Neil deGrasse Tyson at The Who Concert

It looks like the stars aligned for me to see one of my favorite people enjoying a few hours in Forest Hills Saturday night! A huge thanks to David for the photo.  I'd rank this as definitely one of my favorite photos of any I have ever posted on this blog.

Live Long and Prosper Mr. Spock

I am so sad to hear about the passing of Leonard Nimoy, such a part of my childhood and a hero of mine throughout my life, not only because of his iconic character, but because of how he lived his own life. In recent years, as he struggled with COPD, he tried his hardest to get the message out about the dangers of smoking.  An actor who embodied intellect, and a truly great man who will be missed.

Live long and prosper Mr. Spock ...

Signing & Presentation at Barnes & Noble To Launch New Book on Forest Hills & Rego Park Notables

Local author Michael Perlman

Introducing "Legendary Locals of Forest Hills and Rego Park," a new 128-page book written by native Forest Hills resident and preservationist Michael H. Perlman and published by Arcadia Publishing. On March 6, 2015 at 7 PM, Perlman will conduct a book signing, presentation, and question and answer session at Barnes & Noble at 70-00 Austin Street in Forest Hills. Readers will discover the unique stories of over 200 Forest Hills and Rego Park notables including celebrities, who have shaped its culture and history, and may have impacted society. 

“My book features an array of quotes from notables including celebrities, as well as descendants of notables, which grants an eternal presence to their voice,” said Perlman. “The average individual that I encounter is unaware of the heavily concentrated quantity of celebrities whose lives were influenced as a result of living or working in Forest Hills or Rego Park, where its historic surroundings are a breeding ground for culture, the arts, and various trades.”  

A diverse showcase will offer insight on musicians, actors, artists, sports figures, politicians, farmers, architects, developers, inventors, philanthropists, and longtime business owners. Wherever possible, home addresses are featured. Notables include Jerry Springer (wrote the book’s foreword), Helen Keller, Carol Channing, Ray Romano, Burt Bacharach, Stevie Wonder, Sid Caesar, Carroll O’Connor, Donna Karan, Geraldine Ferraro, Grosvenor Atterbury and Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr, Philip Birnbaum, Ascan Backus, Walter Dorwin Teague, Simon & Garfunkel, the Ramones, Dale Carnegie, Malthe Hasselriis, sisters Gypsy Rose Lee and June Havoc, Dennis Tito, Bob Keeshan (“Captain Kangaroo”), John Beltzer, Doug Leblang, and Michael Chaut.     

 Also featured are several community destinations, which are associated with the appearances of notables. Some “landmarks” are the Forest Hills Gardens, Forest Hills Tennis Stadium, the Midway and Trylon theatres, Eddie’s Sweet Shop, Knish Nosh, Ben’s Best Delicatessen, and the former Fairyland Amusement Park, Hamburger Train, and Boulevard Tavern and Stratton entertainment venues.  

Michael H. Perlman is a writer, news columnist, editor, and public relations consultant. He is chairman of Rego-Forest Preservation Council and a recipient of the Historic District Council's 2014 Grassroots Preservation Award. His pursuits range from singing in Carnegie Hall to photography, graphic design, and tree giveaway events.

Perlman stated, “I hope my readers will explore the historic neighborhoods of Forest Hills (1906) and Rego Park (1923), as well as acquire an interest in their neighborhood’s history. I envision a greater audience feeling inspired by the accomplishments of their past and present neighbors to become notables on either a personal level or in their community or society.” 

For more information, visit and “Like” his Facebook page or the Barnes and Noble events page  

Rest in Peace Joan

Everyone has certain entertainers who have been with them virtually their whole lives, as long as they can remember. For me, Robin Williams was one of them. And Joan Rivers was another.

One of my earliest memories of Joan Rivers was as the narrator of The Adventures of Letterman on PBS' The Electric Company when I was a just a little kid. I still remember that wonderful voice from way back then! In recent years, while she was a bit controversial (some couldn't find the humor in her brand of comedy), she was also a very progressive and charitable lady, as I tweeted a week ago.

Rest in Peace Joan, you brought a lot of laughter to the world.

James Spader Show The Blacklist Filming in Forest Hills Tomorrow

Rest in Peace Harold

Patrick Stewart Eating Pizza

He tweeted it, announcing "My first ever pizza "slice". Please note: the authentic NY fold."

 Just sharing for no other reason than I just love the guy!  And it's a great picture :)

Remembering Nora Ephron

Truly one of the great modern comedic writers and film directors has passed... She will be missed!

More on Middle Eastern Restaurant

I just found out that this may be more of a hookah-type bar than a restaurant, or a mix of the two. Needless to say, if it is mostly a hookah lounge with just some food to go along with it, I am really bummed! I don't think I have ever been in a hookah lounge, or if I was it was a long time ago and I don't remember. But I was really hoping this would be a regular Middle Eastern restaurant. What I'm told is it will serve some food, but will also be a lounge-type establishment.

This news, coming right after the opening of that small trinket, novelty store down on Austin (near Ascan), has me in a frustrated mood! The new little store doesn't seem to fit in that area. If anything I can maybe see it in the Austin St. Mall on the western end of Austin, not east, where newer upscale places like La Boulangerie and Emily's Sugar Rush have recently really increased our expectations for some newer fine businesses.

Now, I just want to stress that I have not confirmed with the owner that the Middle Eastern establishment will be a hookah lounge -- or to what extent it will be mixed with a restaurant. But the person I spoke to is definitely in the know and said it will be a lounge that also serves food, so that's what I'm going on. For all I know, it might be a great place, possibly with a separate area for eating. I just don't know.

Taiwan's First Lady Visits Forest Hills

This was kept rather quiet... it's the first I heard of it... Taiwan's first lady tells stories to children in New York

New York, Oct. 13 (CNA) Taiwan's first lady Chow Mei-ching told stories about the Chinese Zodiac and a folktale to children at a library in the borough of Queens in New York Thursday, and showed them how to find out their personal zodiac signs. Telling stories to children has become one of Chow's favorite activities during visits to foreign countries. In New York, where she arrived the previous day for a five-day visit, the wife of President Ma Ying-jeou made no exception. At the library in Forest Hills, Chow introduced how the Chinese zodiac was formed. To attract the kids to pay attention, she also taught them how to fold an origami mouse, the first of the 12 animals of the zodiac.

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...

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