This Monday I wanted to meet a friend at L’angolo Pizza on Metropolitan Ave at 116 St. for some conversation, a slice and to enjoy the wonderful spring weather in their outdoor street side patio when I was confronted with a huge problem- there is no parking ‘for construction’ on a long stretch of Metropolitan Avenue because the DEP is doing water installations until the end of March. While talking to the local merchants I was amazed to find out that basically the same project last spring. Apparently, according to the merchants the project was not done properly and had to be repeated.

I was upset because of my inconvenience, but can you imagine the outrage of the merchants who are losing business every day? And if the story they told me about the job that it needed to be repeated is true, it struck me as typical of New York City. The fact that for some reason the same roads had to be dug up two years in a row is so wasteful and expensive at a time when we all know every dollar counts. Where is the planning? Where is the accountability? Where is our tax money going?

Kew Gardens, a lovely garden community in central Queens, has quickly become a viral political battleground. The instigator is a 22-ton marble statue that has resided there since 1941. The aptly-named “Civic Virtue Triumphs Over Unrighteousness,” by sculptor Frederick MacMonnies, is causing quite a stir amongst locals and community leaders alike due to it’s alleged sexist image.

The 20-foot-high statue depicts a half-naked man, sword in hand, standing quite triumphantly on the throats of two very defeated women. Or does it? While at first glance it does seem extremely offensive, perhaps this is a case of mistaken identity.

Originally, the piece was intended to depict a man’s victory over two sirens, Corruption and Vice. Sirens, for the uninitiated, are mythological creatures originating from Greece. They were seductresses who would lie in wait for unsuspecting sailors, and lead them to ship-wreck with their hauntingly enchanting music.

Nevertheless, sometimes it’s what you say that counts. Not what you meant to say. Representative Anthony Weiner (D – NY), Councilwoman Julissa Ferreras, and the Queens County Young Democrats Women’s Caucus agree. They feel the statue is extremely offensive and that the city should remove it.

It wouldn’t be the first time the 89-year-old statue was given the boot. MacMonnies’ creation was situated in City Hall Park prior to 1941, that is, until Mayor Fiorella LaGuardia had the statue relocated. Since then it has been a resident of Kew Gardens, and the locals there have mixed views on the scene it depicts.

According to Rep. Weiner, his office had been receiving complaints about the statue for years. He came up with a creative solution; put the statue up on craigslist. He even took the liberty of posting the advertisement.

Of course as he doesn’t actually own the statue, he can’t legally sell it anywhere. The advertisement was probably more for dramatic effect, though Weiner states that if he finds an interested buyer he will notify the city and push for it’s sale.

What’s interesting here is that democrats are usually defending freedom of expression, not the other way around. Some feel that the city government has no business interfering with this expression. However, as the statue is city property, the fact that some do find it offensive should certainly be considered.

The issue is far from black and white, as many of the more conservative residents are equally offended at the idea of removing the statue. They feel it is symbolic for man’s triumph over the evils of vice and corruption, and that it would be sexist to remove it. They point out that had corruption and vice been depicted as two men defeated by a woman there wouldn’t be an issue. Perhaps they’re right, but it would be wise to take into account that the men of our society weren’t subjected to the same trials women were in the not-so-distant past.

If you just moved to Kew Gardens or are planning a trip, you are probably going to want to know about the nightlife of the area.

Kew Gardens is a big neighborhood in central Queens, NY.  The nightlife mostly revolves around the dive bar called Last Call and the Austin Steak and Ale House.  Last Call is your typical bar selling inexpensive drinks to its regulars.  The Ale House can’t be beat if you are in the area in summer, as they often have live music and cold drinks served on the outdoor patio.

If you venture a little further out in the Queens area, you will find the night comes alive with activity.  Club Tobago on Liberty Avenue is a hot spot for the locals of Kew Gardens.  It is a Caribbean themed nightclub featuring music in the reggae, Spanish and R&B genres.

The Bitter End is another big New York nightclub in the area.  Musicians that have played the nightclub in the past include Tori Amos, The Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, Sarah McLachlan, Bette Midler, Barbara Streisand, and Frank Zappa among others.  There have also been notable comedians who played at the club early on in their careers, including Woody Allen, Bill Cosby, Richard Pryor, and Billy Crystal.

Try out the Blue Bar at the Algonquin Hotel for a more upscale night.  The artistic elite frequent this bar, which contains artworks from Al Hirschfeld.  On the same premises is the Oak Room Supper Club with nightly performances.  Harry Connick Jr., Diana Krall, Jamie Cullum and others all had their start here.

Other places to check out are the Bowery Ballroom, Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden, the Diving Bell, the Quays Pub, DiWine and Hell Gate Social.  The nightlife in and around Kew Gardens is really buzzing so come be part of the night scene and have some fun!

Just how safe is Kew Gardens, New York?  Recently, the New York State Department of Transportation announced plans to improve the Kew Gardens Interchange in Queens for the benefit of travelers and passersby.

The Kew Gardens Interchange is located at the northwest intersection of 84th Road and Queens Boulevard.  Stanley Gee headed the project with the support of congressman Anthony Weiner and others.  Neighborhood and borough officials even held a small celebration to start the project.  About 500,000 passengers go through this exchange everyday.

In particular, pedestrians are at risk in the midst of all this traffic congestion.  Therefore, the neighborhood has also made plans to improve the major roads for cross traffic.  The

City Council and City Department of Transportation Commissioner recently announced plans to create new signals for 1,500 intersections across the city.  Queen Boulevard, located in Queens, has been singled out as a particularly dangerous location for traffic crossing.  Therefore, the new signals were installed in response to the people of New York.  While the idea of dangerous traffic is unsettling, consider that as far as pedestrian fatalities go, the area’s numbers actually went down 20% before such measures were even taken.

Kew Gardens, New York does have traffic congestion issues, but that’s New York City for you.  New York City is one of the largest cities in the world; just the borough of Queens holds over two million people.  The relatively small neighborhood of Kew Gardens holds 25,000 residents.  In actuality, Kew Gardens is a small and unassuming neighborhood.  However, because it connects to Manhattan through a subway station, it is bound to receive a lot of heavy traffic.

Traffic problems aside, Kew Gardens is actually a tree-heavy area that doesn’t feel like a city at all.  It is a culturally diverse location that is fairly easy going.  Come sample Queens for yourself.  You can visit the legendary NYC while staying in a comfy and quiet hotel near Kew Gardens!

Kew Gardens has a large population for a “small neighborhood.”  There are 25,769 people within the neighborhood boundaries.  White is the majority, but not by a substantial lead.  Latinos and Asians are increasing in population.

The population is ethnically, racially and religiously diverse.  Many of the first residents in the area came from other countries, like Germany and Italy.  After World War II, there was an increase in the Jewish population.  This explains why there are four Jewish schools in the area, as well as several active synagogues, including the Kew Gardens Synagogue at 8217 Lefferts Blvd.

Other immigrants gradually entered the city.  There were Chinese immigrants, Iranian Jews, Pakistan people and even immigrants from India, the USSR and Korea.  The biggest influx of immigrants took place from the 1960s and onward, peaking in the 1980s and 1990s.

Local restaurants and stores (unusually populous) also reflect the diversity of the neighborhood.  All sorts of specialties are available from authentic Italian food to Indian food, Pakistani food, Uzbek food and Russian delicacies.  There are also European restaurants, Arab mini-markets and Caribbean foods.  Many of the grocery stores in the area actually cater to Jewish faiths, Muslim faiths and Hindu faiths.

Even the local schools are diverse.  Recent polls of the public school P.S. 99 indicate that Latino children are the majority, followed by Asians.  Caucasians did outnumber African Americans, American Indians and other races.  In fact, 17% of the entire polled student population were taking an English Language course!

The borough of Queens, as well as the entire city of New York has suffered a tarnished reputation since the 1960s.  However, the modern city is safe and heavily policed by the NYPD.  Come see for yourself.  This is a safe and very peaceable neighborhood that’s welcoming to tourists and new residents alike!

The Maple Grove Cemetery is a huge cemetery in Kew Gardens.  It measures about sixty-five acres and started way back in 1875.  The cemetery service provides sensitive care for families who have lost loved ones.  Besides being a funeral location, however, this cemetery is also a part of the neighborhood’s culture.  The cemetery is actually listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The area is very tranquil and serene, as if to offer those resting a comfy bed.  The cemetery has also recently started construction of an 18,000 square foot center, which will be a tribute to life and remembrance.  The Civic Association also plans a few events a year at the cemetery; respectful gatherings are arranged so that the living can honor their loved ones.

Not surprisingly, this long-lasting cemetery has also captured the interest of thrill seekers and children around the borough.  Not only is the cemetery often included on haunted tours of Queens, but it is also a favorite location for Halloween Festivals.  Here, children can look forward to face painting, stories, and crafts.

The cemetery is located on Kew Gardens Road.  The nearest cemetery is the Prospect Cemetery in Jamaica, which is about two hundred years older.  The Maple Grove Cemetery is one of the highest elevations in the neighborhood, and coincidentally boasts scenic views of nearby Long Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean.

One of the most fascinating events held at the cemetery is the “Spirits Alive!” event (now in its 5^th year).  This sees a small crowd of spectators as well as a volunteer theatrical production in which actors play historical characters buried at the cemetery.  To this day, the Richmond Hill Historical Society still creates scripts and recruits new members.  This event is held to honor the dead and respect the neighborhood’s history and heritage.

If you want to see a piece of Kew Gardens history then make plans to tour the cemetery area.  This site was truly one of the most important sites of the entire neighborhood.

Kew Gardens has gone Hollywood—or more to the point, the movies have come to Kew Gardens!  The neighborhood was featured in a romantic comedy called The Back-up Plan, starring Jennifer Lopez and Alex O’Loughlin.  It was produced by CBS Films and was released in 2010.

Filmmakers, with a crew of about 150 people, shot their scenes in two days.  They shot in and around the William Sobelsohn Playground in Forest Park, located Park Lane South and Abingdon Road.  Want a sneak peak of the movie scene in question?  Stan, played by O’Loughlin, is confiding in a friend about his new relationship with a woman that happens with be pregnant with someone else’s twins.  That sounds like a winner, right?

The park area was actually used as a “stand in” for Central Park.  To recreate Central Park, and also to block out familiar scenery of Kew Gardens, filmmakers used artificial trees and shrubs.  What can you say, Kew Gardens looks nothing like Central Park!  The busy borough of Manhattan is nothing like the out of the way golf course neighborhood Kew Gardens!

While certainly not an Oscar-winning news item, this event was a bit of curiosity for the folks of Kew Gardens.  Some passersby looked on to the closed park curiously, while others took no note at all.  Everyone felt Hollywood’s presence, as posters left on neighborhood lamp posts thanked the residents for their cooperation.

Was this the first of many encounters Kew Gardens will have with the filmmaking industry?  This is definitely a neighborhood that attracts genius.  After all, celebrity artists like Rodney Dangerfield, Anais Nin, Dorothy Parker and Robert H. Lieberman once called this neighborhood home.  Is it something in the water?  Is it something in the air?  Who knows…but it’s hard to deny that Kew Gardens and the entertainment profession have a unique relationship!