Queens Chronicle Holiday Guide Dec 2014 by Queens Chronicle

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2014 HOLIDAY Shopping & Dining Guide

Holiday Shopping & Dining Section 2014

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Holiday Shopping & Dining Section

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QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 11, 2014 Page 2

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Holiday Shopping & Dining Guide

Get ready for a bejeweled holiday season Gift eye-catching statement pieces and natural stones by Cristina Schreil Chronicle Contributor

G i f t- s h o p p e r s t h r o u g h o u t Queens should take a cue from the holiday decorations already festooning streets throughout the borough: Elegant accessories are at the center of holiday fashion this season. Thanks to jewelry trends, there are plenty of options for selecting the right ring, necklace, bracelet or other accessories. “What we’re really seeing is popularity in something we sell year round,” said Rebekah Witzke, co-owner of the clothing boutique LIC: living in Long Island City. Witzke described leather wrapbracelet-watches, made by a designer on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, which have the illusion of being constructed from several stacked bracelets. The two-year-old shop, located on 51st Avenue, sells a variety of accessories. “This time of month we have a lot of guys coming in specifically for those,” she said of male customers shopping for female gift recipients. She said when it comes to necklaces or earrings, rose gold is a trending metal. One hot item is small stud earrings shaped like bow ties, which Witzke said have both a feminine and a masculine feel. She said the blend is also intriguing to customers. She also said it’s not necessary to splurge on accessory gifts. “Women really love getting jewelry, and if somebody knows your style and gets it right with the gift, it really doesn’t matter what the cost is,” she said. Witzke recommended Queens shoppers who like to buy locally to keep an eye out for the company Hudson and Stella, Long Island City-based jewelry makers who incorporate Swarovski crystals and the stone labradorite, among other gems, into popular wrap bracelets. Witzke added this is the season for holiday par ties — where women sport striking statement necklaces showcasing eye-popping gem hues and dramatic large shapes — and gift-givers should keep that in mind. “Every necklace is a conversation piece now,” said Margaret Papacostas, owner of Karma Boutique on Bell Boulevard in Bayside. She said when it comes to selecting the right statement necklace,

dramatic, oversized shapes and metals like gold and silver are a big draw. She also said that anything with rhinestones is on trend. But, the key is to embrace one’s flair for the dramatic. “Any thing is in,” she said. “Anything that makes a statement, as long as it’s chunky.” Papacostas’ opinion echoed what other jewelry experts around the borough said of necklace trends. Lisa Mignoli, a Floral Park native, jewelry designer and owner of the shop Metrix Jewelry on the website Etsy, also said statement necklaces are in hot demand. “When I think of the holidays I automatically think of holiday parties,” she said. “My ideal holiday party look is a simple little black dress with one piece of statement jewelry — necklaces or earrings.” Mignoli, who handcrafts all of her pieces, integrates geometric shapes, such as hexagons and triangles, metals including silver and brass, and the natural materials leather and gemstones into her work. Her geometric rings — which are examples of another accessory trend — are also handmade and crafted from brass. When it comes to choosing colors, she recommends thinking symbolically. “To me white signifies a fresh start to the New Year,” she said, adding several of her pieces draw from this inspiration. Mignoli will participate in the “Warming Up Winter: A Made in Queens Festival” showcasing Queens-based artisans and designers at the Queens Museum this Saturday, Dec. 13 from 1 to 5 p.m. For details on the festival, visit queensmuseum.org/events. An Ozone Park-based jewelry designer, who also works heavily with raw gemstones and metals, says using earthy, natural materials is a huge trend. “I’m getting a lot of requests for semiprecious gemstone jewelry like quartz crystals [and] a lot of raw materials,” Maryrose Cabello said. “I guess you could call it more of a bohemian vibe.” Cabello said that jewelry incorporating wood or other natural materials such as leather is very fashionable at the moment. Cabello, who has been creating jewelry for over 20 years, manages the online Etsy shop Kaunablue. She said she’s incorporated the metaphysical properties of gems

and crystals more into her collection since studying acupuncture and Chinese medicine. But she’s just now seeing a widespread boost in demand for crystals. “I think that people are right now awakening, with different things going on around the world, with things to help promote peace, to promote harmony, within their aura, within their space,” she said. For shoppers looking for natural stones, keep in mind that Cabello said stones like citrine, which is “very uplifting,” are a fine idea. The stones carnelian and pyrite are also a good combination, acting like a magnet for prosperity. Another Queens-based jewelry designer, Blond Jenny, who is based in Astoria, said that tastes in men’s jewel r y a re cha ng i ng, becoming more opulent. She said in her native South Korea, men often wear diamonds, rubies and also stone insets in watches, bracelets or necklaces. “I think this trend is slowly moving into the United States,” she said. If that option feels too feminine, Jenny said a watch is also a practical and traditional gift. “Classic gold watches a re always popular for men,” Jenny said. “Of course, every man would Q love a Galaxy Gear watch.”

Trending holiday items to be found throughout Queens include, from top left, clockwise, a blue statement necklace sold at LIC:living, a geometric necklace by Mignoli, bow-tie stud earrings sold at LIC: living, a green aventurine bracelet by Cabello, a wrapwatch by Hudson and Stella and geometric rings COURTESY PHOTOS made by Mignoli.

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Holiday Shopping & Dining Section

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Holiday Shopping & Dining Guide

Clothing stores are open for business A glimpse of what’s on the racks in just a few Queens neighborhoods by Victoria Zunitch Chronicle Contributor

There’s something about the winter holidays that makes everyone want some new clothes. For shoppers who want to experience some holiday ambience while finding new clothing at good prices, Glendale Chamber of Commerce President Patricia Gatt recommends the Myrtle Avenue business district in Ridgewood. “It’s a great time for anybody to go there and buy a gift,” Gatt said. The area around Fresh Pond Road and Wyckoff Avenue in Ridgewood has nice, trendy clothing, shoes and handbags, Gatt said. From Dec. 5 to Dec. 24, the district is holding holiday sales. Families can take bring-your-own-camera photos with Santa Claus on Dec. 14 from 12 to 3 p.m. at 71st Avenue Plaza in Ridgewood. There will be live music provided throughout the day from three acts, the NYC Brass Entourage, Opera on Tap Carolers and Silverteeth. “It’s very nice because they have holiday music playing, holiday lights, so it’s a great place to shop,” Gatt said. Some of the recent additions to the neighborhood’s shops include The Children’s Place for babies through about age 12 or 14, and a Carter’s, which sells clothes for infants and toddlers. The new chain stores have added a new dimension to an area long known for some bargain-basement prices on good clothing, which Queens residents will be happy to know is still the case. “Absolutely, there’s still some bargainbasement shopping,” Gatt said. Bargain hunters may want to check out Kid City and also Half Price Kids, where you can get brand-name clothing for kids at half the price, she said.

A girls’ reindeer top with red jacket at Gymboree in The Shops at Atlas Park. PHOTOS BY VICTORIA ZUNITCH Gatt also steers shoppers to the nearby Shops at Atlas Park in Glendale, which also has added some new stores lately, including Envy U, a woman’s clothing store, and L.I. Finest for men. Foot Locker and off-price designer retailer T.J. Maxx also have recently opened stores in the mall. Previously established Atlas Park favorites are still there too, including Gymboree for kids, Forever 21 and White House Black Market for women, and Landing Gear for men. If you’re looking to add a festive atmosphere to your mall shopping, visit Atlas Park on Dec. 17 from 6 to 6:30 p.m. for a

menorah blessing by a local rabbi. And Santa is taking photos both with kids through Dec. 24, as he’s also doing at the Queens Center mall in Elmhurst — he’s magic, don’t ya know, though his hours at the malls vary due to his hectic schedule at this time of year. Check either mall’s website or call for hours before you head over for your child’s meet and greet. Santa even will pose with pets at Atlas Park on Dec. 15 and 22 from 6 until 9 p.m. No reindeer, please: cats and dogs only, on a leash or in a carrier. If all this whimsy sets your teenagers’

eyes rolling, send them over to Atlas Park’s Charlotte Russe, an apparel store for teens, Moe’s Sneaker Spot, Foot Locker or Payless ShoeSource. Plenty of Queens neighborhoods are old standbys for holiday shopping, and just one is Forest Hills, which always decorates for the season with lights along Austin Street and 71st/Continental Avenue. Thank Heaven Boutique, a friendly shop with children’s clothing and toys, is a good bet for high-quality children’s clothing. You’re bound to find something to take home. The store stocks high-quality and uncommon toys, too. Fox’s on Austin Street is a popular designer discount shop for women. It stocks both business and casual wear and has a large selection of coats, jackets and handbags. For dad’s de rigeur tie, try Dmitry Ties. Forest Hills also hosts the standard chain stores where you can find fashionable staples, such as The Children’s Place, New York & Company, The Gap and Banana Republic. Although residents were disappointed when the Ann Taylor store closed last year, it was quickly replaced with an Ann Taylor Factory Store. And its sister shop, Ann Taylor Loft, remains on the western end of Austin Street. If you simply need a bargain on a scarf, mittens or wardrobe basics, check out Value Depot on 71st/Continental. The store has been a Forest Hills favorite for years. Santa isn’t scheduled to stop by Forest Hills until he makes his rounds late on Christmas Eve, but you can make your own holiday ambience with a hot beverage or snack at either of the neighborhood’s two Starbucks locations, Dun kin’ Donuts, Bareburger, Twist and Smashed, or the new Red Pipe Cafe, a coffee shop with a vegeQ tarian menu.

Holiday Shopping & Dining Section

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Forever 21 pairs a cozy jacket with a slip of a black dress and a hint of pearls at Atlas Park in Glendale, while kiddie Christmas togs adorn the window at Thank Heaven Boutique in Forest Hills.

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Vinyl records making a trendy comeback Sales of vintage format up, still available in Queens by Matthew Ern Chronicle Contributor

Proving the adage that “everything old is new again,” one music format once thought dead and gone years ago is having a revival. Sales of vinyl records have increased every year since 2005, with 2014 projected to be a banner year for the old-school format. Although they still make up a significantly smaller portion of total music sales than CDs or downloads, those figures shrink every year while vinyl’s numbers continue to grow, as reported by the Recording Industry Association of America. “Vinyl is the rage and certainly there are lots of new record stores opening around the country,” sales and marketing rep for VP Records Aaron Talbert said. VP is a reggae label operating principally out of Jamaica that has since expanded its offices and retail record stores to multiple locations in two countries. According to Talbert, the market for used records is huge and the recent trend in buying vinyl isn’t necessarily a reflection of the music business as a whole. He added that there aren’t a lot of people pressing new records, so the pipeline of newer albums entering the market is relatively small. But many independent labels do continue to put out physical releases on vinyl. VP Records maintains a retail location on Jamaica Avenue that sells records, CDs and DVDs. Neilson Entertainment’s mid-year report indicated that album sales were down 14.9 percent in 2014 from the prior year. However, vinyl sales were up 40.9 percent from the first half of 2013. Digital Music News reported back in October that more records had been sold already in 2014 than in all of 2013. The October report indicated 6.1 million units had already been sold

and projected the year’s total to be around 8.9 million LPs. So why the comeback? It could be a younger generation’s desire to rediscover the music format of their parents. It could be that vinyl records simply sound better than CDs and young people are finally coming back around to them. Longtime musician and Ridgewood native Joe Fuoco weighs in on the revival: “The way those older albums were recorded, the feeling of the music, you just capture that moment in time. A record had a certain symbolic significance. It wasn’t like today where everyone’s walking around with a CD, ’cause you can burn those in your living room.” Fuoco has been playing music since he was 4 and opened his Glendale music center back in 1973, where he and his wife, Jeanette, still give lessons and sell instruments today. He’s got a massive vinyl collection himself, including original copies of Beatles albums and some jazz records dating back to the 1920s. He says his students are interested in the sound of old records because they have more of a live feel to them. Bands would record together, feeding off one another, giving the songs more energy. Today, most artists record one instrument at a time, playing over the previous track. “There’s something missing in the music today. They’re technically great, but sometimes the human feel is missing,” Fuoco said, waxing poetic about the vibe of an old recording. To him, it’s about more than just the difference in analog and digital sounds. CDs also can’t touch their predecessors when it comes to the artwork. The larger space afforded by record jackets allowed bands to further express themselves visually as well as audibly. “The artwork on the cover was just as much a creative

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H oliday Shopping & Dining Guide

John Varrone of Ozone Park admires a portion of his sizable PHOTO BY MATTHEW ERN collection of vinyl records. endeavor as the record itself,” Fuoco said. “It was cool to hold in your hands.” For smaller, independent bands just starting out, picking up a physical copy of their music at a show can be a great way to support them and give your money directly to the artist. Jack White’s new album, “Lazaretto,” struck a big blow for physical music this year when it sold over 62,000 vinyl copies, 40,000 of those in its first week on the shelves. Vinyl sales accounted for one-fourth of the total purchases of that album, continued on page 13

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New hats, New Balance popular this year Sports stores ready for holiday rush by Christopher Barca Associate Editor

December is hardly the time of year to oil up the baseball glove, lace up the soccer spikes or toss the old pigskin around in the park. Tuesday’s chilly rainstorm was enough to keep even the most diehard athlete inside, with the Madden NFL, NBA 2K or MLB 14: The Show video games serving as their sports playing instead. But while the weather may be frightful this time of year, there’s always the next season to gear up for. And a number of Queens sporting goods stores are willing and able to dress any athlete, no matter the sport or activity, for success. For soccer nuts, Myrtle Sporting Goods at 57-16 Myrtle Ave. in Ridgewood is the place to go to grab the newest gear. Owner Moon Kim has operated his successful sporting goods store in soccer-loving Ridgewood for 21 years, and as expected, his wide selection of cleats and other assorted equipment constitutes his most popular items so far this holiday season. “We’re still going strong with soccer gear,” Kim said. “The younger generations these days are a lot more involved with soccer.”

A number of professional soccer players enjoy strapping on colorful, eye-popping cleats and many children try to replicate their favorite footballers. At Myrtle Sporting Goods, crazy colored footwear, like the creamsicle-colored cleats or the neon green and yellow pair resembl i ng t he Br a z i l ia n f lag a re rea d i ly available. “It’s still footwear,” Kim said, when asked specifically what his best seller was this month. A wide array of baseball cleats, running shoes and sneakers are for sale, as well. Speaking of America’s pastime, a number of baseball gloves and player tees are available, but Kim says, at least in Ridgewo o d , i nt e r e s t i n s o c c e r d o m i n a t e s baseball. “Baseball is kind of going down,” he said. “It’s better in the spring though.” One baseball-related item that consistently does well is Kim’s selection of fitted hats, which takes up an entire wall of the store. Aside from the quintessential New York hats such as Mets and Yankees lids (and about a dozen variations of the famous interlocking NY logo), the caps of every Major League Baseball team and most

Myrtle Sporting Goods’ wide array of fitted hats, soccer cleats and running shoes are top sellers PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER BARCA this year at the Ridgewood store. NBA franchises are available, with them being among his top sellers year round. But this month, Kim says it’s his knitted hats which sell for $20 to $25 that are going at a fast rate. “Those kinds of hats are popular,” he said. “Our sweatpants and sweatshirts are too.”

For those looking to jump on the Metro North and hit the hiking trails a few hours north, Cross Country at 37-62 Junction Blvd. in Corona is a good place to go for outdoor clothing such as jackets and boots. While there are a number of sporting goods stores in the area carrying shoes and continued on page 14

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Gearing up for the Festival of Lights Queens shops offer all you need for a happy Chanukah by Mark Lord Chronicle Contributor

It’s almost time to light the menorahs, spin the dreidels, and finish up last-minute shopping for Chanukah (or is it Chanukkah or, perhaps, Hanukkah?). Picking out the perfect items can become at least as difficult as deciding upon the correct spelling of the holiday (which runs eight days, after all!), but there are several places around Queens that should have just what you’re looking for. Gift World Judaica, one of the larger emporiums dedicated to all things Judaica, is located at 72-20 Main St. in Flushing. For the upcoming holiday, it has been stocked chock-full of every gift item imaginable, including dozens of menorahs — the candelabra used specifically for the Chanukah festival, which marks an ancient victory celebration — that represent a wide range of sizes and prices. On a recent afternoon, the store, which an employee named Abe said has been at the same location for over 30 years, was overflowing with customers forming a steady line at the cash register. Abe explained, “We’re usually the busiest two days before the holiday,” which, this year, begins at sundown on Dec. 16. Other items include books and games with holiday themes, many aimed specifically at entertaining and enlightening youngsters. Aryeh Shapiro of Kew Gardens Hills was looking around for oil for

his family’s menorah, as well as some candles for his children’s individual menorahs. With the oldest of his three young daughters in tow, Shapiro also picked up some coloring books on his way up the aisle. “It’s a festive time,” he said. “We try to tell the story of what happened to us in years past.” Direct from ice-skating in Long Island City, Manhattan resident Rifki brought her two young children to pick out some books and candles for the holiday. “We’ve been here a bunch of times,” Rifki said. “They have a lot of good stuff.” And Annie Bell, of Kew Gardens Hills, was picking up some coloring books and glitter stickers to bring to her grandchildren in Israel. For store hours and other information, call (718) 261-0233. A few doors down, Kandi Kastle, at 72-12 Main St., specializes in unique gift baskets, chocolate and other candy, as well as party favors. “We have a huge selection of fine gifts, all sorts of things,” said owner Susan Hod. Among those are menorahs, candles, dreidels — the foursided spinning tops used in a variety of games — and, of course, gelt, round pieces of chocolate wrapped to look like gold coins. Hod pointed out that the store also carries a wide variety of nutfree chocolate candies for those with allergies. The shop offers special discounts on certain items for the holidays, she noted.

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Susan Hod, owner of Kandi Kastle in Flushing, displays some of the many Chanukah-related items at her store, PHOTOS BY MARK LORD ranging from large gift baskets to menorahs and more. For store hours and other information, call (718) 520-7520. Emily Gifts, Inc., located at 64-30 108 St. in Forest Hills, carries a wide assortment of menorahs, ranging in price from $13.99 for a small, basic model to $174.99 for a high-end, fanciful design. For store hours and other information, call (718) 896-4934.

Most synagogues have small gift shops which tend to specialize in items for each holiday. The Goldie Yares Judaica Shop, in the lobby of the Marathon Jewish Community Center (245-37 60 Ave. in Douglaston), offers everything from “The Holocaust Survivor Cookbook,” which offers not just recipes but stories from those darkest days, to a

Mah Jongg queen plate and children’s books such as “My First Jewish Holiday Book,” along with a wide assor tment of menorahs, beginning with a children’s decorative model that goes for $5. For store hours and other information, call (718) 428-1580. Happy Chanukah, and may you Q roll a Gimel on the first night!

Holiday Shopping & Dining Section 2014

Annie Bell does some Chanukah shopping for her grandchildren in Israel at Gift World Judaica in Flushing, where employee Abe was gift-wrapping some books.

Holiday Shopping & Dining Guide

House of Holiday workers love their job Christmas store employees look for smiles to get through hectic workday by Anthony O’Reilly Associate Editor

A line of customers waiting to check out at the House of Holidays stretched to the back of the store at one point on Sunday. Store manager and owner Larry Gurino raced to the front and the back of the line, helping people with exchanges and placing items on the counter in an effort to speed up the process, while taking a phone call from a customer who is seeking to return a train set they purchased last year. Gurino is doing this from the store’s opening at 9 a.m. until it closes at midnight, and comes back the next day to do it all over again. Ask him how he’s able to push himself through the onslaught of customers and he’ll tell you it’s the Christmas spirit of the hundreds of people who visit his store on a daily basis that gives him the energy to come in every day. “You get the excitement and the energy off the energy of other people,” Gurino said. “People come in, they’re excited, they can’t wait. They want to decorate, they want to see this, they’re excited about wh at you do a nd you r new displays.” Gurino is not the only one who gets through the workday like this. His friend Howie, who works at the store on the weekends, said he, too, looks forward to seeing customers come in excited about the large variety of Christmastime decorations the store offers. “I love the customers,” he said. “They’re all great, they really are a joy. They love the season, they’re very into it.”

Pre-lit Christmas trees are just one of the many options offered to customers of the House of Holiday, located at PHOTOS BY ANTHONY O’REILLY 90-02 Atlantic Ave. in Ozone Park. Howie, who works full-time as an executive recruiter for accounting companies, has been working at the Ozone Park store part-time for seven years. “I came in one Thanksgiving weekend to help [Gurino] out and I just loved it,” Howie said. He did admit, however, that the workday can be overwhelming at times. “It’s a lot of fun, but it’s a lot of work,” he said. “But sometimes it is a lit tle bit over whel m i ng because you’re being pulled in a hu nd red d if ferent d i rect ion s because everyone needs help and wants to buy.” His favorite part of the holiday, he said, are the Christmas trees

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Decorations adorn the walls and shelves of the House of Holiday.

that are sold inside and in front of the store. But Christmas trees were something he k new nothing about before starting his part-time job at the House of Holiday, because he’s Jewish. “I’m the Jewish Christmas tree salesman,” he said. Near the Christmas tree section of the store, Howie is joined by fellow tree salesman Chris Catalano, who has been working there for two years. “I actually enjoy working here,” Catalano said. “I like doing stuff like this.” Catalano on Sunday was helping a couple pick out a pre-lit Christmas tree, detailing the number of lights and branches on each of them. Catalano, who works full-time with Con Edison, said joining the store’s workforce has helped get him into the Christmas spirit. “I was never one to like Christmas,” he said. “Once I started working here I started liking it a little bit more.” He said while he loves the spirit of the people who enter the store, he makes it clear that he can only help one person at a time. “I just try to be very patient and very nice with the people,” he said. “I try to do the best I can to let them know I’ll gladly help them out but I’m with somebody right now.” Daizell, who has been working at the store for six months, also

said the hectic atmosphere of the store can at times be overwhelming, but that it’s wiped away when he sees the smiles on customers’ faces. “What helps me get through it is when I see people come in here and they’re amazed how the store looks and they’re happy,” he said. “It makes the hardness go away. It makes me happy when I know I’m making them happy.” Most of Gurino’s employees who were inside the store on Sunday are part-time and only come in during the busy Christmas season. Gurino said despite the fact that more people are shopping at his store during the holiday season, he has less work to do because of the additional employees. “It’s actually easier for me because I have more people helping out,” he said. The Christmas rush for employees of the store usually lasts from early September to about Jan. 23. Gurino said House of Holiday originally started off as a streetside Christmas tree sale in front of the building it now occupies. About 20 years ago, Gurino star ted including the sale of Christmas lights and decorations inside the lot, while keeping the original street-side tree sale. Now, Gurino said, the main reason people flock to the store is for the decorations and Christmas toys inside the two-floor store. But many people still travel to Ozone Park for their Christmas

trees every year, and travel from places like Brooklyn, Manhattan and even New Jersey in some instances. “People who grew up in this neighborhood and left, but now they can come back to get their tree because they can come back to the Christmas store at the same time,” he said. Gurino has come to recognize many of the customers who make the annual trip to his store, he said. “People have been coming for years,” he said. “And those are the ones you feed off of because they’re so excited to get here because they know what they’re in for. So when they see something new and big and powerful they just, forget it, they’re so excited they start buying all craziness of all sorts of things. And that in return gives the crew the energy to go for the day.” But it’s not just Christmas cheer that the store is selling. During the warmer months, Gurino’s store usually sells pianos and in October, the decorations are split bet ween Halloween and Christmas. Shoppers can also bring their children along to visit Mr. and Mrs. Claus in front of the store. If you wish to avoid the crowds, House of Holiday offers shoppers the opportunity to shop online at houseofholiday.com. For more information, you can either visit the website or call (718) 848-8882. The Atlantic Avenue store is open from 9 a.m. to midnight every day until Christmas Day. Free parking is available for all customers in the Pathmark ShopQ ping Center.

Chris Catalano, right, helps out a customer with Christmas trees.

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QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 11, 2014 Page 10

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Holiday Shopping & Dining Guide

Queens restaurants fire up seasonal eats Consider patronizing a local eatery for festive holiday dining experiences by Cristina Schreil Chronicle Contributor

For many families, uniting to eat around the table is a warm and memorable highlight of the holiday season. In many restaurants throughout Queens, seasonal touches — such as festive dishes, rich decor and options for catered meals or parties — create enticing options for holiday dining. “We’re decorated gorgeous for Christmas. We have a wood-burning fireplace, we have some cool winterinspired cocktails,” said Katy Bree, the general manager at Bungalow Bar and Restaurant on Beach 92nd Street on the peninsula. Bree said this time of year, Bungalow whips up a spiked homemade hot chocolate. The menu also becomes heartier — the restaurant makes a New England clam chowder and a “winter lodge salad” with dried cranberries and Gorgonzola cheese — which Bree said complements the “ski lodge” feel of the winter decor. Some of that decor is part of the program Stockings for a Cause, in which donors who give a minimum of $25 to the U.S. Special Forces charity “Your Grateful Nation” get their names written on stockings that are then hung in the restaurant. Bree said the restaurant began getting donations on Saturday and has already raised more than $500. Bungalow offers holiday party options and is also participating in the Santa Shuffle on Dec. 20, a 5K race in which runners wear Santa suits. The race’s after-party will be at Bungalow. For details on the event, visit rockapulcorun.com Heading north in the borough, Lenny’s Clam Bar and Restaurant on Cross Bay Boulevard in Howard Beach also aims to be a joyous holiday destination. Owner Joe Decandia said the restaurant is open for both Christmas and New Year’s. It’s extending the cheerful spirit into January and February with specials in celebration of the establishment’s 44th anniversary. Lenny’s takes six or seven dishes from the original menu, including eggplant, raw clams, fried calamari and linguine with red and white clam sauce, and offers them for around half-price. Decandia added the restaurant’s seafood dishes with bacalao and pulpo are crowd-pleasers. “The holidays are always very busy. We do a lot of Christmas parties now, for schools, for corporate events,” Decandia said. “Christmas Eve is the busiest day of the year for us, because of the seafood. We have

a large variety.” Parties of six or more should make an advance reservation. Decandia also noted that Lenny’s has a takeout menu patrons can order from. Seafood is also a big draw at Villaggio Ristorante on 147th Road in Whitestone. “Christmas Eve we do a lot of fish,” Bobby Strang, a Villaggio staff member, said. “Everything we make here is freshly made to order.” He added there will be holiday specials leading up to Christmas and New Year’s Day — two days when they will be closed — such as whole branzino, crab cakes with fried oysters and scampi sauce, or filet of sole topped with crusted lobster meat and served over a bed of risotto. Strang said Villaggio offers holiday parties in their two 60- and 30-seat dining rooms, which were decorated just this week. A nother restau rant offer ing options for Christmas Eve is Barosa, a Rego Park Italian restaurant. The establishment, located on Woodhaven Boulevard, will conjure traditional fare stemming from its catering menu, such as veal marsala, shrimp francese and steak and mushrooms. For details on dining at Barosa for a holiday meal, visit barosas.com. For those seeking traditional food for Hanukkah, which starts Tuesday, Dec. 16, Ben’s Best Kosher Delicatessen in Rego Park has a holiday menu on their website. Dishes include roasted turkey or brisket in a sandwich between two latkes, and a deli platter with items such as pastrami and corned beef. Owner Jay Parker said when he thinks “kosher deli,” he thinks tradition. “That’s what we’re here for. When you walk through the door, you know what to expect,” he said. He said while some other delis he’s heard of may be creating revamped dishes like noodle pudding with maple syrup or coleslaw with bean sprouts, he wants to stay true to the 700-year-old menu — although, the deli branched out a few years ago, adding sweet potato and zucchini mini latkes to the menu. “That was an eye-opener for some people,” Parker added. Ben’s Best was recently featured in the documentary film “Deli Man,” which profiled kosher delis around the country. “In 1938, there were 1,700 kosher delis in the city of New York,” Parker said. “Now there’s less than 150 in Q the hemisphere.”

There are many dining options throughout Queens this holiday season, including, at top, Bungalow Bar and Restaurant on Rockaway Boulevard, where stockings for those who donated to a charity hang; at Villaggio Ristorante in Whitestone, where seafood dishes such as mussels and clams are served; and at Barosa in Rego Park, which has fine food and a PHOTO COURTESY BUNGALOW BAR AND RESTAURANT, TOP, FILE PHOTO AND PHOTO BY CRISTINA SCHREIL warm decor.

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Holiday Shopping & Dining Guide

Christmas Chinese food across Queens Where to go for last-minute dinner by Anthony O’Reilly Associate Editor

What happens if the dog eats your Christmas turkey and the house is wrecked, ala “A Christmas Story,” or you don’t celebrate the holiday? Ordering Chinese food might be one of your best bets, simply because there are hundreds of restaurants throughout Queens. Everyone has a favorite neighborhood establishment, but if you’re looking for a more refined experience than the average takeout, you might try one of these places. 1: King Yum, located at 181-08 Union Tpke., Fresh Meadows. Average rating on Yelp: 3.5 stars. King Yum has been serving the Fresh Meadows community since 1953, and offers a large variety of classic Chinese-American dishes such as chicken chow mein, beef and broccoli and Mandarin duck. It also offers a family dinner option, allowing diners to choose from more than 30 options to create a custom-made smorgasboard. The restaurant is also known for its cocktails, handmade at the Tiki Bar. Karaoke contests are held at the restaurant every Friday night. For more information, visit the website K ingy u m restau rant.com or call (718) 380-1918.

2: Ho Wan Restaurant, located at 111-05 Liberty Ave., Richmond Hill. Average rating on Yelp: three stars. Easily accessible by train, Ho Wan has been in Richmond Hill for more than 40 years. Ho Wan offers a daily lunch special menu for $5.50. On Christmas Day, it will have a special lobster meal for $16.95. For more information, visit their website howanrestaurant.com or call (718) 843-3288. 3: Xi’an Famous Foods, located at 41-10 and 41-28 Main St. in Flushing. Average rating on Yelp: four stars. Xi’an is a small chain restaurant, with locations in Queens, Manhattan and Brooklyn. It gained its fame for its variety of lamb products, including a lamb burger and lamb noodles. The restaurant started in the basement of the Golden Shopping Mall at 41-28 Main St., and grew to a second location nearby at 41-10, where diners can have a sit-down meal. For more information, visit xianfoods.com or call (718) 888-7713 for sit-down reservations at the 41-10 Main St. location or to order for takeout from the 41-28 location. 4: Uncle Zhou, located at 83-29 Broadway in Elmhurst. Average rating on Yelp: four stars.

Looking for some sweet and sour chicken on Christmas Day? Check out one of our five suggested PHOTO FROM SHUTTERSTOCK restaurants. Besides having a high rating on Yelp, Uncle Zhou is also in the prominent Michelin food guide. But beware, some of the options are not the classic Chinese-American delicacies most New Yorkers are accustomed to; they’re more exotic. Red and white carrot stewed pig stomach and spicy crispy rabbit are just some of the authentic Chinese options offered to diners. For more information, call (718) 393-0888.

5: Cho-Sen Garden, located at 64-43 108 St. in Forest Hills. Average rating on Yelp: 3.5 stars. Cho-Sen Garden not only offers classic Chinese-American cuisine, but also provides kosher options as well. The owners of the restaurant became so successful, they opened a second location on Long Island. For more information, call (718) 275-1300 or Q visit the website chosengarden.com.

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2014

QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 11, 2014 Page 12

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Shelter kids ask for gifts from Santa Children living at the Kings Inn Residence write their wish lists Managing Editor

e’s cl

T here are 170 youngsters living at the Kings Inn Family Center in East Elmhurst, and despite their circumstances, they are all looking forward to Christmas and some presents from Santa Claus. The children range in age from infant to 18 years old. They are away from home and their friends, in a strange environment, and don’t know what their futures hold. The holiday time can be stressful for everyone, but it is especially difficult for youngsters to cope who don’t have a home. Parents may not have extra money to buy presents, so that’s where you come in. As we do each year, we are asking you to contribute new, unwrapped gifts to make their dreams come true. Here is a sampling of some of their requests in letters to Santa Claus: Curtis is a week-old infant. His mother requests a picture book, a baby toy and a bathtub for her newborn. Samantha said she’s been a good girl and is asking for a Doc McStuffin talking doll, a DVD player or a tablet. Dominic wants Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle figures and a car set. Ayleen, 7, would like a Lalaloopsy Baking Oven because she likes to make her own

The other recipient is Dove House, an cookies, while Melanie, who is almost 2, wants emergency shelter for battered women or men blocks and Leap Frog toys. Diogenes said he will be happy with whatev- and their children. Gifts can be dropped off at the Chronicle er he receives but would like a book that you touch and reads out loud, action figures and a office, at 62-33 Woodhaven Blvd. in Rego Park, Monday through Friday from 9:30 train set. a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Alyssa, 3, asks for a play kitchen, a Frozen And don’t forget the teens, who like toy set and learning toys that will help Chron gifts such as perfume, jewelry, teach her how to read. s makeup, scarves and CDs. Anthony would like Teenage th i en If you can’t deliver gifts to Mutant Ninja Turtle toys and the Chronicle during regular Power Ranger toys. Emily HOLIDAY office hours, you can leave would like a Barbie doll and them at Barosa Brick Oven doll house, a Monster High Pizza, next door, at 62-37 doll, a teddy bear and FroWoodhaven Blvd. zen dolls. Area elected officials also Fanta, 3, asks for a Cuddle have drop-off boxes in their and Glow Minnie Mouse, offices. They include: state while Justice requests a talking Elmo and a stand-up basketball hoop for a Sen. Joseph Addabbo Jr., 159-53 102 St., Howard Beach and 66-85 73 Place, Middle Village; toddler. This year, the Chronicle is collecting gifts Assemblyman Ed Braunstein, 213-33 39 Ave., for children in four city homeless shelters in Suite 238, Bayside; Councilman Danny Queens and a safe house in Eastern Queens for Dromm, 37-32 75 St., first f loor, Jackson Heights; Councilman Donovan Richards Jr., victims of domestic violence. The other three family shelters are the 234-26A Merrick Blvd., Laurelton; and CounBoulevard Family Residence in Elmhurst, the cilman Jimmy Van Bramer, 47-01 Queens Metro Family Residence in East Elmhurst Blvd., Suite 205, Sunnyside. In addition, the Marine Corps League, and the Saratoga Family Inn in Springfield Detachment 240 of Queens is partnering with Gardens.

Que

by Liz Rhoades

Avoid that financial hangover

the Chronicle this year. Its annual Toys for Tots drive ends soon. However, it will continue to collect gifts for the Chronicle at the following locations: Jennifer Convertibles and K-Mart, both in the Metro Mall in Middle Village; Carlo’s Pizza and Astoria Federal Savings, both on Metropolitan Avenue in Middle Village; McDonald’s, 70-02 Cooper Ave. in Glendale; Trader Joe’s on Metropolitan Avenue in Forest Hills; VFW Post 885, 120-19 14 Road, College Point; American Legion Post 131, 10-20 Clintonville St., Whitestone; and Jayaram Medical, 65-17 Myrtle Ave., Glendale. The Chronicle toy and gift drive will end on Dec. 22, which is less than two weeks away. The sooner we get your contributions, the quicker we can deliver them. Special thanks goes out this week to Randy Novick of Howard Beach for donating so many stuffed toys. Gifts also were brought in by Josephine and Juliette of Woodhaven, Martha of Franklin Square, LI, Peter and Lillian Basile of Brooklyn, Karen Link of Richmond Hill, Nick Meccariello of South Ozone Park, Linda and Jim Dobson of Middle Village, Joan Miele of Woodhaven, Rita and Jerry of Forest Hills, the DiCristo family of Maspeth, Ellen McRae of Queens Village, Stephen Hewitt of Jamaica Q and Robert Schwartz of Rego Park.

Page 13 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 11, 2014

Holiday Shopping & Dining Guide

Vinyl revival

Follow these tips to stay within your holiday budget by Mayra DiRico

your own resource for financial self-assessment after the holiday season passes, getting a head start on improving savings for 2015. The holiday season is a process — and keeping on top of your finances every step of the way will help you to stay smart with your money. Taking these simple measures before the holiday season gets into full swing can help you stay focused on spending within your Q means when it comes time to shop. Mayra DiRico is Director of Retail Banking for Astoria Bank. This article previously appeared in Long Islander Newspapers.

Several Beatles records with their original covers, from Joe Fuoco’s own collection. PHOTO BY MATTHEW ERN

continued from page 5

which also featured a hand-carved hologram and hidden track. It was the biggest selling record on vinyl since Pearl Jam’s “Vitalogy” in 1994. Vinyl culture may still seem like it belongs to just those with a collector’s mindset, but you hardly need to frequent a used record store to find an album nowadays. Chains like FYE, Best Buy, Urban Outfitters and even Whole Foods now carry records, which make for a unique and meaningful gift this holiday season. Major department and electronic stores are still selling turntables as well. You can pick one up at B&H, Best Buy, Walmart, Target, Urban Outfitters, Sears and JCPenney, or order one Q on Amazon.

2014

friends whom you’re buying gifts for and pick out potential items before you begin your shopping. Having specific items in mind before you begin shopping will help you avoid gifts over your price limits or making impulse buys that may put you over budget. Plan ahead — You wouldn’t take a test without studying first, would you? Think of holiday shopping as a test on your spending habits. If you pre-plan your gift selection and research prices online before you set out to shop, you can compare them to in-store prices and prices available from other vendors online, which can be an easy way to save. Open a separate savings account — If you are worried about overspending, it may be helpful to open a savings account that is designated only for funds to be used toward holiday spending. Using a designated holiday account will help to control spending and ensure that you don’t go over budget. Consider giving gift cards — Gift cards are the perfect gift-giving idea for someone on a tight budget — you will be sure to spend exactly the limit you have set yourself. They’re also great if you’re unsure what to give the recipient — that way they can buy exactly what they want. Be your own best inf luence — Utilize online banking to keep track of your transactions throughout the holidays and monitor your account activity. It’s also a great way to create

Holiday Shopping & Dining Section

As we look forward to the joys of the holidays, it can be all too easy to get wrapped up in the excitement of the season and spend more than you can afford. According to a survey by Pr iceWaterhouse Coopers, LLP, it is projected that the average household will spend $684 on gifts this year. But forgetting about your monetary realities, even for a moment, could leave you stuck with a financial hangover in the New Year. With some careful planning, attention to detail, and creative thinking, you can avoid getting caught with your finances out of order. Here are a few simple steps to follow: Talk before you shop — Before you set out on your holiday shopping excursion, have an open and honest discussion with friends and family members about what you are each comfortable spending on each other this year. Having established price limits not only makes it easier to stick to a budget, but also relieves the pressure to overspend. Make a list, and check it twice! — Once you’ve got guidelines established for gifting, stick to them! Make a list of family and

Holiday Shopping & Dining Guide

When are the classics on this year? From Rudolph to George Bailey by Peter C. Mastrosimone Editor-in-Chief

Clarice wasn’t playing any reindeer games when she told Rudolph he was cute in his eponymous 1964 holiday classic, standing by him even when his bright red nose freaked out the rest of the herd at the North Pole. Luckily for both, he PHOTO COURTESY CLASSIC MEDIA VIA CBS met a few fellow misfits on the adventure he’d soon begin. describes them, are proven to be what’s really important, and Santa Claus is proven to be who he says he is in a court of law. The original 1947 version next airs at 7 p.m. Saturday on AMC. If you prefer a more lighthearted “new classic,” “A Christmas Story” will be shown, as usual, for 24 hours straight starting at 8 p.m. Christmas Eve on TBS. Several of the holiday classics listed above will air multiple times between now and Dec. 25. And there certainly are others worth watching. But there’s a reason a select few have stood the test of time while it’s hard to tell one schmaltzy Hallmark Christmas movie from the next. This holiday season, if you’re going to watch Q some TV, watch the best.

Think what they did in the ’40s wasn’t real acting? Watch James Stewart as George Bailey tear into Thomas Mitchell as Uncle Billy in this scene from PHOTO COURTESY THELOSTOGLE.COM “It’s a Wonderful Life,” and think again.

2014

After a day of holiday shoppping and dining, what could be better than coming in from the cold to watch some of the Christmas classics on TV with family or friends? Sure, you can download or stream just about anything these days, but many still watch their favorites the old-fashioned way — when the networks air them (and certainly the advertisers prefer that). Here are the next showtimes for a few of the top holiday standards, courtesy of christmastvschedule.com. The king of the animated holiday shows, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and CBS is airing it often. The next time is 8 p.m. this Saturday. Heat up some popcorn or maybe break out the seasonal treats and watch as Rudolph is ridiculed and ostracized over his “blinking beacon” of a nose and runs away from home in despair, meets the other supposed misfits who become his best friends, engages in a life-ordeath struggle with the Bumble, and finally achieves Christmas glory as the only reindeer who can guide Santa’s sleigh through a blizzard. The plot twists, witty dialogue, catchy songs and valuable messages of love and accepting those who are different have made “Rudolph” the longest-running Christmas TV special there is, one that makes many an adult feel 10 years old again for a brief, shining hour every year. CBS is following Saturday’s airing with more of the animated classics that have been going strong for decades: “Frosty the Snowman” at 9, “Frosty Returns” at 9:30 and “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” at 10. The latter, featuring the famously grouchy Burgermeister Meisterburg-

er, tells a version of how Kris Kringle came to be Santa Claus, delivering his adopted elf family’s toys to the people of Sombertown despite the tyrant’s having declared them illegal. As in “Rudolph,” it’s love that saves the day, and many rank “Comin’ to Town” just as highly when it comes to animated Christmas specials. And of course there are two cartoons with a message that popular opinion also puts at the top: “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” Who can’t benefit from Charlie’s reminder to all that the holiday is not really about commerce? Yes, sad sack Chuck picks the crummiest tree on the lot for the school play and is mocked for the choice, but the whole Peanuts gang, and the viewer, is better for it in the end. You can next catch their pious story at 8 p.m. Tuesday on ABC. And what kind of December would it be without “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!”? Just like the titular character, you may see your heart “grow three sizes” when you hear the Whos sing their songs despite their entire village having been burglarized. Unfortunately, though, the original animated version isn’t known to be airing again until 8 p.m. Christmas Day on ABC. Prefer live-action holiday films? The beloved “It’s a Wonderful Life,” with its themes that every person matters, often more than he knows, and that greed is evil, will air on NBC at 8 p.m. Christmas Eve. If you can’t appreciate George Bailey’s trials and tribulations, it’s probably just that you’ve seen this fantastic movie too many times already. You won’t have to wait nearly so long for “A Miracle on 34th Street,” in which “those lovely intangibles,” as one character

Sporting and outdoor gear

Holiday Shopping & Dining Section

QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 11, 2014 Page 14

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continued from page 6 outdoor gear, manager Ralph Rios says the brands Cross Country carries separates it from the competition. “No one on this block really carries the jackets we have,” Rios said. “It’s a business strategy.” This month, he said, Timberland boots and North Face jackets, which are on sale, are doing well. Additionally, runners often come in to pu rchase New Bala nce a nd Add id as sneakers, while skateboarders are flocking to the store’s selection of Supra shoes.

Jackets and windbreakers on sale at Cross Country in Corona. PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER BARCA

“We sell a lot of Addidas because no one else around here really sells them either,” he said. “They’re all forcused on other brands like Nike. We like to cater to all different people.” Like Myrtle Sporting Goods, Cross Country has a popular selection of hats, but instead of fitteds, the Corona shop sells vintage, worn-looking ball caps. “Our vintage baseball hats do really well, especially in the spring and summer,” Rios said. “If you’re into that classic ballplayer look, with the curved brim, we have them here.”

In terms of collectible items and sports memorabilia, shops such as Royal Collectibles at 96-01 Metropolitan Ave. in Forest Hills and Who’s on First at 199-07 34 Ave. in Bayside have you covered. At the Forest Hills location, which is in the process of opening a second storefront just down the street, figurines of famous Yankees such as Mickey Mantle and Derek Jeter can be had, along with baseballs signed by various former New York stars. A photograph of the 1986 Mets signed by various members of the championship team even hangs high above the register. Who’s on First boasts a large amount of baseball cards, both of new players and Q ones of generations past.

C M HG page 15 Y K Page 15 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, December 11, 2014

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