FROZEN FOOD MONTH AT FAIRWAY

I had never heard that March was National Food Month.  Although I tend to steer away from supermarkets on the weekend, Fairway Market in Douglaston was having food demos and their weekend tastings.

Since it is best to buy frozen foods just prior to the trip to the register, I first walked around checking out the food tastings.

One of the most crowded areas of the store is the deli counter.  There were a few tastings happening there thanks to their marketing person Ann who does the fancy setups.

Fairway's deli ham was one and their store made empanadas was the other.  Empanadas good but too spicy for me.

I continued past the cheese to the bakery area to see something called Beer Bread

Wake up and smell the coffee?  Had to get a pound of their Fairway blend.

As I was continuing towards the frozen food aisles I saw another display of their fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and basil.  Had to get it.

Sea salt...saw this display and it reminded me that I ran out of it.  Since olive oils were there as well, I got one of Fairway's EVOO.

Now it's time to hit the frozen food area.  I encounter General Manager Stephen Fosdick to find out what it's all about, what can be obtained and which aisles.

A few more ice cream demos from different companies.  Adirondack and Sweet Scoops.  Sweet Scoops turned out to be a frozen yogurt but I did not get the "sour" taste that would determine that.  The company is located in Portsmouth, NH.  I guess I must have missed going to them when I was doing my press trip.

So, here are the frozen food items that I purchased varying from Fairway's brand, to organic. Sweet Scoops is a frozen yogurt but does not have that "sour" taste at all.  Chocolate chips do not have any oils.  Loved the dutch chocolate and ginger. 

www.sweetscoops.com

 pizza descent but fresh is best

 not frozen but had to get these snacks.  vegetable chips are addicting. 

I like to mix a few and enjoy with nothing on it

These were better than I thought.  A bit spicy but savory.   Easy to heat up since they are pre-cooked.

INSTRUMENT DRIVE

WQXR’s First Ever Instrument Drive to Collect

Donations of Musical Instruments for NYC Music Programs

Drive to Run FRIDAY, MARCH 28 – MONDAY, APRIL 7 at

Drop-Off Locations in NYC, Northern NJ and Westchester

NYC Department of Education, Sam Ash Music Stores, and Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation
Partner with WQXR to Enhance Music Education in New York

WQXR, New York’s only classical station, announced today the first-ever WQXR INSTRUMENT DRIVE.  Held in partnership with the New York City Department of Education, Sam Ash Music Stores, and Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, the initiative will invite people throughout the New York City metro region to donate their gently used musical instruments, for distribution to music programs at Title I New York City public schools and community music programs. 

The WQXR INSTRUMENT DRIVE will take place from March 28 – April 7 and aims to collect at least 1,000 instruments.

 Donors will be able to bring their instruments to drop-off locations in all five NYC boroughs, Westchester, Long Island and Northern New Jersey.  Once the instruments are collected, Sam Ash Music Stores will assess and refurbish them before they are distributed.  Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, which was established in 1996 to support school music programs that are not able to afford instruments due to a lack of funding, will match the donated instruments to qualifying school music programs.

Additional instrument drop-off locations include Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden, Bronx Museum, Brooklyn Music School, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, and the 92^nd Street Y.

“Learning to play a musical instrument shapes one’s life in a multitude of ways, but too many young people in New York who want to play music cannot do so, simply because they lack access to instruments,” said Graham Parker, General Manager of WQXR.  "At WQXR we celebrate the power of music every day. We're launching this drive to harness the passion of WQXR listeners and people all around the region to collect instruments and pass this experience and knowledge onto the next generation. We are thrilled to partner with the Department of   Education, Sam Ash Music Stores, and Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation to give more New York City students the opportunity to reach their musical potential, and to have all the benefits that come from that experience.”

“Music instruction is a key element of a well-rounded education and helps our young people develop important skills like creative thinking, self-expression, and analytical expertise,” said Paul King, Executive Director of the Office of Arts at the NYC Department of Education. “We’re excited to work with WQXR on this innovative project to bring instruments to those students who want to play them most and to support our excellent music educators.”

“Sam Ash has been a part of the New York music scene for over 90 years during which we have been an ardent supporter of music education,” said David Ash, Chief Executive Officer and General Counsel.  “We are proud to join WQXR, the Department of Education, and the Mr. Holland’s Opus foundation in sharing the joy of making music with children who would otherwise miss the opportunity.”

“Having worked with New York City schools for many years, we’re very aware of the overwhelming need for instruments so that all students can learn to play,” said Felice Mancini, President and CEO, Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation. “We applaud WQXR for their enthusiastic efforts to generate community support to keep music alive for more kids and more schools through this instrument drive. We can’t wait to work with WQXR to put the instruments into eager hands!"

Music education has been shown to have a broad and significant positive impact on students’ social and academic development. The national average dropout rate is 30% for schools without music programs and 10% in schools with music programs.  Young children who received a year of musical training show brain changes and superior memory compared to children who did not receive training. Studies by the US Department of Education show that students who report consistently high levels of involvement in instrumental music during the middle- and high-school years show significantly higher levels of mathematics proficiency by grade 12. Students who participate in school band or orchestra have the lowest levels of current and lifelong use of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs among any group in our society.  And there is a high relationship between interest in school music and high self-perception, high cognitive competence scores, and general self-esteem.

 More information on the WQXR Instrument Drive, including the locations of drop-off sites, can be found at www.WQXR.org/kids.

FIOS FARCE BEWARE

I have Verizon Fios.  Problem comes up with the television.  Things like watching a show and it interrupts as if some words were being edited, or just black out for a few seconds and come back.  Then errors were showing on the box.  Had to keep reloading.  Okay, so I call and make an appointment.  

A guy comes to my house and changes the box, does something with each of the wires....just goes to town and spends a few hours trying to fix.  It seems to be okay after he leaves.

Less than a month later, I'm having problems.  They have me make an appointment on, let's say, Wednesday between 11 am and 2 p.m.  

It is Tuesday morning when my phone rings at 8 a.m. and I am still asleep.  I do not get up and answer a phone.  Too many marketing people who keep telling me that it's the last time they are going to call me.  I have an answering machine.  At 8:30 I hear my doorbell...keeps ringing....banging at the door.  I'm thinking that there is some emergency.  Too early for a package that I'm not waiting for.  It takes a long time for me to get to my front door from where I sleep.  I grab my bathrobe and make my way towards the door.  Telephone rings and it's a guy from Verizon.

He tells me that he sees this on a list and that he is in the area.  I told him that my appointment isn't until tomorrow.  He asks what the problem is.  I tell him that he just woke me up and I will deal with this tomorrow.  

I call Verizon for a confrontation that they were not looking to have.   They think that the guy was doing me a favor.  I told them that the guy is being selfish.  An argument continues as after I talk to a tech person I now talk with a customer service rep.  I want them to take money off of my bill for the upset and eventually get it....after speaking to a supervisor.

It is Wednesday and I get the "half hour before arriving" phone call.  I am alone at this time and a female.  He tells me that there is a second person with him.  I am also a senior citizen with a problem walking.  Why would I give two male strangers access to my home to walk around and not be able to follow them?  

I tell the guy to forget it.  I think about whether to make an appointment.  On Thursday, not having to go out and things to do, I am in my robe.  The phone rings....it's a guy from Verizon who says he's in the area and can be at my home in 20 minutes.  "I didn't make an appointment", I told him and it's not going to happen. 

Later, Verizon calls me about rescheduling the appointment from Wednesday.  

Now, let me add another thing.  There is some 11 dollar charge for "security online" and I had told them to remove it.  After talking with someone I decided to take it and told them to put it back. 

I get an email saying that I need to download or upload...whatever.  My computer doesn't seem to want to do this.  I call and ask, "If you were able to uninstall this feature, why can't YOU install it?"  They tell me that they can't do it.   

I had a conversation with someone who used to work for Verizon.   As it turns out, Verizon employs contractors who get paid by the jobs that they do.  So, if they can do mine, it's money for the contractor.  Any problems...like stealing something, breaking something, checking out your home to see if you have valuables, etc.  it's not Verizon's issue because it is not a Verizon employee.

If you request service tell the you want a Verizon employee and not to send out a contractor. 

BACK TO DOUGLASTON FAIRWAY

I feel much better here at the Douglaston Fairway Market.  I know where everything is...just about. Two holidays are bestowing upon us.  Purim (on the 15th) and Saint Patrick's Day (on the 17th). Purim is not a big Jewish Holiday when it comes to what you eat.  Being a Jewish holiday there's always wine and challah bread involved.

I checked online to see about any traditions other than dressing up as Queen Esther or King Ahasuerus. Drinking lots of wine, partying and eating Hamantashen.

I began in the produce section buying leafy greens, green cabbage, avocados and artichokes.



There was a small selection of wines near the cheese area. Actually, the label read “Wine Product”.  It’s unusual that the Fairway Market would be selling wine.  Got a Pinot Grigio, a brand that I never had before.  It wasn’t until I got home that I tasted and read the label much closer than I did when buying.  I did wonder what “Wine Product” meant.   Looking at the ingredients…there is wine…as well as added water, sugar and “juice”. BTW, when people ask if I do something "religiously", I say, "Yes, I wear a yarmulke and pray when I do it".  


Despite the choices of smoked salmon, I passed it up this time, but did buy their Ben's Cream Cheese. It doesn't have any additives and goes great on challah.

Soda Bread is the traditional Saint Patty's Day bread. It contains raisins.  To compromise I bought a challah bread with raisins.

Soda Bread and lots of beer of the Irish variety.  Me?  I love the Belgian variety.  Fairway has a huge array of beer both in six-pack and single. Mix raspberry in a Belgian beer and I'm happy.

Although the green cupcakes looked tempting, they aren't really my thing.

As for the Hamantashen, Fairway made, I chose the raspberry and the apricot.  Later tasted it.  Either I've never had good Haman or they make it great!  The pastry part is almost like a soft cookie texture and flavor as well.

They always have one sushi roll that is on sale.  I don't know about the other Fairway locales, but this has people behind this private counter creating the sushi all day.

Now I'm ready to check out Fairway's Barreled Corned Beef.  So worth the price as it is not "cryovacked". The corned beef are large enough for you to see the "flat" and "back" part.  It's your choice.  The butcher recommended the back part which has more fat and tastier.  We both agreed that you can simple cut the fat off.

I was picking up some chicken backs to make a broth when I spotted fresh rabbit, duck breast and quail.  Bought the quail.  Will try to stuff or at least using my new chopper to come up with a great combo of herbs and spices.

I have yet to use my new Kitchen Master. I'm going to have the inventor talk on my radio show to guide me and then have him on later after I have actually used it a few time.

Picked up some ice cream.  Haggen Daz was on sale...like half price.  I normally don't buy the brand due to whatever goes in when there is other than the ice cream itself.  I bought Coffee and Chocolate.  Had to get some Three Twins Ice Cream as well.  I have a stash of Fairytale Brownies and I want to make up some dessert ideas.  So far I took the Vanilla Bean ice cream and stirred in pieces of the plain brownie for my rendition of Brownies and Cream.

Stephen Fosdick, the General Manager, and I were discussing the fact that March is Frozen Food Month.  There is a food demo coming up their on the 16th.  Check the website for times. www.fairwaymarket.com It's really an ad campaign and it's the 31st year of the annual freeze. 

Frozen pre-made meals, although included, may not be something you would prioritize.  You may want to look more towards frozen vegetables, fruits and meats. Stocking your freezer with these items is recommended and may actually help you eat and cook more often at home. Here are some reasons you may want to pack your freezer with these items:

Frozen vegetables contain more nutrients than canned vegetables and are easy and convenient to cook. Some frozen vegetables actually contain more nutrients than fresh produce, because frozen foods are processed when they are ripe, whereas many fresh vegetables are picked before they ripen to lengthen their shelf life. Frozen vegetables are great in casserole dishes, soups or just steamed or microwaved as a side dish. Frozen fruits and berries are great for smoothies, oatmeal and baking. Frozen fish and chicken are convenient for those days you don’t have time to get to the supermarket.

Needless to say there is no substitute for ice cream and products of that ilk.  

AND WHILE I WAS IN RED HOOK

Fairway Market wasn't far away from the Red Hook Recreational Center checking out the New York Sharks practice.  Decided to pick up lunch before going.  There were tastings going on.  Since I'm not used to the Red Hook location, it wasn't as easy to find things and didn't have a lot of time.

NEW YORK SHARKS PRACTICE IN RED HOOK