Art Showcase and Reception at Ascend Day Spa

The photography of MARCELINO PAGAN

on view 2/05/10- 4/02/10

The Ascend Day Spa, located at 82-62 Austin Street, in Kew Gardens, Queens, will be exhibiting artwork from local artists in an effort to give back to the community.  The Ascend Day Spa is an all natural green spa, focusing on mind and body wellness through relaxation and rejuvenation. Continuing the exhibition series, Ascend is offering its space for a selection of works by photographer Marcelino Pagan; the opening reception will be on Friday, February 5th, 2010, at 8:00 pm. The exhibition will be on view through April 2nd, 2010 during business hours.

Marcelino Pagan is a self-taught photographer with over 25 years of experience with traditional and digital photography. His work includes black and white and color documentary photographs, profiles, and abstract art. Marcelino has studied at the International Center of Photography in New York, NY.

Currently, Marcelino is working on several bodies of work. They include Underground Music, a photographic documentary of musicians who perform in New York City’s subway stations; andElements of Light, Shadow, and Texture, abstract digital color photographs of everyday objects exploring variations in lighting and shadow. Marcelino has displayed his work at the Clemente Soto Velez Cultural Center, in New York City, in June 2009 and at the 2008 and 2009 Boricua Festivals held in Brooklyn, NY.

Marcelino Pagan is passionate about doing his photography and passing on his knowledge and experience to others. 

www.marcelinopagan.com

For more information: (718) 846-4601

A Note on My Ex-Favorite Pizza Spot in Kew Gardens

Several days before Christmas I was about to drive down to Virginia to see my family. They have been here before and loved Dani's pizza and asked me to grab a pie and bring it down with me. So, at noon on Wednesday December 23rd, I went in to Dani's to get what my family asked for. They weren't open yet and several of the employees were carrying boxes and food, etc from their basement to the front door so I stood there patiently, opening the door for each guy coming through for a good 20 minutes. I left to run another errand and came back 20 minutes later. There were three people there eating slices, there were 8 cooked, full size pies on the rack and two full sized out behind the glass. I told the pizza maker that I need one full sized pie to bring to my family in Virginia and he refused! He said he was too busy and that I could only have 4 slices because it was $1.25 per slice Wednesday. I told him I would pay full price and he stated he was "too busy" and would not give me one of the ten full sized pies there and was quite rude about the whole thing. Anyway, I have not had Dani's since and although I miss it, I will try to not support them if they believe they can treat their customers like trash.... The Pizza is good, but isn't that good!

Fire in Kew Gardens apartment building

MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2010 (queenscrap)

Fire in Kew Gardens apartment building

MYFOXNY.COM - Several units in an apartment building in Queens were destroyed in a fast-moving fire on Monday afternoon.

SkyFoxHD was over the building at 84-70 129th Street as firefighters rummaged through debris.

Several windows were blown out.

Fire officials say the blaze in the Kew Gardens section of the borough broke out at around Noon.

There were no serious injuries.

MyFoxNY.com is updating this story.

Kew Gardens Yoga

Welcome to the new year! Even if you don't do new years resolutions there's no getting around the feeling that January offers the chance for a fresh start. It's common to find that during the holidays we get so busy that our healthy habits are pushed aside. The new year is a perfect time to re-invest in our healthier routines. A great place to start is with a yoga practice. People come to yoga for different reasons. Most are looking for a way to improve their health. Others are interested in  effective tools to manage stress. Still others seek personal and spiritual growth. Yoga offers all of these things. It's a practice that revitalizes the body, calms the mind, and deepens self-awareness.

 

I recently tracked down a bundle of missing waivers. Here is an update for those of you who have been missing out on email. Throughout the winter months we have continued the community park class indoors at Living Yoga studio. Located 11720 Queens blvd, Forest Hills (2nd floor above the bank of America) In addition to the Saturday morning class (10:00am-11:00am) We have added a Wednesday evening session from 6:00-7:00pm.  Both classes run at $8.

 

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday and I look forward to seeing you on the mat in the new year.

 

Warm regards

Gillian

Kew Gardens Block Gets Improvement Grant

Thanks to Rosemary Sherman from the Kew Gardens Improvement Association who applied for a Love Your (NYC) Block Grant last month and found out recently that her hard work paid off! With the help of $500, several NYC agencies, and community volunteers, the block from L'Angolo Pizza to Golden Fountain Chinese Restaurant and across the street from Duncan Donuts to TD Bank will be going through a "renaissance." The timeline of activities will be developed over the next months and most activities will be scheduled for the Spring.


The mission of the project is to make the block greener and more attractive by planting annuals and perennials and by planting two above ground large trees in containers, to improve and maintain the cleanliness of the block by working with NYC Department of Sanitation (we asked for some new trash receptacles and graffitti removal), to develop a spirit of pride and ownership (new metal signs by treewells of stores who are caring for "gardens") and community education/activities. Residents and business owners will work together to improve, beautify and maintain the appearance of our block. A Spring Clean Up and Planting Day ( LOVE YOUR Kew Gardens BLOCK DAY!) will be planned.

What's special about this grant is that besides the $500 awarded we will be directly linked to several city agencies whose help will be instrumental in revitalizing and transforming the block. We have not gone to the Orientation meetings yet and do not know all that is being offered by the City Agencies. Will have more info after January 13. 

Coldest day of Winter 09/10 - No Heat or Hot water from 5pm yesterday and counting

See below post from several weeks ago... This is crazy! I'm freezing!!!!!!!!
No Heat, No Hot Water...No Super....No Landlord.... that's Vantage Management!

Good ol' Vantage Management has gone and done it again, and again, and again. No heat all last night. Now its 8:30 am, been trying to have a shower since 6:30am but no hot water. I go down to tell the super, and ohh, he's in Poland and the porter can't do anything. I call Vantage's "24 hour maintenance hotline" to report the problem and the man on the line, that answered "security" tells me that the super knows about the problem. Hmm, did you call him in Poland and is he hopping a flight back as we speak? ....This is about the 10th time this has happened in the last month or so. (Last year it happened countless times) Obviously it is not being fixed and DOB does nothing. I just don't get how this company can get so many things wrong so much of the time.......

Check out their website too. The pictures are nothing like what the advertised apartment looks like, there is no " secure high tech entry system" or a 24/7 maintenance line and the 24/7 security system is cameras that don't record anything...

Friends of Maple Grove Workshop on the Egyptian Ushabti

Some photos taken during the first Friends of Maple Grove Workshop on the Egyptian Ushabti event. Small figures were made and the ancient history of this fascinating funerary object was discussed. It became very creative and the setup was great.

Next a basket of ready made Ushabtis will be available to the public with markers and directions so they can inscribe it with the name of a loved one and place on the MG Holiday tree. This was inspired by the Origami Holdiay Tree atthe Museum of Natural History.

2 new books about life in Queens

2 new books about life in Queens

From the Times Ledger:

It was on the tree-lined streets of Kew Gardens that Dick Van Patten got his start as a child star who would go on to appear in hundreds of radio shows, two dozen films and seven television series, including the 1970s sitcom “Eight is Enough.”

Read the entire article HERE.  

REZ Reading tonight!!!

If you haven't been already, tonight's a great opportunity to check out one of the most stimulating events in town--the REZ Reading Series. Authors of all kinds come together to share their manuscripts-in-progress, as well as their published pieces.

WHEN: 7:30p-9:30p Fourth Tuesday of the Month

WHERE: Pine Room, Church of the Resurrection, 85-09 118th St, Kew Gardens, NY 11415

Q& A will held After Readings, Autographed books will be offered for sale. Refreshments Available. $5.00 Donation encouraged.

No Heat, No Hot Water...No Super....No Landlord.... that's Vantage Management!

Good ol' Vantage Management has gone and done it again, and again, and again. No heat all last night. Now its 8:30 am, been trying to have a shower since 6:30am but no hot water. I go down to tell the super, and ohh, he's in Poland and the porter can't do anything. I call Vantage's "24 hour maintenance hotline" to report the problem and the man on the line, that answered "security" tells me that the super knows about the problem. Hmm, did you call him in Poland and is he hopping a flight back as we speak? ....This is about the 10th time this has happened in the last month or so. (Last year it happened countless times) Obviously it is not being fixed and DOB does nothing. I just don't get how this company can get so many things wrong so much of the time.......

Check out their website too. The pictures are nothing like what the advertised apartment looks like, there is no " secure high tech entry system" or a 24/7 maintenance line and the 24/7 security system is cameras that don't record anything...

socially conscious? graffiti in KG......

Q Gardens Gallery Opening Night a Hit!

Saturday night's opening reception at Kew Garden's new vintage photo/art gallery - Q Gardens Gallery. We had a great time at this opening and the gallery is an excellent little space with some really interesting, beautiful and historically important photos, maps and advertisements. The crowd was thrilled and brought to much conversation by the opening exhibit and we hope that there will be a regular schedule of exhibitions at this highly anticipated new addition to Kew Garden's art scene.

Tonight in Kew Gardens - 11/6

The Q Gardens Gallery, a vintage photo gallery in Kew Gardens, will open with an exhibit on the history of Kew Gardens on Friday November 6. The night will feature the exhibit, speakers, an opening ceremony and refreshments. The opening night starts at 7 PM and will go until 11 PM. 

RSVP: nycpics@aol.com or (347) 494-5704

8061 Lefferts Blvd. 
Kew Gardens, NY
11415 




Also, just across the street at 82-62 Austin st - at Ascend Day Spa - there will be an exhibition of paintings by Annette Adler starting at 8pm. 

The paintings of ANNETTE ADLER on view 11/6/09- 1/1/10

10/23/2009 03:57 PM

Residents Upset With Late-Night Trysts In Forest Park

By: Ruschell Boone

A group of Richmond Hill residents is fighting back against what they say is becoming the common use of Forest Park for late-night trysts. NY1’s Ruschell Boone filed the following report.

Jorge Martinez says that while taking his six-year-old daughter for a walk through Forest Park it is normal to come across condom wrappers amongst the flowers and trees. He says over the years, this kind of trash has become part of the landscape.

Read the entire story HERE. 

Opening of Q Gardens Gallery - 11/6

The Q Gardens Gallery, a vintage photo gallery in Kew Gardens, will open with an exhibit on the history of Kew Gardens on Friday November 6. The night will feature the exhibit, speakers, an opening ceremony and refreshments. The opening night starts at 7 PM and will go until 11 PM. 


RSVP: nycpics@aol.com or (347) 494-5704


Address and Map: 


8061 Lefferts Blvd. 
Kew Gardens, NY
11415 



View Larger Map

$75 Fines For Each Flier or Advertisement Illegally Posted in NYC!

I love this. I have always been against those who post fliers and advertisements all over our neighborhoods on light poles, trees, public phones, traffic light poles and utility boxes and buildings. City council just passed the PATH act and now those people who post these fliers will be fined $75 per flier by the Dept. of Sanitation. You can report fliers t the Dept. by calling 311 or on their request page HERE. 

See the whole story from Queens Crap HERE. 

Pumpkin Carving Contest - 10/17 - 3:30pm

Blood Drive today at 230 pm.  Moose Lodge. 87-25 118 St.  Please come and support!

Kew Gardens Flea Market - 10/17

SPIRITS ALIVE 
An Exciting, Educational Walk Through Time! 
An event for the whole family!

Join us for an Interactive Walking Tour through time, Spirits Alive at Maple Grove Cemetery (83-15 Kew Gardens Road, Kew Gardens, NY, off of Lefferts Boulevard) on Saturday, October 3, 2009 from 2:00pm-4:00pm.

Costumed actors will recreate the lives of 25 of the cemetery’s most illustrious and historical figures including movie director Irving Rapper, pirate and buccaneer Thomas Winn, interior designer Elsie de Wolfe, Mary and Jonathan Coward’s heart warming Civil War love story and Mama Doe.

This year we will be introducing two new characters of great importance; Alfred St. Leon of Australian family circus fame and Reverend Charles Camp who helped place the cornerstone for the Statue of Liberty.

Visitors will receive easy to follow maps and programs. 
$5 per adult, children under 12 FREE!

RAIN OR SHINE: In case of rain, Spirits Alive will be held at The Center at Maple Grove, 127-15 Kew Gardens Road.

Sponsored by Friends of Maple Grove. 
For more info: (917) 881-3358

Comings and Goings in KG

After some super sleuth detective work yesterday we can identify some of the local business comings and goings in KG. 

1. The closed "Latin Cubanita" on the corner of Lefferts and Austin street is under renovation now and will apparently open around the 15th as a new burger joint called "Munch." I have not heard of them before but the place looks cool on the inside and a small burger joint is certainly something new for the neighborhood. 

2. The space on Lefferts across from the Dunkin Donuts and next to the hardware store which is currently under renovation is going to be a women's clothing store. No opening eta. 

3. The old "Jackson Hewitt" on Metropolitan next to Joy Fruit is under renovation. The whole floor and foundation was removed down about 4 feet, the garage door on the side was made into a normal door. I asked but couldn't get any info out of the workers if they had any. 

4. Spolini's Italian restaurant on Metropolitan seems to be expanding into the sports store's space to the left of it. Since the addition of the outdoor space which basically covered the front of the sports store it seemed inevitable and now there is a huge sign there saying they are expanding with a "party room." 

5. Jin's Fruit and vegetable Market on Lefferts, on the bridge, has cleared almost everything out and has been closed for a week or so. I couldn't get any information from the workers here either. 

6. A new vintage photo gallery is opening on Lefferts called the "Q Gardens Gallery" on the northeast corner of Austin and Lefferts. I met the owners several weeks ago, who were great and have massive collections of vintage photos of NYC and KG, and saw the space, which is a great little gallery spot for vintage photos. It is really going to be a great addition to the neighborhood. 

7. The pharmacy on Metropolitan next to Aron's Sweets is almost done and the other half they are working on will be a health and organic food store which sounds cool to me as long as they price right. 

Anyone have any knowledge as to the locations I could not get info on or other comings and goings?