Hey neighbor,

As February winds down, we are marking the end of Black History Month while many neighbors continue celebrating the Lunar New Year. It is a beautiful overlap that reminds me how lucky we are to live somewhere with so many traditions side by side.

And in a moment that feels especially meaningful here, legendary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman passed away this week at 96. Over a career spanning decades, he made around 50 films capturing the rhythms and inner workings of everyday life, including In Jackson Heights which is a beautiful portrait of the people, conversations, and cultures that make this neighborhood so unique. It is currently streaming on PBS, Kanopy, and Mubi if you have never seen it or want to revisit it (trailer and info here).

And after you have watched it, what better excuse to get out and discuss it with neighbors at our monthly Dinner Club happening on next Tuesday (the 24th). Come try a local restaurant, meet some great neighbors, and join us at the bar after. I will be there and would love to say hi! You can book your seat here.

Also, proud uncle moment! My niece designed a logo for the newsletter for my birthday:

And staying on the creative theme, congratulations to Zach McCurdy for winning our Instagram competition 🎉

Zach recently moved to Jackson Heights and is a fantastic illustrator. You can see his illustration of Travers Park below, and find more of his work on Instagram.

Before we dive into the week, a big thank you to Emily Hackenburg for becoming a new paid supporter of the newsletter.
Emily gave a shout out to Baht restaurant on 37th Av and their kind, hardworking team when signing up!

If you enjoy what we’re building here, you can join Emily in supporting the newsletter at jacksonheightsinsider.com/support​

Regarding new openings around the neighborhood, my wife and and I did some exploring this week and checked out Julieta, a new Colombian restaurant & bar on 81st and Roosevelt (owned by the same folks behind Cositas Ricas, Pollos Marios and Pecoshitas). Really large space that’s ideal for groups. There is also a new Qahwah Valley Yemeni coffee shop on 75th and 37th Ave that smells so good it might slow down foot traffic.

Alright, let’s get into the good stuff. Here is what is happening around the neighborhood this week.

This Week in Jackson Heights

February 17–23, 2026

Featured Event

🏫 Queens Community Board 3 Monthly Meeting, Feb 19, 7:00 PM–9:30 PM, Renaissance Charter School, 35-59 81st St. Have a say in neighborhood decisions and hear updates that affect daily life. Free, all welcome. Add to your calendar here.

Upgrade Your Social Life One Dinner at a Time If you’ve been meaning to meet more people where you live… this is your sign. Great food, curated tables, and an easy bar hang afterward for whoever wants to keep the night going. Sign Up for Dinner

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Tuesday, February 17

Hip-Hop Experience for Youth (Black History Month) | 2:00 PM–6:00 PM | Elmhurst Hospital Center, 81-01 Baxter Ave (Annex G, 7th Floor) • music, art, poetry, trivia, and community celebrating Black culture • ages 12–24 • FREE (first 30 RSVP, refreshments provided) → Register​

QPL Homework Help – Jackson Heights | 3:00 PM–5:30 PM | Queens Public Library, 35-51 81st St • homework heroes welcome, kids 6–11 → Get details​

Wednesday, February 18

34 Ave Chess Club | 2:30 PM–3:30 PM | 34th Ave & 93rd St • friendly matches, all ages → Join the game​

Thursday, February 19

In Studio Community Class: Flexibility + Focus, Yoga for Teens | 5:15 PM–6:15 PM | 2nd Story Pilates + Yoga, 81-10 37th Ave • stretch and reset, ages 11–15 → Learn more​

Queens Community Board 3 Monthly Meeting | 7:00 PM–9:30 PM | Renaissance Charter School, 35-59 81st St • neighborhood updates and voices heard → See agenda​

Friday, February 20

NYC Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit At QPL | 3:00 PM–5:00 PM | Queens Public Library, 35-51 81st St • get help with city services, adults and seniors → Get assistance​

Michael Vitali Trio | 8:30 PM–10:00 PM | Espresso 77, 35-57 77th St • smooth jazz night → Listen live​

Saturday, February 21

Tiny Teacher: Cricut For Beginners | 3:00 PM–5:00 PM | The World’s Borough Bookshop, 34-06 73rd St • crafty afternoon fun → Reserve your spot​

Musiquita’s Saturday Afternoon Cozy Jams | 4:00 PM–4:45 PM | Community United Methodist Church, 81-10 35th Ave • sing along, family friendly • $15 → Get tickets​

MONECO — Psychedelic Peruvian Chicha | First Set | 9:00 PM | Terraza 7, 40-19 Gleane St • dance the night away • $20 → Grab tickets​

Sunday, February 22

Queens Author Spotlight: Alvin Eng Our Laundry, Our Town | 4:00 PM–5:00 PM | The World’s Borough Bookshop, 34-06 73rd St • local stories and conversation → Save your seat​

Monday, February 23

DRINK N DRAW: Figure Drawing Session | 7:00 PM–9:00 PM | A.R.T. Shop, 84-26 37th Ave • sketch night vibes, ages 14+ • $20 → Join the session​

More to do in Queens

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

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

NYC Black History Month: Free Business Services in Jamaica | Fri Feb 20, 11:00 AM–3:00 PM | 168-46 91st Ave, Jamaica • free 1:1 help for business owners, RSVP suggested → Book a consult​

Uke Hut Open Mic | Fri Feb 20, 7:00 PM–9:00 PM | Uke Hut, 36-01 36th Ave, Long Island City • bring an instrument, $10, show up early → Grab the mic​

Happy Neigh Year! Horse Painting Workshop | Sat Feb 21, 2:00 PM–3:30 PM | Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd, Flushing • paint a lucky horse, ages 7+, $15 → Get tickets​

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

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

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High-Fives & Local Love

Shout-out to the brands keeping this newsletter going:

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

And a big thanks to our personal supporters: Nancy Cardenas, Ursula Avelino, Philip Washburne, Paola Bakos, Joseph Varghese, Mark Kuhl, RJ Harden, Barbara Goodwin, Patricia Marjoribanks, Sara Klar, Sam Raker, Ankit Gupta and Arlene Gilbert.

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

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Jonathan (JBS)