Thursday, March 26, 2015

Free Event at OvoSodo Tonight

Forest Hills' Ovo Sodo Bistro will be hosting an event for The Windsor School on Thursday, March 26 from 6-9:00pm.  The school, located in Flushing, will have an art gallery set up displaying pieces of art work from its Advanced Placement (AP) Studio and Portfolio Art students.  In addition to having art on display, the School will be answering parents’ questions regarding its Summer School and will be accepting registrations.  A $50 per class discount will be given for those registering at the event.  Ovo Sodo Bistro will be providing hors d’oeuvres and beverages throughout the event.  
  

The Windsor School is a private middle and high school which opened in 1969.  The school enrolls both local and international students, in grades 7-12, during the regular school year.  What makes the school unique is it offers small class size, many Advanced Placement (AP) classes and a one-hundred percent graduation rate with students being accepted to top American colleges and universities. 

The Windsor School competes annually in the NYS Mathematics League Competition and has finished either first or second overall amongst over one hundred seventy-five participating high schools. 

What makes The Windsor School truly special is its acclaimed art department.  It offers a unique approach to the arts. Its students all receive individual attention from its talented director, Ms. Melissa Vassallo and work in a modern, professional and superbly equipped studio.  Students work in a variety of mediums and are encouraged to explore new techniques.  The Windsor School has a significant number of talented artists who participate in Required Art, Portfolio Art, AP Studio Art, Art Club and Yearbook.

Each summer, The Windsor School runs a highly successful Summer School for students in grades 7-12.  Most of its Summer School students reside in Suffolk County, Nassau County, and Queens.  Students attend the program to advance for credit, enrich in various subject areas or to improve a failing grade.  Students can take up to four classes for credit and can advance in two subject areas during our six-week program.  Credit earned from the Summer School is accepted by all public and private schools.  In addition, they offer PSAT/SAT Test Preparation classes in Critical Reading, Writing, and Math to prepare students for the SAT Test in the fall.

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Caffé Bene Skips Town

I thought this was interesting. A friend of mine noticed this sign right next to the Union Turnpike subway station across from Queens Borough Hall. Interesting because there was speculation that Caffé Bene had been planning to come to Forest Hills, with one location rumored to be where the new Dunkin' Donuts on Ascan eventually went in. Apparently, at least for now, they've skipped over us and are planning to open way further down Queens Blvd. in that rather sad stretch made even sadder by the fact that the only time I'm there is when I have to do Jury Duty. 


Now, depending on your point of view, this is either bad news, or good. Bad, because Caffé Bene is kind of an interesting chain of nice cafes that would've been nice in one of the many, many empty storefronts on Austin. I've been to one in Manhattan and found it intriguing, albeit a little odd, too.

Or maybe it's good news if you look at it from the perspective that Forest Hills is now home to an amazingly cute little independent coffee shop with excellent coffee and food—Red Pipe Organic Cafe, smack dab there in the middle of Austin St.—and I, for one am rooting for their success. Another coffee shop chain when we already have two (mini) Starbucks in Central FoHi and two Dunkin' Donuts, could very well be overkill and make life that much harder for little Red Pipe.

Monday, March 23, 2015

Reminder: Free Event at OvoSodo This Thursday

Forest Hills' Ovo Sodo Bistro will be hosting an event for The Windsor School on Thursday, March 26 from 6-9:00pm.  The school, located in Flushing, will have an art gallery set up displaying pieces of art work from its Advanced Placement (AP) Studio and Portfolio Art students.  In addition to having art on display, the School will be answering parents’ questions regarding its Summer School and will be accepting registrations.  A $50 per class discount will be given for those registering at the event.  Ovo Sodo Bistro will be providing hors d’oeuvres and beverages throughout the event.  
  

The Windsor School is a private middle and high school which opened in 1969.  The school enrolls both local and international students, in grades 7-12, during the regular school year.  What makes the school unique is it offers small class size, many Advanced Placement (AP) classes and a one-hundred percent graduation rate with students being accepted to top American colleges and universities. 

The Windsor School competes annually in the NYS Mathematics League Competition and has finished either first or second overall amongst over one hundred seventy-five participating high schools. 

What makes The Windsor School truly special is its acclaimed art department.  It offers a unique approach to the arts. Its students all receive individual attention from its talented director, Ms. Melissa Vassallo and work in a modern, professional and superbly equipped studio.  Students work in a variety of mediums and are encouraged to explore new techniques.  The Windsor School has a significant number of talented artists who participate in Required Art, Portfolio Art, AP Studio Art, Art Club and Yearbook.

Each summer, The Windsor School runs a highly successful Summer School for students in grades 7-12.  Most of its Summer School students reside in Suffolk County, Nassau County, and Queens.  Students attend the program to advance for credit, enrich in various subject areas or to improve a failing grade.  Students can take up to four classes for credit and can advance in two subject areas during our six-week program.  Credit earned from the Summer School is accepted by all public and private schools.  In addition, they offer PSAT/SAT Test Preparation classes in Critical Reading, Writing, and Math to prepare students for the SAT Test in the fall.

Saturday, March 21, 2015

A Snowy Start to Spring

Local photographer Yael Adas shot these photos of the Forest Park area during yesterday's first day of Spring snowstorm:










Monday, March 16, 2015

Rethinking Passover Event at the Central Queens Y, Forest Hills


More Photos of The Americans Filming in Station Square

More from Friday night's shoot. Thanks to Brian for sending these in:





Three Penny Opera at Queens College

A great musical at affordable prices!

Three Penny Opera, a  Brecht/Weill Musical opens this week.  FULL ORCHESTRA.

 $16 general admission, $10 for seniors!

It is being presented at Queens College.   All details at this website


P.S. 144 Auction March 28th

P.S. 144 is inviting the community to their fundraising auction on Saturday, March 28. Come support our local businesses! You can win many silent auction items, participate in the Grand Raffle which includes tickets to Walt Disney World and The Who concert at Forest Hills Stadium as well as other smaller raffles—all while supporting a local neighborhood school. 
 
Please visit www.charityauctionorganizer.com/auction/PS144  for more information or email pa144auction@gmail.com with any questions. Hope to see you there.

Highlights include:
  • One-of-a-kind drawing of Batman visiting Forest Hills by local Marvel artist
  • Hotels in Manhattan, White Plains and St. Martin
  • An overnight stay at Oheka Castle
  • VIP Governor's Ball Tickets
  • VIP Tickets to Hampton Classic Horse Show
  • Mamma Mia tickets and backstage tour
  • Santana Concert Tickets
  • A Day with Queens Borough President Melinda Katz

Saturday, March 14, 2015

The Hit TV Show The Americans Films in Forest Hills

Thanks to Pat Lannan for these great shots from last night's filming in Station Square of the FX show The Americans:






And thanks to Jayne for sending in this photo taken earlier in the day:


And to Josh for sending in this one as they started to set up earlier in the evening:

Friday, March 13, 2015

The Americans Filming in Forest Hills

No idea when this is happening. Or if it already did? But saw this all over 71st Road this afternoon. Anyone know? If anyone takes any photos of the shoot, please email them to: edgeofthecity@gmail.com. Thanks!


Some Law & Order for Parkway Hospital

Maybe not the kind of publicity our neighborhood would desire, but as they say, 'there's no such thing as bad!' Anyway, Forest Hills' abandoned Parkway Hospital was used as the location for the secret lair in a recent episode of the hit show Law & Order SVU (I do so resist writing Law & Order SUV every single time, which would be an interesting show indeed.)
Thanks to Andy for sending in the pic!


More Information: Queens International Night Market


Since so many readers have expressed an interest in the proposed Queens International Night Market here's some more information:

Night markets have long been popular in parts of Asia, Latin America, Africa, and Europe and have been successfully emerging in many North American cities recently. The Queens International Night Market will be a gateway for exploring the many cultures of the City’s (and the world’s) most diverse borough. Over a hundred vendors will offer foods, art, handicrafts and other merchandise.  A small performance space will feature dance and music inspired by cultures found throughout the City.

Attracting great vendors who can share culturally authentic food, art, and other products is a key goal for the market. In order to accomplish this, rather than profiting off of vendor fees, the market’s organizers hope to subsidize vendors fees by using  money raised through Kickstarter, and eventually through sponsorships, to offset the costs of renting a venue and paying for permits, insurance, electricity and other services.

Backers who contribute to the Kickstarter campaign can choose from among rewards such as food vouchers, t-shirts and tote bags with the market’s logo, recognition as sponsors and much more. And they’ll know that each contribution is helping small vendors share their passions and stories with the public.

John Wang is a former lawyer turned social entrepreneur who’s spearheading the Queens International Night Market. He grew up visiting night markets on family trips to Asia and says, “Whenever I travel, seeking out local markets is the first thing I do upon arriving, and the last thing I do before leaving. It’s my favorite way to experience culture.”

For more information about the Queens Night Market, visit www.QueensNightMarket.com

SummerStage Celebrates 30th Anniversary Season

The non-profit City Parks Foundation’s famed SummerStage performing arts festival is celebrating its 30th anniversary season in 2015.  To get fans pumped for the summer and to shake off a case of the late winter blues, SummerStage will leak the names of 30 artists performing at the citywide festival starting on March 9th. One artist will be announced daily over the course of 30 days, culminating in the full season announcement on April 8th

To stay up to date on the artists being announced, follow SummerStage via the below links and visit www.SummerStage.org for festival information.
Twitter:            @SummerStage Facebook:       www.facebook.com/summerstagenyc Instagram:      http://instagram.com/summerstagenyc
 

Book Signing by Local Author Aida Zilelian

Aida Zilelian's breathtaking debut novel, The Legacy of Lost Things, follows three generations of a family of Armenian immigrants living in the United States, as they struggle with one another and against the Old World expectations of their community. When Araxi, the oldest daughter of the desperately unhappy Levon and Tamar, goes missing, the remaining family members are forced to confront their painful histories together, and the role each of them has played in driving Araxi away.
Through Araxi and her family, readers are given a unique look at the generational and cultural tensions that both keep families together and tear them apart. Using spare, poignant prose, Zilelian deftly explores the themes of romance, duty, infidelity and guilt. Because of the mature content, this book is intended for adult and young adult audiences.

Author Aida Zilelian will hold a reading and signing of her book on Friday, March 27th 7 p.m. Barnes & Noble, Austin St., Forest Hills

Local Wine Tasting at The Wine Room of Forest Hills


PS 101 Auction

PS 101 is having a fundraising auction this Saturday. You can also bid on local items online.

PS 1010 Spring Auction

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Queens International Night Market Seeks Support

A kickstarter campaign has been created to bring a Queens International Night Market to NYC.

Here's some more information:

Night Markets are all over Asia, in parts of Africa, Latin America, and Western Europe. They are increasingly and successfully popping up in North American cities, including LA, San Francisco, San Diego, Chicago, Philadelphia, Vancouver, and Toronto.
It’s about time NYC got its own night market!


What: The Queens International Night Market will be a large, family-friendly open-air night market in Queens, featuring over 100 independent vendors selling merchandise, art, and food and featuring small-scale cultural performances and entertainment, all celebrating the rich cultural diversity and heritage of NYC and Queens.
When: Saturdays, 6PM-Midnight, from April to October 2015.
Where: Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens – Ideally at the New York Hall of Science for most Saturdays.
Visitors: We will attract thousands of visitors of all ages and demographics and provide them the opportunity to shop, eat and, most importantly, meet members of the community, hear their stories, and learn about their heritage and cultural influences, as represented by their art, merchandise, or food.