Weekend Events Guide: October 30th Edition

Get your costumes ready... Halloween weekend is here! And let's face it... Garden City rocks Halloween. There's no shortage of parties, parades, decked out houses, trick or treaters and good ole fashioned spookiness. So get ready to be scared or scary and let's get the party started!

Friday, Saturday, Sunday- The pumpkin patch will continue to be a source of fun and Halloween decor this weekend. Stop by the patch on the corner of Nassau Blvd and Stewart Ave (if you haven't already) for pumpkins, fresh baked pies, flowers, haystacks and more. Remember- a portion of the proceeds goes toward medicine, clothing and education of the Navajos in New Mexico.

Friday- Haunted Hangers Overnight- Have a sleepover in the museum hanger, watch a movie on the giant screen in the Dome Theatre and take a flashlight tour of the galleries. Spooky! Costumes strongly encouraged.  Ages 5-12. 7pm. $65 per person. Reservations required. Cradle of Aviation Museum, Charles Lindbergh Blvd, Garden City. Click here for details.

Friday, Saturday- See the Halloween Lights to a Beat show this weekend at 4 Lincoln St., Garden City. Tune into 105.5 while you're there and make this a part of your Halloween tradition! Weekend hours: 6:30-10pm. Click here for more information. 

Friday- The Welcoming Club of Garden City will hold their annual Halloween party from 4pm-6pm at the Pumpkin Patch (aka The Unitarian Church) on the corner of Stewart Ave and Nassau Blvd. There will be music, dancing, raffles, Game Truck and more! If you didn't purchase tickets in advance, this event is sold out.

Saturday, Sunday- The fun continues at the Fall Festival at Hicks Nurseries. Enjoy Otto the Ghost's animated children's story, live animals, pumpkins, apples, cider, candy apples, fresh pies, fall decor and more. This event runs every day through November 1st. 9am-6pm, 100 Jericho Tpke, Westbury.

Saturday- Capo Ristorante on Covert Ave will host their second annual Pumpkins and Paninis celebration! Come in costume, decorate a pumpkin and enjoy a delicious panini and drink. Children in costume will receive a special treat. $15 per person. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Hance Family Foundation. This event can be enjoyed by adults as well as children! 11am-3pm. 49 Covert Ave, Floral Park. 

Saturday, Sunday- See Fiddler on the Roof presented by the Hofstra University Department of Drama and Dance. Saturday 8pm, Sunday 2pm. Cost: $15, $12 seniors. Call the Hofstra Box Office at 516-463-6644 or click here to purchase tickets online. John Cranford Adams Playhouse, South Campus. 

Saturday- Head to Hicks Nurseries to have your picture taken with Otto the Ghost! All ages welcome. 10am-12pm and 2pm-4pm. 100 Jericho Tpke, Westbury. 

Saturday- The show at BroadHollow at Elmont will surely get you in the Halloween mood this year! Annabelle Broom The Unhappy Witch runs Saturday at 2pm and Sunday at 12pm. 

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


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{Chocolate} Zucchini Bread

Some have a sweet tooth, some have a savory tooth. Luckily {or not so luckily} for me, I have a sweet tooth. If you're in the mood for something sweet {as I often am}, but want to keep it on the healthy side, have you tried making your own chocolate zucchini bread? 

Zucchini contains potassium, folate and vitamin A, all of which are important for good general health. Zucchini bread {especially when you add in a little cocoa} has just enough sweetness to power you through to your next meal.  

Ingredients:

3/4 cup sugar 

3 tablespoons vegetable oil 

2 large eggs 

1 cup applesauce 

2 cups all-purpose flour 

2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa 

1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda 

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 

1/4 teaspoon salt 

1 1/2 cups finely shredded zucchini (about 1 medium) 

1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips 

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Place first 3 ingredients in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at low speed until well blended. Stir in applesauce.

2. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour and the next 4 ingredients (through salt), stirring well with a whisk. Add flour mixture to sugar mixture, beating just until moist. Stir in the zucchini and chocolate chips. 

3. Spoon batter into a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 1 hour or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out almost clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes on a wire rack, and remove from pan. Cool completely on wire rack.

I had extra batter left over so I poured it into some muffin tins and made mini muffins. This recipe came from CookingLight.com and is not hard to make at all. Go ahead... try it!

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Farm to Table: Copperhill Opens {in Williston Park}

There's no doubt that we have a lot of great restaurants at our fingertips here in Garden City and in close proximity, but farm to table restaurants? Not so much. I had the opportunity to dine at the newly opened Copperhill (formerly La Marmite) on Saturday night, located at 234 Hillside Ave, Williston Park and couldn't wait to fill you in!

It was impressive to see the beautiful old Victorian building completely transformed into an upscale yet casual setting with modern farmhouse vibes. Very cool and also very welcoming. The bar has been expanded from La Marmite's days and has a sophisticated but unpretentious feel. 

As far as Copperhill's menu and offerings, I started off browsing a great drinks, beer and wine menu. Tough choices but I decided on a glass of Rioja. The food menu consists of modern American selections and divides into three sections: snacks, apps and entrees. More tough choices again... especially since the focus here is on fresh, seasonal food and local ingredients.

I started with the Devils on Horseback... appropriately named... which consisted of bleu cheese almond stuffed figs {to write home about} wrapped in bacon. The short rib poutine with cheddar came highly recommended and lived up to its rep. As a second course, the scallops were tender and delish and the buratta with acorn squash was a close second. 

Entrees that called my name were the black sea bass and classic burger with Velveeta {a little taste of Americana}, but I went with the homemade ricotta cavatelli served with braised lamb. Yum. My dining partner went with the bbq pork short rib with pretzel spaetzle for an entree. Quite honesty, I didn't know what pretzel spaetzel was before dining at Copperhill but I can say that I'm a fan now! Dessert {my favorite course} was solid with a flourless chocolate cake and pumpkin tart. Everything was carefully crafted and very tasty.

Since they focus on seasonal items and locally grown food at Copperhill, the menu will change often which makes me want to head back soon! Have you been? What did you think?

PS- As you can see, my photos of the actual dishes are limited... which is simply because everything was so good that it didn't stick around long enough to be photographed. Another reason to go back!


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Weekend Events Guide: October 23rd Edition

We are entering the homestretch for Halloween now! Whether you have little ones or not, this time of year is beautiful and lots of fun. Check out these events we found in and around Garden City this weekend. 

Friday, Saturday and Sunday (and every day until November 2nd)- Don't forget to stop by the Pumpkin Patch at the Unitarian Church to pick up mums, fresh baked pies, hay stacks, corn stalks and of course, pumpkins. This Saturday, enjoy live music by Gary Schoenberger from noon until 2pm. Part of every purchase from this fundraiser goes to providing medicine, clothing, education and work for the Navajo Indians in Mew Mexico. Hours: every day from 11am-7pm. Located on Stewart Ave and Nassau Blvd.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday- RISE of the Jack O'Lanterns comes to a close this weekend. More than 5,000 hand carved pumpkins are artfully displayed throughout Old Westbury Gardens. 6:30-10:30pm. Cost: $18-28. therise.org. This event closes on Oct 25th. 

Saturday and Sunday- Fall Festival at Hicks Nurseries. Enjoy Otto the Ghost's animated children's story, live animals, hayrides, pumpkins, apples, cider, candy apples, fresh pies, fall decorations and more! This event runs every day through November 1st. 9am-6pm. 100 Jericho Tpke, Westbury. 

Saturday and Sunday- Come to Hicks Nurseries for picture taking with Otto the Ghost! All ages welcome. 10am-12pm and 2pm-4pm. Same hours on each day. 100 Jericho Tpke, Westbury. 

Saturday- Free craft for kids at Lakeshore Learning Store for ages 3 and up. Cost: free. 11am-3pm. 2079 Hillside Ave, New Hyde Park. 

Saturday- Don't forget to bring your pet to the costume party and parade for pets at the Nassau BarkFest. All pets must be leashed! Eisenhower Park. 12-3pm. Cost: free

Saturday- Head to BroadHollow Theatre at Elmont to get you in the Halloween mood. Their production of Annabelle Broom The Unhappy Witch runs Saturday at 2pm and Sunday at 12 noon. 

Saturday- The Annual Ghostly Gala takes places at the Long Island Children's Museum from 6pm-9pm. Come in costume and be ready for face painting, trick or treating, crafts and a pumpkin show. 11 Davis Ave. $10 per person, $8 for museum members. 

Saturday- Trio Soloist returns to Adelphi University for its 11th year! Enjoy a beautiful evening of chamber music by Beethoven and Brahms. 8pm. Western Stage, Concert Hall. Tickets: $35-$30.

Sunday- The Garden City South Street Fair will take place once again on Nassau Blvd. Enjoy crafts, food, live entertainment and inflatable rides. Come out and support your neighbors. 10am-5pm. 

Sunday- Adelphi University music students perform a variety of vocal and instrumental selections. 4pm in Recital Hall. Cost: free. 

Sunday- The Music in the Cathedral series begins this weekend with organist Virgil Barkauskas kicking off the series. Tickets are available at the door. 4pm. 


Thank you for reading InsideGardenCity.com. Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Keep emailing us at insidegardencity@gmail.com to have your event included in our Weekend Events Guide. Enjoy the weekend!

Weekend Events Guide: October 16th Edition

Happy Homecoming Weekend! It's definitely feeling a lot like fall lately and we're loving it. Get outside and enjoy the beautiful fall weather and use our events guide to help you. There's a lot happening in and around town this weekend!

Saturday- The Garden City Homecoming Parade kicks off at 12pm. Sport your GC colors and bring your GC pride! The parade will head down Seventh St and will make a right onto Rockaway Ave and end at the GCHS.

Saturday- The Homecoming Football Game starts at 2pm at GCHS. Wear your GC colors!

Saturday- The Chamber kicks off its Annual Fall Festival and Street Fair on Seventh St from 9am-3pm. Note: Seventh St will be closed from 6am until 3pm.

Saturday- Celebrate Family Fun Day at Garden Manor Nursery School. Enjoy bounce houses, a pumpkin patch, face painting, balloon animals, crafts, food, flowers and more! 33 Jefferson St, Garden City. 

Saturday and Sunday- Fall Festival at Hicks. Enjoy Otto the Ghost's animated children's story, live animals, hayrides, pumpkins, apples, cider, candy apples, fresh pies, fall decorations and more! This event runs every day through November 1st. 9am-6pm. 100 Jericho Tpke, Westbury. 

Friday, Saturday and Sunday- RISE of the Jack O'Lanterns. See more than 5,000 hand carved pumpkins created by professional artists and sculptors arranged artfully within Old Westbury Gardens. This event runs through October 25th. therise.org 6:30pm-10:30pm. Cost: $18-$28. tickets@therise.org 71 Old Westbury Rd, Old Westbury Gardens

Saturday- Building Homes for Heroes 5K Run/Walk at Eisenhower Park. Refreshments, raffles, prizes, pumpkins, facepainting, DJ and more! Cost: Runners: $20 prior to race, $25 day of race. Walkers: $15 prior to walk, $20 day of walk. www.helpbhh.org 1899 Hempstead Tpke, East Meadow. 

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

Saturday- See High School Musical Jr. at BroadHollow Theatre at Elmont. 2pm. 700 Hempstead Tpke, Elmont. 

Saturday- Support The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Light the Night Walk! This fundraiser event will honor two courageous cancer survivors and Long Island natives- 10 year-old Mary Delorenzo of Islip and 8 year-old Douglas Grimmet of Shirley, as Boy and Girl of the Year. Cost: free. Eisenhower Park, Field 6A. 5:30pm-8:00pm

Saturday and Sunday- Head to Adelphi for The Best of Broadway: Gold, Rubies and Pearls. The program features classic songs from such shows as The Sound of Music, Show Boat, Chicago, Smokey Joe’s Café, Nunsense and more. Concert Hall, $20. Saturday 8pm, Sunday 4pm. 

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Chocolate Donuts Sans Guilt

I checked out a site recently called HungryGirl.com and found what looked like a delicious recipe idea to satisfy my sweet tooth... chocolate donuts. As I was skimming the recipe, I thought I could hear the faintest sound of angels singing in the background. These donuts were healthy{ish}!

Generally, I like to bake my sweets with a few tricks... apple sauce to cut down on some of the oil or butter, whole wheat or almond meal instead of white flour... small ways to reduce caloric intake and fat. But I'm definitely not a fan of skimping so much that you end up eating a brownie that tastes like cardboard. Because then... what's the point? 

HeathyGirl's recipe sounded fun and simple so I decided to try it. I first had to order a donut pan {I didn't even know these existed} because these donuts are baked, not fried. I found this easily on Amazon. I followed HG's recipe exactly and was happy to see it called for ingredients like pumpkin puree (makes for moist donuts with zero pumpkin taste) and egg whites. Click here for the full recipe.  They came out so great and were so simple that I had to share:

 Ready to be baked!

 Warm donuts fresh out of the oven. 

 Pre-glaze. 

Post-glaze with a bite missing.. Ahem...

These donuts made for a great breakfast treat or a guiltless snack and they were easy peasy. Also, they were totally delish even without the glaze, so if you want to save yourself even more calories, go sans glaze and I guarantee you won't be missing anything!

Thank you to HungryGirl.com for this great recipe. Have fun baking and let me know if you have a favorite recipe to share! 

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Weekend Events Guide: October 9th Edition

If you'll be in town over this three day weekend, take a look at your Weekend Events Guide below. It's filled with fun {local} ways to enjoy your three days!

Friday, Saturday, Sunday and every day through November 1st- The Fall Festival continues at Hicks Nurseries. Enjoy a walk through an animated children's story featuring Otto the Ghost, visit live animals, take a hayride, choose from pumpkins, gourds and Indian corn for your home decorating, enjoy crisp apples, a cup of cider, roasted corn or a jelly apple or pick up a fresh baked pie. Free admission and parking. Otto's animated show is open daily from 9am-6pm. Click here for more information. 100 Jericho Tpke, Westbury

Friday, Saturday, Sunday- How I Learned to Drive is running all weekend at Adelphi University's Black Box Theatre. Click here for a summary of the show and to purchase tickets. Cost: $20. Fri 7:30pm, Sat 2pm and 7:30pm, Sun 2pm.

Friday, Saturday, Sunday- Rise of the Jack O'Lanterns
See more than 5,000 hand-carved jack o'lanterns created by professional artists and sculptors arranged in artful displays throughout a scenic trail in Old Westbury Gardens.The show runs from Oct 3 -Oct 25. 6:30-10:30pm. This is a rain or shine event. www.therise.org $18-$28

Friday- Seth Meyers, host of Late Night with Seth Meyers, performs at the Tilles Center. Some tickets are still available! Cost: $75, $45. Showtime: 9pm. Click here to buy tickets. 

Saturday- Look, share and create on the Second Saturday of the month (through Nov.) at the Hofstra University Museum!  Kids ages 5-10 years, and their grown-up companions, explore works of art and engage in a hands-on activity inspired by what they have seen. In the October session, Drive It!, attendees will check out a sculpture made of old auto parts and will create their own work of art. 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. David Filderman Gallery. Advance registration is required.  Strollers are not permitted. Cost: $5 per child per session when prepaid; $7 per child at the door; free for adult companions. 516-463-5672. Click here for more information. 

Saturday- See Kristin Chenoweth at the Tilles Center at the 35th Anniversary Gala. 8:30pm. Cost: $50-$250. Click here for tickets. 

Saturday- Head to Plattduetsche Park to enjoy Oktoberfest and the sounds of Johnny Koenig playing live in the Biergarten. Kick back with some authentic German food and beer while you're there! 6:30-10:30pm. 1132 Hempstead Tpke, Franklin Square. 

Saturday, Sunday, Monday- Oktoberfest at Eisenhower Park 12pm-5pm. Enjoy some family fun and German culture including traditional German fare, live music, German beer, vendors, a pumpkin maze, tractor rides, bouncy houses and more. Kite Field located at Fields 6 and 6A. Cost: free.

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

Saturday- See High School Musical Jr. at BroadHollow Theatre at Elmont. 2pm. 700 Hempstead Tpke, Elmont. Ticket cost: $11 in advance, $13 at the door.

Sunday- Head to Adelphi University's Concert Hall for Paris Opera Ballet's Don Quixote. Cost: $20. Click here for more information. 

Sunday- Join the Domestic Harmony Foundation in their Walk to End Domestic Violence at Eisenhower Park from 9:30am-1pm. Cherry Picnic Area, adjacent to parking field 5. Click here to learn more about this event and the DHF. 


Happy weekend! Thank you for reading InsideGardenCity.com. Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram. 

Style on Seventh

As summer weather turns into sweata weatha, I've been seeing a lot of great fall fashion around town. I spotted Shannon walking on Seventh St. and thought she looked adorably comfy and casual but very stylish at the same time. I did a little style stalking and asked her what she was wearing.

1. Leggings- LuLuLemon
2. Tee Shirt- Junkfood {in stores and online}
3. Jacket- Artisia {Soho}
4. Scarf- Artisia {Soho}
5. Button-down shirt- Madewell
6. Boots- Frye 

Stay tuned and stay fashionable Insiders! You could be the next fashionista featured on Style on Seventh. Thank you to Shannon and thank you for reading InsideGardenCity.com. Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram.  

Mean Girls: It's October 3rd!

Inside Garden City's entertainment correspondent Carly Hampton is back!

Hey Insiders, I have some big news! Today is National Mean Girls Day! Don’t worry we’re not celebrating bullies. We’re celebrating the 2004 comedy smash Mean Girls written by funny lady and SNL vet, Tina Fey. If you’re a fan of this movie you’ll probably remember the scene when Cady’s (Lindsay Lohan) crush Aaron asks her what day it is and how could we forget? It’s October 3rd of course! So here’s a few ways we could celebrate:

1. Wear pink!

  

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2. Ditch your diet

 
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3. Have a drink

 
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4. Bake a cake made of rainbows and smiles

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5. Plan your Halloween costume, duh

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6. Go on a shopping spree

 
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7. Dance

 
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8. Or take it easy and curl up with a good book.

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There are so many ways to celebrate

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So spread the word!

 
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Call your friends, brothers, sisters, dads, and cool moms

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Lets celebrate the movie that taught us to be nice & gave us words to live by

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Today is the perfect day to stay in and watch this movie!

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GC, I wish you a Happy National Mean Girls day! I hope it’s fetch!

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Weekend Events Guide: October 2 Edition

Here's what's happening on this rainy weekend in and around Garden City. Pull on your rainboots and enjoy!

Saturday and Sunday- Barnes and Noble in Carle Place is holding a special children's event. Join them for story time and children's activities based on We're in the Wrong Book! Saturday at 11am and Sunday at 10:30am. 91 Old Country Road, Carle Place.

Friday, Saturday, Sunday and every day through November 1st- The Fall Festival continues at Hicks Nurseries. Enjoy a walk through an animated children's story featuring Otto the Ghost, visit live animals, take a hayride, choose from pumpkins, gourds and Indian corn for your home decorating, enjoy crisp apples, a cup of cider, roasted corn or a jelly apple and pick up a fresh baked pie. Free admission and parking. Otto's animated show is open daily from 9am-6pm. Click here for more information. 100 Jericho Tpke, Westbury

Saturday- Create a different fun craft for kids every Saturday at Lakeshore Learning Store. 11am-3pm. Cost: feee. 2079 Hillside Ave, New Hyde Park. 

RISE of the Jack O'Lanterns- See more than 5,000 hand-carved jack o'lanterns created by professional artists and sculptors arranged in artful displays throughout a scenic trail in Old Westbury Gardens.The show runs from Oct 3 -Oct 25. 6:30-10:30pm. This is a rain or shine event. www.therise.org $18-$28

Saturday- The Carle Place Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary will hold a Fall Craft Fair and Attic Sale.There will be jewelry, cosmetics, clothing, hair accessories, scarves, ornaments, baby and ladies clothing, blankets, decor and much more. 10am-4pm at the Carle Place Fire Department on Broadway in Carle Place. 

Saturday- Adelphi hosts Akropolis Reed Quintet Workshop. Enjoy original works by Adelphi student composers. Westermann Stage,  Concert Hall. 10am. Cost: free. 

Saturday and Sunday- Enjoy a performance of How I Learned to Drive at Hofstra University's Department of Dance and Drama. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1998, this is the story of the sexual awakening of a young girl under the tutelage of her uncle. For mature audiences only. Saturday 8pm, Sunday 2pm. Cost: $8-10. Black Box Theater, New Academic Building. 

Saturday- See Grammy Award, Academy Award, Golden Globe, Emmy, Daytime Emmy and Tony Award Winner, Whoopi Goldberg perform for one day only at the Tilles Center. 8pm. Ticket prices: $123, $93, $73, $53. Concert Hall. Click here to purchase tickets. 

Sunday- Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off at Hicks Nurseries! Everyone who has grown a pumpkin, no matter what its size – is encouraged to bring it to the competition and show off their growing skills. In addition to awards for the 3 heaviest pumpkins, prizes will be awarded to the ‘Rookie of the Year’ and ‘Best Pumpkin Grown by a Child’ (under the age of 15). Contestants who need to have their pumpkins unloaded must be at the nursery no later than 10am.

Sunday- The Hofstra University Department of Music presents the Hofstra String Quartet performing "An Exploration of the Late String Quartets of Beethoven." 3pm. Cost: $15 adult, $12 senior. The Helene Fortunoff Theater, Monroe Lecture Center, California Ave, South Campus. Go to HofstraTickets.com for ticket purchase. 


Thank you for reading InsideGardenCity.com. Please continue to submit your local events to us for publication in the Weekend Events Guide. Like us on Facebook and Instagram!