CAN YOU EVER TRUST A POLITICIAN?

Eric Ulrich is my councilman.  He talks a good talk and like most politicians do what makes them look good out there.  Nothing that I have ever requested comes back in any satisfaction or just doesn’t come back.   Ignore me and I’ll go away?   I am a “Senior Citizen” as well as being somewhat disabled.   For whatever reason the Board of Elections moved my polling place to where it is not walkable for me.   If I were to take public transportation, I would still have a bit of a walk.   Taking Access-A-Ride costs me the price as if I did take round trip transportation.

I called on my Councilman for a ride, hearing that one can do this.  Two elections ago, I reached out to Erich Ulrich’s office and even spent time speaking with him personally.   His cohort took down my information although it was not close to the date.  I did expect a phone call, etc.  Nothing.  Was unable to vote.  I was told that it was my fault and that I should have called the day before. 

Next time I did call days before and talked about what happened the last time.  Everything seemed fine and I waited for a phone call.  Again nothing and was told that I should have called them.  Why are they taking down my information if they don’t have plans to keep the agreement?   This time I spoke with Eric about it.  He apologized profusely and said, “Next time I’ll make sure that you go even if I have to drive you there myself.”

Again, I called a few week back with what Eric said and told that it was too early to call.  I called AGAIN this past Thursday with what Eric said.   Some guy took my information saying that they were coordinating the rides.   I told him that I wanted Eric to take me as agreed.  He said that he would make sure that I got a ride.  I said, “Don’t wait until Tuesday to call me”.  He said, “Of course not”. 

It is past 10pm on Monday and there was no phone call.   Luckily I booked Access-A-Ride as I do not want to miss this.  Yes, they know that I work for local newspapers but somehow it doesn’t matter.  It will.  My plan is to call Eric’s office on Wednesday and keep calling until I speak directly with him.  I will ask him for a statement to be published.  Apology not accepted!  He comes up for reelection next year.  I bet he’ll go out of his way to make sure I get to the polls!

HOW THE CITY CHEATS TO MAKE MONEY

That winter storm that hit us was certainly most rough for residence of Queens County.  We got to see how many of the streets were not met with the Sanitation Department’s snow plows.  DeBlasio needs to find a way to make back the money used not just for the plows but all those extra temporary workers hired to shovel the snow. 

Although the storm didn’t fully hit until Saturday the 23^rd, we were advised by Sanitation that all garbage would not be collected but added that if you already put it out it was okay to leave it.  My street was cleared and by Sunday afternoon, the neighbors had taken care of the entire sidewalk on this block.

Across the street, where the Fire Telegraph Station is located in Forest Park, there was no problem in that sidewalk being cleared.  Somehow they are allowed to get a vehicle and attached snow plow, without a Parks Department insignia, to drive along the sidewalk from the driveway to the corner of Woodhaven Blvd.  If my neighbors drove a vehicle on the city owned-homeowner maintained sidewalk, they could have been fined.  Fine for the city…fined for the homeowner.

Sanitation workers were raking in the overtime here as the plows were at it even after the street revealed the black top and hearing nothing more than the constant sounds of scraping which just may result in our taxes going to repave the asphalt. 

Back to the garbage.  The next scheduled pickup was for Wednesday the 27^th.  Snow was melting but still a no show for garbage collection.  The recycled portion still stood atop the snow bank that included a bag with recycled plastics, etc. and cardboard boxes stored perfectly as smaller boxes in a larger box as I have done so often, without a problem, and always taken away.

With the garbage collection set for Saturday, the 30^th, all I needed to add was the regular garbage tied up in plastic bags.  No confrontation, I receive a citation attached to my door regarding the boxes not being cut and tied as well as not collected.  I peer out my window to see the boxes strewn all over and take a photo as an appearance to protest is in March.  Like all of us, I do not take photos of my garbage before it’s collected.  What’s stopping the Sanitation guy from moving things around?  And for heaven’s sake, the garbage has been piling up all over the place for days and at least done neatly!!! 

He also wrote that he observed “10 boxes filled with Styrofoam”…..really?  “I, an employee of the below agency, personally observed the commission of the civil violation charged below. False statements made herein are punishable as a class A Misdemeanor pursuant to section 210.45 of the Penal Law.  Affirmed under penalty of perjury”.  Will they be willing to penalize him? 

It is now Sunday, the 31^st as I observe the regular garbage being picked up at 1:27 p.m.  Now the Sanitation worker gets overtime?  This is all a win-win situation when it snows.  We don’t have to worry about the absence of color in this case.  We may see white, but DeBalsio sees green!!!

CHOCOHOLIC ALERT!

New York Chocolatier Jacques Torres and

Executive Chef Alex Reyes

Offering a Four-Course Chocolate Dinner

Halloween Eve at Saks Fifth Avenue

 

WHO:   Jacques Torres, founder of Jacques Torres Chocolate ( www.mrchocolate.com ) and Alex Reyes, Executive Chef, Café SFA, Saks Fifth Avenue

 

WHAT:  A rare collaboration of chocolate and savory for which Jacques Torres and Alex Reyes will man the kitchen on the 8^th floor of Saks Fifth Avenue. There, the chefs will present a magnificent four-course dinner, each course featuring a chocolate twist, including such decadent dishes such as Dark Chocolate Cured Foie Gras Torchon, White Chocolate and Vermouth Sorbet, Cocoa Nib, Ancho Chile Crusted Venison and much more .

 

WHY: Saks Fifth Avenue and its restaurants, Café SFA and SnAKS, recently teamed up with Jacques Torres Chocolate to offer his sweet confections and ice creams to guests.  Jacques and Alex challenged each other to develop and serve a four course decadent chocolate dinner.  And what better timing than the night before Halloween!

 

WHERE:        Café SFA

Saks Fifth Avenue , 8th Floor

611 5th Avenue,

New York, NY 10022

 

WHEN:          THURSDAY, October 30, 2014

7pm

Chef Jacques Torres and Chef Alex Reyes are available for phone interviews and email Q&A prior to the 10/30 dinner.

 

 

Café SFA Executive Chef Alex Reyes	Master Chocolatier Chef Jacques Torres

Guests can secure a reservation in advance with a credit card at: www.opentable.com/cafe-sfa . Dinner is $80 per guest, with optional wine pairing for $25.

 

ABOUT JACQUES TORRES :          

 

Jacques Torres, whose name is synonymous with innovation and culinary excellence, is a Master Pastry Chef and the authority on all things chocolate. His namesake business, Jacques Torres Chocolate , specializes in premium, handcrafted chocolates produced at New York City’s largest artisan chocolate facility, a 40,000 sq. foot space at the Brooklyn Army Terminal. He has 8 chocolate stores in Manhattan and Brooklyn and one ice cream shop.  Jacques is the youngest chef to receive the culinary MOF (Meilleur Ouvrier de France/Best Pastry Chef of France) distinction, serves as the Dean of Pastry Arts at the ICC, and has released multiple award-winning books.  For more information please visit www.mrchocolate.com

 

ABOUT CAFÉ SFA and CHEF ALEX REYES :       

 

Café SFA offers relaxed fine dining on the 8^th floor of the iconic Saks Fifth Avenue flagship store in New York. With bird's-eye views of Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick's Cathedral, Cafe SFA is a favorite midtown business lunch spot and a destination for area shoppers and visitors. Chef  Alex Reyes's  menu is fresh and seasonal.  A graduate of the world-famous Le Cordon Bleu, Chef Reyes trained in Europe, mastering classic dishes of his native Catalan cuisine. In June 2014, Reyes was invited to participate in the 29^th Annual Chef’s Tribute and Fundraiser for the Citymeals-on-Wheels program.   For more information please visit www.cafesfa.com

HIRSCHFIELD’S NINAS AND NINO’S NINOS

Al Hirschfeld, a caricaturist, was best known for his black and white portraits of celebrities, especially when it came to the Broadway theatre.   He became even more well-known for placing his daughter, Nina, in his art.  A number followed his signature designating how many times her name appeared, except in a few instances or only one time if no number.  It became a game of finding her name as people awaited the arts section of the New York Times each week or sought his books. 

Nino Selimaj, owner of Nino’s restaurants in Manhattan has a mural in his first location at 1354 First Avenue.  This mural is of celebrities with Nino in it several times and this is more like a “where’s Waldo”.  

I recently went to a tasting as they announced not just some new items on their regular menu, but weekday “happy hours” specials in the bar area served from 4 to 7 p.m., starting with some interesting $8 drinks.  

I had a Mojito and loved it. 

Others are: Spritz Aperol, Spritz Campari, Americano, Negroni, Malbec Novecento, Pinot Grigio Santa Marina and your choice of beer.

As for the food, I sampled most of the small plate items.  Nino’s Homemade Meatballs with pine nuts and raisins, roasted tomato sauce and grated parmigiano reggiano.  Bruchetta with tomato sauce and mozzarella. An assortment of olives and cheese. Rigatoni and Vodka in a pink sauce with parm cheese.  Penne with braised veal, roasted peppers, scallions and olive oil (asked to eliminate the garlic).   

I was also interested to try one of the chef’s signature dishes.  Nino suggested the Veal Scallopini with prociutto and melted Fontana , leeks, mushrooms, fingerling potatoes and lemon sage. 

My taste buds were almost at the end of their party as I was a bit curious about the desserts that were made on the premises.  I tend to pass on a ricotta cheese cake as I find them to be less dry and smooth than a cream cheese cake.  However, this was perfect.  Bravo to them.

Check it all out on www.ninosnyc.com

THEY CALL IT "BIG Q"

In Queens, unless you're at an airport, metered taxis are not flagged down.  You have to call a car service.  Having a driver that is not on his cellphone or rude is not the easiest to find.  I'm just looking for a pleasant and safe ride as well as one that is not overpriced.  With all of the car services that I have used Big Q stands out.  Every driver has always been polite, obeys the laws, and very helpful as I have difficulty walking.  What's more is that when they say, "five minutes", they mean it.  So, kudos goes to this car service!  718-846-4500

IF YOU INVITE THEM, THEY WON'T COME

For those of you old enough, the name Joe Franklin will stir up memories.  In fact, the name of his talk show of years ago was called, “Joe Franklin’s Memory Lane”.  I think just about everyone in show business was invited to appear on his tv talk show or interviewed on his long time radio show.   He’s close to 90 years old now and still maintains a radio show.

He had recently appeared at a jazz night club called The Metropolitan Room, where occasionally there is a non-jazz artist.   The ad listed the “Invited Guests” as: Bill Cosby, Billy Crystal, Julia Roberts, Liza Minnelli, Woody Allen, Pat Cooper and Michael Feinstein.   Bernie Furshpan was there as his “side-kick” and not one of “the invited” showed up.   The audience had many entertainers who appeared with him.

The Metropolitan Room, located at 34 W. 22^nd Street, is a pretty decent sized club…bit smaller than Below 54 with the same sort of set up regarding seating… cabaret style with some oval booths and long tables.  Like most of the clubs, there is a cover charge and drink or food minimum.   Acoustics are fine and so is the service.  Check out their schedule.

Films of old shows were shown behind the piano player and a setup of Joe doing his radio show was the focus.  He did tell jokes…some “blue”.   Christine Pedi who has been seen often in the Forbidden Broadway shows, sang a few.  A few other performers entertained.   Everyone was given a copy of Joe Franklin’s Great Entertainment Trivia Game.  

As for me, I was on his tv show once in the late 60’s and again sometime in the 70s.   I seem to recall his son Brad doing his first talk show on HBO and having both myself and dad as the guests.   All was memorable.