Foodtown Intervention

INT. HOTEL CONFERENCE ROOM - MORNING

CLAIRE DEVERON, witty and poised and looking much younger than her 30-odd years, unfolds a crumpled piece of yellow legal paper. WESLEY DUMONT gives her hand a manful, sexy squeeze as she blinks back tears. In the corner, interventionist JEFF VAN VONDEREN nods his wise head.

JEFF
Go ahead. Foodtown needs to hear this.

CLAIRE
(clears throat)
This is hard.

Okay.

Dear Foodtown:

I want to start by telling you how important you are in my life You are more than just a little grocery store. You are the closest grocery store for those of us who live on the south side. You have a decent rewards program that netted me a blender and a bubbling foot spa.

We have had so many happy times, like the time I discovered you stocked quinoa. And even just the other day I saw that you are stocking all kinds of natural home products to go with the organic and natural snacks and desserts. Brands I only thought I'd find on the internet, or in Manhattan.

But it's no longer enough, Foodtown. Just because you have Fig Newmans and Manhattan Special doesn't mean it's okay for your produce to have fruit flies, your eggs to be cracked, and your dairy expired. I will no longer sit by and let you ruin your life.

Won't you please accept this help that's being offered today?

Safer Queens Blvd Press Conference

WHEN: Sunday 7/27 12pm
WHERE: Queens Blvd and 55th Rd at Asif Rahman's Ghost Bike
WHY: To make Queens Blvd safer for pedestrians and cyclists

Transportation Alternatives is joining Councilmember Jim Gennaro and other elected officials to call for a physically separated bike lane and pedestrian improvements along the length of Queens Blvd. Ped improvements include, but are not limited to, increasing pedestrian crossing times or even leading pedestrian intervals (LPI), mid block crossing and reducing turning conflicts between cars and people. This is going to be a huge iniative and I'm glad to see TA take the ball and run with it so quickly. Also thanks go out to CM Gennaro for having the foresight to support a measure like this. Although Queens Blvd does not run through his district, Asif Rahman the young man who was struck and killed awhile riding along Queens Blvd lived in his district, and the Councilman is answering pleas from Asif's mother Lizi to do something about Queens Blvd.

Doggie Meetup at Nourish--Wednesday

Wednesday, July 23, 6 - 8pm
Nourish NYC
43-15 Queens Blvd.
Sunnyside, NY 11104

FREE TREATS!

Stop by on your evening dog walk. and learn about healthy options for your dog - and yourself! Enjoy the garden, relax with other dog owners.

- Receive a Free Pet Newsletter
- Free Dog Treats
- Check out our new healthy pet products.

See you on Wednesday!

Angry Young Man Tells Foodtown What's What

From Brendan, an old man trapped in the body of a 32-year-old:

Hi there,

I feel compelled to write you again about the poor quality of staff and store! I no longer buy vegetables from Foodtown because of the rotten tomatoes with fruit flies all around. Your vegetable section is TERRIBLE. I worry that yogurt is spoiled, frozen food freezer burned, condiments gone bad. Every single time, right near the store entrance, fruit flies, really? Yikes, does no one working there notice or care?

Second, your teenage staff is running the place into the ground, spending more time schmoozing and rolling eyes than actually doing their jobs. Last night, I made my way to the store to attempt to buy kitty litter. I rushed to the store to get there before the 9 pm closing time (all the way from Elmhurst on the bus). When I arrived at 8:45 (just to buy kitty litter mind you), the door was locked. I waited until someone left the store and entered through the exit, where a snotty staff member told me it was already 9. I noted, "No, it is not" and then she insisted they close the store at 8:45. I again noted, no you don't, you close at 9, as posted at the door. Then she finally said, "We close 15 minutes early to get everyone out by 9." I wonder what good are store hours? I got out of there faster than people in the store before me since I was buying TWO items.

I only go to your "store" these days to buy kitty litter; your prices aren't any better than Associated or Key Food, your better maintained neighbors in the neighborhood. I can't help but wonder what sort of health code violations are occurring every day at your store, and have considered calling the health department.

May I recommend you hire better staff? Not the kids that run around acting childlike, but rather actual adults with a sense of responsibility? You should train your staff on customer service, so I don't feel enraged every time I go to your run-down store! You need to closely monitor food quality, because if I see one more spoiled tomato or another expired condiment I will contact the health department!

Note to management, you give Foodtown a bad name, and I wonder how much more the fine people of Sunnyside are willing to put up with this nonsense? I imagine you don't want a boycott organized against your store, so I recommend making significant changes.

Thank you,

Brendan

Free Film on the Water

Socrates Sculpture Park has free movies - and some really nice ones over the next three showings.

http://www.socratessculpturepark.org/Film_Series/Film_Festival.htm

JULY 23

CHOP SHOP - UNITED STATES

Introduction by the director.

2007, 84 mins. Directed by Ramin Bahrani. With Alejandro Polanco, Isamar Gonzalez. A deeply affecting slice of urban neorealism, this Queens-made film, set in the Willets Point “Iron Triangle” near Shea Stadium, follows a 12-year-old orphan who ekes out an existence with his teenaged sister.

PERFORMANCE: A mix of folk, rock, country and jazz, The Robe Crowe Situation will perform a blend of music and poetry.

FOOD: Homestyle American cooking by Josephine’s Soul Food Café in Queens

JULY 30

THE HOST - SOUTH KOREA

2006, 119 mins. Directed by Bong Joon-ho. With Song Kang-ho, Bae Doo-na. This satirical monster/horror movie about a rampaging mutant lizard that captures a young girl, The Host is Korea's biggest box-office hit to date. It is great fun and a timely spoof of rampant militarism and environmental recklessness.

PERFORMANCE: Song Hee Lee Dance Company

FOOD: Korean cuisine by Go Wasabi, Astoria

AUGUST 6

THE RED BALLOON - FRANCE

1956, 34 mins. Directed by Albert Lamorisse. A young boy and a red balloon wander through the streets of Paris in The Red Balloon, one of the most beloved children’s films ever made.

PERSEPOLIS - FRANCE

2007, 95 mins. Directed by Vincent Paronnaud and Marjane Satrapi. Persepolis is a coming-of-age tale about an Iranian girl’s struggles with love, religion, and politics, based on Marjane Satrapi’s popular graphic novel/memoir.

PERFORMANCE: The "lush and sinfully beautiful" sounds of Clare and The Reasons.

FOOD: French fusion cuisine by the French Café Bistro, 718 Restaurant in Astoria

Gunshots on 50th between Skillman & 43rd

If you’ve been alarmed by the gang activity in front of our building the last several weeks, including:

• The setting off of fireworks and potentially firearms

• Yelling and screaming in the middle of the night

• Fighting with baseball bats

• Drug dealing and use

• Drinking alcohol in public

• Throwing of beer bottles at our building

• Destruction of building property (windows, air conditioners and entrance door)

• Parking illegally in the driveway next to the laundromat

• Intimidating and threatening behavior

then we encourage you to contact the police each and every time you notice the above actions.

We have spoken with Community Affairs Officer Juan Toro of the 108^th precinct and told him of our situation and he has told us to contact the police every time we notice these activities.

Use the numbers below to contact our precinct directly.

To report illegal activity in front of our building, call the 108^th precinct:

• (718) 784-5411 or

• 311 or

• 911 For emergencies, drug use, fighting, fireworks, gunfire, etc…

After calling 311, please email us at communityactionsqueens@gmail.com with your complaint number so that we can keep track of how many people are calling.

To report and express what’s happening to the police in general:

• Officer Juan Toro (718) 784-5420

To report illegal activity to our councilman contact Eric Gioia at

• 718-383-9566

*Let’s act together as a community so we can stop our beautiful neighborhood from turning into a haven for drug dealing and other illegal and criminal behavior.*

--Sincerely, Your concerned neighbors. Email us at communityactionqueens@gmail.com

HIS WEEK AT SOCRATES: OUTDOOR CINEMA and TRANSPORTS EXCEPTIONNELS

SOCRATES SCULPTURE PARK

IN COLLABORATION WITH MUSEUM OF THE MOVING IMAGE AND PARTNERSHIPS FOR PARKS PRESENTS
OUTDOOR CINEMA 2008
AN ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF INTERNATIONAL FILM, MUSIC, DANCE & FOOD

WEDNESDAYS, JULY 9 - AUGUST 27, 2008
AT SOCRATES SCULPTURE PARK
32-01 VERNON BOULEVARD @ BROADWAY IN LONG ISLAND CITY
TAKE N/W TRAIN TO BROADWAY IN QUEENS
PRE-SCREENING PERFORMANCES BEGIN AT 7PM
FILMS BEGIN AT SUNSET
FREE ADMISSION

On Wednesday evenings in July and August, Socrates Sculpture Park, Museum of the Moving Image and Partnerships for Parks will present the tenth annual international festival of open air cinema, music, dance and food. Visitors to the Park can sample regional cuisine from neighborhood restaurants, picnic on the grass as the sun sets over the city, enjoy performances by local musicians and dancers, and, as the sky darkens, see exceptional international films on a large-format screen, all set against the spectacular backdrop of the East River and the Manhattan skyline.

Pre-screening performances begin at 7:00 pm, films begin at sunset. All performances and screenings take place in the Park and admission is free.

Pre-screening performers and restaurants will be announced weekly and scheduling is subject to change. In the event of rain, the first cancelled film will be rescheduled to August 27. Please call to confirm programming or sign-up for weekly updates at www.socratessculpturepark.org.

JULY 9

PERFORMANCE:
African beats and rhythms by DJ Stone

BAMAKO AFRICA

2006, 115 mins. Directed by Abderrahmane Sissako. With Aïssa Maïga, Danny Glover. In an outdoor courtroom in Mali, the World Bank and International Monetary Fund are on trial. Far from polemical, this surprisingly lyrical movie is a poetic exploration of modern-day Africa.

FOOD:
Moroccan cuisine by Mundo Café in Astoria

ALSO THIS WEEK...
THE JOYCE THEATER in partnership with CITY PARKS FOUNDATION presents
TRANSPORTS EXCEPTIONNELS

FRIDAY, JULY 18 AT SOCRATES SCULPTURE PARK
TWO PERFORMANCES: 1PM AND 7PM
FREE / RAIN OR SHINE

Transports Exceptionnels is a unique and whimsical outdoor duet between man and five-ton mechanical digger. Choreographed by Dominique Boivin.

The Joyce Theater, in partnership with City Parks Foundation, takes dance outdoors with DANCE OUT!, presenting three breathtaking performances in parks throughout the five boroughs. This special dance festival runs from July 16th - 20th and all performances are free.

Brown Can Do hahahaha. No really, though...

The UPS store in Astoria. 29th Ave and Steinway. It's a breeze and they don't charge much.
See, here in Sunnyside we have Post Office issues. As in thank the Lord for Gun Control type issues.
And then there's those guys running a racket on Greenpoint and 47th St. Man, oh Man, the medieval surcharges.
So, shipping a package on a Saturday without a line and without gouging me and with a parking spot for a quarter at 3PM. That and a foot massage is what Brown can do for me.
Whatever that means. I'm a corporate shill. I have no more wit.

Streetsblog on the Vernon Ave Bike Lane

Read here.

Wesley's buying a bike today & I fear for his life--particularly when I clothesline him for riding on the sidewalk. Queens is a cruel town.

Socrates Sculpture Park Outdoor Cinema begins July 9

SOCRATES SCULPTURE PARK

IN COLLABORATION WITH
MUSEUM OF THE MOVING IMAGE AND PARTNERSHIPS FOR PARKS PRESENT
OUTDOOR CINEMA 2008
AN ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF INTERNATIONAL FILM, MUSIC, DANCE & FOOD

WEDNESDAYS, JULY 9 - AUGUST 27, 2008
AT SOCRATES SCULPTURE PARK
32-01 VERNON BOULEVARD @ BROADWAY IN LONG ISLAND CITY
TAKE N/W TRAIN TO BROADWAY IN QUEENS
PRE-SCREENING PERFORMANCES BEGIN AT 7PM
FILMS BEGIN AT SUNSET
FREE ADMISSION

On Wednesday evenings in July and August, Socrates Sculpture Park, Museum of the Moving Image and Partnerships for Parks will present the tenth annual international festival of open air cinema, music, dance and food. Visitors to the Park can sample regional cuisine from neighborhood restaurants, picnic on the grass as the sun sets over the city, enjoy performances by local musicians and dancers, and, as the sky darkens, see exceptional international films on a large-format screen, all set against the spectacular backdrop of the East River and the Manhattan skyline.

Pre-screening performances begin at 7:00 pm, films begin at sunset. All performances and screenings take place in the Park and admission is free.

Pre-screening performers and restaurants will be announced weekly and scheduling is subject to change. In the event of rain, the first cancelled film will be rescheduled to August 27. Please call to confirm programming or sign-up for weekly updates at www.socratessculpturepark.org.

Cool Stuff for Families at the Queens Museum of Art

I should have been on the ball with this one, but you'll have to check out Mommy Poppins for family summer fun.

Biking Skillman--A Rejoinder

From faithful reader & Safer Skillman advocate Angus Grieve-Smith:

I and many of my neighbors are disappointed to see how seriously the complaints of a single neighbor are being taken by Queens Crap. The bike lanes on Skillman and 43rd Avenues are in fact very popular in the community. The main reason is that they slow cars down and make the street safer.

Far from imposing a radical agenda on Sunnyside, Transportation Alternatives was in fact called in by neighbors fed up with the dangerous conditions on Skillman and 43rd Avenues. Their recommendations to improve safety on Skillman have been widely accepted, receiving the support of local businesses, FDNY Ladder Company 163/Engine 325 and the PTA of P.S. 11.

The bike lanes in particular have been endorsed by the Sunnyside Chamber of Commerce (not exactly a bastion of radicalism) and numerous local businesses, as well as Councilmember Eric Gioia and Assemblymember Cathy Nolan.

It is disigenuous of Al Volpe to complain about the bike lanes being planned without consulting the community board, since the Bicycle Master Plan is hardly a state secret. It was approved years ago and Skillman and 43rd Avenues were listed as "planned/proposed" on last year's bike map. The community board was notified in writing of this particular pair of lanes in February, and verbally in April.

Al is clearly frustrated that the Board was not asked to sign off on the bike lanes. What did he do in response? He asked the community board to vote on an anti-bike-lane resolution without placing it on the agenda. Many people in the neighborhood are frustrated that the community board voted on this without inviting input from the community. If they had known, they would have gone to express their support. Even without any notification, during the public comment period two residents expressed support for the bike lanes and Al was the only one to complain. Why should the community board be consulted if they in turn do not bother to consult the community?

Al's letter also contains numerous factual inaccuracies, which he has been repeating for weeks to anyone who will listen to him. I have repeatedly tried to correct him in person, but instead of listening he he has simply restated his erroneous interpretation of the facts. To clear things up, I have posted corrections on our website at saferskillman.org.

Free Kids' Reading Series

The Queens Library has a free summer reading in the park program for kids ages 3-8 at Atlas Park:

Tuesdays July 8 and 22, August 5 and 19

12-1 pm

Bring chairs and blankets, and it will take place rain or shine.

The bookmobile will be there those days as well, 11-5.

Queens Rocks LOVES the Queens Library! Holla!