Hanging out in Queens

[+ nycman]

On 2/21/2025 at 10:42 PM, mike carey said:

Don't tell @nycman where 'outside of Queens' that was ......

He would never take that PATH!!

Silly homo, the PATH train goes to Jersey, not Queens. 

Not that I would know. Although a much younger and poorer nycman may, or may not, have ridden to the PATH train a time or too to fuck a professional hockey player in Jersey. Don’t judge me. He was rich and he had a nice ass. 

"I'm not going to Queens, there are people living in cabs down there."
- Karen Walker

[samhexum]

SOMEBODY UNCOOL HAS BEEN HANGING OUT IN QUEENS:

 

Serial burglar targets businesses in Forest Hills, Rego Park and Brooklyn

Cops from 112th Precinct looking for burglar who broke into 4 businesses on or near Queens Blvd last month.

The one-man crime spree began at 3:14 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 18, when the suspect broke through the front door of a nail salon at 102-07 67th Drive just north of Queens Boulevard in Forest Hills. Once inside, the perpetrator removed approximately $400 from the cash register before riding away on a bicycle in an unknown direction.

The burglar broke into a tailor shop on Queens Boulevard near 112th Street just before 3 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 20, but left empty-handed on an electric scooter. The following morning, the suspect targeted Knish Nosh, a neighborhood favorite since 1952, located at 98-104 Queens Blvd. on Monday, Jan. 20. The perp rode to the shop on an electric scooter and broke in through the front door just after 2:30 a.m. He left with just $35 from the cash register and rode away westbound on Queens Boulevard towards Rego Park, where he struck again about 40 minutes later at the Rego Center Mall. This time, he forcibly entered 61-01 Junction Blvd. and removed $800 from a cash register. He rode off in an unknown direction.

Investigators determined that the same man broke into two more commercial establishments in Brooklyn during the morning of Wednesday, Jan. 22. At 12:25 a.m., he broke into a restaurant in the confines of the 83rd Precinct in Bushwick and stole $90 from a cash register before running off westbound on Troutman Street. Three hours later, he showed up in the 79th Precinct in Bedford-Stuyvesant, and forcibly entered a fast food restaurant located at 360 Throop Ave through the front door. Once inside, he took $250 from a cash register and $1,250 worth of property before running off in an unknown direction. No one was injured during the half-dozen burglaries.

The NYPD released surveillance images of the suspect from his first two Forest Hills break-ins. He wore a white hooded winter coat over a white hoodie, a black face covering, black pants, dark sneakers, and a black backpack.

Anyone with information regarding this burglary spree is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org or on X (the platform formerly known as Twitter) @NYPDTips. All calls and messages are confidential.

Through Feb. 16, the 112th Precinct has reported 32 burglaries so far in 2025, twenty more than the dozen reported at the same point last year, an increase of 166.7%, according to the most recent CompStat report.

 

[samhexum]

Spin Bagel, a new health-conscious bagel shop, opened on Feb. 17 in Bayside, replacing the longtime neighborhood staple Top Bagel, which operated for more than 20 years before closing permanently in April.

The new shop at 40-18 Bell Blvd. is owned by Queens natives Yvonne and Cliff Themistocleous, who aim to reinvent traditional breakfast favorites by offering clean ingredients and gut-friendly options, including sourdough bagels that are fermented for improved digestion.

The couple, who have lived in Bayside for most of their lives, had long dreamed of opening their own business but waited for the right opportunity. Yvonne, a clinical dietitian with over 15 years of experience, and Cliff, who has a background in construction and a family history in the Manhattan deli business, saw potential in the former bagel shop’s location on the bustling neighborhood street.

“I just felt if we were going to open a food establishment, I had to remain within the scope of my practice,” said Yvonne. “I just didn’t feel right providing foods that I know are not beneficial, nutritious, or healthy for the public. This location had been a bagel store for a long time. I think someone came in and said this place had been a bagel store for over 20, 30 years, so we figured, why reinvent the wheel?”

Spin Bagel differentiates itself by using unbleached and unbromated flour, avoiding processed ingredients, and cooking exclusively with avocado oil, olive oil, or real butter. Their bagel recipe is vegan, and they do not offer cold cuts or processed meats. Instead, their turkey and roast beef are prepared in-house, and their French ham is uncured and nitrate-free. The shop also makes its own jellies from fresh fruit without preservatives.

“We also carry a French ham that is uncured, so there’s no nitrates in any of our meats. That goes for our bacon and our Canadian bacon, and everything is pretty much clean ingredients,” said Yvonne.

The concept stems in part from Cliff’s personal experience. He recalled how years of eating takeout while working in the city left him feeling sluggish and unhealthy until Yvonne helped him transition to a cleaner diet.

“I was in bad shape, and then after we started eating clean, all of a sudden, I had more energy than ever, my joints didn’t hurt, and other problems just kind of went away, and I was very happy for it,” said Cliff.

Beyond its bagels, Spin Bagel offers unique Greek-inspired items, including rustic bread from Greece and an ancient grain called Zia, as well as specialty bagels such as Zaatar and rosemary and olive oil. Their selection of cream cheese spreads includes flavors like spicy feta and fig.

[CuriousByNature]

8 hours ago, samhexum said:

Spin Bagel, a new health-conscious bagel shop, opened on Feb. 17 in Bayside, replacing the longtime neighborhood staple Top Bagel, which operated for more than 20 years before closing permanently in April.

The new shop at 40-18 Bell Blvd. is owned by Queens natives Yvonne and Cliff Themistocleous, who aim to reinvent traditional breakfast favorites by offering clean ingredients and gut-friendly options, including sourdough bagels that are fermented for improved digestion.

The couple, who have lived in Bayside for most of their lives, had long dreamed of opening their own business but waited for the right opportunity. Yvonne, a clinical dietitian with over 15 years of experience, and Cliff, who has a background in construction and a family history in the Manhattan deli business, saw potential in the former bagel shop’s location on the bustling neighborhood street.

“I just felt if we were going to open a food establishment, I had to remain within the scope of my practice,” said Yvonne. “I just didn’t feel right providing foods that I know are not beneficial, nutritious, or healthy for the public. This location had been a bagel store for a long time. I think someone came in and said this place had been a bagel store for over 20, 30 years, so we figured, why reinvent the wheel?”

Spin Bagel differentiates itself by using unbleached and unbromated flour, avoiding processed ingredients, and cooking exclusively with avocado oil, olive oil, or real butter. Their bagel recipe is vegan, and they do not offer cold cuts or processed meats. Instead, their turkey and roast beef are prepared in-house, and their French ham is uncured and nitrate-free. The shop also makes its own jellies from fresh fruit without preservatives.

“We also carry a French ham that is uncured, so there’s no nitrates in any of our meats. That goes for our bacon and our Canadian bacon, and everything is pretty much clean ingredients,” said Yvonne.

The concept stems in part from Cliff’s personal experience. He recalled how years of eating takeout while working in the city left him feeling sluggish and unhealthy until Yvonne helped him transition to a cleaner diet.

“I was in bad shape, and then after we started eating clean, all of a sudden, I had more energy than ever, my joints didn’t hurt, and other problems just kind of went away, and I was very happy for it,” said Cliff.

Beyond its bagels, Spin Bagel offers unique Greek-inspired items, including rustic bread from Greece and an ancient grain called Zia, as well as specialty bagels such as Zaatar and rosemary and olive oil. Their selection of cream cheese spreads includes flavors like spicy feta and fig.

I really thought this would be about a place where you eat a bagel while you're riding an indoor cycle.

[mike carey]

4 minutes ago, CuriousByNature said:

I really thought this would be about a place where you eat a bagel while you're riding an indoor cycle.

Sam often spins a bit of a yarn and peddles surprises.

[CuriousByNature]

2 minutes ago, mike carey said:

Sam often spins a bit of a yarn and peddles surprises.

Ok, that reply was wheely bad.

[mike carey]

Just now, CuriousByNature said:

Ok, that reply was wheely bad.

*Bows*

[samhexum]

A new art gallery named Ptolemy is quickly becoming a cultural cornerstone in Glendale, and its owner, Patrick Reynolds, is determined to make it a space that speaks to both artists and the community. 

After opening in late 2024, the gallery is poised for a significant year ahead as it continues to showcase local and international talent. Designed with the artists’ perspectives at the forefront, Ptolemy is set to provide a nurturing environment where creative voices can thrive and be celebrated.

Reynolds, an artist with years of experience working in the art world, has always dreamed of opening a space dedicated to exhibiting and promoting art. Having worked in various galleries across Manhattan and other art studios, Reynolds was eager to create his own platform for the arts. 

“I’ve been thinking about it for a while,” he said. “When I saw a storefront open up close to home, I just decided to go for it.”

The decision to open Ptolemy at 6733 Central Ave. in Glendale was not only a professional move but also a personal one. (he had an unrelenting need to be an 8-minute walk from @pubic_assistance's favorite German restaurant)  After living in New York for more than a decade, Reynolds and his family moved to Glendale three years ago, and the gallery became an extension of his desire to support and contribute to his local community.

“Glendale and definitely Ridgewood has a strong concentration of artists and a really thriving community,” he remarked.

The gallery, located in Glendale’s vibrant, creative area, has already struck a chord with local art enthusiasts. The surrounding neighborhood, with its deep roots in the arts, provides a solid foundation for Reynolds’ vision. 

He is excited about fostering an inclusive atmosphere where people of all backgrounds can come together to experience and appreciate art.

However, Reynolds’ ambitions for Ptolemy go beyond serving the arts community alone. As a family-oriented individual, he envisions the gallery as a place where families can participate in cultural events, workshops, and other programming. 

With a three-year-old child and a household that includes his wife and mother-in-law, Reynolds values creating a gallery that is open, inviting, and accessible to all.

The current exhibition at Ptolemy, running until March 9, showcases the work of Shirley Irons, an accomplished artist who has had international recognition since the 1980s.

Irons’ oil paintings on canvas and panels often focus on quiet, intimate moments, capturing the beauty of seemingly mundane objects. 

The exhibition features several small paintings of everyday objects like light switches and flowers, reflecting her recent shift from painting based on photographs to creating work directly from life. 

During the pandemic, she began painting floral arrangements in her studio, exploring the passage of time through flowers in various stages of bloom and decay.

Reynolds is particularly drawn to Irons’ work’s contrast between life and death. This thought-provoking exploration of life’s transience is central to the current show.

Following the success of Irons’ exhibition, Ptolemy will host a photography exhibition by Ridgewood-based artist Tom Wilson. The show, which opens on March 14 and runs through April 13, will also feature a book release of Wilson’s photographic work.

Over the coming months, the gallery will offer a mix of different mediums, from photography and painting to sculpture and glasswork, ensuring that there is something for everyone.

As Ptolemy prepares for its first full year, Reynolds is focused on cultivating a gallery space that champions artists’ creative voices and fosters an environment of connection and community. 

“I spent a lot of time working in galleries and working for artists, but I’m also an artist myself. So I think that a big thing with the gallery is that I’m operating it from an artist’s perspective,” he shared. 

For Reynolds, Ptolemy is not just a space for displaying art; it’s a place for artists to find a platform to showcase their work, engage with others, and build connections with both local and international audiences.

In addition to its exhibitions, Ptolemy also offers a small retail footprint, where visitors can purchase records, snacks, mugs, and other items that complement the gallery’s artistic vibe. 

With its artist-driven ethos and commitment to fostering creativity, Ptolemy is set to become a major part of the cultural landscape in Glendale.

 

Patrick Reynolds opened Ptolemy in Glendale as a space for the community to come together.

The current exhibition at the gallery is from New York-based artist Shirley Irons.

Irons likes to celebrate the quieter things in life with her work.

Ptolemy is not just for art enthusiasts but is welcoming to all aspects of the community.

[samhexum]

BOO!  HISS!

 

City Council votes overwhelmingly in favor of $8B Metropolitan Park casino zoning changes

Train game: Take nostalgic trains to the Mets and Yankees home openers this season

Yankees’ fans can ride in classic style aboard a vintage train to Yankee Stadium for the team’s opening game on March 27, while Mets’ fans can enjoy a nostalgic ride to Citi Field for the Queens-based team’s home opener on April 4. 

Each ride costs $2.90, the same as standard subway fare. 

The Yankees’ home opener ride will run non-stop from the uptown 4 train platform at 42 Street-Grand Central to 161 Street-Yankee Stadium. 

Step back in time with the museum’s redbirds, riding across the scenic 7 line, leaving from 34 Street-Hudson Yards at noon on Friday, April 4, and making several stops on the way to Mets-Willets Point.

The Mets’ home opener ride will run from 34 Street-Hudson Yards on the 7 line to Mets-Willets Point, with stops at Times Square-42 Street, 5 Avenue, Grand Central-42 Street, Vernon Blvd-Jackson Avenue, Hunters Point Avenue, Court Square, Queensboro Plaza, 61 Street-Woodside, Junction Blvd, and Mets-Willets Point. More information is available online at nytransitmuseum.org. 

Edited March 13 by samhexum
to maintain the incredibly high standards he has established here

[samhexum]

 

Sounds of silence Forest Hills Stadium told no concerts this summer as fight over noise with fed-up neighbors hits boiling point

NYPD revoked iconic music venue’s sound amplification permits

Edited March 24 by samhexum
to ensure maximum delight for the reader!

[mike carey]

6 minutes ago, samhexum said:

 

Sounds of silence Forest Hills Stadium told no concerts this summer as fight over noise with fed-up neighbors hits boiling point

NYPD revoked iconic music venue’s sound amplification permits

It seems as if Kings is as boring, I mean as interesting as ever.

[pubic_assistance]

On 3/13/2025 at 3:59 PM, samhexum said:

BOO!  HISS!

 

City Council votes overwhelmingly in favor of $8B Metropolitan Park casino zoning changes

They already tried this at Belmont Park. I visited their luxury brand "Village" a few weeks ago.

There were 10x more salespeople than there were customers.

Total retail desert.

Edited March 25 by pubic_assistance
grammar

[samhexum]

Queens Center Mall is undergoing a significant expansion and renovation effort as it welcomes a wave of new retailers and continues to experience increased foot traffic—part of a broader national resurgence in in-person shopping. 

The shopping center has added several high-profile tenants, including  San Wei, Psycho Bunny, Digiso, Dave’s Hot Chicken, Poke Island, Burlington, Primark and H&M. Two additional retailers— Dossier and PacSun—are scheduled to open in the coming months. For many of these brands, including San Wei, Psycho Bunny, Dossier, and Primark, the Queens Center location will be their first and only storefront in the borough.

The additions come as indoor mall visitation increased by 5.5% in January 2025 compared to January 2024, with February 2025 visits holding steady and spiking on Valentine’s Day. Alongside the new tenant lineup, Queens Center is also in the midst of internal and external renovations. Completed upgrades include new carpeting, lighting fixtures, and updated common area seating. Live greenery installations and parking garage improvements are currently underway.

 

Edited March 26 by samhexum
for absolutely NO @%!*ING reason at all!

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

On 3/24/2025 at 8:47 AM, samhexum said:

 

Sounds of silence Forest Hills Stadium told no concerts this summer as fight over noise with fed-up neighbors hits boiling point

NYPD revoked iconic music venue’s sound amplification permits

 

The NIMBY assholes got their way...  For now.

[samhexum]

Two NYPD officers from Jackson Heights precinct indicted for misconduct, burglary and forcible touching at alleged brothel: DA - Jackson Heights Post

JACKSONHEIGHTSPOST.COM

---

March 31, 2025 By Bill Parry Two NYPD probationary cops from the 115th Precinct in Jackson Heights...

Two NYPD officers from Jackson Heights precinct indicted for misconduct, burglary and forcible touching at alleged brothel

 

FDNY fires firefighter accused of killing motorist in DWI crash — as its revealed he's a beefcake OnlyFans model

The probationary NYC firefighter accused of driving drunk and high when he allegedly killed a Queens motorist was fired this week 

This happened a block from my favorite used tire place on Northern Blvd.

Edited March 31 by samhexum
for absolutely NO @%!*ING reason at all!

[+ Gar1eth]

On 3/4/2025 at 2:07 PM, samhexum said:

Spin Bagel, a new health-conscious bagel shop, opened on Feb. 17 in Bayside, replacing the longtime neighborhood staple Top Bagel, which operated for more than 20 years before closing permanently in April.

The new shop at 40-18 Bell Blvd. is owned by Queens natives Yvonne and Cliff Themistocleous, who aim to reinvent traditional breakfast favorites by offering clean ingredients and gut-friendly options, including sourdough bagels that are fermented for improved digestion.

The couple, who have lived in Bayside for most of their lives, had long dreamed of opening their own business but waited for the right opportunity. Yvonne, a clinical dietitian with over 15 years of experience, and Cliff, who has a background in construction and a family history in the Manhattan deli business, saw potential in the former bagel shop’s location on the bustling neighborhood street.

“I just felt if we were going to open a food establishment, I had to remain within the scope of my practice,” said Yvonne. “I just didn’t feel right providing foods that I know are not beneficial, nutritious, or healthy for the public. This location had been a bagel store for a long time. I think someone came in and said this place had been a bagel store for over 20, 30 years, so we figured, why reinvent the wheel?”

Spin Bagel differentiates itself by using unbleached and unbromated flour, avoiding processed ingredients, and cooking exclusively with avocado oil, olive oil, or real butter. Their bagel recipe is vegan, and they do not offer cold cuts or processed meats. Instead, their turkey and roast beef are prepared in-house, and their French ham is uncured and nitrate-free. The shop also makes its own jellies from fresh fruit without preservatives.

“We also carry a French ham that is uncured, so there’s no nitrates in any of our meats. That goes for our bacon and our Canadian bacon, and everything is pretty much clean ingredients,” said Yvonne.

The concept stems in part from Cliff’s personal experience. He recalled how years of eating takeout while working in the city left him feeling sluggish and unhealthy until Yvonne helped him transition to a cleaner diet.

“I was in bad shape, and then after we started eating clean, all of a sudden, I had more energy than ever, my joints didn’t hurt, and other problems just kind of went away, and I was very happy for it,” said Cliff.

Beyond its bagels, Spin Bagel offers unique Greek-inspired items, including rustic bread from Greece and an ancient grain called Zia, as well as specialty bagels such as Zaatar and rosemary and olive oil. Their selection of cream cheese spreads includes flavors like spicy feta and fig.

Wouldn't any sour dough bagel-or really any yeast bagel by definition be fermented since adding yeast and allowing it to activate is what fermentation is?

[samhexum]

Spring Break Farm Camp returns to Queens County Farm Museum with hands-on activities

 

Queens Night Market previews new global flavors ahead of 10th anniversary season

Forest Hills gastropub Queens Bully celebrates eight years with food that celebrates the borough

 

Woodhaven Restaurant Week to spotlight local dining from April 7 to 13

 

Metropolitan Park casino team unveils plan for 450-unit affordable housing complex in Corona

Community rallies to stop proposed lithium-ion battery storage site in Middle Village

 

Bayside Historical Society celebrates spring with concerts, gardening and guided tours

Edited April 3 by samhexum
for absolutely NO @%!*ING reason at all!

[+ Lucky]

Wow! I can't imagine @samhexum bumping his own thread! This thread started with a lame joke about a guy who committed suicide, yet Sam keeps bumping it.

[samhexum]

On 3/24/2025 at 10:15 AM, pubic_assistance said:

They already tried this at Belmont Park. I visited their luxury brand "Village" a few weeks ago.

There were 10x more salespeople than there were customers.

Total retail desert.

I saw a 5 or 10 second ad for it whilst surfing youtube videos the other night.

[pubic_assistance]

22 minutes ago, samhexum said:

I saw a 5 or 10 second ad for it whilst surfing youtube videos the other night.

I just don't  understand WHO they expected to shop there. Its plunked down in a very working class neighborhood. OK...maybe if you take home some $$ from the racetrack or casino...you MIGHT drive over there with your winnings....but you're 20 minutes from Manhattan...so if you're flush with cash... you head to Madison Avenue not some Disney-esque shopping center in the middle of nowhere.

Edited April 3 by pubic_assistance
grammar

[samhexum]

5 minutes ago, pubic_assistance said:

I just understand (sic) WHO they expected to shop there. Its plucked down in a very working class neighborhood. OK...maybe if you take home some $$ from the racetrack or casino...you MIGHT drive over there with your winnings....but you're 20 minutes from Manhattan...so you if you're flush with cash you head to Madison Avenue not some Disney-esque shopping center in the middle of nowhere.

People coming or going to the UBS arena, possibly.  If that's the case, it should be open later than 6PM.

[pubic_assistance]

1 minute ago, samhexum said:

People coming or going to the UBS arena, possibly.  If that's the case, it should be open later than 6PM.

None of these venues impress me as a rational target audience for luxury goods.

[samhexum]

1 minute ago, pubic_assistance said:

None of these venues impress me as a rational target audience for luxury goods.

Well, now that said goods will be selling at such bargain prices...

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

47 minutes ago, Lucky said:

Wow! I can't imagine @samhexum bumping his own thread! This thread started with a lame joke about a guy who committed suicide, yet Sam keeps bumping it.

He keeps bumping it with pertinent info for those who follow, visit or live in Queens.

I don't see an issue with it, as I'm there often and I like the random things he finds. 

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

Re: Queens Bully.

I've tried it a few times and aside from the beer selection, the food is pretty mid.

They do have a GREAT location.  Plenty of foot traffic.  Big dining room.