Views from the Heights - Spring 2012

Historic Jackson Heights Commercial Concerns
Weekend Over the past few months the JHBG has met with Council-
member Daniel Dromm to express concern over the prolifer-
By Daniel Karatzas ation of signs, awnings, and other means of advertising that
some merchants have installed. Businesses need a permit
This year marks the 22nd annual “Historic to install signs and awnings, and complaints made to the
Jackson Heights Weekend” sponsored by Department of Buildings (DOB) over the last few years (yes,
years) have never been inspected.
the JHBG. This year’s events will be held
on Saturday June 9th and Sunday June 10th. The size of the awnings and signs, along with the fact that
This year there will be at least 13 gardens many are illuminated, leads us to believe that the proper
participating on Saturday; a record. We permits have not been secured, making them illegal. As
hope to have the Renaissance School par- such, we are working with Councilmember Dromm to make
ticipating this year for the first time, to sure that the DOB inspects all of these properties. Unfortu-
show off its rooftop garden, which includes nately, when one merchant gets away with an illegal sign or
a greenhouse. Please see the flyer for de- awning, their immediate neighbors, along with those down
tails on each activity. The JHBG would like the block, find it necessary to do the same. The result is a
endless stream of illegal advertising that is a blight on our
to thank the Community Church for serving
residential community. Remember, our City agencies are
as the venue for our events for most of the complaint driven. They respond to complaints. So if you
last 22 years. see something, say something… in this case simply call 311
with the address and as much detail as possible. Every
complaint counts!

Editorial: solutions to their concerns. The east to westbound. Now poten-
merchants have consistently tial customers driving off the
37th Road voiced their concern over a loss Brooklyn Queens Expressway
Pedestrian Plaza of business and the need for can proceed on 37th Avenue to
vehicle access to 74th Street. 75th street (instead of 73rd
By: Edwin O’Keefe Westley street) to access 74th street.
Unfortunately the implementa-
The Jackson Heights Beautifica- tion would have been better The serious traffic problems that
tion Group (JHBG) has support- served during the Spring/ had plagued the area adjacent
ed the Department of Transpor- Summer months instead of Sep-to the Roosevelt Avenue/74th
tation’s multi-year Traffic study tember because there is a Street subway station and the
of Jackson Heights. We have greater revenue opportunity. Victor Moore Arcade bus station
also supported the results of the Two businesses, on the Plaza,have been dramatically re-
study and Phase 1 implementa- have recently stepped up and duced. Buses, which were of-
tion beginning in September of are in the process of setting up
ten delayed because of the vol-
2011. ume of traffic on 73rd Street,
Plaza cafes. This will be gener-
ating more revenue for the Pla-
now make better time heading
We also understand there has za. down 75th Street. Pedestrians
been merchant opposition to the are now also put at much less
Plaza. In fact, we have partici- Vehicular access to 74th street risk of being struck by passing
pated in several meetings with has been improved by changing cars and trucks.
th
the merchants to try to develop the direction of 37th road be-
tween 74th and 75 streets from (Continued on p. 4)

Views Spring 2012 Page 2

Message from JHBG President, Edwin O’Keefe Westley
The State of the same one that is bringing us street slightly north of 37th Avenue
the building at 84-01 37th Avenue, Play a Piano Around the same
Jackson Heights has the right to appeal. This build- time as MMNY our good friends
Part 2 ing is next to the 84-01 structure. from Sing for Hope will be deliver-
“It is amazing what you can accom- The land is owned by Kelly’s sta- ing a piano on the sidewalk south
plish if you do not care who gets tionery store. Stop by and say no east of the US Post Office. It will
the credit.”
to this new attack on our Historic visit us for approximately two
Harry S. Truman
District. The JHBG intends to fight weeks and then be donated to a
this by going to the Historic Dis- worthy cause
Spring Has Sprung
tricts Council at the appropriate
Our gardening volunteers: Virginia
time. The land marking process Summer Sunday Concerts
Yardley, Luise Schwabe, Ilse,
requires that you demonstrate that We held our first planning meeting
Diane, Ed Walters, Frank LoRus-
the buildings are historically signifi-
and agreed that we would begin
so, Madalyn Benoit, Mimi , Nuala
cant. We intend to prove our case the season on July 8th and contin-
O’Doherty, and Pat Kelly, are
again ue each Sunday through August
scheduled to begin the ‘37th Ave-
26th. We are hoping to bring back
nue Tree Garden’ planting on May
Blessed Sacrament Volunteers many of last year’s favorites and
1st and complete by May 15th.
We are happy to announce that add several new bands. Stay tuned
Since spring weather was early this
Father Patrick Burns, the singing for further announcements. Com-
year Virginia, Ilse and Louise
pastor of Blessed Sacrament, has mittee members include: Carlos
took on an additional project of get-
reached out to us to form a part- Martinez, Alfonso Quiroz, Valerie
ting the US Post Office Garden
nership to keep uptown Jackson McLeod-Katz, Vinny Mongeluzo,
under control. Their work will con-
Heights beautiful. The details will Len Maniace, Andrew Ronan,
tinue with the help of Howie and
be ironed out and we hope to begin Rebekah Oakes, and Dan
crew from Millimar Landscaping.
in May Sheehan
If you would like to add your name
to our volunteer list give us a call at
Make Music New York What’s on your mind? We would
718 565-5344
On June 21st, Summer Solstice, like to hear from you our members
street concerts will return to Jack- and friends. Tell us what you like
New Building Proposed
son Heights. The main stage will and don’t like about Jackson
An application for another six story
be at our new Pedestrian Plaza on Heights. What you would like more
building is before the NYC Depart-
37th Road between 73rd and 74th of or less of. Call us at 718 565-
ment of Buildings; this application
streets and Espresso 77 on 77th 5344.
has been rejected. But the builder,

Historic Weekend …..……….….1-2 Growing Traverse Park…….……..5 Crossword …………...…………….11
Editorial………………..………….2,4 37th Road Pedestrian Plaza.……..5 JH Resident Takes Manhattan….12
President’s Message…..………….3 First Aid for JH Trees.……………..6 Opera………………………………..13
New from the Heights…………..2-3 Composting Project.…………… 6-7 Oasis……….………………………..14
JHBG-Who We Are………….……..4 Memories of JH…...………………8-9 Membership………………………..15
Letter from the Provost…………. 10


(Continued from p. 2)
The JHBG has, for many years, and the creation of open space make it more attractive to all
been a proponent of more open – the JHBG supports the one- constituents. These include the
space in our community. The block pedestrian plaza along “greening” of the plaza, includ-
nearest large park is miles away 37th Road between 73rd and 74th ing the planting of trees and oth-
from Jackson Heights, and our Streets that was created as a er plantings, more tasteful and
Community Board (Community result of the comprehensive comfortable seating areas, and
Board #3 covering Jackson DOT Study. We believe that it is perhaps some information ki-
Heights, East Elmhurst, and an important amenity for the osks, describing the extensive
North Corona) typically ranks community residents, merchants public transportation system,
next-to-last in open space com- and neighbors who use the local commercial district, and
pared to all other Boards. As nearby subway/bus terminal on neighborhood history. The
such, open space, whether it is a regular basis. maintenance and cleanliness of
a green park or not, is very im- the plaza is also crucial to its
portant to the residents of Jack- Implicit in our support is the un- success. Hopefully this can be
son Heights. derstanding that the current a cooperative effort, where the
condition of the plaza – some City, residents, property owners,
For these reasons – the amelio- boulders and a scattering of ta- and merchants all participate.
ration of serious traffic problems bles - needs to be enhanced to

JHBG—Who We Are
By: Len Maniace
Maybe we’re shy, because we * Graffiti removal * Halloween Age to Space Age * Garden
seldom blow our own horn. To- parade * JH CREW, Canine Club * Community Awards * JH
day is different. We’re going to Recreation and Exercise Won- Urban Forest project * Soon-to-
let you know what we do, why, derland * Summer Sundays in open JH Composting Center *
and then ask you to join us by the Park and other concerts * Green Agenda for Jackson
volunteering, becoming a mem- Views from the Heights news- Heights *
ber, or making a donation. letter * Candidate/Issue Town
Hall meetings * Landmark ad- Jackson Heights would be a
One problem could be our vocacy * Travers Park improve- very different and less interest-
name, the Jackson Heights ments and open-space advoca- ing place without these things.
Beautification Group. Sounds cy * 69th Street Greening pro-
like we plant marigolds and be- ject * The Jackson Heights Art We are for democratic (small d)
gonias. Yes, we do that, but we Contest * The Jackson Heights values. That means more than
do a lot more. We are a grass- Greenmarket * Holiday Lighting just voting. It requires getting
roots, all–volunteer, full-service ceremony at Post Office * His- involved with your neighbors to
civic and environmental organi- toric Weekend tours * 78th make Jackson Heights a better
zation that works to make Jack- Street Pedestrian Plaza/Play place, one that’s safe and hos-
son Heights a better place for Street * Garden School athletic pitable to all, regardless of the
all. We’re also a not-for-profit field purchase * Landing Lights potential divides of income, lan-
group and a New York State Park ball field restoration * Lo- guage, ancestry, age and sexu-
recognized charity, so your do- cal history books, Jackson ality.
nations are tax deductable. Heights: A Garden in the City
Here’s some of what we do: and Jackson Heights: From Ice (Continued on next page.)


(Continued from previous page.)

Some may scoff and say we’re ryone is included. That sounds How can you help? If you want
a little naïve. We disagree and like a beautiful place to live. So to volunteer, contact us at 718-
think it’s shortsighted to believe maybe our name, the Jackson 565-5344. If you want to be-
we can have a healthy and at- Heights Beautification Group, come a member or donate to
tractive community unless eve really does describe what we JHBG, this newsletter contains
do. a form for that. We hope you will
join us.

Growing Travers Park
By: Len Maniace
Jackson Heights is on the verge with $4 million from Councilman groups to support the Travers
of getting a real park. For years Danny Dromm, with the mayor Park expansion.
the complaints about Travers and Queens Borough President
Park have gone like this: It’s not offices each contributing $1 mil- Knitting 78th Street and the Gar-
a park; it’s a playground. And, it lion. The Garden School would den School athletic field into a
doesn’t even have grass. get use of the field during school redesigned contiguous Travers
hours. It would be available to Park won’t happen immediately;
Thanks to a long-awaited deal the public afternoons and eve- it will cost a significant amount
for the city to purchase the Gar- nings, and completely when the of money. The athletic field and
den School athletic field, and school is closed, including the 78th Street Pedestrian Plaza,
the expected permanent closing weekends, holidays and school however, will be available for
of at least half of 78th Street, the vacation periods. public use soon.
2-acre Travers Park is on the
verge of a major expansion. As for converting 78th Street into If you want to participate in help-
a permanent pedestrian plaza, ing created a new expanded
The Garden School and New the plan has the support of the Travers Park, contact JHBG at
York City announced the deal Community Board and Dromm. 718-565-5344.
for the 25,000-square-foot field
on March 21. It calls for the city Throughout the long effort,
to pay $6 million for the field, JHBG has worked with other

37th Road Pedestrian Plaza
By: Len Maniace
After a shaky start, the 37th In response to merchant com- lows customers of the South
Road Pedestrian Plaza is grad- plaints about the plaza, the Asian shopping district to loop
ually becoming a fixture in city’s Department of Transpor- around the block that’s also
Jackson Heights: As the weath- tation has made a series of bounded by 75th and 37th Ave-
er warmed this spring, the num- changes, including reversing an nue as they look for parking.
ber of people strolling and/or adjacent stretch of 37th Road so
dining in the plaza has grown. that traffic runs west toward the (Continued on p. 12.)
plaza and 74th Street. That al-


First Aid for JH Trees
By: Len Maniace
City trees have a tough life, but available, use a bucket; but A great way to care for your
if cared for they pay us back remember: trees need about trees and improve the look of
that effort many times. Trees 15 to 20 gallons of water each your street is to turn your tree
cool our streets and homes, week. pit into a tree garden. Planting
clean the air, and beautify our annuals (flowers that need to
neighborhood. They, and the Once you decide to take care be planted every year, like
soil they are planted in, even of your tree the next step is to marigolds) or a few perennials
clean the water in our city’s adopt the tree. All that means (those that come up every
bays, creeks along our beach- is that you have agreed to take year, like hostas) are a good
es. care of your tree(s) and sign a way of keeping the soil loose
statement to do so. It carries enough for water to penetrate.
What can you do? The first no legal liability, but is one way (Don’t plant shrubs; their roots
thing is to water trees. The the city can track whether trees will compete with those of a
winter and early spring have are being cared for. This tree tree.) Denser plantings will dis-
been exceptionally dry, endan- care effort is part of the Green courage dogs from urinating
gering trees, especially those Agenda for Jackson Heights, a near trees (and acidifying soil,
planted in the last few years. JHBG project. We especially a bad thing), though a small
hope to get co-ops to adopt all fence is a smart addition.
The best way to water a tree is the trees on their street or
to run a hose to the tree pit block. This is actually less We will be holding tree-care
and let the water trickle into the work than it sounds because classes and are putting togeth-
soil. But first loosen up the soil only trees planted in the last er crews to care for trees. If
with a small shovel, taking care few years require regular care you want to adopt a tree, to
not to damage roots. If the wa- and watering. Barring a sus- help in any way, or to learn
ter runs out into the street with- tained drought, established more, contact us at:
in a few minutes, the soil is ei- trees are happy with the care- LenManiace@gmail.com
ther too hard or the water is ful loosening of soil in their tree Please write “Urban Forest” in
flowing too fast. If a hose is not pits. the subject line.

Jackson Heights Composting Project in the Works

By: Evie McKenna
Spring is often paired with opti- The goal is to collect food scraps impact of these recyclable waste
mism, hope and renewal. All of the- and other compostable items (such products adding to our garbage
se elements are present in a new as coffee with the filter!) and have stream. The project is being
local environment project here in the process set up in our zip code steered by the Green Agenda
Jackson Heights which will keep and with local distribution of the soil group (under the JHBG leadership
the whole cycle in house so to that results. The site has the po- and funding) and follows a trajecto-
speak. We will soon have a perma- tential to be an environmental base ry of JH composters in the recent
nent site for composting right here in the community and an educa- years from Lenny Olson’s work at
in Jackson Heights on 69th street tional tool, as well as acting as a St. Marks Church and the Farm
under the BQE. location for tree and plant give- Spot produce co-operative.
aways. This will be in addition to its
primary function of reducing the (Continued on next page.)


(Continued from previous page.)

He and Melissa Zavala pioneered and, eventually, at the new site as The location of the site is confirmed
that compost effort which is now well. Local residents who graduat- as the NE corner of 35th Avenue
well maintained by Kirsten Mag- ed from the “Master Composter” and 69th Street across from the
nani. course at the Queens Botanical dog run. The Dept. of Transporta-
Garden are spearheading this pro- tion has once again been a willing
Currently, the Greenmarket site at ject. In addition to Lenny, Melissa partner (thanks!) and, as soon as
78th St on Sunday mornings is our and Kirsten, those MC’s include details are finalized with the perim-
place for public compost collection Julian McNamara and Evie McKen- eter, we will be able to announce
in Jackson Hts. This new JH com- na who are working with Len Mani- the opening date of the site.
posting project will allow more col- ace and Ed Westley to get this pro-
lection times at the Greenmarket ject up and running.


Memories of Jackson Heights Gardens

By Doris Derwik Wurgler
With the completion of the Corona amenities to make moving to the War Gardens were part of the
extension of the elevated train suburbs within the city irresistible. war effort during World War I
along Roosevelt Avenue and the There were those who longed for the making good use of the fertile soil
popularity of the Garden City Move- opportunity to actually do some real in the vacant lots which had so
ment in Europe, the Queensboro gardening. Not to worry! Queensbo- recently been converted from
Corporation developed a marketing ro made community garden plots farm land. Once again in the
campaign promoting the innovative available at first in full blocks and 1940’s some of the vacant lots
concept of “the garden apartment” later at the ends of blocks where were converted to use as Victory
to an upscale clientele. The first apartment dwellers could landscape Gardens. Bill Seelig and his fami-
comprehensive planned group was and raise glorious displays to be ad- ly who lived on 89th Street next to
named, “The Garden Apartments” mired by their neighbors. The Com- the large vacant lot on 35th Ave-
with garden plots in front of each munity Gardens had large wooden nue marked out a plot which he
building and an uninterrupted disposal bins on the side street pe- and his older daughter Barbara
shared green space at the rear run- riphery to be easily scavenged by could manage. Many a summer
ning the length of the block. Strip evening strollers. evening we waved to them at
gardens of grass and trees contin- work tilling the soil and producing
ued along the sidewalks interrupted In the first years of my life in Jackson a marvelous crop of vegetables
only by the street, picking up on the Heights I joined my father and moth- for their table. Barbara later took
other side. The whole block on er admiring the flowers. My father her gardening skills to the Cha-
both sides of the street was one always came home with an armful of teau Garden. My father grew to-
enormous garden. We know it now discarded plants from the bins. I par- matoes, with carrots and radishes
as “The Greystones”. ticularly remember the garden on for me, and even tried his hand at
85th Street where the gardeners an espaliered apple tree against
The next Queensboro project treat- threw out the most exotic speci- the side of the house, grape vines
ed the full block garden as a mens. At one point my father had a on the garage trellis producing
square block with the gardens be- dozen different varieties of iris in our enough to make jelly and fill rows
ginning with grass strips along the garden, compliments of the bins. of jars to stock the basement pan-
street, flowing garden plots in in the Mrs. Earle’s Garden on 35th Avenue try. We had currant bushes cov-
front of all the buildings interrupted between 87th and 88th streets was ered with nets to save the berries
only by driveways and picked up in another favorite. We could see portly from the birds so we could make
the rear with an innovative and dra- Mrs. Earle in blue overalls with her Swedish Crème and a peach
matic block long interior garden. elegant upswept blond “do” tucked tree that produced huge juicy fruit
They called it “Linden Court” after under an enormous straw hat, on until disgusting borers invaded
all the magnificent Linden trees her knees with trowel in hand work- and filled the fruit with sticky goo..
planted in the street gardens. Even ing in a far corner of her manicured The back fence was always filled
now when they are all in bloom the stretch of restful green lawn with with climbing Blaze roses which
fragrance is intoxicating. One long- white Adirondack lawn chairs taste- we picked to take to my piano
time resident called it “the smelling fully interspersed among the showy recital held at the clubhouse on a
season”. That plan proved to be so colors of the exuberant flower beds. Saturday afternoon in June. The
successful that it became the mod- Bird baths and white bird houses on stage was filled with roses from
el for all of the subsequent garden poles welcomed feathered guests. the gardens of the young pupils of
apartment complexes for which Mrs. Earle was the only gardener Miss Kathryn Owens, a very prop-
Jackson Heights is justly famous. whose name we knew. My father er Southern lady who taught
was very good at chatting with manners as well as music in
Queensboro owned a huge tract of strangers and she with her German Jackson Heights living rooms. I
farmland which was not yet under accent may have felt more comforta- was four years old when I joined
construction. All those folks in the ble in 1940 talking with a passing her group of very little people sit-
new garden apartments needed Swede.
Continued on page ……...9


Jackson Heights Gardens
Continued from page 8.

tunity for safely climbing trees, al- ning of the next phase of our lives
beit in a prone position. as a family.
ting in a circle on the floor of the
house on 87th Street which would
When we first moved to Jackson My father was always close to the
a year later become my home.
Heights, my family rented a small soil so he was anxious to get start-
attached house on 88th Street. It ed. He couldn’t handle all of those
When we first moved into the 87th
was a comfortable enough life to kids running through our yard, as
Street house, there were no fences
make my father, who had come well as the adults walking by. Before
between the gardens at the rear of
from a line of landowning farmers long, my mother and father decided
the houses with a walkway that
in Sweden to long to own a piece a fence was needed. The chain link
stretched from the driveway near
of land in his new country. In 1940 fence had just come into popular
35th Avenue to the driveway at the
many of the original owners of the use and my father installed it all
other end near 37th Avenue. The
houses had moved on due to the around the back yard with gates at
house gardens further developed
hard times of the Depression the front and back. The “No fences”
the same successful concept that
years. Some houses were owned easement had expired and there
was defining the apartment com-
by the banks which had foreclosed, was no one to protest. He tore up
plexes: gardens beginning at the
others by investors who took ad- his portion of the common concrete
edge of the street with a grass strip,
vantage of the opportunity. Gen- strip that linked the “gardens” which
continuing in the front of the houses
teel renters kept up a good front. by now were unmaintained mud and
with sloping lawns flowing as a con-
Everyone on our common drive- laid out flower beds along the fences
tinuous river of green up and down
way knew most everyone else and with white wooden trellises along the
the block and around to the back
knew who was an owner and who garage and the back alley and an
gardens through breaks in the
was a renter. My father and mother arbor over the back gate. The soil
building line created by grouping
fell in love with a “convertible had been neglected for so long that
together two, four and five houses.
house” in the middle of the block, it needed major improvement. A
Queensboro decided that maple
at the end of its group so one could colleague at Otis who lived in
trees were to be the theme tree for
walk from front to back, facing Westchester had a chicken house
our block of English Garden
south for more sunlight, without a on his property and offered to share
Homes so the street trees planted
solarium (which several end hous- the by-products of his poultry. One
in the grass strips were maples.
es had) so there would be more Saturday morning my father took the
The property line trees in the front
growing space, an apartment on back seat out of the car, loaded his
gardens at the breaks between the
the top floor to help pay the mort- pitch fork, bushel baskets and card-
house groups were maples and
gage, a basement for a workshop board boxes and me. We drove to
the property line trees planted in
and a laundry room for drying Harrison where he and his friend
the back between every two hous-
clothes. It even had a garage loaded our car with the stinkiest
es were also maples. By the time
where he could park his black Pon- fresh chicken manure imaginable.
we got to Jackson Heights at the
tiac sedan that he drove to work as Praying that the car would not break
end of the 1930’s, the trees had
an electrical engineer for Otis Ele- down along the way, I held my nose
grown enough to create a leafy
vator Company in Yonkers, NY. and leaned out of the window.. After
vista on the whole street. In anoth-
My mother could take the subway the contents was unloaded, spread
er ten years, the trees were huge
to her school in Long Island City over the land and worked into the
with green canopies shading the
where she taught eighth grade soil, my father was well on his way
entire river of green below. In the
and music. My mother and father to realizing his dream. The car
1940’s a monstrous hurricane
felt comfortable buying their dream stank for many months afterward
hurtled through our street and with
house for $11,700 but didn’t move and we drove with the windows
a quiet “whoosh”, uprooted huge
in for several years, permitting the open even into the following winter.
trees on either side leaving them to
renters to stay on and make the But it payed off! We had a garden
rest, blocking the entire street for
mortgage payments. In my fifth that was the envy of all around. A
several days. With no exterior
year, they asked the renting family sea of red salvia even enticed hum-
wires to rip down, city kids were left
to move. For us, it was the begin- mingbirds, to the delight of my moth-
with a marvelous one-time oppor-
er.


A Letter from the Provost of Plaza College


Answers: 1. Jahns; 2. Armondos; 3. Happy Kitchen; 4. Mehfil; 5. Cannelle;
6. LaPortena; 7. Novo; 8. Arunee; 9. El Coyote; 10. Espresso77
CROSSWORD

Jackson Heights Resident Takes Manhattan
By: Linda Reynolds
A few weeks ago, in mid I hadn't heard Wild in years-- the ballads (“Body and Soul”
March, I had the pleasure of the last time I heard her sing was especially lovely); she
catching a set of some re- she was doing all originals. brought both complete respect
markably refreshing music at She has rediscovered her first and a sense of humor to every
the Iridium in midtown Man- love--the standards--which note she sang.
hattan. The unique jazz and she grew up hearing as a Still I admit I happen to have a
pop vocalist Bethany Wild was child (her parents were big bias for Ms. Wild’s original
joined by an impressive and fans of the music). Many pop tunes. She is an amazing
solid trio comprised of Glafkos singers are seduced by the songwriter with an uncanny
Kontemeniotis on piano, Fima elegant clarity of the lush mel- knack of throwing together a
Ephron on bass, and veteran odies and sophisticated lyrics catchy tune and an irresistible
Dave Meade on drums. of traditional jazz standards, lyric, like a natural born chef
and many a pop singer stum- who cooks without a recipe--
In an hour set that covered bles when attempting to navi- she‘s just got it like that.
some classic standards and gate the sometimes tricky
jazz tunes, as well as a few depths ofthese songs. Ms. Whether her songs are hu-
originals, she lead her trio Wild is not one of those sing- morous and witty, or haunting-
through a selection of almost ers. ly profound--her unique and
a dozen tunes that included a lofty musical observations tied
fun and bawdy rendition of Whether interpreting the to the tale of song--her voice
“Gee, Baby, Ain't I Good To standards or presenting her needs to be heard, whether
You?” “Prelude To A Kiss,” own material, all of it was through her own very lovely
“All of You,” “Body and Soul,” classic Bethany. Her voice is one or many others.
“Afro Blue,” a friendly instrument that de-
and a jaunty lyrical version of livers effortlessly all the way, Later that evening, I felt, when
“Well, You Needn't,” as well hinting at and toying with the I emerged from the dark base-
as her original songs “A melody, growling and soaring, ment nightclub into the unsea-
Chance of Peace,” totally at ease with not know- sonably mild winter night, that
“Hummingbird Street,” “The ing exactly what's coming I had already experienced a
Shooba” (a real crowd pleas- next. A mature and confident breath of fresh air. If the op-
er), and the charming artist who can swing like crazy portunity arises to catch this
“Wonders of the Heart.” on the up tempo material, and beautiful force of nature sing
still caress every nuance from live, do not hesitate to take it!

(Continued from p. 5)

Other changes from the DOT plaza and hope to see addi- on support from its mer-
include more than a dozen tional business from it. chants. That’s where all of us
large planters containing come in. What better way to
shrubs and flowering perenni- Many of us believe the pedes- show your support for our new
als, and additional tables and trian plaza will be good for the plaza than to walk there for a
chairs for 37th Road those neighborhood, but the plaza’s meal or shopping with your
restaurants who support the long-term success will depend family or friends.


VIEWS FROM THE Why did the chicken cross the road?
HEIGHTS
Volume 23 Number 3
Spring 2012 By: John Petrozino
Jackson Heights
Beautification Group
Post Office Box 720253 To get to the oasis, of course! colorful garden that would be nice
Jackson Heights, NY to look at for the store’s employ-
11372-0253
718-565-5344
If you haven’t seen it yet, you ees, customers and those who
Email: info@jhbg.org should stop in front of The Original pass by everyday. They had spe-
American Chicken, located at 78- cial ordered the little fence to give
Editor
07 37th Avenue, to check their the area its own space and added
John Petrozino beautiful and stunning tree garden. a few garden decorations. They
also feel it is a nice gesture to-
Writers and Reporters The "Oasis" was created by Anwar ward the community where they
Ahmed, one of the owners of the do business and their hope is that
Daniel Karatzas
restaurant. According to Anwar, other businesses in the area fol-
Len Maniace there was an open space that was low suit and do the same in their
Evie McKenna left empty by the city after taking a storefront—it would make the city
Linda Reynolds
Edwin O’Keefe Westley tree trunk that was there for a long streets look so much lively!
Doris D. Wurgler time. It looked quite ugly given that
the owners and their staff were Thanks to Anwar and his staff for
looking at it all day, everyday. helping make our neighborhood
Graphic Design Anwar came up with the idea and more beautiful!
James Stonebraker
vision to turn this little space into a
JHBG OFFICERS
Edwin O’Keefe Westley,
President
Len Maniace,
1st Vice President
John Petrozino,
2nd Vice President
Janet Kelly, Treasurer
John J. McCaffrey, Jr.,
Secretary

JHBG DIRECTORS
Leslie Elliman
Nelida Florez
Darryl Hoss
Daniel Karatzas
Janet Kelly
Barbara Kunkel
Lori Longbotham
Len Maniace
Carlos Martinez Emergency Tips on How to Save Your Trees:
John J. McCaffrey, Jr.
Evie McKenna  First loosen up the soil with a small shovel, taking care not to damage roots.
Finuala O’Doherty
John Petrozino
Jim Riccio
 Run a hose to the tree pit and let the water trickle into the soil.
Basil Safos
Edwin O’Keefe Westley  If the water runs out into the street within a few minutes, the soil is either
Doris D. Wurgler too hard or the water is flowing too fast.

 If a hose is not available, use a bucket; but remember: trees need about 15
Founding Director to 20 gallons of water each week.
Maire Breen

Membership: Jackson Heights Beautification Group

Your annual membership in the JHBG helps us fund neighborhood activities,
demonstrates your commitment to a better community, and permits us to be your voice
in the revitalization of Jackson Heights. Your support is important to the future of our
neighborhood. The JHBG is 100% volunteer-run, and there is no paid staff. The JHBG is
a 501(C)3 nonprofit organization, and your contribution is tax-deductible.

Please make checks payable to Jackson Heights Beautification Group. You will be
mailed a receipt for tax purposes.

Please fill out this page and return it with your payment to:
JHBG—Membership
Box 720253
Jackson Heights, NY 11372

1. Please circle membership level:
Individual—$25 Business—$50
Sustaining—$100 Patron—$250
Benefactor—$500 Sponsor—$1,000
Other: ______

2. Please print the following:
Name: ________________________________________________________________
Address (including Apt. #): ________________________________________________
City/State/Zip: __________________________________________________________
E-mail Address: _________________________________________________________
Daytime Phone (optional): _________________________________________________
Evening Phone (optional): _________________________________________________

3. Are you interested in being contacted about any of the following JHBG activities?
If so, please circle the appropriate one(s):

Clean Streets Friends of Travers Park
Garden Club (including flower planting) Graffiti Busters
Halloween Parade Historic Weekend
Membership Building Newsletter and/or Website
Town Halls Other: __________________

4. Suggestions? Comments?

THANK YOU! If you have any immediate questions or concerns, contact the JHBG
by phone (718-565-5344) or email (info@jhbg.org).

CHECK OUT OUR NEW WEBSITE!

JHBG’s website has a new look!

Check us out at: www.jhbg.org

Do you have a story or event coming up?

Send e-mails to info@jhbg.org or

Leave us a message at (718) 565-5344.

Don’t forget to us @ facebook.com/JHBGNY

Views from the Heights - Spring 2012

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