Take Back Forest Park!

When I started this blog one of my aims was to organize the community in order to take back our Forest Park from those men who have been using it as a "cruising" spot to not just find sexual partners but to use the park as a place to have sex. Not only is this activity illegal, gross and dangerous but it is negatively affecting the environment of the park through the trash these men leave - condom wrappers, bottles, cigarettes, etc.  This is unacceptable. 

There has been a dialogue going about this problem for years now between the public and the police department, the parks department and our city council representatives with no real noticeable solution or action having ever being taken. This dialogue has now extended itself to the blogs and forums online and most recently has gotten quite heated with residents finally just fed up. One forum member at queenscentral.com has a wonderful idea to get everyone organized to make a big show of our community solidarity on this issue and I think her plan can work if we get everyone involved. Please see her latest post below and contact her for involvement information and make sure to let our city council members and candidates know how important this is to our community: 

Thanks, anyone who wants to get involved, please contact me at forestparkcomplaints@hotmail.com

Once we have enough people committed to a march and we make signs, etc,and have a date... I will contact all the political representatives for the districts that the park covers. I will demand that they join us in our cause, or they will be complicit to the problem. I am sure that we can also get the parks dept. people involved, and I was told that PS54 has tried to get their kids involved in park protection activism. I will contact the other school district principals, and PTA's as well as the community board.

And lastly, all the help we can get from all media outlets---it's a lot of people to notify, so I could really use the help......It would help a lot once we have flyers made if there would be volunteers to cover all the entrances to Forest Park, and give out flyers with the date of the march. I can see if we can get a place to donate the printing of the flyers, or ask a small donation from everyone...

Films Coming Soon to Kew Gardens Cinemas

Paris 36 (Faubourg 36) (PG-13) 4/24/2009 Rated for some sexuality and nudity, violence and brief language Clovis Cornillac,Pierre Richard - 120 min.

Set in a suburb of north-east Paris between December 1935 and July 1936 during the "revolutionary" period of the Popular Front (which introduced the first paid holidays and a shorter working week). Three unemployed performers decide to take over by force the music hall where they worked a few months earlier and stage a show there.

Official Site     Trailer See the rest of the upcoming films at Kew Gardens Cinemas Here Monday April 20, 2009 Showtimes:  AMERICAN VIOLET PG13 Running Time 2:10 1:30p 4:30p 7:30p  GOODBYE SOLO PG13 Running Time 1:41 1:00p 3:10p 5:20p 7:30p  LYMELIFE R Running Time 1:45 1:00p 3:15p 5:30p 7:45p  SIN NOMBRE R Running Time 1:46 1:00p 3:15p 5:30p 7:45p  SUGAR R Running Time 2:04 1:00p 3:30p 6:00p 8:30p  SUNSHINE CLEANING R Running Time 1:52 1:00p 3:20p 5:40p 8:00p

Forest Park Runners Classic 4 Mile Race - 5/17

2009 Forest Park Classic

Our race this year will be held on May 17, 2009 at 10:00am. The new track at Victory Field was completed two years ago, so we have returned our course to its original 3 surface (track, trails and asphalt) glory. Check out the website below for online entry and printable applications. Race day registration - 8:30 - 9:30 am at Victory Field. $15 for advance entry, $20 for late registration. Trophies for winners age groups. 

Race benefits Memorial Sloan Kettering

http://www.forestparkruners.org

Last Stop Kew Gardens - on WLIW 21 - 4/22

"Last Stop Kew Gardens" - premieres on WLIW 21

April 22, 2009 - 10:00PM to 11:30PM

LAST STOP KEW GARDENS
Ithaca Filmmaker Returns to Childhood Home in Queens, NY to Document Coming-of-Age in the Post-World War II German Immigrant Village

Features Interviews with Jerry Springer, Joshua Brand, Robert Schimmel and Rona Elliot

LAST STOP KEW GARDENS traces the story of first generation American children raised by German and Austrian survivors of the Holocaust in Queens, New York. In the documentary film, Cornell University professor, novelist and filmmaker Robert H. Lieberman returns to his hometown to discover what happened to the children he grew up with in the German-speaking, refugee community of Kew Gardens in the 1940s and ﾒ50s. Despite the enormous losses of their immigrant parents, Lieberman discovers that many of his peers prospered, including talk show host Jerry Springer, Emmyﾮ award-winning producer/writer Joshua Brand, co-creator of TV series St. Elsewhere and Northern Exposure, Rona Elliot of NBC's ﾓToday, and comedian Robert Schimmel. On Wednesday, April 22 at 10 p.m., WLIW21 New York Public Television presents the exclusive broadcast premiere of LAST STOP KEW GARDENS as part of special programming in honor of Holocaust Remembrance Day.

http://www.kewgardensmovie.com

Flea Market in KG at LIRR North Parking Lot - 4/25

There will be a flea market sponsored by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center featuring antiques, art, vintage items, clothes, furniture, etc at the Kew Gardens north LIRR Station parking lot on Austin Street between Lefferts Blvd and Mowbray Dr. (82-60 Austin Street) on Saturday April 25 2009. See you there. 

BK Today

On the nicest day of 2009 thus far, KGB is selling out a little bit and heading to Brooklyn. We're going to the Hanami Festival at the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens, lunch in Prospect Park, and then the "Gustave Caillebotte: Impressionist Pantings from Paris to the Sea" exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum.  

Have a nice day!

Austin's/Bliss/LIRR Back Walkway Almost Finished

From what I saw today it looks like it will only be another day or two and we'll have the walkway back! 

Happy Hour at Mood - Benefit for American Cancer Society - 4/27

Happy Hour at Mood restaurant on Monday, April 27th from 4:30 - 6:30. There will be free hors d'oeuvres, a cash bar and raffles. $10 payable in advance by April 22nd. ALL Proceds go to American Cancer Society Relay for Life Cningham Park. Sponsored by the Silver Mariposas Team. For more information please email LynnSlverstein@msn.com or call (718) 261-2587

Mood is located at 120-29 83 Ave in Kew Gardens - (718) 849-6663 - www.moodnyc.com

District 29 - City Council Race Update

As reported by the Queens Tribune Karen Koslowitz, a candidate for the District 29 City Council seat, has switched offices from Deputy Borough President to Director of Community Boards in order to clear any conflict of interest issues for her run for the seat. Although as of the latest filing in March to the Campaign Finance Board she has not reported raising any funding for her campaign while many of the other candidates have been raising money since last year. The top two candidates in regards to net campaing funds seems to be Chain and Schulman who both have reported raising over $40,000 while Cohen has over $30,000, Gagarin just over $10,000, Nocerino with just over $3,000 and DeLay just over $1,000. Information on candidate's funding reports to the Campaign Finance Board can be viewed at their website - www.nyccfb.info. 

Original story on Koslowitz - http://www.queenstribune.com/news/1239296867.html

Make Music NY - Time Out NY - June 21 2009 - Call for Musicians!!

So I spoke with the Director of this program today and they are excited to get the show to the KG/FH area. We need a location which is outside in front of some local business that can provide an extension cord with power to the outside where the music will be played, plus we need the musicians. MMNY only provides permits and promotes the events but the business which sponsors it, just by providing the space outside in front of their business and a power cord, will obviously benefit highly. What if we do it in front of Jade in FH? Big sidewalk space ina central location and I am sure they wouldn't mind the foot traffic. Any one know any great local bands or musicians in general that would like to participate?? We need to get the location and bands set by next week to make it happen! 

Make Music New York, “the largest music event ever to grace Gotham” (Metro New York), is a unique festival of free concerts in public spaces throughout the five boroughs of New York City, all on Sunday, June 21st, the first day of summer. MMNY takes place simultaneously with similar festivities in more than 327 cities around the world — a global celebration of music making.

From 11 in the morning to 10 at night, musicians of all ages, creeds, and musical persuasions — from hip hop to opera, Latin jazz to punk rock — perform on streets, sidewalks, stoops, plazas, cemeteries, parks and gardens. From high school bands to marquee names, MMNY is open to anyone who wants to take part, enjoyed by everyone who wants to attend.

http://www.makemusicny.org

District 29 - The Race to Replace City Councilwoman Melinda Katz

The emerging situation reminds me of my time in Haiti. I spent some time in Haiti doing development work in Port au Prince and in the rural mountain areas of Seguin. It is a pretty tumultuous place politically with a seemingly almost constant change in government officials on all levels whether by coup, resignation or natural election cycles. The elections, although, are unlike anything I have ever seen anywhere else in the world. There are literally hundreds of candidates for every possible position with campaigns not being run in specific periods but rather on-going. Everywhere in Port au Prince there are campaign signs for those running for political seats, which is normal. But when you pay attention to the seats each candidate is running for you realize you just saw fifty different candidates for one seat. Not that this is a bad thing, its actually good. Its just a lot of information and pretty confusing but makes for an entertaining race as well as actual options for voters.

Well we don't have fifty candidates running for the upcoming District 29 City Council election but we sure do have quite a lot. So far it looks like eight people are running and I am sure we will have some surprise additions and/or pull outs. This is good. Rather than just several candidates and the possibility of being forced to choose the lesser of two evils, we will at least be able to choose the lesser of eight, greatly reducing the total amount of evil we actually end up with ;)

This is an important race. There are on-going problems and issues that NEED to be dealt with immediately in our district. Vandalism, traffic issues, local business promotion, our Forest Park that seems to have been taken over by shady dudes leaving their trash throughout, our public transportation areas such as the KG LIRR station needing repair and upkeep, our public areas needing cleaning and upkeep, etc etc etc. The right person in this position will take care of these problems head on and not let them take over our community or let them be lost in the bureaucratic ether of NYC politics. The community is willing and able to do their part but strong leadership and representation is the only catalyst to real improvement. KGB will report as often as possible on the candidates and their activities leading to the election and is open to hear any of their ideas and plans for our community to publicly share with our readers here.

The Candidates: 

Michael Cohen -

Karen Koslowitz - 

Joseph Nocerino - 

Mel Gagarin - www.gagarin2009.com 

Bob DeLay -  

Lynn Schulman - www.schulman2009.com 

Heidi Chain - www.heidichain.com

Current NYCC District 29 Website - http://www.council.nyc.gov/d29/html/members/home.shtml

I could not locate any campaign pages for those listed above without a website listed - If anyone can lead us to them please do so I may add them. KGB has only been contacted by Gagarin and Chain thus-far.

Some background info on the race: "In all, seven Democrats and a Republican are in the mix." "Based on experience in elected office, Koslowitz and Cohen appear to have an edge. Koslowitz held the Council seat for a decade, before Katz took over in 2002, and Cohen represented Forest Hills in the state Assembly from 1999 to 2005." "DeLay will face former Archbishop Molloy High School classmate Mel Gagarin, also 26, an ex-aide to Rep. Anthony Weiner. Another challenger is Heidi Harrison Chain, president of the 112th Precinct Community Council."

Source: "Council campaign battle royal brewing" BY NICHOLAS HIRSHON NY DAILY NEWS Wednesday, January 7th 2009, 11:44 AM

It's Tax Day!!! Did You Send In Your Return Like A Good Tax Payer?

If not, KGB did a quick survey of the local post offices this morning for those who need extended hours, but NONE are open until midnight. Breakdown:  The Kew Gardens Post Office on Austin Street is open until 7pm today. In Forest Hills - 101 19 Metropolitan - 5pm.  106-28 Queens Blvd. - 5pm. In Richmond Hill - 122-01 Jamaica Ave - 5pm. 133-03. In Middle Village - 7135 Metroplitan - 5pm. 

NYC Green Market in Kew Gardens?

The Council on Environment of New York City is the organizing body in charge of all of the city's green markets. Us in KG and FH, many of whom I know really want a green market here, do not have one and we're really angry about it. Well, not really angry but we just really want one really bad! Anyway, I found out today that they are looking for more spots in NYC to host Green Markets at so I wrote their development team with a request to come check out the KG area. So, question is, if they decided to put one here, where would the best spot be? The several spots I'm thinking about are: in the north LIRR parking lot, the KG Theatre Park, in front of TD Bank, the parking lot for the Overlook at Forest Park which would be really central for FH and KG people. What do you all think? 

CENYC website - http://www.cenyc.org

Yoga In The Park

Many of the parks in NYC have free weekly outdoor yoga classes. We have been wanting this to come to Forest Park for a long time now but it hasn't so we have gathered all of the information from other parks department offices that do it and we are considering taking some time to get a program set up. We are thinking to have it on Saturday mornings from 10am - 11am in Sobelsohn Park (in Forest Park between Park Lane and Union tpk.) from May to August. It would be free for all and people would just need to bring their own mats or towels. If you are interested in this please let me know so we can begin to get an estimated number of attendees to work with for permits, sponsorships, etc.  Also if you are a business and you are interested in sponsorship please email us. Thanks! 

NYC Loves Immigrants! No, Seriously, Look!

April 17 - 23 is the 6th annual Immigrant Heritage Week in NYC. (Their slogan is NYC Loves Immigrants) They are hosting a slew of events all over the city and one in Queens starting on April 17 called "Changing Queens" which will be an exhibition of photographs documenting how Queens has changed. Info is below. 

Changing Queens
	4/17/2009-4/22/2099, 10:00 am- 6:00 pm  161-04 Jamaica Avenue, Queens

Location: 161-04 Jamaica Avenue between 160th Street and Union Hall Street Queens 11432  MAP THIS EVENT Contact Information: 718-658-7400 x. 123 Visit Contact Web site Organization: Jamaica Center for Arts Learning www.nyc.gov/immigrants

For this exhibition, photographers capture brief transitional moments in different Queens neighborhoods. Through their lenses, we see how new cultures, traditions and globalization have impacted the urban landscape. Admission is Free. This is an Immigrant Heritage Week event. Language(s) spoken: English.

Library - Which Do You Use?

So, we just happen to be closest to the Richmond Hill Library, on Lefferts and Hillside. It is actually not that bad. They have a good selection of new books and DVDs, I think even better than the North Forest Park location on Metropolitan. Plus they have free wireless and computers to use, which seem to always be in use whenever we stop by. They do not have a good selection of older books so research there is not optimal. I haven't been to the Kew Gardens Library on Queens Blvd - Anyone know if it is worth going over there? 

The outside of Richmond Hill lib is pretty nice and clean. They have several park benches out front and have great landscaping circling it with a very nice rose garden. Its really the saving grace of the block as if it was not there it may be totally neglected. 

I'm just wondering what is to come of the "Republican Club" building across the street on Lefferts. It looks like it was a nice building at one point and rehab is under way but will it seriously be a club for Republicans? I vote for a Thai restaurant and a green market instead. 

Republican Club

Richmond Hill Library

Richmond Hill Library

Austin's Steak & Ale House - Mets Monday Night Special!

I noticed the other day that Austin's is having a special deal for the Mets first game on Monday April the 13th. $25 gets you unlimited drinks and they will be serving $1 hotdogs and hamburgers. Game starts at 7:10 pm.  

Austin's Steak and Ale Regular Specials:

SUNDAY

Brunch served noon-4pm

20¢ hot wings at the bar all day!

MONDAY

14 oz Fresh Roasted Prime Rib

Includes garden salad, choice of potato and vegetable du jour all for just $16.99

TUESDAY

LOBSTER NIGHT

1 1/2 #  Maine lobster, salad, choice of potato, vegetable du jour and a complimentary glass of "house wine."

20¢ wings after 7pm at the bar

LAW SCHOOL NIGHT 8pm-11pm 2 for 1 drinks for All LAW STUDENTS (At the Bar) 20¢ wings for all 7pm-11pm Welcoming Queens College & St. John's School of Law

WEDNESDAY

2 for 1 appetizers at the bar after 7pm

"Airline Night" 2 for 1 drinks for all airline personnel 9pm-midnight

THURSDAY

STEAK AND ALE NIGHT

12-14oz  New York Shell Steak, salad, choice of potato, vegetable du jour and a free pint of domestic draft all for just $16.00

FRIDAY

Kitchen open until 1am

SATURDAY

Kitchen open until 1am

"Airline Night" 2 for 1 drinks  for airline personnel 10pm-2am

Call for Artists!

Lunch at Dani's

Seriously, could this place get any busier?? It's too bad they don't make their pesto pizza for the Wed. night special. I'm looking forward to their pizza eating contest this summer. I think Singas should host one on the same day and go head to head with Dani's. KGB would be happy to do a survey to once and for all decide who's got the best pizza in KG. 

May 16 - Kew Gardens Improvement Assoc. Community Project

On May 16 2009 at 10am the Kew Gardens Improvement Association will be hosting a community project to replace the barrels shown below and fill them with new plants.  The location is Lefferts Blvd. between Austin and Grenfell on the bridge over the LIRR. Come by and help make one of our busiest areas a cleaner and more attractive spot. KBG will be there helping and taking pictures to post here!

Graffiti in KG - Part II

This location is at 83rd avenue between Abingdon and Beverly. KGB has contacted the real estate agent seen in the image above and requested that the property manager/owner please come and remove the graffiti and fix the barrier which is constantly falling into the sidewalk and in on itself. The location has obviously become a nuisance to the neighborhood and hopefully the owners will take responsibility. 

Dog Mornings in Sobelsohn Park

Every morning when the weather is nice, I take my dog, Ollie, over to Sobelsohn Park between Park Lane and Union tpke.  The city has been kind enough to give dog owners the opportunity to let their dogs play off leash until 9am and after 9pm, seven days a week. There is always a great group of dogs and people every morning and even the commuters walking through the park seem to love being greeted by the dogs. Dogs are not allowed on the baseball diamond but can run and play on the whole field behind it, which is quite big. Stop by before 9am any day of the week to give your dog the chance to run free or even just to make new friends.

New York Cares - Hands on New York Day - Forest Park

New York Cares is looking for 5,000 volunteers to give our city's public spaces a good spring greening for the 15th Annual Hands On New York Day. Please join us as we clean and revitalize over 75 parks, gardens, playgrounds, community centers, and schools citywide and plant 20,000 trees. http://www.nycares.org/volunteer/annual_events/honydmilliontrees/