Valentine's Day Restaurants & Dinners In Queens

Queens Restaurants / February 1, 2012. Valentine's Day is only a weekend away.  It's a time when lovers far and wide enjoin in the great romantic dinner at a nice romantic Queens restaurant, for a night out on the town. If the night is done right, it comes complete with a thoughtful card, a small box of candies and her favorite flowers; followed by a nice romantic dinner in Astoria, LIC, Jackson Heights, Sunnyside, Flushing or Jamaica.

The origins of Valentine's Day are not well documented. It's believed to have been named after Saint Valentine who was apparently a Catholic martyr who died over 1500 years ago. Today the holiday is not associated with religion so much as flowers, candies, cards and dinners. And the holiday spokesperson is now Cupid, a Roman god of desire, and from what we hear, quite a mischief maker.

Click this link to go to a brief guide of Queens restaurants for Valentine's Day where you will find links to fun or romantic Queens restaurants we've reviewed. It's worth noting that most of these reviews are positive because we've selected some of the best restaurants in their categories in Queens. It's also worth noting that most of these restaurants do not currently advertise on this site, so there wasn't any quid pro quo. Perhaps one day we will begin selling them onto the site, because we have a large discerning dining audience like you. Enjoy.

Things To Do In Queens - January 2012

Queens NY / January 2012. This Queens events calendar contains notices of things to do in Queens NY including art exhibitions, films, theater, live music, comedy, dance, sports social events, classes, and restaurant reviews for the Astoria, Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, Long Island City, LIC, Sunnyside, Woodside, Jamaica, Forest Hills, Flushing, Corona neighborhoods in Queens NY for January 2012.

Click here to view the Things To Do In Queens during the month of January 2012.

Chinese New Year 2012 in Flushing

Flushing Town Hall - Building Cultural Bridges

January 25, 2012 / Flushing / Ethnic & Religious Culture / Queens Buzz. I attended the opening ceremony at the Flushing Town Hall celebrating the Chinese new year. Flushing Town Hall is a neighborhood and Queens borough cultural center, which has easily become one of the leading places in Queens and NYC, where one can familiarize themselves with authentic Asian cultures.

Flushing Town Hall presents many exhibits and programs, which nurture an environment of cross cultural understanding. They are also an important location for innovative theater performances, jazz, and world music, of which you can read more about by using the search function on this site.

One of the reasons for Flushing Town Hall's emergence as an Asian cultural center is that Flushing is the home to the largest Chinese community in New York, equaling – if not surpassing - Chinatown in Manhattan. And New York City is home to the largest Chinese community outside of China.

This year is 2012 AD in the western world, but to the Chinese this is the lunar year 4709 and the year of the lucky dragon. Steve Chen of Crystal Window & Door Systems in Flushing [current exhibit sponsors], speaks about the Antique Chinese Windows and Doors collection currently on exhibit at Flushing Town Hall.

Click here to read more about the upcoming Chinese New Year Parade 2012 in Flushing Queens and Chinese Culture.

St Sebastian's Grade School Woodside Map

Woodside / January 28, 2012. Click here for a map with links to contact information and a report covering the curriculim, tuition and facilities, including photos of St. Sebastian's Grade School in Woodside / Sunnyside Queens.

Queens State of the Borough Address 2012

Boro President Helen Marshall Informs Us We’re Holding Our Own

January 24, 2012 / Flushing / Queens Government & Economy / Queens Buzz. Today I attended the Borough President’s State of the Borough Address in the Colden Auditorium at Queens College in Flushing. Queens College President Dr. James Muyskens opened the program, followed by City Council Speaker Christine Quinn.

There were hundreds of people in attendance. The audience included government officials, members of the police, fire and sanitation departments, a number of community board members, educators, healthcare administrators as well as members of the press.

Helen Marshall’s address covered education, healthcare, parks, the economy, business, development, aviation [the airports], culture, historic preservation and awards to a few denizens of the borough for outstanding work. In the photo Queens Borough President Helen Marshall looks a graphic which includes the plans for the new technical center planned for Roosevelt Island by Cornell University and Technion. Click here to our report with photos of the Queens State of the Borough Address 2012.

No Angels At The Laughing Devil

New Comedy Club Opens Doors To Press & LIC

January 18, 2012 / Long Island City LIC / Performing Arts / Queens Buzz. I attended the Grand Opening night of the Laughing Devil Comedy Club in Long Island City Queens tonight. They had a full line up of comedians, who they had charged with lightening up the Queens NYC press corps, which wasn’t exactly a roomful of jokesters. Steve Hofstetter, one of the club owners, is shown in the photo to your left.

Steve was the first comedian on stage. I arrived shortly before he walked off stage and the next comedian, Moody McCarthy, quipped how Steve hadn’t exactly set the house on fire. But the night was young and the time soon began to fly as we were treated to a full barrage of laughing gas, some of which was delivered by comedians from Queens. Steve returned to do a second set, which turned out to be one of the more entertaining performances of the night.

Click here to view our full report about the Laughing Devil Comedy Club in LIC.

Jackson Heights 3 AM

Third Of A Trilogy About Jackson Heights

January 18, 2012 / Jackson Heights / Performing Arts in Jackson Heights / Queens Buzz. I just returned from previewing Jackson Heights 3 AM. It’s the third of a trilogy put together under the direction of Ari Kreith of Theatre 167 about the Jackson Heights neighborhood. The play is as mixed as the neighborhood, combining comedy, tragedy and romance to portray the late-night life in the multi-ethnic neighborhood of Jackson Heights.

The cast of actors and actresses did a great job of caricaturing a wide swath of late night personas, as they drew us into the post midnight hours along Roosevelt Avenue; journeying into some of the drama and humor that might generally accompany a late night voyage into NYC urbanity in northwestern Queens.

Click here to read our review of Jackson Heights 3 AM by Theatre 167.

Remediation Of Newtown Creek Begins In Queens & Brooklyn

After 150 Years Of Environmental Destruction, Remediation Of Newtown Creek Begins

January 21, 2012 / Long Island City, Sunnyside, Maspeth & Brooklyn / Green in Queens / Queens Buzz. Every good process begins with information gathering, so that the decision makers have all of the relevant information they need to make sound decisions. After the information gathering / research is done, and the decisions are made, then the actual execution of the [clean up] process begins.

And so it was that on October 27, 2011, I visited the Newtown Creek Superfund Public Meeting – Queens at LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City. There were more than ten representatives, largely from various departments within the EPA, on hand to answer questions and provide information to the public about how the federal government process to clean up Newtown Creek.

Click here to learn more about the history and EPA clean up of Newtown Creek which shapes the border between Queens and Brooklyn.

Persona Performa - Ming Wong At MOMI

Museum of the Moving Image Steps Out In Astoria

January 21, 2012 / Astoria / Film in Queens / Queens Buzz. People were lined up outside of the Museum of the Moving Image [MOMI] on both Thursday and Friday nights. They were waiting to see Ming Wong’s performance art production entitled Persona Performa. The production title tidily summed up its essence – an art performance based on an Ingmar Bergman film entitled Persona, which was being performed for Performa 11, the fourth biennial visual arts festival in NYC.

Artistic director, Ming Wong, developed the piece during his residency at MOMI in 2011. He told us that the inspiration for the production came from the minimalist architecture of the museum and an Ingmar Bergman film, Persona, which is generally believed to be one of the ten best works of cinematic art.

Click here to read our report of Ming Wong Persona Performa at the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria.

Public & Private Lives Converge in Urbanity

December 12, 2011 / Flushing / Art Exhibits in Queens / Queens Buzz. I visited the Crossing Art Gallery in Flushing Saturday for their opening of Personal.Spaces. The exhibit theme is about personal space in public places. An example of such is shown in the artwork to your right, where countless people are sharing public space, close enough to touch one another, but all living very separate lives. Living within their Personal.Spaces.

The Flushing art gallery did a nice job of dimensionalizing the theme through a number of different works from a multitude of artists, many of whom either work or live within the NYC area. Click here to view a brief report, including photos of the Personal.Spaces art exhibit at the Crossing Art Gallery in Flushing.

Things To Do In Queens - December 2011

Queens NY / December 2011. This Queens events calendar contains notices of things to do in Queens NY including art exhibitions, films, theater, live music, comedy, dance, sports social events, classes, and restaurant reviews for the Astoria, Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, Long Island City, LIC, Sunnyside, Woodside, Jamaica, Forest Hills, Flushing, Corona neighborhoods in Queens NY for December 2011.

Click here to view the Things To Do In Queens during the month of December 2011.

The Wedding ... Community Theater With Redemptive Theme

Can One Marry A Billionaire And Still Keep Their Sense of Self?

December 12, 2011 / Jamaica / Theater in Queens / Queens Buzz. Saturday afternoon I made my way to the York Performing Arts Center in the Jamaica neighborhood of Queens to see a new play entitled The Wedding.

The play was written by Beverly Morrison Caesar for Arts in Christian Theatre [ACT] which is associated with the Pentecostal Church on Guy Brewer Blvd. Beverly’s plays contain a redemptive message and are performed by volunteers from the church and surrounding community.

I spoke to Beverly about how the play originated and how she combined theater, pantomime and a fashion show all in one grand performance. Click here to read more about The Wedding at the York Performing Arts Center in Jamaica Queens.

Women's Accessories, Hand Bags & Fashion Jewelry in Jackson Heights & Queens

This page contains the map and link to the home page of Charms & Glitters a women's accessories, hand bags, women's fashion jewelry store selling rings, bracelets, necklaces, watches in the Jackson Heights neighborhood of Queens NY.

Click here to view the map and home page link of one of the leading retailers of women's accessories and fashion jewelry in Jackson Heights, near Corona in Queens.

Figgy Pudding Short Play Fest

Xmas Comedy at Café Marlene in Sunnyside

December 1, 2011 / Sunnyside / Theater in Sunnyside / Queens Buzz. Sofia Geier, founder of the Unity Stage Company, has put together a comedic treat of nine quick one act plays that draw upon holiday traditions, providing cheer by cynically poking fun at people, places and patches out of the spirit of Christmas past ... and present.

I attended one of their dress rehearsals several days prior to opening night. The plays included some sharp turns in the road and a small sag in the middle. But the general production quality, playwrights' humor and professional acting kept me amused for most of the hour and a half the plays ran.

Click here to read more about the Unity Stage Company’s nine one act plays in the Figgy Pudding Play Fest at Café Marlene running Thursday through Sunday, December 1 – 4, beginning at 8 pm.

Things To Do In Queens - November 2011

Queens NY / November 2011. This Queens events calendar contains notices of things to do in Queens NY including art exhibitions, films, theater, live music, comedy, dance, sports social events, classes, and restaurant reviews for the Astoria, Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, Long Island City, LIC, Sunnyside, Woodside, Jamaica, Forest Hills, Flushing, Corona neighborhoods in Queens NY for November 2011.

Click here to view the Things To Do In Queens during the month of November 2011.

Sunnyside Christmas Tree Lighting 2011

T'is The Season To Be Jolly

November 28, 2011 / Sunnyside Neighborhood / Queens Buzz. It's hard to believe another year has gone by. On Tuesday, the Queens Chamber of Commerce held its annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Sabba Park on Queens Blvd and 50th Street, marking such an occasion.

It was a warm, wet night, with temperatures in the 60's. The rain came down lightly and intermittently, but just enough to ward off any sort of large gathering, like the one that had assembled last year.

Click here to view our report and photo slide show of the Sunnyside Christmas Tree Lighting of 2011.

The Rockaways In Queens - Map & Transit Info

Queens Buzz. This is a map of the Rockaways peninsula in Queens.  The map includes directions on how to get to the Rockaways peninsula and surrounding communities via public transit and by car.

Click here to view our map with transit directions to the Rockaways neighborhoods in Queens.

History of the Rockaways

Retired Salesman Busy Saving Queens Past

November 6, 2011 / Flushing Neighborhood / Queens History / Queens Buzz. Marty Nislick is a former Rockaways native and a retired salesman. But he's only retired from his job, not his life; especially his life as a youth growing up in the Rockaways.

Over the past few years Marty's interest in the history of the Rockaways neighborhoods of his youth has grown from a hobby to a passion. And from the day I met Marty Nislick at the Queens Historical Society in Flushing, I began to understand why. The photo to your right was taken on July 4th 1954 and featured on the front page of Life Magazine in the 1950's.

Click here to read more about the history of the Rockaways in Queens.

Queens Greeks Give Thanks By Sharing

Greek Homeowners Association Feeds Thousands

November 24, 2011 / Queens Buzz. On Thanksgiving Day I was the witness to an event I had wanted to attend for years - the Greek Homeowners Thanksgiving Lunch. Every year, since 1989, the Greek Homeowners Association has been feeding hundreds and then growing to thousands on Thanksgiving Day. I had heard about this event numerous times, and I had been wanting to attend for years.

The Greek Homeowners Association is located along 31st Street just north of 30th Avenue in Astoria. Their quarters are in a modest two story building, which one could normally walk by without noticing, but not on Thanksgiving Day. On Thanksgiving Day, outside the Association, there were people milling about, as well as many coming and going ...

You can see a some of the action in the photo above left. Click here to view our report including a photo slide show of the Greek Homeowners Association Thanksgiving Day lunch in Astoria Queens.

Holiday Sales In Queens

Holiday Weekend Sales In Queens

Throughout December, many local shops are making special offers, offering special holiday promotions and deals on merchandise at their local stores in the Astoria, LIC, Sunnyside and Jackson Heights neighborhoods of Queens.  To take advantage of these Christmas sales and holiday special offers, discounts and deals in Queens, click the link below.  Be sure to mention that you saw their ad [here] to qualify for the promotional offer.

Click here to view a full listing for holiday deals, discounts and xmas and Christmas sales in Queens .

Maids – Final Installment

Mutation From Original Themes, Into Exploration Of Time

November 5, 2011 / Long Island City / Theater in Queens / Queens Buzz. I just returned from watching the final installment of Maids. Maids was a four production work put on by the LaGuardia College Performing Arts Center [hereafter referred to as LPAC] in Long Island City. While the germ of the work was based on a Jean Genet play, the play only served as the starting point for what was an experimental work created by Handan Ozbilgin, Assistant Artistic Director of LPAC.

It’s been said, that “art should make one feel uncomfortable”. One of the goals of art is to challenge one’s perspective, move one out of their comfort zone, get one to see things in a different light and make one think about things. And so it was tonight that … click here to read the rest of our review of the final installment of Maids – experimental theater in LIC Queens.

Photos - NYC Marathon Queens 2011

November 7, 2011 / Long Island City / Queens Buzz. It was a beautiful day for a marathon. The temperatures were in the low 60's and it was sunny and dry. About 47,438 runners came through Long Island City and we photographed quite a few of them, along with the crowd that gathered outside to greet them.

We plan to add quite a few more photos, but we thought you might be interested in browsing through over 100 photos we selected in a slide show.

Slick here to view our report and see the slide show containing photos of the NYC Marathon in Queens 2011. And have a nice week.

Wedding Halls In LIC & Queens - The Foundry

Queens Buzz.  This map provides the map and home page link to The Foundry - one of the leading wedding halls in Queens / LIC / Long Island City.

Click here to see the map and home page link to The Foundry - one of the leading wedding halls in Queens / LIC / Long Island City.

Things To Do In Queens - October 2011

Queens NY / October 2011. This Queens events calendar contains notices of things to do in Queens NY including art exhibitions, films, theater, live music, comedy, dance, sports social events, classes, and restaurant reviews for the Astoria, Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, Long Island City, LIC, Sunnyside, Woodside, Jamaica, Forest Hills, Flushing, Corona neighborhoods in Queens NY for October 2011.

Click here to view the Things To Do In Queens during the month of October 2011.

NYC Marathon in Queens

Best Viewing Times & Best Viewing Locations for NYC Marathon

Novewmber 3, 2011 / Long Island City Neighborhood / Sports in Queens / Queens Buzz. This section of the site is dedicated to the NYC Marathon in Queens.  The NYC Marathon comes through the Long Island City neighborhood of Queens.  Runners come storming over the Pulaski Bridge from Brooklyn to the south of us, run up Vernon Blvd, turn right onto 44th Drive and then head left toward the Queens Borough Bridge where they depart for Manhattan. 

While the lenght of the NYC Marathon course in Queens is less than a few miles, it provides one of the best viewing venues, as it's not as crowded as most others, it's conveniently located vis a vis the NYC Marathon starting and ending locations in Central Park, and it's a quick 5 - 10 minute subway ride from Manhattan NYC.  These days, though, Long Island City has a number of nice hotels at which one can stay for the weekend.

Click here to go to our section on the NYC Marathon in LIC Queens.

Queens Census 2010

For Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, Flushing & Woodside

October 25, 2011 / Jackson Heights Neighborhood / Real Estate in Jackson Heights / Queens Buzz. I just returned from a fascinating look into the Census data for Jackson Heights, Corona, Elmhurst, Flushing and Woodside.

Fascinating? Yes, fascinating. Fascinating because there have been significant demographic shifts in these neighborhoods over the past decade. And because Steven A. Romalewski, Director of CUNY Mapping Services, gave us a demographic map presentation, the likes of which I’d never seen before. Arturo-Ignacio Sanchez of Community Board Three added quite a bit of qualitative flavor to the presentation, reminding me of some of my best college professors [because he was knowledgeable and enthusiastic]. Danny Dromm, the NYC City Councilmember of Jackson Heights was the sponsor of this presentation.

But I digress. Click here to view our report on the 2010 Queens census [with exclusive emphasis on Jackson Heights / Corona / Elmhurst & adjacent neighborhoods], including slide show with many of Steven Romalewski’s slides and a link to an interactive mapping site.

QMA Hosts Boo Spooktacular

Kids & Adult Programs at the Queens Museum of Art

October 24, 2011 / Flushing Neighborhood / Queens Buzz. It was a frightening Saturday afternoon, trolls, ghouls and goblins were lurking about at the Queens Museum of Art. The ghouls and goblins had plans to make war, even while the head troll was issuing marching orders to a bevy of funked QMA scaretakers, who seemed to know what ghastly events lie ahead. Nonetheless, they listened with interest as the troll began to make her plans.

Click here by to read the rest of our report on the Boo Spooktacular and other kids & adult programs at the Queens Museum of Art.

Horticulture In Queens

Queens Historical Society Presents History Of Queens Horticulture

October 17, 2011 / Flushing Neighborhood / Food & Wine / Queens Buzz. This past weekend the Queens Historical Society [QHS] presented a history of horticulture in Queens. The society put together a panel of four experts, who took us back hundreds of years to Dutch colonial times when the Flushing area of Queens was a mix of farmland and swampland.

The panelists walked us through hundreds of years of spice trading, informing us from whence came many of foods we enjoy today. The presentation included live samples of herbs and roots, as well as recommended reading for one interested in the history or the botany of Queens horticulture past.

Click here later today to read more about horticulture in Queens.

Taste of Sunnyside

Restaurants in Sunnyside @ 2nd Annual Food Event

October 18, 2011 / Sunnyside Neighborhood / Food & Wine / Queens Buzz. It was a fine night for a food fest in Sunnyside, New York. So I sauntered on down to the Sunnyside Community Service Center to see what delectables awaited me at the 2nd annual Taste of Sunnyside.

There were 20 Sunnyside restaurants and four beverage vendors this year. All of which are located in the Sunnyside vicinity. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to sample all of them before the end of the first seating.

There were two seatings this year, and both were pretty well sold out … click here to read the rest of our report on the Taste of Sunnyside, including a slide show with photos of the food, many of the restaurateurs, and the folks who’d come to sample the fare of the restaurants in Sunnyside.

The Astoria LIC Film Festival

Film Festival Showcases Local Film & Musical Talent

October 16, 2011 / Long Island City Neighborhood / Fashion, Film & Music / Queens Buzz. I attended some of the weekend long second annual Astoria LIC Film Festival. The Astoria LIC Film Festival presented 54 new films, including documentaries, comedies, shorts and super shorts; and thirteen music videos. Dennis Cieri and Bonnie Rush are the founders and driving forces behind the event.

The opening and closing parties were held at the Z Hotel, which is one of the new hotels in Long Island City offering both a subterranean bar downstairs from the lobby, and a rooftop bar with a panoramic view of the city.

The films were shown several blocks away, at the Secret Theatre and the E-garage, which are in the same complex; as well as at the Variety Boys & Girls Club of LIC. I attended the music videos segment of the festival, which was curated and hosted by an LIC musician, Gus Rodriguez, Sunday night at the E-garage.

Click here to read the rest of our report on the second annual Astoria LIC Film Festival, including a review of many of the music videos, and excerpts from interviews with founder, Dennis Cieri and some of the festival producers, directors and actors.

Dutch Cuisine Past & Present

King Manor Presents Delicious Dutch Foods & Recipes

October 16, 2011 / Jamaica Neighborhood / Food & Wine / Queens Buzz. In tandem with the NY Open House and the Historic House Festival weekend, King Manor selected an historic food theme that would have pleased New Amsterdam Mayor Peter Stuyvesant.

There were two sections to this historic presentation. The first was a reenactment of colonial Dutch cooking by Diane G. Fish, who is a living historian with a specialty in Civil War reenactments. To the delight of all there, including myself, she’s also an avid foodie who’s well acquainted with Dutch cuisine. And the second section was a lecture and presentation by a renowned historian and food writer, Peter G. Rose. Peter took us back to the Dutch kitchens in the Netherlands of the 1700’s and traced the migration of Dutch foods into the colonial world.

Many of the things she would discuss, we had the opportunity to sample prior to the lecture … click here to read the rest of our report on Dutch cuisine & recipes in Queens New York.

King Manor Brings Dead Back To Life

Spirits Of Dutch & Colonial Queens Reawakened

October 15, 2011 / Jamaica Neighborhood / Queens History / Queens Buzz.  It’s easy to forget Queens colonial past some 200 - 400 years ago, as so much has happened since then.  But October is the time to reawaken long lost spirits and I’m happy to report I witnessed just such a reawakening at King Manor in King Park in the Jamaica neighborhood of Queens this past weekend.

New York Open House and the Historic House Trust got together this year and held their annual weekend extravaganza this past weekend, with food as the historic theme.  So King Manor put together a program celebrating Dutch cuisine and its influence on American fare, and in the process gave us a tour and an education about one of the signers of the U.S. Constitution and a strong, outspoken advocate against slavery.

Click here to read our report about King Manor and Rufus King in Jamaica Queens.

Astoria LIC Film Festival

Second Annual Astoria LIC Film Festival Oct 14 - 16, 2011

September 30, 2011 / Long Island City LIC / Fashion Film & Music / Queens Buzz. On Friday, October 14th the second annual Astoria LIC Film Festival begins. The weekend long event opening night begins at 6 pm at the Z Hotel at 11-01 43rd Avenue in Long Island City [212.319.7000]. The opening night is a social with a cash bar that will last into the evening where film goers will have a chance to meet and talk with producers, directors, actors and actresses and writers.

Simultaneously there will be entertainment provided at another of the film festival venues, E-garage at 44-02 23rd Street in Long Island City. An open mic begins at 5.30 pm, followed by improv at 7.30 pm and comedy acts beginning at 9 pm. The graphic to your right is of one of the films being shown this weekend, a comedy / drama about what happens in Park Slope following a neighborhood kid's mother's death.

Click here to read our report on the Astoria LIC Film Festival 2011.

Issues, Education & Opinion - Queens

Queens Buzz. This section is an issues, education and opinon section.  Occasionally we'll weigh in on a neighborhood, city, state, national and even international issue.

Click here to view our section on education, issues and opinion in Queens.

What About The Debt Ceiling Deal?

Opinion & Perspective - Here's My Two Cents

August 3, 2011 / Queens NY / Queens Buzz. These have been a grueling two weeks for anyone watching the budget battles on Capitol Hill. The Senate, Congress and Executive branches of government got into the ring and slugged it out until they [and we] were exhausted.

Democracy is messy. It's about debate. It's about proposing ideas, listening to the ideas of others, and then rounds of endless repetitive rebuttals. It's not as clean as one dictator, king or self-anointed group of cronies, neatly deciding what to do, with no argument, no transparency, and no say by anyone else.

Click here to read the rest of the opinion on the debt ceiling deficit reduction budget deal of 2011.

Columbus Day Parade - FIAO

The Federation Of Italian Americans In Queens

October 11, 2011 / Astoria Neighborhood / Ethnic & Religious Culture / Queens Buzz. I attended the Columbus Day Parade in Astoria on Saturday. The parade is organized by the Federation of Italian Americans or FIAO in Queens, an organization that celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.

There were about 1,500 people who marched in the parade which is one of the biggest parades in Queens. As I covered the parade, many of the folks watched the pageantry from along Steinway Street and from cafés along 30th Avenue. It was a sunny, spectacular Indian summer day, with temperatures in the low 80’s and little humidity.

Click here to read our account of the Columbus Day Parade in Astoria Queens, including a photographic slide show and an account of two Italians [Christopher Columbus and Amerigo Vespucci] contributions to the discovery of the Americas.

Sunnyside Gardens Park

Pumpkin Patch and Oktoberfest 2011

Membership Benefits & Dues

October 10, 2011 / Sunnyside Neighborhood / Green & Parks / Queens Buzz. This Saturday people from Sunnyside, Woodside, Astoria and further neighborhoods, made their way to the annual Sunnyside Gardens Pumpkin Patch and Oktoberfest. The day-long event attracted a larger crowd than I have ever seen there before.

Based on my photos and a quick and dirty head count, the event was likely attended by well over 1,000 people. We tried to photograph as many people as possible, as the slide show and photo album will attest.

Click here to view our report on Sunnyside Gardens Park including information about services, membership and dues, and the Pumpkin Patch and Oktoberfest event of 2011.

Fun, Unique Shops In Queens

Over the past few years we've spent a good deal of our time looking for fun, unique places to shop; as well as quality purveyors of services, in the neighborhoods of Astoria, Long Island City, Sunnyside, Woodside, Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, Corona, Flushing, Forest Hills and Jamaica NY.  The following is a list of those we found who spent a few dollars to show their wares on this site.

Click here to view our report, including links to maps and home pages of fun places and unique places to shop in Queens.

Landlord / Tenant Rights In Queens & NYC

An Introduction Into the Legal Framework Governing Landlords' and Renters' Rights

September 23, 2011 / Elmhurst Neighborhood / Queens Buzz. I attended a seminar on Renters' Rights sponsored by City Councilman Daniel Dromm. The panel was intended to provide tenants and landlords with an awareness of their rights and guidance to the proper city agency in order to obtain resolution of one's grievance(s). One statement I'll make upfront, is that comprehending the statutes and determining who has jurisdiction with respect to a grievance, isn't simple. Hence in the report that follows, we will try to provide some insight into the process, but recommend that you contact the city using the 311 telephone number to initiate any claim or to seek reference in defending against a claim.

Click here to read our report about rights of landlords and renters in Queens. This report to be posted Columbus Day Weekend.

Queens College In Flushing

NYC Educators Making Things Happen

January 26, 2011 / Flushing / Queens Buzz. The following report is about a recent visit to Queens College in Flushing. The school is public, but only receives one third of its funding from the state. And so the school has sought help from alumni of the college who have supported many of the college’s efforts to enhance its facilities and programs through private donations.

The result is that Queens College provides NYC & Queens residents with a very good college education at affordable prices.

Click here to read our full report about Queens College in Flushing including a look at the Colden Auditorium, LeFrak Concert Hall and the Godwin-Ternbach Museum.

Jamaican Jerk Festival Fiery Hot

Festival Provides Spicy Mix Of Food, Fashion, Music & Dance

July 24, 2011 / Jamaican Neighborhood / Fashion & Music / Food & Wine / Queens Buzz. I traveled down to the first annual Jamaican Jerk Festival having only an approximate idea of what to expect. I'd read about other Jamaican Jerk festivals and decided that the first one in Queens would be a good opportunity to check it out.

Roy Wilkins Park is on the southern edge of the Jamaica neighborhood, accessible via the LIE or via the subway to Jamaica Station and then the number 5 or 85 bus down along Merrick Blvd. They had situated the festival around the southern edge of the park, where there are trees which provided much needed shade.

My first stop was the cultural stage, where there music was played, models walked and wore new designs, and I saw Afro-Carribean dances performed. Jamaican jerk is a spicy hot culinary treat, generally added while the chicken or pork is simmering on the grill. Later this week you can click here to read more about the Jamaican Jerk Festival, including a slide show of photos.

York College Commencement 2011

Graduates Encouraged To Pursue Their Aspirations In Math & Sciences

June 3, 2011 / Jamaica NY Neighborhood / Queens Buzz. On Friday June 3rd, the 41st commencement of York College took place. Aprille Ericsson, Ph. D. was the commencement speaker. Aprille talked about her life, growing up in the middle of 20th century America, when African Americans were still fighting for equality.

She grew up in Brooklyn, was bussed to public schools, and demonstrated a high aptitude for mathematics and sciences, which enabled her to gain acceptance into schools with strong math and science programs. When she graduated she went to work for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, which is most frequently referred to as NASA. She spent the bulk of her career an Instrument Manager and Aerospace Engineer [aka rocket scientist] at NASA, working on various projects spanning nearly three decades.

Click here to read the rest of our brief report on York College Commencement 2011 in Jamaica NY.

St Markella Festival In Astoria

14th Century Saint From Greek Island Of Chios Honored

September 19, 2011 / Astoria Neighborhood / Queens Buzz. I visited the parish of St. Markella this Sunday as they were winding down their weekend long celebration in honor of St. Markella. They had closed the block on 26th Street between 23rd Avenue and Ditmars Blvd, creating a warm, relaxing, village-like feel to the public occasion.

The local parishoners had brought home made dishes of stuffed tomatoes, skewered lamb, mixed vegetables, moussaka, baclava and other desserts and delectables to celebrate the occasion. I talked with several people affiliated with the church including Father Michael. And in the report that will follow sometime in the future, we'll provide a bit of history and a slide show of St Markella in Astoria.

Tony Vaccaro WTC Photos In Astoria

September 30, 2011 / Astoria Neighborhood / Art Galleries In Queens / Queens Buzz. Tony Vaccaro, Life Magazine photographer, has a photography exhibit covering the birth, the life and the death of the twin towers of the World Trade Center on display at the Buzzeo Building in Astoria. I went to the opening and this is what I heard.

Tony got his start photographing the action of World War II as a young lad. His photos landed him a job at Life Magazine, providing him with opportunities to photograph famous people and places out of reach to most photographers. Tony photographed famous artists, such as Pablo Picasso and Jackson Pollack, as well as famous architects, such as Frank Lloyd Wright and La Corbusier. His interest and work photographing people, art and architecture lead him more deeply into that world.

Click here to read the rest of our story about the exhibit and story as told by Tony Vaccaro through his photos of the twin towers of the World Trade Center covering the period from 1957 - 2001.

Compost Solstice: Oh, Home On The Grange …

... no deer or antelope seen playing on Queens’ Brooklyn Grange

September 30, 2011 / Long Island City LIC / Green Queens / Queens Buzz. I took a quick trip out to the country Friday night, boarding the 747 elevator at 37-18 Northern Blvd in LIC [bordering Astoria & Sunnyside], and landing on the building rooftop where there’s a large spread of land used for urban farming called the Brooklyn Grange [we’ll tell you more about the name later in the story].

The occasion for my foray up to the rooftop farm was the Western Queens Compost Initiative’s [WQCI] first annual Compost Solstice. The fundraising event had been postponed a week due to the inclement weather last Friday. The WQCI is a program started by Stephanos Koullias with the help of some Con Ed money [won as a settlement from the 2006 blackout] and the support of Build-It-Green, which is a home improvement business in Astoria. Build-It-Green acquires and then sells / recycles building materials.

Click here to read our report on the Western Queens Compost Initiative's Compost Solstice at the Brooklyn Grange.

Things To Do In Queens - September 2011

Queens NY / September 2011. This Queens events calendar contains notices of things to do in Queens NY including art exhibitions, films, theater, live music, comedy, dance, sports social events, classes, and restaurant reviews for the Astoria, Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, Long Island City, LIC, Sunnyside, Woodside, Jamaica, Forest Hills, Flushing, Corona neighborhoods in Queens NY for September 2011.

Click here to view the Things To Do In Queens during the month of September 2011.

Vitamins & Supplements In Jackson Heights

This page contains the map and link to the home page of Jackson Heights Health Foods & vitamin shop in the Jackson Heights neighborhood of Queens NY.

Click here to view the map and home page link of one of the leading vitamin and supplements shops in Jackson Heights - Jackson Heights Health Foods store.

Queens Restaurant Week 2011

Restaurants in Queens

Queens Neighborhoods / September 26, 2011 / Queens Buzz. Queens Restaurant Week runs eight days over the course of two weeks.  There are about 80 restaurants in Queens participating in the event.  Queens provides one of the most diverse choices of authentic ethnic cuisines in the world.  The diverse selection of cuisines, offered by native restaurateurs, is gradually growing to challenge Manhattan as the destination for authentic ethnic restaurants in New York.

Click here to view the list of restaurants in Queens participating in Queens Restaurant Week 2011.

Flushing Bank Map

Queens NY / Queens Buzz. This maps shows the location of the Flushing Bank branches in the neighborhoods of Astoria, Auburndale, Bayside, Flushing and Forest Hills in Queens.  Click here to view a map of the Flushing Bank branches in Queens, including link to contact info and website link.

Sunnyside Shorts / Flicks In The Park

September 10, 2011 / Sunnyside Neighborhood / Queens Buzz. It was a comfortable Saturday evening as I headed into Sunnyside Gardens Park. Upon arrival I met Sherri Gamilin, one of the four producers of the event. A small crowd had already gathered and a local blues band was setting up. In the photo to your right are members of the audience who came to watch Sunnyside Shorts and Flicks In The Garden in Sunnyside Gardens Park.

Sherri talked about the changes made to the festival this year. They added live music, the Broken Hearted Blues Band, and joined forces with the organizers of the first annual ‘Flicks In The Garden’. Click here to read our full report, including synopses of the films shown and photos of the Sunnyside Shorts and Flicks In The Garden Film Festival.

Things To Do In Queens - August 2011

Queens NY / August 2011. This Queens events calendar contains notices of things to do in Queens NY including art exhibitions, films, theater, live music, comedy, dance, sports social events, classes, and restaurant reviews for the Astoria, Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, Long Island City, LIC, Sunnyside, Woodside, Jamaica, Forest Hills, Flushing, Corona neighborhoods in Queens NY for August 2011.

Click here to view the Things To Do In Queens during the month of August 2011.

Hurricane Irene In Queens

Weather System Impact On Queens, Evacuation Centers & NYC Emergency Response Decision

August 28, 2011 / LIC Long Island City Neighborhood, Astoria Neighborhood & Sunnyside Neighborhood / Queens Buzz. I spent quite a bit of time traveling the streets of Queens this weekend where I learned more about NYC’s new Office of Emergency Management and emergency shelters in Queens. I also spoke to quite a few folks both before and after the weather system arrival and I’m going to share with you some tidbits from those conversations, which may help put things in perspective.

We’re going to start with the Evacuation Shelters, one of which we toured at Aviation High School on Queens Blvd in Long Island City. And we’re going to end with photos of the aftermath, at least what there was, including a brief discussion of the economic impact of essentially shutting down the city for 2 – 3 days. The photo above shows some cots inside one of the Queens evacuation centers and the photo to your right shows a fallen tree limb Sunday morning along Skillman Avenue in Sunnyside.

Click here to read more about Hurricane Irene in Queens.

Extra, Extra ... Read All About It

Queensboro Bridge Uprooted From East River ... Appears To Be Heading West

August 27, 2011 [1 pm] / Queens NY and a little town in Kansas / Queens Buzz Exclusive - Part One Of Series During Hurricane Irene. I wouldn't have believed it myself if ace reporter, Dorothy Gale and her trusty side kick Toto, had not brought back this photo.

But seeing is believing, and there's no doubt that Hurricane Irene swept the Queensboro Bridge right out of its footings along the East River, and reportedly, the bridge was heading west ... possibly in the direction of Kansas, ace reporter Dorothy's home state.

We were unable to reach the Mayor and Queensborough President to find out when the bridge would be restored. However, according to unidentified sources who are closely attuned to this exclusive report, there are plans to track the bridge, find where it ultimately lands, transport it back here, and then work through the remainder of the weekend to restore the bridge so that it's operational - in tandem with the restoration of MTA transit services - late Sunday or sometime Monday morning.

Click here for our ongoing exclusive coverage of Hurricane Irene in Queens.

Rock Concert Dampened By Weather

… but the music played on …

August 21, 2011 / Astoria / Live Music / Queens Buzz. The Astoria Music Now venue had to be changed early Sunday morning due to weather forecast predicting severe thundershowers similar to what we saw a week ago. To make matters worse, it didn’t rain Sunday until after 4 pm, and even then it was only a quick light shower … but for those who followed the Astoria Music Now musicians into the Astoria performance venues around the neighborhood ... the music played on.

Given that the venues were dispersed around Astoria, we saw far fewer performances than in prior years, so we’ll link back to prior reports to give you a flavor of the concert musicians because there were a number of returning bands this year.

We started at the Quays where we saw two new comers to the festival: The Sorely Missed and Jon Christopher who performed with two new accompanists - Jason playing bass guitar and Ben Nathan percussionist [see photo above]. Click here to read more about the Astoria Music Now - rock concert in Queens.

iVote In Jackson Heights

Legal Residency, Citizenship & Voting Rights In Queens

August 20, 2011 / Jackson Heights Neighborhood / Queens Buzz. I attended the iVote Festival in Jackson Heights on Saturday to see what it was all about. The event was sponsored in part by the Humanist Party, which wants to restore “an old practice” of allowing legal residents the right to vote in municipal elections where they work, live and pay taxes. According to sources at this event, there are currently 1.3 million legal residents in New York City who don't have any voting rights in NYC.

We were told that by some estimates, 60% of Jackson Heights residents are legal residents who have no representation in local government. Apparently obtaining U.S. Citizenship is far more difficult that just passing a test. Click here to read more about legal residency, citizenship and voting rights in Queens which were discussed at the iVote Festival in Jackson Heights neighborhood.

Jamaica JAMS

Good Music, Food, Variety & A Good Time

August 6, 2011 / Jamaica Neighborhood / Live Music / Queens Buzz. The folks in Jamaica sure know how to throw a party. I enjoyed Jamaica JAMS this year far more than last year, because the weather was much more comfortable and the streets weren’t quite so crowded. This year I went in the late afternoon of the second day of the two-day event.

Jamaica JAMS is a big Street Musical Festival and Shopping Fair. There were somewhere between a half dozen and dozen musical acts performing Saturday afternoon / evening and hundreds of vendors.

Click here to view a slide show and read more about the Jamaica JAMS Street Music Festival in Jamaica.

What's Playing At 78th Playstreet?

Closed Street Quickly Becomes Intrinsic Part Of Park

August 5, 2011 / Jackson Heights Neighborhood / Queens Buzz. I went to check out Friday Night At The Movies, which spontaneously began the last week in July on 78th Playstreet next to Travers Park in Jackson Heights. Don and Katha Cato, organizers of the Queens World Film Festival, came up with the idea. And they implemented it with the help of a few friends, notably Elliott and Elena Madison of the Jackson Heights Green Alliance.

The weekly Friday Night At The Movies on 78th Playstreet will continue Friday, August 12th beginning at dusk [between 8 and 9 pm] at 78th Playstreet, which is adjacent to Travers Park and provides additional recreational space for families and kids living nearby in Jackson Heights.

Recycling Indie Films – New Green Initiative

The films being aired are from the first Queens World Film Festival. The films shown the night I attended included 38 minutes of shorts, and … Click here to read more about Friday Night At The Movies At 78th Playstreet.

Things To Do In Queens - July 2011

Queens NY / July 2011. This Queens events calendar contains notices of things to do in Queens NY including art exhibitions, films, theater, live music, comedy, dance, sports social events, classes, and restaurant reviews for the Astoria, Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, Long Island City, LIC, Sunnyside, Woodside, Jamaica, Forest Hills, Flushing, Corona neighborhoods in Queens NY for July 2011.

Click here to view the Things To Do In Queens during the month of July 2011.

Musical Saw Festival 2011 In Astoria

What’s The Buzz – Tell Me What’s A Happening

July 16, 2011 / Astoria Neighborhood / Live Music / Queens Buzz. I attended the 9th annual Musical Saw Festival this year. It was held at the Hellenic Cultural Center just off Crescent Street in Astoria. And while I had read about the festival for the past two years, and seen videos of it on the internet last year, I can now assure you that it’s not nearly as good as being there.

I arrived midway through the four-hour festival and many of the headlining talent had finished playing. But as a novice whose sole interest was to experience the festival, exactly who was playing didn't matter as much as it might to an aficionado. I had come to see, hear and talk to people who play music on their saws.

Click here to read more about and see photos of the Musical Saw Festival in Astoria Queens NYC.

Space Womb Births New Talent

Color & Gray Exhibit Open Through Friday

July 16, 2011 / Long Island City Neighborhood / Art Galleries / Queens Buzz. I attended the opening reception of a new photography exhibit at the Space Womb gallery in Long Island City. Space Womb opened a couple of years ago on Jackson Avenue on the street level of the 5 Pointz building located across from PS1 Moma.

The exhibit featured nine artists, seven of whom immigrated from Korea. This lent an Asian accent to the opening and provided a different lens through which one could experience NYC through art photography, as many of the photos shown in the exhibit were taken in the NYC metro area.

The exhibit was entitled Color & Gray and was curated by Ung-Jib Park. I had opportunity to meet and converse with Ung-Jib, as well as Jongwang Lee the Space Womb gallery manager, and eight of the nine photographic artists, about their works.

Click here this weekend to read our report and view photos of the Color & Gray photography exhibit at Space Womb in LIC.

Greening Western Queens

July 9, 2011 / Sunnyside / Eco-friendly In Queens / Queens Buzz. I went to check out the Greening Western Queens event which was held in Sunnyside on Saturday morning. I went, not knowing what to expect, and found the event provided a tree-mendous opportunity to learn more about what trees do for us, how to get involved in identifying places to have trees planted, as well as how to care for them.

The Con Ed blackout in 2006 hit areas like Astoria and Sunnyside rather hard. Following the blackout there were financial settlements made with Con Ed, one of which was a $7.8 million fund that went to NorthStar for the purposes of building more sustainable – and thus energy efficient – infrastructure in these neighborhoods.

I wasn’t aware that these two neighborhoods have far less tree coverage than the city average [which is 14% tree coverage] and hence require far more air conditioning to keep cool in the summer.

Click here to learn more about Greening Western Queens - including info about tree types, tree insects, tree mapping and tree care certification in Queens. You will also learn how you can become involved in selecting public and private tree planting locations in Queens.

2007 Sea Odyssey Returns Home

New Age Love Seafarers Contemplating Next Mission

July 1, 2011 / Long Island City LIC Neighborhood / Art Exhibits / Queens Buzz. I just returned from one of the more interesting evenings I’ve had in quite a long while. The Flux Factory kicked off a summer long exploration of NYC waterways with an interactive slide show presentation by Sonanya Ahmed of Queens and Reid Stowe, who according to the Ripley's Believe It Or Not, holds the record for being the longest voyager to remain at sea without interruption.

Sonanya was at sea for 306 days and Reid stayed out upon the high seas for another 846 days [Reid was at sea a total of 1152 days]. They sailed the Atlantic, the Pacific and bodies of water in between, charting their journey via a GPS satellite, creating journey path art and other artworks along the way.

The journey bears similarity to the sort of isolated endurance and self sufficiency required to travel to and from the planet Mars. So imagine packing for a trip where you’re not going to go anywhere near land for three years, and you’re going to have to survive with what you bring and nature’s bounty.

Click here to read the rest of our story about the kick off event to the Flux Factory’s Sea Worthy summer in Queens NYC.

Choosing Florists For Wedding Flowers In Queens

Wedding Flowers, Bridal Bouquets, Boutonnieres, Banquet Table Flowers In Astoria Queens

Astoria Neighborhood / Shopping Queens / Queens Buzz. As any Queens mother will tell you, planning your wedding isn’t an easy project. There are a mind-boggling number of details. And given your wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event, great effort goes into making sure that every last detail is perfect.

Wedding flowers play an important role in the aesthetics of your wedding as they garnish the visual background of the event and present a lasting visual remembrance in the minds and hearts of your family and friends. The Queens bride’s personal sense style are on display on her wedding day. The style reveals itself in the color of the bridesmaid dresses and and couture of the bridal gown, as well as through the ambient beauty of the decorative wedding floral arrangements chosen to decorate the wedding ceremony, wedding hall and wedding feast.

Click here to learn more about what to look for when choosing wedding flowers / wedding florists in Astoria Queens.

NYC Musical Saw Festival

8th Annual Festival Held At The Hellenic Cultural Center In Astoria

August 7, 2010 / Astoria / Queens Buzz. The 8th annual Musical Saw Festival was held at the Hellenic Cultural Center in Astoria. This fine art dates back to 17th century when woodcutting musicians around the world simultaneously began developing the saw as a musical instrument. In time a number of companies started manufacturing saws to cater to this part of the market.

The art form emerged in places as far away as Sweden, France and Japan; but we understand that America has emerged as the center of the art form. The Musical Saw Festival held in Astoria is the world's largest and the following report captures some of its flavor.

Click here to view a short report on the NYC Musical Saw Festival in Astoria. The photo to the left was taken by Pat Merino.

LEAP Showcases Dance In Queens

Sensuous, Dramatic, Traditional, Frivolous & Very Entertaining

June 17, 2011 / Long Island City LIC / Dance & Theater / Queens Buzz. I entered the Little Theater of the LaGuardia Performing Arts Center [LPAC] on a recommendation of the performances by Steven Hitt, Managing Director of the LaGuardia Performing Arts Center. Steven had been one of the pivotal people, who in collaboration with the Queens Council on the Arts [QCA], had put together the show.

There were six separate pieces by local choreographers, which were to be performed by about a dozen dancers. The variety of dances was analogous to a buffet given by a high end hotel that had invited six of the best restaurateurs to select one dish with which to serve their guests. Each of the choreographers had created works that were different from one another, ranging from Indian traditional, to modern dramatic, to Germanic sensual to … Superman.

Click here to view a slide show and read more about the LEAP Dance Project Showcase and modern dance in Queens.

Astoria Park Fireworks - Photos

4th Of July Fireworks In Queens NY

June 30, 2011 / Astoria Neighborhood / Parks & Sports / Queens Buzz. I just returned from the Astoria Park Fireworks display - easily one of the best fireworks displays you'll find in the country. The Astoria Park fireworks are done by the world famous Grucci Fireworks company, which is a family run business that has been in the fireworks business for over a century. While the highlight of the evening was the fireworks, it's worth mentioning that thousands sat comfortably on the Great Lawn of Astoria Park and were treated to an array of beautiful music performed by the Astoria Symphony.

Click here to read our report and view dozens of photos of the Astoria Park Fireworks 2011.

Free Things To Do In Queens

Free Movies, Films & Theater In Queens

Queens NY / August 19, 2011. This report includes a list of some of the free things to do in Queens this summer. 

Click here to view a listing of the dates and times of free movies, free films and free theater in Queens Parks 2011.

Things To Do In Queens - June 2011

Queens NY / June 2011. This Queens events calendar contains notices of things to do in Queens NY including art exhibitions, films, theater, live music, comedy, dance, sports social events, classes, and restaurant reviews for the Astoria, Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, Long Island City, LIC, Sunnyside, Woodside, Jamaica, Forest Hills, Flushing, Corona neighborhoods in Queens NY for June 2011.

Click here to view the Things To Do In Queens during the month of June 2011.

Free Things To Do In Queens - 2011

Queens NY / August 19, 2011. This report includes a list of some of the free things to do in Queens this summer.  Thus far this posting includes mostly free concerts and theater in the parks.

Click here to view our listing of free things to do in Queens during the summer of 2011.

Queen Of Angels Art Fair

Sunnyside Fair Becoming Established Art Sales Venue

June 18, 2011 / Sunnyside / Art Exhibits / Queens Buzz. It was a warm sunny afternoon in Sunnyside as I made my way down to the Queen Of Angels Church to view the work of about 30 artists. I went late in the afternoon, as last year there was a large crowd at the opening [after Sunday mass], and the numbers didn’t taper off until the end of the afternoon.

This art fair, like a fine wine, continues to evolve. The fair includes exhibitors from the Sunnyside, Woodside and other Queens neighborhoods, as well as from Brooklyn. The artwork on display is for sale, making it interactive so-to-speak, and it seemed like there was a fair amount of sales this year, although I can’t tell whether it’s because I know the artists better [and they feel more comfortable telling me such things] or because they sold more. In any case it’s for a good cause, as some of the proceeds also go toward the Queen of Angels Church. The eye shown in the photo to your left is the work of Casey Concelmo.

Later today click here to read more about and view photos of the Queen Of Angels Art Fair in Sunnyside.

Queens Art Festival All Weekend

Queens Art Express Events This Weekend

June 15, 2011 / Astoria / Long Island City / Sunnyside & Woodside / Jackson Heights / Flushing / Art In Queens / Queens Buzz. I just returned from an evening at the Kick Off Party for this weekend’s art extravaganza entitled Queens Art Express [aka QAX]. The reception was held in the main lobby of Kaufman Astoria Studios and attracted a crowd that included people involved in theater, art, history, dance and business in Queens.

The photo to your left shows the lobby of Kaufman Astoria Studios during the Queens Art Express Kick Off Party. Click here to view our story and photos of the Queens Art Express Kick Off Party.

Realtors In Jackson Heights - Beaudoin Realty

This page contains the map and link to the home page of Beaudoin Realty Group in the Jackson Heights neighborhood of Queens NY.

Click here to view the map and home page link of one of the leading realtors in Jackson Heights - Beaudoin Realty Group.

A Taste Of LIC 2011

Story & Photos Of Taste Of LIC

June 7, 2011 / Long Island City LIC / Queens Restaurants / Queens Buzz. It was a warm breezy evening as I made my way to the western most edge of Queens. There underneath the twin cranes overlooking Gantry Park were the festive white tents of the 6th annual Taste Of LIC. I was early and the 50 or so participating restaurants and food and beverage suppliers were busy preparing for the big feast. I walked around underneath the tent photographing and talking to those who would accommodate me.

The offerings looked delectable and the people staffing the booths were both knowledgeable and hospitable. There were a number of new entrants in the mix, making their debut on the Long Island City culinary scene. Click here to read our report with photos of Taste Of LIC 2011.

LGBT Parade In Jackson Heights

Report & Photos Of LGBT Parade 2011

June 5, 2011 / Jackson Heights / Ethnic Culture / Queens Buzz. I went to photograph the LGBT Parade in Jackson Heights Sunday morning. The parade started at noon along 37th Avenue around 88th Street. It was a beautiful day, with temperatures in the 70’s and a gentle breeze blowing through.

The streets were packed. There were easily thousands in attendance. And it was the one of the longest parades I’ve seen in Queens this year, lasting well in excess of an hour and a half.

Click here to view photos of the LGBT Parade in Jackson Heights and to read more about it.

Things To Do In Queens - May 2011

Queens NY / May 2011. This Queens events calendar contains notices of things to do in Queens NY including art exhibitions, films, theater, live music, comedy, dance, sports social events, classes, and restaurant reviews for the Astoria, Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, Long Island City, LIC, Sunnyside, Woodside, Jamaica, Forest Hills, Flushing, Corona neighborhoods in Queens NY for May 2011.

Click here to view the Things To Do In Queens during the month of May 2011.

LIC Arts Open

Art, Dance, Theater @ LIC Arts Open

May 19, 2011 / Long Island City LIC / Art Galleries & Museums / Dance & Theater / Queens Buzz. I attended an art exhibit and several dance performances on Tuesday evening in Long Island City.  These events are part of a ten day celebration of all of the arts in Long Island City.  The celebration will end this weekend but there’s still time to join in the fun [see front page story and Queens Events section for remaining events].

On Tuesday night there were eight artists featured at The Industry, each of whom was given the walls of a ground floor studio apartment upon which to hang their works.  All of the artists were from Long Island City, chosen by Jeffrey Leder who curated the event.

Click here to read more about the live art performance and photos of LIC Arts Open.

A Taste Of The World 2011 Photos

Fun Way To Sample Many Queens Restaurants

May 11, 2011 / Flushing / Queens Restaurants / Queens Buzz. I attended the 9th annual Taste Of The World at Caesar’s at CitiField in Flushing last night. There were over 40 restaurateurs who presented samples from their kitchens to a crowd that numbered in the mid hundreds.

It was a perfectly clear night, with temperatures in the 70’s and a gentle breeze passing by as I descended the subway stairs in front of CitiField. I took the elevator up to the club and found it bustling with activity.

Click here to read our review and view photos of the Taste Of The World 2011 in Flushing.

St Mary's Church LIC

Queens Buzz.  This map shows the location of St Mary's Church in LIC / Long Island City Queens.

Click here to see the map of St Mary's Church LIC / Long Island City Queens.

How To Start A Cultural Movement

Where Art & Culture Meet Immigrant Movement

May 1, 2011 / Jackson Heights & Corona / Ethnic & Religious Culture / Queens Buzz. I was out covering one story when I caught wind of another. The other was the Immigrant Movement which is an art / social experiment going on this year in the Corona neighborhood of Queens.

I happened upon it in late April when I noticed a large crowd standing outside of the Immigrant Movement building in Corona Queens. The crowd had an artsy look - a look I have happened upon in Corona only occasionally ... so far.

It seems the Immigrant Movement is a three party collaboration, lead by performance artist / social activist Tania Bruguera of Cuba. The project is funded by the Queens Museum Of Art which periodically takes avante garde art initiatives, as well as by Creative Time which is a modern art organization in the metro NYC area. This creative approach to art and culture was provocative enough to capture my curiosity, so I stepped through the doorway to find out more.

Click here to read more about the Immigrant Movement in Corona Queens.

Inside The Creative Process

John Jasperse Open Rehearsal At Topaz Arts In Woodside

May 2, 2011 / Sunnyside & Woodside / Dance & Theater / Queens Buzz. I visited Topaz Arts in Woodside Monday night, to observe an open rehearsal presented by John Jasperse & Company. Jasperse is a highly regarded contemporary choreographer and dancer. He is the creator of a number of award winning works, the most recent of which is Truth, Revised Histories, Wishful Thinking and Flat Out Lies. He is currently working on a new dance to be presented at BAM [Brooklyn Academy of Music] this fall as part of their Next Wave program. Next Wave showcases innovative dance, theater and music.

The open rehearsal began with Jasperse showing what are essentially draft dance pieces of his new work. There were a number of dancers involved in the project who performed while we watched and listened to the accompanying music on a portable player. As the event was an Open Rehearsal, the dancers weren’t wearing any costumes or outfits, but rather loose athletic clothing, the kind you’d expect to see them wearing while practicing.

Click here to read more about John Jasperse & Company open rehearsal at Topaz Arts in Woodside.

Five Boro Bike Ride 2011 - Photos

Queens Boro Bridge & Astoria Park In Queens

May 1, 2011 / Long Island City LIC & Astoria Park / Sporting Activities / Queens Buzz. This event begins at 9 am in lower Manhattan, so we expect the first riders by about 9.30 with the bulk of them coming through between 10 am and the leisurely ones leaving about 12 noon. The 42 mile course runs through Queens by coming off the Queens Borough Bridge and heads north along 21st Street to Astoria Park. There's a rest stop at the park, while cyclists turn around and head south, mostly along Vernon Blvd before leaving the borough over the Pulaski Bridge. Over 30,000 cyclists are expected to participate and over 1,500 people volunteer in the program.

Click here to view our report of the Five / 5 Boro Bike Ride 2011 Astoria Park Queens with photos.

Feared Immigrantula Seizes PS1

Hundreds Held Spellbound, Released Unharmed Late Saturday

May 1, 2011 / Long Island City LIC / Art Galleries & Museums / Queens Buzz. I have to admit, it was frightening. I was there and I saw it. The long feared 'Immigrantula' swept through PS1 Art Museum and captivated a spellbound audience Saturday afternoon.

I arrived at PS1 Art Museum around 3 pm. I had decided to check out the Saturday afternoon art performance entitled 'We Have Come To Take Your Jobs'. And even though it was a nearly perfect day outside, I found hundreds of people waiting for the performance to begin, in one of large rooms on the third floor of the museum. The lights were out and videos were playing on two large screens that hung along the back wall of the large room. It was hot and steamy, as drapes hung over the doorways, sealing the human heat inside. Modern music with a rock beat filled the space. It reminded me of a downtown Manhattan club in the late 80's.

Click here to read more about the live art performance and photos of Immigrantula at PS1 Art Museum in Long Island City LIC.

Things To Do In Queens - April 2011

Queens NY / April 2011. This Queens events calendar contains notices of things to do in Queens NY including art exhibitions, films, theater, live music, comedy, dance, sports social events, classes, and restaurant reviews for the Astoria, Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, Long Island City, LIC, Sunnyside, Woodside, Jamaica, Forest Hills, Flushing, Corona neighborhoods in Queens NY for April 2011.

Click here to view the Things To Do In Queens during the month of April 2011.

Greek Orthodox Easter 2011

St. Demetrios Procession Photos - Astoria

April 22, 2011 / Astoria / Ethnic & Religious Culture / Queens Buzz.  Tonight I attended one of the most interesting religious events of the year – the Holy Friday procession through the streets of Astoria by the Greek Orthodox Church of St. Demetrios.  It’s an ancient tradition, dating back thousands of years, and having come to this country from nearly eight thousand kilometers away.

St Demetrios Church services had begun two hours earlier, commemorating the holiest week of the year, on one of the holiest days of the year.  Holy Friday commemorates the death of Jesus Christ and the procession through the streets is a sort of symbolic funeral procession for Him.

Click here to read more about and view photos of the Greek Orthodox Easter 2011 in Astoria.

Economic Development In Queens

Deputy Mayor R.K. Steel Talks About 2010 - 2011

February 24, 2011 / Kew Gardens / Queens Business / Queens Buzz. I attended an address given by the NYC Deputy Mayor for Economic Development, Robert K. Steel at Borough Hall in Kew Gardens today. The event was sponsored by Borough President Helen M. Marshall and the Queens Economic Development Leadership Council.

There were somewhere close to one hundred people in attendance, representing many of the Business Improvement Districts, Business Development Corporations and Queens based businesses. The business people asked some tough questions following Steel's remarks, some of which were directly answered, and some of which were not. Click here to read our report on economic development in Queens.

Who Was Benjamin Pike?

Steinway Mansion Builder Made A Mint

April 17, 2011 / Astoria / History Of Queens / Queens Buzz. I had a rare opportunity to meet someone who was well acquainted with the story of Benjamin Pike Jr. Benjamin Pike Jr. was the man who built the mansion that was lived in for over fifty years by the Steinways of Steinway & Sons Piano in Astoria. During my efforts to report this story, I had here-to-fore found it very difficult to find much published about Benjamin Pike. Hence you can imagine my delight when I met Deborah Jean Warner, who had once curated an exhibit dedicated to the Steinway Mansion founder, at the Smithsonian Institution.

Deborah has curated many exhibits about the history of physical sciences and is the author of several books. Deborah's work in 19th century scientific instruments lead her to curate the Pike exhibit. When it comes to selling scientific instruments in America in the 19th century, Benjamin Pike Jr. was an innovator who loomed large.

Click here next week to read our full report about Benjamin Pike Jr., the founder and owner of the Pike Mansion, which later came to be known as the Steinway Mansion in Astoria.

Real Estate In Flushing - Willets Point

April 14, 2011 / Flushing Neighborhood / Flushing Real Estate / Queens Buzz. This winter I attended the State of the Borough Address given by Queens Borough president Helen Marshall and a month later I attended a speech given by NYC deputy mayor of economic development, Robert K. Steel. This report captures their brief comments about Willets Point condominium and retail development project, as well as a considerable amount of research I did following those two presentations.

In the following report we provide you with a history of the effort to transform the Willets Point area and an outline of the proposed plans and including a detailing of some of the issues associated with the proposed development. A graphical depiction of the Willets Point development is shown above.

Click here to read more about Willets Point real estate development project - controversy in Flushing Queens.

Sunnyside & Woodside Re-Zoning Plan

Proposal Moving Through The Process – Timetable Set

April 13, 2011 / Sunnyside & Woodside / Sunnyside Real Estate / Queens Buzz. Queens Borough president Helen Marshall highlighted the effort to re-zone Sunnyside and Woodside in her State of the Borough Address this winter. Following the release of the proposed zoning changes on February 28th, I spent time studying the proposal to re-zone the Sunnyside and Woodside neighborhoods and followed up with a representative of the NYC Department of City Planning to be sure I properly understood the proposed changes. It's worth mentioning that the rezoning changes were recently approved by Community Board 2, about two weeks ahead of deadline.

The thrust of the Sunnyside Woodside rezoning effort appears to be to standardize construction regulations within these neighborhoods in order to prevent out-of-character development, reduce commercial overlays, enhance street life through the allowance of sidewalk cafes and to set height limits on new buildings which is not specified in the existing zoning. Current Sunnyside and Woodside zoning only specifies how much you can build by way of limiting the Floor Area Ratio [FAR] – and doesn’t set limits on specific building dimensions, most notably building height.

Click here to view the timetable of the Sunnyside & Woodside Re-zoning proposal and to read the rest of our report, which includes a brief zoning history, and a summary of existing and proposed zoning changes including diagrams and photos.

People-Powered Green Symposium

Fourth Annual Going Green In Queens

April 12, 2011 / Flushing / Green & Natural / Queens Buzz. The fourth annual 'Going Green In Queens' environmental symposium was held on Saturday, March 26th, at the Al Oerter Center in Flushing Meadows Corona Park.

Hundreds of people, possibly more than a thousand, visited the green booths set up by a number of community organizations that are working to build a more sustainable / regenerative environment in Queens.

Booths included urban composters, community parks organizations, a solar panel provider, energy saving devices / alternative energy providers, an organic food group, sailing and bicycling groups .. and more.

Click here to view our report on Going Green In Queens 2011.

Home Insurance In Queens

Buying Home Insurance In Astoria, LIC, Sunnyside, Woodside, Jackson Heights, Corona, Flushing & Jamaica

April 12, 2011 / Queens Business / Queens Buzz. I did a bit of research into some of the things to think about when buying home insurance, condo insurance or renters insurance in Queens neighborhoods. This class of insurance is known as property & casualty. It covers assets, such as homes and autos from damage or loss for various events.

Insurance Underwriters – Home Insurance In Queens

We’ve all heard the term underwriter, but many people don’t know exactly what that means. The underwriter is the institution that essentially ‘takes the bet’ that they’re going to benefit more from the receipt of your insurance premiums than they’re going to pay out in losses. On some of their policies this will not be true, but on average it will be – otherwise they wouldn’t be in business.

Click here to read more about things to consider while buying home insurance, condo insurance or renters insurance in Queens.

American Meat - Unfinished Film

Documentary About Current State Of Food & Farming

March 7, 2011 / Sunnyside Neighborhood / Food & Wine / Queens Buzz. I managed to obtain an invitation to a screening of American Meat, which is an unfinished documentary film, at Cafe Marlene in Sunnyside. The screening was sponsored by Queens Harvest Co-op, which is an organization working to build an organic food cooperative in Queens.

The film is a rather eye opening look into how the economics of food / meat production in this country have taken us down an unsustainable path. A path which not only has significant health implications, but possibly even more dire consequences. The film provides an intelligent, behind-the-scenes look at how economics have been driving: 1) food production methods, 2) the composition of what's in the meat being sold at the grocery store, and 3) what we're feeding our children and ourselves.

The film was envisioned and began production in the spring of 2007 and the producers are hoping to finish it in 2011. Click here to view our preview of the unfinished documentary film entitled American Meat independent film at Cafe Marlene in Sunnyside and hosted by Queens Harvest Co-op.

Dance Festival Mixes Motion & Art

Green Space Blooms Festival

April 8, 2011 / Long Island City / Dance & Theater / Queens Buzz. I attended the first evening of the Green Space Blooms dance festival Friday night. It’s the fifth year of the Queens modern dance festival, which runs through April 17th at Green Space in Long Island City [see Queens Events for details].

There are about thirty dancers and choreographers involved in the festival, making it the largest event of this nature in the Queens thus far this year. On opening night, three dance companies performed their works, only one of which I photographed, out of costume at their rehearsal.

Click here for our review of the Green Space Blooms dance festival 2011 in Queens.

Things To Do In Queens - March 2011

Queens NY / March 2011. This Queens events calendar contains notices of things to do in Queens NY including art exhibitions, films, theater, live music, comedy, dance, sports social events, classes, and restaurant reviews for the Astoria, Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, Long Island City, LIC, Sunnyside, Woodside, Jamaica, Forest Hills, Flushing, Corona neighborhoods in Queens NY for March 2011.

Click here to view the Queens Events / Things To Do In Queens during the month of March 2011.

A Titan In Our Midst

Titan & Optima Foods - Greek Food In Astoria Queens

Astoria / Queens Buzz. Astoria has long been known as the Greek section of Queens and NYC. And for nearly 30 years Titan Foods has been serving the Greek section of Queens and NYC with imported Greek food. In 1991 Optima Foods, which is owned by the same folks as Titan, began operating as a mid sized importer and since that time has grown to become one of the leading distributors of Greek food along the eastern seaboard of the United States.

Click this link to read the full story about Titan Foods - Greek food stores in Astoria Queens.

Business & Real Estate In Jamaica NY

Real Estate, Realtors, Condos, Apartments, Prices & Market

Jamaica NY Real Estate / Queens Real Estate / Queens Buzz. This is the Jamaica Real Estate section of the site.

Click here to view reports about real estate in Jamaica Queens.

Business & Real Estate In Flushing & Corona

Real Estate, Realtors, Condos, Apartments, Prices & Market

Flushing Real Estate / Queens Real Estate / Queens Buzz. This is the Flushing & Corona Real Estate section of the site.

Click here to view reports about real estate in Flushing & Corona Queens.

Business & Real Estate In Astoria

Real Estate, Realtors, Condos, Apartments, Prices & Market

Astoria Real Estate / Queens Real Estate / Queens Buzz. This is the Astoria Real Estate section of the site.

Click here to view reports about business and real estate in Astoria Queens.

Business & Real Estate - Long Island City LIC

Real Estate, Realtors, Condos, Apartments, Prices & Market

March 23, 2011 / Long Island City LIC Real Estate / Queens Real Estate / Queens Buzz. This is the Long Island City Real Estate section of the site.

Click here to view reports about real estate in Long Island City LIC Queens.

Business & Real Estate - Jackson Heights & Elmhurst

Real Estate, Realtors, Condos, Apartments, Prices & Market

March 23, 2011 / Jackson Heights Real Estate & Elmhurst Real Estate / Queens Real Estate / Queens Buzz. This is the Jackson Heights Real Estate & Elmhurst Real Estate section of the site.

Click here to view reports about real estate in Jackson Heights & Elmhurst Queens.

Business & Real Estate - Sunnyside & Woodside

Real Estate, Realtors, Condos, Apartments, Prices & Market

March 23, 2011 / Sunnyside Real Estate & Woodside Real Estate / Queens Real Estate / Queens Buzz. This is the Sunnyside Real Estate & Woodside Real Estate sections of the site.

Click here to view reports about real estate in Sunnyside & Woodside Queens.