NY Times reports on Affordable Apartments in Jackson heights

From the article 'Even in New York, Affordable Apartments' by VIVIAN S. TOY, Published in the NY Times, September 30, 2007

...Jackson Heights, Queens, has in recent years become a favorite destination for young couples and families priced out of Brooklyn neighborhoods like Park Slope and Carroll Gardens.

Michael P. Carfagna, the owner of MPC Properties in Jackson Heights, says many of these displaced Brooklynites are drawn to Jackson Heights for its prewar buildings, especially those with large blocklong interior gardens...

...Buildings west of 82nd Street and within easy walking distance of the main subway station at Roosevelt Avenue and Broadway, where the E, F, R, G and 7 trains converge, tend to be more expensive. The E and F trains run express and are only three stops from Manhattan...

... According to Mr. Carfagna, many of the young Brooklyn and Manhattan transplants work in creative industries or new technology. “They come for the diversity and all the great food out here,” he said. “They see it changing and gentrifying, and they want to get in before it goes up and gets too well known...”

... Mr. Carfagna saw plans for a Starbucks in the area as proof that it had finally arrived. “Starbucks really does its homework before moving in,” he said...

NY1 reports on Jax Hts State Senator Sabini DWI charge

from NY1 September 28 2007

...Albany police say they pulled over Democrat John Sabini from Jackson Heights after he failed to signal a turn and then drove between two lanes shortly after 1 a.m. yesterday...

Yogurberry Jax Hts Opens Today

NY Post Assesses Jax Hts real Estate Prospects

Adam Bonislawski looks at 'outer borough' neighborhoods' real estate prospects for the New York Post (September 27 2007) in the article 'DEAL OR NO DEAL'.

In what way is Jackson Heights like the Upper East Side? Both are neighborhoods with no shortage of co-ops. And just as these staid buildings and boards have insulated Manhattan's tonier reaches from the current credit crisis, they should have a similar effect on Queens' most diverse neighborhood.

Of course, there are a few differences between Park Avenue and Roosevelt Avenue. There's price, for starters. Studios in Jackson Heights run as low as $100,000.

And this is a neighborhood that might not change much. "There's a lack of developable land in Jackson Heights," says broker Adrianno Hultmann of The Corcoran Group. So, if you want rampant condo development, look elsewhere.

Epic quest 'On The Taco Trail' leads Village Voice to JaxHts

Village Voice restaurant critic, Robert Sietsema, leads the quest for the best taco on Roosevelt Avenue, from 111th St. to 85th St. (in Jackson Heights) where 'taco exhaustion' ends the journey... almost...


On the Taco Trail
by Robert Sietsema for the Village Voice, September 25th, 2007

...near 96th Street is the first evocation of Taco Veloz, a chain that counts three storefronts along Roosevelt in its empire. The tacos have more meat filling than usual, and when we later passed another Taco Veloz down near Elmhurst Avenue, a guy eating tacos shouted at us in English, "These are the best tacos around!" We didn't agree... Nearer 95th Street is a pair of establishments: Veracruz Foods... and Puebla Food, a related bodega next-door that also turns out tacos... One block south, at Suaderos Tacos, we ate our first oreja (ear) taco, which had a crunchiness that pleased some and repulsed others.

Nothing that had gone before prepared us for Tacos Morelos. When we first saw this cheerful, gleaming cart at the corner of 94th Street, we noticed that one of the proprietors was wielding a tortilla press, making fresh tortillas for each new order... As far as I know, this is the only place in town you can get food from Morelos. In addition to gorditas and cheese-stuffed tlacoyos, the main output was tacos de arroz: tacos filled with rice, for a double-carb wallop! The one featuring sautéed pepper strips and boiled eggs ($1.50) was a revelation, but even more amazing was the one that dumped a freshly fried and cheese-stuffed poblano pepper on top of the rice. It was spectacular...

... Esquina Tierras—a window adjacent to a modern restaurant at Whitney Avenue—seemed so awful was that we'd just eaten at Tacos Morelos... We were soon compensated for this dull taco by a pair eaten across the street at El Aguila Real ("The Regal Eagle")... The truck got an overall score of 62...

Tacos HNS Rodriguez at 89th ... offered to make a pork, beef, or chicken taco, of which we chose the first two. Though bland, the tacos were bulging with meat and nicely dressed with guacamole. The elote looked even better—an ear of corn rubbed with margarine and red sauce, then dusted with dried cheese. The cart called Delicias Isabel glowed at the corner of Elbertson Avenue, and Isabel herself made us lengua, oreja, and cecina (tongue, ear, and dried beef) tacos, though she was out of tripa (tripe). Though the ears put some people off ("It tastes Chinese," was one comment), many found the pungency and chewiness of the beef appealing...

Finally, we found El Fogoncito #2 ("The Little Hearth"), a truck at the corner of 85th that slung a menu of Ecuadorian delicacies like ceviches and secos (stews) in addition to tacos and tortas... The goat taco had a skanky savor that some adored, and the tongue taco was greasy and good, garnering middling marks overall for the truck.

...As we trailed footsore down Roosevelt to the Jackson Heights station, we noted three more places that looked promising. Tacos Guicho was a cart at the corner of Baxter Avenue thronged with happy taco eaters, while Tacolandia, in addition to having a wonderful name, is a long-running window that consistently provides the full range of fillings. Finally, right in front of the gleaming new subway station at 74th Street, there are a pair of dueling taco carts, each with its own knot of dedicated hangers-on. We'll be going back soon to check these places out....

Jackson Heights Alliance vs. Subzi Mandi?

Complaints regarding traffic at the corner of 73rd St. and 37th Ave. in Jackson Heights are well known but The Daily News reports that The Jackson Heights Alliance has specific complaints about the very busy and active market Subzi Mandi.

Community has a beef with grocer over Jackson Heights traffic
BY WARREN WOODBERRY JR. for THE DAILY NEWS

...Mina Reja, owner of the market, accused alliance members of picking on immigrant business owners and shoppers, who have created a thriving commercial district...

...Reja would not say whether development is planned for the site, but said she pays taxes and is allowed to do whatever the law allows at the location....

[where: Subzi Mandi 73rd St. and 37th Ave.11372]

Jackson Heights Artist wins $20K Prize

See work by Christian Cortes on his website cortescreates.com


From DannyCashSITV

Christian Cortes was awarded $20,000 for his artistic contributions for the design of four large-scale Heineken murals to be placed in New York, Miami and Los Angeles and unveiled this fall. Entries were judged by a panel of knowledgeable industry leaders: Julián Zugazagoitia, Executive Director of El Museo del Barrio; Emely Socolov, Executive Director of Mano a Mano; and Crystal Chaparro, Creative Director of The Association of Hispanic Arts. All entries were judged based on originality, creativity and interpretation of the theme, "Inspirado por la Música Latina."

"I feel honored that Heineken has chosen me to design their Latin-Music inspired murals" said Cortes. "I hope my interpretation of the theme can represent the richness of our Latin culture and leave a lasting impression on our local neighborhoods. Latin music has always motivated me to paint and I hope my paintings might motivate the communities in New York, Los Angeles and Miami."

Heineken Awards $20K To Jackson Heights Artist
from nochelatina.com

Heineken’s “Inspirado por la Música Latina,” mural project search came to a conclusion last week when Colombian artist Christian Cortes was chosen during a private event at P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center, an affiliate of The Museum of Modern Art, in Queens.

Cortes, from Jackson Heights, was among more than 30 local finalists that showcased their work, and was awarded $20,000 for his artistic contributions for the design of four large-scale Heineken murals in New York, Miami and Los Angeles, which will be unveiled this fall.

Time Out New York reports on changing character of JH

Kate Lowenstein reports (for TimeOut New York) on the change of "character" in Jackson Heights in the 'Soul Survivors' section of 'Best Hoods'.

“We’re about to get our first Starbucks,” says Josh Weiss, vice president of the Jackson Heights Beautification Group, an all-volunteer organization striving to preserve the neighborhood. But in this case, the java-serving bellwether of massive development doesn’t point to any condo construction on the horizon: Roughly 36 blocks in the ’hood are designated a historic district, so it’s likely to remain largely unchanged in the coming decades. ...But what about that Starbucks? “There’s an independent coffeeshop called Espresso 77 opening two blocks away,” says Weiss. “And a lot of people are rooting for it.”

Jackson Heights Film & Food Festival

Film Festival: Friday, September 28, Saturday, September 29, Sunday, September 30
Art Deco Eagle Theater at 73-07 37th Road

The Taste of Jackson Heights: Saturday, September 29th St. Marks Church located at 33-50 82nd Street

Each film event:$10
$20 for a Festival Pass (which includes entry to all films other than the Kids’ Festival films).
Tickets for the Kids’ Festival films: $5 for adults and $3 for children.

Taste of Jackson Heights: FREE

Friday, September 28 – Feature Film
Eagle Theater 9:00 p.m.
"Punching at the Sun"
followed by a Q & A session

gala reception with Guillermo Brown

Saturday, September 29 – The Taste of Jackson Heights
St. Marks Church 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
$1-$3 plates.

A partial list of the participating restaurants include:

Burmese Cafe
Espresso 77
La Fusta
Jardi
Kabab King
Lety’s
Novo Restaurant and Bar
Raj Bhog
Sammy’s
Uncle Peter’s

artwork provided by the Y Gallery and the Jackson Heights Arts Club
performances by Jim Hershman and his band.

Saturday, September 29 – International Shorts
Eagle Theater - 6:00 p.m.

TWO DOLLAR DANCE
AFTER THE RAIN
THE T-SHIRT
SHANU TAXI
NATURALIZED
VERDE
followed by a Q & A

Sunday, September 30 – Kids’ Film Festival (ages 2 and up)
Eagle Theater 10:30 a.m.
Bagels, muffins, coffee and juice provided by local M&V Bagels
11:00 a.m.
HIC!
JAIME LO, SMALL AND SHY
MONTROSE AVE.
KNUFFLE BUNNY
EL GATO VALIENTE/THE VALIANT CAT
THE GIRL WHO HATED BOOKS
THE FAN AND THE FLOWER
MARBLES
COLORES/COLORS b
FIELD GUIDE TO SNAPPING
DORME/SLEEP
FOWL PLAY
ZEN AND THE ART OF FLOOR MAINTENANCE

12:15 – 1 p.m.
concert by AUDRAROX

Sunday, September 30 – Documentary Shorts
Eagle Theater - 6:00 p.m.
KABUL GIRLS CLUB b
ROAD TO THE BIG LEAGUES b

Sunday, September 30 – Festival After-Party
Novo Restaurant and Bar, 78-23 37th Avenue

[where: Eagle Theater at 73-07 37th Road 11372]

[where: St. Marks Church 33-50 82nd Street 11372]

[where: Novo Restaurant and Bar, 78-23 37th Avenue 11372]

New York Magazine assesses JH real estate risk

In "Neighborhood Watch" from New York Magazine, S.Jhoanna Robledo considers subprime lending foreclosures and lis pendens for starter landlords “buying for no money down, or not much, and having a much higher mortgage payment,” in Jackson Heights a risk of 7.5 on a scale from 1 to 10; 10 being the most risky.

EMERGENT QUEENS: LONG ISLAND CITY, ASTORIA, AND JACKSON HEIGHTS

New York Magazine says JH restaurants better than Midtown emulators

'Queens Restaurant Week Is Upon Us' from New York Magazine

The idea of Queens Restaurant Week, we maintain, isn’t as ridiculous as it sounds. ... anything that brings people to Queens is worthwhile; its restaurants are the source material for so much of what is happening in Manhattan, and most chefs, at least privately, will admit that the ethnic kitchens of Bayside and Jackson Heights are usually better than their midtown emulators.

John Roleke provides Queens Restaurant Week list

from John Roleke for about.com

Queens has its own Restaurant Week, the third annual Restaurant Week in Queens, this September, 17-20 and 24-27, 2007.

A sampling of the particpating restaurants in the Jackson Heights area:

* Al Naimat, 37-03 74th St, Jackson Heights, NY 11372, 718-476-1100
* Delhi Palace Indian Cuisine, 37-54 74th St, Jackson Heights, NY 11372, 718-507-0666
* Indian Taj, 32-25 74th St, Jackson Heights, NY 11372, 718-651-4182
* Jackson Diner, 37-47 74th St, Jackson Heights, NY 11377, 718-672-1232

* Maharaja Rure Vegetarian, 73-10 37th Ave, Jackson Heights, NY 11372, 718-505-2680
* Nanking Express, 72-23 37th Ave, Jackson Heights, NY 11372, 718-651-3224
* Nuves Tapas Lounge, 77-14 Queens Blvd, Elmhurst, NY 11373, 718-476-1881

* Noble Restaurant, 78-23 37th Ave, Jackson Heights, NY 11372, 718-426-7272
* Rajbhag Sweets, 72-27 37th Ave, Jackson Heights, NY 11372, 718-458-8512

Specialist Jonathan Rivadeneira from Jackson Heights killed in Baghdad Friday.

Queens Soldier Is Killed In Explosion in Baghdad

Grief strikes Queens family as G.I. falls in Iraq

QUEENS GI DIES IN IRAQ ROAD BOMBING

Y Gallery, Augusto Yayiko, The Queens Council on the Arts present “Dusting Off the Pink Glass Swan”

Dusting Off the Pink Glass Swan
Group exhibition as part of PROJECT DIVERSITY QUEENS
September 9th to October 7th, 2007
Reception for the artists: Sunday, September 9, from 6-9 pm

Y Gallery and Augusto Yayiko are honored to collaborate with The Queens Council on the Arts for PROJECT DIVERSITY QUEENS, a project gathering 87 Queens based artists featured in 13 Queens Galleries. Y Gallery is pleased to present “Dusting Off the Pink Glass Swan” a group exhibition that works with issues related to femininity, gender and woman’s stereotypes.

For this show 8 artists present their views about their own experiences with relationships, appearances and how their roles have been incrusted in our society. Most of them propose to modify these categories by changing their bases. For example, Eunah Kim recreates her clothes to give them a new and deeper meaning out of their functional purposes. Susan Springer Anderson creates three beautiful brides dresses made out of utility papers (like coffee filters, tissue paper, and others) to emphasize her view of the ephemeral quality on the idea of being a bride. Norma Markley jokes around with the encounters between women and men with amazing irony, using embroided bath towels with altered massive signs that at first glance, look very safe, but when you read what they say, one develops sentiments of astonishment. Christina Dallas transports you to a very dark wonderland with her collage of dolls in solitude scenarios where fashion, drama and gothic photographs mix.

In another way, Shervone Neckles talks very seriously about African-American woman’s relations. In her own words “within seriousness there is very little room for play, but within play there is tremendous room for seriousness.” Charles Lilly hangs a painting in the gallery titled “Seductive Innocence”, in which a gorgeous woman is sweating. And Josefat Moreno closes the show with a more ethereal presence, a popular Mexican saint made out of papier mache, very light in weight but extremely heavy in iconic value.

Dusting off the pink glass swan combines many techniques and points of view with a humble final purpose to demonstrate us as conceivably woman-ized.

Participant artists: Christina Dallas, Eunah Kim, Hye-Kyung Kim, Charles Lilly, Norma Markley, Josefat Moreno, Shervone Neckles and Susan Springer Anderson.

For further information, please contact Y Gallery at 718.565.6285, info@ygallerynewyork.com, www.ygallerynewyork.com