Hey neighbor,

This week’s neighborhood news has a little bit of everything: generosity, pandebono, mysterious storefront activity, pen pals, and one sad goodbye.

Some of you may know New York Turk, the social media creator who visits struggling restaurants and tries to give them a boost. He’s been dealing with serious health issues lately, and apparently he was not keen on accepting help himself. The team at nearby Greek restaurant Plaka decided to ignore that part. They started a GoFundMe for him, have been helping get him to doctor appointments, and the fundraiser has now raised nearly half a million dollars. A pretty wonderful case of someone spending years helping small businesses, then having that kindness come right back around. We’re wishing him a speedy recovery.

A few blocks away, the mayor paid a visit to bakery Seba Seba on Northern Boulevard and announced that he is “a Pandebono (Colombian cheese bread) fan”. The pandebono lobby remains undefeated!

There’s also some storefront intrigue (big thanks to Diana Latzanich for all the intel)! Somewhere Near, the cafe/deli/takeout spot around 80th/81st Street and Northern Boulevard, looks like it may finally be getting close to opening. Fuska House, across from the fuska carts on 37th Avenue, is also showing signs of life and looks like it may be going for more of a younger lounge vibe.

On the sadder side, Jia recently announced on Instagram that it has closed.

There’s also a new segment of the “Close Encounters of the 34th Avenue Kind” documentary online, if you want some local viewing material.

And if your preferred social network involves actual handwriting, Notes to Neighbors is coming back to The World’s Borough Bookshop. They match you with a local pen pal. No swiping. No feed. No mysterious recommendation engine. Just another human being who lives nearby. Very charming. Very pre-algorithm.

One last thing. Last week we asked how many riders pass through the Roosevelt Ave/Jackson Heights station in a year. The answer was 15 million, and 29% of you got it right.

This week we’re asking something you should have much stronger opinions about: where is your favorite neighborhood spot to sit with a laptop, read a book, or pretend you’re going to be productive? (click through to see what options others chose)

​Espresso 77​
​Qahwah Valley​
​Caffé Bene​
​Over the Moon Juice & Coffee​
​Santuario Cafe​
​Lety's Bakery & Cafe​

Cast your vote, then let’s see what else is happening around the neighborhood 👇

This Week in Jackson Heights

October 6–12, 2026

Featured Event

👋 Jackson Heights “New to the Neighborhood” Meetup | Thursday, Oct. 8 | 6–7pm | Queens Public Library at Jackson Heights, 35-51 81st St

New here, new-ish, or just want to feel more plugged into the neighborhood? Come meet some neighbors, swap local tips, and hear briefly from people doing interesting things around Jackson Heights, including Queens Public Library, El Barco de Papel, the 34th Avenue Open Streets Coalition, 82nd Street Partnership and First Tuesdays Literary Nights. It’s casual, friendly, and longtime locals are very welcome too. We usually head somewhere nearby for food or drinks afterward. RSVP encouraged. → Come meet your neighbors​

"We should totally get dinner sometime." (What if you actually did?) Break out of your usual routine. Join a curated dinner table filled with local neighbors who are looking for real connection, easy laughs, and memorable meals. Just great food and even better company. Join our next dinner on Tuesday the 20th

Tuesday, October 6

From Idea to Website: A Lovable Workshop | 6–8pm | Thikana, 7409 37th Ave, Suite 403 • Build a real website with AI, no coding required. Bring a laptop and an idea. Space is limited • $4.99 → Build something real​

First Tuesdays Literacy | 7–9pm | Espresso 77 • Poetry, prose and open mic energy. Sign-up starts at 6:30pm, or just come listen → Take the mic​

Wednesday, October 7

34 Ave Chess Club | 2:30–3:30pm | 34th Ave & 93rd St • Challenge a neighbor. All ages and skill levels welcome → Make your move​

Thursday, October 8

Jackson Heights “New to the Neighborhood” Meetup | 6–7pm | Queens Public Library at Jackson Heights, 35-51 81st St • Meet neighbors, get plugged in, and stick around for food afterward. RSVP encouraged → Come say hello​

2027 Sesión Informativa sobre Subvenciones | 6–8pm | Librería Barco de Papel Comunitaria • Aprende sobre GO Queens Grant y Arts Grants for Queens. RSVP requerido → Conoce las subvenciones​

Friday, October 9

20th Hispanic/Latino Book Fair | 6:30–10pm | Renaissance Charter School • Opening night honoring acclaimed author Ernesto Quiñonez. The fair continues Saturday and Sunday → Turn the page​

Saturday, October 10

20th Hispanic/Latino Book Fair | 11am–9pm | Renaissance Charter School • Books, writers and three days of literary celebration → Browse the book fair​

Filipino American History Month Celebration | 11am–4pm | Apicha Community Health Center, 82-11 37th Ave • Food, live performances, giveaways and community resources. Everyone welcome → Join the celebration​

Americana Pie Folk Fest | 7–10pm | Nancy Blake’s Tavern + Tap • An autumn night of original singer-songwriters. Very plaid-friendly → Hear some folk​

Sunday, October 11

20th Hispanic/Latino Book Fair | 11am–9pm | Renaissance Charter School • One more day to browse, listen and celebrate Latino literature → Catch the final day​

LGBTQ+ History Month: Coming Out Day Film Festival | 2–4:30pm | Queens Public Library at Jackson Heights • Queer short films, works in progress, a Q&A and light refreshments. All are welcome → Grab a seat​

Fall Layers: Watercolor Workshop | 3–4pm | Art Retail Therapy, 84-26 37th Ave • Fall colors without the pressure to be perfect. Beginners welcome, ages 12+ and adults, materials included • $30 → Pick up a brush​

Summer Sundays Plus: Gaston Kaisin’s Tango Urbano | 6–7pm | Espresso 77 • Trumpet meets bandoneon for an evening of reimagined Argentine tango → Feel the tango​

Monday, October 12

Community Class: Flow + Connect, Yoga Para Todos | 5:30–6:30pm | 2nd Story Pilates + Yoga • Bilingual Spanish-English yoga for all levels. Newcomers welcome • $10 → Find your flow​

More to do in Queens

In partnership with events newsletter Astoria Live - another local events newsletter well worth having in your inbox

Astoria Live All the events in Astoria, Queens Astoria Live is your weekly guide to what’s happening in Astoria, Queens — from live music and comedy shows to pop-ups, classes, and community events. Sign up for the newsletter to discover local gems and connect with your neighbors every week. Subscribe​

Street Heroes Gala | Tue Oct. 6, 5–10pm | MoMA PS1 • Street food, drinks, dancing, vendor power • $175 GA, tickets recommended → Celebrate the street heroes​

Las Áñez | Fri Oct. 9, 8–10pm | Queens Theatre • Colombian twin harmonies meet folk and loops → Hear Las Áñez live​

Kaki Lima International Skewer Festival 2026 | Sat Oct. 10, 11am–6pm | Kissena Boulevard • Come hungry for satay and street food → Follow the skewers​

En Comunidad: Flamenco at Socrates Sculpture Park | Sun Oct. 11, 1–3pm | Socrates Sculpture Park • Dance, music, sculptures, and audience participation → Feel the flamenco​

Muppets Tonight: 30th Anniversary Panel | Mon Oct. 12, 1–3pm | Museum of the Moving Image • Muppet legends, memories, and special guests • $17.50 adults, discounts for seniors, students and youth → Meet the Muppet makers​

Garden Zumba | Mon Oct. 12, 5–6pm | Moore Jackson Community Garden • All levels welcome. Bring water, bring energy → Dance it out​

Heads-up: times and places can change, so make sure you confirm event details with the organizers before you go.

And remember - this list is just a selection of everything that’s going on locally. You can check out full listings for more events at JacksonHeightsInsider.com/events​

High-Fives & Local Love

Shout-out to the brands keeping this newsletter going:

Own a local business? Help keep this neighborhood newsletter free and community-powered, with your logo featured above → Sponsor Jackson Heights Insider​

And a big thanks to our personal supporters: Richard Newman, Leslie Garcia, Rachel Schwartz, John "Sandy" Needham, Felice Amera, Emily Moore, Oda Friedheim, Joseph Faillace, Emily Hackenburg, Zach McCurdy, Diana Chery, Nikki Amberstone, John Capouya, Nancy Cardenas, Ursula Avelino, Philip Washburne, Paola Bakos, Joseph Varghese, RJ Harden, Barbara Goodwin, Patricia Marjoribanks, Sam Raker, Ankit Gupta and Arlene Gilbert.

Want to join them in supporting this newsletter? → Become a Jackson Heights Insider supporter here (and unlock extra perks)

Until next week! See you out there, probably somewhere between a pandebono and an competitive chess match :)

Jonathan (JBS)