Hey neighbor,

First, I owe you an answer.

A few weeks ago, we asked which came first, the 7 train reaching Jackson Heights or LaGuardia Airport opening. Then the poll formatting got a little wonky, some of the choices disappeared, and I somehow forgot to reveal the answer the following week too. Oops!

So, finally: the 7 train came first! It reached Jackson Heights in 1917, more than 20 years before LaGuardia Airport opened.

Now for a question that might cause even more disagreement: if you could eat on only ONE Jackson Heights street for the rest of your life, which one would you pick?

​37th Ave​
​Roosevelt Ave​
​74th St​
​82nd St​

There’s no correct answer this time, although I suspect some of you will have very strong opinions!

Speaking of eating, our monthly Dinner Club is happening tomorrow night. RSVPs are closed for this one, but we’ve already set the next few dates, including the next one on Tuesday, October 20. You can grab a spot here.

There are also a some lovely new additions to Paseo Park for Hispanic Heritage Month. Adrian from World Borough Bookstore, with help from the community, has put up little free libraries at 93rd Street near PS 149 and 79th Street near IS 145.

Take a book, leave a book, or just have a look next time you’re passing!

Elsewhere around the neighborhood, local officials are calling for more micromobility space on Northern Boulevard to take some e-bike traffic off 34th Avenue, the governor stopped by to hear from Asian business owners, and the UN General Assembly has brought a little extra activity around Diversity Plaza with Bangladesh’s prime minister in town.

Okay, food debates started, books exchanged, dignitaries spotted. Here’s what else is happening around the neighborhood this week…

This Week in Jackson Heights

September 22–28

Featured Event

🌶️ Salsa Masala Fest | Saturday, September 26 | 1:00–4:00 PM | The World’s Borough Bookshop, 34-06 73rd St
An Indian-Latin celebration of Jackson Heights with food, vendors, readings and live music, including Kebab King and Pilas Cafe. Spice up your Saturday​

Meet the People Behind the Neighborhood Past “new in the neighborhood” meetups have included folks from local bookstores, Open Streets, arts groups, and community projects. Come along on Thursday October 8th to listen, connect, and see what’s happening around Jackson Heights at our next newcomer meetup. Join our newcomer meetup

Tuesday, September 22

Voices That Lead: Youth, Climate & Community | 6:00–8:00 PM | The World’s Borough Bookshop • young voices tackling big climate questions → Hear what’s next​

Evening Oil Studies | 6:30–8:30 PM | Art Retail Therapy • all levels welcome, materials included → Pick up a brush​

Wednesday, September 23

The World in One Borough | 7:00–9:00 PM | The World’s Borough Bookshop • Queens poets build a 7-train-inspired poem → Follow the words​

JH Art Talks #62: Jae Hi Ahn and Ellen Jing Xu | 8:00–9:00 PM | Espresso 77 • two local artists, two talks, plus Q&A → Talk art over coffee​

Thursday, September 24

NYC Hispanic Heritage Month: Business Services in Jackson Heights | 1:00–4:00 PM | 93-16C 37th Ave • free multilingual help for local businesses, appointments suggested, walk-ins welcome → Get business help​

Pasatono Trio: Traditional Music of the Mixteca, Oaxaca | 7:00–10:00 PM | Terraza 7 • violin, jarana and bajo quinto from the Mixteca • $20 → Hear the Mixteca​

Friday, September 25

Tribal Manga with Ivan Velez | 4:00–5:00 PM | Queens Public Library at Jackson Heights • turn Indigenous myths into comic-book heroes, for kids 6–11 and teens → Create your hero​

Dance Rehearsal for Jackson Heights Halloween Parade | 5:00–7:00 PM | 69th St & 34th Ave • learn the Thriller moves, all welcome → Practice your Thriller​

5K Bichota Run & Party | 6:00 PM–1:00 AM | Julieta Taberna Bar NY • three miles, Karol G, then party. All paces welcome, free RSVP required → Run like a Bichota​

Saturday, September 26

Salsa Masala Fest | 1:00–4:00 PM | The World’s Borough Bookshop • kebabs, coffee, readings and live music → Spice up your Saturday​

Sunday, September 27

Street Works Earth Fest | 10:00 AM–8:00 PM | Travers Park • art, neighbors and planet-friendly ideas all day → Celebrate the planet​

Patterns of You: A Kinusaiga Workshop with Bonnie | 4:00–5:00 PM | The World’s Borough Bookshop • make Japanese-inspired art with fabric, no sewing required → Tuck into some art​

Monday, September 28

Spanish Conversation Club | 6:00–7:30 PM | 93rd St & 34th Ave • no quizzes, just practice and conversation → Habla un poquito​

More to do in Queens

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

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

Entrepreneur Space: 16th Anniversary Open House | Wed Sep 23, 6:00–9:00 PM | The Entrepreneur Space, LIC • free samples, drinks and local food makers → Taste what’s cooking​

Solve Your Marketing Challenges: Speed Consulting | Thu Sep 24, 9:00–11:00 AM | Queens Chamber of Commerce, East Elmhurst • quick advice from marketing experts → Bring your marketing questions​

Pahua Live in Concert | Thu Sep 24, 7:30–8:30 PM | Flushing Town Hall • Latin rhythms meet electronic dance beats • $25+ → Hit the dance floor​

Bindlestiff Cirkus Surprise! | Fri Sep 25, 7:00–9:00 PM | LaGuardia Performing Arts Center, LIC • circus, comedy and slightly grown-up surprises → Expect the unexpected (use code UNICYCLE241 to get 2 for 1 tickets)

Kaki Lima International Skewer Festival 2026 | Sat Sep 26, 11:00 AM–6:00 PM | Kissena Boulevard, Flushing • skewers, satay, music and family fun → Come hungry​

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

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

High-Fives & Local Love

Shout-out to the brands keeping this newsletter going:

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

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Until next week! See you out there, somewhere between a Bichota 5K, a plate of skewers and somebody practicing Thriller on 34th Ave.

Jonathan (JBS)