Afternoon News Update

• I have heard that the Queens Blvd. intersections here in Forest Hills are amongst those slated for a few of the 1,500 pedestrian “countdown clocks” that the DOT will be rolling out across the City. Well, if they still give us only about 40 seconds to cross (I timed it yesterday), then a lot of good that will do. It will still be something only the fastest walkers, or runners, will be able to accomplish. Walking at a steady, middle-aged speed, you make it across just in the nick of time. I don’t see how an elderly person can possibly make it across in time at only 40 seconds. Councilwoman Koslowitz, if you care so much about the seniors in our community that you want to destroy the tennis stadium to make room for senior housing, then why don’t you put your money where your mouth is and lengthen the amount of time our seniors have to walk across Queens Blvd.?




• And speaking of the Tennis Stadium – an article today in the Daily News says that the International Tennis Hall of Fame has balked at the $9 million price tag that the West Side Tennis Club has put on the stadium. A sale to the group was one of the chances Forest Hills’ most famous landmark had of staving off destruction at the hands of Cord Meyer to make way for condos. The article also says the West Side Tennis Club’s members are currently divided 50/50 on whether to destroy the historic stadium. They vote whether to do it on Sept. 23rd.

If you are new to the Tennis Stadium controversy, see my previous posts on this blog about why it is in the entire community’s interest to Save the Stadium. Especially given this horrible economy, how anyone can possibly think about destroying what is by far the most well known part of Forest Hills is way beyond me. One thing some of those in favor of destroying the Stadium keep bringing up is that since it has sat mostly unused for so long, they might as well get rid of it. That is laughable to me and shows the type of short-sighted, narrow thinking that has gotten our country into all of the messes it is in today. Just because a solution to a problem hasn’t existed in the past doesn’t mean you assume one will not be found in the future! Imagine how many problems would never have been solved if we all thought that way! Thank God most of us do not.

Indulge me as I once again use my favorite analogy about how just because something is new, doesn’t necessarily mean that it is better.

Pennsylvania Station Today

Rockets Fire

Johnny Rockets on Austin St. has been temporarily closed due to a small fire. So those burger cravings will have to be satisfied by Cheeburger (north Hills) or Five Guys (south) until it reopens, which are more than satisfactory options in my humble burger-eating opinion.

I just hope the waiters continue to rehearse their song and dance routines in the meantime. I would hate for them to get rusty. This burger eater, for one, has no patience for amateurs when it comes to sudden bursting into song by my servers!

Thanks to my top-notch sources for the photos!