This Weekend in Kew Gardens and NYC - 5/1

Things to do for the weekend beginning on May 1st: 

L'Orfeo: Friday May 1, 7:30pm and Saturday May 2, 7:30pm at the Queens College Lefrak Concert Hall. The world's first great operatic masterpiece, in a fully staged production with period instruments. A joint production of the Queens College Opera Studio and Queens College Choir. Additional Musical Preparation: Dongmyung Ahn, Christa Patton, David Jolley. For more information click HERE. 

Dig In, CUNY Volunteer Planting Day: Friday May 1, 9:00 - 1:00pm at York College in Jamaica. For more information click HERE.  

Spring Square Dance: Saturday May 2, 6:30-9:00pm, at PS 99 Annex (Lefferts Blvd at Kew Gardens Rd), an event for adults of all ages and children 7 years and up with an adult Jim Emory, Square Dance Caller, Dancing begins at 7:00pm - FREE FOR ALL!

Taste of Forest Hills 2009: Saturday May 2, 1:00-4:00pm, at The Community House (15 Borage Place in Forest Hills Gardens) Tickets are $30 for members and $40 for non members, $50 for VIP. For reservations call 718-268-7710. For more information click HERE.  

Three new films premiering at Kew Gardens Theatre: To see all films premiering on 5/1/09 click HERE. For Today's Schedule click HERE.

Sheep Shearing Weekend: Saturday and Sunday May 2 and 3, 11:00 - 4:00pm at the Queens Zoo. For more information click HERE.

Queens Theatre in the Park: Saturday May 2, 2 and 8:00pm beside the Queens Museum in Flushing Meadows Park. Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, the original jazz dance company, captivates audiences worldwide with dynamic performances and the diversity and wide appeal of its repertoire. For more info and tickets click HERE. 

Walk for Paws: Saturday May 2 at Forest Park. For more Information Click HERE. 

Paralympic Sport New York City: Saturday May 2, 11:00 - 1:00pm at Victory Field in Forest Park. For more information click HERE. 

Annual Antique Auto Show: Sunday May 3, 11:00 - 4:00pm at the Queens County Farm Museum. For more information click HERE. 

Revlon Run/Walk for Women New York: Saturday May 2, 7:00 - 10:00am at Times Square. For more information click HERE. 

Sakura Matsuri at Brooklyn Botanical Gardens: Saturday and Sunday May 2 and 3 from 10:00 - 6:00pm. New York City's "rite of spring," marks its 28th year with over 50 events and performances celebrating Japanese culture and the blossoming of BBG's 220 cherry trees. For more information click HERE.

Public Theatre: - Why Torture is Wrong and the People that Love Them, The Singing Forest, Gabriel Kahane, Upright Cabaret, Jack Terricloth, The Midnight, The Ana Copa Cabana Show: Friday, Saturday and Sunday May 1,2 and 3 at 425 Lafayette Street. For More information Click HERE. 

Events in Central Park - Click HERE. 

Events at the Metropolitan Museum - Click HERE. 

Events at the Museum of Modern Art - Click HERE. 

NYC Flea Markets - Click HERE. 

NYC Green/Farmer's Markets - Click HERE. 

Greenmarket's Spring Flower Market - 5/24

SPRING BLOOMS AT GREENMARKET'S FLOWER MARKET IN THE SHOPS AT ATLAS PARK, GLENDALE QUEENS

Come celebrate the season's perennials, annuals, bulbs, herbs, flats, house plants, cut flowers and more, at this special one-day market in the Shops at Atlas Park!

For information on additional Greenmarket Flower Market dates and locations download our flyer.

Details:
May 24, 2009 from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm
80-00 Cooper Ave, Glendale, NY 

http://www.cenyc.org/node/678

Excellent Article on NY Green Market Culture - 4/26

In the below article they say that this farm brings its products to a Green Market at Atlas Park Mall.... Apparently this market starts in June. I am checking on it today to see if it is coming back there this year given the problems there. 

From Gardening to Farming: A Glimpse of Long island's Gardens of Eve Farm. 

Not Eating Out in New York - noteatingoutinny.com

Not so long ago, I tended to associate Long Island with being stuck in squawking traffic on the LIE and guys in wifebeaters who wouldn’t think to eat an apple if the tree plopped one in his hand. True, the eastern trail of New York City never exactly conjured an agrarian idyll, replete with rustic farmstands and coastal pastures producing everything from grass-fed beef to tasty wines. But perhaps that’s just the Jersey in me speaking (ironic as it may seem, New Jersey and Long Island kids have a long, stupid rivalry). Because after a trip out to Garden of Eve organic farm in Riverhead, I was introduced to a world of old-school farming values being led for the most part by young and fresh-thinking pioneers.

Read the Entire Article Here. 

Queens Symphony Orchestra - Concert - 5/9

Spiritual Journey
Masterworks Concert Series
Bernstein & Friends
Pre-Concert Lecture Series at 6:30

QSO FINAL CONCERT OF THE SEASON SHOWCASES THE BOROUGH’S TALENTED YOUTH!

Don’t miss QSO’s final concert in their 2008-2009 Bernstein & Friends Masterworks Series! To remember Leonard Bernstein on what would have been his 90th birthday this season, QSO will present Spiritual Journey. This concert will feature Toccata for Percussion Ensemble by Carlos Chavez and Serenade for Strings in C major, Op. 48, by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The evening will conclude with the stunning Chichester Psalms by Leonard Bernstein. Bernstein’s choral masterpiece will showcase the combined concert choirs of Bayside, Central Islip and Francis Lewis High Schools and members of the Newark Boys Chorus. Come celebrate our local, talented youth!

QSO also invites you to attend our new Pre-Concert Lecture Series at 6:30 pm for an informative talk about the evening’s event. Maestro Kitsopoulos will explain the chosen repertoire of the concert and answer any questions you may have about the program. Subscribers receive this series for free, but any ticket buyer may attend for only $5!

Queens Symphony Orchestra's Website - Click Here. 

Looking for a Job? Is Your Business Hiring?

Are you looking for a job or career or is your business hiring? KGB is willing to do what it can right now for job-seekers and hiring businesses to connect. If your local business is hiring right now on any level please feel free to send us a job description and your business's contact information and KGB will gladly post that information, free of charge, on a new weekly Local Jobs posting beginning the first week of May.  email - kewgardensblog@gmail.com

"New shops, direction for Atlas Park" - NY Daily News - 4/28

Has anyone read this story about the "Shops at Atlas Park?" It was strange to read it this morning as I had just read a great review for a fondue restaurant there and in trying to find exactly where it was, which was an adventure on Google Maps, stumbled upon this article. One thing I do not understand about this situation is this - I have never heard of the "Shops at Atlas Park." That is not a good thing. I think that I am pretty up to date on the community and do lots of digging for information, events, restaurants, etc, and if this place was advertised in the right places, or at all, I'm pretty sure that I would have known about it. I would have been there, supporting the shops and restaurants, for sure. Has anyone been there? Is it worth a trip over? 

Upscale mall may cut parking fee, focus on midlevel stores

BY NICHOLAS HIRSHON

Tuesday, April 28th 2009, 10:12 AM

EXPECT A world of changes at the Shops at Atlas Park.

The upscale Glendale mall, recently tossed into foreclosure and now controlled by a court-appointed lawyer, will shift its focus to middle-end retailers, and may cut fees for one-hour parking, its new management has revealed.

"Upscale is upscale. You have to have a community like Manhasset [in Nassau County] to keep that mall going," the mall's receiver, Paul Millus, said last week at aGlendale Civic Association meeting.

Read the entire story here. 

Kew Gardens Civic Association Meeting - 5/7

The Kew Gardens Civic Association will be holding its annual meeting on May 7, 2009, at 7.15 p.m. at the Kew Gardens Community Center, 80-02 Kew Gardens Road, Room 202. Refreshments. Candidates for public offices will be invited.

"Prosperous Area Seeks Shops to Match" - NYT - 4/24/09

This New York Times story on the Laurelton area of Queens is a great article in which the same point can be made for the Kew Gardens/Forest Hills areas as well. It talks about the prosperous neighborhood of Laurelton who's residents want more restaurants and shops other than nail salons, barber shops and 99 cent stores. Granted we in Kew Gardens and Forest Hills certainly have much more in the way of "quality" restaurants and shops but the plethora of 99 cent stores, nail salons, Chinese fast food, etc is still excessive here. Ultimately most of these businesses end up being those locations that are constantly changing hands; from 99 cent store to a barber shop to a nail salon etc. At one point in the article an interviewee suggests he would like their main commercial strip to be more like Austin street. I am wondering, however, if it makes much of a difference having just as many of the above mentioned businesses with the addition of some "quality" businesses, as is the case in Kew Gardens and Forest Hills. Many of these above mentioned businesses do not seem to keep up appearances, do not clean their store-fronts, use excessive signage, and, as learned from experience, do not seem to be interested in community issues or improvement. Although, the businesses that do seem to do well do keep up their business's appearance and cleanliness, do get involved with the community, etc, are ultimately the ones which stay in business and prosper. It seems that this is because customers recognize those business's efforts to be a positive part of the neighborhood and in turn patronize that business. Maybe this is just a very slow process, the weeding out of certain types of businesses which the neighborhood will not just support or already has too much to choose from in the first place to support. I can say that I would much rather have an assortment of businesses that I would patronize daily rather than the 6 Chinese fast food restaurants serving Kew Gardens, of which I use just one periodically. As well as the dozen or so nail and hair salons, of which I use none. 

Read the entire NYT article here. 

Forest Park's Historic Carousel Closed!

I was riding my bike through Forest Park by the Carousel this weekend and realized that it is not open and does not look like it is preparing to do so anytime soon. Looks like the company running it decided to let the lease run out and not renew. What a real shame. This beautiful piece of history, that has been down on its luck in the past needing maintenance and repairs, now sitting silently for no one to enjoy. I really hope a good operator/vendor can see the value in operating it and the snack stand and get it back up and running for the summer. There were at least 200 people in the adjacent part of the park barbecuing and enjoying the weather this weekend. Even if it was just opened on the weekends I am sure there will be no lack of interest/patronage. 

See story from Daily News here:

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/queens/2009/04/06/2009-04-06_another_turn_at_carousel_parks_dept_sear.html

NYC Parks Department Information on the Historical carousel: 

http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_your_park/historical_signs/hs_historical_sign.php?id=12049

More images of the Carousel from the Bridge and Tunnel Club: 

http://www.bridgeandtunnelclub.com/bigmap/queens/forestpark/carousel/index.htm

Rez Reading Series - Poetry - 4/28

A monthly evening of readings and conversation with local authors and writers. All are local writers from varied life experiences. Some of the readings are unpublished works.

Tue, April 28 7:30 pm  Church of the Resurrection  85-09 118th Street btw 85th and Hillside Kew Gardens, NY

New and Upcoming Films at Kew Gardens Theatre - 4/27

Is Anybody There? (PG-13) Rated for language including sexual references, and some disturbing images Michael Caine, Bill Milner92 min.

In 1980s seaside England, 10-year-old Edward's parents have turned their house into a retirement home. Edward lives a lonely existence, obsessing about death, until he meets Clarence, the latest arrival at the home, a retired magician and grieving widower who refuses to give in gracefully to old age. Their relationship begins at odds until Clarence notices that the boy is growing up even more fitfully than he is growing old. As they begin to face life together, Clarence comes to terms with his past, Edward tames his obsession with the unknown and they are both reminded of what magic is possible when life is lived to its fullest.

Official Site     Trailer For schedule click here. For Coming Attractions click here.

Taste of Forest Hills 2009 - 5/2

KBG has not had the chance to attend the Taste of Forest Hills event in the past but luckily we will be in attendance this year! This is the third annual "Taste" at The Community House in Forest Hills Gardens featuring samples from Forest Hill's best restaurants (click here for the list.) As one of the fastest growing culinary communities in NYC, Forest Hills has become a real destination for food lovers from all over the city. A charming and vibrant atmosphere and a large variety of top class establishments has been the catalyst to Forest Hills popularity and the best of the best will be featured at this event. As well as tasting some excellent food and mingling with Forest Hills residents and business owners, profits from this event will benefit an excellent cause in the Community House Children's Programs. Afterwards KGB will post a complete review of the event as well as the individual restaurants and businesses featured. See you there! 

Sweet! Baskin-Robbins 31 Cent Scoop Night - 4/29

Baskin-Robbins is hosting its third annual 31 Cent Scoop Night celebration on Wednesday, April 29, 2009. Ice cream lovers across the borough and all of New York City will have the opportunity to enjoy their favorite Baskin-Robbins flavor for only 31 cents while paying tribute to local fire heroes of all ages. On April 29, America’s favorite neighborhood ice cream shop is partnering with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), the nation’s leading non-profit association representing the interests of the volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue services. 

As part of the event, Baskin-Robbins will make a $100,000 donation to the NVFC National Junior Firefighter Program, which provides departments and youth alike with the resources, tools, and information they need to help develop, grow, enhance, promote, and participate in their local junior firefighter program. During the event, Baskin-Robbins stores will reduce prices of ice cream to 31 cents to honor America’s firefighters and the youth who are donating their time to become a firefighting hero. Participating Baskin-Robbins stores will help raise additional funds for local firehouses by inviting fire departments to the event to collect donations. 

For 64 years, Baskin-Robbins has captured taste buds worldwide with unique, fun, and delicious ice cream flavors. Ice cream enthusiasts should not hesitate to take part of this special offer. 

http://www.baskinrobbins.com/31cent

Queens Racing Association - Forest Park - 5/23

"Bright Eyed 2.7 Mile Sprint"

Saturday May 23, 2009 at Forest Park. Meet @ intersection of Woodhaven Blvd. and Forest Park Dr. 

9 a.m. Race Time. 2.7 mile sprint loop from Woodhaven Blvd. to Metropolitan Ave. and back. Refreshments served after the race. 

All races are rain or shine. Beginner Runners Most Welcome



$15

http://queensracing.com/schedule.html#1

District 29 - City Council Race Update

Cohen Says He Won’t Give Up Council Bid - Forest Hills Times

by Shane Miller

5 days ago | 36 views | 0  | 1  |  | 

A former Queens assemblyman is refusing to give up his campaign for City Council amid allegations that then-State Comptroller Alan Hevesi used the state pension fund to grease the wheels on his resignation, making way for Hevesi’s son to assume the post.

Read the rest of the article here. 

A Stroll Through Forest Hills Gardens - Station Square - Ziye Lin

This Weekend in Kew Gardens & NYC

A Selection of Events Happening This Weekend: 

New Films at Kew Gardens Theater - http://www.kewgardenstheatre.com/nowplaying.html

Flea Market - at the Kew Gardens LIRR North parking lot - 8 - 5pm - Saturday April 25th 

QI4 (Queens International 4) Closing Party - the Queens Museum - Sunday April 26th - http://www.queensmuseum.org

Children's Cranival - Queens County Farm Museum - 11 - 6 pm - Sat and Sun April 25th & 26th

http://www.queensfarm.org/events.html

Forest Park Hike - Forest Park - Meet at 9:45 at 116-02 Metropolitan Ave. Sat. April 25th - http://www.meetup.com/QueensHikers/

NYC Earth Day Events - Grand Central Station - Saturday and Sunday April 25th & 26th - http://www.earthdayny.org/

Metropolitan Museum Events - Saturday and Sunday April 25 & 26 - http://www.metmuseum.org/calendar/index.asp?mode=&CurrentDate=4/25/2009

Earth day in Central Park - Sunday April 26th 12 - 4pm - http://www.centralparknyc.org/site/PageNavigator/Green/green_earthday

Brooklyn Botanical Gardens - Hanami - Cherry Blosom Viewing Season - Saturday before noon FREE - http://www.bbg.org

Queens Botanical Garden - Gardening Days 2009 - Saturday April 25th - 11 - 5pm - http://www.queensbotanical.org/programs/events

Hybrid Barcelona - A one-day seminar on the new multicultural identities in Catalan popular and traditional music, with Susana Asensio and Antoni Piza. Saturday April 25th 10 - 4pm - http://web.gc.cuny.edu/BrookCenter/events.htm

27 - Year - Old Running in a Crowded Field for Council Seat

April 23rd, 2009 by Sergey Kadinsky 

The race for the city council seat representing Rego Park, Forest Hills, and Kew Gardens is a heated one. So far, seven candidates have thrown their hats into the ring, and that’s just the Democrats. Karen Koslowitz, a former councilwoman for this district has also hinted at running for her old seat. Mel Gagarin seeks to take President Obama’s message of change to the local level:

Continue reading the article here.

http://blogs.journalism.cuny.edu/sergeykadinsky/

Kew Garden's "Ponte Vecchio" and Landmark Status

An interesting fact: The word bankruptcy, said to have been developed on the original Ponte Vecchio in Florence, Italy, is derived from the two Italian words "banco" and "rotto." "Banco" referred to the table on which merchants would sell their products and "rotto" literally means "broken." The resulting term, "bancorotto" was developed  as a result of Florentine soldiers having destroyed merchant's tables on Ponte Vecchio when they were unable to pay their debts, rendering them unable to do future business. 

This not to entice the idea that the Lefferts Blvd. bridge owned by the MTA in Kew Gardens Queens, nick-named Ponte Vecchio by locals for years now, is actually bankrupt, rather the businesses thereon seem to be doing okay, but the structure itself is what has gone bankrupt in the areas of structural integrity, charm, and overall draw. Granted the Kew Gardens bridge has no infamous river running underneath it, and it doesn't happen to be in one of the most visited cities (boroughs, whatever) in the world, but it does have certain attributes which make it special and worthy of drones, or at least a couple high school field trips and day trippers, visiting it and its surrounding areas. The area does, as in the past, still serve as a sort of town center for Kew Gardens residents with undoubtedly the best independent theater and pizza in the borough, the Long Island Railroad running underneath and the only cafe within miles, but from past renderings that I have seen, the bridge is not, to put it politely, aging as gracefully as its Florentine counterpart (and its only about 1/10 the age, dating to the original construction of the Ponte Vecchio in circa 996) 

The problems this bridge has, and has had, are certainly nothing new for it, although. In the early 90's there were 17 store fronts on the bridge available with only 8 occupied by actual businesses. As well, the structure itself was probably not too far off from where it is now, in "despair" as one 1993 NYT article put it. Today it seems that that despair has only worsened in the past 16 years since that article. The "art deco" east side of the bridge is literally falling apart in spots before the theater. The tudor style west side of the bridge seems to have been maintained with a bit more care but still could use a good cleaning, painting, etc. The outside of the bridge is all brick and could be quite charming but all of the windows are boarded up and there are spots of graffiti that no-one seems to want to remove on the outer west side and under, which is too bad because there are several great spots, Bliss Gourmet Cafe and Austin's Steak and Ale House, that sit on the west side of the bridge and have outdoor seating, let alone the LIRR station, arguably one of the nicest LIRR stations behind Forest Hills. 

If the MTA refuses to maintain it why has it not been named an important historical structure giving it landmark designation and making way for public funding for restoration and upkeep?The bridge is about 100 years old and is really the centerpiece of the whole community. This would certainly benefit the businesses there not only by beautifying their buildings but by making this spot a real attraction for people around NYC to come to and admire, eat, shop, etc? Being right above the LIRR, and so close to Forest Park, great restaurants and cafes, a real independent theater, etc,  it would just be one more reason for people, and new businesses, to come to Kew Gardens. Let alone the bridge, the whole neighborhood should be given the "Historic District" status given the extraordinary architecture, history and community prevalence the neighborhood has. 

What do we need to do to make this happen? Well first we need the support of local council members and businesses, then we need to fill out an evaluation form with the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission. Their mission:

 

The Landmarks Preservation Commission was established by the Landmarks Law in 1965 in order to:

• Safeguard the city's historic, aesthetic, and cultural heritage.
• Help stabilize and improve property values in historic districts.
• Encourage civic pride in the beauty and accomplishments of the past.
• Protect and enhance the city's attractions for tourists.
• Strengthen the city's economy.
• Promote the use of landmarks for the education, pleasure, and welfare of the people of New York City

The process: - http://www.nyc.gov/html/lpc/html/faqs/faq_designation.shtml

Lets not let the bridge fall any deeper into "bankruptcy" and come together as a community and make this happen!

"Growing Up Jewish in Postwar Kew Gardens" - NY Times 4/22

Excellent background article in the New York Times, April 22, 2009, on the film "Last Sop Kew Gardens" showing tonight at 10pm on WLIW. 

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/22/growing-up-jewish-in-postwar-kew-gardens/

Progress at Kew Gardens Station!

So two days ago I sent in an online request to the Department of Sanitation to come clean up the parking lot area and bench area in front at the Kew Gardens LIRR North parking lot. There was a lot of garbage and buildup of debris around the benches near the street. Well to my surprise at about noon today when I went for lunch at Bliss Cafe there were about 20 sanitation department workers and volunteers cleaning up, quite meticulously, the whole area! I don't know if others have submitted requests or not but it is just great to see action and progress made on requests made to the city for service! Looks like it will be all tidy for the Flea Market this Saturday. 

If you know of an area that needs cleaning you can submit a request here: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dsny/html/contact/requests_obstruction.shtml

Next for the spot should be stump removal and a new tree and sidewalk repair. 

Happy Earth Day NYC!

Earth Day in Queens: 

In Kew Gardens residents will be doing their part on May 16th by replacing and planting new greenery in the pots on Lefferts over the LIRR. We can all do our part everday by keeping our community clean, volunteering in the parks, starting new clean and green programs in the neighborhood with local businesses, etc. Contact KGB with your ideas to make our community green and we'll help make them happen! 

Other NYC Earth Day Info/Events: 

Earth Day NY - http://www.earthdayny.org/events.html

FREE ADMISSION TO MUSEUM OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK ON EARTH DAY, APRIL 22, 2009: LAST DAY OF   GROWING AND GREENING NEW YORK

Queens is Green Fashion Show - http://planetgreen.discovery.com/travel-outdoors/queens-green-fashion-show.html?campaign=daylife-article

Local Library Events: 

04/22/09 4:00PM

Go Green: Celebrate Earth Day with Activities and Eco-Friendly Crafts for Teens    Library: Middle Village Celebrate Earth Day with activities and eco-friendly crafts. Space is limited to 15 teens.

04/22/09 3:00PM

Earth Day Recycled Bead Craft  Library: Ridgewood Celebrate Earth Day by learning to make recycled jewelry. For Grades 1-6 in Auditorium.

Queens Museum QI4 Closing Celebration & NYC Bike Month Kick Off - 4/26

                                                                                                               

Last Chance to Catch QMA’s Survey of Artists Living or Working in Queens:

Headlined by Future Shock, an Indo-Caribbean crew with thumping sound system bikes, QMA and Transportation Alternatives invite bike gangs, art bikes, bike advocacy groups, modders, bike clubs and bike crews (including Lightwheels, Mexican Pride, Transalt, Bike NY, C.L.I.M.B., City Reliquary Bike Club and others) for an outdoor celebration to close out Queens International 4 (QI4) with a bang! There will be bike riding lessons and free helmet giveaways in the afternoon and BMX bike demos taking place inside the museum utilizing QI4 artist Ryan Humphrey's 100-ft series of ramps. Then, hop on the trolley at the Queens Museum of Art and follow the Anti-Fascist Culture Club to Meadow Lake for a tour of the Undiscovered Atoll of Flushtiopia and watch Tim Thyzel attempt to navigate the atoll in his boat made entirely out of packing tape. Also see the Human Sculpture performance by Chin Chih Yang, hear SP Weather Station talks in the Panorama, take part in Derick Melander’s interactive clothing sculpture Into the Fold and ride art bikes created by artists Colin McMullan, Mary Mattingly and Jonathan Brand. Listen to live music by bands Elextra, Karahatu, Shining Mantis, Tough Slutting, and Unstoppable Death Machines next to the Unisphere. And if you want company riding to QMA, you can do the museum to museum ride with the City Reliquary Bike Club, departing CR (370 Metropolitan Ave, Williamsburg) at 2pm.

Schedule of events:
12-4pm: NYC DOT Helmet giveaway
1-3pm: Learn to Ride – Kids 5+ class with Bike NY
1-3pm: Take part in Derick Melander's Into the Fold project in QMA galleries
2-3pm: SP Weather Station talk in Panorama
2-3pm: Whitney ISP alum Ryan Humphrey talk in Large. Theater
2:30-3:30: Future Shock leads a bike rally around the park
3-6: Tim Thyzel boat launch and discovery of The Undiscovered Atoll of Flushtopia 
3-6pm: happy hour in QMA cafe (while supplies last)
3-5pm: BMX pros ride Ryan Humphrey's installation Fast Forward
3-6pm: Tabling in Tents Outside Museum: Lightwheels, Transalt, Bike NY, C.L.I.M.B.(Concerned Long Island Mountain Bicyclists), Green Map System, Mexican Pride, The Undiscovered Atoll of Flushtopia Tourist Bureau, Okamoto Studio ice carving, and Ixrael's mobile printmaking workshop
4:30-6: Bands Play: Shining Mantis, Tough Slutting, Unstoppable Death Machines, Elextra, Karahatu
Ongoing: Chin Chih Yang Trash Sculpture3


The “Queens International 4” was a museum opening party the likes of which has never been seen before. There were BMX bikers flying past people checking out homegrown Queens art, and the single best live act I have seen in five years: The Unstoppable Death Machines. People were giddily waiting outside in the freezing cold for some of the best street-cart falafel and gyros, and going back inside to dance, feeling like those kids that had taken over their school. What a night. Thank you, TONY! 

--Nevar Pollack, published in “Letter of the week: Queens for a day.” Time Out, February 5, 2009

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=71413502397

NYC Green Market in Kew Gardens- II

We have had a lot of interest and inquiries on this topic so we're posting some important information and contacts for getting a Green Market / Farmer's Market to Kew Gardens/Forest Hills: 

Community Markets

www.communitymarkets.biz/index.php

Since 1991, farmers markets developed and managed by Community Markets have been successfully serving all three purposes – making locally-grown produce and locally-made products readily available and, at the same time, providing an ideal place for the community to come together to share news and gossip, thoughts, and ideas, and improving nutrition.

Farmers’ Market Federation of New York www.nyfarmersmarket.com A non-profit organization for farmers’ market organizers, farmers and communities interested in starting markets. Offers conferences, newsletter, health insurance, insurance coverage for farmers’ market vendors and for market sites as well.

Department of Agriculture and Markets
www.agmkt.state.ny.us
Information on markets and farmers in NY State. You can look for farms in a particular part of the state as well as specifying the product you are searching for.

Community Food and Agriculture Program
www.cfap.org
Clearing house for innovative programs in the state for sustainable agriculture practices from Cornell University.

Regional Farm and Food Project
www.farmandfood.org
Not-for-profit organization that offers information about local farms including farm tours, conferences, informative newsletter and networking.

Farm to Table
www.farmtotable.org
An organization that helps link farm producers to their customer. Lists local farms with their contact information and what they produce. Spotlights individual farmers and links to articles on sustainable farming issues.

Slow FoodUSA
www.slowfoodusa.org
Slow Food is an educational organization that promotes the proliferation of regional and seasonal culinary traditions as a way to preserve culture and ecologically sound food production.

FoodRoutes Network
www.foodroutes.org
Foodroutes.org is a website that was created by the Food Routes Network a national nonprofit organization that provides a wealth of educational materials focused on rebuilding our local food systems.

Valley Table Magazine
www.valleytable.com
A magazine focusing on local farming, culinary interests and farm marketers.

Eating Fresh Publications
www.eatingfresh.com
Eating Fresh publications is responsible for some of the most delightful and thought-provoking books about local farms and food.

Sunnyside Community Supported Agriculture 

www.sunnysidecsa.com