Queens Chronicle Spring Guide 2023

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

• What’s new in Queens parks ...............4

• Recipes light will be a delight ...............6

• Go green for a better tomorrow ..........8

• To see real stars, just look up ............10

• It’s a bold season for fashion .............14

• Birding’s a great hobby to land ...........16

• Catch a trip for Yogi Berra fans .........18

• Don’t sneeze at these allergy tips .......20

• On display at galleries, museums ........22

• It’s springtime for theater troupes ......23

Supplement Editor: Peter C. Mastrosimone

Cover and section design: Jan Schulman

Editorial layout: Gregg Cohen

PLAXALL.COM

Kathryn Cervino of the Coastal Preservation Network celebrates a spring cleanup at MacNeil Park in College Point in 2021. The CPN will be at it again this year, along with many other groups, at various sites. Courtesy photo.

Queens’ once and future parks

What’s new and in the works at many of the borough’s best open spaces

by Stephanie G. Meditz Chronicle Contributor

As temperatures rise and daylight extends its reach, parks are some of the best places to relax and enjoy the spring season.

Members of the Queens community might find solace in nature at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, make a splash at Flushing Meadows Corona Park or contemplate life at new cultural exhibits.

From new and improved playgrounds to public art displays and even progress towards greener infrastructure, the city Parks Department has had a busy year.

On the federal side, the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Center unveiled a photo exhibit by Howard Beach native and middle-school science teacher Angela Carcione on April 2.

Carcione visited the park every day during the pandemic and photographed the wildlife she encountered during different seasons.

The series of 20 photos is entitled “Phenology Was My Refuge, Life Thrives at Jamaica Bay Amidst a Pandemic that Stopped the World.”

It will remain open to the public for two months, after which it will be replaced by another exhibit.

The Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge also hosts a number of programs, including park cleanups every second Saturday of each month, Jr. Ranger guided hikes and spring nature walks.

This spring and summer, Gateway National Recreation Area and the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy will present Floyd Bennett Field Revealed, a series of free events that establish the park as a prime location to appreciate nature’s beauty and diversity.

Some activities include stargaz-

ing, nature journaling and kayaking on Jamaica Bay.

One of the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge’s most notable recent improvements is its living shoreline restoration, which followed its repair of the breach in the West Pond after Hurricane Sandy.

The breach was repaired in 2017, but the additional project is a partnership between the National Park Service and Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy to add nine acres of shoreline to the West Pond.

A living shoreline will not only safeguard against rising sea levels due to climate change, but also restore marsh habitats and promote biodiversity in Jamaica Bay.

On the Rockaway side, Bayswater Park, a city-run space, also has several projects undergoing procurement, including construction of a public restroom and maintenance and operations building. Their completion date has been extended to October.

Back on “mainland” Queens, the Flushing Meadows Corona Park Aquatic Center reopened in February for the first time since 2020.

It had been closed to install emergency netting on the ceiling, but the Covid-19 pandemic turned a relatively quick fix into a yearlong endeavor. Although the work was completed in 2021, community members could not enjoy the Aquatic Center’s amenities again until this year.

This spring and summer, the community can dive right into the Aquatic Center’s various classes for people of all ages and swimmers of all abilities.

The pool is projected to close again in 2025 for roof repairs.

Meanwhile, the Astoria Park Pool will be closed this summer for a $19 million renovation.

Bowne Park in Flushing recently

underwent a long-awaited construction project to improve the pond’s water quality and aerification system.

After the project’s procurement in June 2018, it did not begin construction until March 2021, which was completed in February.

Bowne Park also got a new sitting area next to the bocce courts in January, complete with new plantings and decor.

College Point Fields has a soccer field construction project in the works. In February, Community Board 7 approved a plan to convert Field 3, one of the park’s four baseball fields, into a small soccer field.

This project will also install new fencing, bleachers, security lights and a water fountain. Additional installations might be added if funding permits, such as a new scoreboard.

A football field at College Point Fields was finished last August.

Also in College Point, construction of a seawall on the east side of the beach at MacNeil Park was approved in March.

According to the city Parks website, the waterfront reconstruction project is in the design phase and

slated to move forward in November.

Juniper Valley Park in Middle Village opened its renovated track and field and brand-new adult fitness area to the public in November.

The project was initially on track for completion in April 2022, but complications with storm drainage pipes slowed down the process.

In September, Juniper Valley Park also saw installation of water service to its spray shower completed. Both individual and team athletes can now take advantage of the new amenities and work up a sweat this spring.

Last July, Forest Park saw construction of new pathways and the plaza around the visitor center completed. In June, a pathway for bikers and pedestrians to enter from Myrtle Avenue was installed.

A reconstruction project at the 210th Street playground at Cunningham Park in northeast Queens is in the procurment stage and on track to move forward in June.

According to the city Parks website, Cunningham Park’s Redwood Upper Playground is under active construction with an October completion date expected.

On April 4, NYC Parks and The

Poetry Society of America unveiled the first installation of their joint Parks Poems initiative.

Parks Poems seeks to make poetry accessible to all New Yorkers by translating it into free, artistic displays in NYC parks.

“Our public parks are important oases amid the hustle of New York City life, and these poetry installations will invite park patrons to pause, reflect, and connect with their environment in new ways,” city Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue said at the initiative’s Brooklyn celebration.

The project will present a different poem in each of the five boroughs for a year. In Queens, Francis Lewis Park will display Harryette Mullen’s “Six Tankas.”

In addition to these many new features, on March 20, NYC Parks announced its hire of “Second Shift” staff members to clean trash and graffiti from some of the busiest parks in the five boroughs.

“With the launch of a second shift of frontline and dedicated park staff, we are meeting New Yorkers where they are, in our Parks in the afternoons and evenings, especially as the days grow longer and warmer,” Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi said in a press release. “With this additional cleaning and maintenance our busiest parks will be clean, green and serene from dawn to dusk.”

Alley Pond, Astoria, Bayswater, Highland, Cunningham and Queensbridge parks, and Meadow Lake in Flushing Meadows, are the Queens hotspots for Second Shift employees.

As Queens residents once again frequent parks this spring, they can enjoy both better facilities and cleaner environments.

Whether it’s a shiny playground to run around or a new favorite workout spot, there is something for everyone to see and do in Queens parks this season.

Juniper Valley Park’s new and improved track is open. The Flushing Meadows Corona Park Aquatic Center has reopened, though it w ill be closing for renovations again in 2025. “Second shift” staffers have been hired to keep parks more tidy. And work at Redwood Playground in Cunningham Park in set to be done in October.

PHOTO BY STEPHANIE G. MEDITZ, LEFT; NYC PARKS PHOTOS

Recently installed pathways for pedestrians and cyclists welcome people to Forest Park from Myrtle Avenue.

PHOTO BY STEPHANIE G. MEDITZ

Get some greens in spring cuisine

But lighter fare doesn’t mean you have to ditch the baked goods and pasta

by Deirdre Bardolf Editor

Asparagus, ramps and rhubarb are some stars of springtime cuisine and can be surprisingly versatile. But don’t sleep on them — the season for rhubarbs, which look like hot pink celery but have a tartness quite different — is fleeting, and asparagus is at its prime in April and May.

Ramps are often called spring onions, so now is their time. A pesto made last weekend didn’t need garlic or herbs since the onions already have a bold flavor that stands on its own.

Rhubarb-strawberry muffins were fluffy and delicious, with a subtle cornbread grit. Just sweet enough, they were a fan favorite.

An asparagus tart with goat cheese and crème fraîche was easy to assemble and looked impressive. Guests will be intrigued by the mix of flavors, where tarragon and nutmeg give the rich spread complexity. And really, can anything taste bad in a puff pastry crust?

These recipes are lighter than the stews and bakes of the winter and ease the palate into lighter fare of warmer months.

Pair any with a refreshing and healthy super green smoothie.

Strawberry Rhubarb Muffins

• 1 cup small-diced diced strawberries

• 1 cup small-diced diced fresh rhubarb

• 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar

• 8 tbsp. butter (one stick), melted and slightly cooled

• 2 large eggs at room temp

• 1 cup sour cream

• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

• zest from 1 lemon

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/2 cup medium-grind or fine cornmeal

• 2 tsp. baking powder

• 1 tsp. kosher salt

• 3/4 tsp. baking soda

• 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon

• 1 tbsp. of raw sugar for sprinkling on top

Heat the oven to 400 degrees and prepare a 12-cup muffin pan with liners or spray with cooking spray. Mix the strawberries and rhubarb in a bowl with 1 tbsp. of sugar. Set aside.

Whisk the rest of the sugar (1 cup and 3 tbsp.) with the eggs and butter in a large bowl for about 30 seconds until smooth. Add the sour cream, vanilla and lemon zest. Whisk until smooth.

In another bowl, whisk the dry ingredients: flour, cornmeal, baking powder and soda, salt and cinnamon. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ones and mix until just combined.

Put the fruit into a strainer and toss to drain excess liquid. Fold into the batter until just combined.

Divide the batter in the muffin tray. Sprinkle raw sugar on top and bake for 18 to 23 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Let the muffins cool and remove them carefully. The tops may have run into each other (mine certainly did) but don’t worry — the taste will outweigh the look.

Asparagus Goat Cheese Tart

• 1 cup goat cheese

• 1 large egg, slightly beaten,

at room temp

• 1 garlic clove, grated or minced

• 1 1/2 tbsp. chopped, fresh tarragon leaves

• 1/2 tbsp. lemon zest

• pinch of salt

• pinch of ground nutmeg

• 1 cup crème fraîche at room temp

• puff pastry crust, about 9 to 14 oz.; brands vary

• 8 oz. thin asparagus, ends trimmed

• extra-virgin olive oil

• 2 tbsp. grated Parmesan

• 1/2 cup shaved Parmesan

• black pepper

• red pepper flakes (optional)

Heat the oven to 425 degrees. In a bowl, mash the goat cheese, egg, tarragon, lemon zest, garlic, salt and nutmeg until smooth. Then, whisk in the crème fraîche until smooth.

Roll the puff pastry out on a parchment-paper lined pan to about an 13-by-11-inch rectangle.

Prepare the crust by using a sharp knife to score, or make shallow cuts, about half an inch from the edges of the pastry all around. Score inside the border. This will allow only the edges to puff up. Spread the mixture inside, line with asparagus and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle some salt on top as well as the grated cheese.

Bake until the pastry is puffed and golden, 25 to 30 minutes. Let it cool at least 15 minutes or up to 4 hours. To serve, sprinkle with black pepper, red pepper if desired, shaved Parmesan and more tarragon leaves. Can drizzle more oil on top, too.

Creamy Ramp Pesto

• 1 large bunch of ramps, cleaned, roots removed and bulbs and stems separated

• zest and juice of 1 lemon

• 1/4 cup lightly toasted pistachios

• 1/2 cup grated

Parmigiano-Reggiano

• 1/3 cup of extra-virgin olive

oil

• kosher salt, to taste

• 3/4 cup (6 oz.) of bufala or cow’s milk ricotta or mascarpone

• 1 pound of pasta

• ground pink peppercorns or black pepper

Bring a large pot of water to boil for the pasta and prepare a bowl of ice water to blanch the ramps.

Blanch the ramps by submerging them in the boiling water for 15 seconds, dunking them in the ice bath and then drying them. Save the water to cook the pasta, which you can do while you prepare the sauce.

Add the blanched leaves with about 1/4 cup of the bulbs and stems, the zest and juice, the pistachios and the parm to a food processor.

Pulse to chop then stream in the olive oil until the pesto becomes a thick sauce. Taste and, if desired, add more bulbs and stems, and salt to taste. Pulse to combine.

Remaining ramps can be saved, like for eggs or a veggie dish.

Salt the pasta water and cook pasta of choice, reserving 1/2 cup at the end to pour into a bowl with the ricotta or mascarpone. Add the pesto, stir and add cooked pasta. Top with freshly ground black or pink peppercorns.

Super Green Smoothie

• 2 1/2 cups any milk

• 1/2 ripe avocado

• 1 frozen banana

• 4 pitted Medjool dates

• 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves

• 1 cup baby spinach

• 2 tsp. honey

Place everything into a blender, blend until smooth and combined and enjoy!

Springtime is the best time for asparagus. Add them to a tart with tarragon and goat cheese for a unique dish.

PHOTOS BY DEIRDRE BARDOLF

Rhubarb is technically a vegetable, in season during the spring and summer, but goes well in baked goods where the sweetness balances out the tartness of the stalks. Try making some strawberry rhubarb muffins, left, for a fresh and bright option. Also on a springtime menu could be ramp pesto pasta, center, or an aspara gus and goat cheese tart that is sure to wow guests.

The Voelker Orth Museum, Bird Sanctuary and Victorian Garden

149-19 38th Avenue, Flushing, NY 11354 www.vomuseum.org 718-359-6227

Celebrating 20 Years

WELCOME!

COME, ENJOY A BEAUTIFUL SPRING GARDEN!

Experience the 19th century home of German immigrants and explore connections to Queens families today.

Offering drop-in house tours & gallery hours, Tuesdays & Sundays 1-4.

Downtown Flushing: Photographs by Herb Bardavid on view

Mother’s Day Drop-in Art Workshop, May 14th

Stories and Snacks: A Festival of Home Cooking History, May 21st; Voelker Orth Museum Birthday, Lawn Tea, June 4th.

info@vomuseum.org

“HOW

Tuesday, May 16th, 2023 at 1pm

Wednesday, May 17th, 2023 at 4pm Guardianship Process from Incapacity to Court Appointment

Wednesday, April 26 th, 2023 at 4pm Discover how

Summer Camps & Academy 2023

Prep Computer & Fine Arts

Music Technology & Production

STEM Video Game Design

“High

Not just reduce, reuse, recycle

How you can do more to help the planet and live a greener life

by Sophie Krichevsky Associate Editor

With Earth Day just around the corner, Queens residents may be in search of ways to reduce their carbon footprints. And what better time to do that than in the spring, when the weather is nice and people are itching to get outside?

While some may find striving toward a greener life a daunting task or wonder whether they can actually make an impact, Fresh Meadows-based environmentalist Edita Birnkrant encouraged people to give it a try.

“There’s billions of people on the planet — if we all felt empowered and made these changes, that would be a revolution,” she told the Chronicle. “People, I think, forget sometimes that we’re all part of the larger collective.”

Not sure where to start? The Chronicle’s got you covered.

One of the simplest things one could try right away is to take shorter showers. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average showerhead uses 2.1 gallons of water per minute. Even shaving one minute off of a daily shower, then, could save 766.5 gallons of water a year. Likewise, turning off the faucet while brushing your teeth can also help.

Changing the temperature of the water you use makes a difference too, particularly when it comes to laundry. According to the American Cleaning Institute, about 90 percent of the energy a washing machine uses is for heating the water; the Sierra Club estimates that one household can

eliminate approximately 1,600 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions per year by using cold water.

Turning off the lights when you’re not in a room is an easy way to save energy and money. Leaving them off when there’s enough natural light can only increase that impact.

Opting for public transportation or biking can also reduce your carbon footprint, as fewer cars on the road will ultimately emit a smaller amount of greenhouse gases. If neither of those is an option, though, carpooling is a good alternative. Next time you buy a new car, consider buying a hybrid or even an electric vehicle, the latter of which are becoming increasingly common.

Mass production of clothing is another big contributor to the earth’s pollution. One way to limit that is to buy clothes from your area thrift store. Or if you’re not in the market for new clothes, consider donating your old ones.

To that end, College Point environmentalists James and Kathryn Cervino said repairing damaged items as opposed to buying new ones can make a difference.

“Learn how to repair something — sew on a patch, fix something instead of always looking to buy new,” Kathryn Cervino said.

Mass production of meat and other animal products is similarly detrimental, in part because of how much goes into raising those animals.

“A majority of crops grown are fed to animals that are then slaughtered,” Birnkrant said. “So it’s an inefficient way to feed the planet.”

In fact, Birnkrant says that meat production actually contributes more to the earth’s greenhouse gas emissions than transportation, per the Food and Agriculture Organization.

That does not mean you have to become a vegan tomorrow, though. Birnkrant said even cutting meat from your diet one day a week — on Meatless Mondays, perhaps — can make a difference.

Drinking from a reusable water bottle as opposed to buying bottled water is another easy switch to make. Supply and demand comes into play with this one — according to Harvard University, more than 17 million barrels of oil are used every year to meet the United States’ demand for bottled water.

If people collectively buy fewer bottles, then production should decrease.

Like any single-use plastic products, water bottles can be detrimental to the earth’s water sources and their inhabitants if not disposed of properly. Single-use plastic is not biodegradable, which can cause issues for an ecosystem, and sometimes, when they begin to break down, they split into tiny pieces known as microplastic, which is dangerous for wildlife. Other single-use products you can cut from your daily use include plastic straws and plastic tableware. If you bring your lunch to school or work every day, use a reusable bag and reusable forks, spoons and knives. Metal straws can be washed and reused, as well.

Both James and Kathryn Cervino noted, though, that Ziploc brand plastic bags can be used again safely, and are designed with that in mind: They do not contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, materials used to make some coatings that are potentially detrimental to your health.

“Not only are you buying a really clean bag that costs money to make sure that it’s chemical-free, it also makes it even more important that all the energy and time used to get it a clean bag that you can purchase ... that you clean it and wash it,” James Cervino said.

When recycling, don’t forget to clean out your items so there is no

food left behind. Too much food or liquid residue can ruin a batch of recycling.

Still, plastic and other waste does get left behind. One way to do your part is to participate in an area clean up event.

Dan Mundy Jr. of the Jamaica Bay Ecowatchers emphasized that getting involved does not need to be a long-term commitment.

“You want to give us 20 minutes, a half hour, pick up a couple of bags?” he asked. “Most people get into it a little more when they’re there.”

To Don Riepe of the Guardians of Jamaica Bay, cleaning up and preserving marshes is arguably the best thing one can do to help the environment. He noted that the group regularly holds cleanups, including one on Earth Day, April 22, at Spring Creek in Howard Beach.

Nor is that the only one coming up this spring; many are scheduled for green spaces throughout the borough. The Friends of Crocheron Park will meet for a cleanup on April 29 starting at noon. On May 6, the Guardians of Flushing Bay, Empire Dragons, Coastal Preservation Network, Riverkeeper and the Department of Parks and Recreation will team up for a cleanup of Flushing Bay near the World’s Fair Marina.

Other events may be found online through searches or at sites such as cityparksfoundation.org.

Groups like Team Up 2 Clean Up, above in Howard Beach, regularly spruce up area parks in pursuit of a healthier environment. Volunteering with such organizations is just one way to do your part.

PHOTO BY DEIRDRE BARDOLF / FILE

You can do your part by riding a bike instead of driving. Or next time you need new clothes, consider buying some secondhand, and maybe even donating some, too.

PHOTO, LEFT, BY MICHAEL GANNON / FILE

The sky isn’t even the limit

Celestial wonders await in Queens’ nighttime spring firmament

by Michael Gannon Senior News Editor

Raul Armendariz has been looking at the stars for more than 30 years.

And the associate professor at Queensborough Community College in Bayside said he still is capable of being amazed when he looks through a telescope.

Armendariz teaches physics, and one of his classrooms is an observatory right here in Queens, on the roof of the campus library.

The observatory was built in 1979, though it has a new 16-inch Cassegrain telescope.

Astronomy, the professor said, is a big draw for students in the World’s Borough.

“A lot of students take it,” he said.

Physics 111 is the lecture potion. Physics 112 is the associated laboratory class.

“We probably have 15 or 20 sections of the class run every semester,” Armendariz said. “It’s huge. Probably 400 students every semester.”

And from the roof of the library, students can go from Bayside to other worlds.

“When you see Jupiter and Saturn through our telescope, that’s what you want to see,” Armendariz said. “Mercury and Venus, when you look through the telescope, are not in my opinion, very impressive. But if you look at Saturn, you can see the rings. If you look at Jupiter, you can see the moons around it, and it’s very bright. It’s obviously a planet.”

And it’s not just the physics majors who sign up, though that

branch of science was what first got Chicago native Armendariz hooked, leading him down the road of physics and astrophysics.

As for nonmajors at the school, they still have to fulfill a science requirement, and Armendariz said many find astronomy preferable to disciplines such as chemistry and biology.

And if nonstudents in Queens want to take up stargazing, he said the ambient light of New York City could make astronomic research difficult, but that anyone with an interest can find a way to satisfy one’s curiosity.

Some spots in Queens are better than others, with open spaces from Alley Pond Park to Flushing Meadows and Jamaica Bay among the best bets.

Vishnu Sridhar, a native of Rego Park and one of the creators of the Mars rover Perseverance in his days at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, is all for amateur astronomy.

“I have an interest, but I don’t do it often,” he told the Chronicle. “Growing up in Queens you can’t see many stars. But he is a proponent if people have the urge to take themselves of their children stargazing.

“Absolutely!” he said.

Armendariz said if one wants to research what interesting sites are coming to the sky this spring, NASA, the Farmer’s Almanac and other websites can place the information at one’s fingertips.

The official NASA website has, among seemingly countless other features, the page “What’s Up: Skywatching Tips from NASA,” with videos, graphics, lists, illustrations and calendars for cosmic occurrences expected in the coming weeks.

The highlight this month will be the Lyrid Meteor Shower, which will be visible between April 15 and 29, with the peak anticipated April 21 to 23.

“Find a comfortable spot away from bright city lights, get horizontal and look straight up,” the space agency recommends at go.nasa. gov/3KGU1xL.

Other happenings include after midnight

on Sunday morning, April 16, when Saturn should be visible some five degree sabove a waning crescent moon.

Weather permitting, Mars should be visible very close to the moon high in the sky on April 25. Venus also will make an appearance, though much farther below.

The afternoon of May 1 will see Mercury pass between Earth and the sun.

The Farmers Almanac has its “Monthly Night Sky Guides for Stargazers at bit.ly/3Gt2HW2, which as of the Chronicle’s deadline was updated through the end of April.

The Almanac says conditions for viewing Lyrid meteors are good this year, since the moon will be absent from the night sky when the shower reaches its peak in the predawn hours of April 23.

“We recommend bundling up and lying flat on your back, facing eastward at approximately 4 a.m.,” the guide says.

It adds that while there are only about 10 meteors per hour under normal conditions, “surprises do occur. In 1982 rates of well over 75 Lyrids per hour were recorded for brief periods.”

The almanac also has a Visible Planets guide.

It designates everything through Uranus “(pronounced “EUR-aniss)” as so-called naked-eye planets, as binoculars or telescopes are not needed to spot them when they appear.

And while Neptune, the article states, can only be seen with binoculars or a telescope, the article lists the dates that it and every other planet can be seen in 2023 during both nighttime and morning hours.

It also has individual links for people wishing to learn more facts about each planet.

And, no, Pluto no longer is included.

Neither the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation nor the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation have organized stargazing events scheduled for Queens over the next few months. The city does have an astronomy activities page at on.nyc.gov/3KiIt27 that a department spokesman told the Chronicle will be updated later this coming summer.

Holders of valid New York State stargazing permits can park after sunset for stargazing purposes only at six state parks in Nassau and Suffolk counties, including Wildwood park in Wading River; Jones Beach West End parking lot 2 and field 6; Sunken Meadow parking fields 1 and 3 in Smithtown; Robert Moses field 2 on Fire Island; the upper parking lot at Montauk Point; and Hither Hills in Montauk, except for July and August.

Visitors must show stargazing equipment such as binoculars or a telescope if requested by state park employees.

The sale of state stargazing permits ended March 31 but will begin

again in September the Tuesday after Labor Day.

Stargazing permits are $35 for state residents and $60 for nonresidents. Information on these and other recreational state permits is available online at on.ny. gov/3KFa6nB.

Armendariz still has the enthusiasm that he had as a student.

Take, for example the physics and technology at work in producing the images that have been collected and disseminated by the James Webb Space Telescope, which was launched in 2021.

“What amazes me is what we’re seeing now when we take pictures in all the different waves of light from the electromagnetic spectrum,” he said. “If you go back decades ago, they weren’t able to make images like they can today.”

He said scientists can assign colors to photos taken using technology such as radio waves and ultraviolet light and allow them to be seen by the human eye.

And if you are considering stargazing yourself, either from the backyard or out at a state park, take the word of a professional and do it.

“I think it’s good for people to go out and explore and expand their horizons, and to one up their minds to what is out there, what is in nature and in our universe,” Armendariz said. “It’s just a good thing in my opinion. It’s a good family thing to do, too.

“It’s fun.”

Mars and Venus are scheduled to make appearances later this month, visible without binoculars or a telescope should the spring weather cooperate. NASA IMAGE

The astronomy observatory at Queensborough Community College can take students throughout the solar system and beyond. PHOTO COURTESY QCC

Bolder-than-ever looks this spring

’Fits are fun and functional so matching sets shine and comfy meets cute

by Deirdre Bardolf Editor

As springtime rolls in, cheery colors abound. Tulips and daffodils flourish and the grass grows green and lush again as lawnmowers are fueled up. With the change of season comes a fresh wardrobe of lighter fabrics and shades as the heavy layers of winter are shed.

This happens every year, but this season the hues are brighter and the styles are bolder.

“We have seen the most bright colors we’ve ever seen,” said Briana Pratico, an Astoria native who is a manager and assistant buyer there at The Brass Owl.

It is “exaggerated” spring colors that the shop is seeing, Pratico said, like lilac, yellow and pink, and they are everywhere, from tops to accessories like baseball caps. There are the usual floral designs indicative of the season but now “amped up.”

At the store, employees encourage customers to mix and match the fun prints (animal prints are back) and colors that are in right now but Pratico knows that is not for everyone.

“I’m like a pop-of-color girl, so I’m going to want one thing, that bright thing, to be the main attraction of the outfit,” she said.

She paired bright pink sunglasses and a purple bag with a floral printed midi dress — also in right now — to add some color to the springready ’fit. To finish it off are sporty sandals that feature a rubber sole, another popular look. The athletic

look is evident elsewhere, like with sport straps on cross-body bags.

Other ways to ease into those loud colors is to take a seamless tank, another hit at the store, and let that be the pop of color in a look.

“I think now more than ever, people just want to have fun with their clothes,” said Pratico.

Fashion is still being dictated by the transition out of the pandemic. Shoppers are looking to dress up a little more but still want ease and functionality in transitional pieces.

Mid-length and maxi dresses are easy, as are jumpsuits and matching sets.

“The less-fitted style is more popular right now, really flowy jumpsuits where you can’t even tell if it’s a dress or pants because the leg is so wide,” said Pratico.

Cutouts are still in, too, she said.

“I know it’s been a trend for a while, but a few of our cute summer maxis have cutouts in the back or on the sides and people really love to see a little bit of skin.”

The matching sets are perfect to wear together or separate and dress up or down. Pratico plans to get even more in as the weather warms up.

“We say, at the store, ‘Are you big shirt, little pant or big pant, little shirt?’ We have two types of girls,” she laughed. One olive green set, for example, features a cropped

top with cargo shorts.

Cargo pants are in, says Anita Manfredonia of Auburndale, who owns the online shop Pippy&Lily. Women are seeking a “step up” from what they were wearing during the pandemic. And who can’t use a couple of extra pockets?

“It’s a more fashionable, elevated, kind of relaxed look,” she said.

Take the cargo pants for example — they replaced the jogger sweats from Covid days as a nicer yet still practical piece.

Sisters Adelice and Bella G. of Glendale spent a sunny afternoon at The Shops at Atlas Park during their spring break with friend Briana R., from Brooklyn.

The three confirmed the latest trends. They all had on a combination of cargo and oversized denim and Briana wore an oversized tee while her pals sported cropped tops.

“It’s comfortable, easy to wear, like grab and go,” she said.

Briana also wore oversized shades, which she said are called “bird glasses.”

“I feel like it completes your outfit,” she said.

“Go big or go home,” her friends’ older sister, who was accompanying them at the mall, chimed in.

Manfredonia said she is seeing the bright colors, too, like hot pink and others that “make you feel good” but there are also earth tones, like the neutrals the girls at the mall were wearing.

Vendors are working hard to create sustainable, ecofriendly items and it shows in some of the shades, Manfredonia said.

Made in America items are popular at her shop, too, and many are prioritizing shopping at small businesses, if possible. That’s important for Pippy&Lily as it just had to close its Flushing storefront after Manfredonia was priced out by a new landlord. She is selling on her website, pippyandlily.com, until she finds a new location, she said. Fashion magazines now are

pushing the bold colors and also “moto-inspired” looks like edgy biker jackets. Pratico mentioned a combat-boots-with-a-flowydress vibe.

Vogue magazine also says detailed denim, button-down shirts, pinstripe vests and statement earrings are in this season.

Manfredonia says the latter has spilled over from the days of Zoom meetings when pieces had to “pop” over video. Other accessories include bigger bags, too, she said, which are practical and can be put to use for a long weekend.

Vogue confirms that: “the-bigger-the-better bags,” the magazine calls them.

The style of the cargo pants also applies to denim, according to Glamour magazine. Jeans are looser than ever, it says. And bold colors aren’t the only way to stand out. Flashy metallics are in: sequins, shine and chrome.

Spring fashion this year comes down to a lot of throwbacks, also evident in fringe detailing. Nineties minimalism is in, according to Glamour. That means tailored blazers, form-fitting tees and loose trousers.

Some of this season’s looks translate to menswear, too. Men can rock the bold colors and prints as well as moto and ’90s looks, too, says GQ magazine. For accessories, think “rock star shades,” “beefedup” soles on shoes and pop-of-color hats. Don’t shy away from florals, either, guys.

Adelice, left, Briana and Bella rocked current fashion trends, like baggy pants, while hanging at The Shops at Atlas Park. PHOTO BY DEIRDRE BARDOLF

Florals are back but they are bolder and brighter. Catch them on midi dresses like Briana Pratico’s, left. Easy and functional remains in, as with a jumpsuit, center. Matching sets are easy, too, and can be dressed up with a crocheted shrug, like Dianne Cano dons. PHOTOS COURTESY THE BRASS OWL AND, CENTER, PIPPY&LILY

Look, up in the sky — it’s a bird!

Spring is a great time to make that rare sighting in woods or onshore

by Stephanie G. Meditz Chronicle Contributor

Contrary to popular belief, birds in Queens are not limited to sparrows and pigeons.

With springtime here, the last of the wintering waterfowl will soon leave for the season, and brightly colored warblers will return.

Avid birders, such as Queens County Bird Club members, excitedly anticipate the new season. However, nature lovers of all ages with a good camera, a pair of binoculars and a bit of curiosity can have a great time birding.

The winter brought many species to Queens, including redhead ducks, ring-necked ducks, shovelers and blue jays.

“Blue jays, the ones that we have here in the winter, a lot of them come from further north and will winter here, or even pass through here and winter further south,” QCBC President Ian Resnick said in a recent interview. “I noticed about a week ago that some of them had already started moving north again.”

Another winter species that stuck around into spring is the brown creeper, which typically camouflages itself by perching on tree trunks.

The tufted titmouse, black-capped chickadee and purple finch also might still be around the neighborhood.

With their ample woodland space, Forest Park, Alley Pond Park and Cunningham Park are hotspots for spring migration, especially for warblers. At this time of year, nonnative hawks and other raptors may pass through, too.

The World’s Fair Marina in Flushing Bay typically attracts canvas-backed ducks, and Jamaica Bay is a stopover for countless migrants.

If you’re lucky, you might spot a lifer, or a bird you’ve never seen before.

Some species, such as the redtailed hawk, are Queens residents and will not migrate this spring.

Like the red-tailed hawk, the Queens County Bird Club is a community staple — the group has been around for over 90 years.

Naturally, the club welcomes new members to join its veterans. QCBC member Rose Wolner started birding after watching them outside her window during the Covid-19 shutdown.

In her year and a half of serious birding, she has spotted nearly 175 bird species.

“It’s a fun hobby. I never thought I’d be so passionate about it, but I just want to get better at photographing these beautiful birds,” Wolner said.

She likes to post pictures of the

birds she spots in local Facebook groups, and the community always responds positively.

The QCBC meets on the third Wednesday of each month at the Alley Pond Environmental Center (though it’s skipping April). The club recently returned to in-person meetings after the pandemic.

Each meeting features a different presentation related to nature. Resnick gave a presentation at last month’s meeting about his recent trip to Peru.

QCBC Vice President Marcia Abrahams typically schedules speakers for meetings. Speakers might present on a wide range of topics, from botany to the conservation of American flamingos.

The club also hosts birding trips, both day trips in Queens and overnight trips upstate and beyond.

The club will visit the Ridgewood Reservoir on April 30 and Forest Park on May 7, when spring migration peaks.

On May 13, the QCBC will host its annual “Big Day” trip at Alley Pond Park, among other local spots. During the Big Day, club members try to see as many bird species as possible.

“It’s a good trip to go on, because it’s a time of year where it’s spring migration,” Abrahams said. “You could really see a lot of birds, and you may even have some shorebirds coming through.”

The QCBC’s field trips aim to inform the community of some of the best local spots for birding and the types of birds to expect at certain times of the year.

“We basically explain to [new

birders] how they can identify the species,” Abrahams said. “Birders are usually very eager to show a beginner how to identify field marks.”

Not only is birding a good way to meet new people in the neighborhood, it can be a relaxing hobby.

“You get to see all this beautiful stuff that’s around us, all the nature,” Resnick said. “It’s very calming, and it’s educational. You’re always learning.”

“One of the things that I enjoy most about birding is I can just go out there and walk and listen, start learning some of the different bird calls,” Abrahams said. “Basically, going into nature is very relaxing, especially during spring migration when you’re listening for the warblers.”

With its biodiversity and numerous parks, Queens is an especially exciting location for birders.

“The New York City area and Queens in particular have a tremendous amount of migration during spring and fall,” Resnick said. “We’re on the so-called Atlantic Flyway. Between Jamaica Bay and the various woodland areas, we get a tremendous variety of birds. You can get a good couple hundred species, easily, within a year in Queens.”

In just this borough, Resnick has seen nearly 300 different species. His favorite is the rose-breasted grosbeak, which is black and white with a rose-colored throat.

Wolner frequently sees cardinals

around the neighborhood, even on her windowsill. Since cardinals got her started in birding, they remain a favorite of hers.

She also has spotted rarities in the neighborhood, such as the indigo bunting, which came by last spring and has not returned since.

“Sometimes, a simple little sparrow that’s posing in a different way, on a tree or in a flower, is exciting too,” she said.

Bird club meetings are open to the public, and new birders are always welcome to drop in.

“I think that you could learn a lot through the Queens County Bird Club,” Abrahams said. “They can really show you where to go ... And they’re very friendly, they’re a nice group of people.”

“I’ve met a lot of wonderful people, just being at the feeders in Forest Park or anywhere, actually,” Wolner said. “You get to chat with people: what did you see, anything unusual, anything new that we haven’t seen before. You discuss these things with fellow birders.”

If you’re ready to grab some binoculars and join the fun, visit qcbirdclub.org.

“The beauty out there around us is incredible, and when you don’t know to look around you, you don’t see it,” Resnick said.

Whether it’s snow geese on Jamaica Bay, warblers in Forest Park or ducks at the World’s Fair Marina, there is always something for birders to see in Queens.

The snowy owl is one nice find a birder might see alone or on an excursion with the Queens County Bird Club, whose members seek out their feathered friends here and on trips to places such as Montauk, right, Shirley Chisholm State Park on Jamaica Bay in Brooklyn, below, upstate and elsewhere. Below right, an oriole. PHOTOS BY MARCIA ABRAHAMS, ABOVE AND BELOW RIGHT, AND COURTESY QCBC

Take me out to Montclair, NJ

Visit the Yogi Berra Museum, lovely gardens, top bookshop on a day trip

by Sophie Krichevsky Associate Editor

“Nobody goes there anymore, it’s too crowded,” is one of Yankee legend Yogi Berra’s most famous “Yogi-isms,” but that is not something that can be said of Montclair, NJ, home of the Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center.

You don’t have to be a baseball fan to enjoy a day trip to Montclair — with its art museums, outdoor spaces, restaurants and more, there’s plenty for the whole family to enjoy, and it’s only an hour and 15-minute drive!

Still the Yogi Berra Museum is certainly the highlight. Located on the edge of the Montclair State University campus, it’s about a 10-minute drive from the heart of Montclair.

The museum is open from 12 to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for seniors and kids under 18; veterans and Montclair State students may visit free of charge.

The museum’s main exhibit, “Lawrence Peter Berra: The Making of an American Icon,” spans the Hall of Famer’s entire life, featuring artifacts and memorabilia not only from his storied career and his childhood in St. Louis, but also from his time serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II. In fact, the museum is celebrating its 25th anniversary on Yogi Berra Day at Yankee Stadium on June 6, which is D-Day, to commemorate Berra’s role in the Normandy landings.

But Mets fans — fear not! The museum has plenty to show for both his time in the Bronx and as part of

the Amazin’s organization. The main exhibition also showcases Berra’s role in pop culture. That includes information about Yogi Bear, his Yogi-isms — which Museum Office Manager Nikki Morton says are “peppered in” throughout the museum — and even some of his YooHoo chocolate milk advertisements.

“He absolutely loved drinking the original formula of YooHoo, so he had some stock in it,” Morton said. “That was his thing ... he was basically a walking advertisement for it.”

But of course, it was his baseball stardom that put the pop icon on the map in the first place.

“Sometimes, people forget how great of a player he was because of his personality,” Morton said. “The Yogi-isms and the funny sayings kind of overtook just how good he was as a player.”

And indeed, he was: A three-time MVP and 18-time all-star, Berra was stellar both at the plate and behind it, and is widely believed to be one of the greatest catchers of all time. With 10 World Series rings, he is the winningest baseball player ever.

Though Berra died eight years ago, fans still have the chance to toss to him at the museum. As part of its “Pitch” interactive experience, visitors can pitch to an animated version of Berra as the system tracks how accurately and how fast they are throwing.

Among this year’s temporary exhibits is one exploring the life of legendary tennis player Billie Jean King. Visitors get a glimpse into her life through an array of photographs.

“Women in sports are so crucial

— Yogi was an ally, too,” Morton said of the King show. “We really wanted to bring in something different. So it’s not just about baseball here — it’s about other sports, it’s about the history of women in sports.”

Coming later this spring is the premiere of “It Ain’t Over,” a documentary about Berra’s life in May.

The Clairidge, Montclair’s longtime movie house, will host a special preview of the film on May 11, the night before it will be released in theaters in New York and Los Angeles. It is produced by the catcher’s eldest granddaughter, Lindsay Berra.

The documentary will be shown at the Clairidge from May 11 through 18, and could make for a nice addition to your day trip.

The Berra family’s home is located just a few blocks from the museum, for those interested in strolling by.

By the time you’ve gotten your fair share of Yogi, you might be getting hungry. There are plenty of restaurants on Bloomfield Avenue and neighboring streets; Raymond’s on Church Street is one that comes highly recommended.

Also on Bloomfield Avenue is the Montclair Book Center, the town’s legendary independent bookstore. Bookworms might get lost in the stacks as they peruse the shop’s three levels.

Those looking to get their art fix for the day need only walk about 15 minutes to the Montclair Art Museum. This spring, the museum will feature a wide variety of sculpture,

multimedia and photography exhibits, as well as some student work from the museum’s School of Arts.

The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors; children can attend for free.

Or maybe you want to spend some time outside. The Van Vleck House and Gardens, a 12-acre estate just another five minutes away, has you covered. The gardens, which are open every day from dawn until dusk for free, include a greenhouse, azalea walk, tennis garden, butterfly garden and much more.

So next time you’re looking to get a break from the hustle and bustle of the city, a day trip to Montclair just might do the trick.

Visitors can try their hand at pitching at the Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center, and can practice throwing one right down the middle to an animated Yogi Berra.

PHOTO COURTESY YOGI BERRA MUSEUM AND LEARNING CENTER

Day trippers can learn more about the life of legendary catcher Yogi Berra, left, including that he spent his final year as a player with the Mets, center. Those looking to get outside can go for a stroll through the flowers at the Van Vleck House and Gardens, right.

PHOTOS COURTESY YOGI BERRA MUSEUM AND LEARNING CENTER AND, RIGHT, VAN VLECK HOUSE AND GARDENS

How do you battle seasonal allergies?

An allergist from Jamaica Hospital and a naturopath offer their advice

by Naeisha Rose Associate Editor

Spring is officially here, but with the warm weather comes seasonal allergies. In other words, expect blurred eyes, itchy throats and stuffed noses with the blooming flowers and fragrant trees.

Due to a soggy winter, the allergy season was in full effect in March, according to Dr. Lisa Roth, the director of Allergy & Immunology at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center in Richmond Hill.

“We had a very mild winter,” Roth told the Queens Chronicle. “That allows for an early start for spring.”

At the height of winter, from January through February, temperatures were the 13th warmest in the 129-year record through the contiguous U.S. at an average temperature of 35.8 Fahrenheit, 3.9 Fahrenheit above what is typical, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The country had the third-wettest winter precipitation on record from December 2022 through February 2023 with rainfalls totaling 7.69 inches, 0.9 inch above average.

New York City received 0.4 inch of snow on Feb. 1, setting a record for the latest measurable first snowfall of the season, NOAA added. The Northeast had its fourth-warmest February since 1895 with an average temperature of 32.1 Fahrenheit, 5.7 degrees above normal.

The normal seasonal change takes place in the first or second week of April, according to the allergy and immunology director.

Along with the red eyes, coughing and

runny noses, people can end up wheezing or getting a rash, which are all major allergy symptoms this time of year, added Roth.

“We have tree season right now, which started a little bit early,” said Roth, who is also the president-elect of the New York Society of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology. “The pollen count is on the higher side right now.”

As of April 4, the allergy index was 9.9 out of 12, according to pollen.com. The high range is considered to be 9.7 to 12. The low range is 0 to 2.4, the low to medium range is 2.5 to 4.8, the medium range is 4.9 to 7.2 and the medium to high range is 7.3 to 9.6.

There are several general measures people can take to protect themselves, according to the doctor.

“Common sense is key,” she said. “Close the windows where you live. A lot of people like to open the windows for fresh air this time of season. For people who have allergies it’s not a great idea, because that will allow the outside pollen to come inside.”

People should consider getting an air purifier or use an air conditioner because they have filters, she added. A window fan will simply blow the pollens around.

“Get a nighttime shower because that can specifically remove the pollen that accumulates during the day and that will help with a comfortable nighttime sleep,” Roth added.

Roth’s best advice is for people to see a doctor, specifically an allergist, so they can be diagnosed and receive recommendations for the best over-the-counter medicines or prescriptions in order to enjoy the outdoors with no-to-little allergy symptoms. Medications

include antihistamines, sedating and nonsedating nose sprays and eye drops, which can all help with symptom control.

“One can download pollen.com, which in my opinion is a very good app,” she said. “You can put your ZIP code in and it will give you the pollen count and the type of pollen in your area.”

While Covid-19 hasn’t worsened allergies for people, the restrictive measures from past years like mask wearing outdoors can help with creating a protective barrier, added the NYSAAI president-elect.

“Last year we were in a Covid-19 flare,” said Roth. “Masks did help prevent Covid-19, but it also prevented pollen from being inhaled ... this year there is less mask wearing and so we have more exposure.”

The Rev. Simone Lord Marcelle, a board-certified naturopath with a doctorate from the Trinity School of Natural Health in Indiana, believes in a more immunity-building approach to tackling allergies.

“The cause of the allergies is your system being convoluted,” Lord Marcelle told the Chronicle. “Your immune system is compromised because there are too many toxins in the body. It is not able to fight and you are left sneezing and can hardly breathe. Some people even get eczema.”

Lord Marcelle does a light daily detox that includes drinking a lot of water with lemon, which is good for the liver, and drinking dandelion and Echinacea tea.

“The dandelion and Echinacea strengthens the immune system,” Lord Marcelle said. “Toxins will not stay in the body and the tea is gentle, so you won’t have to rush to the bathroom every day.”

Somethings that people can do for free are breathing exercises every day, Lord Marcelle added.

“Doing breathing exercises is a technique

you can use to let the toxins out of your body,” she said. “Let out a long exhale and that will also help with hypertension.”

While doing the exercise outdoors is preferable, people can also do it indoors in a freshly cleaned house.

Having a more plant-based diet will also improve one’s immune system this allergy season, according to the naturopath.

“If you are eating a lot of fast food, things that can’t help your immune system at all ... like white sugar, white flour and too much red meat, all those things cause the toxins to build up in your body and makes your blood unclean, so when the pollen comes your body cannot take any more. You will start sneezing and having allergic reactions. Your system is rebelling,” Lord Marcelle added. “Your head will feel like it is pounding sometimes, you can get a headache and you can also get hot flashes. This is your body saying enough.”

If you have allergies already, drinking shots of ginger and turmeric can help build back up the immune system. Also, freshly pressed juices or smoothies with celery, parsley, kale, spinach, green apple, cucumber, kelp and pineapple will help with that and as a meal replacement, she added.

“If you are overweight, you are more likely to have trouble with allergies,” she said. “Soda, sweets, alcohol and smoking will not help your immune system fight allergies. Chickpeas have protein and are good in a salad. Having organic or homegrown vegetables are best too because there won’t be pesticides.”

Cabbage, black beans and pineapple are also great additions to a salad, she added.

To seek a naturopathic consultation from Lord Marcelle you can visit her at the Inspire NY Wellness Center at 115-42 Sutphin Blvd. in South Jamaica or call her at (917) 720-2485.

If interested in making an appointment with Roth call (718) 206-6742 or visit JHMC at 8900 Van Wyck Expy. in Richmond Hill.

Allergy season had an early start this year because of a mild winter, according to Dr. Lisa Roth of Jamaica Hospital Medical Center in Richmond Hill.

Dr. Lisa Roth, director of Allergy and Immunology at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, left, and the Rev. Simone Lord Marcelle, a naturopath. COURTESY PHOTOS

“Common sense is key.”

— Dr. Lisa Roth, director of allergy and immunology, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

Art and artifacts on view for you

Museums and galleries offer everything from history to the avant-garde

by Mark Lord Chronicle Contributor

From science and motion pictures to the Holocaust and abstract artwork, every conceivable interest seems to be represented at the borough’s museums and galleries.

In fact, the wide-ranging cultural centers available in our backyard are perhaps surpassed in diversity only by that of the people who live here.

And best of all, admission to many of the attractions is free!

We kick off our survey — a partial sampling culled from dozens of such exhibitions — with the Queens Historical Society at Kingsland Homestead in Flushing.

Executive Director Jason Antos recommends a visit to the site. “It’s a rare treat to see a 250-year-old British Post-Colonial farmhouse,” he said. “Not many are left in New York City.”

An ever-popular attraction is the Victorian Parlor Room, modeled to appear as it would have in 1870.

Among the other offerings is “Il Paese Vecchio: Italian-Americans in Queens,” available for viewing both in person and virtually. The presentation features unique stories, traditions, immigration history and insight into the culture of the large Sicilian and Napolitan populations which live in the borough.

Kingsland Homestead is located at 143-35 37 Ave. Admission is $5; or $3 for students, seniors and veterans. For more, visit queenshistorical society.org or call (718) 939-0647.

Also of historical interest is the

“All of the programs use the lessons of the Holocaust to educate current and future generations about the ramifications of prejudice, racism and stereotyping,” explained Executive Director Laura Cohen.

“At a time when we are seeing a record increase in both anti-Semitic rhetoric and violence, it’s our responsibility to make connections between the past and present relevant to people from all communities and all backgrounds.”

As part of its annual Yom HaShoah commemoration, the center offers a virtual program, “Preserving Jewish History: Exploring Centropa’s Library of Rescued Memories,” on April 18 at 6 p.m.

Lauren Granite, Centropa’s director of education, will discuss how the organization interviewed over 1,200 elderly Jewish people for this project.

The center’s newest original exhibition, “The Concentration Camps: Inside the Nazi System of Incarceration and Genocide,” which underscores the consequences of anti-Semitism, racism and authoritarianism, may be viewed in person and virtually. On April 19, the center presents a special in-person-only community event, an Open House from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., tied in with the exhibit.

The following week, on April 26, a special lecture entitled “Wartime Cabaret: Remaking Theatre from a Jewish Ghetto,” will be offered virtually at noon.

The center is located at 222-05 56 Ave. Admission is free. For more, visit khc.qcc.cuny.edu.

Those with a scientific bent might consider the New York Hall of Science in Corona, which features more than 450 interactive displays that explain science and help to demystify the world.

Through one exhibition, “Powering the City,” visitors discover how energy transforms and works to power our lives. Another, “Human Plus,” explores how different kinds of technologies can supplement human abilities. And “Connected Worlds” immerses visitors in what the museum describes as a “fantastically animated world.” It explains how our actions — gestures, movements and decisions — impact how well the world is kept in balance.

The Hall of Science is located at 47-01 111 St. in Corona. Admission

is $16; or $13 for seniors, students and children. Entry is free on Fridays from 2 to 5 p.m. and Sundays 10 to 11 a.m. For more, visit nysci. org or call (718) 699-0005.

The Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria, dedicated to appreciation of the art, history and technology of film, television and digital media, has been a destination since 1988. One of its most popular attractions is a permanent exhibition in tribute to Jim Henson, the genius behind the Muppets.

Another ongoing exhibit is “Behind the Screen,” which focuses on the creative and technical processes of producing and promoting film, TV shows and digital entertainment.

Running through Oct. 1 is “Cinema of Sensations: The Never-Ending Screen of Val del Omar,” which examines “the immersive, multisensory cinematic installations” of the visionary Spanish artist.

MoMI is located at 36-01 35 Ave. General admission is $20; or $12 for students and seniors; and $10 for youth 3 to 17. It is free on Thursdays. For more, visit movingimage.us or call (718) 777-6800.

Lovers of art have a wide variety of venues from which to choose. One gallery, Mrs., located in Maspeth, is presenting an exhibit entitled, “Sarah Palmer: The Delirious Sun.” According to communications liaison Emily Janowick, it marks Palmer’s second solo show at the gallery. The exhibit, on view through May 6, is described as “an archipelago of photographic prints and vinyl wallpaper,” creating an environment “where non-linear connections occur.”

Next on tap at Mrs., running from May 13 to July 1, is “Shadowlands,” the second solo show there for Queens resident Oona Brangam-Snell.

“She creates jacquard-woven tapestries which also incorporate hand beading and embroidery,” said Janowick. For the exhibit, the artist created 11 new woven pieces.

This contemporary art museum is located at 60-40 56 Drive. Admission is free. For more, visit mrs gallery.com or call (347) 841-6149.

Culture Lab LIC in Long Island City is presenting the newly opened exhibit “Weather Report,” a solo show delving into the climate crisis through works on paper by local visual artist Cristian Pietrapiana, whose work combines news, headlines, images and painting. Artistic Director Tess Howsam says the exhibit offers “a personal experi-

ence,” as Pietrapiana encourages visitors to “get closer.”

Also on view is another new attraction, “Past Tense/Future Infinite,” a sculptural celebration organized by the Sculptors Guild. It “delves into art that reflects a new sensibility as we look toward the future, taking with us lessons learned from these years of isolation.” Howsam calls the exhibit “a truly dynamic collection of work.”

Both run through April 30, along with the recently extended “Luminous: The Art of Neon,” inspired by the life and work of a local artist, the late Gerry Rose. According to Howsam, the pieces on display were donated by Rose’s family and will be up for sale via silent auction.

The gallery, operating out of a 12,000-square-foot converted warehouse, is located at 5-25 46 Ave. Admission is free. For more, visit culturelablic.org.

The Garage Art Center in Bayside will host from May 6 to June 4

“Around the Edges,” a solo exhibition by Richard Keen, an abstract visual artist based in Maine. Keen draws inspiration from that state’s natural and manmade surroundings.

The show features a selection of small-format paintings mounted on a low-profile triangular rail that encir-

cles the room. It also includes a curated grouping of dimensional wall sculptures and shaped panels, proving an immersive experience.

The gallery is located at 26-01 Corporal Kennedy St. and is open by appointment during exhibitions. Admission is free. For more, visit garageartcenter.org.

And, for something truly different, consider the Voelker Orth Museum in Flushing, a bird sanctuary and Victorian garden.

Running April 16 to June 18 is “Downtown Flushing,” featuring photographs by Herb Bardavid, a psychotherapist who bought his first camera — a Brownie — at age 10 when he was living in Flushing. Family brought him back many years later. Over a three-year period, he captured the people, energy and excitement of Flushing today. On May 7 at 2 p.m. there will be an informal talk about Bardavid’s creative process and the photographs on view.

Volker Orth is located at 149-19 38 Ave. Guided tours of the house are available and the garden offers a quiet respite, with plantings to enjoy year round. The suggested donation is $5, while admission to the garden is free. Fore more, visit vomuseum. org or call (718) 359-6227.

Harriet & Kenneth Kupferberg Holocaust Center at Queensborough Community College.

Artist Cristian Pietrapiana, whose “Weather Report” exhibit is on display at Culture Lab LIC, with Artistic Director Tess Howsam and Janet Rutkowski, artist and curator of the “Pat Tense/Future Infinite” exhibit, also now running at the 46th Street venue. PHOTO COURTESY CULTURE LAB LIC

A work by Sarah Palmer in her “The Delirious Sun” exhibit at Mrs. in Maspeth. PHOTO BY OLYMPIA SHANNON / MRS

Part of the Kupferberg Holocaust Center’s core exhibit. PHOTO BY LEO CORREA

From old musicals to cold murder

Community theater productions star your neighbors and friends

by Mark Lord Chronicle Contributor

Three years after Covid-19 shut down the local community theater scene, a sense of normalcy seems to be returning, with several troupes gearing up for springtime opening nights.

Set to raise their curtains during the next few weeks are three musicals, including two classics and a brand-new revue, as well as a mystery play that inspired a long-running television drama series.

First up is the ever-popular Rodgers and Hammerstein musical based upon the lives of the singing von Trapp Family, “The Sound of Music,” arriving April 29 courtesy of St. Mary’s Drama Guild in Woodside.

The production is the group’s first since the pandemic, according to its director, Ashley Gleason, who referred to it as “a good show to come back to” in a recent telephone interview. “The cast we have is very good,” she added.

The group tends to cast young players in its productions and this outing is no exception. The show’s vocally demanding anthem, “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” for instance, has been entrusted to 18-year-old Anjali Moti, playing the revered Mother Abbess. “She has an amazing voice,” Gleason said.

Eloise Ghislaine steps into the role of Maria, created on Broadway by Mary Martin and portrayed in the film version by Julie Andrews. Paul Mastrella stars opposite her as

the no-nonsense Captain. Other lead roles will be played by Alex Gugliuzza, as Uncle Max, who discovers the family’s musical prowess, and Tara Gleason, as Elsa Schraeder, the baroness who has her eye on the eligible captain.

The Gleason family is quite well represented in the production. Ashley and Tara are sisters, and they will be joined by their sister Kerryclare Gleason as musical director and brother Padraig Gleason, who plays Kurt, the younger of the two von Trapp boys featured in the show.

The show’s choreographer is Claire Spinetti.

Above all, the director has been most surprised by “just how engaged the children are about the history of the von Trapp Family and what’s going on in that era. It’s very refreshing to work with children who have a level of preparedness I was never expecting.”

Performances take place at St. Mary’s Drama Guild Auditorium (70-20 47 Ave., Woodside) on April 29 and May 6 at 6:15 p.m. and April 30 and May 7 at 4 p.m.

Tickets are $15 reserved online; $12 general admission. For more, visit stmarysdramaguild.org or call (718) 672-4848.

Early May brings the opening performances of two very different attractions.

“Prescription: Murder,” a mystery by William Link and Richard Levinson, was first presented in San Francisco in 1962. Telling the story of a brilliant psychiatrist and his mistress who hatch a plot to murder his neurotic, possessive

wife, the play served as the inspiration for the long-running television series “Columbo,” which starred Peter Falk.

Now, following a delay caused by Covid-19, the play is set to open at Douglaston Community Theatre on May 5 for a three-weekend run.

Under the direction of Danny Higgins, the ensemble cast consists of Renee Cerchia-Cohn, Tom Ciorciari, Ken Cohn, Clare Lowell, Lisa Meckes, Karen Schlachter and Timothy J. Smith.

Performances at Zion Church Parish Hall (243-20 Church St., Douglaston) are on May 5, 6, 12, 13 and 20 at 8 p.m. and May 13 and 21 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $22; or $20 for students and seniors. Audience members are asked to wear masks while in the auditorium. For more, visit dctonline.org or call (718) 885-4785.

“Meet Me in St. Louis,” based on the famed Judy Garland film, will make a return visit to Saint Luke’s Church in Forest Hills beginning May 6, with a brandnew rendering from the church’s Gingerbread Players.

Well, almost brand-new!

The director, Jean Tessier, performed similar duties when the troupe mounted the show a dozen years ago, and a perennial Gingerbread favorite, Andrew Dinan, is once again Grandpa, the patriarch of the Smith family, whose lives are at the center of the show.

The plot is simple enough, following the family’s daily activities leading up to the World’s Fair shortly after the turn of the last century.

So, why bring the show back at this time?

“We had the appropriate talent pool,” Tessier said. “We’ve really nailed the cast in a much bigger way.”

And Tessier admitted to being “much more confident” in the director’s seat, seeing that last time marked her debut helming a musical.

The cast of 27 is headlined by Delinda Pisapia in Garland’s iconic role and Xavier Frank as John, “The Boy Next Door,” as he’s musically referenced. Other well-known songs in the show include “The Trolley Song,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and, of course, the title tune.

LuLu Chen is musical director and Victoria Russo devises the choreography.

Performances take place at

Saint Luke’s (85 Greenway South, Forest Hills) on May 6, 7, 13 and 14 at 2:30 p.m. and May 6 and 12 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets: $15; $12 for groups of 6 or more. Audience members are required to wear masks inside the church. For more, visit gingerbread players.org or call (718) 268-7772.

Closing out the month will be Parkside Players’ production of “Parkside Goes Big (Songs from Shows That Don’t Fit on Our Stage),” an original revue built around musical numbers from shows that will likely never be fully staged by the group because of the size of the casts or the sets, according to producer Glenn Rivano.

Directed by Cathy Chimenti, the show has a cast of 10, nine women and one man, the master of ceremonies, to be embodied by long-time Parkside favorite Kevin Schwab.

Schwab’s role will serve to tie everything together. Interestingly, he will have no formal script with which to work. Chimenti indicated that he will improvise his dialogue at each performance, which should make for some unexpected pleasures.

Unlike traditional musicals, where performers audition to fill existing roles, the process was

reversed here, according to Chimenti.

Each auditioner sang a song of his or her choosing. Once they were cast, appropriate musical numbers were selected for everyone.

The show will cull songs from shows as diverse as the classics “Oklahoma!” and “Guys and Dolls” and more recent hits like “Xanadu” and “Sideshow.”

The intergenerational cast will perform solos, duets and group numbers. Dance will be featured heavily in the show, as well.

In fact, no fewer than three choreographers are involved: Kristin Robles, Patty Valenti and, as special consultant, Jenifer Badamo.

Sue Sussman will serve as musical director.

While final details surrounding the show’s concept were still being formulated as of press time, Chimenti predicted one thing: “Audiences will walk out singing something.”

Performances at Grace Lutheran Church (103-15 Union Tpke., Forest Hills) are on May 20, 26, and 27 and June 2 and 3 at 8 p.m. and May 21 and 28 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $22; or $18 for seniors. For more, visit parksideplayers.com or call (718) 353-7388.

Xavier Frank as John Truitt and Delinda Pisapia as Esther Smith in The Gingerbread Players’ production of “Meet Me in St. Louis.”

PHOTO BY JEAN TESSIER

Portraying the Von Trapp children in the St. Mary’s Drama Guild production of “The Sound of Music,” here in rehearsal, are Daniel Diamandiev, left, as Friedrich, Micaela Diamandiev as Louisa, Emma Reifschneider as Liesel, Ellery Quarles as Gretl, Claudia Whittmore as Brigitta, Padraig Gleason as Kurt and Savannah Czak as Marta. PHOTO BY ASHLEY GLEASON

Tim Smith, left, Tom Ciorciari, Clare Lowell, Lisa Meckes, Renee Cerchia-Cohn, Ken Cohn and Karen Schlachter make up the cast of Douglaston Community Theatre production of “Prescription: Murder” PHOTOS BY GARY TIFELD

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