A&E
Books Give Glimpse Into Boro History BY BARBARA ARNSTEIN Reading any one of the series of historical captioned photo books from Arcadia Publishing is like traveling through time. Queens resident Jason Antos, a Queens newspaper editor, is the author of "Images of America: Whitestone," "Then & Now: Queens" and "Then & Now: Flushing." Each book features interesting photos, postcards, drawings and documents that trace the progress of Queens from 1645 to the present, and depict a wide variety of scenes and structures, including roads, restaurants, railroad stations, banks, bridges, libraries, churches, trolley cars, stores, and so on. One page of "Flushing" quotes part of an 1886 letter, in which a woman wrote to her husband, "There is a rumor of a horse railroad to College Point and also talk of electric lights too. Oh! Flushing is changing, dear," and includes a 1926
taurant (open since 1932). photo, which depicts the Although it mentions that dramatic differences in "Congress closed Fort Totsize and style between a huge furniture factory and ten in September 1995," it should also have menthe old-fashioned mantioned that it is now used sion beside it. as a training area for the poAnother page includes lice and fire departments. an undated photo of the The mention of Astoria "King Neptune FounPark says nothing about the tain," decorated with statpopular pool there, the oldues of Neptune and four est and largest in the city, mermaids, and bedecked but "Flushing" does include with f lower urns, that the intriguing fact that the stood at the intersection Roosevelt Avenue Subway of Northern Boulevard and Main Street from "Then & Now: Flushing" by Bridge over Flushing Creek was built as a lift bridge that 1874 to 1946. Sadly, there Arcadia Publishing was the largest of its kind is no photo of the RKO at the time. Keith's theatre in its cinStrangely, there is no photo in "Flushematic heyday, or any mention of its older ing" of the 1964-1965 World's Fair at history of hosting vaudeville acts. Among other fascinating facts, Flushing Meadows, and the only photo of "Queens" reveals that Bayside boasts the 1939-1940 World's Fair in it disapAmerica's oldest hamburger fast-food res- pointingly shows only the Trylon and
Perisphere (its symbols) from a distance. More strangely, although many long- vanished mansions are mentioned in all three books, there is no mention of Flushing's Voelker-Orth Museum, the beautifully restored mansion (with a beautiful Victorian Garden), at 149-19 38th Ave., where tours are regularly conducted, and events held. Most strangely of all, in “Whitestone", Antos states that "developers created beautiful beach clubs but their time was shortlived," ignoring the fact that private beach clubs still exist there, and have for decades. There is so much interesting history in Beechhurst that I am now gathering material for an Arcadia Publishing book about that area. If you have any photos, postcards, maps, letters or other materials relating to its development, or even interesting family stories involving Beechhurst to share, please allow me to consider them for the book. Write to me in care of the Queens Tribune, 150-50 14th Road, Whitestone, NY, 11357.
DC Rolls Red Carpet For MLK Celebration Destination DC, the official tourism and marketing office for the nation's capital, is offering combination hotel and ticket packages for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Dedication on Aug. 28 in Washington, D.C. This arrangement is in partnership with the Washington, DC Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation, Inc. Destination DC's allocation of tickets are combined with two-night stays at one of 16 Washington, DC hotels. These exclusive bundles will be available until they are sold out. Tickets are non-trans-
ferable and non-refundable. "Thousands of people from across the country and around the world have been touched by the life and legacy of Dr. King. Destination DC is excited to present this unique opportunity to witness history," said Elliott Ferguson, President and CEO of Destination DC. "To be able to offer Dedication Ceremony tickets paired with exceptional hotel rooms for the celebratory weekend creates a special visitor experience in the Nation's Capital, a city with a unique and substantial connection to Dr. King." Located on the Tidal Basin, the Mar-
Restaurant Review
A Grand Old Time
The Grand Café tries to be all things to all people - so long as the word casual is in there somewhere. The restaurant bills itself as high end casual food and it certainly delivers, serving great food to someone in shorts or a suit. The interior of the restaurant is split among many different zones, including booths, large tables and more intimate tables for two, but all of these disparate elements are held together by the tasteful interior design, which is both creative and not overwhelming. But do yourself a favor and sit outside if the weather is worth it. The breeze, the bustle of 30th Avenue and
the ample space around this street corner café is charming and there's something about the outdoors that make digesting easier - and you'll be doing plenty of that. Get the skirt steak, made from silver medallion Black Angus meat from the local butcher; it is definitely a specialty. The rest of the food was tasty and there is plenty of variety on the menu. Being in Astoria, the Grand Café offers good eggplant, hummus and artichoke spinach, as well as a wide variety of desserts and great specialty drinks. The salads were fresh and robust as well. The prices are "casual" as well, in that they are no deep discounts, but the high quality food makes the cost reasonable. The Grand Café also features a private room with a separate side entrance, which is perfect for baby showers or corporate functions. — Brian Rafferty
to our website, Washington.org, as they plan future trips," said Ferguson. "The Destination DC team is excited to assist visitors eager to share the significance of this historic new addition to our city on this extraordinary weekend, and surely for years and generations to come." Destination DC is also creating a special brochure for the occasion. The "Official Washington DC Travel Information Guide for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial" will highlight how to experience DC's historic relationship with Dr. King and be distributed free to visitors for the rest of the year. A limited number of hotel and dedication ticket packages are available and are on sale now at Washington.org/MLK and (877) 2011-MLK.
Hot Jazz, Cool Garden The Louis Armstrong House Museum will host the monthly hot jazz/ cool garden outdoor concert series with Gordon Au and the Grand Street Stompers on Saturday, July 30, at 2 p.m. Now in its fourth season, the outdoor series is held each summer in the Armstrong Garden at Louis Armstrong House Museum, located at 34-56 107th St. in Corona. The musical extravaganza showcases up-and-coming traditional jazz bands that play the musical The Grand Street Stompers, led by Gordon Au, sounds of Louis Armstrong. The Grand Street Stompers are a will play at the Louis Armstrong House this swinging hot jazz band led by fresh-from- Saturday. New Orleans trumpeter Gordon Au. With one foot stomping in vintage tradition and niors over 65, students and children. the other in modern style, they delight Group rate for eight or more is $6. Chilswing dancers and music lovers alike with dren under 4 are free. All ticket prices everything from show tunes and Louis include a guided tour of the museum that Armstrong hits to exciting originals, classi- can be taken before or after the concert. cal covers, and Disney and movie themes. To learn more, go to Admission is $10 for adults, $7 for se- louisarmstronghouse.org.
July 29 - Aug. 4, 2011 PRESS of Southeast Queens Page 13
GRAND CAFÉ 37-01 30th Ave., Astoria (718) 777-7321 CUISINE: Modern Diner HOURS: Mon-Thurs 8 a.m. to 2 a.m., Fri-Sun 8 a.m. to 3 a.m. PARKING: Street
tin Luther King, Jr. Memorial is the first on the National Mall to honor a nonpresident, and will be dedicated on the 48th anniversary of the March on Washington and Dr. King's stirring "I Have a Dream" speech. The occasion will be accompanied by four days of special events, including a family-friendly expo, "Partners in the Dream" at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center as well as inspirational concerts, a VIP gala and civil rights leaders luncheons. Complete details about Dedication Week events can be found at DedicateTheDream.org. "The legacy of Dr. King's message of nonviolent conflict resolution and equality is known the world over. We look forward to welcoming visitors to the city and