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,...
12 days 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...
19 days 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...
26 days 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 1 month 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...
about 1 month 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...
about 2 months ago • 4 min read
Hey neighbor, It's a new year, we've got a new mayor in town, and yes - the old MetroCards are officially out. 2026 showed up, and Jackson Heights welcomed it like an old friend. Happy Noon Year kicked things off early with a daytime party full of music, dancing, kids, and parents pretending they were “just supervising.” It was such a joyful scene that it even got love from CBS news: Then later that night, wificita and I wondered over to the Queensboro and before we knew it, dinner turned...
about 2 months ago • 4 min read
Hey neighbor, The new year is almost here, but first we have to survive this cold - the kind of weather that makes even the pigeons look confused. The good news is you do not need to freeze on a train to Manhattan to celebrate! The party is right here in the neighborhood. Local spots like Himalayan Yak, D’Antigua, Queensboro, Café Salamanca, Parrilladas Sunrise, La Ruana Paisa, Salvaje Social Club, El Maguey, Terraza 7, and more are all gearing up for New Year’s Eve. There are so many...
2 months ago • 3 min read
Hey neighbor... If you’re already thinking about New Year’s plans, you’re not alone! We just dropped a Jackson Heights New Year’s Eve guide for anyone asking, “Where are we celebrating?” without wanting to leave the neighborhood. Dinner-first spots, late-night dancing, champagne toasts, midnight grape traditions, and a few places known for packed dance floors and joyful chaos. No Midtown prices. No long commutes. Very Queens. We also wrapped our second neighborhood dinner last week, and it...
2 months ago • 5 min read