Jackson Heights 11372, NYC's Garden Neighborhood

Finger Lakes, and Wine Too

2012-02-02T22:11:00.001-05:00

The Finger Lakes are awesome. There are dozens of wineries, among the area's many charms. The man who revolutionized Finger Lakes wine production, Dr. Konstantin Frank, who proved that delicate European Vinifera grapes could be grown there, is gone but his winery is celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2012. Spring is around the corner; while High Summer is the sweetest time to visit when time is limited, Spring is nice there too.
READ ALL ABOUT IT HERE.

NYC Bike News-Keep Cycling!

2012-02-02T17:25:00.001-05:00

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Five Boro Bike Tour

Registration for the 2012 TD Five Boro Bike Tour is open. Every year, the fantastic ride features 40-miles of car-free NYC streets. Be a part of the biggest cycling event in the nation!
This year, you can enter a lottery for a spot in the Tour, or join a charity team for a guaranteed spot. The Safe Streets Fund is an official charity partner. Join the team and help promote cycling in NYC.

Mixing Zones

Protected bike paths, like those on First and Second Avenue, have special areas called “mixing zones” that allow cars to merge with bicycle traffic in order to turn left. Mixing zones allow traffic to keep flowing smoothly rather stopping bikes and cars using separate traffic lights. Stay safe in mixing zones by merging in front of or behind turning cars as appropriate. Take the full lane and do not hug the curb.

Mixing zone on Second Avenue

Bike Share Workshops

Please join DOT staff and your neighbors at an upcoming Community Planning Workshop to discuss how you envision NYC's bike share in your neighborhood. Help shape the system by identifying the best station sites near where you live or work. Stop by anytime during the sessions. We want your input!

At the workshops, you can check out the bikes, share your ideas for station locations, and ask questions. Plus, pick up free giveaways (while supplies last)!

Check nyc.gov/bikeshare for a complete list of the workshops.

Winter Bike Cleaning

With a couple of days nearing 60 degrees this winter, why not ease your way into some winter riding? You’ll find that winter riding can be just as fun as long as you keep warm.
Winter can be harsh to your bike. Here are some tips for maintaining your bike during the winter.

Keep your tires pumped.
If you keep your bike outside, cold temperatures may cause your brakes to freeze up. Squeeze a little bit of chain lube into the cable housing can help melt it down.
Keep your brakes working by wiping down your wheel rims with a little bit of non-toxic cleaner. The grey dusty film can be stubborn, so you may have to do this a few times to get it all off.
Keep your chain and gears clean by using bike lube. The easiest way to do this is to slowly turn the pedals backward while dripping lube on the chain as it passes over the gears. Ten rotations should ensure good coverage. Lightly wipe excess lube by turning the pedals backward and gliding a rag over the chain.

If you’re looking to give your bike the spa treatment, try out these tips.

Manhattan Bridge Detour

The Manhattan Bridge bike detour is still in effect. Bikes should ride on the south side of the Bridge. The usual bike path on the north side has been narrowed by construction scaffoldings. Stay tuned for updates on the project, which will be coming to a close this spring.

Road and Bridge Closures

For information about street closures, sign up for weekly traffic advisories.

Free Helmets

DOT has distributed over 50,000 official NYC Bicycle Helmets for free to New Yorkers. Schedule a time to get an NYC helmet by calling 311. Check our events calendar for upcoming fittings.

Report a Problem or Send Kudos

Potholes
Street Construction Hazards
Missing or Broken Street Signs
Report a faded or damaged bike lane: Call 311
Other Complaints and Compliments

Share NYCycles

Wine Tasting, Right Now!

2012-02-02T17:19:00.001-05:00

Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser.

Reminder, tasting tonight(Thursday) 5p.m. to 8p.m.
There was a little confusion so we just wanted to clarify.

TABLE WINE- 718.478.9463

Reasons Why Jackson Heights is a Great Place to Live

2012-02-01T20:04:00.005-05:00

There are a lot of reasons to cherish life in Jackson Heights; just a few of them are the Subway options:

7, E, F, M, R.

How many neighborhoods in this town have so many rapid transit choices?

Of course there's also:

the interior gardens; the Indian food; the other ethnic cuisines; the closeness to highways to get you the heck out of town to anywhere, easily (except NJ!); that you can walk to your flight at LaGuardia (LGA), should you choose to do so; that you do not hear the planes at LGA in most areas most of the time.

If you bought 10 years ago or more you RE investment may've quintupled or better.

And it is just a great, interesting neighborhood, with amazing diversity.

Art Deco Gem in Jackson Heights-Marine Air Terminal

2012-02-01T19:59:00.002-05:00

Marine Air Terminal, LGA, former home of the Flying Boats

It is still here; and it is awesome.

Gluten-Free, Healthy Pre-Cooked Chickens, Nearby

2012-02-01T19:40:00.001-05:00

Gluten-Free, Healthy Pre-Cooked Chickens, Nearby

We try to eat organic meat most of the time. However, we can't resist Costco's cooked chickens, just $4.99 at the nearby Long Island City, NY store. After we heard some horror stories about mass-market chickens, we wrote to Costco and asked about the chickens they sell pre cooked. They responded to the question immediately.

Here's what Costco corporate had to say (this info may be out of date; we're trying to get an update from Costco):

"Gold Kist chickens are raised on more than 2,000 family farms around the Southeast. The chickens are cared for in large, open, environmentally-controlled houses. There are no cages or pens used in any of our operations. By living in enclosed houses, the chickens are protected from exposure to diseases from wild birds, rodents and other animals.

The feed is mainly comprised of corn and soybean meal. No hormones or steroids are used in any of our feed formulations. Chickens produced or sold in the United States contain no added or artificial hormones. The U.S. government strictly regulates all feed additives and has never permitted any type of hormones to be added to feed or otherwise given to chickens. Federal regulations also prohibit the use of added steroids in poultry.

When it is necessary to medicate chickens with antibiotics, the company’s licensed veterinarians prescribe the necessary antibiotic based on analysis of diagnostic laboratory reports and individual flock considerations. Therapeutic antibiotics are prescribed for less than 0.5 percent of chickens, and every effort is made to avoid the use of drugs of human health significance. Antibiotics used in feed are solely for disease prevention and not for weight gain, growth promotion or feed conversion. These antibiotics are generally considered not to be of human health significance."

No Bookstore in JH, But Who Needs One?

2012-02-01T19:37:00.001-05:00

The Jackson Heights Library: Better than a bookstore... in a lot of key ways.

Jackson Heights is a GREAT neighborhood, but it's far from perfect.

A key gripe: no bookstore.

We don't need a bookstore.

We have our JH QBPL library branch (81st St. btwn. 37th and 35th Aves).

It's better than a bookstore in one key way: the books are FREE.

If you don't know the great secret about getting the most from our little library, here it is:

You can get any book, repeat ANY book that's in the QBPL system, from the JH branch in a few days... ...a few days after you request it online, that is.

This online request system works nearly perfectly. Request your books, and if they're available, you can pick them up in 2-3 days.

Just go to WWW.QUEENSLIBRARY.ORG and search for a book and request it. (You'll need a library card and a PIN #, of course.)

And you don't have to find a place to store the books when you're done w/ them; just take 'em back.

(I know, I know... e-books. They're great, but physical books are still important. QBPL also has e-books. And FREE e-books are the very best kind.)

NEW BIKE Locking Stands on 37th Ave.

2012-02-01T19:33:00.002-05:00

One of the new bike locking stands on 37th Ave.; they're grated onto old parking meter stands.

We reported on new bike locking stands on 37th Ave. recently; they seem to be grafted onto old parking meter stands. We finally found some info about them. Read it here.

Bicycle sharing comes to NYC

2012-02-01T19:32:00.002-05:00

Bicycle sharing comes to NYC.

It works in other cities, such as Montreal and major European cities. WE SAW IT IN MONTREAL AND WERE QUITE IMPRESSED WITH THE SETUP, AND ALSO WITH HOW POPULAR THE BIKES WERE.

Can it work in NYC, where if it ain't broke, it ain't breakable?

Read about it here.

Great B&W of Marine Air Terminal

2012-02-01T19:25:00.003-05:00

READ SALON COLUMNIST PATRICK SMITH WRITING ABOUT OUR OWN MARINE AIR TERMINAL, HERE.

JACKSON HEIGHTS' OWN ART DECO MASTERPIECE, LGA'S MARINE AIR TERMINAL,

ONETIME HOME OF THE FLYING BOATS. (This building is still there, and still very cool. Never been there? Why the heck not? It is NOT TO BE MISSED. It is at the Western Edge of LGA, right by the water.)

THIS IS A LARGE-FORMAT PHOTO REPRODUCED IN HIGH RESOLUTION... ZOOM IN AS FAR AS YOU CAN, AND DIG THE INTENSE LEVEL OF DETAIL... YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO RECOGNIZE THE GUY IN THE PHONE BOOTH!

www.bwphotopro.com

Where B&W Photography Lives!

TSA on the Subways

2012-01-29T12:17:00.005-05:00

The TSA has a subway/rail security program.
Read it here.

NYBG, Still Awesome in January!

2012-01-28T21:34:00.003-05:00

LEAVE NYC WITHOUT ACTUALLY LEAVING: A trip to the NYBG from Jackson Heights is like leaving NYC... which is a good thing to do on a wknd.

Why/how is it like ditching town?

If you drive from JH there's never any traffic delays... at least we've never had any in dozens of trips. It takes 20 mins. to get there, door to door, so right away it is like leaving town (where else can you go in NYC that's this cool, in 20 mins.?). And it is a happy, stress free and beautiful place, with the best gift shop ever, a terrific cafe (superb Abigail Kirsch catering; the chili is great) and... wait for it, wild turkeys.

All in all it is a hassle-free & immensely pleasurable getaway experience, so that's why we say it's like leaving town without actually leaving town. (These photos, below, were all taken on January 28, 2012.)

Well, w/ late January weather like this, how could it not be great!

A Well-Reviewed Seafood Store

2012-01-26T17:26:00.002-05:00

Seatide Fish Market, at 95th and Roosevelt, is an outlet of a Brooklyn-based seafood operation -- you may've seen their trucks int he nabe recently, delivering to restaurants.

Seatide gets rave reviews online, but it seems most reviews are for the Bklyn. store, which sounds like it has more prepared offerings, such as soups, than our branch does.

The JH nabe store is pretty basic, although the fish looks good. But it is a small Roosevelt Avenue seafood store. Some prepared dishes are on offer, but we weren't terribly tempted by them. We were hoping for something more, obviously, and as we did not need any seafood (having stocked up at the Greenmarket) we didn't make a purchase.

We'll try it again and let you know what we think.

Another Early Ad

2012-01-25T17:54:00.002-05:00

An Early JH Apt. Ad

2012-01-25T17:53:00.002-05:00

An early ad for Jackson Heights Garden Apartments.

Reasons Why Jackson Heights is a Great Neighborhood

2012-01-25T17:51:00.002-05:00

There are a lot of reasons to cherish life in Jackson Heights; just a few of them are: 7, E, F, M, R. How many neighborhoods in this town have so many rapid transit choices?

Of course there's also:

The interior gardens; the Indian food; the other ethnic cuisines; the closeness to highways to get you the heck out of town to anywhere, easily (except NJ!); that you can walk to your flight at LaGuardia (LGA), should you choose to do so; that you do not hear the planes at LGA in most areas most of the time.

The year-round Greenmarket that is a near-complete fresh food/wine resource.

If you bought 10 years ago or more you RE investment may've quintupled or better.

And it is just a great, interesting neighborhood, with amazing diversity.

IS 145Q Park Open

2012-01-25T17:34:00.005-05:00

The new Schoolyard to Playgrounds park at IS 145Q at 79th St. and Northern Blvd. was open this afternoon, and it was being used. The park is not finished, but it is usable, and it seems like a good idea for it to be open. Why not?

GREAT WEATHER! GO OUT!

2012-01-25T17:31:00.002-05:00

A year ago today the NYC Metro area was being socked by the THIRD MAJOR BLIZZARD IN A MONTH (the blizzards were 12/26, 1/8-9 and 1/25-26).

Today we're blizzard-free so far this Winter, and in for a long stretch of mostly sunny weather with predicted temps mostly in the mid forties, through at least the first few days of February.

This is indeed cause for celebration -- the weather is actually nice -- in late January! And looking to be nice for the near future!

Go out! Run around... it is so nice out it feels good! Springlike!

Bike Share Open Houses, More

2012-01-25T16:17:00.002-05:00

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

DOT Safety Education News

New York is a multi-modal city, with many ways to get around

Diversify Your Transportation Portfolio!

“Any investment person will tell you that diversity is fundamental to a successful investment portfolio. That’s true for your personal transportation ‘portfolio’ as well. When you diversify your ways of getting around to include walking, biking, car-sharing, taxi, and, of course, public transit, you’re likely to find more money in your pocket, a healthier, more energetic body, and even new friends.”
-Michael J. Walk, Performance Management, Maryland Transit Administration

NYC's Transportation Portfolio

DOT maintains over 12,000 miles of sidewalk, 6,300 miles of streets and highways, traffic signals at more than 12,000 signalized intersections, over 300,000 streetlights, and more than 1 million street signs
There are 735 rail & subway stations, 2,047 miles of tracks, and 5,982 buses in the MTA system
Nearly 290 miles of new bicycle lanes have been installed since 2006 and commuter cycling has more than doubled from 2007 to 2011
Set to launch in summer 2012, New York City’s Bike Share System will have 600 stations and 10,000 bikes available to Bike Share members 24-7
In addition to NYCDOT’s own Staten Island Ferry, there are many waterway options provided by private companies for commuting and pleasure trips

How Modal Are You?

Did you know that in 2011 New York City was ranked the most walkable city in the United States by Walk Score? Check out Walk Score to learn more on the importance of walkable communities, and to find out your neighborhood's walk score along with maps, amenities, commuting suggestions and more.

But not everyone can walk everywhere they need to go. How do you get around the city? Do you walk or take the train to work, drive to the supermarket on the weekends, bike to the park?

Take our fun quiz and find out just how modal you are. Then, share your results with friends on Facebook!

DOT Safety Education Events

Ready to try a new transportation mode? Bike Share is coming to New York this summer! Check out an open house to learn more about this new way to get around.

Port Authority Bus Terminal
Wed., January 25
3-6 PM
Main level of the south terminal
41st Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues

Essex Street Market
Sat., January 28
12-3 PM
120 Essex Street (at Delancey Street)

Wine Tasting

2012-01-25T15:48:00.001-05:00

Feeling blue?
Monday just passed was supposedly the saddest day of the year. For us here at Table Wine it was kind of true. The chill rain kept everyone away and it was downright lonely. Then, the skies opened up for us on Tuesday and we reveled in the balmy weather. The weather is just wacky. Could it be Solar Flares? Are the Mayans right? Well, whatever the reason, we're hoping the more friendly temps will motivate you to come out this Thursday, the 26th of January, from 5pm 'til 8pm to say hello again to our sweet sales rep Marie. On the line up for Thursday we have an intriguing dry Tokaji from Hungary, a rustic Tempranillo from the Toro region of Spain and an organically grown Cabernet Franc from a family-owned domaine in Borgueil, France.

New and returning
For all you cocktail makers out there, we are now carrying Velvet Falernum. So come get your swizzle on. Our 1999 Gran Reserva Rioja is back in stock. There is a very limited supply of this vintage. It is a must try in my opinion.

Other happenings in the 'hood

There's music at E77 on Thursday too, so make a night of it! Don't forget to stop by to wish Rudy Volcano well in his new venture in the East Village. We'll really miss you Rudy!

Table Wine
79-14 37th Ave.
Jackson Heights, NY 11372
(718) 478-9463

Check out our case discounts
free delivery with $100.00 purchase

Finger Lakes Wine

2012-01-24T20:48:00.001-05:00

Finger Lakes wine is great... and the Finger Lakes are amazing, but that's another story. Not in JH, but this is a great store in LIC. Check it out.

Love New York Wine?  

On Saturday, January 28th, from 4-6 pm 
Court Square Wines and Spirits will be hosting our friends from
Fox Run Vineyards from the Finger Lakes for a tasting of two of their great wines!

Lemberger 2008
The aromas of blackberry, raspberry,

and freshly ground black pepper in this classic Finger Lakes Lemberger are complemented by rich plum and
black cherry flavors that lead to sweet vanilla, smoke,
and a spicy black pepper finish.

Finger Lakes Merlot

"Drink New York, Baby!"
Fox Run's newest red wine release delivers immediate appeal. Lovely flavors of juicy red berry fruits are augmented by scents of violets and spice.Very food friendly and refreshing.

Court Square Wine and Spirits

2420 Jackson Avenue

Long Island City, NY 11101

THE BEST PRICES IN LONG ISLAND CITY!

FREE DELIVERY!

FREE TASTINGS EVERY THURSDAY AND FRIDAY 4:30-7:30

Trade Fair issues, Co-op/Condo Meeting

2012-01-24T16:58:00.001-05:00

Council Member Daniel Dromm

Community News

Dromm and Local Residents Slam Trade Fair Supermarket for Being Bad Neighbor

In light of Trade Fair's pervasive violations of New York City laws and regulations, NYC Council Member Daniel Dromm and Jackson Heights residents recently gathered to call on Trade Fair ownership to comply with the partial vacate order for the illegal extension abutting the sidewalk on 75th Street, remove the bins of broken bottle glass around the recycling area and restore the tree pit which they have recklessly filled in with cement. For the full story please click on the video above. If you have further concerns regarding Trade Fair, please contact our office at 718-803-6373.

Reminder:

CO-OP/CONDO TOWN HALL

Join NYS Senator Jose Peralta and NYC Council Member Daniel Dromm to hear from a panel of experts on co-ops and condos!

WHEN:

Thursday, January 26, 2012

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

WHERE:

The Jewish Center of Jackson Heights

37-06 77th Street

Jackson Heights, NY 11372

Bring your questions about:

● The role of the board

● The role of management
● Shareholder & Owner rights

PanelParticipants:

Richard Drucker, Esq.

Larry Simms, President Alliance of Condo & Co-op Owners

GREENMARKET: No Cash, No Problem!

2012-01-22T15:49:00.002-05:00

Out of cash on Sunday am? Understandable, for all sorts of reasons.
It doesn't mean you can't shop at our Greenmarket.
You can buy wooden tokens w/ credit/debit cards at the Greenmarket booth and use them w/ all the vendors. Some, like Sun Fed Beef, will take checks and others, like Anthony Road Winery, take credit/debit cards right at their sales booth. (How does Anthony Road do that? It's a satellite link of some sort.)

Hot Bread, Cool WIne

2012-01-22T15:45:00.000-05:00

Where do the Farmers Stay?

2012-01-22T14:44:00.001-05:00

You might wonder how our hardy farmers manage to be in town and sell all this great food at NYC Greenmarkets day after day. How do they do it? Where do they sleep? Many stay at the Seafarers & International House, at 123 E. 15th Street, near the Mothership, the Union Square Greenmarket. It is said to be a great inexpensive place, and might be a good choice for budget-minded out-of-town guests.
See it here.

Get Hip to Ronnybrook Dairy

2012-01-22T00:29:00.000-05:00

RONNYBROOK DAIRY IS AT THE JACKSON HEIGHTS GREENMARKET ALL YEAR LONG... IF YOU DON'T KNOW HOW MAJORLY GREAT IT IS TO HAVE RONNYBROOK HERE EVERY SINGLE SUNDAY, NEARLY 52 WEEKS A YEAR, WELL, IT'S TIME YOU FOUND OUT!

Ronnybrook Dairy products, sold every Sunday at the Jackson Heights Greenmarket, are reason enough to wade into that crowded, somewhat chaotic scene. Their milk comes in glass bottles, their yogurts are the best we've ever had and their ice cream, well, the ice cream is stupendous. We've been Ronnybrook fans for about a decade, but we used to schlep several dozen yogurts home from the UN Greenmarket every few weeks. Now, w/ a Ronnybrook store in the neighborhood (OK, so their hours are somewhat... limited) we don't have to do that anymore. If you don't know Ronnybrook, check them out this and every Sunday am, on 34th Ave. at 78th Street.

New "NYC" Bike Locking Stands

2012-01-21T23:43:00.001-05:00

We reported on new bike locking stands on 37th Ave. recently; they seem to be grafted onto old parking meter stands. We finally found some info about them. Read it here.

One of the new bike locking stands on 37th Ave.; they're grated onto old parking meter stands.

Fairway - What to Get

2012-01-21T21:41:00.001-05:00

WE NOW HAVE A FAIRWAY LESS THAN 10 MILES AWAY, IN DOUGLASTON, WITH A PARKING LOT... WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!!!???

Fairway-What to Get There that You Can't Get Anywhere else

House Brand Items:

Fairway is famous for their house-brand Olive Oils, and justly so. You can taste them all in the store. In fact, you could probably stand there for hours doing nothing but that, were you so inclined. Anyway, these oils are great, and amazing, and we mean AMAZING bargains. Read about their oils here. We're especially fond of their Pugliese; it is better than butter in a bottle, and around $16.00 for a liter. HINT: want the world's best and cheapest gourmet popcorn? Pop Secret white popcorn, in a bag and usually found at Fairway. 1/3rd cup kernels, dry, in a covered pyrex bowl, microwave 4-7 minutes, bowl will be very HOT, be careful, sprinkle it w/ Pugliese, salt and season to taste..... warning, you'll get addicted to it.

Also: their house orange juice, tomato sauces, Organic milk and eggs, and their whole wheat and other mini-bagels. And coffee, etc, etc.

Organic Meat Heaven, Nearby

2012-01-21T21:36:00.003-05:00

OK, this one requires a car (or a lot of patience with #7 train/bus connections, and traffic):

Empire Market in College Point, Queens, about six miles from Jackson Heights, has been selling outrageously good organic meat since 1961. (They are not USDA-Certified Organic, so they call their goods only "chemical free, direct from farm to market." The family-owned store has been in business for 90 years.)

They make their own cold cuts, sausages and the world's greatest frankfurters right there. These people know meat, and it is all organic.

The beef is all grass fed.

Prices: lower than any other organic meat anywhere else.

A bit more pricey than your supermarket, but not that much more at all. And the superb quality & healthfulness is more than worth the ever-so-slight premium.

Their ground beef and chicken tastes (better than) the way meat used to taste, before it got industrialized, unhealthy and bland.

And they're the nicest people you'll ever meet.

This one is not to be missed. Click the hyperlink below, to go to their Web site (Don't be confused if their Web site doesn't mention organic meat; virtually everything they sell is organic, and then some.):

Empire Market

Gluten Free & Great Breading!

2012-01-21T21:33:00.002-05:00

Need a great gluten-free breading?

Nature's Path Organic Corn Flakes (fruit-juice-sweetened), usually available in big 26.5-ounce bags for $7.49 at our own Jackson Heights Health Food Store, make a tasty & terrific GF breading.

Throw the flakes in the blender, flatten an organic chicken breast to an even thickness, coat it in egg, cover it w/ these corn flake crumbs, pan fry (at high heat, with an oil that can take the heat) and take great care not to overcook but get it to golden brown, and with a bit of fresh lemon juice and salt you've got a GREAT dinner entree. Add some Chardonnay and you're in dinner heaven.

This coating cooks up to a gorgeous gluten-free golden brown and adds a great flavor, and no weird GF-flour off notes. Works great for fish in the same way, and even makes great organic-ground-beef hamburgers taste better.

NYBG-Awesome after Snow

2012-01-21T21:30:00.001-05:00

The NYBG is a great place to visit after it snows.

We've written about how amazing the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx is... it is a 20 minute drive from Jackson Heights. Reliably 20 minutes, more or less, every time.

Don't let Winter keep you from going.

OK, we went 2 wknds. ago, when it was sunny and nearly 60 degrees.

Highlights:

1. The newly restored Thain Family Forest, the last stand of old-growth forest in NYC. Dubious punctuation aside, the Thain Family Forest is awesome - quiet, beautiful and a vigorous, fun walk.

2. Two big wild turkeys, in the wild, right outside the windows in the gift shop. They were not caged-in exhibit animals... they were real wild turkeys.

The NYBG is also a great place to visit after it snows.

Great NY State Wine

2012-01-21T20:41:00.002-05:00

ANTHONY ROAD WINERY SHOULD BE AT OUR GREENMARKET TOMORROW... CHECK THEM OUT!

If you find wine confusing, head to Anthony Road's stand at Jackson Heights Greenmarket; their $10 Devonian, red and white, is a great deal for a good table wine. Their $16 Pinot Gris is terrific.... and usually they all their wines open for tasting. Plus, they're real nice folks.

They have fancier offerings as well, and it all comes from a gorgeous Finger Lakes winery with a stunning view across their fields to Seneca Lake. Read more here.

From their Web site: The vineyards, retail shop and production facilities of Anthony Road Wine Company are located in Yates county on the west side of Seneca Lake in the Finger Lakes region of New York state. Just 10 miles south of Geneva, 25 miles off the New York State Thruway, our winery is an easy drive from all of New York state's major population centers.

Anthony Road Wine Company uses only grapes grown in the Finger Lakes region to create their wines. An array of wine is produced – from dry to dessert – with a range of tastes designed to please connoisseurs and casual aficionados alike.

Better Weather!

2012-01-21T20:36:00.002-05:00

OK, by this time last yr. we'd had TWO MAJOR BLIZZARDS and were a few days away from our third.....but despite today's snow, it looks like we'll get thru Jan. w/ NO BLIZZARDS, in fact the 10-day forecast is rather amazing... 50 on Monday, 46 and sunny on Tues., and no high temp that's below 40 for the entire 10 days!!!

Glory Days of LGA

2012-01-21T19:27:00.001-05:00

THE MARINE AIR TERMINAL AT LGA... THIS BLDG. STILL EXISTS AND IT IS A MUST SEE

NYC Bike Map

2012-01-21T19:08:00.004-05:00

NYC has bike lanes, and some of them are in Jackson Heights!
See the NYC Bike Map here.

Cross-Country Bike Trip

2012-01-21T13:13:00.000-05:00

Just the thing for a snowy January Saturday... Bruce Weber's Cross-Country Bike Trip.
Read it here.

Allergy Pride Parade!

2012-01-21T13:10:00.002-05:00

Coming soon to Jackson Heights, perhaps?
See it here.

Jackson Heights-Transit Rich

2012-01-20T18:14:00.002-05:00

We took the 7 train into Manhattan today but when we headed farther west in the afternoon, we were able to grab an F train at 42nd and 6th and shoot home -- in a flash. (It helped greatly that the F train pulled in just as we reached the platform.)
The transit options to Jackson Heights are amazing.
Not only does Jackson Heights have the key transit ingredient needed for living happily in an outer borough -- express train service -- it has two of those, and other rapid transit lines to boot!
(And we know from personal experience how difficult life is in an outer borough nabe that lacks express trains. Especially when you're young, out late and cab fare is just too dear.)

WINE TASTING, AND MORE

2012-01-19T19:34:00.000-05:00

TABLE WINE IS HAVING ANOTHER TASTING; AND SCROLL DOWN TO GET A LINK TO A JACKSON HEIGHTS-BASED ONLINE STORE:

Come in out of the cold!
Please join us tomorrow, Friday the 20th, between 5p.m. and 8p.m. for this week's tasting. Welcome back Steve who'll be pouring a zippy white Picpoul from the Languedoc, a returning favorite Monastrell from Alicante, Spain and a warming red blend from the Costieres de Nimes. These are all very good value sippers for the lean month of January.

New Stuff

We're tasting again with our sales reps in an effort to keep mixing things up on the shelves. OK, it's not really an effort, it's our pleasure. So please check out our white tower of new items. Freshly unpacked, you'll find the aforementioned Costieres de Nimes, a fruit forward and spry Spanish rose, a crisp Fiano from Puglia and a lovely Pinot Noir from Chile. All of these new bottles come in at under fifteen bucks on the shelf.

Other happenings in the 'hood

Check out this new on-line store from a Jackson Heights local. After dealing with a few unreasonable local landlords he decided not to let them get in his way. His store may not be the brick and mortar kind but it is open for business and locally owned. Check it out.

http://dallitaliaonline.com/

June in January, Cheaper!

2012-01-18T17:46:00.003-05:00

UPDATE: JUNE IN JANUARY IS NOW CHEAPER -- THE 2 LB. BOXES OF CHILEAN CHERRIES ARE NOW JUST $5.49, AT MI TIERRA

Locavores may not want to read this, but Mi Tierra has 2 lb. boxes of nicely tart Chilean cherries for $5.99. It is cherry season inthe antipodes, and we used to schlep to Costco for these juicy gems, but they're right here in the nabe.

Eggs from Happy Chickens

2012-01-18T16:51:00.003-05:00

After seeing this picture, how could you buy eggs elsewhere?
Tello's Green IS the home of the happy chickens -- as this photo indicates!
They won't likely be around for too much longer this winter at the Jackson Heights Sunday Greenmarket, so stock up on these superb eggs. (The chickens lay fewer eggs in Winter, so Tello's is not here all year 'round.) How're the eggs? They're amazingly awesome.

100% Satisfaction Guaranteed

2012-01-16T13:38:00.000-05:00

100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
We noticed the Corning-Correlle Outlet store at 64th and Northern, just west of the BQE, has a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee with no time limit.
That's pretty good, although we've learned that these guarantees aren't always as good as they seem. However, it is worth keeping in mind.

June In January

2012-01-15T19:43:00.000-05:00

Condo/Co-op Info, Swim Lessons

2012-01-12T16:03:00.002-05:00

Council Member Daniel Dromm

Community News

CO-OP/CONDO TOWN HALL

Co-op shareholders and condo owners face very unique and challenging issues.

Join NYS Senator Jose Peralta and NYC Council Member Daniel Dromm to hear from a panel of experts on co-ops and condos!

WHEN:

Thursday, January 26, 2012

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

WHERE:

The Jewish Center of Jackson Heights

37-06 77th Street

Jackson Heights, NY 11372

Bring your questions about:

● The role of the board

● The role of management
● Shareholder & Owner rights

PanelParticipants:

Richard Drucker, Esq.

Larry Simms, President Alliance of Condo & Co-op Owners

Wine, Whiskey, Bourbon

2012-01-12T16:00:00.001-05:00

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2012!
We're back! After a brief intermission we're back on the boards. Please come by Saturday,January 14th between 4pm and 7pm. Welcome Guerino, the poster boy for Italian style and a representative from a small distributor with whom we've just started working. The line up will include two wines from the south west of France: a fresh, young white Gaillac Perle, a juicy, earthy red from Marcillac and a sultry red from Tunisia, of all places!
Some new stuff, we've just added a rustic, traditional Tinto Roriz (aka Tempranillo) from Toro, Spain. For whiskey lovers, check out the new Washington State wheat whiskey...smooth, very smooth or our new heavenly bourbon Angel's Envy.

For some local news, Theatre 167 is opening their new production this weekend at P.S. 169. for more info follow this link: http://www.theatre167.org/

We also want to say that we are sorry to see our neighbor, Rudy Volcano, leave for the East Village. He has been a Jackson Heights staple for a very long time and will be sorely missed.

Happy New Year!

Table Wine
79-14 37th Ave.
Jackson Heights, NY 11372
718 478-9463

Check out our case discounts
free delivery with $100.00 purchase

New Bike Locking on 37th

2012-01-09T19:48:00.004-05:00

One of the new bike locking stands on 37th Ave.; they're grated onto old parking meter stands.

We reported on new bike locking stands on 37th Ave. recently; they seem to be grafted onto old parking meter stands. We finally found some info about them. Read it here.

Bikes for NYC

2012-01-09T19:10:00.005-05:00

Special bikes made in Brooklyn, just for NYC. Read about them here.

NYBG-Awesome in January

2012-01-08T19:02:00.002-05:00

We've written about how amazing the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx is... it is a 20 minute drive from Jackson Heights.
Don't let Winter keep you from going.
OK, we went yesterday when it was sunny and nearly 60 degrees.
Highlights:
1. The newly restored Thain Family Forest, the last stand of old-growth forest in NYC. Dubious punctuation aside, the Thain Family Forest is awesome - quiet, beautiful and a vigorous, fun walk.
2. Two big wild turkeys, in the wild, right outside the windows in the gift shop.

The NYBG is also a great place to visit after it snows.

Be a Friend of Travers Park

2012-01-08T18:49:00.002-05:00

Be a Friend of Travers Park, here.

New Farmer Development Program

2012-01-08T14:30:00.003-05:00

Read about it here.
The nice folks who sell amazing eggs from their happy chickens at our Greenmarket are profiled at the link above. They were the first to join NY's New Farmer Development Program.

Active Farmer's Market

2012-01-08T14:11:00.002-05:00

Lots of activity at our Greenmarket today, the 1st since the week before Xmas;
1. Sign up to be a Winter Warrior -- Sign up and check in during the winter weeks and you're eligible to win prizes. The market needs support during the frigid weeks of winter -- they're here all year and customers need to show up too!
2. Sign a petition to get 78th Street closed during the market hours all year long, not just in summer. It' a lot safer that way.
3. NY 1 was at the market today

4. Mulch Fest was going strong, with people bringing their Xmas trees and leaving w/ gloriously smelly evergreen mulch.

A Fairway Haul

2012-01-06T22:32:00.002-05:00

We hit Fairway Queens for only the second time, today.
It was awesome.
We didn't know their cafe had a burger and fries bar.... we'll be certain to try it next time. We still haven't had one of their famed lobster rolls, so that's for another time too.
We found great bargains and an uncrowded store, for a Fairway. We had no line for checkout at around 3.30pm on a Friday.
Surprise bargains included Smuckers peanut butter for an astonishing $2.00 (peanut prices have skyrocketed lately). Wild Planet low mercury no salt line-caught tuna was $3.29, a good price for GREAT product, although it rang up initially at $3.99.
We got great coffee and Niman Ranch bacon... and we're going back for burgers and fries. (Be sure to check the sale the sales circulars and current prices, and watch carefully as your purchases ring up - everything does not always ring up at the correct price.)

Shopping at Fairway can sometimes be as disorienting as this photo suggests!

EWaste recycling nearby

2012-01-06T11:39:00.003-05:00

EWaste recycling nearby... not in Jackson Heights,but McCarren Park (1/14/12) is a pretty easy drive from the nabe. Or the Queens Botanical Garden this wknd. (1/8/12).

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The Great Month-Long After-the-Holidays eWaste Recycling Events

Tech is always a top gift during the holidays, which means there are tons of old gadgets to be disposed of every January. Our goal at Tekserve is to make sure all that eWaste is handled responsibly.
That's why we’re working with our longtime partner again, the Lower East Side Ecology Center, in making eWaste recycling more convenient than ever, hosting events in every borough.
All recyclers at these events will receive a Green Karma Coupon — good for a mystery discount of anywhere between $5 and $500 off any one purchase made at Tekserve by the end of February* — as well as a chance to win a MacBook Air.
So bring your unwanted computers, monitors, printers, scanners, fax machines, network devices, peripherals, hard drives, CD-ROM drives, TVs, VCRs, DVD players, DVR/cable/satellite receivers, portable music players, cell phones, radios, video games, and more to one of these eWaste Recycling Events:

Dates & LocationsAll events run 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., rain or shine

SAT	Jan 7	Bowling Green Park • East side of Broadway at Beaver St., Financial District
SAT	Jan 7	Midland Beach Parking Lot 5 • Father Capodanno Blvd. & Jefferson Ave., Staten Island
SUN	Jan 8	Union Square Park • North Plaza, cars may enter on E 16th St. & Union Square West
SUN	Jan 8	Queens Botanical Garden • Enter parking lot on Crommelin St., Flushing
SAT	Jan 14	Carl Schurz Park • E 88th St. & East End Ave., Upper East Side
SAT	Jan 14	McCarren Park • Bedford Ave. just north of N 12th St., Williamsburg
SUN	Jan 15	Prospect Park • Prospect Park West & 3rd St., Park Slope
SAT	Jan 21	Tekserve • 119 West 23rd St. btwn. 6th & 7th Aves., Chelsea
SUN	Jan 22	Central Park • Central Park North & Lenox Ave., Harlem
SUN	Jan 22	West 63rd Street • Btwn. Central Park West & Broadway, Upper West Side
SAT	Jan 28	Ring Garden • Riverside Drive btwn. Seaman Ave. & Broadway, Inwood
SAT	Jan 28	Brook Park • Brook Ave. btwn. 140th & 141st St., Mott Haven, South Bronx

For complete information, click here.
For questions about recycling, call the Ecology Center at 212 477-4022.
*Terms and conditions apply. Visit tekserve.com/greenkarma for details. Expires February 29th, 2012.

NYC Bike Locking Racks!

2012-01-05T16:07:00.001-05:00

We spotted several new circular NYC bike locking racks on 37th Ave. around 76th St. today... this is a first, and they do not match anything official we find online, but they are welcome... they seem to be placed where parking meters used to be... photos to come.

Greenmarket Back this Sunday!

2012-01-04T23:17:00.000-05:00

Awesome Jackson HeightsGreenmarket Back this Sunday!
34th Ave. at 78th St., Jackson Heights, Sunday am;
It'll be three long winter weeks since we've had a Greenmarket in Jackson Heights, but our year-round & amazing market returns this Sunday, 1/8/12.
What's the point of going to a Greenmarket in January?
Well, just root vegetables, greenhouse produce, cheese, mushrooms, pickles and chutneys, pasture-raised red meats, local seafood, honey and baked goods, according to Jackson Heights resident Buzz Poole's excellent piece on the market in the winter issue of Edible Queens.
Not to mention our own fave, Ronnybrook dairy, with their amazing yogurts, ice creams, milk that has moms and dads lined up for as much as they can carry home and something we just heard about, Ronnybrook's Coffee Milk, which we hear tastes like melted coffee ice cream.
Poole spoke to Russ Friedman of American Seafood, the market's terrific fish seller, who notes that in the winter cod, flounder and sea perch are robust; he suggests stuffed flounder and using cod for fish and chips.

Mulch Your Tree, and more

2012-01-04T18:44:00.001-05:00

Council Member Daniel Dromm

Community News

MULCH YOUR TREE!

Bring your holiday tree to Travers Park to be recycled into mulch that will nourish plantings across the city!

Join the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, the New York City Department of Sanitation, and GreeNYC to recycle your Christmas trees into wood chips. These wood chips are used to nourish trees and plants on streets and gardens citywide. Or, take home your very own bag of mulch to use in your backyard or to make a winter bed for a street tree.

Last year, close to 17,000 Christmas trees citywide were recycled. Please help us top this number!

This year, MulchFest will take place on January 7 and 8, 2012. It’s easier than ever to chip in!

You can bring your tree to Travers Park on January 7 and 8 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. We’ll chip your tree, and give you your very own bag of mulch!

If you can't wait, or you want to recycle those trees left on curbs, drop them off at the Garden School yard on 78th Street and 34th Avenue on Thursday, January 5th from 5 to 7 p.m. and we will chip them later.

Or you can bring your tree to a drop-off site from January 2 through January 8. To find the nearest collection site please click here. The NYC Department of Sanitation will also be conducting special curbside collections for mulching and recycling of Christmas trees from January 3 through January 14.

Please remember to remove all lights and ornaments before bringing the tree to a MulchFest site. Biodegradable bags will be provided if you wish to take some free mulch home!

KINDERGARTEN ADMISSIONS

The kindergarten admissions process is school-based, but there is a standard timeline for all schools and there are citywide guidelines for eligibility and admissions priorities. Families must submit an application for kindergarten admission, even if they are applying to their zoned school. Important dates in the kindergarten admissions process for the 2012–2013 school year can be found on the Calendar and Events page:

January 9 – March 2, 2012: Kindergarten admissions period.

March 19 – March 23, 2012: Assignment notification period.

March 26 – April 20, 2012: Pre-registration period.

During the kindergarten admissions period, families should visit their zoned school and any other school(s) of interest for which they are eligible to fill out an application. The Department of Education will post district-specific information and further details about choice options and special programs on their website in January.

When families go to apply, they should make sure to bring their child's birth certificate or passport, and two documents which provide proof of residence. A list of acceptable documents for this purpose can be found on the Registration Information page. All applications received by the deadline of March 2, 2012 will be treated the same—it is NOT first-come, first-served.

Families can get more information about kindergarten admissions by visiting theirwebsite, emailing the Elementary School Enrollment Team atES_Enrollment@schools.nyc.gov, or calling (718) 935-2009.

Theatre 167 in association with Queens Theatre is thrilled to announce the world premiere of

JACKSON HEIGHTS 3AM

The newest play from the creators of

167 TONGUES and YOU ARE NOW THE OWNER OF THIS SUITCASE.

Conceived and Directed by Ari Laura Kreith

Written by Jenny Lyn Bader, J. Stephen Brantley, Ed Cardona, Les Hunter, Tom Miller, Melisa Tien and Joy Tomasko

Dates: Jan 13-Feb 5, 2012

A Bangladeshi cab driver working the midnight shift yearns for an Ecuadorian woman who rises at dawn to bake bread, but does not speak her language. A closeted policeman from Long Island comes to Jackson Heights for a date. At Club Atlantis, a drag pageant contestant has a run-in with one of her fans, while farther down Roosevelt Avenue a Russian immigrant discovers that redemption comes in the strangest ways. A rookie cop tries his best to do right by everyone, a beloved dog mysteriously disappears, and in Elmhurst Hospital a heartbroken ER doctor helps her patients fulfill their deepest dreams. Car dispatchers, drag queens, E.R. doctors, gamblers, and insomniacs collide in the colorful world of Jackson Heights after hours.

WARNING: This one's not for all ages.

It was written using collaborative methods developed by Theatre 167, with the seven playwrights sharing characters and storylines, melding distinct voices and languages into one whole.

Co‐produced as part of Queens Theatre's new play development program, the Immigrant Voices Project, JACKSON HEIGHTS 3AM will play January 13-15 and January 20-22 at PS 69 in Jackson Heights and January 27-29 and February 3-5 at Queens Theatre in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Tickets for both engagements are $18.

To purchase tickets please visit theatre167.org or call 1-800-838-3006

New Italian Restaurant

2012-01-04T00:06:00.003-05:00

Sal's Bar Restaurant & Pizzeria just opened at 81st & Northern. We expected a typical pizzeria/restaurant, which is not a criticism. Those sorts of modest places have surprised us with some great meals over the years. However, Sal's is an attractive little neighborhood restaurant w/ a small bar.
They have a $6.95 lunch special from 11am-3.30pm.
We're going to try it ASAP.

We'll let you know how it all goes down.

Bring Bike Sharing to Jackson Heights

2012-01-01T21:00:00.003-05:00

Request bike share stations in Jackson Heights.
NYC bike share FAQ. Read all about it here.

Another "New" Park-A Baseball Field

2012-01-01T20:29:00.000-05:00

Significant work has begun on another new (or more precisely, rehabilitated) park in Jackson Heights.
The baseball field bordered by 78th and 79th streets and by 30th and 25th Aves., part of Landing Lights Park, is being completely rebuilt.
Some genius put the sign explaining the project behind the chain link fence, so it is hard to read, but the project is extensive. (See photo)
Plans call for:
A new natural turf field, including a new backstop, dugouts, bleachers, drinking fountains and plantings. The drainage and irrigation systems will be rebuilt, as well as the fence. Completion is expected in Fall 2012.

Landing Lights Park was created in 1958 when the Port Authority transferred nine parcels of land to the City for park usage.

Seatide Gourmet Fish Market & Prepared Foods

2012-01-01T13:06:00.002-05:00

We keep seeing the trucks for Seatide (Gourmet Fish Market & Prepared Foods) seafood, delivering to restaurants here in Jackson heights.
They're based in Brooklyn and have a store at 95th and Roosevelt.
According to their Web site they have homemade soups, salads, special coffees, etc.
We're going to check them out ASAP and will have a report soon.
Meanwhile, here's their Web site.

Bike Sharing in NYC this Summer

2011-12-31T16:47:00.001-05:00

Bike Sharing in NYC, this Summer
Read about it here.

Good News for Cities

2011-12-31T16:46:00.000-05:00

Good News for Cities

Read it here.

Liquid Smoke!

2011-12-31T15:44:00.002-05:00

Do you know about Liquid Smoke?
(Read about it here.)
It is exactly what is says it is - hickory and other smoke flavors & essences in a bottle... and serious cooks swear by it, and it is a safe and healthy product they also say (Chris Kimball of America's Test Kitchen is one advocate of the product).
Problem: it can be hard to find. Especially in Jackson Heights.
Not no more... our own scruffy Waldbaums, at 77th St. around 30th Ave., has it right now, on sale for $1.59 a bottle

A New Jazz Radio Station

2011-12-29T20:30:00.003-05:00

Tomorrow, Friday 12/30/11 at about 1pm, Jackson Heights will get a great new jazz radio station.
Well, not really but we will get a vastly-improved signal from the great WBGO.
At about 1pm tomorrow they plan to switch on their new transmitter & antenna atop 4 Times Square. It is about twice as high as their current antenna, which sits atop a flagpole in their home base of Newark, NJ.
Jazz fans have bemoaned the great WBGO's spotty signal since it went on the air in April, 1979. In Jackson Heights, the reception is generally OK, but not always.
Finally, the signal is about to improve.
Tune in to WBGO at 88.3 FM tomorrow!
Read more about it here.

Kung Fu Tea-Bubble Tea in JH

2011-12-28T18:44:00.004-05:00

Kung Fu Tea-Bubble Tea
Kung Fu Tea has opened at 82nd St. and Roosevelt, near the #7 train stop. (It's on the Southeast corner.)
It's bubble tea; (read about bubble tea here).
We'll check it out ASAP.

UPDATE: Well, we said we would check it out, but it is so not interesting to us we'll let others do so.

New Park-Progress Being Made

2011-12-26T19:30:00.002-05:00

Progress is being made at the new Schoolyard to Playgrounds park at IS 145Q at 79th St. and Northern Blvd.

A Liquor Store

2011-12-23T15:50:00.002-05:00

We love Table Wine, but sometimes you just need a good regular liquor store.
We don't care for any of the regular liquor stores on 37th Ave., for a variety of reasons.
At 73rd St. and Northern Blvd. the Liquor Depot seems to be under new ownership.
We stopped in two days ago and asked about a niche item that can't be found anywhere in the nabe (and is available in Manhattan, but at lofty prices).
The young owner was enthusiastic that he could find a way to get the item fast, and at an attractive price (even though his initial efforts, from our first visit pre-Thanksgiving, hadn't worked).
Today, he had the item and at a decent price.
That was quite cool.
Liquor Depot; 73-04 Northern Blvd., 718-803-2317

NY-State Bubbly Tasting!

2011-12-21T15:40:00.001-05:00

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Bubbly take me away!

Is it just me or is everyone feeling a little stressed? If you need to blow off some steam or get some last minute gift inspiration, please come on by tomorrow night, Thursday December 22nd, from 5pm 'til 8pm to take a sip of festive bubbles from the North Fork of Long Island. Yes, champagne method bubbles from the North Fork. We will also be sampling a Bordeaux blend from Long Island, so if you're still skeptical about New York State wines, this tasting should help change your opinions.

Christmas Schedule

We'll be here for you on Christmas Eve from 11am 'til 6pm. Please note, we'll be closed Christmas Day as well as Monday the 26th, so please stock up.

Merry Happy

Thank you to all of you for your support, enthusiasm and patronage troughout this, our second year of business.

Table Wine
79-14 37th Ave.
Jackson Heights, NY 11372
(718) 478-9463

Check out our case discounts
free delivery with $100.00 purchase

Hot Bread Kitchen

2011-12-19T18:40:00.000-05:00

Hot Bread Kitchen -- a stalwart of our Greenmarket!

Happy Holidays!

Hot Bread Kitchen Staff 2010 Hot Bread Kitchen Staff 2011

It was just last December when Hot Bread Kitchen moved into our first permanent bakery at La Marqueta. As the end of the year quickly approaches, we look back on all that we accomplished in 2011.

In only one year, we have become a 24-hour, 7 day a week facility. We have provided over 3,000 hours of on-the-job baking training, 200 hours of English fluency classes to foreign-born and low-income women and promoted five of our baker trainees to supervisory positions. This year we also launched our food business incubator, HBK Incubates which has helped to grow over 27 start-up culinary ventures. Operating in a full-time production facility has enabled us to grow our sales nearly five-fold, bringing us closer to financial sustainability and allowing us to offer our breads to renowned stores and restaurants such as Whole Foods Market and MoMA's Cafes.

Our impressive growth over this past year would not have been possible without the generosity of donors, volunteers and supporters like you--thank you. While this year will be hard to top, we are determined to accomplish even more in 2012. Help us to continue our growth and improve the lives of foreign born women, low income entrepreneurs and East Harlem residents by making a donation before year's end.

To support Hot Bread Kitchen, go our NY Charities website or mail a check to:

Hot Bread Kitchen

1590 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10029

All donations received by December 31st will be tax deductible in 2011. Another delicious way to show your support is by purchasing a Global Bread Box, a sampling of four freshly-baked international treats shipped free anywhere in the continental US.

On behalf of all the bakers and staff at Hot Bread Kitchen, we wish you a very happy holiday!

First Look at Hot Bread Kitchen

NBC's First Look profiled Hot Bread Kitchen as part of their "Give Back" series, which profiles organizations to support and products to purchase in order to give back during the holiday season. Host Maria Sansone visited Hot Bread Kitchen at the Union Square Greenmarket and then came up to the bakery for a visit and a baking lesson. The piece aired December18th, 2011 after Saturday Night Live on NBC.

Watch the complete video on NBC's website.

Great Jazz (& Blues) Radio

2011-12-19T18:00:00.001-05:00

If you don't know about WBGO (88.3 FM), or know about it and don't listen regularly, well, what's up with that?
WBGO is a full-time listener supported and full-service jazz radio station, based in Newark, NJ for the past 30+ years.
It is the Jazz Capital of the World's ONLY full-time jazz (and blues) station.
Quite soon -- perhaps late this year -- they will be moving their main transmitter from atop a low building in Newark to high up in Times Square, improving reception for millions, including Jackson Heights, where reception (most of the time) is pretty darn good.
And if you don't listen to their Ace DJ, Michael Bourne (M-F 2pm-6:30pm; Sundays 10am-2pm), then you are missing out on a national treasure. Bourne has a PhD in Theater and knows this music like a walking encyclopedia. Plus he's funny and charming in an honest-to-goodness kind of way.
Check it out.
And if you end up listening, support listener-supported WBGO.

Gluten Free Goodies at Cannelle Patisserie

2011-12-19T16:05:00.000-05:00

Jean-Claude Perennou, owner of Cannelle Patisserie in the Waldbaum's shopping center, responded to our question about their range of gluten-free pastries. The list is:

Coconut Macaron

French Macaron

Praline Crunch

Chocolate Guanaja.

He added that they will try to increase the GF list next year, "maybe something with Fruits, but it is not easy."

Murray's Chicken/Lobsters at Mi Tierra

2011-12-17T15:45:00.003-05:00

Murray's Chicken at Mi Tierra
Mi Tierra now has Murray's chicken in addition to Harvestland; neither is certified organic but both are organic-like. Great to have a choice!
And live lobsters.

$8.00 lunch at El Coyote

2011-12-17T15:44:00.003-05:00

Here's one dish you can get at El Coyote's $8.00 lunch special; it is delicious.

Pies/JH Greenmarket in Edible Queens

2011-12-17T14:18:00.001-05:00

Informative article about the bounty of winter goods at our Jackson Heights Greenmarket, in the Winter issue of Edible Queens; piece does not seem to be online yet but Table Wine usually has the magazine.

Pick up holiday pies at the Francesca's Bakery stand tomorrow; they usually have small, medium and large, and they are terrific.

Gluten-Free Goodies at Cannelle

2011-12-17T14:14:00.001-05:00

Gluten-Free Goodies at Cannelle Patisserie
Gluten Free individual cheesecake and chocolate caramel pecan crunch confection at our own ultra-happening Cannelle Patisserie, 75-59 31st Ave. in the big shopping center w/ the lame Waldbaums. They have other GF goodies too!

Town Hall Meeting-Crime

2011-12-16T17:54:00.001-05:00

Council Member Daniel Dromm

Community News

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I am very aware of the recent criminal activity on our streets and I have been working closely with the 115th Precinct to deal with these issues. I feel the difficult economic times in which we currently find ourselves are a contributing factor to crime in our neighborhood and across the city.

I have urged the police department to be ever more vigilant in their work. While I realize that recent events may have many worried, it is important that we not let fear take over. I live on 78th Street, very close to where a number of these incidents have occurred so I, too, am personally affected by them. I want to assure you that we will do everything possible to keep our neighborhood safe.

I will be holding a town hall meeting this Monday, December 19th, at 7:30pm at the Community Methodist Church (81-10 35th Avenue) to discuss these issues. Representatives from the 115th Precinct will also be there. It is my hope that we will be able to get a clear picture of what is going on in our neighborhood and how we as residents can help. I hope you will be able to join us.

Thank you for your time and concern. Please stay vigilant and do not hesitate to call 911 in an emergency, and please keep our office informed.

Sincerely,

Daniel Dromm

NYC Council Member, 25th District

Tastings-Table Wine

2011-12-15T00:16:00.000-05:00

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Make it a double!

We have a double shot of tastings for you this week. We will start you out with Scotch on Thursday and chase it with wine on Friday. Please join us Thursday, the 15th, between 5pm and 8pm, as the always entertaining Dave pours three of our popular scotches. We will also be throwing a Calvados into the mix for those of you who may prefer their distilled mash from apples not grain. On Friday, the 16th, between 5 pm and 8 pm, we will return to France as Rachel pours three new selections: a Bordeaux, a Macon and a grower Champagne. Both days give you an opportunity to taste some great gift ideas.

Speaking of gift ideas, check out Edible Queens Holiday Guide. http://www.ediblecommunities.com/queens/web-exclusive/eq-holiday-guide.htm

Table Wine
79-14 37th Ave.
Jackson Heights, NY 11372
(718) 478-9463

Check out our case discounts
free delivery with $100.00 purchase

New Stuff

Some of our new items include a Nouveau Merlot Rosé from Croteaux Vineyards, a Corn Whiskey from Delaware Phoenix, two new grower champagnes and Blue Plum Brandy.

Years in the making.

This is the story of a bottle that crossed the ocean in our luggage, moved from Manhattan to Queens, sat patiently in five different fridges along the way, through marriage, the birth of our son, the deaths of two of our parents and the opening of our store, never to be opened. There were certainly many occasions to celebrate or mourn but we just couldn't bear to part with it. We purchased this bottle in 2000 from a little vineyard in the Bearn in southwest France. We'd sampled a glass the night before. after a memorable yet simple dinner in a charming village inn, La Belle Auberge (a story in itself). So after 11 years of watching this dessert wine go from hay yellow to amber hued, we finally cut the foil. We'd finished a simple dinner with a very dear friend. Having made quick work of the bottle of red we had with dinner, we realized our rack was bare, save for that dessert wine in the fridge. I, personally was like the kids in the Life cereal commercial, " I'm not gonna try it, you try it". I thought for sure it was bad. My wife took the first sip. "Oh boy that is good", she said. She was so right. Notes of raisin and honey and a slightly nutty finish, matured and complex, yet still fresh and vibrant. It was delightful and soon it was gone. That beautiful bottle aged with us and witnessed our ups and downs, it looked a little worse for wear on the outside but it was still full of life. Drinking that wine reminded me of why we do what we do. Enjoying good food and drink with people you care about is always a good thing. We hope all of you enjoy the holidays with people you love and hopefully share some nice wine, food and memories.

Check it out

The new Edible Queens is in the store. Come by and pick up a copy.

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New Park - It's a Hit

2011-12-14T19:46:00.001-05:00

We heard from a reader that the new park at PS 69Q was indeed open on Saturday, and that his kids had a great time there.
This is great news.
Check out the new park this weekend - on 78th St. just South of 37th Avenue. It should be open from 8am until dusk.

New Parks-Answers

2011-12-14T18:37:00.001-05:00

Answers to Our Questions about the New Parks

We had quite a tough time getting answers to ourquestions about the two new Schoolyards to Playgrounds parks in JacksonHeights, but we finally got a response from David Barker, Director,Sustainability Initiatives with City of New York Parks & Recreation.

One of the parks is now open, at PS 69Q on 37^thAve. between 77^th and 78^th Streets. The second park willopen this coming spring/summer, at IS 145Q on Northern Blvd. at 79^thStreet.

The new parks are to be open from the end of theschool day (which includes any outdoor after-school programs) to dusk onschooldays, and 8am to dusk on weekends and days when school is not in session.

Mr. Barker explains that the Schoolyards toPlaygrounds Initiative aims to bring all New York City residents within 10minutes of a park, a goal laid out in Mayor Bloomberg’s PlaNYC 2030 initiative.203 schoolyards have opened around the city since 2007.

“Schoolyards by and large have been kept locked upwhen not being used by the schools, and the ones selected for conversion intoparks are in high-needs neighborhoods that lack open space. For instance,Jackson Heights has one of the highest ratios of kids to playgrounds in thecity. This was a key metric for selecting the schoolyards. These new parks area quality of life improvement, created so that residents can exercise and enjoythemselves.”

David Barker answers our question, below:

Q. How involved are the schools in designing thesenew parks? At IS 145Q, what was a large open field is being converted to ahighly segmented park, and we wonder how that impacts the school’s use of thefield.

A. The schools’ Principals have a lot of say in thesedesigns. They often manage the designs down to fine details. We work toaccommodate the particular needs of a school; if they have, for example, ayearly festival or an outdoor theater presentation, all of these needs getworked into the final design.

Martha Vazquez, Principal at PS 69Q was a bigadvocate of putting the Schoolyards to Playgrounds park there.

The parks are a participatory design. We meet withthe schools usually three times, including a design meeting that runs 3-4 hourslong, with kids, parents & teachers. We collaborate, looking at a map ofthe schoolyard, asking what they’d like to see. Then we overlay templates ofpossible designs onto the base map of schoolyard. At PS 69Q, students didamazing artwork illustrating their ideas for the yard; Among the most originalwere a human sundial, seats shaped like a caterpillar, a performing arts theme– with musical notes painted on the ground and a climbable rock sculpture rockwith fossil-like designs etched into it. Many of these ideas were incorporatedinto the finished product.

The preliminary design is then presented at acommunity meeting, usually a PTA meeting.

Is preventing unauthorized use of theschoolyards part of the reason for these park conversions? Groups of adultsoften take over these fields, sometimes with large soccer games that go on allday and create at lot of congestion, litter and worse (at IS 145, for example).This clearly will no longer be possible, with the field broken up into variousareas.

Concerns were voiced at these planning meetingsabout preventing one population from taking over the park, for example, a groupof adults using a field on the weekends for stickball; the designs speak tothat, so one population doesn’t monopolize the parks.

Will the new parks be more secure, and will theykeep people from breaking in and using them after hours, as happens all thetime?

The designs respond to security issues, such askids breaking the fence and lingering at night. These concerns are taken intothe design process.

The conversion involves improved fencing and makingsure it can be secured. Before we turn it over the Principal looks at the parkalong with school staff; they won’t let us finish until it is all done and alltheir concerns, including security, are met.

Someone from the custodial staff is always presentat the school; they are told to call 911 if there is a real problem.

Will the new parks be staffed?

No.

School custodians are in charge of maintenance;they close the parks at dusk. (This time of year, with after school programsthe new parks may not be of much use during the week. Dusk comes early thistime of year, so there often isn’t much time between the end of the school dayand darkness.)

For updates on all PlaNYC schoolyardprojects, please visit: http://www.nycgovparks.org/greening/planyc/schoolyards

--ends--

New Park-Open?

2011-12-12T17:10:00.002-05:00

UPDATE: We're told the park at PS 69 opens at about 3:30pm each school day, despite what the sign there says.
The new Schoolyards to Playgrounds park at PS 69 on 37th Avenue btwn. 77th and 78th streets opened recently, so why is it closed?
The park is padlocked and sign says it is open from 8am to dusk every day when school is not in session.
Our understanding is that these parks are supposed to be open from the end of the school day, including afterschool programs, until dusk, everyday.
We finally found someone w/ the city to answer our Q&A about these parks, and this person is looking into why out new park is locked up tighter than a drum.
The Q&A will be posted ASAP.
Stay tuned.

Why the Best Books go to TV

2011-12-11T18:05:00.001-05:00

Why the Best Books go to TV.
Read it here.

Uncle Peter's Shines

2011-12-10T11:22:00.001-05:00

We went to neighborhood institution Uncle Peter's last night without a reservation, and the place was jammed, no table open. A large retirement party had half the room and then another (reserved) party of 17 -- yes, party of 17 -- came in.
They managed to find a table for two for us, but still the place was at capacity with raucous, cheerful diners. It was controlled chaos, and loud, but festive.
No idea how the small kitchen coped, but we got our food with no delays, it was delicious as always, and the quite harried staff was cheerful and professional.
We ran into recently retired founder Ernesto on the way out and he was as delightful as ever.
Uncle Peter's is not the place for cutting edge, ultra-fashionable cuisine, but the food is always superb and the staff is wonderful, and if you haven't been there recently, or ever, go.... but it's the holidays, so make a reservation!

Coat Drive-Help Some Folks Stay Warm!

2011-12-09T20:21:00.001-05:00

Council Member Daniel Dromm

Invites you to

Our 2nd Annual

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE

Join Danny and your neighbors in celebrating the holidays at your community office!

WHEN:

Monday, December 19, 2011

5:00 p.m - 7:00 p.m.

WHERE:

District 25 Community Office

37-32 75th Street 1st Floor

Jackson Heights, NY 11372

New York Cares 23rd Annual

COAT DRIVE

Warm a New Yorker. Donate a coat today.

Too many New Yorkers have to choose between putting food on the table or purchasing a coat each winter. To meet the growing demand for coats and help the 18.7 percent of New York City families living in poverty, please donate a coat today!

Now through December 21st bring a gently-used winter coat to Council Member Dromm's community office, located at:

37-32 75th Street 1st Floor

Jackson Heights, NY 11372

For a complete list of donation sites, dates and times, visitnewyorkcares.org or call 212.402.1173.

Our New Parks-Some Info

2011-12-06T16:49:00.001-05:00

We've had a tough time getting answers to our questions about the two new Schoolyards to Playgrounds parks in Jackson Heights.
But we're persistent.
We got a very nice letter today from the Parks & Recreation Dept., giving us a few facts and inviting folo-up questions. We're already following up, and will post the new info ASAP.
Meanwhile:
--The new parks will be open after school hours until dusk on wkdys. and from 8am until dusk on wknds. and during school breaks.
--203 such schoolyards have opened as parks to date.
As noted earlier, the park at PS 69 opened on December 1, 2011, and the is 145 park is set to open Summer 2012.

"Eureka" Holiday Ep.-this Tuesday

2011-12-04T18:03:00.001-05:00

Eureka Holiday Episode 2011: This Tuesday, 12/6/11 at 8pm.

We were initially not thrilled that the 2011 Eureka Holiday episode would be animated, but now that we've seen the preview and learned more about it, we can't wait:

"the animation featured in the episode... will be broken up into different styles including Anime, claymation, animation inspired by the Looney Tunes cartoons and modern CGI."

SYFY’S Eureka GETS ANIMATED THIS DECEMBER FOR A SPECIAL HOLIDAY-THEMED EPISODE

Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory), Chris Parnell (Saturday Night Live), Matt Frewer (Max Headroom) and Edward James Olmos (Battlestar Galactica) Will Voice Characters Featured in the Animated Episode

NEW YORK – July 25, 2011 – Syfy’s hit series Eureka gets an animated makeover this December for a special holiday themed episode, proving that indeed anything is possible in the town of Eureka. In the first-of-its-kind episode, the quaint town of geniuses will be transformed into animated versions of themselves. The stand-alone holiday episode will also feature a stellar line up of guest stars lending their voices to a variety of characters – Jim Parsons, Chris Parnell, Matt Frewer and Edward James Olmos. The airdate for the holiday episode will be announced at a later date.

In the episode “Do You See What I See,” it's Christmas again in Eureka, and Sheriff Carter (Colin Ferguson) and Allison Blake (Salli Richardson-Whitfield) are secretly planning the perfect holiday surprise for their kids. But something mysterious interferes with the super-photon generator designed to create a faux winter wonderland on Main Street, sending a kaleidoscopic wave of color crashing over Eureka, and leaving the entire town and its inhabitants animated. Adapting to the rules of their animated world, our cartoon heroes encounter talking creatures, anthropomorphized machines, and snowy foes as they race to find a solution before Christmas morning...or face potentially being a cartoon forever.

Jim Parsons is set to voice Carter's long put-on Jeep, who's had enough of his owner's cavalier attitude towards him. Edward James Olmos will voice Rudy, the leader of a pack of sled dogs who befriends Deputy Andy. Chris Parnell also guest stars as Dr. Noah Drummer, reprising his role from last year's Christmas special. Matt Frewer will be featured as an animated, altered version of himself, and helps Jo (Erica Cerra) make an important realization about her tough-girl personality.

Leading production and entertainment company Curious Pictures will produce the animation featured in the episode, which will be broken up into different styles including Anime, claymation, animation inspired by the Looney Tunes cartoons and modern cg.

Eureka seems like any other cozy, Pacific Northwest town, but is actually a secret community of geniuses assembled by the government to conduct top-secret research. What they’ve unwittingly created is a place where anything imaginable can happen… and does. Eureka stars Colin Ferguson, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Joe Morton, Erica Cerra, Neil Grayston and Niall Matter. Co-creator Jaime Paglia and Bruce Miller are Executive Producers and the series is produced by Universal Cable Productions.

Our Terrific Kitchen Store

2011-12-03T15:49:00.001-05:00

Need a reliable neighborhood source for cookware and kitchen goods?

A place with more kitchenware and gadgets than you can count? We've got it: Corningware, Corelle & More, at 62-01 Northern Blvd. just past the BQE in Woodhaven, is a rather amazingly well-stocked kitchen supply store. A great supply of cutlery, baking gear (including silicone goods) and cookware and gadgets galore. They even have a tiny, tiny parking lot. Ph. -- 718-267-1592; Hours -- M-S 10-7; Sun. 11-5.

The Corning-Corelle & More store is one of a chain of 80 outlet stores.

See their Web site here.

And Consumer Reports rates this chain as the #4 best outlet operation (in their 11/11 issue).

And while this is not Bridge Kitchenware, chances are they'll have what you're looking for. All the kitchen gadgets are in the back. They also have a nice line of spices in grinders and they appear to be the same line carried by the great Wegman's supermarket chain. The store is at 63rd and Northern and it is worth a visit.

Police Manhunt-Ongoing

2011-12-03T10:25:00.001-05:00

The massive police presence last night at rush hour was due to a man in a fake beard who is said to have fired shots at Police officers. The man is still at large and is being sought by Police. Read about it here and here.

Massive Police Presence

2011-12-02T19:51:00.001-05:00

Massive Rush Hour Police Presence, Btwn. Roosevelt and 37th Ave., from about 76th-77th Streets.
Helicopters also over the nabe, around 4.45-5.15pm.
Unclear what it was about. Street talk was of a fatal shooting.

Mi Tierra has Beer

2011-12-02T19:45:00.001-05:00

Our own Mi Tierra supermarket is finally selling beer. Just like every other supmkt. in NYC.
(Ever try explaining to an out of towner that you can't buy beer in liquor stores here, but only in food markets, and that food markets don't sell liquor? It's fun.)