NY Yankees' Opening Day "Rained Out" On A Dry Monday

The good news was that the Phantom scored some good tickets for today's 1pm Opening Day at Yankee Stadium.
The bad news is that the New York Yankees canceled the game before it started, because the bright lights in the front office heard that the storm of the century was barreling up the East Coast.

Only the rain never came. And nine hours later, the rain still has not arrived. They could have played a doubleheader, with a rock concert between games if that's what they wanted to do.

North of the old Yankee Stadium, the new Yankee Stadium nears completion. Double-click this photo, and look very closely through the white at the roof of the new stadium...the rooftop frieze that graced the old stadium will be the new stadium's best feature.

So, if you go to a Yankee game this year, you can see actually see two Yankee Stadiums. (photo taken from stairs leading up to the No. 4 train )

Three New Stores Near 68th and Fourth Avenue

All of a sudden, there is a lot more commercial activity near 68th Street and Fourth Avenue.


San Marcos Produce? This sign went up today, presumably the store will open soon.













Full Lee Gore Cafe, at 6816 Fourth Avenue, serves Chinese baked goods, as well as rice and noodle based dishes. Have not eaten there yet, but it looks bright and clean and is doing good business. Open from 7am until late. Eat in or take out.











Symphonia Restaurant serves up a mean gyro and has other Greek and American food. Comfy as an old shoe. At 68th Street and Fourth Avenue, open from 6am to 10pm or so. Eat in or take out.

Sunday Music:: "Pump up the Volume"

I didn't understand this song when it came out. I still don't understand it. That's why its so great.

• Is the Olympic torch going to pass anywhere near New York City? If so, I want to join any protest that greets it. The Genocide Olympics is nothing to celebrate. The unelected Communist government of China will soon wish it had never been awarded the Olympic Games.
  
• The Symphonia Restaurant on 68th Street and Fourth Avenue in Bay Ridge appears to be doing well. I stopped in on Wednesday and ordered a gyro sandwich to go. It cost $4.50 and was very good. Kirk tells me that the restaurant owners own two gyro restaurants in Manhattan, so they know what they're doing.
  
• Why can't Whole Foods manage the lines in its stores? Today I stopped by the location at Houston/Chrystie. There were long lines that did not appear very organized. Same as the Whole Foods at Union Square and the one at Columbus Circle. They claim to manage the lines well, but I don't think they do at all. The only acceptable line is one with one or at most two people ahead of you. If there are more than four people in front of you, you should walk right out. If the store doesn't respect your time, don't give 'em your business. See you at Fairway Red Hook, or Key Food Bay Ridge. Never at Whole Foods.
  

Fourth Avenue Presbyterian Church Windows Fixed? Really?

(post revised March 24, 2008)

Newsday reports that Fourth Avenue Presbyterian Church has had its stained glass windows fixed

Are you sure about this, fellas? The big stain glass window still looks boarded up, as of March 24.

The church's stained glass windows were blown out in the tornado that struck Bay Ridge on August 8, 2007.

As lizzie notes in a comment, some of the side panes of glass have been replaced. Which is wonderful. Hopefully the big stain glass window will be replaced soon.

Riots in Llasa, Tibet

This is a youtube video of the riots in Llasa.

The city and country is closed to most of the foreign media now--and I imagine the Chinese government is exacting a terrible price for this.

The slow-motion genocide of the Tibetans that has been going on since the early 1950s has speeded up a bit.

Gyro Alert : Symphonia Restaurant to Open Thursday, March 19

Symphonia Restaurant, a casual sit-down and take-out place ( which will have gyros! ) will open at 6am on Thursday, March 19.

Symphonia Restaurant is located on 6762 Fourth Avenue. Phone Number is 718-491-9200.

Happy St. Patricks Day Parade from New York City