Boston Public Garden and Vicinity

The Boston Public Garden, which opened in 1837 lies adjacent to the Boston Common, the two being separated by Charles Street.  Nearest Subway Station - Arlington Street along Green Line.

Swan Boats, one of the attractions of the park. A ride around the pond will take about 15 minutes.

During Summer, the Park Pond is home to many Ducks and 2 Swans.

View of Arlington Street Church from Boston Public Garden

Views of Boylston Street, Summer 2015, Boston Public Garden in the background.

The Ramones Way

On October 30th 2016, the stretch of road on 110th Street, in Front of Forest Hills High School was named 'The Ramones Way', to honor the 4 founding members of the Ramones - pioneers of the Punk Rock Music of the seventies.

The Ramones was a name adopted by the band and they were not related to one another.  The 4 founding members of the band - Joey Ramone (Jeffrey Hyman), Lead Singer; Johnny Ramone (John Cummings), Guitarist; Tommy Ramone (Thomas Erdelyi), Drummer and Dee Dee Ramone (Douglas Colvin), Bassist, grew up in Forest Hills and attended the Forest Hills High School. Others that joined the group at various times were Marky Ramone, Richie Ramone and CJ Ramone.

The unveiling ceremony, at the lawns in front of the Forest Hills High School, lasted about an hour and was watched by hundreds.  Many in the Music Business and Political Representatives in the area attended and spoke at the event.

Though none of the 4 original band members are alive today, their fame lives on.

Musician Rob Select (Robert Yenco) wears the Joey Ramone Mask

Joey Ramone's brother Mickey Leigh, a musician by his own right, speaks

Ramones manager, Danny Fields

British musician, Captain Sensible (Raymond Burns)

Ramones tour manager, Monte Melnick

L to R: State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, Councilwoman, Karen Koslowitz, Mickey Leigh, Queens Borough President, Melinda Katz and Congresswoman Grace Meng

The Unveiling of the Road Sign

Mural to honor the Ramones

Earlier this year, a mural was created along a ramp at the Thorneycroft Apartment Complex at Forest Hills, NY to memorialize the Ramones.  This ramp was the place where the members hung out during the late sixties or early seventies, when they were yet to see their day. It lies on 66th Avenue, on the stretch between 102nd Street and 99th Street.

                          

Stratford-upon-Avon

                                          Street view of Stratford-upon-Avon

                                        

Shakespeare's wife, Anne Hathaway's cottage at nearby Village of Shottery

                                        

William Shakespeare's birthplace - A mecca for students of Literature

                                     
                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                          Backyard of Shakespeare's birthplace

                                  

One of the views of the house interior - an indication that at some point of history, the place was known as Swan and Maidenhead Inn.

Stratford-upon-Avon (Warwickshire County), best known for it's association with William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616) lies a 100 miles from London and is a 2 hour drive from there.  Many tour companies operating in London, offer one day tours and many of these tours also include the nearby Warwick Castle.  Most one day tours however only include a tour to Shakespeare's birthplace, Anne Hathaway's cottage and the Holy Trinity Church.  For a longer stay, Stratford-upon-Avon and it's vicinity itself has a number of Hotels and Bread and Breakfast places.  Some of the useful websites that provide information about hotels, restaurants and other activities in the area are as follows:
www.stratford-upon-avon.co.uk
www.visitstratforduponavon.co.uk
www.visitbritain.gov.uk

Other useful websites;
www.shakespeare.org.uk - This is the official website of Shakespeare's Birthplace Trust, the Trust that owns and maintains the homes and properties associated with the Bard.
www.shakespeareschurch.org -This is operated by the Friends of Shakespeare's Church, an organization dedicated to the preservation of the Holy Trinity Church, where Shakespeare was both baptized and buried.

For someone planning an overnight stay, places in visit are:
Shakespeare's Birthplace at Hanley Street - The home where William Shakespeare was born and spent his childhood. Do not forget to sign the visitor's registry at this place.
Anna Hathaway's Cottage - Home of Shakespeare's wife.
Holy Trinity Church - The church which played an important part in Shakespeare's life.
Nash's House - Home of Thomas Nash, husband of Shakespeare's grand daughter.
New Place - This was the site of the home, where William Shakespeare spent his last days.  The place  reportedly demolished in 1759 by it's then owner in a fit of rage, now has been turned into a garden.
Mary Arden's Farm - Home of Shakespeare's mother
Hall's Croft - Home of Shakespeare's daughter, Susanna and her husband, John Hall.

PS: Above pictures were taken in November, 2004

Flushing Hindu Temple

The Maha Vallabha Ganapati Devasthanam, more commonly known as the New York Ganesh Temple or the Flushing Hindu Temple, is operated by the Hindu Temple Society of North America. The temple started in 1970 and the present structure was inaugurated in 1977. In 2009, the temple underwent another major renovation, during which the entrance was changed from 45-57 Bowne Street (still the mailing address) to the adjoining Holly Avenue.

The temple, which is located in the Flushing area of New York, caters to the religious needs of the Hindus both in New York City as well as in the tri-state area. The vicinity has at least 5 other Hindu temples and a Sikh Gurudwara and the place can easily be accessed both by car as well as by public transportation.

Like a lot of temples in North America, the Flushing Hindu Temple has shrines of many deities under its roof, however, as the name indicates, the main deity is that of Lord Ganesh. In addition to the regular services at the temple, private ceremonies like pujas, homams, weddings and thread ceremonies are conducted.

Adjoining the temple is a community center which houses an auditorium, a wedding hall, a gift shop and the temple cafeteria, which many swear, serves the best Southern Indian cuisine in all of New York. Can't find a place to sit in the cafeteria? no problem, walk around the block to the Dosa Hut, where the food is as delicious.

Directions: By public transportation, take the No. 7 train to Flushing Main Street Station, from there one can take the Q27 bus to Holly Avenue and get down between Robinson Street and Bowne Street. Alternatively, one can also take the Q65 bus from Flushing Main Street to Bowne Street and get down between Cherry Avenue and 45th Avenue. Both rides take about 10 minutes.

Contact Information:
Mailing Address - 45-57 Bowne Street, Flushing, NY 11355
Phone - (718) 460-8484
Fax - (718) 461-8055
website - http://www.nyganeshtemple.org/