The Weekend is Here Events Guide 5/30/14

Here are a few things going on around and near Garden City this weekend. Email us at www.insidegardencity@gmail.com or FB message us if you'd like your event to be included. 

The Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church in New Hyde Park is having its first Parish Festival this weekend. There will be carnival games as well as rides. You'll find something for kids as well as adults! Thursday May 29 through Sunday June 1. 16 South 6th St., New Hyde Park.

St. Paul's Annual Greek Festival. Experience Greek culture by indulging in Greek food, music and dancing. Play the games, ride the rides and tour the beautiful Cathedral. Thursday May 29 through Sunday June 1. 110 Cathedral Ave, Hempstead.

Experience the art and architecture of St. Joseph Church on Fifth St. in Garden City by going on a tour of the church on Sunday June 1 at 3:30 p.m. View and learn about the colorful stained glass, stone and mosaic which are a part of this beautiful church. The tour will last for one hour.

The Nassau County Strawberry Festival in Bellmore is being held from Thursday May 29 through Sunday June 1at the Nassau Boces school grounds. Live music, crafts, rides, food and of course, delicious strawberries! 2351 Jerusalem Ave in North Bellmore. 

Catch The Long Island Children's Museum exhibit of Alice in Wonderland on Saturday and Sunday from 2pm to 4pm. Admission: $12.

The Herricks Festival runs from May 29 through June 1 at 999 Herricks Road, New Hyde Park, NY. 




Enjoy the weekend!


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Dad's Day at the Salon

Our Mother's Day post involved spending the day at the track (Belmont) and our Father's Day post involves a salon. Sound a little backward? Well, doesn't everyone like a little pampering now and then?

If you're having trouble figuring out what to get your father or husband for Father's Day, you could settle on a {boring} pair of socks or a {…yawn…} new tie. Or you can try something different this year. Salon Imperiale is offering 10% off gift certificates for men!

Why not arrange some pampering for dad? Has he been looking a little scruffy these days? Not taking care of himself? Set him up with a mens haircut at Salon Imperiale on Franklin Ave. There he can receive a nice shampoo and conditioning followed by a quality haircut of his choice. Or perhaps he can use some new everyday products. If Dad wants to feel a bit more refreshed than usual, Salon Imperiale also offers coloring for men. They use a subtle protein vegetable color (no dyes here) without peroxide that gradually washes out in about 6 weeks. 

This 10% off gift certificates is Salon Imperiale's special promotion in honor of fathers and won't extend past Father's Day. Mention Inside Garden City when you get there or when you call: 516-747-1027. They may not admit it, but men like to feel good about themselves too!


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Memorial Day Weekend Events Guide

If you'll be staying in town this Memorial Day weekend, you won't be disappointed. Here's what's happening in and around GC: 

Friday 5/23 Doc O'Grady's at 9:00pm. See Mike & The Slingers (aka Mike and Ellen Volpe of CrossFit Garden City) perform live! Come on down, have a drink, and sing along.

Friday 5/23 BK Sweeney's Lobster Bake starts up again. Just $31.95 for a 2lb lobster dinner.

Saturday 5/24 and Sunday 5/25. Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach in Wantagh 10am-3pm on both days. $10 per vehicle 

Saturday 5/24 see the Marine and Helicopter Landing at Eisenhower Park's Kite Field. 10am-2pm. Admission free

Saturday  5/24- catch the Town of North Hempstead's annual Memorial Day Fireworks at Park West Shore Road in Port Washington. 6pm. Come for festivities and live music. Fireworks begin at dark. Free admission; $5 to park.

Saturday May 24th- Bring a friend to CrossFit Garden City! Each morning class will have extra coaches on hand to assist friends through their first CrossFit workout.

Memorial Day at the Cathedral of the Incarnation. 50 Cathedral Ave. Church service at 9am, Parade at 10am (intersection of Stewart and Cherry Valley Aves), Festival starts at noon and runs until 4pm. Come by for pony rides, petting zoo, crafts, dunking booth, rides, games and more. Live music at 1pm and 3pm. 

Memorial Day- If you're tired of manning the grill by the time Monday rolls around, Capo Ristorante on Covert Ave, Floral Park will be OPEN on Memorial Day. 

Outdoor dining is now open at Revel on Franklin Ave. 

Garden City Community Park Tennis Center and Platform Tennis Courts are now open from 8am-11pm, 7 days a week.

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Summer Shape Up- MDW Waits for No One

Since the weather is finally warm and sunny (for the most part), it's time to seriously get fit for summer, if you haven't been doing so already. Below are some tips for you- some obvious, some less-so. Remember, MDW (Memorial Day weekend) waits for no one.

1. Join a gym! We are fairly lucky in GC. There's a plethora of high quality gyms right in our own backyard. Some of the bigger names are Healthtrax, NYSC, LA Fitness, Xsport and CrossFit and there's also a number of smaller studios such as The Personal Training Studio, The Physical Fitness Center and Studio Strength- just to name a few.

2. Go to said gym. Womp womp, I know. But this is one thing that cannot be outsourced. You actually need to go. And exercise. Hey- at least most gyms are now set up so can actually watch TV while and exercising!

3. Just get outside and run or walk a few days a week. It's not magic. You have to get out and move. Even if you work out regularly, an extra walk/run just a couple of times per week can be enough to get you out of a rut or over your plateau. If you're a nature lover, head to the Garden City bird sanctuary.  If you're a window shopper,  head to 7th Street. The only thing I wouldn't recommend is pulling a Bill Clinton and running to the local McDonalds (unless of course you're running for office and want to secure a few more votes from "mainstream" America).

4. Get a trainer. Just joining a gym isn't enough for some of us. You might find it more effective if you have someone to hold you accountable. Plus, you won't get stuck in a workout rut. And hopefully you find one who's fun to be around which makes going to the gym a social as well as a physical outlet.

5. Plan your meals and grocery shop in advance. I love www.cookinglight.com and www.extremelyfit.com for healthy, delicious recipes. Try making your week's menu on a Saturday or Sunday so healthy meals are ready for the week. For an easier way out, swing by Food For Thought on Seventh Street and pick up a couple of meal's worth of food. If you're lucky, their amaaaazing carrot cake will be available that day.

6. Get a spray tan or try a self tanner. It may sound silly, but a little bit of bronze on your skin puts a little pep in your step. You may feel a little more ready to start wearing those tanks and short sleeve shirts with a little added color. Xsport actually offers this service in the gym, so you can grab a tan after your workout. Neutrogena MicroMist Tanning Sunless Spray will give you color just a few hours after spraying it on. So no long wait for color to build-up. Beach Bum Tanning and Airbrush Salon has locations in Greenvale and East Meadow. It's a lot healthier for your skin than going for a fake & bake or laying out in your backyard.

7. Try a juice cleanse (this is not for everyone) or just go a few days with an emphasis on the veggies, fruits and lots of water. A summer shape-up isn't instantaneous but it's possible with a little forethought!

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The Great Pizza Upset

It's no secret that I've been actively searching for the best pizza in or around Garden City for almost a year now. I've found some delicious pies and I've blogged about them (click on "Wining and Dining"), but I can't honestly say that I've ever been blown away by any- at least not enough to suggest that one of them could upset the love affair that GC has with Umberto's. Umberto's holds the belt in GC and has trounced everyone we've put up against them. They're the ones to beat. But, as in sports, you just never know. Upsets can happen at any time; which makes me think of a few classics...

Buster Douglas vs Mike Tyson, US defeats the Soviet Union in the 1980 Hockey Olympics, John Daly wins the British open and perhaps the greatest upset of all… Rocky Balboa defeats Apollo Creed. In similar fashion, Giaccone's of Mineola has given pizza fans something to shout about. 

Perhaps Umberto's is getting soft? Or just possibly all along there was a scrappy contender waiting for the moment when preparation meets opportunity: in walks Giaccone's. How did the bout go? Well, let's look at the judges' scorecard:

--Who had the shorter delivery time?
Giaccone's

--Which pie had the better crust?

Giaccone's. The crust was definitely worth eating on it's own. Not too doughy and very tasty. After all, they do advertise "The Best Crust in Town."

--Which had the better overall taste?

Giaccone's. The pizza was lighter and tastier whereas Umberto's was thicker, heavier, cheesier. Giaccone's had a better balance of sauce to cheese. 

--Which delivery person thought to walk into the backyard to find us (where we were kicking back some drinks with our guests)? Giaccone's

--Which delivery person waited at the front door until we noticed him? Umberto's

--Which presented the better value? Giaccone's

GIACCONE'S:

UMBERTO'S:

In summary, it was a unanimous decision. Giaccone's takes the belt. A re-match is no doubt in the future. Maybe Umberto's had a bad day and will get back to the gym? Either way, it is setting up to be an exciting summer with a new champion on the scene. I suggest you take a drive over or order in a pie and see what they've got. You might agree that this underdog could be the next David to Umberto's Goliath. One important question remains- will they deliver to the GC pool?

Giaccone's 124 Old Country Road, Mineola. 516-877-7790

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Mother's Day at the Track

Gambling, alcohol, cigars, sports- the perfect ingredients for a typical Mother's Day, right? Or you could look at it this way- an easy way to turn your children onto one of life's many vices. If that reasoning still doesn't appeal to you, how about thinking of it this way- you're teaching your child the finer arts of statistics in a slightly unorthodox way- through horse betting.

All kidding aside, the horses were racing on Mother's Day at Belmont Park and it was a great, albeit different (for me at least), way to spend Mother's Day. The typical Mother's Day brunch at a restaurant didn't appeal to me this year but Belmont sounded exciting. Families came with packed coolers and picnic baskets. They staked out spots on the grassy grounds, whether at a table or right on the grass with blankets. The picnic grounds were totally alive with a petting zoo, pony rides, bubble stations, face painting, karaoke, a train ride around the park and more. All of this was free with admission btw. There were also concession stands selling hot dogs, burgers, fries, ice cream, snacks, beer & soda. 

The races can be viewed from the picnic grounds on large screen tvs placed all around the park (you might think that tvs placed up around the trees sounds a bit strange but surprisingly it works), or you could walk to the track and view them (actual betting makes the race viewing a little more fun in my opinion). Betting can be done inside or at betting windows outside.  

There was also Breakfast at Belmont on Mother's Day from 7-10am. Participants enjoyed breakfast, a tour of Belmont and got to watch Thoroughbreds train prior to the races. Breakfast at Belmont happens most weekends in the spring and summer. Call Belmont or check their website for dates before you go. But this was too early for someone like me who enjoys sleeping in a bit on Mother's Day. I will be sure to check it out on another weekend though. You can also attend any Sunday "Family Fun Days" at Belmont and don't forget Father's Day where the will be activities similar to what went down on Mother's Day.

Belmont Park Spring / Summer Events - General Info | New York Racing Association - Belmont

			Belmont Park Spring / Summer Events - General In...
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Belmont's summer events page lists other upcoming festivities, like the Wing Festival on May 24th where you'll get to sample wings from all over Long Island and vote for the best. And of course, the Belmont Stakes on June 7th - which could end up being very exciting this year if California Chrome is able to win the Preakness this weekend.

Stay tuned to find out if we'll have a shot to see the first Triple Crown winner in 36 years at Belmont!

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Treat Your Tastebuds: Plancha Tapas & Wine Bar

On Friday night, I had a longing to be in a trendy NYC restaurant with really good, eclectic food. Didn't feel like hopping on the LIRR, so... where to go on short notice in Garden City? A friend had recently been to Plancha Tapas and Wine Bar on Franklin Ave in GC and told me it had what I was looking for. 

We sat at the bar (I would recommend sitting here when you go- if you're just two or three people). We could have easily been in the West Village of NYC and after a couple of glasses of wine, maybe even Italy or Spain. We ordered some red wine and a Spanish board to share. On it were the most buttery olives I've ever eaten (even better than the farm fresh ones my dad smuggled through customs from Bari, Italy to NY on our last trip but that's another story) plus cheese, meats, fruits, nuts, bread- So GOOD! 

The owner, Josh, was very gracious and helpful- explaining everything to us since it was our first time. He thoughtfully helped us choose our tapas plates as well as a fitting wine. Our tapas included croquettes, foie gras, cebada and smoked anchovies with mascarone on rustic bread- this in addition to our Spanish board. Check out Plancha's Facebook page and see their awesome menu for yourself: Plancha Tapas and Wine Bar

			Plancha Tapas and Wine Bar Plancha Tapas and Wine Bar is a rustic European style tavern featuring a large selection of...
			View on www.facebook.com	Preview by Yahoo

They carried a nice selection of wines and the staff was happy to offer suggestions. You can also go there for brunch on Saturdays AND Sundays (I love when restaurants serve brunch on BOTH weekend days). Other nights, you may find live music or drink specials. If you're looking for a place with a warm, trendy vibe and delicious food with some ethnic flair, go to Plancha. In my humble opinion, NYC has nothing on them. But you don't have to take my word for it… Call and make a reservation or just sit at the bar. And enjoy.
516-246-9459. 931 Franklin Ave, GC.



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Inside Garden CIty: Weekend Events Guide 5/9/14

Here's what's happening in (and around) GC this weekend. Even though it's Mother's Day weekend, there is still a lot to do!

See the Movin' Out Band at the Tilles Center on Friday May 9th at 7:30pm and 9:30 pm. Several members of Billy Joel's own band (including the original "Piano Man") will be performing in honor of Billy Joel's 65th birthday, which is Saturday, May 10th. 516-299-3100

The Pineapple Ball will be held on Friday, May 9th, at the Garden City Hotel.

The Barnes Gallery at 2 Nass Blvd in GC South will be having their "NY to Athens" artists' opening reception May 10th, Saturday from 5:30-7:30. Meet the artists glass of wine delicious food live music. 516-538-4503

On Saturday May 10th from 9am-2pm the Andy Foundation yard sale takes place at the St Paul's field house. **Drop off for-sale items is on Friday May 9th from 10am-6pm. Call 516-873-0508 for more information. 

Visit the LI Children's Museum on Saturday May 10th at 2pm to create a blooming bouquet of tissue paper flowers for Mother's Day. Good for all ages. Free with museum admission. 

Shop the Block on Saturday May 10th from 9am-1pm at the Garden City Community Church. You can pick up a gift for mom- or yourself! There will be jewelry, handbags, wallets, scarves, accessories, stationery and much more! Whitehall and Nassau Blvds. 

On Sunday May 11th celebrate mom at the Mother's Day Picnic at Belmont Park. Enjoy the playground, petting zoo, giant bubble stations and more! Gates open at 11am. $2 parking and $2 admission. 2150 Hempstead Turnpike.

The GC Roller Rink is now open. Spring hours: Sun 10am-1pm, Mon-Thur 3pm until dark, Fri- closed, Sat- noon until dark. GC residents only. Bring your helmet!

If you don't have brunch or dinner plans yet, lots of Mother's Day restaurant specials can be seen here. 

Enjoy the weekend!

Message us on FB to have your event/sale included in the IGC weekend events guide. 

Be sure to visit our Facebook page and www.InsideGardenCity.com for more information. 

No Mother's Day Plans Yet?

So you haven't made any Mother's Day plans yet and the clock is ticking. Well, you're right there with the rest of us. Procrastinators unite! Below is a quick guide to some of the offerings around town on Mother's Day. Support local business while making mom happy! 

Mother's Day Brunch at the Garden City Hotel in the grand ballroom never disappoints. Seatings are at 11am & 3pm. Call 516-877-9385 to book a table and enjoy their fantastic menu.

Walk St on Seventh will be serving dinner from 12-6pm. Call 516-747-2592 for reservations.

For something different than your usual brunch, try Mother's Day Tea at A New Leaf on 5/11. There will be three 75-min seatings: 10am, 11:30am & 1pm. Cost is $24 per person. Enjoy a choice of teas plus finger sandwiches, scones, cookies and petit fours. 152 Seventh St. 516-506-7575

Calogero's at 919 Franklin between 9th&10th Streets is having Mother's Day seatings on the hour from 2-8pm. Call 516-294-2922

Grimaldi's at 980 Franklin Ave is offering a complimentary tartufo dessert with dinner for Mother's Day. Call 516-294-6565

Revel has a Mother's Day brunch with unlimited mimosas or bloody marys and a 3 course prix fixe menu for $39.95. Seatings are available in the morning, early afternoon and late afternoon. Also, a Mother's Day dinner is planned with an al a carte menu from 4-8pm. 835 Franklin Ave. Call 516-246-9111

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