jackson heights, nyc

Documentary of the community on 74th St. and Roosevelt Ave in JH

2008-04-01T00:09:00.002-04:00

Bobby Sukrachand is a Queens based artist who has been working on a collaborative documentary with the community on 74th St. and Roosevelt Ave. for the last 15 months. This is an ongoing work and he is trying to find ways to get the local community involved.

Tuesday April 1st there is a group exhibition opening at the Calumet Gallery in Chelsea (22 W. 22nd St.), that some of Mr. Sukrachand's photographs will be included in. It will show about 10 photos and there will also be a lot of postcards for people to take.

On the back of photographic postcards, he tells the stories of the homeless living on that corner. Each postcard has a snippet of the subject's thoughts on the back.

Jackson Heights Art Club 53rd Annual Members Exhibit

2008-03-31T23:55:00.003-04:00

The Jackson Heights Art Club's most recent event on March 9, 2008("Rembrandt: The Master as Printmaker" lecture), had about 25 members and local community in attendance for Dr. Martha Hollander's presentation.

The next event will be a collection of artwork from JHAC members in the "53 Annual Members Show" starting with its opening reception on April 4th at 7pm.
The exhibit will also be open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Saturday, April 5, and Sunday, April 6. The public is invited to attend the opening reception on Friday and the exhibition free of charge.

[where: Parish House of St. Mark's Church, 33-50 82nd Street, Jackson Heights, NY.]

Gothamist visits Green Plantains

2008-03-31T23:44:00.001-04:00

Joe DiStefano reviews the new Chino Latino joint, Green Plantains.

[where: Green Plantains, 79-09 Roosevelt Ave., Jackson Heights 11372]

what? no 'jack heights'?!?!

2008-03-31T23:38:00.001-04:00

Not sure what this list is based on but steponecreative.blogspot.com lists the
100 Top Advertising Campaigns of All Time
and coming in at #70...

Queensboro Corp., Jackson Heights Apartment Homes, WEAF, NYC, 1920s

Supermodel from Jackson Heights

2008-03-31T23:30:00.000-04:00

from bobble-bee.blogspot.com March 04, 2008

Dovima was born in New York, in the neighborhood of Jackson Heights in Queens.
She was believed to be the highest-paid Manhattan high-fashion model of her time ($60 an hour) in the 1950s.

Boriqua Blog visits Don Francisco in JH

2008-03-31T23:22:00.002-04:00

Daisy Martinez gives a great summary of the excellent Argentine food shop.

[where: Don Francisco Meat Market 8517 37th Avenue Jackson Heights, NY 11372]

Diabetes more common in JH Indian community

2008-03-31T23:17:00.002-04:00

Bedeviled by the Sugar Sickness
from NTimes By ALEX MINDLIN, March 2, 2008

Type 2 diabetes strikes a sixth of the more than 200,000 New Yorkers whose families are from the Indian subcontinent. That gives them the highest rate of the disease among the city’s major ethnic groups.

Eleanor Clift of “The McLaughlin Group” grew up in JH

2008-03-31T23:08:00.002-04:00

from NYTimes Magazine interview by DEBORAH SOLOMON March 2, 2008

I grew up in Jackson Heights, Queens, and my father had a deli, Roeloffs Deli, in Sunnyside. My mother made the German potato salad, the egg custard and rice pudding, and I didn’t learn any of the recipes. I should have.

elmjack heights

2008-03-31T23:03:00.003-04:00

via flickr

pursue bliss provides a nice shot of JH at night... although the shot is from 37th Ave, I think it is a view down 75th Street towards Roosevelt...

Nanking Express gets reviewed on Gourmand's Guide

2008-03-31T22:56:00.002-04:00

from gourmandsguide.blogspot.com February 18, 2008

sometimes the best meals you can eat are found in the unassuming little restaurants that look like holes in the wall!

[where: Nanking Express, 72-23 37th Avenue, Jackson Heights, NY 11372]

JH Menage a Trois?

2008-03-31T22:52:00.000-04:00

via flickr

caryn74 spots swinging trio in Jax Hts Little India

India's largest bank will open in Jackson Heights

2008-03-31T22:29:00.002-04:00

U.S. Federal Reserve Approves Uninsured Branch Of State Bank Of India In New York

from allheadlinenews.com by Linda Young January 28, 2008

India's largest bank will open an uninsured branch in Jackson Heights, New York soon. The U.S. Federal Reserve Board announced that it approved an application from the State Bank of India in Mumbai, India to establish a branch there. The bank has assets of approximately $187.5 billion and the Government of India owns 63.8 percent of the bank, with no other shareholder directly owning more than 5 percent of the bank's shares.

Umami Mart directs us to JH Masitas

2008-03-31T22:17:00.002-04:00

posted by Umami Mart January 24, 2008

You can find them at bakeries all over Buenos Aires, and also in Jackson Heights at La Nueva Bakery on 37th Ave. La Nueva may have a smaller assortment than your typical bakery, but the classics are all there...

[where:La Nueva Bakery, 8502 37th Ave, Jackson Heights, NY 11372]

FIRST ANNUAL JACKSON HEIGHTS POETRY FESTIVAL COMING THIS MAY

2008-03-26T12:34:00.004-04:00

Alright, you've got less than a month to think of rhymes for '7 Train', 'alfajores', 'yogurberry' and 'thatwhistlerlady'...

The Most Culturally Diverse Neighborhood in the U.S. brings together Community Schools and Organizations to Promote
Diversity Appreciation through Poetry

From May 15-17, 2008, Jackson Heights will open its doors to both the local community and NYC at large to celebrate the cultural diversity of Queens and the poetic talent of its students.

The Jackson Heights Poetry Festival is a 3-day event involving workshops taught by professors and poets, a poetry slam, and a series of readings at an all-day outdoor-poetry-extravaganza.

Leading up to the festival, a poetry contest will be held in public and private middle and high schools throughout Queens for students in grades 6 – 12, and winners will be featured at the festival.

EVENTS:
WORKSHOPS: Thursday May 15, 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
The Garden School 33-16 79th Street, Jackson Heights NY, 11372

POETRY SLAM & OPEN MIC: Friday May 16, 9:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Restaurant and Lounge Novo 78-23 37th Avenue, Jackson Heights, NY

THE FESTIVAL: Saturday May 17, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
The Garden School 33-16 79th Street, Jackson Heights, NY

NOTED POETS AND EDUCATORS TAKING PART IN THE JHPF EVENTS:
Patrick Rosal, Richard Marotta, Lee Schlesinger, Michael Dumanis, Bill Zavatsky, and the first woman to be named the Poet Laureate of Queens, New York, Ishle Yi Park.

SPONSORS/ORGANIZERS/SUPPORTERS:
New York Council for the Humanities
Jackson Heights Beautification Group
NYS Assemblyman José R. Peralta, Queens Assembly District #39.
Marina Yoffe, Co-Founder/Director
-Sarah Heinemann, Co-Founder/Director

Online submissions are due by Tuesday, April 22, 2008. Finalists will be announced online May 1, 2008.

For more information or to submit your work for Contest consideration, please visit www.jhpfest.org or contact us at jhpfest@gmail.com

David Heatley's Jackson Heights map

2008-03-06T09:24:00.004-05:00

Due to the buzz around David Heatley's "Queens is the new Brooklyn" he was commissioned to produce a map of Jackson Heights in his distinctive style.
Pick one up at Espresso 77... use the map to find out where that is.

Get 'Discovered' in Jackson Heights

2008-01-15T16:45:00.000-05:00

Aspiring Jax Hts actors... and extras... and everyone else, too, put on your 'upscale casual' duds and smile...
Central Casting NY is coming to the hood.

CENTRAL CASTING NY, the Leading Background Casting Company for Film & TV in NYC will be holding an OPEN CALL

WHEN :
SATURDAY - JANUARY 26, 2008

TIMES:
SAG – 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
AFTRA – 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
NON UNION – 12:30 PM – 5:00 PM

LOCATION:
Community Methodist Church
81-10 35th Ave @ 82nd Street
Jackson Heights, NY 11372

WARDROBE:
Upscale Casual and come Camera Ready

***Please bring Driver’s License and Social Security Card or your U.S. Passport! No one will be accepted without original IDs (No photocopies!) If you are already registered with Central Casting, please DO NOT attend. NO MINORS ***

For more info, please visit WWW.CENTRALCASTING.ORG or call 646-473-9033

Jax Hts Arts round-up

2008-01-09T23:02:00.000-05:00

The Village Voice reviewed the last Y Gallery show (Jean Foos: The Other Me) and the new show's opening should be fun if you can make it...
Jim Avignon:
"i looked in the mirror and i saw a ghost"
Curated by Cecilia Jurado
January 10th to February 9th 2008
Opening reception for the artist: Thursday, January 10th 6-9 p.m.
32-70 85th Street Jackson Heights 11370-2012

www.ygallerynewyork.com

Also check out the sites for these JH artists...
Paul Dacey
http://www.pauldacey.com/paintings.htm

Laura Fayer
http://www.laurafayer.com/index.php

Norma Greenwood
http://www.normagreenwood.com/

JH residents might say 'Not Enough!'...

2008-01-09T22:51:00.000-05:00

from DAILY NEWS 'Seeing orange with parking ticket blitz' BY JESS WISLOSKI

The 115th Precinct, which encompasses East Elmhurst, northern Corona and Jackson Heights, issued more parking tickets than any other precinct citywide.

If you ask Will Sweeney, an organizer for the Western Jackson Heights Alliance, it's an honor.

"For the majority of residents, that's great news," said Sweeney. He noted that 66% of households in his neighborhood don't own cars - an unusual figure for Queens, where 66% of the residents own a vehicle, he said...

... double-parked cars and out-of-towners violating traffic laws constantly imperil local residents and shoppers on the bustling commercial streets.

Espresso 77 mentioned in 'Overheard in New York'

2008-01-09T22:43:00.000-05:00

'Is Queens the new Brooklyn?' Cartoon

2008-01-09T22:34:00.000-05:00

Cartoonist / illustrator and Jackson Heights resident, David Heatley was commissioned by The New Yorker to do a piece for the cartoon issue (but it didn't make the final cut).

'Is Queens the new Brooklyn?'

Let the debates begin...

GREAT French bakery opens in JH

2008-01-09T22:12:00.000-05:00

Cannelle Patisserie has miraculously appeared in the Waldbaum's mall off 77th St & 31st Ave.

More pictures of the goods from con-fu-cion on flickr.

[where: Cannelle Patisserie, 75-59 31st Ave. 11370]

Dominican runs JH Polish Deli

2008-01-09T18:24:00.000-05:00

Digna Guzman, a Dominican immigrant, has taken over Pol Jackson European Deli Inc on 37th Ave in Jackson Heights, and renamed it My Place Deli... and she still sells Polish delicacies.

Watch a video documenting her story on tanzinavega.com

[where: My Place Deli, 80-10 37th Ave. Jackson Heights 11372]

Jamon Iberico finally available in US... and Jax Hts

2008-01-09T18:12:00.000-05:00

Despana Brand Foods in Jackson Heights sells hand sliced Jamon Iberico, previously unavailable in the United States.

Ed Levine reports that it only costs $99 a pound... so it may already be sold out.

[where: Despana Brand Foods, 86-17 Northern Boulevard, Jackson Heights 11372]

Not exactly 'More Park, Less Slope'...

2008-01-09T17:53:00.000-05:00

... but who can be mad at more trees on the Jax Hts streets (and not just in the co-op gardens)?

via Armchair News

I actually got a tree!

Well, me and the rest of the Jackson Heights neighborhood. I heard this tremendous drilling sound outside this morning while getting ready for work and discovered they were digging up the sidewalk...

When it all stopped, they'd left a sapling behind!

Jackson Heights may be the center of US sherpa culture

2008-01-09T17:14:00.000-05:00

from Outside Online,'Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor, Your Hale, Hearty, Tough-As-Nails, Acclimatized-At-Birth Mountain People' ...By Christian DeBenedetti

via Intelligent Traveler, 'Sherpa in the City' by Janelle Nanos

If the center of worldwide Sherpa culture is the Solu Khumbu, in America it's Jackson Heights, the polyglot epicenter of Queens...

Seth Kugel summarizes 'The Worlds of Queens'

2008-01-09T16:37:00.000-05:00

The New York Times' favorite Hampton Court resident pushes the diversity of Queens in 'One Borough, Many Flags'.
Don't skip the video.

'Mr. Warmth' out on DVD 2/19/08

2008-01-09T16:23:00.000-05:00

Don Rickles grew up in Jackson Heights.

'Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project' is directed by John Landis.

Veganfriendly RE-reviews Dosa Diner

2008-01-09T15:57:00.000-05:00

from Veganfriendly

We reviewed Dosa Diner ... a while back and had some not-so-great things to say about it. But since then we’ve gone back many times and it’s actually become one of our favorite restaurants! I know, it’s shocking. But read on and we’ll reveal the reasons we changed our mind....

[where: Dosa Diner, 3566 73rd St in Jackson Heights, 11372)

Jackson Heights Bookstore steps up to fill need

2008-01-09T15:36:00.000-05:00

... sort of...
Barnes and Noble hasn't tapped into the potential market of the JH area but since Librería Lectorum and Librería Macondo have both shut down in Chelsea....

Barco de Papel, a children’s bookstore in Jackson Heights, Queens, has expanded to include all kinds of Latin American literature, including poetry and essays.

“We have to adapt to the new times,” said Ramón Caraballo, the owner of the 80th St. shop. “Some readers who used to go to 14th St. now come to us. So we made all these changes.”

from The Daily News, 'Latino libraries turning the page' by Claudia Torrens

[where: Barco de Papel: 40-03 80th St. Jackson Heights 11372]

Jackson Heights vs Finacial District?

2007-12-05T17:35:00.000-05:00

Curbed Cup First Round: FiDi vs. Jackson Heights

You can vote until 9 AM tomorrow (Thursday, 12.5.07)

JaxHts beats Bushwick in Curbed Cup round

2007-12-05T09:27:00.000-05:00

Bushwick

44.3% (167 votes)

Jackson Heights

55.7% (210 votes)

Full bracket to be revealed today on Curbed...

What will be NYC's neighborhood of 2007?

Espresso 77 has opened in Jackson Heights!

2007-12-04T09:44:00.000-05:00

[where: Espresso 77, 35-57 77th Street, Jackson Heights, NY 11372]

West African Epic to be Presented in Jackson Heights

2007-12-04T09:34:00.000-05:00

BADENYA PRESENTS THE EPIC OF FINAH MISA KULE

In celebration of this year's Kwanzaa season, Badenya, a New York-based non-profit dedicated to the promotion and presentation of West African cultural traditions in the United States, announces a presentation of the epic of Finah Misa Kule: Voice of the King on December 28, 2007 at the Community United Methodist Church in Jackson Heights, Queens. Poet and performer Kewulay Kamara will narrate the epic in Kuranko and English accompanied by a group of talented US-based Mandeng jali musicians: Abdoulaye Diabate (voice), Misia Saran (voice), Lansana Kouyate (bala), Famoro Djorbate (bala), Salieu
Suso (kora), Mangue Sylla (jimbe), and Sylvain Leroux (Fula flute).
Poet Rashida Ismaili and dancer Dionne Kamara and guest artists will
also perform. Preceding the performance will be a screening of a short film of Kamara's recent trip to Sierra Leone as well as holiday
festivities with West African dishes. The event will be ceremonial in
nature, and, in keeping with tradition, will include dance.

The epic of Finah Misa Kule: Voice of the King is the oral narrative
of the 1000 year history of the finenu, the poets and historians who
have chronicled the rise and fall of Mandeng kingdoms in West Africa.
It covers a period from the time of the prophet Mohammed to the
destruction of the village of Dankawali, an important center of
culture and language, in the Civil War of the 1990s. As a literary
work, it is an epic poem on the scale of Sunjata. As an historical
work, it chronicles the history of Kuranko society. It is a cosmology
and a genealogy and is traditionally kept by the Kamara family.

Kewulay Kamara is a poet and master of ceremonies who hails from the
West African country of Sierra Leone, West Africa. Mr. Kamara
performs to music in the spirit of his traditional roots in Mandenka
oral traditions and music. He is descended from a long line of
Mandeng finah (orators, historians, poets), and he has collected the
material for the epic from his family. Kamara has been regularly
featured at the New York City-based People's Poetry Gathering, where
Finah Misa Kule premiered in 2006. He has performed at the Great Hall
of the Cooper Union, The Kitchen, Alice Tully Hall, City Center,
Museum of Natural History, Gerald W. Lynch Theater and the of the
Museum for African Art in various capacities as poet, storyteller and
master of ceremonies. Mr. Kamara has been featured in The New York
Times, New York Daily News, CNN and NPR. He was recently featured in
A&E Network's Breakfast with Arts and hosted Omou Sangrare for
Carnegie Hall at Aaron Davis Hall.

Please join us at Badenya's holiday celebration and experience this
rich living tradition first hand. This performance has been made
possible by New York State Council on the Arts with additional project
funding from National Geographic's Genographic Legacy Fund in
collaboration with City Lore.

FINAH MISA KULE: VOICE OF THE KING PRESENTED BY BANDENYA
December 28, 2007, 8pm
Community United Methodist Church
81-10 35th Avenue, Jackson Heights, NY 11372
Admission/Suggested Donation: $20 adults/$10 children
RSVP 888 286 5557 or info@badenya.org

[where: Community United Methodist Church, 81-10 35th Avenue, Jackson Heights, NY 11372]

'Angel' brings chicken and rice to Jackson Heights

2007-11-25T12:54:00.000-05:00

Video of 'The Chicken and Rice Man,' Jorge Munoz, by Adam B. Ellick for the New York Times, November 25, 2007.

Bengali Community meets in JaxHts to address hurricane

2007-11-23T17:47:00.000-05:00

Locals send help home to Bangladesh
By Kristen V. Brown for amNewYork, November 19, 2007

Armed with scissors, tape, and a few yards of pink twine, the leaders of New York City's Bengali community yesterday turned the Alauddin Sweet Meat Restaurant in Jackson Heights into makeshift fundraising headquarters for cyclone victims in Bangladesh.

Members of the Bangladesh Society of New York and Bengali social-help group the Probashi Barisal Divisional Association covered the restaurant tables with fliers and banners encouraging help, taking to the streets of Jackson Heights to raise money for the people back home....

'SuddenWorld' Interviews Jackson heights Film Director

2007-11-23T17:38:00.000-05:00

by epontee for SuddenWorld.com

Jinoh Park was born in Seoul, South Korea, but for now, he calls the neighborhood of Jackson Heights, Queens his home as he commutes daily into Manhattan, endeavoring to make his first full feature-length film...

...To date, his short films “Lunch,” “Request,” and “Slowly Silently” achieved international recognition as official selections in numerous film festivals around the world, including the Cannes Film Festival, the Sundance Film Festival, and the DGA (Directors Guild of America) Haig P. Manoogian Screenings in Los Angeles, to name a few...

...Its working title is Night and Day. He describes the plot in brief as an actor and actress spending a full twenty-four hours against the backdrop of New York City. There is a story outline, but the script will be developed in organic fashion, which Chris indicates has a notable precedent in the expressionist pastiche method of director Wong Kar-wai...

'Open space and Urban Development' Tour includes Jackson Heights

2007-11-23T12:52:00.000-05:00

MUNICIPAL ART SOCIETY Saturday (11.24.07) at 1:30 p.m., “Sunnyside to Jackson Heights: More Space and New Arrangements,” covers the coexistence of open space and urban development, meeting in Sunnyside, Queens at the Sunnyside Arch, 46th Street and Queens Boulevard. (212) 439-1049. $15; $12 for members.

Queens Courier presents 'The Ghost Workers' Series of articles

2007-11-23T12:02:00.000-05:00

THE GHOST WORKERS’ SERIES was reported by The Queens Courier staff writers Pete Davis,THE GHOST WORKERS’ SERIES was reported by The Queens Courier staff writers Pete Davis, Noah Rosenberg and Christina Santucci during a three-month span beginning the end of August. Damian Ghigliotty and Joe Hirsch contributed reporting for the series. Christina Santucci was the photographer for the series. Lou Parajos edited the series, and Stephen Reina designed it.

From 'It is about the families left behind' BY PETE DAVIS

...Queens, which has more than 1 million
foreign-born residents, making it the most
diverse county in the United States, has seen
an influx of Hispanic residents with 31 percent
of the immigrants classified as Latin
American, according to a report entitled,
“The Newest New Yorkers,” based on data
from the 2000 census.
The number of Hispanics is even greater in
Woodside, Jackson Heights, Corona,
Elmhurst and East Elmhurst – the neighborhoods
surrounding Roosevelt Avenue and
69th Street – with 38,076 born in Ecuador,
32,297 in Colombia, 29,439 from the
Dominican Republic and 23,105 from
Mexico, according to statistics from the
report....

Jackson Heights (11370, 11372)
Total, Foreign-born 64,242 100.0%
Colombia 11,420 17.8%
Ecuador 9,303 14.5%
Mexico 4,676 7.3%
China 4,643 7.2%
Dominican Republic 4,262 6.6%
Peru 2,680 4.2%

From 'Dreams and Dancing'BY DAMIAN GHIGLIOTTY

...Two dollars per dance add up over the course of a night,
especially when the DJ blends several songs together in a matter
of minutes. However, as long as customers have the cash on
hand to pay, a house of 20 to 30 women – nearly all South
American and Caribbean – awaits them at The Flamingo Club
in Jackson Heights...
...The Flamingo stays open seven days a week from 5 in the
evening to 4 in the morning with roughly between 80 and 90
dancers. On busy nights, the price at the door is $5 after 10 and
on other nights there’s no cover at all. The dancers, however,
are employed as independent agents and earn all of their
money in hard cash from customers on the spot. Minus a $10
house fee charged at the beginning of the night and a penalty
of $10 for every half hour late to work, those working full-time
– about fifty hours a week – can make up to $2,000. In return,
The Flamingo’s management enforces a strict dress code for
each night.
“On Mondays, the dancers dress up as cowgirls with hats
and boots, Tuesdays in lacy pajamas, Wednesdays in bikinis,
Thursdays as police women, Fridays in mini skirts, Saturdays
in dresses, and Sundays as Catholic schoolgirls,” said Carlos.
“And for all the fun, it’s a lot less stressful than trying to pick
up strangers at a regular nightclub. As long as you treat the
girls with respect, they’ll treat you the same, and as long as
you have enough money, you’re guaranteed companionship.”...

From 'Hard workers take a break' BY CHRISTINA SANTUCCI AND NOAH ROSENBERG

On Sunday afternoons...hundreds of Ecuadorian immigrants
fill dozens of makeshift, dirt volleyball
courts in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park.
These men, many of whom travel with
their wives and children in tow, attend
Mass in the morning, so games often begin
at 2 or 3 p.m. Families line the sidelines of
the courts, cheering on their team and
feasting on empanadas and hot chocolate.
Nearby, a vendor slices up “cuey” or roasted
guinea pig, an Ecuadorian specialty.
“We work Monday to Friday, Monday to
Saturday, the only day we can enjoy is on
Sunday,” said Louis Pintado, a 42-year-old
immigrant from Cuenca, Ecuador, after finishing
a volleyball match.
...Some guys travel from their homes in
Jamaica and Jackson Heights for the
games each weekend, but they keep in
touch with their teammates via cell
phones.
“We just make phone calls to come over
there,” Pintado said...

from 'Faith is their comforting bridge' BY CHRISTINA SANTUCCI AND NOAH ROSENBERG

...“You cannot define the Latin American culture
or Latin culture without the Catholic
faith,” said Monsignor Otto Garcia, pastor of
St. Joan of Arc Church in Jackson Heights.
“When they emigrate from their countries
and become immigrants in the U.S., the one
thing that they can bring that is the same in
their country is their faith,” he said...

Korean Group encourages broader idea of community

2007-11-23T11:31:00.000-05:00

Lisa Biagiotti, via the blog 'Junction Boulevard,'reports that the Korean American Empowerment Council, a non-profit organization, "encourages Koreans to take interest in their surrounding community" and the "Korean American Association awards 20 scholarships to students of any ethnicity at Newtown High School in Elmhurst."

John Park, 56, of Jackson Heights and president of the Korean American Empowerment Council says "We need strong friends, we have to grow up together... I try to make [Koreans] ask, expand, [and] be open."

Apartment Therapy features a JH renovation by Sarah and Jim

2007-11-22T23:52:00.000-05:00

An 1100 sq ft JH 2-bdrm pre-war co-op gets a nice renovation and a slideshow feature on Apartment Therapy.

JH Ethnic Retail part of healthy trend

2007-11-22T23:40:00.000-05:00

Are Ethnic Shopping Strips Luring Suburban Customers?
By Sewell Chan, for the New York Times, November 13, 2007

Last weekend, thousands of South Asians from across the New York region descended on Jackson Heights, Queens, to celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. The neighborhood’s central corridor, 74th Street, has become renowned as a Main Street for South Asian Americans, even though few Indians, Bangladeshis and Pakistanis actually live there, according to Madhulika S. Khandelwal, a professor of urban studies at Queens College who directs the Asian American Center there.

“It has become an important cultural concentration, but only because of the businesses,” she is quoted as saying in a new report by the Center for an Urban Future. ...

The four-page report argues that “once-modest retail areas have evolved from primarily serving local customers into regional shopping districts that routinely attract large numbers of second and third generation immigrants from the suburbs who come to buy ... ethnic products.”

...ethnic retail strips have not only become gathering places for immigrants on weekends, but are also “facilitating the type of economic activity that all
cities covet: they attract people from outside the city to spend money here that otherwise probably would have been spent elsewhere.”

NY Times reports on Ecuadorians being offered a 'Plan Retorno'

2007-11-22T23:32:00.000-05:00

A Homeland Beckons
By ALEX MINDLIN for the New York Times, November 11, 2007

In a soundproof glass booth in the back of a travel agency on Roosevelt Avenue in Jackson Heights, Queens, Alex Polanco was murmuring into his microphone in Spanish. “We want to know your thoughts, your opinions,” said Mr. Polanco, a host of Grupo Radial Delgado, a tiny radio station aimed at New York’s Ecuadorean immigrants. “The Plan of Return, is it good? Is it bad? The lines are open.” ...

...The program, called Plan Retorno, will be open to Ecuadorean citizens worldwide and will take effect for Ecuadorean-Americans in February. To lure them home, Ecuador will raise or end ceilings on the value of cash and goods they can bring back; offer them attractive loans to build houses and start businesses; and let them ship home their cars without paying the usual high import duties....

'Little India' CD reviews

2007-11-22T23:25:00.000-05:00

Rough In Here reviews some CDs purchased at one of the many stores in JH providing Bollywood soundtracks, Punjabi mixtapes and bhangra beats.

'Jackson Heights Life' is up and running

2007-11-22T23:17:00.000-05:00

Sign on to Jackson Heights Life for Neighborhood Chat, Community Groups, Activities & Events, Apartments, Sublets & Room-mates, Business Listings and Services Directory, Community Trade and Classifieds.

Shangri La Express photographed for New York Times

2007-11-22T23:11:00.000-05:00

Director presents JH 'Dance' film at Hispanic New York Film Festival

2007-11-22T13:13:00.000-05:00

Filmmaker Yolanda Pividal will be present TWO DOLLAR DANCE 2006, 17 m
Wednesday, November 28th, 8-10 pm
(followed by LA BRUJA: A WITCH FROM THE BRONX, Dir Felix Rodriguez, 2005, 50 m. and THE KRUTCH , Dir Judith Escalona, 2004, 29m)

TWO DOLLAR DANCE

Every weekend, hundreds of Latino immigrants pack the dance clubs of Jackson Heights, Queens. There, they meet women who will be their dance floor partners for two dollars a song. Through the eyes of Victor, a patron, and Liz, one of the ballerinas, this film dives into the solitude and expectations of men and women who leave their families and countries behind to work in the United States.

Presented by Columbia University and Instituto Cervantes in collaboration with The Film Society of Lincoln Center.
Curated by Marcela Goglio and Claudio Iván Remeseira.

FREE ADMISSION. Photo ID may be required at door. To make a reservation, please reply to this e-mail. For further information, call (212)854-6698

Davis Auditorium, Columbia University , 500 West 120th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue

JH pharmacies still carry recalled infant medicines

2007-11-22T12:47:00.000-05:00

John Toscano reports for the Queens Gazette that Senator John Sabini's staff surveyed a number of pharmacies in the Jackson Heights, Corona and Elmhurst and discovered "many pharmacies still selling these potentially fatal products..."

Has JH lost rep as best place for Indian food?

2007-11-22T12:37:00.000-05:00

Brian S. asks the Chowhounds "Are there ANY good Indian restaurants in Jackson Heights (or anywhere else)???"

Chowhound reports Shangri-La has arrived in JaxHts

2007-10-29T11:17:00.000-04:00

Big Jeff via Chowhound on the new Shangri-La Express food cart:

...they serve these fried empanada looking things, and steamed and fried momos (beef dumplings), 8 for $5 plus chicken or beef over rice or pita (halal-style). momos were aight, but, the hot sauce was phenonemenal; tasted vaguely herbal, ginger-y, lots of flavor. a bit expensive at $5 and I didn't try the beef or chicken (esp. since sammy's is right nearby) but, that hot sauce is great...

[where: Broadway and 73rd St., Jackson Heights 11372]

'SuddenWorld' reports on the 18th Annual Children's Halloween Parade in JH

2007-10-29T11:11:00.000-04:00

by epontee for SuddenWorld.com

...Although the Children’s Halloween Parade might not necessarily compete with the urban chic and stylized ostentation of its Manhattan counterpart (the New York Village Halloween Parade), its overriding virtue lies within in its namesake. The parade is a family friendly event meant for children, and it maintains the intimacy of local flavor that can’t be beat. In fact, one could argue the use of the term “Village Halloween Parade” might be more accurately applied to Jackson Heights than to Manhattan, in terms of scope and feel...

Marching Bands get ready for upcoming Children's Halloween Parade

2007-10-27T12:27:00.000-04:00

By Kimberly Thorpe
Freelance Writer and Columbia Journalism Graduate Student

Ken Hughes raises a conductor's baton above the heads of several rows of eight and nine-year-old elementary students in music class. The students ready with trombones, clarinets, drums and flutes balanced on their arms and between their legs. Before the teacher brings down the wand to signal starting-time, he reminds the students to play the music this time by heart.

"Let's try Minute Man March … without looking," says Hughes, who has taught music for 15 years at PS 69 in Jackson Heights, Queens.

The challenge does not bring a single gripe from the assembled fourth and fifth graders staying already over half an hour after school has let out. Instead, several "Yes's" bounce around the room, before the students wet their lips one last time and put them to their instruments.

The students are getting ready to play as a marching band in the 18th annual Jackson Heights Children Halloween Parade, the second largest Halloween parade in New York. In addition to the participation from elementary students at PS 69, middle schoolers from IS 230 and IS 145 will also join the parade as marching bands.

The parade itself, although always popular because of its focus on children and families, has been more heavily attended since the local schools began participating in the parade four years ago, according to parade organizers. This is partly because the parade now has a musical soundtrack.

"With the bands coming aboard, it has really expanded the interest in the parade," said Ed Westley, who helps command the fundraising efforts for the parade. "We feel [their participation] has increased spectators along the avenue. It jazzes up the parade."

Also, all the participating students are turning out more cheering parents and family members.

"For the kids it's very exciting," said Marge Benini, also a music teacher at PS 69, and who led students in last year's parade. "I don't think they've ever been in a parade before. There are all these people yelling and waving as you're walking through. It's a big morale booster for them."

The parade is organized by the nonprofit community organization Jackson Heights Beautification Group. It is one of the only daytime Halloween events in the city, and is attractive for families in comparison to the boisterous evening parade in Greenwich Village. Community leaders, local officials, and Mayor Bloomberg are scheduled to walk in the parade.

Although marching in a band is exciting for the students, it is also tiring for 8 and 9-year-olds to stand on their feet for one and a half hours.

Joseph Ponce, a student at PS 69 who marched in the parade last year, initially recalled that marching last year was exciting. Although, when pressed, he admitted it was hard work, too.

"It was tiring because you had to walk a lot and because we had to play a lot of songs over and over again," said Ponce, 9.

According to Westley, a co chair of the committee that fundraises for the parade, $100 will be given to each of the participating bands, in a gesture to keep the bands going in the future.

"We are proud the parade is all local involvement," said Westley.

The 18th Annual Children's Halloween Parade will take place along 37th Avenue from 89th to 77th streets in Jackson Heights, Queens, from 5 pm to 6:30 pm.

[where: 37th Avenue from 89th to 77th streets, Jackson Heights, Queens, 11372]

Artist Talk "Good Luck in New York" Friday at Y Gallery

2007-10-25T22:16:00.000-04:00

Friday October 26th at 7pm for the Artist Talk "Good Luck in New York" as part of the exhibition:"Making Good Luck".

Curator Cecilia Jurado, artists from the show and special guest Dulce Pinzon will talk about their experiences and point of views related to "good luck".

This event is associated and supported by the Queens Council on the Arts through Project Diversity Queens.

Y Gallery.
www.ygallerynewyork.com
32-70 85th St corner of Northern Boulevard
7 train to 82nd Street

MAKING GOOD LUCK
A Group Exhibition
Curated by Larry Litt and Cecilia Jurado
Essay by Eleanor Heartney

October 12th to November 17th, 2007

Y Gallery is pleased to present “Making Good Luck” a group exhibition inspired by a multicultural dream project. International artists explore the various notions of entering the “crap shoot” in the always changing contemporary cultural scene that is New York City.

The question is: where do artists get their ‘art world dice?’ This show explores the cunning ways artists imagine their chances in the randomness of the big city when they need to create their own good luck.

New York Press 2007 Best of Eats & Drinks picks two from Jackson Heights

2007-10-25T12:25:00.000-04:00

From the New York Press "Best of Everything 2007" issue

BEST BAR TO BUY $3 CORONAS & A RUMBA
El Flamingo
85-12 Roosevelt Ave. (betw. 85th & 86th Sts.), Jackson Heights, Queens
718-606-1633
When we’re forlorn, we hop the rattling 7 train to Jackson Heights and assuage our loneliness with $3 Coronas, ear-splitting salsa music and a twirl with a sexy ballerina or two. At this fog-shrouded, disco-ball Mexican club, a dozen ladies linger around in lingerie and heels, ready to salsa or rumba—with you and your pocketbook. An hour of chaste hip-shaking (no beneath-the-belt extracurriculars) costs about $40. We recommend shelling out for a single dance, then self-medicating with lime-topped Coronas until your little black cloud breaks.

BEST FROZEN SAMOSAS OUTSIDE OF BOMBAY
Patel Bros.
3727 74th St., Jackson Heights, Queens
718-898-3445
Sometimes Lean Pockets just don’t cut it in terms of fast, easy frozen food, and that’s where a trip to Patel Brothers comes in. The key to this chain Indian grocery store is bulk. It’s where you go to stock up on value packs of spices and frozen Indian dinners. The extensive freezer section boasts a fine array of Indian meals, including saag paneer, lentils, chicken tikka, tandoori chicken and more. There are also huge bags of frozen samosas—which is the ultimate snack in times of need.

[where: El Flamingo, 85-12 Roosevelt Ave. (betw. 85th & 86th Sts.), Jackson Heights, Queens]
[where: Patel Bros., 3727 74th St., Jackson Heights, Queens]

JHTM (Jackson Heights: The Musical)

2007-10-24T13:58:00.000-04:00

by Havovi Cooper
Havovi Cooper, originally from Pakistan, is a 25 year-old Graduate Student of Journalism at Columbia University. Her focus is broadcast journalism but here is a print story (about 'Jackson Heights: The Musical') she filed for her 'beat area,' Jackson Heights.

Carol from Cleveland moved to New York City and decided to settle down in Jackson Heights because she could not afford the sky-rocketing rents in Manhattan. But Carol did not feel at home in Jackson Heights. She was often overwhelmed by the diversity of the area. It was hard for her to believe how the news stand around the corner of 37th Avenue sold newspapers from all over the world but not from her hometown of Ohio. And just as she began to wonder why she had left good old Ohio, Mr. Jackson Heights jumped to her rescue. He offered to be her tour-guide showing her the many attractions of Jackson Heights and its vibrant community.

This is not a real life story but it could very well be; this is Jackson Heights: The musical, an off-off Broadway production, now playing for a week, at the Jackson Heights Jewish Center. The musical aims at showcasing the history, diversity and the warmth of the community of Jackson Heights.

Mr. Jackson Heights who in real life lives in Astoria, is played by Ricardo Perez Gonzalez, a former theater student at New York University. Carol, the leading lady is played by 33-year- old Bieje Chapman. Chapman moved from Kentucky in the south, to Bay Ridge in Brooklyn. She said this musical speaks to some of her experiences in adjusting to life in New York City.

" I felt like a fish out of water when I moved to Bay Ridge. Things are different here. Like the school's have numbers instead of names," said Chapman.
The musical was commissioned by the office of Councilwoman Helen Sears, who wanted this to be a tribute to Jackson Heights.

"Jackson Heights is the jewel of Queens. It is a unique community, but often all you hear about is the crowds and the traffic. This musical takes in the sheer brilliance of life here and it does not hide the flaws," said Sears.

Sears approached the president of the Jewish Center of Jackson Heights, Steve Knobel, a well-known member of the community, to put up a play. Knobel, turned to Paul Enger, a long-time Jackson Heights resident and a former employee of CBS News, who had written plays in the past. Enger came up with a stage play which highlighted the diversity of Jackson Heights and its main attractions.

But whereas diversity was one of the main themes of the play, on the opening night the audience were a pale reflection of the Jackson Heights melting pot. Few in the audience appeared to be from the Indian, Chinese, and Latino communities which ,combined, make up almost half the population of Jackson Heights.

Thomas Scaringelli one of the organizers of the musical offered an explanation for the demographics represented in the audience.

"Most of the people who bought the tickets first were people who come to the Jewish Center often and knew about the play," said Scaringelli.

But Elliot Bassman, a former Columbia University graduate, and an artist whose murals often brighten the walls of the Jewish Center offered a different explanation for the lack of diversity in the audience.

"There is a lot of talk about diversity all over town but every block in Jackson Heights has people of it's own kind who are culturally different and sometimes they isolate themselves. They may view such events as exclusive, and not inclusive," said Bassman.

Bassman also thought that in an effort to be politically correct much of the content of the musical was so toned-down that it was appropriate for children.

"The content was successful, yet generically positive and did not encompass the neighborhood's problems. It was a safe and clean cut version of Jackson Heights," said Bassman.

And indeed much of the story's content was cheerful and promoted Jackson Heights as a booming neighborhood. For instance, one musical piece on P.S. 69, a neighborhood school, showed how children from 41 different countries speak 43 languages under one roof and get along famously. Carol and Mr. Jackson Heights sing songs about the Jackson Heights Beautification group, responsible for keeping the area clean and green. The duo talk about the grand garden city co-ops which are an architectural trademark of the historical district of Jackson Heights and the envy of New York City.

But the story left out how the co-ops built by Edward MacDougall were once advertised as restricted, available for ownership and rent to only the affluent professional class. Bassman said that the musical also did not touch upon the subject of how the Jewish community had dwindled over the years or how many of the original immigrants have moved away.

Playwright Paul Enger said it was a conscious choice to omit negative or controversial references to the history of Jackson Heights.

"Since councilwoman Helen Sears funded this musical, she wanted it to be upbeat. I was careful not to include anything very controversial," said Enger in defense of his script.

The director of the show John Sheridan said that when he first read the script he was reminded of the industrial musicals in the 1960's, where people sang praises about their products.

"It was less like real theater and more like a little commercial for Jackson Heights, just celebrating the neighborhood," said Sheridan

After an hour and a half of song and dance most people like, Roberta Gardner who said she has lived in Jackson Heights for longer than she can recall, walked out of the doors of the Jewish Center having immensely enjoyed this musical commercial about their neighborhood.

"It was great, I loved it", she said, " it hit all the highlights of Jackson Heights."

Sources / Interviews:
Elliot Bassman, Jackson Heights, Queens
Paul Enger, Jackson Heights, Queens
Thomas Scaringelli , Jackson Heights, Queens
Councilwoman Helen Sears,
Ricardo Perez Gonzalez, Astoria Queens
Bieje Chapman, Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
Chrstian Urrego, Jackson Heights, Queens
John Sheridan, Director
Arthur Abrams, Composer
Roberta Garnder, Jackson Heights, Queens

Gothamist checks out Malgudi

2007-10-24T11:24:00.000-04:00

That little Korean restaurant that experimented with a Vietnamese angled menu has been replaced by a “South & North Indian Restaurant” with a Nepalese angled menu.

And Joe DiStefano of Gothamist has a review of Malgudi.

[where: Malgudi, 40-03 73 St., Jackson Heights]

Apartment Therapy judges JH 2 Bedroom

2007-10-23T09:42:00.000-04:00

via apartmenttherapy.com

A 2 bedroom apartment in Jackson Heights, owned by Natasha and Alfred, was entered in Apartment Therapy's Third Annual Fall Colors Contest...

Using color is our way to make the place our own. When we moved in 2 years ago, the apartment was white, dingy and had absolutely no flair notwithstanding some interesting architectural details (chair rails, sunken living room, original built-in in the entrance hall)...

Jackson Heights Halloween Parade

2007-10-23T09:39:00.000-04:00

via MommyPoppins.com

Did you know that the Jackson Heights Halloween Parade is the second-largest Halloween parade in New York? It’s all about the neighborhood kids and their costumes. And a few over-the-top grown-ups too. 37th Ave, starting at 89th St, ending at 77th St, Jackson Heights When: October 31, 2007, 5 p.m.

MTA making it difficult for new shops to open at Jackson Heights subway station?

2007-10-23T09:34:00.000-04:00

from The Real Deal, October 22, 4:58 pm

New Jackson Heights station still seeks shops

Two years after a Jackson Heights subway station's $138 million rehabilitation, only one of the 14 new retail and newsstand spaces is open for business.

A Korean bakery that has yet to open blamed the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's bureaucracy for delays at the station at 74th Street and Roosevelt Avenue.

The MTA has signed leases for five newsstands, two ladies clothing and accessories stores, a bakery called Koryodang Café, and an ATM, said Roco Krsulic, the MTA's director of real estate. But other than a newsstand that recently opened, all the spaces above and below ground remain vacant....

Jackson Heights Pumpkin Patch

2007-10-23T09:24:00.000-04:00

The Jackson Heights Pumpkin Patch continues on 81st Street near 35th Ave!
(thanks to Kaelen for the reminder!)

We are holding a month long event to raise funds to build our playground, which we hope to construct over the next two years. The 82nd Street Academics Pumpkin Patch promises to be an exciting event for the community... We hope to raise money for the playground through the sale of 1000 pumpkins during the month of October.

Organization: 82nd Street Academics
Phone: 718 446 0690
Host Organization: 82nd Street Academics
Contact person: Amar Rajwani
Fax: 718 458 7983
Website: http://www.82ndst.com

Please send in photos!

[where: 81-10 35th Avenue, Jackson Heights, New York, 11372]

Madison Flea Market this weekend

2007-10-11T23:23:00.000-04:00

The Madison co-op at 35-06 88th St. (at the corner of 35th Ave.) is holding a flea market from 10am-6pm on October 13th, with the 14th as a rain date. There will be antiques, glassware, vintage clothes and lots of interesting things to browse through. Come on by!

[where: 35-06 88th St. Jackson Heights NY 11372]

Call for Jackson Heights Interviewees

2007-10-11T11:31:00.000-04:00

NYU Journalism Graduate Student, Jonathan Lawrence, has chosen to write about Jackson Heights for a class assignment.

If you are knowledgeable about JH in any way or know someone who is, please feel free to contact Mr. Lawrence directly at his email address:
jal556 (at) nyu (dot) edu

His first subject will focus on religion in Jackson Heights.
What religious issues/stories should be covered?

JaxHts Starbucks debate just got more complicated...

2007-10-11T10:50:00.000-04:00

via Nueva York, October 10, 2007

Carolina Gonzalez describes the successful versions of Latin pastries currently showing up in Starbucks.

Starbucks is slowly but surely making its way through Latin bakery staples, and though the prices are, well, Starbucks-like, the pastries themselves are not bad.

Does this coincide with their imminent appearance in Jackson Heights?

Jackson Heights Garden School 2007 Senior Prom Slideshow

2007-10-11T10:48:00.000-04:00

Garden School's Merit Scholarship Exam

2007-10-11T10:44:00.000-04:00

from The Queens Gazette, October 10, 2007

On Saturday, November 17, more than 100 students will converge on Garden School in Jackson Heights for the school's annual Merit Scholarship examination. Begun 15 years ago through Garden School's board of trustees, the Merit Scholars program provides up to four full scholarships to top candidates who take the exam and can be worth as much as $100,000 in Garden School tuition fees over a seven-year period...

...The exam will be held on Saturday, November 17, at 9 a.m. at Garden School 33- 16 79th St., Jackson Heights. Call 718-335- 6363 for an application for the exam. Testing fee is $40.

[where: Garden School 33-16 79th St., Jackson Heights 11372]

The Wednesday Chef offers alternative toTaqueria Coatzingo?

2007-10-11T10:26:00.000-04:00

Luisa Weiss aka The Wednesday Chef wasn't too impressed with Taqueria Coatzingo in Jackson Heights...

Perhaps we didn't order well, but my two carne asada tacos were sort of limp and flabby and overfilled. Ben's enchiladas verdes looked just like they have in every other New York Mexican restaurant we've been to: pallid and oily and absolutely nothing special. But that's okay - I'm now even more motivated to just figure out Mexican food for myself at home.

... but she offers to the home chef a Rajas con Crema recipe from 'Baja! Cooking on the Edge' by Deborah M. Schneider.

'Sudden World' Keeping an 'Eye On Jackson Heights'

2007-10-08T10:21:00.000-04:00

It looks like E. Pontee, writing for the site Sudden World, will be posting a series of articles examining Jackson Heights.

Here is one excerpt from the first post:

Jackson Heights fascinates me as a paradigm for those marginalized in their multiculturalism, just as Manhattan to me often represents a high order of status and power that sometimes forget the little guys that work so hard make it look so good.

In Jackson Heights, you will find in the span of roughly .8 square miles a panoply of ethnic cultures. From the Asian demographic comes immigrants from Bangladesh, China, Korea, India, Pakistan, and the Philippines; from the European demographic comes multigenerational descendents of Irish, Jewish, Italian, Polish, and Russian heritage; and from the Latino demographic comes immigrants from Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, and Uruguay. There is also a distinctive pocket community of gays amidst this huddle of immigrants.

Get your Obama '08 T-Shirts in Jackson Heights

2007-10-06T22:32:00.000-04:00

"Queens United For Obama" T-Shirts will be on sale at 80-08 35th avenue 2h, in Jackson Heights, Friday, October 12, 5-6 PM.

[where: 80-08 35th avenue #2h, Jackson Heights 11372]

Did You Help 'Fat Guy' Eat in Jackson Heights?

2007-10-06T22:24:00.000-04:00

Steven A. Shaw aka "Fat Guy" the Executive Director of eGullet Society for Culinary Arts & Letters, was looking for an itinerary for

"a Jackson Heights Indian-themed walking tour? What route would you take, what shops would you go into, where would you have snacks and a meal?"

See what he ended up eating here.

'Interview in Jackson Heights' Project

2007-10-06T09:57:00.000-04:00

Emily Wiegers has started a blog of Jackson Heights interviews beginning with a list of questions and it looks like you can post your own answers in the comments section.

Here are a sample of the interview questions:

What cultural changes have you witnessed/experienced while living in Jackson Heights?
Which culture do you most identify with?
How you experienced any cultural conflict while in Jackson Heights?
What attracts you to this neighborhood?
What changes have you experienced concerning the ethnic groups here?
How do you feel all the different ethnic groups of Jackson Heights deal with each other(+/-)?

Films by Richard Calvache shot in Jackson Heights

2007-10-02T21:41:00.000-04:00

Film-maker Richard Calvache presents two short films based on a theatrical piece developed at the Renaissance Charter School in Jackson Heights.

I was hired to film this documentary on teen kids from a Charter School in Jackson Hts Queens. They worked with 2 teaching artists in creating a theatrical piece from scratch on issues that are bothering them now. - Richard Calvache

Filmed and Edited by Richard Calvache.
Artistic Directors: Andrew Ronan
Assistant Director: Desi Waters

Drama Teacher: Rebekah Slotnick
Music by Richard Calvache using Soundtrack.

And this is a short introduction that is shown before the Cabaret Performance.

Filmed and edited by:
Richard Calvache

Written by:
Bethanie

Music by:
Richard Calvache using Sountrack

[where:Renaissance Charter School (The), 35-59 81st St, Jackson Heights, NY 11372]

NY Times reports on Affordable Apartments in Jackson heights

2007-09-29T22:18:00.000-04:00

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

2007-09-28T10:57:00.000-04:00

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

2007-09-27T12:09:00.001-04:00

NY Post Assesses Jax Hts real Estate Prospects

2007-09-27T10:41:00.000-04:00

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

2007-09-27T10:00:00.000-04:00

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?

2007-09-26T09:42:00.000-04:00

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

2007-09-25T09:48:00.000-04:00

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

2007-09-20T09:40:00.000-04:00

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

2007-09-19T12:01:00.000-04:00

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

2007-09-19T10:29:00.000-04:00

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

2007-09-19T10:25:00.000-04:00

'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

2007-09-19T10:03:00.000-04:00

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.

2007-09-19T09:55:00.000-04:00

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”

2007-09-09T13:17:00.000-04:00

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

New Yoga Class in Jackson Heights

2007-08-31T14:21:00.000-04:00

Yogi Baby
OM Yoga Center certified instructor will be providing yoga classes with a focus on a postpartum practice.
Wednesdays 10-11 AM

[where: Mambo Bravo Latin Dance Studio 37-40 75th Street, Jackson Heights NY 11372]

NY Times describes 'classic salsa' revival in Jackson Heights

2007-08-31T14:00:00.000-04:00

Along Roosevelt Avenue, Suddenly, It’s the ’70s
By SAKI KNAFO for NY Times August 26, 2007

IT’S not just the indie rockers of Brooklyn who, upon entering a time machine, would probably set the dial to, say, 1977. Prompted by “El Cantante,” the new film with Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony about the singer Héctor Lavoe, the city’s Latino neighborhoods are becoming charmed by the sounds of those years. But in their case, those are sounds of classic salsa rather than of the Ramones...

...But “El Cantante,” which opened a couple of weeks ago, has sparked a resurgence of enthusiasm for Mr. Lavoe’s music, one that extends not just to non-Puerto Rican Latinos. It is shared by Latinos who moved to New York only in the last few years, well after the end of the era when salsa ruled the Latin music scene and New York was salsa’s capital.

Many of these fans live in Jackson Heights, Queens. Among non-Latinos, the neighborhood is known for its Mexican, Ecuadorean and Colombian restaurants, but scattered among the local businesses are dozens of music stores. On one mile-long stretch of Roosevelt Avenue, from 97th Street to 75th Street, nearly every block is home to at least one CD store. Some blocks have as many as four or five, if you count the Spanish grocery stores with CDs tucked among the jars of cactus shoots and the boxes of yucca...

...In Jackson Heights and elsewhere, salsa is particularly popular among Colombians, a people who have produced their own fast-paced version of the sound. Up and down Roosevelt Avenue, sunset-colored posters advertise concerts featuring cumbia, another Colombian musical export. But for New York’s Colombians, classic salsa offers a sound that comes straight from the streets of their adopted city. As Mr. Galvis put it, “I’m from another country and I’m here, and these people are telling me something about my life.”...

Video of Jackson Heights Wedding in 1947

2007-08-20T18:06:00.000-04:00

[where: St Joan of Arc Church 8200 35th Ave, Jackson Heights NY 11372]

NYCs "top chefs" tell Time Out JH is "best enclave of ethnic food in the city"

2007-08-17T16:48:00.000-04:00

from Time Out New York

Kitchen report 2007
The chefs speak...
Drugs, drinking and all the drama: We asked 40 top chefs (we can’t tell you who, but believe us, you’d know their names) to feed us the truth—served raw.

What do you think is the best enclave of ethnic food in the city?

It looks like most chefs don’t get out much—“who has time?” Besides a few mentions of Koreatown, those who do leave the kitchen head for Queens. “Jackson Heights is the most diverse,” but they also visit Sunset Park and Arthur Avenue in the Bronx.

Peru earthquake has NYers reaching out

2007-08-17T13:11:00.000-04:00

from amNewYorkBy Magdalene Perez August 17, 2007

Peruvian immigrants in neighborhoods like Jackson Heights and Corona clogged public calling centers and tied up phone lines trying to reach loved ones in the wake of the massive earthquake in Peru Wednesday night.

"There was no answer," Ricardo Ordonez, 21, whose family lives in Lima, said. "I was calling for hours."

Lines up to 20 to 30 people filled public calling centers, known as telefonicos, Jackson Heights residents said. The frantic phone calls were met with busy signals for at least two hours, and some lines were still tied up Thursday...

Sabini, Jax Hts. leaders raise money for S. Asia

2007-08-17T13:08:00.000-04:00

from TimesLedger By Jeremy Walsh 08/16/2007

In the face of last week's fierce storm, Jackson Heights community leaders got together to raise awareness for millions of other flood victims. State Sen. John Sabini (D-Jackson Heights), the American Red Cross and local Bangladeshi, Indian, Nepali and Pakistani organizations announced a series of fund-raisers to help the victims of this year's monsoons in South Asia.

"On a day when New Yorkers are unable to get to work because of flooding, we should be mindful of conditions elsewhere," the senator said, urging recent immigrants and longtime residents alike to chip in...

Gothamist visits Chonghap in JH

2007-08-14T11:44:00.000-04:00

At The Ethnic Market: Korean Comfort Food Edition
By Joe DiStefano for Gothamist August 14, 2007

...The other day while strolling around N.Y. Chonghap Market with a summer cold and an upset stomach, we found ourselves standing in front of a display filled with an array of 10-ounce tubs of premade jook. There were several flavors, including vegetable, tuna, even a sweet version with cinnamon and pine nuts. Since our stomach wasn't quite that upset, we went something a wee bit more adventurous, abalone. Fully aware that the jook wouldn't be sufficiently robust to satisfy our palate, nor ward off our illness, we headed down the aisle to the banchan case. We settled on a container filled with garlic-spiked dark green slices of kirby coated in red pepper and sesame seeds, aka oi kimchi. Surely the combination of these two Korean comfort foods would go a long way toward warding off any illness...

[where: Chonghap Market, 72-11 Roosevelt Ave., Jackson Heights]

Jackson Heights Teens Defy India / Pakistan Rift

2007-08-14T10:33:00.000-04:00

Teens heal India-Pakistan split with friendship

BY TARA KYLE AND TAHARA MIAH from amNewYork; Staff writer Jennifer Barrios contributed to this story. August 14, 2007

... For young New Yorkers in South Asian immigrant communities such as Jackson Heights, the historical tensions that embittered their forefathers are giving way to neighborhood friendships.

"We stay with Bengali ... [Pakistani], Indian," Taniya Mamun, 17, a Bangladeshi American, using a slang term for hanging out. "We stay with all kinds of people," agreed Maya Mamun, 16, Taniya's sister.

In contrast to their parents, India and Pakistan are much less important "in the lives and imaginations of today's South Asian youth," said Natasha Kumar Warikoo, a professor at the University of London who has studied social dynamics at multiethnic schools in Queens...

...Jackson Heights is the epicenter of South Asian culture in New York. Along the blocks near the 74th Street-Roosevelt subway station, South Asians shop for the same clothes and music and eat at the same restaurants. Despite differences in their heritage and native languages, one place where all the teens flock is the Eagle Theater in Jackson Heights, which features Hindi-language Bollywood movies with English subtitles.

"You go to a movie theater and there's people from all cultures in there," Belani said. "If anything, Bollywood's most important for bringing everybody together."...

...Teens in Jackson Heights mentioned that language barriers are another reason parents stick to their own nationality.

But in the high schools and shopping districts of Queens, what brings young South Asians together isn't much different than what works for any other American teen.

"I'm not into politics that much; it's just about fun, basically," Taniya Mamun said...

[where: Eagle Theater, 7307 37th Rd, Jackson Heights NY 11372]

BBQ supports Jackson Heights Film and Food Festival

2007-08-10T10:33:00.000-04:00

by "unisphere1964" from Jackson Heights Families

Sun, Fun, Plenty of Grass, Laughs and
Lots of BBQ Eats, Treats and Refreshments!

For the second year in a row the Jackson Heights Film and Food Festival is sponsoring a local Summer BBQ to support the Fall festival. The Festival is an all volunteer community effort to bring top arts, entertainment and good ol fun to the neighborhood.

The BBQ is a wonderful opportunity to support the Festival and to hang out, meet up with friends and make new ones, enjoy plenty of yummy grilled and non-grilled treats and drinks and to learn about this years films, the new "Taste of Jackson Heights", the arts and crafts partnership with Y Gallery, the music component and lots, lots more!!!

Date - Saturday, August 11, 2007
Time - Noon to 3 p.m.
Place - St. Marks Church - 33-50 82nd Street (between 34th ave. and Northern)
Requested Donation: $10 Adults, children free

[where: St. Marks Church, 33-50 82nd Street, Jackson Heights NY 11372]

This years Festival takes place the last weekend of September (9/28, 9/29, 9/30).

Latest: MTA Service Alerts

2007-08-08T18:16:00.001-04:00

Where the Jingling of Change Is the Sound of Unease

2007-08-04T23:17:00.000-04:00

By EMILY BRADY for The NYTimes, August 5, 2007

..Sitting on the sidewalk on 37th Avenue in Jackson Heights, Queens, she rattled a plastic yogurt container filled with coins at passers-by.

In the sari shops, gold jewelry stores and curry houses that dot the commercial heart of South Asian Queens, many theories are offered as to where the woman is from. Romania? The former Yugoslavia? Russia? Turkey? No seems to know for sure.

But among business owners, there is consensus on one thing: She is not welcome...

...On Tuesday, the mayor and other top city officials met with local residents at the Jackson Diner, and a member of the merchants group asked the mayor if his administration could address the problem. Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly told the crowd the issue would be looked into...

JUNCTION BOULEVARD FESTIVAL

2007-08-03T16:28:00.000-04:00

Sunday,August 5th 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., from Roosevelt Avenue to 35th Avenue, Jackson Heights, Queens.

JH Resident could be next 'Biggest Loser'

2007-08-03T16:25:00.000-04:00

from Christopher Rocchio for realitytvworld, 08/02/2007

NBC has revealed the identities of the 18 contestants that will compete on The Biggest Loser's fourth season, which will premiere with a two-hour special on Tuesday, September 11 at 8PM ET/PT...
(including)
- Ryan Rodriguez, a 29-year-old from Jackson Heights, NY

'Roosevelt Avenue Symphony' composed by DJ ALF and Billy Jam

2007-08-03T16:07:00.000-04:00

via Youtube August 03, 2007
This is a video dedicated to the residents of Jackson Heights, NY. The video is focused on the sights and sounds along the daily activities of Roosevelt Avenue - DJ ALF and Billy Jam

'The Onion' Satirizes Jackson Heights Diversity

2007-08-03T11:10:00.000-04:00

from The Onion August 3 2007

Various Deities Still Sorting Through Victims Of Tragic Queens Bus Accident

NEW YORK—An emergency coalition of deities from several major world religions is still sorting through the wreckage of a tragic bus accident that claimed 67 lives Friday in the culturally diverse Jackson Heights neighborhood of Queens...

...Because the victims hailed from 14 countries and professed an as-yet-undetermined number of religious faiths, however, the soul-placement process has been laborious, and fewer than a third of the deceased have so far been escorted to their appropriate afterlives.

"What a mess this is," said Ganesha, the Hindu lord of success and obstacles. "Assuming we ever manage to figure out who worships our particular pantheon, there's still the problem of divvying up the Buddhists, Jains, and other non-Hindus who worship me, Lakshmi, Vishnu, and about 1,000 other gods."...

...Many of the gods were struggling just to maintain order.

"Honestly, who ever heard of a Jew named Shinjoku Murikami?" the Shinto sun goddess Amaterasu said. "I had that guy halfway to haunting a shrine as a kami spirit before I realized my mistake."...

FiRE hosts party and fundraiser in Jackson Heights

2007-07-30T22:10:00.000-04:00

by lawdamercy for FiRE July 30, 2007

Party like ARAK Star!

Friends! Please support!
Anak Bayan NY/NJ and FIRE (filipinas for rights and empowerment) Present:

Big Things Poppin'
Party Like ARAK star!
AUGUST 5, 2007 SUNDAY
8PM-1AM
$10 ALL AGES

Who's Performing:
Kiwi from Native Guns
Geo from Blue Scholars
Kadena
Koba
Hanalei Ramos
Deep Foundation
Mike Swift
Bleud
... and many others!

Where:
Terraza Cafe
40-19 Gleane St.
Jackson Heights, NY 11373

Directions: Take the 7 train to 82nd Ave and walk to 83rd and Roosevelt

Funds will be going towards local organizing within the filipino
community and the medical bills of one our organizers.

[where: Terraza Cafe 40-19 Gleane St. Jackson Heights, NY 11373]