Weekend Events Guide: August 28th Edition

If you're staying local this weekend and instead of heading to the Hampton Classic, here's what's happening in and around Garden City. Enjoy! 

Friday- GC's Friday Night Promenade will take place from 6pm-10pm on Seventh St. Support our local businesses and enjoy face painters, balloon animals, themed give-aways, al fresco dining and live music! This week's theme is Carnival Night (think Rio de Janeiro). 

Friday- Hear the Eagles tribute band Desert Highway perform at Eisenhower Park. 7pm. Cost: free. Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre. 

Friday, Saturday and Sunday- Drop by the Annual Italian Festival of the Sons of Italy/Cellini Lodge #2206. Enjoy live music (every evening), rides, fireworks (Sat evening only), zeppoles, pastries, vendors, games of chance and more. Cost: $1, free for children. Michael Tully Park, 1801 Evergreen Ave, New Hyde Park. Fri 6pm-11pm, Sat/Sun 3pm-11pm. 

Saturday- It's that time of year... Arthur Ashe Kids' Day is back! This event will include live musical performances, tennis workshops, games, face painting, an obstacle course, juggling workshop, a free grounds festival and much more! Good for all ages. Tickets: $10-$40. USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Flushing Meadows Corona Park Road, Flushing, Queens. 9:30am-3pm. Click here for more information. 

Saturday- Free craft for kids at Lakeshore Learning Store. 2079 Hillside Ave, New Hyde Park. 11am-3pm. 

Sunday- Hudson Vagabond Puppets will present a puppet show at Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre. Good for ages 2 and up. Cost: free. Showtime: 2pm. 

Have a great weekend and thanks for reading InsideGardenCity.com. Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

Make the Most of Summer's Last Days

Once friends start discussing Labor Day plans, you know it's all over. As August winds down, you might be wondering what else you could squeeze into these precious last days before summer comes to an official close. Why not spend your last summer days locally with some activities from the list below? 

Nature- Enjoy the summer weather before fall rolls in by taking a nature walk through the Garden City Bird Sanctuary. Click here for a list of birds you might see along your way.

Picnic- Grab some already prepared food at Town Meat Market, Food For Thought or Prime and head to one of GC's many parks for a leisurely picnic lunch or early dinner. 

Hiking- Garvies Point Museum and Preserve has 5 miles of nature trails that were originally purchased from the Matinecock Indians. There are a variety of trails here and the difficulty level is categorized as "easy". Click here for more information on Garvies Point and take a hike!

Catch an Outdoor Movie if you haven't already. Eisenhower Park will show Annie on August 27th at the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre. Showtime: dusk. Cost: free. Click here for more details on Eisenhower Park's movies under the stars.

Culture: To soak up some local culture, visit Adelphi's Ruth S. Harley University Center Gallery for the solo exhibit of Richmond Lewis: Paintings which runs through September 22nd. Click here for more information on this artist.

Sale-ing into fall- What better way to cure the end-of summer blues than with some retail therapy? There are a lot of great end-of-season deals around Garden City that are perfect for a little pick me up right about now. Envie, Coquette and Madison's Niche are all having sales right now. 

Outdoor bar hopping- Enjoy the warm summer nights before they give way to chilly fall air by enjoying an al fresco cocktail. You can have a drink outdoors at the Garden City Hotel Patio Bar, BK Sweeney's or Plattduetsche Park, to name a few. 

However you choose to spend your last days of summer, enjoy them because soon the pumpkin spice lattes will be brewing! 


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Weekend Events Guide: August 21st Edition

With Hurricane Danny bringing us some rain on Friday, soak up whatever rays you can this weekend. Here's our weekend events guide to help you make the most of yours in and around Garden City!

Friday- The Garden City Friday Night Promenade continues this Friday night from 6pm-10pm. Come down and meet your neighbors, dine al fresco, enjoy live music and partake in fun activities for the kids! This week's theme is Disney Fantasy so come dressed as your favorite Disney character. 

Friday- Catch ABBA Mania and Stayin' Alive- a Bee Gees Tribute Band at Eisenhower Park. Bring blankets and chairs. Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre. Cost: free. 7pm. 

Saturday- Enjoy a free craft for kids at Lakeshore Learning Store. stop by anytime between 11am and 3pm. Cost: free. 2079 Hillside Ave, New Hyde Park. 

Saturday- CBS FM presents Saturday in the Park starring Joan Jett and the Blackhearts at Eisenhower Park's Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre. Bring chairs and blankets. Cost: free. 7pm. 

Saturday and Sunday- The Music Man has its final shows this weekend at BroadHollow Theatre at Elmont. Don't miss it before they pack it up! Saturday 8pm, Sunday 2:30pm. Click here for tickets. 700 Hempstead Tpke, Elmont. 

Saturday and Sunday- The Long Island Children's Museum will show Mary Poppins on Saturday and Sunday. Click here for showtimes. 

Sunday- It's 80s Day at the GC Pool! Join the dance party starting at 2pm. 


Have a great weekend and thanks for reading InsideGardenCity.com. Please like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram!

Weekend Events Guide: August 14th Edition

Here's your weekend events guide for what's happening in and around Garden City. There's just a few more summer weekends remaining. Since Saturday is National Relaxation Day, you may choose to just sit around and not do much of anything or choose an event from the list below. Whatever you do, enjoy the weekend!

Friday- Catch one of Garden City's Friday Night Promenades. Seventh St will be closed off to traffic and the event will run from 6pm-10pm. Enjoy live music, al fresco dining, give aways for the kids, face painting, balloon animals and more!

Friday- It's Family Night at the Garden City Pool! Bingo starts at 7pm and Glow in the Dark Mini Golf starts at 7:30pm. Normal fees apply. Also, enjoy the Ice Cream Social at the snack bar with unlimited toppings. Come for some family fun and ice cream! 

Friday- Eisenhower Park will hold an Oldies Concert starring Jimmy Gallagher and The Passions. Cost: free. 7pm. Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre.  

Saturday- Watch a Cosmos game at Hofstra as they take on the San Antonio Scorpions. Click here for tickets. 7pm. James Shuart Stadium. Hofstra University. 

Saturday and Sunday- The LICM hosts Mary Poppins. 11:30 and 2pm showtimes on both weekend days. 11 Davis Ave, Garden City.

Sunday- Live music at the Garden City Pool. The band "Magic of Amore" will perform a magic chow starting at 2pm. 

Sunday- Celebrate American Armenian Night at Eisenhower Park. Cost: free. 7pm. Lakeside Theatre. 

Now through September 22, head to Adelphi to see their newest exhibit entitled Richmond Lewis: Paintings. Richmond Lewis’s recent egg tempera paintings evoke a sense of animation through interwoven shapes, delicate line, and richly complex color. Click here for more information. Ruth S. Harley University Center Gallery. Adelphi University. 


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Weekend Events Guide: August 7th Edition

There's only a few summer weekends left, so let's make the most of it! Here's what's happening in and around Garden City:

Friday- The Garden City Friday Night Promenade kicks off at 6pm tonight on 7th St. Come for live music, face painting, balloon artists, al fresco dining, give aways for the kids and more. "The Beach Boys" is the night's theme. 

Friday- The GC Pool hosts Friday Family Night. Don't miss the Silly Swim Race starting at 7pm.

Friday- Celebrate Creole history at Eisenhower Park's Creole Family Night. Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre. 5pm-9:30pm. Cost: free. Located near parking field 6 and 6A.

Friday- Kick it with Marty McFLy and enjoy a showing of Back to the Future at Eisenhower Park. 7pm. Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre. 

Saturday- Robert Davi returns to Eisenhower Park for Davi Sings Sinatra. Visit Robert Davi's website here. Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre. 7pm

Saturday- Head to Lakeshore Learning Store for a free craft for kids! This Saturday the craft is a door knob hanger. 11am-3pm. 2079 Hillside Ave., New Hyde Park. 

Saturday and Sunday- Don't miss the production of Mary Poppins at the Long Island Children's Museum this weekend. Ages 5 and up. Saturday and Sunday showtimes: 11:30am and 2pm. 11 Davis Ave, Garden City. 

Saturday and Sunday- See The Music Man at BroadHollow Theatre at Elmont. Showtimes: Saturday @ 8pm, Sunday @ 2:30pm. Cost: $14-$28. Click here for information and tickets. 

Sunday- Steel Drum Mania will perform live at the GC Pool and provide us with the perfect poolside music. Check out this band's website for a sneak peek into their sound by clicking here. Show starts at 1pm.


Have a great weekend Insiders and remember to follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

GC Insider of the Month: Nelson DeMille

Inside Garden City is beyond excited to have Garden City resident and NY Times Bestselling Author, Nelson DeMille, as our next GC Insider of the Month! 

Mr. DeMille has written a plethora of books, The Gold Coast being one that has many locals fans, as it is set in our small corner of the world. Personally, Plum Island is one of my all time favorite books. Mr DeMille's newest book, Radiant Angel, is yet another that should not be missed. But amidst his busy schedule of book tours, appearances and signings, Mr. DeMillle was gracious enough to serve as our GC Insider of the Month. Of course, we were thrilled and asked him our Garden City Qs.

1-What inspires you?  

Mostly I’m inspired by the thousands of fan letters I receive from people who have enjoyed my books.  I’m also inspired by fans who come to my booksignings and who tell me how my books have impacted on their lives. 

2-Has Garden City been the inspiration for any characters or places in your books? I’ve used Garden City as the locale in my book Word of Honor, published in 1985.  But I’ve never directly based any of my characters on anyone I knew in Garden City.  My characters are usually composites of people I’ve known all over the country and the world. 

3-How long have you lived in Garden City? I’m celebrating my 40^th year here in October.  I moved in 1975 into a small Tudor in the Franklin Court section.  I paid $64,500 for it, and my friends and family said I overpaid.  

4-What do you love most about the town?  The people.  I have friends I’ve made since I first moved here, and my wife and I continue to make new friends.  

5-Favorite store in Garden City?   I like all the small businesses along 7^th Street and Franklin Avenue, especially all the food shops where I can get lunch, or dinner if I’m working late.  I enjoy the convenience and friendliness of downtown shopping, and I like the personal service.  

6-Favorite thing to do in Garden City? My wife and I enjoy going to events at the Garden City Hotel – charitable fundraisers, weddings, and other happy occasions. 

7-Favorite outdoor place in Garden City? I have an eight-year-old son and I spend a lot of time at St. Paul’s Fields and all the other parks where he plays various sports. 

8-Favorite restaurant in Garden City? We patronize all the restaurants but we mostly go to La Nonna Bella, Walk Street, Leo’s, B.K. Sweeney’s Uptown Grill, and also the Polo Lounge and Polo Steakhouse at the Garden City Hotel for special occasions. 

9-Favorite place to have a drink in Garden City?Any place that has a bar. 

10-What would you change about Garden City? I’d like to see fewer banks on 7^th Street – there are six now.  We need a hardware store again, and like most people I miss Riesterer’s Bakery. 

11-Do you have any advice for Inside Garden City readers? Shop locally, eat and drink locally.  Patronize everything in town, including our great library.  Get involved in community and church affairs and organizations.  Volunteerism has always been strong in Garden City and we all need to give something back to the community.  

Click here to visit Mr DeMille's website where you can learn about his books, including Radiant Angel, plus view photos, read FAQs and more. A big Thank You to Nelson DeMille for sharing his Garden City views with us and for being our latest GC Insider of the Month! 

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Calogero's- A Review

I dined at Calogero's on Franklin Ave last night and was able to sample a few items on the menu. I know there are a lot of Calogero fans out there and I count myself as one of them.

We were greeted by pleasant and friendly staff. The staff is one thing this restaurant consistently has going for them. Each staff member is always pleasant, friendly, smiling. Not necessarily a given these days when you go... well, just about anywhere. Our waitress couldn't have been nicer.

Outside seating was "eh". Don't get me wrong- it's definitely pleasant out back. Their set-up almost makes you forget that you are adjacent to a parking lot. Unfortunately, the bugs make you remember. There were lots of tiny black gnats flying all around us and our food. A few citronella candles back there may improve things in that department. But hey, aren't bugs just part of the charm of dining outside? I have to admit, al fresco dining is one of those things that often sounds great in theory, but may involve a gnat flying up your nose in practice. But I digress... 

The small garden salad was just right with a light vinaigrette and the Funghi Portobello Napoleon appetizer was perfect: fresh mozzarella, prosciutto di parma, tomato, basil, olive oil and balsamic reduction. It's presentation was as superb as its taste. I would definitely recommend this if you haven't tried it yet.

Funghi Portobello Napoleon

The small Neapolitan pizza was delicious with a great sauce, yummy cheese and cooked to perfection. Chicken Parmigiano with pasta is a classic Italian dish that almost never disappoints and Calogero's did a fine job with that as well. The Salmone e Basilico was a bit disappointing thanks to a number of small bones and vegetable risotto that was nothing to write home about. Calogero's quickly recovered on the Salmon dish by comping us on dessert so all's well that...

I will definitely be back to Calogero's. Next time I may try the Gamberi Shrimp. In the meantime, I'll continue to have their pizza delivered on the reg. Have you been to Calogero's? What's your favorite dish?


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