WHAT’S HAPPENING

EVERYTHING’S COMING UP COMMUNITY THEATRE Musicals, Musicals, tried and true Musicals.  That’s the scene with Community Theatre in Queens as we start this weekend with Guys and Dolls at the Rockaway Theatre Company.  It appears that they did this production 14 years ago and now with the same director, John Gilleece, bringing it back with a double cast (Just couldn’t turn down all that talent). 

You can see Guys and Dolls July 10, 11, 12 or the last weekend of July 16, 17, 18 and 19.  RTC is located in the Post Building at Fort Tilden.  For tickets and further information go to www.rockawaytheatrecompany.org 

Oklahoma! is the first musical written by the team of composer Richard Rogers and librettist Oscar Hammerstein II. Maggie’s Little Theatre will be presenting this famed production for two weekends beginning on July 18^th.  This one is being performed in the Parish Hall of St. Margaret’s Church in Middle Village, located at 66-05 79th Place (between Metropolitan Ave. and Juniper Valley Rd.).  Performance dates are: Saturday, July 18^th, 8p.m, Sunday, July19^th, 2:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, July 24^th and 25^th, 8p.m. and Sunday, July 26^th at 2:30 p.m.  For tickets and further information call 917-579-5389.

IN STEREO

Movie coming to your local theatre.  IN STEREO centers on David (Micah Hauptman) and Brenda (Beau Garrett), who are perfect for each other and everyone knows it…except David and Brenda.  After they break up, their lives spiral out of control. David self-destructs as an artist while dating an immature woman who sleeps with his best friend. Brenda endues a failing acting career, an eviction notice, and a boyfriend who just doesn’t do it for her.  Brenda’s agent is portrayed by Mario Cantone.

And then chance brings Brenda and David back together on the streets of New York at the worst possible time. 

I saw the screener.  The best part about being able to view a movie either online or a disc is that you can go back to scenes or even the whole movie.  You can’t do that in a movie theatre.  I really had to concentrate on the plot and characters but still had to go back.  I don’t think this one would be up for an award as I did not feel that anything or anyone really stood out enough to deserve one.  Maybe others might appreciate this more than I.  I understand that it was written by someone who had gone through this experience.   The movie is done well and does hold my attention but I wouldn’t go out of my way to see it. 

CHOMPING IN WOODHAVEN

I don’t mind cooking.  There are just times that I want to order lunch from the area.  I never order Chinese food as it’s not authentic.  With Hispanic restaurants gone amok, I have found a few that I particularly like on the “cheap but good” factor.  One is Caridad (Dominican) on the corner of Jamaica Avenue and 91^st St.  They make by far the best Cuban Sandwich going.  Large enough to have half for two meals while adding my own salad.  It’s a panini with roasted pork, ham, swiss cheese and pickles and only one of their $7 specials. 

On the other side of Woodhaven Blvd we have a Colombian restaurant called Mi Ranchito on Jamaica Avenue and 96^th St.  They also have daily $7 specials that include soup and entrée.  On Sunday I send out for their oxtail.  Oxtail soup and oxtail entrée…more oxtail, rice and salad. 

Hmmm….it’s lunchtime.  The question is…if you order from Subway, can you get a side order of porn? 

A NEIR’S DISASTROUS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

Much has been written about the historic 185 year-old Neir’s Tavern in Woodhaven.  Movies have been filmed there and Mae West performed at what was an abutting theatre.  Renovations paired with what were three partners, is now one owner, Loy Gordon. 

It was the evening of August 28 that Ernie Leibovitz was celebrating his 67^th birthday.  Ernie is not just one ordinary guy living in Woodhaven.  His “more than hobby” was about music.  He listened, played the guitar and sang.  Neir’s has been noted for being a place to “do your own thing”.   Karaoke, poetry and musician nights where one could bring their guitar and sing.  That is what Ernie does best and has been known to bring many customers to drink and dine.

Neir’s has two areas, one being the bar and the back which houses the restaurant and stage.  Loy knew that Ernie would be coming there to celebrate but was off that day. Luke Palmer had become the General Manager, Steven, the lead chef had the night off as well and it was Thursday’s special of their Prime Rib Dinner of which a few groups of tables arrived early.

I joined Ernie and his family for the event.  His wife Deveka invited members of her family as well. Her nephew and his family came in from Vermont or New Hampshire…far.  Added to this were Ernie’s friends.  It was clear that many of us were there for the prime rib dinner.

Some of us even got there at about 7:15, prior to the invite time in order to be able to enjoy that special dinner so boasted about.  We ordered a drink, we placed our order and we waited.   Our abutting table began ordering appetizers.  Since the dinner seemed to be large enough, we didn’t. 

Eventually, the salad was served.  The guy who was cooking informed us that they were out of Russian Dressing.  I told him to simply mix ketchup and mayonnaise…add relish and you have Thousand Islands.    It was at least an hour that went by when we find out that they are out of the prime rib and had to cook up another one. 

Luke, being the GM, should have offered a substitute at that point instead of having us wait for another 45 minutes.  When placing the orders we were asked how we wanted it cooked.   I asked for medium-well.  I like it pink in the middle.  It is now about 9:30 p.m.  Out comes the meat.   Mine, was not only well done but dry.  Nobody got the temperature ordered.  I certainly was unable to eat mine as well as any of the other prime order folks. It was served with heavens know what mixed vegetables that were overcooked and disguised with juice to cover it up. 

As others sought appetizers such as fried calamari, fried mozzarella sticks and French fries, I tasted them.  Deveka’s nephew, sitting across from me, said that he wasn’t going to eat his fries, having ordered some sliders after finding out about the “no more prime”.   It gets bad when I eat French fries that are not hand cut.   Mozzarella sticks and calamari were an obvious pre frozen app. 

Luke kept blaming the chef and saying that he was going to have him let go and that it would be his last night. Frankly, I don't know if he has the power to fire him.  That didn’t do anything for me or anyone else this evening.   Luke talked about his background that included being a graduate of the CIA.   One woman, a neighbor of Ernie needed to have something to eat.  Luke asked if she would like a piece of salmon.  It was now about 10 and a bit late to eat for some people.  First she was told that it would take “a few minutes”. We waited.  We waited.  Luke said that it would take “eleven minutes”.    We waited. Then came the excuse that it was frozen and first had to be “whatevered”.   Oh how he boasted of his cooking when he said that he prepared it.  

At least Deveka brought the birthday cake which was served before the horrible prime rib.  Family kids were there and they surely wanted to have cake. 

Thinking that I would be eating, I ordered a few drinks.  I don’t usually drink and wound up with a headache (which I don’t normally get) due to not eating.  

It was a night of excuses and agreements that were not kept.   When you have a long time customer and knowing that it is not only the person’s birthday, but bringing at least a dozen others to join in, you can’t let the party go home so totally dissatisfied and more so, having Ernie so disappointed.  Deveka brought his guitar but Ernie was in no mood to sing. 

The owner of an establishment hires a General Manager for the purpose of running a smooth operation.  It is obvious that Luke was inept at doing the job.   

Note to our waitress….you did the best you could! 

 

RIDING IN AN OSCAR MAYER WIENERMOBILE

I received an email from a woman named Amanda Vazquez telling me that she had been driving around the country in an Oscar Mayer Wienermobile and on her way back to Queens, specifically the neighborhood that she grew up in.  Her parents still live here in Woodhaven just a few blocks from my home.

Why not go for a ride around the area?   We stopped in a few places to take photos as well as allow people to take photos in front of the Wienermobile.

I was give a wienie whistle. It is shaped like an Oscar Mayer wiener mobile. You place it to your lips and blow.

VALENTINE HAIR DESIGNER STAYS IN WOODHAVEN

It was in 1979 that I searched for a nearby "beauty parlor" in Woodhaven in order to get a decent haircut.  My hair is sort of curly-wavy and prefer the cut at to be one that I don't have to do any more than a quick comb or just puff it up with my fingers. I am also not interested in spending $50 for this. 

I checked out what was then "Charles Hairstylists" or something like that, located on Woodhaven Blvd. just south of Jamaica Avenue.  Joan cut my hair and eventually colored it to cover up the gray.  Even the combination didn't reach the $50 mark. Two moves later Valentine Hair Designer moved into an already existing "beauty salon" at 95-16 Jamaica Avenue.  It's not uncommon for another owner to rent "chairs". 

The place looks great, I let my hair go gray, and I'm still not paying anywhere near $50!  It's also a lot easier when the same person over the years and yes, Joan is still snipping. Larry, the second partner,  tends to be the person cutting men's hair and more of a "stylist".  718-441-6571. 

THAI A RIBBON AROUND THIS KITCHEN

Here’s my take on the population of Queens County.  Within the last 20 years immigrants from all over the world were eying the US for residency.  With their saved up cash and just about more than the clothes on their back, they all flew into JFK.  No money left to go anywhere else they found a place to live. Needing to earn a living a decision was made to open up a restaurant.   Thus you find just about any cuisine in Queens.

Having a total variety of cuisines from Asia, I recently ventured to Thailand Kitchen located at 86-05 Jamaica Avenue (718-847-4700) to sample more than my usual Pad Thai.  Please keep in mind that the sampling was not done in one sitting or on the same day.   Yes, I do get full.

I tend to judge a Thai restaurant on its Pad Thai, a dish consisting of Thai rice noodles sautéed with egg, dried bean curd, bean sprouts, ground peanuts, and green onions. With an added choice of chicken, beef, tofu, vegetables or vegetarian duck, I tend to find it to be a “safe” dish as well as “passing my test”.   

Spicy food is not my thing, but I do want to be fair.  In fact I take my friend Deveka along with me as nothing seems too spicy for her.  I chose one safe salad and one spicy soup. Glass Noodle Salad uses translucent vermicelli noodles that are made from mung bean starch. Add minced chicken and shrimp, chili, onions and cilantro, topped with a lime dressing.  Per my request the chili was not added.

On a more recent occasion, we sampled the Mango Salad of julienne mango and carrots with red onions and lime dressing.  Me thinks that I communicated my spicy situation regarding the glass noodles and forgot to mention on this salad as the dressing is quite hot but so tasty.  I viewed chili flakes.   My Thai iced coffee was of great use having the milk in it.  

  

Lemongrass Shrimp Soup, better known as Tom Yom, is a hot and sour soup with lemongrass and galanga root, a white-fleshed root from Thailand that is used as a substitute for ginger. What makes the soup hot is the chili pepper. However, I found that this particular chili doesn’t circulate around my whole mouth and make it unbearable. It hits that back of my throat and within a few lovin’ spoonfuls I am able to build up a tolerance and appreciate the excellent flavors of the soup.

As a change on soup choices, I did order the Coconut Chicken Soup that uses coconut milk, galanga, kaffir lime and scallions. It’s quite good and not as spicy as Tom Yom.

Back to the appetizers.  Spare ribs here on not of the Chinese ilk.  They are deep fried with garlic and pepper, accompanied by a sweet and spicy sauce for dipping.  No dipping for me.   I found them to be tender and savory.  

Crispy Spring Rolls seem to be made different in each Asian cuisine.  Thai style is filled with glass noodles, cabbage and vegetables.  I also loved the Shrimp Fritters, a sort of fried wontons filled with ground shrimp and chicken served with that sweet chili sauce. Then, there are the Chicken Wings in the sweet Chili sauce.  They were not coated with bread crumbs or flour and the sweet chili sauce, scallions and cilantro gave it an added flavor to the freshness of the wings.

Deveka was being “vegetarian” for a while. Thus I ordered the Emerald vegetarian dumplings served with a ginger soy sauce. Quite a good mixture in the dumplings tasting just fine without any meat.  

At this time I stray from the Pad Thai and selected the Drunk Man Noodle dish with chicken.   Wide wheat based noodles are used in this vs. the Pad Thai cooked with rice noodles.  It was sautéed with chili, onions, vegetables and basil that is not the same as basil used in Italian dishes.  Dealt with the chili to find how delectable the combination is. 

Sauteed is another group listed on the menu and one of many groups that you choose from: chicken, tofu, veggie, duck, beef, or shrimp and priced by the chosen protein.   We opted for total veggie with the Japanese Eggplant in Hot Sweet Basil.  It was sautéed with fresh garlic, onions and chili with a basil sauce. Tofu was the protein.  Deveka was thrilled and I loved it as well. 

On a different visit I guess that I was in the mood for chicken as the Grilled Lemongrass Chicken was one of the Specialties that I opted for.  The marinated half of a chicken is served with a plum sauce and some veggies. The marinade is not spicy and the plum chili sauce is perfect as even though it had a bit of spiciness, the plum adds a bit of sweetness.

There are only a few desserts to choose from, one of which is the fried ice cream.  Vanilla ice cream is thickly coated so that when fried, the crust becomes crispy without the ice cream melting.  Topped with whipped cream and some chocolate sauce swirls.   I’m full just writing about this! 

Here are few other photos that I took after going back.

COMMUNITY? SOMEONE NEEDS TO CHECK THE DEFINITION

Prior to the year 2001, Joseph Ruggiere was on the board of a bank in Woodhaven, known then by Columbia Savings. Not a huge amount of branches.  I’m not certain when it became Queens County Savings Bank with all the expansions and less personal.   Joseph Ruggiere wasn’t happy with that.  What do you do about it?  How about opening up your own bank.  It was in July of 2001 that Community Federal Savings Bank became a one bank deal (expanding only to two in Queens).

It had all the amenities of the big guys when it came to mortgage, various types of accounts, and even gave just a bit more rates for your banking.   More important to me was that they not only knew their customers, a signature was enough to vouch for any time you dealt with your banking.   Personally, I can never remember any of my bank account numbers. No lines and if you had to go to an ATM other than these two branches, Community didn’t add a charge. 

What was missing?  Online banking wasn’t available nor did they have safety deposit boxes.   The answer for me was to open an account in one of the biggies just for those amenities and basically enough to pay bills. 

Some weeks ago, I popped into Community and was told that online banking was now available.   I figured in that case I might as well just use this bank, so I proceeded to sign up.   The person at the desk said that it had to get approved by “the people in the back”.   I first found it odd since knowing Ruggiere for the many years that I have lived in this community.  

A few days later I went online to see that there was an account listed…a CD…and it said that I could not pay bills with that…no shoot!   I called and was told it would be taken care of by “the people in the back”.  Nothing changed.  I went to the bank and asked to speak with the manager.    Only a few of the tellers, etc. looked familiar and it appeared that there was a new staff.

Ruggiere sold the bank.  I never did get anything in the mail.  I questioned the manager asking who owns the bank?  Who is the holding company?   She did not want to give me an answer but did communicate that the company itself is located in Manhattan.   This situation with my account could not be corrected as “it has to be handled by a third party”.   So how is this a “Community Bank?” The manager also informed me that the second bank that was located in Queens Village is closed and that they expect to expand first with a branch in Manhattan.

It still doesn’t ring right with word “Community”.  Most important, why can’t they simply hand me some paper work about the holding company?  What are they hiding?  By the time you read this, my accounts will be closed and brought over to the other bank.  I might as well.