Favorite Local Commercials

The Times had a great post today about New Yorkers' favorite local commercials. Here's the link: A Tribute to Ads That Made an Impression and Then Wouldn’t Leave

 And here is my favorite:

Verizon Strike Coverage

Verizon workers have been picketing on 70th Road for the past couple of weeks... Here's some coverage explaining what's going on: Verizon Strike 2011: Workers in Queens, N.Y. Fight for Jobs

Toll Bros. Looking at Tennis Stadium Site

"Luxury builder Toll Bros. is one of several developers looking into the redevelopment of a historic tennis stadium just outside of Manhattan." 

--- Toll in Play at New York Tennis Stadium, The Wall Street Journal

Marriott To Build New York's Tallest Hotel

Marriott is giving Manhattan hotels a run for their money. Marriott International and Granite Broadway Development signed an agreement last week that will create the tallest hotel, according to Marriott.

-- Pack Up Blog

It Could Be Worse

This Week's Poll

Local Filming...

The website Onlocationvacations.com reports that the television show Blue Bloods was filming today around Metropolitan Ave and 71st Drive in Forest Hills.

Not sure if they will still be there Friday. It seems like they film this show a lot in Forest Hills.

Harold & Kumar 3 Trailer

It seems like just yesterday they were filming some of this movie here in Forest Hills, near Ascan if I recall.... Well, here's the trailer. Just one viewing makes it pretty obvious that it will take its place among the most refined classics of our era. I'm thinking Merchant Ivory caliber (you know, A Room With A View, Howards End, The Remains of the Day, and so on...)

Ground Zero Photos

Thought you might like to see some of the progress they've made at Ground Zero, one month away from the 10th Anniversary of 9/11.

Still Searching...

While the number of places offering quality food here in Forest Hills has certainly taken an upswing in recent months, I was realizing the other day that a place to get just a simple, really good sandwich still remains stubbornly elusive. And I'm not talking about Subway. I mean a quality sandwich, made with fresh, wholesome, upscale ingredients and designed by a creative person who really knows and is passionate about good food. If someone was to open such a place here in Forest Hills, I predict they would have a huge hit on their hands.
Also, I think what makes the new French bakery La Boulangerie so awesome, and such a welcome addition to Forest Hills, is that you can't find it anywhere else. It is not part of a big chain with locations all over the place. The owners are passionate about what they make and seem to care about every crumb. You can really taste the difference.

I think this is a rather fitting commercial for the past couple of weeks....

The only thing I would change is I would lose the dog at the end and add "The Financial Meltdown!" Or maybe, "The Debt Ceiling!" Or maybe just "Michelle Bachmann!" Or heck, "Sarah Palin! Calgon, take me away!!!"

Our Newest Pharmacy

Continental Pharmacy is located on Austin, across from Banana Republic

Forest Hills to Get 'First Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream Parlor'

Wow, just found this.... look at the last graph ... says it's coming into Forest Hills too.

New York's First Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream Parlor Opens Two Stores on Long Island

Nitro Ice Cream and Frozen Yogurt announces its two flagship stores now open. Nitro is the ‘Terminator in an Ice Cream Cup’ and attempts to provoke associations between cutting edge Science, Ice Cream and iPads. Nitro is the way to characterize a science lab for Ice Cream blended with a Hollywood production for a unique flavor experience. New York's First Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream Parlor!

Nitro lets customers pick your base, flavor, color and mix-in! Patrons are allowed to order an ice cream base (regular, organic, low-fat, soymilk, non-fat yogurt, low-fat yogurt, or sorbet), flavors (chocolate, vanilla, pistachio, wasabi, bacon, snickerdoodle, chip, kitchen sink, pomegranate, gaga and more), colors (hot pink, neon blue, green, yellow, orange, purple, and more), and hundreds of mix-ins/ toppings. Nitroticians wearing goggles and cryogenic protection gloves will assemble your mix- ture, readying it for the ice cream process.

Everything is poured into Nitro's patented-process machines that are connected to a stream of liquid nitrogen at -320F. About halfway through the process, the liquid nitrogen is dispersed resembling Han Solo-frozen blasting in carbonite. Fog is everywhere resembling a Heavy Metal concert. Nitro Ice Cream and Frozen Yogurt Parlors are the first Ice Cream Stores to not have any freezers.

The Ice Cream production looks like some science project gone mad or an over- worked fog machine on the set of “Dancing With the Stars.” Nitro's Ice Cream process is safe, it allows the Ice Cream to contain a smoother, richer creamier texture by eliminating ice particles found in everyday desserts. Nitrogen is naturally found in the air we breath making up almost 80 % of our atmosphere.

 Each Nitro location is now fully equipped with a Toppings Bar. Unlike other Ice Cream and Frozen Yogurt Shops, Nitro's Toppings Bar is All You Can Eat. Nitro was founded by NBA Basketball Player Sebastian Telfair. Sebastian Telfair is one of the NBA brightest stars. Sebastian plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves and was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. Sebastian developed the idea with fellow Ice Cream lover Sean Pomper. Sean Pomper, co-creator of “Flavor Spray” which was among Time Magazine’s Most Amazing Inventions of 2005.

 Nitro Head of Franchise Development Neal Menashe, Esq. states, “In Todays economy we at Nitro developed an affordable way for people to license and franchise stores. We kept our start-up costs affordable and franchise fee’s at minimums, so in turn our store owners can evoke a profit as quickly as possible. An Ice Cream store doesn’t have to hurt your pocket in order for you to become a store owner anymore.”

 Nitro Ice Cream and Frozen Yogurt stores are coming and looking to open everywhere. Nitro Merrick at 2326 Merrick Road and Nitro Syosset at 15 Jackson Avenue are New Yorks first locations with developments in Staten Island, Oceanside, Forest Hills and Manhattan.

Some Sweet News

What can we all use on a day when the stock market is tanking? How about some more news about the brownies store opening soon on Austin? The owners sent me an email with lots of delectable details:

"We are making everything onsite daily. Some flavors of Brownies are S'more, Chessecake, Espresso, Caramel and much more. We will also have homemade ice cream and French Macarons. The ice creams will range from Raspberry White Chocolate Ribbon to Peppermint Chocolate Chip.  For the French Macarons we will have Lemon Curd, Dulce de Leche and a few other yummy fillings. We will also serve coffee.  The opening date should be August 25 (hopefully), or anytime 1 to 2 weeks after that."

Thanks for the update guys! 

A Sad Day

How much bad news can our nation suffer in 24 hours?

Tragic. Dozens of U.S. Troops Killed as Copter Shot Down in Afghanistan
We must remember these heroes who gave their lives for our country. These years of war have brought nothing but misery and today is truly one of the saddest days I can recall.

Disgraceful.  S.&P. Downgrades Debt Rating of U.S. For the First Time
This is the result of right-wing, Republican greed. They're even willing to bring the entire country down as long as their rich constituents get to keep more $$$.

And VERY, VERY DANGEROUS. Texas Rally Renews Debate Over the Boundaries of Perry’s Faith
We must always stand vigilant against the fascists. Fascism spreads like a contagion if left unchecked, especially during tough economic times. The Governor of Texas is the latest fascist to rear his ugly head. In his thirst for power he tries to destroy one of the central tenets on which our great country was built: The Absolute Separation Of Church And State and the embracing of the Age of Enlightenment, where science is respected and where faith, while important, should always be a personal matter and one not dictated by the State. Let's all do our part to ensure that we don't let the Perry's, or the Palin's, or the Bachmann's pull us backwards. Enlightenment always hangs by a thin thread and we can so easily start falling backwards. But we all must do our share to ensure that doesn't happen, especially in times of crisis like we now find ourselves in. The wonderful freedom which we live under today should never be taken for granted. We all must be ever vigilant to ensure it is not taken away! History, after all, has a habit of repeating itself.

Our Newest Mystery

So the awning is up where the short-lived "Dare" used to be on Austin. If anyone knows what Sister Unn's is, I'm all ears!

Yes and No

I haven't done this in a while, but this event definitely merits it....

Yes !

For the love of God, No !

Brownies & Cream's Offerings

A reader was kind enough to grab one of the cards from the store window and scan it, giving us a preview of the delectable-looking treats that await us when Brownies & Cream opens in a couple of weeks:

Faye's Apartment Troubles

N.Y. / REGION
Faye Dunaway Faces Suit by New York Landlord
By CHRISTINE HAUGHNEY
Published: August 2, 2011
A landlord claims that the actress Faye Dunaway does not live in an apartment she has a rent-stabilized lease on.

I really would hate to be that landlord...

Dunkin' Donuts Returns!

That's right, after our sad experience with Dunkin's evil Twin (Twin Donut, that is), Dunkin' is staging a comeback in Forest Hills. My top-notch roving reporter just snapped these pics tonight of signs in the former Twin Donut location on 71st/Continental. Dunkin' Donuts hasn't been in central Forest Hills ever since closing its former location on Austin St., near where The Body Shop is today, several years ago.

Jon Favreau on Growing Up in Forest Hills

I didn't know the accomplished film director and actor (he directed Iron Man and this summer's Cowboys and Aliens) grew up in Forest Hills until I read this article...

Q&A: Jon Favreau on Spielberg, 'Iron Man' and Being a Model Actor

Jon joins a long list of famous people who lived in or grew up in Forest Hills, including:

Burt Bacharach
Thelma Ritter
Ray Romano
David Caruso
Dale Carneige
Bob Keeshan (Captain Kangaroo)
Michael Landon
Paul Simon
Art Garfunkel
John Sununu
Helen Keller
Joe Lewis
Carroll O'Connor
Lou Costello
Rudy Vallee
Carol Channing
The Ramones

If You Build It, Will They Come?

I guess they think the answer is a big "YES" judging by all the towers going up in Long Island City...

Mr. Vino Has Arrived

Forest Hills' newest wine shop is now open on 71st/Continental....

Summer Storm

Some pics I shot last eve as the intense thunderstorm moved over northern Manhattan. These were taken in Hell's Kitchen looking up Ninth Avenue...

Do The Metropolitan Avenue Time Warp...

... And beam back to a quaint time when store signs tout "Sick Room Supplies," there is still a Carvel, and yes, there is even a Sizzler! Remember those?
Oh, and the employees and patrons of the aforementioned Sizzler have apparently never, ever seen something called a "Gay Person." After all, it is a Sizzler.
Oh, and one more thing. If you are gay and actually feel, well, hungry, as gay people sometimes do, and want to eat at the aforementioned Sizzler, you apparently first risk being beaten by one of the restaurant's employees, and then for dessert, might be set upon by the other SIzzler patrons, who, it seems, well, have never, ever seen a gay person either!
At least, that is, according to this account in The Daily News:
Queens woman, gay rights group sues Sizzler over alleged homophobic bias attack by manager
Hmmm, so maybe that's why the Forest Hills Sizzler is the last one open on the East Coast, I think, except for a few scattered across Florida. It's tough to maintain that hyperdrive time warp bubble around a restaurant the size of a Sizzler. Tough, and damn expensive too! ...  In this time of NASA budget cuts and all.

Impressive Newcomers

La Boulangerie

I spent about an hour this afternoon sitting in La Boulangerie, chatting away with a friend while sipping an iced coffee. I have to tell you, that place was doing some impressively brisk business. People didn't stop coming in. What a great addition to Forest Hills it is. It was such a comfortable place to while away an hour or so with good conversation and a good coffee. And, by the way, the shelves were brimming with bread. And, they had something like 3 or 4 bakers in the back baking away... If you've been disappointed by this place being out of stuff when you visit, it looks like they are ramping up big-time. So I would highly recommend another visit.

Emily's Sugar Rush

Then, I stopped in Emily's Sugar Rush a block or so away on Austin. This candy store is now overflowing with stuff. Wow have they boosted the offerings there! I can't imagine that a candy-lover would leave Emily's without finding something to satisfy their sweet tooth.

So there they are - two really great new businesses that have just recently set up shop on or just near Austin St.

And with Brownies & Cream set to open in a few weeks, it looks like the fun places just keep on opening here in Forest Hills. It's a great time to be a FoHi'er!

Brownies & Cream Sign

The sign is up for this new brownies place on Austin that is expected to open mid-August...

To Lose a Hand for Brownies

So upon walking past the soon-to-be brownie place, Brownies & Cream (sp?), late today on Austin I noticed that there were a bunch of promotional cards stuck to the window of the place -- but behind the roll down gate! I stood there for a few seconds, imagining myself trying to squeeze my hand through the gate in an attempt to obtain one of the cards. After all, from what I could make out they had very tantalizing full-color photos on them of the brownies this place will soon dole out to hungry Forest Hillers. "What a find!" I thought to myself, thinking I would race back home, scan the cards and post immediately to Edge of the City! But then I also imagined myself standing there with my hand stuck in the gate, screaming for help like a fool and realized that, yes, while I do indeed love getting scoops for my blog, I am not willing to risk public humiliation... or the future use of my hand.

But I may try again tomorrow when the gate is up!

(Or, Mr. and Mrs. Brownie people, you can email a photo of your card to edgeofthecity@gmail.com and I promise to post it in the space right below!)

I Dare Say...

... that it looks like something is coming into this long empty space, also on Austin down near Ascan. Not sure what just yet...

More About The Rockaways

The steady drumbeat of coverage about how hip The Rockaways is becoming continues...

A Floating Hotel At The Edge Of New York City


View Larger Map

Hmmm, I think when I retire I'll move out of New York City to beautiful Phoenix.

On second thought....

By the way, there's no reason to explain yourself in court tomorrow.

Oh, wait, actually, in case you're not aware I have figured it out for you: You're a psychopath.

Rest in Peace Amy

Maycomb was an old town, but it was a tired old town when I first knew it. In rainy weather the streets turned to red slop; grass grew on the sidewalks, the courthouse sagged in the square. Somehow, it was hotter then: a black dog suffered on a summer's day; bony mules hitched to Hoover carts flicked flies in the sweltering shade of the live oaks on the square. Men's stiff collars wilted by nine in the morning. Ladies bathed before noon, after their three-o'clock naps, and by nightfall were like soft teacakes with frostings of sweat and sweet talcum.  

People moved slowly then. They ambled across the square, shuffled in and out of the stores around it, took their time about everything. A day was twenty-four hours long but seemed longer. There was no hurry, for there was nowhere to go, nothing to buy and no money to buy it with, nothing to see outside the boundaries of Maycomb County. But it was a time of vague optimism for some of the people: Maycomb County had recently been told that it had nothing to fear but fear itself.

-- To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee

The "Great" Heatwave of 2011

It's 101 degrees right now in Forest Hills, for anyone keeping score...

3:45 pm UPDATE: Just had a momentary interruption of power in Forest Hills. But it quickly came back on.

Cool!

Sorry, but I am a huge fan of the books and this was just unveiled so I cannot resist sharing it. If it scares you all I will take it down.

Breaking Blockbuster News!

.... although perhaps not the kind anyone expected. It appears our famed Restaurant Row street is getting a.... drumroll please...... Charles Schwab. So, after having a delicious meal you can now go and do some investing. Or perhaps the restaurants can now co-brand themselves with Chuck and offer "investment specials" for lunch or something. In any case, the really big news here is that my dreams of a Shake Shack replacing the Blockbuster video location have been dashed by Wall St.

Lulu's Boutique Closes

I don't know much about this retailer on Austin, but it certainly looked cute as a button. Does anyone know when this store closed? Has it been a long time and us males just didn't notice til now?

La Boulangerie Coverage

Boy oh boy, Forest Hills' new French bakery La Boulangerie is really racking up the coverage!

Here's how they handled the opening at the Edible Queens Blog: La Boulangerie Brings a Taste of France to Forest Hills "Crunchy on the outside," Edible Queens says, "with the flaky crust giving way to a buttery interior this croissant is surely the finest to ever be made in Forest Hills."

And here's a review from Eatery Row: Forest Hills "Should any of you readers ever ask yourself "why does Manhattan get all the Le Pain Quotidien's?" you need hunger for one no longer. Now, we have one."

And Jon ends his review by saying: "It's a relaxing place where you can go, have an espresso, read the Times, and smile in the knowledge that Forest Hills is finally becoming a little more refined."