classes are Saturdays mornings from April 5 to June 21, 2008 (12 classes) from 10am to 12pm. The workshop concludes with a performance for the community of a unique multi-disciplinary piece performed by the children, at Thalia Spanish Theatre. The theatre is a professional, fully-equipped space, wheelchair-accessible and centrally located.

The fee is $150 total; there is a discount for families who enroll several children. The age group is from 5-14 years old.

ENROLLMENT IS LIMITED. For information and reservations contact Soledad López or Kathryn Giaimo at (718) 729-3880, or visit the website at: www.thaliatheatre.org

Thalia Spanish Theatre is located at 41-17 Greenpoint Avenue in Sunnyside, Queens.

The Theatre for Children Workshop is sponsored by Citibank, Con Edison, Independence Community Foundation, The New York State Council on the Arts, the New York City Dept. of Cultural Affairs, New York State Senator George Onorato, and New York State Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan.

WORLD PREMIERE Flamenco Musical at Thalia Spanish Theatre

2008-04-03T09:23:00.001-05:00

THALIA SPANISH THEATRE, celebrating its 30^th anniversary, presents

The BILINGUAL WORLD PREMIERE of

a FLAMENCO musical

PICASSO FLAMENCOunt of Orgaz

Written by the Spanish artist

PABLO PICASSO

ENGLISH version by JEROME ROTHENBERG

Flamenco music, singing and dance fuse with Picasso’s poetic text, projections of his paintings, and Picasso-inspired masks, to create an unforgettable “total theatre” experience.

Original Music by BASILIO GEORGES

Choreography by AURORA REYES

Associate Director HECTOR LUIS RIVERA

Audiovisual RUBEN DARIO CRUZ Masks by JANE STEIN

Designed, Produced & Directed by ANGEL GIL ORRIOS

with AURORA REYES, ERIKA DE JULIA, SILVIA SILLER,

KATHY TEJADA, ANGELA PEREZ,

WALTER GUZMAN, HECTOR LUIS RIVERA

and the special collaboration of dancer

YLOY YBARRA as PICASSO.

Guitarists: BASILIO GEORGES and JED MILEY

Keyboard: OCTAVIO BRUNETTI Percussion-Bass: SEAN KUPISZ

SIX WEEKS ONLY! APRIL 18 to MAY 25, 2008

alternating performances in ENGLISH and SPANISH

IN ENGLISH: FRIDAYS at 8 PM & SATURDAYS at 3 PM

IN SPANISH: SATURDAYS at 8 PM & SUNDAYS at 4 PM

TICKETS $30 STUDENTS & SENIORS $27; Special group rates

At THALIA SPANISH THEATRE

41-17 Greenpoint Avenue, Sunnyside (Queens)

Subway # 7 Local to 40^th St. Station. Buses Q60, Q32 to Queens Blvd & 41^st St.

INFORMATION & TICKETS (718) 729-3880

www.thaliatheatre.org

Thalia Spanish Theater--Concerts 2008

2008-03-14T21:09:00.001-05:00

SATURDAY MARCH 29 at 3 PM & 8 PM

FLAMENCO Guitarist DANIEL CASARES DIRECT FROM SPAIN!

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! The hottest young FLAMENCO GUITARIST of Spain will perform his best compositions. At age 26 he has just released his 4th CD “CABALLERO” [Gentleman], and has won many international awards.

SUNDAY MARCH 30 at 4 PM

ZARZUELAS (SPANISH OPERETTAS)

The most beautiful arias and duets from the best-loved Spanish operettas.

With: Soprano ILYA MARTINEZ , Baritone RAFAEL LEBRON, Tenor DAVID ROBINSON, Mezzo-soprano PATRICIA CAY, and Pianist OCTAVIO BRUNETTI.

SATURDAY APRIL 5 at 8 PM

Yosvany Terry’s RAICES AFRO-CUBANAS (AFRO-CUBAN ROOTS)

An extraordinary saxophonist & percussionist and his ensemble achieve LATIN JAZZ FUSION in this piece inspired by the YORUBAN cultural traditions of his native CUBA.

With: Saxes YOSVANY TERRY, Dancer FELIX “PUPI” INSUA, Piano OSMANY PAREDES, Bass YUNIOR TERRY, Lead vocalist & percussion PEDRO MARTINEZ,

and Percussionists ROMAN DIAZ & MAURICIO HERRERA

SUNDAY APRIL 6 at 4 PM

CANCIONES ROMÁNTICAS (ROMANTIC LATINO SONGS)

The most popular songs from the best Latin American Romantic Music.

With: Singers LEONARDO GRANADOS & JOHANNA CASTAÑEDA,

Violin ALI BELLO, Bass ABRAHAM SAENZ, Piano AMY MILLÁN,

and Percussion TONY DE VIVO.

TICKETS $25 For any TWO concerts $ 44 (save $ 6).

For all FOUR concerts $ 80 (save $ 20)

Sponsored by the Music Program of the New York State Council on the Arts.

At THALIA SPANISH THEATRE

41-17 Greenpoint Avenue, Sunnyside (Queens)

Subway # 7 Local to 40^th St. Station. Buses Q60, Q32 to Queens Blvd & 41^st St.

INFORMATION & TICKETS (718) 729-3880 www.thaliatheatre.org

Love to Garden?

2008-03-14T21:05:00.001-05:00

The Queens Botanical Garden makes small gardens available to members of the community age 55+ to grow vegetables. You seed, water, pick, eat, and make new friends during April-to-October season. If interested, leave message at 718-886-3800 ext. 525.

Queens Ledger on Barnett Ave

2008-03-13T05:33:00.003-05:00

03/13/2008
DOT's Sunnyside stroll leads to new traffic plans
By Jeremy Walsh
A long-neglected thoroughfare in Sunnyside Gardens will soon get a makeover from the city Transportation Department. DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan toured the site along with City Council Speaker Christine Quinn (D-Manhattan) last week, developing a series of short-term solutions until capital improvements can be made.
As a result, Barnett Avenue may become a one-way street later this spring, pending a resolution from Community Board 2 on whether the street should run westbound or eastbound. CB 2 Chairman Joe Conley said the board would take the issue up at its April 6 meeting.In addition to the one-way conversion, Sadik-Khan suggested using some of the space gained to add painted parking spaces and incorporate a walking area on the asphalt between the new parking spaces and the shoulder.Residents who use the road were pleased by the news."This was always the back street of Sunnyside and it needs development," said resident Dorothy Cavallo, who has lived in the neighborhood for 50 years.Resident Ciaran Staunton said he and others have been complaining for years about the state of the road, which runs parallel to the Long Island Rail Road tracks between 48th Street and Woodside Avenue. The narrow road is open to two-way traffic and allows parking along its northern side. All that and a lack of sidewalks create a hazardous situation for neighborhood residents who walk to Starbucks Tower Square, the major shopping center at Woodside Avenue and Northern Boulevard, Staunton said."In fact, Ms. Quinn almost got hit the last time she was here," Staunton said. "It wasn't done on purpose, but the publicity would have been good."City Councilman Eric Gioia (D-Sunnyside), who grew up in the neighborhood, agreed that the street needed serious improvement."This has been unsafe and unsightly my entire life," he saidBut further improvements, such as building sidewalks, will have to wait until 2012, when the city Environmental Protection Department will get $1.9 million for capital improvements, Conley said.Quinn and the DOT also visited a residential block of 46th Street, where residents have been clamoring for speed bumps since the death of an 11-year-old girl in 2004. Hallie Geier was walking her dog when she stepped out from between two cars and was fatally struck by an oncoming motorist, Conley said."Anything we could do to make it safer for the children would be worth doing," said CB 2 member James Van Bramer."People take the corner, see the green light and race for it," said resident Tonia Moore, 36, who circulated a speed bump petition last year among her neighbors. "We have to slow the traffic down."Michael Primeggia, deputy DOT traffic commissioner, said the DOT would conduct a study of the street. If a suitable spot is found, work on the speed bump could start as early as June, he said.

Sunday March 30th: Crossing the BLVD performance

2008-03-12T15:25:00.002-05:00

Sunday March 30, 3pm

Crossing the BLVD performance of monologues, sounds and images of new immigrants and refugees with Warren Lehrer and Judith Sloan. Post show discussion moderated by Brian Lehrer, talk show host WNYC radio and wnyc.org

Goldstein Theatre, Queens College
All seats $12. Order online or call: 718.793.8080.

About the Performance: As immigration policy is being hotly debated around the country in terms of national, economic, and cultural security, Crossing the BLVD presents the very human stories of why new immigrants and refugees have migrated to the United States and what their experiences have been since they came here pre- and post-9/11. Writer and artist, Warren Lehrer is the tour guide providing commentary and perspective as actress and oral historian Judith Sloan "channels" many of the people they interviewed on their three-year journey around the world through the borough of Queens. Sloan's vocalization work and movement bring these characters to life. Their performance is illuminated by projections of Lehrer's stunning photographs of the subjects, urban landscapes, objects they have carried with them from home to home, and Queens' landscapes, along with Sloan's soundtrack of original music, sounds, and voices.[Soundtrack includes music by Scott Johnson and Gogol Bordello.]

"Immigrant life as told in the intimate, rich, comic, ironic and sad stories so often seen but not heard in America's big cities..." The Washington Post

"A turbo-driven Eyewitness guide...BLVD is a demonstration of the way you can explore the world without leaving home." The Guardian, London

"An offbeat ethnic tour of one of the country's most ethnically diverse counties. Riveting stories..." The New York Times

"Crossing the BLVD boldly carries the tradition of oral history into the 21st Century... Electrifying! Eve Ensler, author, oral historian, performer The Vagina Monologues

Winner Brendan Gill Prize, Municipal Art Society of New York 2004

The performance is held in conjunction with Lehrer and Sloan's Multimedia Exhibition of the same name at Queens College's Godwin-Ternbach Museum. The exhibition includes 90 portraits, story excerpts, 14 sound stations, and an interactive Mobile Storybooth. It runs through June 28 and will be on view before and after the performance on March 30th.g

Queens Rocks Now Has Free Community Forum

2008-03-11T17:08:00.002-05:00

So check it out, yo--

We've just launched a brand new free online forum. Post your own neighborhood reviews, classifieds listings, or talk amongst yourselves.

Register in your own name, if you dare...

Open to all who call our mighty borough home.

Organic and Biodynamic Wine Tasting in LIC

2008-03-09T18:12:00.001-05:00

Organic and Biodynamic Wine Tasting at Hunter’s Point Wines & Spirits in LIC

If you are going to drink wine, why not drink wine that tastes good and is good for the planet? Sustainable farming techniques rely on healthy soil, not chemical fertilizers, weed killers, insecticides, and other synthetic chemicals. Come to this free wine tasting to learn more about what it means to be a “certified organic” or “biodynamic” wine.

WHAT: Organic and Biodynamic Wine Tasting (FREE)
WHERE: Hunter’s Point Wine & Spirits, 47-07 Vernon Boulevard, LIC
WHEN: Thursday, March 20th from 6-8 pm

RSVP: Lynne Serpe at 646-202-0825 or Robyn Sklar at robynsklar@gmail.com

This event is co-sponsored by 3R Events, a project of Lynne Serpe and Robyn Sklar. Lynne & Robyn are long-time Green Party members who don’t just vote green - they live green. They organize monthly green events in LIC/Astoria that are fun and educational, not boring and preachy.

Hunter’s Point Wines & Spirits is an independently owned and operated store in Long Island City, NY. Owner Paul Huston graciously offered his store for this event. Hunter’s Point Wines & Spirits holds free wine tastings every Thursday and Friday from 6-8pm. Take the 7 train to Vernon Boulevard, walk 3.5 blocks north. Please call 718-472-WINE for more information.

The organic, biodynamic and sustainably farmed wines that will be available for tasting are from Small Vineyards, which specializes in single estate wines from all regions in Italy, customarily picked by hand and always earth-friendly. Production at the estate must be 10,000 cases or less. Guest Lorenzo Gaeteschi will be pouring a wine that he makes himself: an estate grown Merlot that he makes 300 cases of only.

3R Events will hold the first annual “Queens is Green Fashion Show” on April 26 at Green Space in Long Island City, highlighting green fashion designers with a Queens connection. Please contact Robyn Sklar at robynsklar@gmail.com or Lynne Serpe at 646-202-0825 for more information, or for an application to submit designs.

The Latest Addition to Skillman Ave - Trash Cans

2008-03-07T14:17:00.002-05:00

While this may sound pathetic, my mood went from average Friday anticipating the weekend joy to near elation when I walked out of my house and looked up the block this afternoon. As if delivered by a secret fairy garbage-mother, four NYC trash cans appeared on the corners of my block at 47th street and Skillman Avenue at some point this morning. My jaw nearly dropped as I discovered that they also appeared on the corners of 46th and Skillman (I haven't ventured further today, so I'm not sure if they appeared elsewhere down the avenue as well.)

Not only does this hopefully mean people won't feel compelled to throw their wrappers and trash on the sidewalk for lack of better options, but as a long-time dog owner it also (hopefully) means that less-diligent dog owners will stop giving we responsible canine-parents a bad name by properly and easily disposing of dog waste!

So thank you Eric Gioia, if you had a hand in this, and if not, thank you fairy garbage-mother wherever you are!

Queens Arts Connection 2008 + Call for Photographers-Deadline March 17

2008-03-06T09:43:00.001-05:00

The Queens Museum of Art (QMA), the Queens Council on the Arts (QCA) and the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) will present a free networking event at the QMA for artists and cultural groups of all disciplines. 19 New York City arts services organizations will share information about their programs, presentation spaces, and funding sources. The afternoon’s schedule includes a raffle, live music, and an informal networking reception.

In addition, artists will have the opportunity to participate in a peer-sharing slide/video/reading slam during the event (in five minute sessions).
Queens Arts Connection 2008

Saturday, March 22, 1 - 7 pm
Schedule of Events

In the Café & Large Triangle Gallery, 1st Floor

1 - 3 pm
Sign Up-registration & Informal Networking
Browse Arts Service Organization Tables

3:30 – 4:15 pm
Dance in Queens Application Seminar with:
Paz Tanjuaquio, Topaz Arts & Hitomi Iwasaki, Associate Curator QMA

4:30 - 6:30 pm
Complementary Refreshments & Informal Networking
Slide/Video/Reading Slam-share your artwork with other participants.

In the Theater, 2nd Floor

2 – 2:20 pm
Welcome by presenting organizations: Queens Museum of Art,
Queens Council on the Arts, & New York Foundation for the Arts

2:20 – 2:45 pm
Performance by Mahina Movement
Raffle of two $50 QMA gift shop certificates

2:45 – 3:15 pm
Linda Park presents NYFA Source tutorial

3:15 – 4:15 pm
Gary Dayton, Arts in Education Associate at NYSCA presents a
workshop on "How to Become a Teaching Artist"

Administration Offices & Library, 2nd Floor

4:30 – 6:30 pm
Portfolio Review for Visual & Video Artists:
Hitomi Iwasaki, QMA Associate Curator;
Erin Sickler, QMA Curatorial Assistant; Herb Tam, Exit Art Curator;
and Cecilia Jurado, Y Gallery Curator

4:30 – 6:30 pm
Portfolio Review for Dancers with Paz Tanjuaquio, Topaz Arts

For more information, click here.

Queens Onstage

2008-03-06T09:40:00.002-05:00

From reader Darren Cardosa:

I enjoy your blog. Thanks for the posting about the Sunnyside crime
spree. I live in Sunnyside and appreciate the heads up.

I am producing a show and wonder if it is something you would consider posting on the site. Both of us in the show and producing it are Queens residents. Any place we can get mention of the show is a great help. Thank you very much for your time.

Sincerely,
darron cardosa

Here's the listing:

Minnie Pearl Does Broadway

Grand Ol’ Opry and Hee Haw legend Minnie Pearl is down from Heaven for three nights to sing all the Broadway songs she never got a chance to perform. From A Chorus Line to The Wiz, Minnie belts out show tunes like only she can. She’ll tell stories and jokes and there will even be a door prize! Assisting her onstage is the often talked about but never before seen Uncle Nabob. Cabaret artist Mark Alan Jones stars as Minnie Pearl with Darron Cardosa as Uncle Nabob.

Don’t Tell Mama
343 W 46th St. between Eighth and Ninth Aves.
212-757-0788
Saturday March 8, 6:00 PM
Sunday March 9, 7:30 PM
Monday March 10, 7:00 PM

Subway: A,C,E to 42nd St-Port Authority
$12 cover + two drink minimum

3 Queens Teens' Stories of Legal Emancipation, Foster Homes & Group Homes

2008-03-04T12:17:00.001-05:00

WNYC’s Radio Rookies

presents

OUT ON MY OWN

Stories of Living Away From One’s Parents

Listen online

Three NYC Teens’ Experiences with Foster Care, Legal Emancipation,and Life in a Group Home

(February 19, 2008--New York, NY) – Most teens dream of independence from their parents’ rules, restrictions and terminal lack of cool. But living away from parents brings a host of other challenges for teens, including feelings of loneliness and trying to find a sense of security and of home where they can.

Radio Rookies, WNYC’s Peabody Award-winning youth journalism program, presents OUT ON MY OWN: Stories of Living Away from One’s Parents, three searing tales of New York City teens growing up in separate places from their moms and dads.

* Monday, February 25: JORDAN opted to become legally emancipated from his parents at 15, wishing to escape an emotionally challenging relationship in order give himself the opportunity to succeed.

* Wednesday, February 27: STAR was living in a foster home when she learned – through a televised news report – that her father had murdered her mother. Years later, the news media has moved on to other tragedies, but Star is still here. She’s about to age out of the system, and she hopes she can overcome her past and chart a new course.

* Friday, February 29: KRYSTLE is living in a group home, but would love to return to her mother…if the circumstances that separated them can be healed.

“I’ve learned so much, and I’m not afraid to state what’s real,” said Star about reporting her story. “Everybody goes through something…If you don’t sugarcoat it, people will be like: ‘Look at that girl, what she’s been through. And look—she’s ok.’”

All stories will air on WNYC during Morning Edition, which airs on 93.9FM, AM 820 and via live webstream at www.wnyc.org from 5-9:30am. They will also be available for on-demand listening and podcasting at www.radiorookies.org.

Going Green in Queens

2008-03-04T12:15:00.001-05:00

DATE:
Saturday, March 8, 2008

TIME:
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

LOCATION:
The New York Hall of Science
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
47-01 111th Street
Queens
(Free parking or shuttle available from the 111th Street 7 train station)

DETAILS:
Do you want to “go green?” Come to the first annual “Going Green in Queens,” a free environmental, educational and networking event. Parks & Recreation, Partnerships for Parks, the Queens Civic Congress and Queens Coalition for Parks and Green Spaces will host informational workshops on street trees, alternative energy sources and composting. Other topics to be discussed include construction materials, waterfront accessibility, and how to work with your local government.

To RSVP, please call 718-343-6779 or email GoingGreeninQueens@gmail.com. For more information, please visit www.nyc.gov/parks or call 311.

Sunnyside's own Jeremy Karaken on NPR

2008-03-03T10:28:00.001-05:00

From Jeremy:

On Friday, March 14th, set your dials to NPR and Radiolab, as they discuss my play The Sweet Sweet Motherhood with Lee Silver, my collaborator. They'll be discussing the scientific, as well as the moral implications of human-animal hybridization.

As they say on the networks, check local listings.

Or, simply go to www.radiolab.org and look for Show #404

(So-Called) Life
Show #404
Friday, March 14, 2008

What are the consequences when humans start playing with life? The human imagination has always dreamed up fantastic creatures, but now biotechnology is making it easier and easier for us to actually create forms of life that have never existed before. In this hour, Radio Lab looks at the uneasy marriage between biology and engineering, and asks what counts as "natural?"

We enter the world of bioengineering with scientist Lee Silver from Princeton University. Silver tells us about a strange creature created by scientists back in the 80s, called a "geep," and shares his recent collaboration effort, a play by playwright Jeremy Kareken that explores the implications of combining humans and other animals.

Keep an Eye Out: Sunnyside Neighborhood Watch

2008-03-02T11:22:00.003-05:00

Lynn and I were informed by our landlords, and later saw the fliers posted around the neighborhood, that in the last month there have been 3 break-ins on 47th Street between Skillman and 39th Ave., and one stolen vehicle. It seems that the break-ins were usually accomplished by kicking in basement doors, or by going through sliding glass doors - all between 11am and 3pm. So please be on the lookout for any shady characters walking down the street with 3 laptops and a crowbar - that kind of thing. And take a minute to think about the security of your house/apartment. Secure those sliding glass doors with a door jam or locking bar, get an alarm system if you're really paranoid, and at the very least post BEWARE OF DOG signs on your back doors.

It should go without saying that you should have renter's insurance, and please make sure to backup all those files on your computer! I personally use SyncBack which is completely free and does it's thing every Saturday night at about 3:00am without me having to lift a finger. And every month or so I make a DVD backup of the latest month's files and store it at my office in case we did get broken into and lost everything (or in case all three of my hard drives failed, which is not outside the realm of possibility).

Three break-ins in a month is bad, but it certainly could be worse. In 1990 there were 2,062 burglaries in the 108th precinct. In 2007 there were just 564 - an 84% drop!

Keep your eyes and ears open and use common sense. Unlike the guy parked near our apartment who left a bunch of cash on his dashboard ...

Queens Gets Indoor Public Pool

2008-03-01T09:08:00.003-05:00

The official press release:

CITY OPENS FIRST INDOOR PUBLIC POOL IN FOUR DECADES

Aquatic Center Opens in Largest Recreation Facility Ever Built in a City Park

Deputy Mayor Robert C. Lieber, Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe, Economic Development Corporation President Seth W. Pinsky and Senior Vice President David Kane, Queens Borough President Helen Marshall, USA Pools Corporate President Troy Legg, local elected officials and community members gathered today to celebrate the opening of the new Flushing Meadows Corona Park Aquatic Center, the first indoor public pool to be built in four decades. Competitive high school swimmers, synchronized swimmers, divers, senior citizens and children were on hand to test the water and show the flexibility of the space, which allows competitive and recreational swimming to take place simultaneously.

The Olympic-size swimming pool is housed in the new Flushing Meadows Corona Park Natatorium and Ice Rink building, which was built in partnership with the Economic Development Corporation. The building, which also houses the NHL-regulation ice rink that will open later this year, is the largest recreation complex ever built in a City park and will serve as a year-round facility for competitive and recreational use. The $66.3 million project was funded and envisioned by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Queens Borough President Helen Marshall, former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, former Queens Borough President Claire Shulman and former Parks Commissioner Henry J. Stern.

“One of the hallmarks of our five-borough economic development strategy is to invest in things that make New York City more livable, and this fantastic new aquatic center – the first indoor public pool built in this City in more than 40 years – is a terrific example of that,” said Deputy Mayor Lieber. “The Economic Development Corporation and the Parks Department, together with Borough President Marshall, have created a fantastic addition to Flushing Meadows Corona Park and a place where local and citywide residents can come to learn, play and have fun.”

“From a valley of ashes to World’s Fairs grounds to a stunning contemporary building with soaring masts—the new Flushing Meadows Corona Park Pool and Ice Rink marks an important milestone in the history of the park and our city,” said Parks Commissioner Benepe. “Not only have we introduced modern design to public space for the first time in decades, but we have made a world-class swimming facility available to all New Yorkers. We thank our partners, the Economic Development Corporation, for their support in managing this project, as well as Mayor Bloomberg, Queens Borough President Helen Marshall, former Mayor Giuliani, former Borough President Claire Shulman and former Parks Commissioner Henry Stern for making it a reality.”

“This new pool and soon-to-open ice skating rink will fill this building with the sound of laughter and squeals of excitement for thousands of youngsters for generations to come,” said Queens Borough President Helen Marshall. “I am happy to have provided more than $10 million in funding for this facility. However, we could not have reached today’s opening without the support of Mayor Bloomberg who we hope will swim here one day.”

The Building

Inspired by the 1939 and 1964 World’s Fair pavilions, a cable-supported canopy roof is suspended over the 110,000 square foot building. Designed as part of the 2012 Olympic bid, the design allows for the walls running the length of the facility to potentially be removed for expansion to a larger venue with a temporary bleacher structure. Like the construction of the Works Progress Administration era, simple materials are used to create stunning architecture. In this case, pre-cast concrete panels are punctuated with color glass tiles to create the exterior and a three-story glass lobby provides a dramatic introduction to the building.

“This building is a feat of architecture and structural engineering, with its elegant and exceptionally efficient cable-stayed roof design; not dissimilar to the construction of the some of the great bridges of the world,” said Economic Development Corporation Senior Vice President David Kane. “Additionally, the way in which the building is sited, with such tremendous views of Flushing Meadows Corona Park and the grand yet inviting nature of its spaces, is a signal of the City’s commitment to design excellence and to the creation of public architecture worthy of our great City.”

In 1999, Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and Queens Borough President Claire Shulman envisioned a new indoor pool in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Conceived as an intermediate size pool, it was enlarged to meet Olympic standards and an indoor skating rink was added. Construction of the foundation finished in 2001 during the administration of Parks Commissioner Henry J. Stern but following 9/11, it was halted due to funding constraints. In 2003, the project was designated to be part of the City’s bid for the 2012 Olympics and Parks partnered with the Economic Development Corporation to implement the new project. A revised design was developed by Handel Architects, LLP in association with Hom & Goldman Architects.

On January 17, 2008 Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg delivered his seventh State of the City address from the floor of the ice rink.

The Pool

The Olympic-sized pool (25M x 50M), located on the second floor with dramatic views of the park, meets international standards, is ADA-accessible and features ten lanes, surge tanks and overflow gutters. Movable bulkheads can configure the pool into three 25-meter swimming areas, allowing for different programming to take place at once. One-third of the pool has a movable floor that can adjust the depth from just a few inches to 7-feet, 4-inches. The middle section is also 7-feet, 4-inches deep and the third section, the diving tank, is 12-feet, 4-inches deep to allow for diving from the pool’s three diving boards—two 1-meter and one 3-meter. A mezzanine bleacher section seats approximately 414 spectators and an adjacent outdoor terrace will feature additional seating. Public locker rooms, toilets and showers are situated on the second level below the seating.

The new Aquatic Center will be operated and staffed by USA Pools, which has an established reputation in the industry will offer services such as aquatic instruction and added lifesaving training for lifeguards, while saving the city and its taxpayers money.

“USA Pools is excited about the opportunity to work with the City of New York and the Parks Department as we provide effective pool management, highly trained lifeguards and aquatic programming to the New York Community,” said USA Pools Corporate President Troy Legg.

The Park

Flushing Meadows Corona Park, one of New York City’s prized flagship parks, comprises 1,255 acres of beautifully landscaped lawns, lakes, fountains, athletic fields, playgrounds, and a zoo. The park is also home to the Queens Museum of Art, Shea Stadium and the Billie Jean King USTA National Tennis Center. Once a dumping ground for ashes, the area was transformed in the 1930s by former Parks Commissioner Robert Moses into a site for the 1939 and 1964 World’s Fairs. Both of the World’s Fairs left behind a number of prominent structures in the park, such as the Queens Theater in the Park, the Unisphere, boathouse, marina, the Hall of Science, the New York State Pavilion and Towers, and Terrace on the Park. The Flushing Meadows Corona Park Natatorium and Ice Rink is located within the park at Avery Avenue and 131st Street in Flushing, Queens.