New Andy Foundation Yard Sale Shop!

Good news everyone! The Andy Foundation Yard Sale Shop is up and running {successfully, I might add}. Its new location at 195 Herricks Road in Garden City Park, one block south of Jericho Turnpike, holds a collection of all sorts of great finds! 

If you haven't been yet, make sure to stop by and check out their collection of furniture, artwork, tableware, jewelry, home decor and much more. The store is staffed only with volunteers and is open Tuesday thru Saturday from 10am-4pm. 

Have no fear- the word is that the Andy Foundation will still hold their annual spring yard sale at St. Paul's this year. 

New, gently used and vintage items will be accepted for donation, but please call516-739-1717 first before dropping items off.

Coach Andrew Ties The Knot

As many of you have already heard, Garden City's own Andrew Karen has finally taken the plunge. Andrew married his girlfriend of over two years, Heather, a few weeks ago and shared his happy news with Inside Garden City.

Andrew and Heather kept their nuptial celebration very small {with only 15 guests} and enjoyed a beautiful wedding in Aruba. Note- Andrew made sure to be back in time to coach hockey. Now that's dedication!

When Andrew returned to work from the wedding festivities, he was greeted by yet another wedding celebration- a surprise one at his second home {which some say is his other true love}... the roller hockey rink at Community Park. Of course, GC couldn't let the wedding of the town's unofficial Mayor go unnoticed, could they?

I asked Andrew if anything felt different now that he's gotten married. He said that wearing a ring is going to take some time getting used to and that he's pretty nervous about losing it. He also mentioned that he feels a bit strange using the word "wife". One thing that hasn't changed is their schedules- Andrew and Heather work conflicting schedules and actually don't get to see each other very much. Sounds like this could be the start to a long, happy marriage!

InsideGardenCity wishes Andrew and Heather many happy years together in wedded bliss!


Thank you for reading InsideGardenCity.com. Please follow this blog and like us on Facebook/Instagram. 

Coquette- That's a Wrap!

Now that the weather is definitely more fall-like, I found myself in need of something warmer to wear but of course, I wanted something fun and chic. I stopped in Coquette {on Seventh St.} to check out what they had for the season and was pleasantly surprised! Take a look at the pictures below and drop into Coquette if you need a new piece to wrap yourself up in this fall. 

 This vest has an urban vibe to it. Loving the faux fur around the hood. Wear this when you want to channel some NYC into your day. 

Chic, fun and sophisticated. Like how they've paired it with a bright, chunky necklace.  

 A cozy, warm wrap. I'd like wrapping myself in this for day or night. 

 Totally fun and hip, this vest is very in right now. Love the texture. 

This can be dressed up or down. Casual with jeans and flats or dressy with a skirt and boots. 

Right on trend and super cool, yet not overdone. 

Coquette has lots of options for wrapping yourself in warmth this fall while still looking cool and trendy. So grab a PSL and get shopping- before they're all gone!

Thanks for reading InsideGardenCity.com. Please follow this blog and like us on Facebook and Instagram. 

A Little Chocolate {Works} Now and Then Doesn't Hurt

“All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt.” 
― Charles M. Schulz

Let's face it... life is better with just a little bit {meaning a lot} of chocolate. Well, chocolate lovers... listen up! I have the place for you {us} and it's called Chocolate Works located in The Gallery at Westbury Plaza. 

I stopped in last week and met Rich Penchuk, the owner, who couldn't have been more welcoming and hospitable. Rich opened Chocolate Works last November. He made the move from a completely unrelated field, thoroughly researched the company, hired the best chocolatiers he could find and has been going strong since!

This is a deadly store for me, a self-confessed chocoholic. Of course when I was there I sampled a delicious truffle or two... but who's counting? Then Rich showed me a fab treat- everyone knows the best part of a crumb cake is the top, right? I mean really... why do they even make the bottom? But anyway, he sells just the crumb cake top as a cookie, either chocolate covered or plain. Genius. 

Chocolate Works has lots to offer its customers besides just dropping in for a quick piece of heaven, I mean chocolate. They have Chocolate Field Trips for scouts, schools and youth or senior groups, Chat & Chocolate (for adults), Ladies Nights Out and PJs & Movie Night and more! Sounds fun, right? Plus, all of their special events include a dip in the 4' chocolate fountain (yes, they have a 4' chocolate fountain!) and a treat smothered in chocolate and sprinkles using their 20' chocolate conveyor belt- I Love Lucy style. 
     

They have unique gifts as well- edible chocolate picture frames, baskets, corporate gifts, company logos and many more creative ideas. I spied a chocolate "Happy Divorce" plaque when I was there. The cutest gift may be the photo on a piece of chocolate- all edible. This would make the cutest favor for almost any type of party- engagement, wedding, retirement, birthday. 

Chocolate Works also holds drop-off events for kids. With Thanksgiving on the horizon, you may need some time to prepare sans kids. Try dropping them off at the Gobble 'til You Wobble Pizza Party from 12-2pm on Wednesday, November 25th while you get your errands done. Or if Black Friday shopping is your plan, let the kids have some fun at the Black Friday Pizza Party (11am-1pm) while you shop the deals and steals. 

So now you know. There's a great chocolate store, plus party place, kids drop-off locale, gift store, etc... right in your backyard. I suggest you visit, try some delights in person and see what else they have to offer! Let us know what you think. 


Please follow InsideGardenCity.com on Facebook and Instagram.

Ready, Set, Go! St. Anne's Respite Games September 19th

The Not-So-Calm Before the Storm:  Respite Games Held Early on Spirit Day - September 19, 2015

GARDEN CITY, New York (August 10, 2015)  Before the bounce rides, games and music even begin, a very special part of Spirit Day has already begun:  the Respite Games.  Starting at noon on Spirit Day, indoor games and activities are hosted by Saint Anne’s for children and young adults who have special needs.  The Respite Games have been part of Spirit Day for the last several years. 

Organized by Saint Anne’s Special Needs Ministry, the Respite Games offer a sampling of the year-long Respite Care program, which provides wonderful evenings of fun and friendship for children who have special needs from the age of 5 on through young adulthood.   Saint Anne’s Respite Care program meets on various Friday evenings at Saint Anne’s throughout the year.  It is centered on the relationship between the special children and their volunteer buddies, both teens and adults, who partner with them for a light dinner and some great activities, which include sports, music, games and arts and crafts projects.

According to John Rakowski, who leads the activities at the Respite Games and has served as a Respite volunteer for many years, “Every moment volunteers spend with these kids is a blessing.  Spirit Day is an extension of that wonderful feeling.”

The Church of St. Anne hosts its 13th annual Spirit Day on Saturday, September 19, 2015 from 1-10pm with rides, games and music all day and evening.  The day is highlighted with a beautiful celebration of Mass outdoors at 5pm and the exciting Big Bucks Raffle drawing at 10pm.  Additional Big Bucks tickets are always available at the rectory or you may call and we will be happy to mail one to you.  Families from the parish who have special needs children and are interested in participating in the Respite Games on Spirit Day are invited to contact Linda Leone at St. Anne’s Parish office at 352-5904 or visit the website at www.stannesgc.org. 

Please continue reading InsideGardenCity.com and like 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! 


Thanks for reading InsideGardenCity.com. Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram. 

V Spa: Back to the Basics

I've been experimenting with gel manicures lately as many of you know. Post gel mani, my nails weren't in the greatest of shape. This is partly my fault because I decided to remove the gel polish on my own (warning: DO NOT attempt to dismantle a gel mani at home) which wasn't the best idea. 

After my experience with a couple of gel manicures, I can say that I am steering clear of them for a while. Although it was great to not have my nail polish chip and to actually have it looking good for about two whole weeks (aaaamazing!), I don't think it's the mani for me on a regular basis. I'll save it for special occasions or vacation. Admittedly, my nails weren't in great shape before the gel mani but it definitely didn't help. So today I decided to go back to the basics and get a good ol' fashioned manicure. 

I tried V Spa on Franklin Ave for my no-frills mani. They took me immediately (even though the salon was somewhat busy for a Thursday morning) and every tool they used was either out-of-the-package new or sanitized, which is awesome. I was treated to a great mini shoulder/upper back massage during the mani, which I love. Too often nail salons forget this little perk. The massage was a teeny bit painful at times, but maybe that's a good thing. I'm sure there were a few knots back there (tension much?) anyway. The cute animal ring holders on the manicure tables were a fun touch.  

My manicurist, Tess, was very nice and seemed well informed. I told her about the current condition of my nails (chipping, peeling, overall weakness) and she recommended a specific nail hardener for me and advised me against using any colored polish today. 

The hardener was only an additional $1 and I went sans color. Tess told me to monitor my nails' condition over the next few days to see if things are improving. So I don't have a fun summer color on my fingers today, but I'm happy that they look clean and healthy.  

I will go back to V Spa again for a mani and maybe sample some other services. Have you been to V Spa? What did you think?


Please follow InsideGardenCity.com on Facebook and Instagram. Thanks for reading!

The PAC Wraps Up

The Pac (Performance Athletic Club) wrapped up another triumphant week last Thursday. The Club, run by Peter LeSueur and Tim Goettelmann, local lacrosse legends, was deemed a success by parents and players alike.

It started on Monday with individual and group photos, t-shirts and an all around intro. The boys and girls got right into the action after that and it continued all week.

 Day one- getting acquainted. 

The coaches were very enthusiastic as they led the players through various drills and skills. The no-equipment rule was a welcome one during the hot July week. Coaches LeSueur and Goettelmann were also on hand all day, every day lending their knowledge and expertise to the players.

On the last day, all participants were treated to a host of surprises- from pinatas in the nets to a dance party to Italian Ices and more. 

Piñata time!

How's Your Aim? 

Closing Dance Party

And that's a wrap. See you again next summer!

Please follow InsideGardenCity on Instagram and Facebook and follow this blog. 

A Lot of Hockey Left to be Played!

Inside Garden City is happy to have Andrew Karen back with an update on Community Park's roller hockey program and the new rink. This is truly a great asset to our town and residents should be sure to take advantage of it! 

A lot of hockey left to be played!!!!

The Garden City Recreation & Parks Department roller hockey program is in full swing this spring. From beginner clinics for kindergarten and first grade, to leagues for 2nd & 3rd graders, 4th & 5th graders, 6th through 8th graders and a pick up game program for the 'big kids' (AKA adults ages 30 & over.) The program offers something for all!

With a brand new state of the art roller rink, the program and the sport continue to grow right here in our very own backyard. The new roller rink was designed to ensure the people of GC received the best rink possible. During the design process, we took notice of how the sun sets and positioned the rink so that when playing on it, you would not have the sun in your eyes (especially the goalies). Also, many people have commented that the skating surface is the smoothest they have ever skated on. Another interesting fact about the rink is that the facility is equipped with a full sound system to allow us to play music and make announcements during special events, like the championship games.

The adult pick up game program is open to any village resident ages 30 & above. Experience doesn't matter and over the years we had a nice mix of guys who all call the program a great way to conclude the weekend (since the games are on Sunday night) with their fellow GC neighbors.

The department currently offers two seasons (one in the spring & one in the fall) on Friday & Sundays. 

The spring season begins in early April and concludes in early June. The fall season begins right after Labor Day and concludes right before Thanksgiving.
     
If you are interested in learning more about our various programs or just looking to hang out and enjoy good old sports activities from right here in GC, come down to the roller rink in Community Park because there is a lot of hockey left to be played!


Open Rink Hours For GC Residents:
Sunday 10am-1pm, Monday-Thursday 3pm-dark, Friday- closed for programs, Saturday 10am-dark. Helmets required.


Thanks Andrew and thank you to our readers. Please continue reading www.InsideGardenCity.com. Please like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram. 

Feldis For Mother's Day {Procrastinators}

If you haven't gotten a Mother's Day gift yet for your mother, wife or sister {or yourself},  don't despair- Feldis Florist on Seventh St. has got you covered!

I stopped in there this afternoon to see what they had going on for the big day and the place was pumpin'. Ed and crew were hard at work with barely a minute to chat. Orders were coming in by phone and by foot. Gorgeous bouquets and gifts were everywhere. Here's a glimpse:

So beautiful...

 Looking like Spring!

 A beautiful array...

They have bouquets in all price ranges, from the min to the max. And pretty creative too- have you ever seen purple calla lilies before? Calla lilies are one of my absolute fave flowers but in deep purple they're going to a whole new level that I just love.

Loving these...

A beautiful bouquet for all budgets.

Feldis' customer service cannot be beat. They will hook you up with the best bouquet for your budget. And if flowers aren't what you had in mind, you can also stop in there for chocolates, a cozy stuffed animal, picture frames, a unique vase and more.  

And they're also hooking you up with extended hours for Mother's Day. You can stop in Saturday until 8pm and Sunday from 8am-5pm. Whichever way you look at it, they've got you covered!

Feldis is located at 160 Seventh St., Garden City. 516-747-3330

Thank you for reading www.InsideGardenCity.com. Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Goodbye Sweata Weatha, Hello Studio Strength!

As sweata weatha gives way to tank top and bathing suit weather, I thought my regular workout routine could use a little spicing up. Actually, I have to admit that the winter doldrums had gotten me into a routine of not being in a routine... So.... I needed a change. I hit up Studio Strength on Franklin Ave in Garden City for just that. 

Studio Strength is a personal training fitness studio led by two very passionate owners/personal trainers- Juan Mayoral and Christine Inguanta. When I first walked in and saw all of the equipment- battling ropes, dog sleds, resistance bands, plus a few other things I had never seen before, my first thought was, "This is not my grandmother's gym." I was excited. 

There are no classes here or saunas but there's a lot of specialized workout equipment and a very positive, friendly atmosphere. Juan and Christine believe in results-driven workouts and fitness programs that are tailored to each individual client. 

I don't know about you, but I feel that I have a decent amount of knowledge about strength training and working out, but even still- I often wonder if I'm doing exercises properly or if I'm doing them in the right combination with other exercises. Because one thing I do know is that there are ways to maximize your time in the gym and see results quicker. Juan and Christine's one on one training sessions are 30 mins long and they are full body. A private, full body strength training workout {designed just for me} in only 30 mins while I'm being closely monitored by an experienced trainer?? Sign me up!

As far as ambiance, the studio is bright and clean. There are towels and water but not many other frills and that's part of the appeal. I find it to be very time efficient which is great for my busy schedule. I'd normally go to the gym, say hi to a few friends, start my workout, wander around looking for certain weights or exercise balls, chat with a couple more people, wait for equipment to become free... you get the drift... basic lollygagging {which may or may not be a real word.} By the time I get out, it's always over an hour and a good bit of that time is spent wasted. Here, I come in, work out and 30 minutes later I'm getting on with my day.

So, onto the workout. Here are a few of my thoughts and experiences:

- My initial visit consisted of a very detailed consultation with Christine. We discussed medical history, fitness experience, diet and nutrition, fitness goals, etc. We also did a brief fitness test to assess my fitness level so she could develop my workout plan. We then did body measurements and weight. This last part is repeated every 6 weeks so we can monitor progress and {for better or worse} be held accountable. Yikes!

- My plan is two 30 minute sessions per week {they usually do two or three sessions a week- depending on the client}. The exercises, amount of weight and number of reps are all figured out by my trainer for my individual plan. This is what I love about Studio Strength- everything is tailored to my specific needs and fitness goals. I then follow up with cardio on my own time- either using their cardio equipment at the studio or just running/walking outside {now that the snow has cleared. Yay!}

- Juan and Christine are great. They monitor your movements so that you're getting the best and most efficient workout and they make it clear that all fitness levels have a place here, whether you're a strength training newbie or a veteran.

- I like that it's small and private. This means no intimidation factor, no waiting for equipment and no wasted time. 

- The schedule is quite accommodating- Juan and Christine are available 6 days a week {by appointment.}

The BEST part is that Studio Strength is celebrating their FIVE YEAR ANNIVERSARY this month by offering a discounted package for new clients! In April, you can get the initial consultation and fitness assessment PLUS four 30 minute personal training sessions for $150! This package usually costs $199. To take advantage of the anniversary deal, stop in or call them at 516-385-8188. Check out their website for more information on this studio. 

Thanks for reading www.InsideGardenCity.com. Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

• 
  

Find Your Soul {Cycle}

I once heard someone say that spin class is what hell must be like- dark, hot, sweaty, you're pedaling but going nowhere... all while someone is screaming at you. That's not quite the feeling I get when I take a spin class (even though... confession: I hate cardio, as in haaaate!), but I can see why one might feel that way.

Spinning is the one type of cardio I can tolerate and would even say enjoy. I've taken lots of spin classes, but I never did a "serious" one at a studio like SoulCycle. Nervously, I decided I would try one. Would I kick butt or get my butt kicked? Would I "find my Soul" as the website promises? 

My friend, who is a spinning addict, somehow convinced me to try the Saturday 7:15AM class in Roslyn. Class sign-ups begin on Mondays at noon. I signed up online four days before the class and narrowly escaped being wait-listed. Nothing attracts a crowd like a crowd, right? Warning: registration here is the kind of thing where people set alarms on their phones and stop doing whatever they are doing to sign up ASAP, or else they are shut out. So if you see someone swerving (guardrail to guardrail) on the LIE on Monday, they may be a Soul-Cycler pulling over to sign up for a class. 

Once there, we were surrounded by the way-too-put-together-for-7:00am crowd: cycling junkies. Check in was fast and the space was clean and new. They lend spin shoes the way you would borrow shoes in a bowling alley, except these are slightly cooler.

For newbies, they provide a great service of sending an employee over to your bike to set it up for you, and in my case, help click the shoes into place since I never used spin shoes before. There's no time wasted- classes seem to run like clockwork here. Actually, the theme seems to be: get in, spin, get out. Our instructor was very professional and enthusiastic. He introduced himself and got us riding immediately. And ride we did.

Class takes place in a large room, which was a bit on the warm side, temperature-wise. They squeeze in about 50 bikes so it's tight quarters. SoulCycle puts their own spin (womp... womp...) on spinning. There are hand weights under each seat which we used for a little upper body toning during class. The music was awesome (although super loud) and the ride kept changing which is great for those of us who get easily bored with cardio. 

The room was dark for the most part, except for a couple of candles in the front. There are a few spotlights used occasionally throughout the class for effect. Darkness is good for us newbies who may or may not have trouble getting their shoes unlocked from the pedals when it's time to dismount.  I loved that the bikes and shoes are cleaned by the staff after each use, so the gross factor is kept to a minimum.

There are no locker rooms, just two bathrooms and a wall of lockers, so this isn't the answer if you like a pre-commute-jump-on-the-train type of workout. You'll be tempted to add some pieces to your workout wardrobe here. There is a lot of SoulCycle merchandise for sale- so you can get your Soul on and let everyone know you did. That's kind of the point, isn't it? 

I recommend giving SoulCycle a shot. It may not be for everyone but there's no commitment. The first class is only $20 and it's $35 per class thereafter, plus a $3 shoe rental fee. There is a little bit of a Starbucks factor here with the premium price- but for some people, it's worth it. Spin on!


Please follow Inside Garden City on Instagram and Facebook.