Share the Presidential Inauguration with the Community at Queens Library

QUEENS LIBRARY INVITES COMMUNITY TO WITNESS THE INAUGURATION

A new U.S. president and vice president will be inaugurated on Tuesday, January 20, 2009. Whatever your political point of view, it will be an occasion full of history and pageantry. Queens Library invites the community to share it on the Big Screen. Admission is free. Seating is limited.

- From 10 am - 1 pm, Queens Library at Central, 89-11 Merrick Boulevard, Jamaica, 718-990-0700. In the auditorium.

- From 10 am - 5:30 pm, Queens Library at Langston Hughes, 100-01 Northern Boulevard, Corona, 718-651-1100.

FEB 6th: Free Wine Tasting featuring local, New York State Wine

FREE wine tasting at a new local wine store called Off the Vine in Astoria.

Off the Vine Wine & Spirits
Friday, February 6th
6:30 - 8:30 pm
44-21 30th Avenue
Astoria, New York 11103
718-728-4142

ZERO ON QUEENS BLVD

Bike Pool with other commuters from Queensboro Bridge to Elmhurst.

MONTHLY BIKEPOOLS ARE A PART OF ZERO ON QUEENS BLVD:
A CAMPAIGN TO WIN A PROTECTED BIKE LANE AND ELIMINATE TRAFFIC FATALITIES
ALONG THE LENGTH OF QUEENS BOULEVARD

JOIN THE MONTHLY BIKE RIDE
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14TH, 6:30 PM
QUEENS SIDE OF THE QUEENSBORO BRIDGE

CONTACT BIKETRANSALT.ORG TO CONNECT WITH THE RIDES AND THE CAMPAIGN.

Astoria Swap-O-Rama on Saturday, November 22nd

Calling all men, women and children: bring your clothing, shoes, jewelry….and get ready to swap!

Swap-O-Rama

If you're a closet greenie, love to save money, DIY-centric, or all of the above, this is the event for you! Swap-o-ramas (aka swaplucks) are a fantastic way to get free new-to-you clothes, find a new home for clothing that no longer excites you, meet new friends and help save the environment.

Saturday, November 22nd
11:00 am-2:00pm

A.R.R.O.W. Community Center
35-30 35th Street in Astoria


Light refreshments will be available. Remaining items will be donated to the Astoria Park Alliance for their December 6th fundraiser or to a thrift-store nearby. This event co-sponsored by Triple R Events (http://www.3R-events.blogpost.com) and the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation.

RSVPs appreciated but not required: queensisgreen@gmail.com or call Lynne Serpe at 646-202-0825.
By Train: N train to 36 Avenue. Proceed to 35 Street and make a left.
For other directions, call A.R.R.O.W. at (718) 349-0444.

Gosh Dern Parking Garage and Dang Old Sears at that Rego Park mall hell.

Dagnabbit. Trying to buy some gosh dern hardware and a air cleaner purifier thing. Stuck in this lousy garage some punk in three-sizes too large 'SECURITY' outfit telling me I can't pay to leave the danged GARAGE!

You know what they went and did? They got these ATM parking machines now at the Rego Park Shopping Hell. You come in, get your ticket same as usual. But now, instead of leaving like usual, you have to drive back in, park, get out, go stand in line with a bunch of cranky cussers in their baggy pants and pay at the parking ATM. and Damnit if that robot voice isn't turned up too loud too!

Sheminy! Dag gummnit! And then. THEN! some old fart bag's wife is stuck up at the front of the line sticking her damned ticket in the machine and out it comes. and in the machine, and out it comes! and you know why? Because she doesn't KNOW about the robot ATM parking yeller!

We're stuck! Five honking, pounding, puke filled cars deep! Oh. Lord! LORD! Where's that kid in the uniform with the marble mouth!

Dirt Bag's Wife has to LEAVE HER CAR - GO TO THE ROBOT YELLER - COME BACK - FIGURE IT OUT AND THEN LEAVE.

and where is that punk in the uniform?????

Did you ever think that the day would come when you'd be sitting in one danged line to drive out of the garage for LONGER than you'd be standing in line at SEARS waiting for just ONE of the MARTHAS standing around to jump on that OTHER REGISTER???

Well, friends that day has come. IT'S TOTAL SYSTEM BREAKDOWN. The END IS NEAR.

Repent or spend eternity in a parking garage in Rego Park, HONKING, POUNDING BASS, YELLING ROBOTS, PUNK KIDS IN SECURITY UNIFORMS IGNORING YOUR PLEAS FOREVER AND EVER.

Here's a number you can call while you rot in hell: 718.897.4833

Red Means Go on Queens Boulevard

Yesterday afternoon I watched three cars blow through a red light on Queens Boulevard at 44th St. These cars were not racing to beat a yellow light. This light had been red long enough for me to cross to the center under the 7 train. I was about to step into the intersection--pushing my stroller--when my lizard brain realized that the oncoming cars were not going to stop. The light was not malfunctioning in any way. The cars just ignored the red light!

I am still shaking. How does this happen?

Queens Library Hosts Calligraphy Exhibit

QUEENS LIBRARY HOSTS CALLIGRAPHY EXHIBIT
Works of Masako Inkyo on Display at International Resource Center Gallery

Queens Library's International Resource Center Gallery is hosting an exhibition of the calligraphy of Masako Inkyo. The artwork will be on display through December 31, 2008 at Queens Library at Flushing, International Resource Center, 41-17 Main Street near Kissena Boulevard, Flushing, NY. Admission is free. For further information, phone 718-661-1229.

Masako Inkyo’s university degree is in Japanese Calligraphy (“shodō”) . She is a member of the three largest shodō professional associations in Japan. In all three she holds the highest rank, based on work she has submitted. She has also received many awards, including first prizes in both shodō and pen calligraphy in national competitions sponsored by the Ministry of Education. For more information about the artist, visit www.masako-inkyo.com

QUEENS LIBRARY AT SUNNYSIDE BEGINS RENOVATION

Supercool!

Queens Library at Sunnyside, 43-06 Greenpoint Avenue, is being renovated. The library will be closed as of November 8 for approximately one week. It will re-open for limited service, using a small area of the library and a side entrance on Greenpoint Avenue.

Construction will be completed in spring of 2009.

Customer service improvements will include: a new entrance featuring a glass façade, fast RFID self-service check out, a bright, new décor, a new teen area with computers, more computers, more seating and a new media area.

Fermentation Workshop! Sat. 11/8

Perennial Design Workshop Series presents:
Fermentation:
storing food and increasing its vitality

Saturday, 8 November 2008
11:30 am - 2:30 pm
All Saints Church
43-12 46th Street, Sunnyside, Queens
(#7 to 46th Street stop)

In this hands-on session Andrew Faust will show participants how to make kimchee, sauerkraut and fermented root vegetables which they can take home and enjoy. Ingredients and Mason jars will be provided. We will also discuss ways of supporting local economies and eating regional and seasonal diets. Come with questions about overall diet and health in the Kitchen.

What to bring: Apron, cutting board, a good sharp Chef’s knife, large earthen or plastic bowls, optional: your own favorite salt, i.e. Himalayan or Celtic sea salt

Registration: RSVP to Gusti Bogok at jayagusti8@yahoo.com to ensure your space

Cost: $32 if check received before 1 November, $40 after November 1
Mail checks or money orders to Gusti Bogok:
Gusti Bogok, 130 W. 16th Street # 41, New York, NY 10011

Andrew Faust lived completely off the grid for seven years in rural West Virginia. While living without refrigerators or freezers, he learned about natural food storage and fermentation methods which increase nutrition and vitality. Currently living in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Faust continues to produce his own homemade ferments and sprouts from a multitude of grains and beans, including whole-grain beers, sauerkraut, kimchee and kombucha. He has made sourdough for farmers markets, local restaurants and students, and has produced kimchee on a large-scale for the Flack Family farm. As an avid educator on the health benefits of raw dairy, pastured meats and fermented whole foods, Mr. Faust makes learning about these ancient culinary arts enjoyable and accessible to a wide range of audiences. Andrew Faust offers Edible and native Landscaping services in NYC and creates self-sufficient Ecological designs for individuals, cooperative communities and farms. For more information, you can visit www.homebiome.com.

Two Coves Community Garden presents "It's My Park! Day" on Saturday, October 25th

It's My Park! Day is a citywide effort to care for and celebrate New York City's parks, coordinated by Partnerships for Parks. The all-volunteer members of Two Coves Community Garden in Astoria have organized a day of fun-filled activities for all to enjoy.

This free event will include live music, a potluck, an instrument-making workshop for children, a worm bin demonstration for indoor composting, a soil workshop, recipe sharing, a children's costume parade and so much more.

Guests will also be invited to help plant daffodil bulbs. So come get dirty with us — for some clean, green fun!

WHEN: Saturday, October 25th, Noon-4:00 PM
WHERE: Two Coves Community Garden
At the triangle between Astoria Blvd, 8th Street and Main

More info: twocovesgarden@yahoo.com

SOCRATES SCULPTURE PARK 2009 Artist Application Guidelines Now Posted

SOCRATES SCULPTURE PARK
2009 APPLICATION GUIDELINES

Artists can apply for one or more of the following exhibition categories:

-SPRING EXHIBITION
-EMERGING ARTIST FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
-OPEN SPACE
-FLOAT

THE 2009 ARTIST APPLICATION GUIDELINES ARE NOW AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE: WWW.SOCRATESSCULPTUREPARK.ORG

DEADLINE: MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 2009

ABOUT SOCRATES SCULPTURE PARK
Socrates Sculpture Park was an abandoned landfill and illegal dumpsite until 1986 when a coalition of artists and community members, under the leadership of sculptor Mark di Suvero, transformed it into an open studio and exhibition space for artists and a neighborhood park for local residents.

Located in an industrial neighborhood in Long Island City, Socrates is a waterfront park that overlooks the Manhattan skyline; the site is an affecting and inspiring place for artists to work and a spectacular setting for the presentation of public art. To date, Socrates has hosted over 700 artists and currently attracts more than 73,000 visitors annually.

Socrates Sculpture Park is the only site in the New York Metropolitan area specifically dedicated to providing artists with opportunities to create and exhibit large-scale sculpture and multi-media installations in an outdoor environment that invites interaction between artists, artworks and the public. Socrates is world renowned as a laboratory where experimentation and innovation expand, reinvent and redefine the tradition of art in public spaces.

ARTIST INFORMATION SESSION
NOVEMBER 2, 2008
1PM - 3PM

Socrates Sculpture Park will be hosting an artist information session in the Park's outdoor studio. We will review the application process, tour the studio facilities, and give an over view of the Park's history and programming, focusing specifically on our annual exhibitions. We will be addressing questions regarding the application process, and exhibiting and working at Socrates. We highly encourage all interested applicants to join us for this event.

Please RSVP by November 1 to: mt@socratessculpturepark.org


APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Artists seeking a Socrates Sculpture Park grant are strongly encouraged to visit the Park before submitting their application. Applicants must take into account the site's rugged, urban outdoor environment and be aware that sculptures installed in the Park must meet safety requirements and be able to withstand the effects of weather and public use. Visiting the site will give applicants a clearer idea of the factors that effect installations at the Park and an overview of the facilities that the Park has to offer, including the tools and equipment available in the studio and the materials and resources available in Long Island City.

Artists can apply for one or more of the following exhibition categories:

·Spring Exhibition
·Emerging Artist Fellowship Program
·Open Space
·FLOAT

If you are applying for more than one exhibition category, you only need to send one application package.

Grants and fellowships are not available to artists who are enrolled in a school, college or university program.
Spring Exhibition
For spring 2009, the Park will present an exhibition entitled State Fair. The show will open on May 3 and remain on view until early August. State Fair will cast the Park as a fairground, creating a platform for artists who are inspired and influenced by themes and subject matter relating to American rural society. The exhibition will include works that examine topics such as animal husbandry, local agriculture, specialized horticulture, traditional craft, and presentation, pageantry and competition within these fields. The exhibition will also address the wide variety of entertainment, rides, amusements and foods traditionally presented at state fairs.

For this exhibition, Socrates will provide artists with funding, administrative and technical assistance, a one to three month residency in the outdoor studio, and access to facilities, materials and equipment to create a new work - or will assist with shipping and rigging to place an already existing work - to be presented in the Park. The amount of financial support available to artists is contingent upon the requirements of their project and the funding that Socrates receives to support this exhibition.

Eligibility:
This program is open to all artists, nationally and internationally, but Socrates cannot provide any housing or transportation. Artists living outside New York will have to make their own living and travel arrangements.

Emerging Artist Fellowship Program
Fellowship artists are selected through an open application process. Proposals are reviewed by an advisory committee composed of past EAF recipients, prominent curators, artists, writers, gallerists, and arts administrators and the Park's Executive Director and Exhibition Program Manager. Following the first round of selections, Socrates staff members meet with the artists individually to discuss their proposal in greater detail and assist them with the development, engineering and fabrication of the project.

Emerging Artist Fellowship recipients are granted financial support in the amount of $5,000, a two to six month residency in the outdoor studio, and access to facilities, materials, equipment and technical assistance to create a work for the annual Emerging Artist Fellowship Exhibition (opening September 2009). Fellows are also given the administrative assistance to do additional fundraising for their project, procure in-kind support and pursue future commissions, residencies and placement for their work.

Eligibility:
Fellowships are awarded to artists who are not yet well established, are New York State residents and are in need of financial assistance.

Open Space
Socrates grants are also awarded for single artist projects and collaborations that are presented as separate exhibitions throughout the year. Through the Open Space program, Socrates provides artists with funding, administrative and technical assistance, a one to six month residency in the outdoor studio, and access to facilities, materials and equipment to create a new work - or will assist with shipping and rigging to place an already existing work - for exhibition in the Park. Funding for this program varies from year to year and the amount of financial support available to artists is contingent upon the requirements of a given proposal and the grants that Socrates receives to support the Open Space exhibitions.

Eligibility:
This program is open to all artists, nationally and internationally, but Socrates can not provide any housing or transportation. Artists living outside New York will have to make their own living and travel arrangements.

FLOAT
FLOAT is a biennial series of site-specific, temporary, interactive and ephemeral works that are installed, performed and screened throughout the Park. The series was launched in 2003 to address the environment of the Park, enabling participating artists to explore site-specific practice through a variety of media and formats.

Eligibility:
This program is open to all artists, nationally and internationally, but Socrates cannot provide any housing or transportation. Artists living outside New York will have to make their own living and travel arrangements.

Information about Socrates Sculpture Park and application guidelines are now available on the web:
www.socratessculpturepark.org
SOCRATES SCULPTURE PARK
32-01 VERNON BOULEVARD (AT BROADWAY)
LONG ISLAND CITY, NY 11106
TEL: 718-956-1819 FAX: 718-626-1533
WWW.SOCRATESSCULPTUREPARK.ORG
EMAIL: INFO@SOCRATESSCULPTUREPARK.ORG

Craft Fair Preview--Cute Baby Pants & Hats!

Check out the SSCOOP booth at Sunnyside Gardens Park this Saturday, 10/11 from 12-5 for all kinds of draft adorableness. Plus enjoy the Octoberfest & general park fun!

The park is located on 39th Ave at 49th St. 7 train to 46th St or the Q32 or Q60 to 48th. There's also a bus from Astoria that goes to 48th St.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

Rain or shine, an army of local breast cancer survivors and volunteers will march in the 15th annual American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk at the Queens Borough Hall. Last year, an estimated 6,500 people participated in Making Strides in Queens raising $706,000 locally. Proceeds go to support the American Cancer Society’s breast cancer research, education, advocacy and patient service programs that serve Queens residents.

Thousands are expected to come to support breast cancer research and find the cure. Monies raised go to sustaining vital patient and family support programs in Queens and fighting for public policies that improve access to breast cancer screening so all women can be screened and treated. For more information, call 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org/stridesonline

Sunday, Oct. 19th, 2008
Registration begins at 9 a.m.
The walk begins at 11 a.m.

Queens Borough Hall
120-55 Queens Blvd., Kew Gardens


The walk is on October 19th
Registration starts at 9 AM
Opening ceremony is at 10 AM
The walk starts at 11 AM
Starts at the Queens Borough Hall- 120-55 Queens Boulevard in Kew Gardens

Craft Fair Preview--Dog Bonnets & Felted Cakes

You'll find these adorables at the SSCOOP booth at the Sunnyside Gardens Park Oktoberfest & Craft Fair, Saturday, 10/11 from 12-6.

Also, I'm told that Two Lost Turkeys is traveling all the way from Williamsburg to make their Queens debut! Let's give 'em a warm Queens welcome... interpret how you will.

Celebration of Queens Arts

If you're interested in donating to local causes:

The Queens International Film Festival is proud to present our first annual "Celebration of Queens Arts" on November 7, 2008.

The event is going to be completely FREE of charge to the public and includes:

- A live concert by the Queens Symphony Orchestra Playing the Most Celebrated Film Scores of the 20th Century.

- A silent auction and exposition by the Alliance of Queens Artists.

- A book signing by Tony "Nap" Napoli - Author of the new bestseller "My Father, My Don"

-Plus much more to be added!


In order to put this celebration together, we need to raise $15,000. I would like to ask all of your help in accomplishing this. No matter how big or small you can donate, all donors will be put on the official banner for the event, and will receive a special "Thank You" gift.

I believe in leading by example however, so on behalf of Forest Hills Celebrity & Entertainment Magazine and JML Media Group, LLC, I will be the first to commit $500 towards our goal.


Thank you all so much for your time and consideration and I wish you all my best,

Joseph M. Lara
Senior Vice President
International Marketing, Media, & Sponsorships
Queens International Film Festival
(908) 310-1659

Crafters unite!

The Sunnyside Gardens Community Association's annual Craft Fair and Oktoberfest is happening Saturday, October 11th from 12-6 at Sunnyside Gardens Park on 39th Ave at 49th St. My friend Katie will be on hand to sell you her adorable appliqued baby tees and onesies. I'll have some more promo images up, so keep watching!

Meanwhile, I received this from one of the organizers:

We still have spots available for interested crafters, plus everyone should come check out this year's craft fair! The deadline for the 2nd Annual Sunnyside Gardens Park Craft Fair is coming up soon. This event will be bigger and better than last year as we are teaming up with the park's Oktoberfest, so there will be pumpkins, drinks and plenty of people - we hope you can join us.

Email me (clairedeveron -at- gmail -dot- com) for the vendor contract and contact info.

Your Friends and Neighbors Put on a Show

I received this email from some local readers, Sunnyside residents who are treading the boards.

MINNIE PEARL DOES BROADWAY

Grand Ol’ Opry and Hee Haw legend Minnie Pearl is down from Heaven for one night only to sing all the Broadway songs she never got a chance to perform. From A Chorus Line to The Wiz, Minnie belts out show tunes like only she can. She’ll tell stories and jokes and there will even be a door prize! There is also a question and answer period where Minnie answers questions from the audience. Assisting her onstage is the often talked about but never before seen Uncle Nabob. Cabaret artist Mark Alan Jones stars as Minnie Pearl with Darron Cardosa as Uncle Nabob.

Check out this video clip:



"Jones has captured the wide-eyed, plain-talking, man-hungry spinster handily!" -Cabaret Scenes Magazine
"Back from the dead and sassier than ever! Minnie and Nabob should have performing Broadway standards all along." -Theatreiseasy.com

Don’t Tell Mama
343 W 46th St. between Eighth and Ninth Aves.
212-757-0788
howdyminnie@yahoo.com

Monday October 6, 7:00 PM

Subway: A,C,E to 42nd St-Port Authority
$12 cover + two drink minimum

And Speaking of Crafting

I hear knitters are getting tipsy with alpaca over at the Grind on Thursday nights from 7:30-9:30. If Ruth ever figures out that bedtime means stay asleep, you'll see me over there working on a Knitted Farmyard for her.

Queens County Fair--So Much Fun--One More Day

Wesley, Ruth & I had a fantastic time at the Queens County Fair today. Did you know there's some guy in Woodside churning out prize winning produce? Or that you can carve heads out of golfballs? Or that baby goats are darn cute?

The fair also boasts the Amazing Maize Maze, a beer garden with live music, rides, and a craft showcase where I watched a woman do bobbin lace. I was transfixed and plan to take this on as my next craft right after Marie Walnut teaches me how to smock.

The fair runs one more day, but you will be able to get lost in the maze through October 26. Details are on the Queens Farm Museum site.

Boo, Starbucks

A Starbucks employee approached a group of moms yesterday & told them that a customer had complained about them because some of them were breastfeeding ZOMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This same Starbucks has "child free zone" graffitied on one of the changing tables.

Um, NYS law permits a mother to breastfeed her child in any public or private location.

N.Y. Penal Law § 245.01 et seq. says they can even ttake their tops off.

It's legal. Get over it. The Starbucks employee should not have said that. I mean, they have dealt with this before.

You know that friend you have who looks at your plate and says, "That looks so disgusting, how can you eat that?" That person is a jerk, just like people who can't enjoy their overpriced scorched coffee as long as a baby is eating something the AAP & the WHO recommend until at least a year. The Starbucks employee is just ignorant, but I think a complaint is in order.

If breastfeeding bothers you, DON'T LOOK! And I'll promise not to tell you that I think soy lattes are gross.

There are very few places that you can go & sit in this neighborhood without fear of having a drunk sit in your lap. And there are a lot of moms in this neighborhood who would love a reason to spend their coffee money at The Grind, where the coffee is bad in a different way but it's on the south side so nobody takes shit for doing what they want to do. Like pee on the street or deal drugs in front of a school. Breastfeeding is the least of our social compact issues.

And you know that Nourish has a garden in back? And coffee? Good coffee, BTW. Boost sales so she can get some space heaters for winter so we can say SBUX SUX CYA.

Oh, and while I wrote this post? I was breastfeeding ewwwwwwwww.