Urbanite

Term limits may not be decided until late Thursday

Thursday October 23, 2008 9:31 AM By Mae Cheng

By Jason Fink

The City Council may be in for a long day – and night – as word circulates that there might be as many as eight amendments offered to the bill to extend term limits.

The bill, which would extend term limits for city office holders to three from the current two, is scheduled to be voted on starting around 1:30 p.m. Thursday. On Wednesday, three council members said they would introduce an amendment to put the matter to a public referendum.

But Thursday afternoon, Councilman Peter Vallone Jr (D-Queens), said he heard there might be as many as seven additional amendments, and all 51 council members would be given the opportunity to address each one.Council Speaker Christine Quinn, a supporter of the bill along with Mayor Michael Bloomberg, held a news conference Thursday afternoon and expressed confidence the measure would pass in its original form.

“We have enough votes to pass it,” she said.

During the news conference, Quinn restated her position that because of the current financial crisis, the current crop of elected officials in City Hall should be given a chance to run for a third term.

“At a time like this what you need is New Yorkers to have the opportunity to have consistent government,” she said.

amNY morning news round-up ...

Thursday October 23, 2008 6:59 AM By Lauren Johnston

Check out these stories from today's print edition of amNewYork:

* NYers OK with legalized prostitution?

* City Living: Jackson Heights, Queens

* Sophia among NYC's most popular baby names

* Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen back in the spotlight

Breaking: Committee passes term-limit bill; full Council votes this afternoon

Thursday October 23, 2008 6:38 AM By Lauren Johnston

The City Council Committee on Goverment Operation headed by Councilman Simcha Felder. (Dave Sanders)

By Jason Fink

The New York City Council governmental operations committee this morning unanimously passed a bill that would extend term limits for the mayor and other city officials. There are six members on the committee. The full 51-member City Council is scheduled to vote on the bill this afternoon.

"This is one of the toughest decisinos I have ever made in my entire life," said Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. before casting his vote. " A two-term limit hurts this city," he said.

Committee Chairman Simcha Felder said he did not believe the vote was a move designed specifically to bolster Mayor Michael Bloomberg, whose office put the bill on the agenda.

"Many have tried to make this issue about one man," Felder said. "I think the mayor has been very effective in office, but that has nothing to do with the matter before us," he said.

City Living: Jackson Heights

Wednesday October 22, 2008 5:23 PM By Rolando Pujol

Jackson Heights is known for its excellent transportation options. (Photos: RJ Mickelson/amNY)

By Craig Raphael and Miranda Siegel

Special to amNewYork

Located in northwest Queens, vibrant Jackson Heights offers an elaborate treasure hunt with treats to track down and loot to discover. You can go on the prowl for the plumpest and most delectable samosas, haunt the Latin bakeries in search of glistening, eggy flan, peer into freezers full of fragrant, milky kulfi popsicles, and try arepa after arepa until you've found the tastiest meat.A flurry of activity, along with significant populations from Bangladesh, Colombia, Mexico, Argentina and Pakistan, among other countries, makes Jackson Heights one of Queens' most popular destinations. Manhattanites who scarcely venture off their island will often daytrip here, and visitors of South Asian descent flock to the area from every corner of the city and beyond.

“This is where you can get the most authentic Bangladeshi and Indian food in the city; people come here for that,” noted Ajit Bardhan.

Jackson Heights was mainly farmland until 1908, when the Queensboro Realty Company bought and began developing the land. The new neighborhood was designed in the style of 19th century English "garden cities": rows of spacious houses with front lawns, access to interior gardens, large windows and lush foliage.

The garden apartments were followed by lovely co-ops —the country's first — which were given fancy names like Hampton Court and Chateau. Together with the garden houses, they make up the Jackson Heights Historic District.

The idyll was disrupted in the 70s and 80s, when Jackson Heights, like most of Queens at the time, became riddled with drug trafficking and criminal activity.

It wasn't until residents banded together and made efforts to beautify and improve the quality of life in the area that things started looking up.

Today, Jackson Heights is a neighborhood that embraces all kinds of culture, with many community centers, clubs devoted to visual arts, and a flourishing gay, lesbian and transgender community that celebrates with The Queens Pride Parade each June.

So it is surprising that the neighborhood remains somewhat overlooked given all it has to offer, including a major subway junction between the 7, F, E, R and V trains that provides convenient and fast access to Manhattan.

“It’s a very quirky community — there’s a variety of different groups and constituents, as well as a growing number of families with children,” said Elena Madison. “And they all co-exist pretty peacefully.”

FIND IT

Jackson Heights is bordered on the west by the BQE, on the east by Junction Boulevard, on the north by Northern Boulevard, and the south by Roosevelt Avenue.

The Dunolly Owners Flea Market on 35th Ave in Jackson Heights.

TO EAT

Jackson Heights offers a veritable smorgasbord of food. The bulk of the South Asian restaurants are located on 73rd and 74th streets between Roosevelt and 37th avenues, also known as “Little India.” Vendors and shops selling Latin treats such as tacos, empanadas and rich, gooey pastries are concentrated on Roosevelt Avenue and Northern Boulevard. There’s Thai and Afghan, too!

Rajbhog Sweets and Snacks

The title of this shop, which is the main supplier of kulfi and other goodies to stores throughout Queens, says it all: There are sweets (gulab jamun, jalebi and mango burfi) and there are snacks (chole poori, samosa and kachori). Hang around with your food to enjoy the Indian music videos.

72-27 37th Ave. 718-458-8512

Arunee Thai Cuisine

This Thai restaurant is known for its impressive array of appetizers and salads, as well as its solid flavor combinations and clean execution. You’ll swoon for the deep-fried quail with garlic sauce and spicy papaya salad.

37-68 79th St, 718-205-5559

Afghan Kebab House #4

One of only a few Afghan restaurants in New York City, #4 offers awesome kebab combos, scallion-stuffed bolanee (fried turnovers) and delicious naringe paulau (lamb topped with orange rind and pistachios).

74-16 37th Ave., 718 565-0471

Jackson Diner

Arguably the most well-known restaurant in Queens, this airy eatery is often crowded with families and bargain-seekers piling their plates high with rich and spicy chow from the $9.95 all-you-can-eat buffet.

34-47 74th St, 718-672-1232

Pio Pio

The Jackson Heights branch of this Peruvian chain cooks up its signature plump, succulent chicken, a soft and greasy masterpiece that slides right off the bone. Sides include plantains, yucca and rice and beans.

84-15 Northern Blvd. 718-426-1010

Cositas Ricas

Cositas Ricas is a lively Colombian restaurant that features a bar, a bakery and some unusually attractive waitresses. It’s hard to go wrong with any of the shellfish or chicken dishes, but the Pollo Sebastian is especially tender.

79-19 Roosevelt Ave. 718-478-1500

TO PARTY

Jackson Heights has a lot going on when it comes to nightlife: Roosevelt Avenue and Northern Boulevard are lined with clubs, and there’s a happenin’ gay scene, too. Some restaurants are open late to cater to the night owls.

Natives

A bold marquee attracts visitors to this sprawling restaurant, where you can get cozy in a plush booth and watch the comedians, musicians and the occasional theater performance on the large stage.

82-22 Northern Blvd., 718-335-0780

Terraza 7 Train Cafe

Terraza 7 Train Café is a great coffee shop and bar that hosts a mix of independent films, art exhibitions, live music and creative workshops.

40-19 Gleane St., 718-803-9602

Club Atlantis 2010

Queens’s largest gay club attracts people from throughout the city, who come to gyrate to Latin and club beats. Stiff drinks and a lively crowd compensate for the steep cover.

76-19 Roosevelt Ave., 718-457-3939

Chibcha Restaurant and Nightclub

A Colombian nightclub pounding out meringue and salsa favorites to eager partygoers, Chibcha has been a neighborhood favorite for years. They also serve food.

79-05 Roosevelt Ave, 718-429-9033

Village Moon Tattoo shop at 78-01 Roosevelt Ave.

TO SHOP

Jackson Heights is a very popular shopping destination, not only for New Yorkers but also for people from all over the greater metropolitan area. Stock up on aromatic spices, salwar kameez, gold jewelry, baked goods, Latin music and Indian books.

Rudy Volcano II

This purveyor of Guatemalan goods offers an eclectic mix of textiles, incense, peculiar carved stones (owl or phallus, anyone?), baby booties, decorative pipes, jewelry and housewares.

79-07 37th Ave., 718-651-7100

Newman Jewelers

A dizzying array of religious figurines, decorative china and oh-so-precious statuettes, including porcelain renderings of trout, brown bears and playful kittens. Prices are truly steep, but the owner promises “a discount on anything you buy.”

78-03 37th Ave., 718-429-3413

Patel Bros.

Want to admire numerous rows of tangy chutneys, pick up a bag of frozen samosas, or attempt to haul a 25-pound bag of jasmine rice home on the subway? Patel Bros. offers these enticing options and more, including pulses, bingeworthy sweets and snacks and a variety of unusual and inexpensive spices.

37-07 64th St., 718-898-3445

Maharaja Sweets

Enter this small, glowing shop and find yourself facing a glass case filled with small piles of mysterious pink, brown, and white sweetmeats. Come here for ladu, burfi and pure vegetarian food.

73-10 37th Ave., 718-505-2680

La Nueva Bakery

There are many Latin bakeries in Jackson Heights, but La Nueva is among the most popular. The dulce de leche-filled cake roll is out of this world, as is the syrupy, custardy flan. They also have mate gourds made out of hooves.

86-10 37th Ave., 718-507-2339

Travers Park is at 34th Ave between 77th and 78th Street.

TO SEE

The best way to experience Jackson Heights is to wander around soaking up the atmosphere, popping into shops to sample treats or check out Indian or Latin DVDs. The area is also home to a movie theater.

Sunday Play Street and Greenmarket

In a neighborhood lacking much green space, the Sunday Play Street, which occupies a closed-off portion of 78th Street on Sundays until mid-November, is an absolute joy for youngsters and adults alike. Around the corner on 34th Avenue, the local Greenmarket sells farm fresh produce, dairy and meat.

78th Street between 34th Avenue and Northern Boulevard

Eagle Theater

In a previous life, Eagle Theater was known as “The Earle” and showcased racy entertainment to eager patrons. Today, the renovated Art Deco theater draws in crowds with the latest Bollywood hits.

73-07 37th Road, 718-565-8783

Jackson Heights Historic District

Jackson Heights was America’s first “Garden City” based on the writings of Ebenezer Howard. Though the coveted private gardens are hidden behind the co-ops, some are visible from the street. There are also minor attractions like “the birthplace of Scrabble,” which was originally played at the Community United Methodist Church on 35th Avenue at 81st Street.

76st to 88th streets between Roosevelt Avenue and Northern Boulevard

Beautiful real estate along 35th Avenue and 82nd Street in Jackson Heights.

REAL ESTATE

Jackson Heights is home to some lovely housing options, including historic low-rise co-op apartment buildings, the famous “Garden Houses,” and one- and two-family houses.

“The co-ops are prewar and have beautiful nine-foot ceilings, original crown moldings, transoms, dumbwaiters, and are surrounded by gardens,” said Marlene Flores, sales associate at Century 21 Best, Inc. “I also like to focus on selling the beautiful old garden apartments; people really love them.”

TO RENT

$1,200 for a prewar studio apartment (37th Avenue and 73rd Street)

$1,399 for a one-bedroom brand new apartment (84th Street and 35th Avenue)

$1,500 for a three-bedroom apartment (82nd Street at 34th Avenue)

$1,650 for a rent-stabilized two-bedroom apartment (35-34 95th St.)

$1,750 for a brand-new two-bedroom apartment (75th Street at 30th Avenue)

$2,100 for a four-bedroom apartment (85th Street at 32nd Avenue)

$2,550 for a three-bedroom duplex with garage (30-31 78th St.)

TO BUY

$179,000 for a renovated one-bedroom co-op (Roosevelt Terrace)

$269,000 for a one-bedroom co-op with private gardens (The Dunolly)

$310,000 for a two-bedroom co-op (The Greystones)

$315,000 for a two-bedroom co-op with balcony and garage (Pelham Manor)

$390,000 for a 1,033-square-foot one-bedroom condo with eat-in kitchen (The Colton Condominium)

$459,000 for a three-bedroom co-op with private gardens (Hampton Court)

$469,000 for a 1,200-square-foot two-bedroom, two-bathroom co-op (The Berkeley building)

$1,100,000 for a 2,700-square-foot five-bedroom, four-bathroom prewar two-family home (35th Ave.)

CONTACT: Marlene Flores, sales associate at CENTURY 21 Best, Inc. 718-446-1300

Q & A WITH ADAM GORFIN

Adam Gorfin, who works in a shop dealing in rare books and prints, has lived in Jackson Heights for four years.

What do you like best about the neighborhood?

The amount of space you get can’t be beat — it’s real living, not closet living. It’s also not pretentious in any way whatsoever; there’s no new-fangled youth trying to make it into some sort of bohemia.

What is something you don’t like about the neighborhood?

It can get extremely loud, especially late at night. At 4 a.m. these huge party buses roll by, and when they pull up at a stop light it’s a nightmare.

What are some of your favorite places to eat?

Deshi Biryani has really good south Indian food. I like the street food; there are some great taco carts. I’m also a fan of Legends Bar and Grill, which is a bizarre southern BBQ place smack in the middle of Little India.

How has the neighborhood changed since you’ve lived there?

It really hasn’t changed much at all. For example, this big supermarket was renovated about a year ago, and people wondered if it would become more upscale. They did put in a cheese island with your typical fancy cheeses, but a week later it had returned to the usual mishmash of strange generic cheese.

What is something people don’t know about the neighborhood?

It’s really overlooked as a whole. The amount of space you get for the price is really reasonable. There are buildings that are meant to be lived in, and I appreciate that.

THE BASICS

Library

Queens Library, Jackson Heights Branch

35-51 81 St.

Police Station

115th Precinct

92-15 Northern Blvd. 718-533-2002

Transportation

Subway: 7 to 74th, 82nd St; E,V,R to Jackson Heights/Roosevelt Av.

Bus: Q32, Q33, Q47, Q49, Q66

Crime Stats

The 115th Precinct, which covers East Elmhurst, North Corona and Jackson Heights, reported three homicides, 32 rapes, 287 robberies, 229 felonious assaults, 283 burglaries and 199 motor vehicle thefts thus far in 2008. In 2007, there were four homicides, 30 rapes, 268 robberies, 229 felonious assaults, 324 burglaries and 209 motor vehicle thefts.

Schools

PUBLIC

ELEMENTARY:

P.S. 2 Alfred Zimberg School, 75-10 21st Ave

P.S. 149 Chrsta Mcauliffe School, 93-11 34th Ave

P.S. 212, 34-25 82nd St

P.S. 69, 77-02 37th Ave

P.S. 222 Christopher A. Santora School, 86-15 37th Ave

MIDDLE:

I.S. 145 Joseph Pulitzer, 33-34 80th St

I.S. 230, 73-10 34th Ave

HIGH:

Renaissance Charter School, 35-59 81th St

PRIVATE

Blessed Sacrament School, 3420 94th St

Lexington School for the Deaf, 30th Ave and 75th St

St Joan of Arch Elementary School, 3527 82nd St

Garden School, 33-16 79th St

MORE CITY LIVING HERE

Legalize prostitution in New York City, some suggest

Wednesday October 22, 2008 4:34 PM By Mae Cheng

By Jason Fink and Marlene Naanes

Ban indoor smoking. Cut trans fat. But to some New Yorkers, sex for sale may be OK.

As San Franciscans prepare to head to the polls next month to decide whether prostitution should be decriminalized, some in New York said Wednesday that a similar idea in Gotham may make the trade safer and free police to crack down on other crimes.

“Sex is in this country is really taboo,” said Julia Rich, 21, or Park Slope. “If it’s more out in the open then we could find ways to organize that business. It would help the women and it would help police.”Advocates for the ballot measure in San Francisco say the police will free up $11 million a year they would have otherwise spent arresting prostitutes. However, one local criminal justice expert said legalization would not have the same impact here. In New York the NYPD often targets sex workers only in response to specific complaints from citizens, according to Eugene O’Donnell, a professor of law and police studies at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in Manhattan.

“It’s almost always that there’s a clamor, there’s people screaming, ‘Get this off the streets, it’s near the schools,’” O’Donnell said. “There is no war on prostitution the way there is a war on drugs.”

NYPD officials yesterday failed to provide details on its efforts targeting prostitution. A spokesman for Mayor Michael Bloomberg declined to comment on the issue.

While no major U.S. city has legalized prostitution, more than two dozen foreign countries and two states - Nevada and Rhode Island - permit it in some form.

Sienna Baskin, an attorney for the Sex Workers Project at the Urban Justice Center, said there’s no doubt prostitutes would see an immediate improvement in their lives if the sale of sex was legalized in New York.

“People are cycling through the system and getting a longer and longer criminal record and that makes it tougher to leave the sex trade business,” Baskin said.

Trinia James, 39, of the Lower East Side, agreed that the pros may outweigh the cons.

“If they’re already doing it, why not make it legal and not just keep locking them up all the time,” James said. “That way they \[the police\] can spend more time on other crimes.”

However, some New Yorkers were strongly opposed to promoting the world’s oldest profession, fearing the greater impact it may have.

“Children would look at that and they would see it’s legal and they would think they could make a lot of money doing that,” said Denelle Walton, 25, Crown Heights.

“I have a little boy and a lot of nieces and nephews,” said Raj Madho, 35, of Queens Village, “so that helps shape my opinion.”

Asked if legalization could potentially lead to increased tax revenue, Madho said she would prefer City Hall to find money somewhere else.

“Coming from a religious background, using that kind of money, they say it has a curse on it,” she said.

Sophia among NYC's most popular baby names

Wednesday October 22, 2008 2:17 PM By Pete Catapano

Michael Bloomberg seems to have lost popularity in one department: His first name isn’t the most popular one for male babies in the city for the first time in more than 50 years.

Isabella, Sophia and Daniel are the most popular names for New York City's babies, according to the Health Department's annual list from birth certificates issued in 2007. Michael, the top name for boy babies since 1956, slipped to third.

Officials say Isabella and Sophia tied as the top girl's name among Hispanic, white and Asian families. Kayla reigns with black and Hispanic parents and Fiona is a new favorite for Asian girls.

Jayden was the top choice of boy's names among black and Hispanic parents. Daniel is the favorite for whites, Hispanics and Asian families. And William has joined the list as a top choice for Asian families.

And there are always some parents who enjoy being different and named their daughters Unique and Miracle. For boys, the list of unusual names included Achilles, Phoenix, Orion and Wolf.

-- amNewYork

"Sophia" is one of the top names for baby girls.

Mary-Kate and Ashley back in the spotlight

Wednesday October 22, 2008 2:10 PM By Julie Gordon

By Julie Gordon

For a while, it seemed as though Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen were trying to distance themselves from the twin thing. Mary-Kate has been pursuing solo acting projects, with roles in Showtime’s “Weeds” and film “The Wackness.” Ashley has been focusing on fashion, founding the brand The Row in 2006.

Now the pair is heading back into the spotlight as a twosome, with a spot on “Oprah” and a book, “Influence,” coming out on Oct. 28.The moguls are on today’s “Oprah” as part of a segment on young multi-millionaires.

The 22-year-olds are worth $100 million, according to Forbes. Most of that dough comes from their company, Dualstar Entertainment Group, which sells videos, clothing and personal care products.

On “Oprah,” the businesswomen get personal, discussing their support for each other when it comes to guys.

“If she doesn’t like him, I won’t like him,” Mary-Kate told Oprah Winfrey. “If she likes him, I’ll like him.”

The sisters’ book is a collection of interviews they conducted with influential figures about their inspirations. There are also photos of the ladies and commentary from them. Karl Lagerfeld, Diane Von Furstenberg, Lauren Hutton and John Galliano are among the stars interviewed for the book.

Down to the wire on term limits bill

Wednesday October 22, 2008 1:53 PM By Mae Cheng

By Jason Fink

It may be anyone’s victory tomorrow when the City Council votes on whether to extend term limits for elected officials.

After a judge today refused a last minute request by two Brooklyn council members to stop the vote, the stage is set for what some say may be one of the closest votes taken inside City Hall.

“These are shifting sands,” said Councilman James Oddo (R-Staten Island), an opponent of the bill. “You could have 32 votes before lunch, 26 after lunch and 22 by the end of the day.”While there was much speculation that Council Speaker Christine Quinn’s decision to schedule a vote tomorrow is evidence that she and Mayor Michael Bloomberg have been able to line up enough supporters, some political insiders said they weren’t so sure.

“Part of this is a poker game,” said one city official who asked not to be identified. “They’re putting on a tough face . . . You put it on as if you have the votes and then you hope that you have them because of that.”

Quinn’s office released a statement today saying the speaker is “very optimistic that the mayor’s bill will pass.”

Meanwhile, the mayor, who three weeks ago declared he wanted to change the city charter so he could run for a third four-year term, has said that he would not seek to change the law through a voter referendum if the bill is voted down.

Passage would require 26 votes.

The vote could also take another turn, as three council members who say they are undecided on Bloomberg’s bill announced today that they will introduce an amendment seeking to have the term-limits issue decided by voter referendum.

Voters twice approved term limits in the 1990s.

Councilman Lewis Fiddler (D-Brooklyn), who supports extending term limits, said that while he was “cautiously optimistic” that term limits will be extended, he interpreted Quinn’s action more as an attempt to put the matter to rest.

“As passionately as people feel about this issue, there’s a lot of business we’re not doing that we should be doing,” Fiddler said. “Let’s rip the Band-aid off and do it. One way or the other, let’s get this vote done.”

Taylor Momsen recovers after hospital stay

Wednesday October 22, 2008 1:03 PM By Julie Gordon

By Julie Gordon

“Gossip Girl” actress Taylor Momsen is recovering from a potentially life-threatening throat infection after being released from Los Angeles hospital yesterday.

The 15-year-old Momsen, who plays Jenny Humphrey on the CW11 show, was admitted to the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center on Sunday.

“She has been an excellent patient, and after aggressive antibiotics and medications, she is expected to make a full recovery in the next three to five days,” said Shawn S. Nasseri, Momsen's doctor.

Momsen was in L.A. for a school exam, and plans to return to New York, where “Gossip Girl” is shot, with her mother this week, according to Us magazine, which first reported the news.

“She’s in unbelievable spirits,” a source told Us.