Forest Hills Gardens in Springtime

Sorry for the delay in posting. Let's just say the past couple of months have not been fun, but, thankfully, we're back. What better way to resume the blog--especially during these awful times--than with some pretty pics. Thanks to reader Tommy who took these during a recent stroll through the Gardens...

Two Upcoming Local Concerts

Forest Hills Ghosts

Ran into a couple of local, politically-active ghosts on Burns St. tonight...

Trees!

I walked down to Metropolitan to see a movie yesterday and on the way back shot these pics of some of the gorgeous trees in the Gardens and nearby. The time of day and the less humid air that filtered into the area late yesterday had the sun highlighting them magnificently. Too often we forget to stop and really notice the simple beautiful things that are all around us. Luckily, those of use who live in and near Forest Hills have this magnificent landscape to appreciate.

Spring in Forest Hills Gardens

Some more lovely Springtime photos from local photographer Yael Adas. Enjoy!

More Forest Hills Spring Scenes

All photos courtesy of local Forest Hills photographer Yael Adas.

Spring in Forest Hills Gardens

Filming in The Gardens Tonight

Thanks to Patrick for sending in this cool shot of some filming in The Gardens tonight on Greenway North just east of Ascan. He says it looked like a large production. There was a large food truck and several trailers along the greenway. All I heard is that Elementary was filming around there this week, and also maybe Blue Bloods? Anyone know anything else?

More on Overnight Ruckus

Based on this report on DNAinfo it appears that all of the commotion that awoke residents early Thursday morning near Metropolitan Avenue, with police helicopters, etc. was probably about the burglaries of these two businesses and not about a robbery at the Chase Bank as some readers had suspected:  Two Forest Hills Restaurants Burglarized on the Same Night Still a mystery is what caused the overturned car nearby that night as well.

In any case, these break-ins on Metropolitan Ave. reveal a crime wave in the portion of Forest Hills between Austin Street and Metropolitan Ave. that unfortunately continues...

Kubrick Film Shoot Photos

Some pics sent in to me of the film being shot in the Gardens yesterday. The movie is about the life of legendary director Stanley Kubrick. You can find more info about the film, and the future plans for the Tea Garden where it is being filmed, on DNAinfo.com:
Century-Old Hidden Forest Hills Garden Gets Spruced Up For Movie Shoot

Actress Bella Heathcote at yesterday's shoot in The Gardens.

Mumford & Sons to Play Forest Hills August 28th !

I bet it's been a long time since most of the old-timers reading this blog have read a headline like that! But yes, apparently the folks at the West Side Tennis Club have been hard at work restoring the Forest Hills Tennis Stadium and The New York Times is reporting this morning:

At 90, a Queens Stadium Is Poised for a Comeback

"Club officials and a promoter have an agreement to hold 19 concerts over the next three years....
A new entrance will be created away from residential blocks, and there will be a curfew of about 10 p.m., Mr. Luba said, adding that for the August show all tickets would be general admission and would cost $70. He hopes to attract 16,500 people."

Mr. Luba, who scouts and prepares unconventional concert sites for the band, said he took the members of Mumford & Sons on a tour of the stadium, “and they just fell in love with it."

Now I just need to score me some tickets! Here's a link to info on how to get tickets:

US TOUR ANNOUNCEMENT: THE FULL ENGLISH TOUR & RESCHEDULED DATE

Rumors and Happenings

Just a few tidbits people have either commented about, or I've seen. Various rumors and possibilities and stuff still to be sorted out:

1) Very surprised to hear that Moca Asian Bistro on Restaurant Row was shut down by the health department recently. I have been leaning towards Jade recently for my Asian fusion fare, but this was always a close second. I especially liked their boneless bbq spare ribs. They even made it onto my Recommended Restaurants list. Hopefully, they'll reopen.

2) And while I'm on Restaurant Row, hard to believe that someone hasn't snatched up the former Liang's space there. I mean if you are anyone who wants to own a restaurant, it's one of the best locations in Forest Hills, possibly all of Queens. Thousands of people come to that street every weekend to eat from all over the Borough, Long Island, and the rest of the City. Hard to see how a good restaurant wouldn't thrive big-time in that location.

3) A couple of things from comments here: a) Apple store is the rumor that refuses to die. The latest had it going into the Men's Warehouse location on Austin, and b) Lucille Roberts will be closing. Can't vouch for either of those, just telling you what others have commented about here in the past couple of months. By the way, how much longer do you think Barnes & Noble has? I used to love browsing in there, but have to admit I haven't done so in months since I've gotten my Kindle. I now browse electronically, virtually, whatever.

4) Crimes in The Gardens. A friend sent me some photos this morning of a beautiful new car stripped apparently overnight of all its tires. I'm not posting the pics because I don't want to invade the victim's privacy. But what chutzpah these thieves have, so brazen. The car in the photo is clumsily lifted up off the street by pieces of wood, quite precariously by the way.

A Day in the Country

Actually, all these photos were taken today right here in Forest Hills, along Greenway Terrace in the Gardens.

Their Fault, or Ours?

Here's a link to a great article about how the new Spiderman movie's promotional campaign completely ignores Queens, and especially Forest Hills, where Spiderman (Peter Parker) lived in the comic books. I, for one, didn't even realize that the house where he grew up in is a real address, as pointed out by the article: 20 Ingram St., right off of Ascan in the Gardens.

Now, I ask you, is it the producers' of the film's fault for ignoring us, or is it our fault for allowing them to? I also ask you, do you care one way or the other? Do you want any publicity for your 'hood from this movie?

By the way, the original Spiderman movie, with Tobey Maguire, did not ignore us at all - but shot a pivotal scene right here on Austin St. and Ascan. They were pretty loyal to the story given that his original home was just down the road!

Check out this clip at 2:38. See anything familiar?

Local School in the News

From The NY Times:

Parent Complains of Bias in Sixth-Grade Lesson

It was supposed to be a special learning opportunity for the sixth graders at Public School 101 School in the Gardens in Forest Hills, Queens. A popular second-grade teacher was invited to their social studies class to give a lecture about Israel, as part of a unit on the Middle East. ...

Remembering Geraldine Ferraro

Former Forest Hills Gardens resident and political trailblazer Geraldine Ferraro has died at the age of 75, after a 12-year battle with cancer. Here's a really good interview with her and recap of her life that the Times did:

The Last Word    In 1984, Geraldine A. Ferraro became the first woman nominated for national office by a major party.

Forest Hills Gardens on HBO

Remember when they were filming in The Gardens some scenes for that remake of Mildred Pierce, this time with Kate Winslet instead of Joan Crawford?

Well, a date for the miniseries to air has been set: March 27th.

Here's a link to the website: HBO Mildred Piece - A Five-Part Miniseries Coming March 2011!