No Pants Subway Ride and more in the QNYC Evening Edition for Friday January 11, 2013

The No Pants Subway Ride is back

Now in its 12th year, the No Pants Subway Ride (courtesy of Improv Everywhere) is back to thrill participants and onlookers alike. Sunday is when all interested participants will meet up, at 3pm. There are two meeting points in Queens – Hoyt Playground in Astoria (near the Astoria Boulevard stop on the N/Q) and Flushing Meadows-Corona Park (that would be near the Mets-Willets Point stop on the 7). Also remember – the 7 train is not running between Times Square and Queensboro Plaza (where you might pick up the N/Q) this weekend. If you want to participate, bring a bag or backpack, a MetroCard, and normal winter clothes (hats, coats, gloves, pants). You’ll walk onto the subway car fully dressed, then take off your pants when you are aboard. More information about the Ride can be found here.

Holiday Lights at Kaufman Studios

The Queens Gazette tells us that the folks at Kaufman Studios in Astoria have installed “a new system of colored lights that illuminate 35th Avenue between 35th and 36th Streets, shining from a series of massive pillars outside the original entrance to the iconic studios.” The lights will change throughout the year in accordance with the seasons and holidays, very reminiscent of the Empire State Building.

Italian restaurants in Forest Hills – strong showing in both old and new spots

Anne Shisler-Hughes has put together a terrific post about the current Italian restaurant scene in Forest Hills, which is really impressive. Old timers include places like Villa Isabella (which used to be Sarabella – GMAP), Picola Italia (GMAP), and Alberto (GMAP). Another standout is Spolini’s (GMAP). A second wave of Italian restaurants include Nick’s (GMAP) and Dee’s (GMAP) – two brick oven pizza joints (and then some) – and La Vigne (GMAP). More recent spots include Tuscan Hills (GMAP), Il Poeta (GMAP), Queens’s single Michelin Star recipient, Danny Brown (GMAP). Many of thee restaurants are located on Metropolitan Avenue.

Queens native could end up as head of the United States Treasury Department

NY1 reports that President Obama may choose current chief of staff Jack Lew to head the US Treasury Department – “AP cites sources as saying Obama will choose Lew because of his wide variety of experience in both the government and private sector.” Lew is a Queens native and a graduate of Forest Hills High School.

Meet (meat?) Chopsticks + Marrow

Queens-based food blogger Joe DiStefano has a new blog, which also happens to be part of the Blankslate family – Chopsticks + Marrow. In it, you’ll find a lot of what Joe DiStefano is well-known for – writing about organ meats, raw meat (beef and seafood), as well as a variety of Asian food. And maybe hot dogs, dumplings, and sandwiches in between. Enjoy your gustatory adventure here!