Hey neighbor, A few tasty updates from around Jackson Heights this week. First up, a new restaurant called Cora just opened on 37th Avenue and 84th Street. They are serving Peruvian and Colombian fusion food, which sounds like a pretty delicious combination. Just along the avenue, Red Chilli also expanded and opened a new dining room. Always a good sign when a neighborhood restaurant is growing. Which reminds me... If you enjoy trying new restaurants and meeting new people from around the...
12 days ago • 4 min read
Hey neighbor! If you show up early on Sunday and no one else is there, check your clock. Daylight saving time begins March 8, so we spring forward one hour. The same day is International Women’s Day. Strong women, extra sunlight. We love to see it… Technically it is actually International Women’s Month. And honestly, appreciation should not be limited to one day or one month. This neighborhood runs on strong women. Shop owners. Organizers. Moms juggling everything. The woman at the bakery who...
19 days ago • 5 min read
Hey neighbor! Notice anything different up top? That's right, we got ourselves a shiny new logo. We're finally going pro over here (well, kind of - I'm still writing this in my pijamas). That said, we always loved the idea of a logo designed by someone from the neighborhood. So consider this a soft call-out: if you're a local artist with ideas, or you'd just love to see a community logo competition happen, hit reply and let us know. Enough interest and we'll make it a thing. 🎨 Hope you stayed...
26 days ago • 6 min read
Hey neighbor, As February winds down, we are marking the end of Black History Month while many neighbors continue celebrating the Lunar New Year. It is a beautiful overlap that reminds me how lucky we are to live somewhere with so many traditions side by side. And in a moment that feels especially meaningful here, legendary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman passed away this week at 96. Over a career spanning decades, he made around 50 films capturing the rhythms and inner workings of everyday life,...
about 1 month ago • 6 min read
Hey neighbor! This week felt like a great reminder of how much culture and community is packed into our corner of Queens. I caught Viñedos at LaGuardia Performing Arts Center, a powerful Mexican traditional dance performance full of color and energy. Fun fact. The executive director there is Andrew Ronan, a longtime Jackson Heights resident. And KC Trommer, another local neighbor, helps lead marketing and community engagement at Flushing Town Hall. Turns out we are quietly surrounded by...
about 1 month ago • 4 min read
Hey neighbor! Hope you’re doing well and staying warm out there. This week had a few feel-good moments around the neighborhood. A Greek family restaurant in neighboring East Elmhurst called Plaka, run by parents in their 70s, suddenly got busy after a NYC cab driver turned food influencer stopped by, ate, and shared their story online. He even went back later to show how much business picked up. A nice reminder that a little attention can go a long way for local spots. That’s also why we host...
about 2 months ago • 5 min read
Hey neighbor, hope you’re staying warm! This cold snap is no joke, so it’s a good moment to look out for one another. If your building has heat or hot water issues, or if sidewalks are still icy, 311 is the number to call. That same number also helps connect people without shelter to outreach teams who can bring them somewhere warm. The nice part of all this is how the snow has made the neighborhood look so beautiful. Someone even spotted a red-tailed hawk perched nearby, which is a regular...
about 2 months ago • 4 min read
Hey neighbor… Winter is still doing its thing, but the neighborhood is busy! A new tea house has opened on 37th Ave and 76th Street, a Qahwah Valley coffee house is coming soon, and Raising Cane’s is opening this week on 82nd Street in the former bank building (see more details in the events below). With Restaurant Week now underway (check out our full guide here), there are plenty of reasons to step inside somewhere warm and eat well. Despite the weather, we also had a great Newcomer Meetup...
2 months ago • 4 min read
Hey you. Yes, you, reading the neighborhood email! If you are new to Jackson Heights, new-ish, or just wondering how everyone else seems to know each other, you are in the right place. Our newcomer meetup is happening this Monday, and it is all about meeting kind humans and picking up local wisdom. This one will have an artsy twist, with the folks from the Jackson Heights Mural project joining us. Speaking of neighbors and creative projects, this week we also launched Voices of Jackson...
2 months ago • 4 min read