Saturday, July 30, 2016

Restaurant Quickie Review (from a reader)

Got this in the inbox:

Matiz latin cuisine
"This place is lively, the staff is friendly and the passion margaritas are to die for."

Personally, I haven't tried it yet...

From Crepe to Crepe

For all those readers wondering why we can't just get another high-quality takeout place that makes normal awesome sandwiches, I so hear your pain. 

Why do all the takeout places that have been opening lately have to be so overly indulgent? What do they all think of us? That we're just a bunch of slobs? Is a place that just makes incredibly delicious, high-quality ingredient takeout sandwiches beyond our reach in Forest Hills?

Anyway, the Bubble Crepe place in the "Austin Street Mall Complex" is being replaced by... wait for it... another Crepe place. Hip, hip, hooray. I can't remember the last time I had a crepe.. and I don't stay up all night thinking about how much I'm looking forward to my next one, to tell you the truth. (I do stay up all night thinking about Nazi America Under Trump, though.)


Chris Stapleton Concert Pic

Thanks to David for sending in this shot of the Chris Stapleton concert held at Forest Hills Stadium last Saturday, July 23rd, along with some commentary:

"Saw Chris Stapleton last night.  Great concert.  Seats along the top sides of the stadium were not sold, but still a fairly large crowd.  Audience skewed older than the Zac Brown crowd if that's a fair country comparison to make, which it's not."



Uncocooned!

A reader was so overjoyed that the seemingly-eternal eyesore of scaffolding was finally down on this building across from the church on Austin St.—which by the way has obstructed one of our best local eateries, La Boulangerie, for like, ever, and also the delightful new restaurant Rove since it opened—that he sent me a photo of it finally uncocooned! There really should be some type of City Law as to how long a building can keep scaffolding up for. It's a quality of life issue. Maybe not on par with others, like noise and air pollution, but still....



E Train Plan Takes it From Forest Hills, Gives it to Brooklyn


This idea is quite disturbing, arrogant, and obnoxious, and has the potential to be a huge clusterfuck for us. 

From a reader:
I think this article that was featured on Gothamist yesterday is EXTREMELY relevant to us in FH.

Can An E Train Extension Mitigate The Coming L Train Shutdown Hell?  
I'm sure other members of the community would appreciate if you talked about this in some way... I know that it is just a proposal now, but it could potentially take away our access to the E train (not to mention, one less way for ALL New Yorkers to get to the airport).

Personally, I think it's important for members of our community to be aware that this could end up as a possibility, and we need to be prepared to fight tooth and nail against it. At very least, right now we should be voicing our displeasure so that the MTA knows this plan would come at the expense of our community. 
I don't want FH residents to be surprised if this becomes a possibility. I want to make sure we are prepared to fight it. I hope you will spread the message.

Making Progress

Apparently those tree pits in front of Target have been partially cleared to make way for.... wait for it.... trees! Making progress! So our complaints have worked. Your voices are being heard by the powers that be. Keep it up readers!

.... and after



Before....

Forest Hills Stadium Concert Update

Apparently, the new City Winery Music Festival, the two day food and wine and music event that was to be held at the Stadium in September, is now being planned for next year. Aretha Franklin and Sheryl Crow were to perform.

But there's some other news as well that may have slipped through the cracks for some readers. Bette Midler will be performing at the Stadium on October 8th at the:


By the way, I took my summer vacation recently and then had to catch up on other stuff since I've been back so haven't had a chance to do my usual concert photo posts. I think I missed in there Louis C.K., for instance. If anyone took any photos of him at the event please email them to me at edgeofthecity@gmail.com

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

New Music Festival Coming to Forest Hills: Aretha Franklin to Perform

I tweeted this a few days ago, but I think many folks in the area may have missed this exciting news:

City Winery is entering the festival circuit. The downtown Manhattan venue will present City Winery Open, a two-day music, food and wine festival featuring Aretha Franklin and Sheryl Crow, at Forest Hills Stadium Sept. 17-18.  

Monday, July 25, 2016

Forest Hills Target Opens

So our Target opened early—and while I was out of town—but I had the chance to check it out over the weekend. I know readers have already begun commenting about it, so here's my own take. I think it's great to have the new Target store within walking distance. Yes, I agree, they need to fine tune some of what they carry a bit better to our neighborhood, but for now, I'll take it! No more schlepping onto the R train for my cheap supersize boxes of toilet paper and garbage bags anymore. And... I can pick up my printer paper at the same time, and cheap picture frames! The list goes on and on... it is just a great addition that really enhances the shopping available within walking distance in our neighborhood. And that is how it should be. This is New York City. You shouldn't have to jump into a car—especially if you don't own one, like myself—to have access to the larger and cheaper sizes that a major retailer like Target offers.

I'd love it if they added an aisle for books since we lost that when they took over the Barnes & Noble space. In fact, one friend of mine suggests they do away with the clothing altogether and use that space for other stuff we need more of here in the Hills.

I personally love the grocery section as well. It immediately surpasses some of the other supermarkets in our area in terms of cleanliness, quality and product selection (love their private label organics, for instance.)

So, there you have my take on it. What do you think? Here's some pics I took. And, by the way, I absolutely love the renovated Starbucks there as well.

By the way, before anyone complains about the fact that they took over Barnes & Noble, I know some folks are actively trying to open a small neighborhood bookshop somewhere in our area. If they don't manage to do it, someone else will soon. There's a huge market for real books in Forest Hills. HUGE! And someone will take over one of the available smaller spaces on Austin or Queens Blvd. or one of the nearby side streets soon to fill it.

The new Target has brought the pedestrian traffic, and with it the need for a traffic cop
The new Target's grocery section, strategically located on the second floor so you have plenty of chance to impulse buy along the way!
The inside of the renovated Starbucks

Sunday, July 24, 2016

Introducing Edge of the City Unfiltered

I started a new area of the blog that is totally unfiltered, unmoderated and unedited. I thought since many readers of the blog are quite opinionated about what's going on in the neighborhood they might appreciate a place to express themselves more openly and also to start their own topics for discussion. If you see something going on in the neighborhood that you just really want to discuss with others, this is the place to do it (and you can always email me about it, too, of course, at edgeofthecity@gmail.com, like many of you already do!) This new message board area won't be for everyone, but hopefully it will serve as an interesting and unique companion to Edge of the City blog.

You can find it at the following link, or via the blog's Top Menu: Edge of the City Unfiltered

Let me know how you like this new feature, if you find it easy to use, or have any problems with it, by commenting below or by emailing me at edgeofthecity@gmail.com 

Sunday, July 17, 2016

New Paul Simon Pic

Thanks to Ellen for the photo. If you've been to any other Forest Hills Stadium concerts this summer and want me to post them, please email to edgeofthecity@gmail.com Thanks


Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Another Hair Salon for Austin St.

The former Brownies & Cream space has been unoccupied it seems like forever. Well, not for long! Another hair salon is coming soon! Thanks to Karen for sending in the news, and pic. Now, whether we need another hair salon in The Hills is a question I leave up to you guys...


Bob Dylan Concert Photos

These are courtesy of Cher (EOTC reader, not the other one.) If anyone has any close-up shots of Bob from his show here in The Hills, please email them to edgeofthecity@gmail.com



Paul Simon Concert Photos

A bit late, sorry. These are courtesy of Greg. If anyone has some closer up shots of Paul Simon from either night, please email them in to edgeofthecity@gmail.com






Some More NY Pops Concert Pics

Thanks to Ari S. for sending these in via the blog's Facebook page...






Friday, July 8, 2016

New York Pops at Forest Hills Stadium with Matthew Morrison and Megan Hilty

Here are some photos from last night's show. Like last year, it was fantastic, mixing some classical American songs like "Take the A Train," and "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend," with some more modern Broadway hits from shows like "Finding Neverland" and "Hairspray." Matthew Morrison and Megan Hilty lended their star power to the incredible talent of the Pops orchestra. As Pops Conductor Steve Reineke remarked, there were more people at the concert this year than last, so it seems word of their new summer home here in Forest Hills is growing and they are becoming a local favorite!





Forest Hills Stadium's Secret VIP Rooms

This is really cool: The best concert seat in NYC is inside this porta-potty

There is no amount of names you can drop, palms you can grease or cleavage you can show that will get you into the strangest VIP room in New York City. The only key you need for this secret spot in Forest Hills Stadium is a 9-volt battery — and the ability to act like you need to go … to the bathroom.


Needless to say, "I want in!"

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Dunkin' Donuts Backlash

What is going on in Forest Hills? I personally have had my experience with snarky, bigoted checkout people at stores like Key Food (years ago), and, much to my disappointment more recently, even our new Shake Shack. After the Dolly Parton concert some of the Shake Shack staff at checkout were whispering and smirking to one another about the appearance of some of the customers waiting on line who seemed to be celebrating Dolly and the upcoming Gay Pride Day. I came very close to telling them off.

And then, there's this:

Dunkin’ Donuts Facing Backlash After Worker Ridiculed Chinese Customer’s Accent


There have been other incidents, such as the infamous Lesbian Sizzler Takedown on Metropolitan Avenue which cemented that area's reputation for being stuck in 1955—for a while at least.

Queens has a reputation for being one of the boroughs that's more conservative than its big brother borough to the west. I blame these incidents on very provincial pockets with some folks who barely ever get out of their neighborhoods in this part of the city to meet people who are different from them. Sad. They're only cheating themselves and missing out on making friends with some truly wonderful people.

Target Date


Still Celebrating!

It's the Fourth of July the entire week here at EOTC. Thanks to David for sending in this fabulous pic of the fireworks, taken from his building


The New York Pops Return to Forest Hills Stadium This Thursday!

With special guests Matthew Morrison and Megan Hilty. If you haven't seen the Pops before, give them a try. I went last year and had an awesome time. It's a really fun way to kick off the summer! Tickets are available at the Stadium website.

Check out what happened at last year's second Pops show. You never quite know what's going to happen at a Pops performance and that's what makes it so much fun.


For those who haven't seen them before, The New York Pops is the largest independent pops orchestra in the United States, and the only professional symphonic orchestra in New York City specializing in popular music. Under the leadership of dynamic Music Director and Conductor Steven Reineke, The New York Pops continues to re-imagine orchestral pops music. The orchestra performs an annual subscription series and birthday gala at Carnegie Hall. The New York Pops is dedicated to lifelong learning, and collaborates with public schools, community organizations, children’s hospitals and senior centers throughout the five boroughs of New York City. PopsEd allows thousands of New Yorkers of all ages and backgrounds to participate in fully customizable music programs that blend traditional education with pure fun. Visit www.newyorkpops.org for more information. Follow The New York Pops on Facebook (facebook.com/newyorkpops), Instagram (@thenewyorkpops), and Twitter (@newyorkpops).