The Bungalows on 129th Ave

between 161 St. & Guy R. Brewer Blvd.

Fireworks 'Round the Way

Someone or some groups around Baisley Park and south of Baisley really put on a fireworks display last night. Usually in the 'hood, it's about the noise - how long and how loud of firework are. But there was an impressive visual display of brocade, willow and star effects. There was no reason to go into the city. Thanks for the show!

Pitcher Mounds

Last week, we spotted the Parks Department workers digging and moving dirt at the southern tip of Baisley Pond Park (the same location where the Gospelfest will take place). There's about 20 or so mounds of dirt. Pitcher mounds. Kind of like the one Charlie Brown would stand on when he's playing softball. Any clue what these dirt piles are about?

GOSPELFEST at BAISLEY POND PARK!

Southern Queens Gospelfest
Saturday, July 14th - 3PM to 8PM
Next Saturday is Gospelfest at Baisley Pond Park. It's a free festival featuring local choirs and performers. Free refreshments and arts & crafts for the kids. Bring a blanket or folding chair. The backdrop of the event is Baisley Pond. See nature at it's best!

Rockaway Blvd. between Sutphin and Baisley Blvds.

A Perfect Summer Day

Monday and Tuesday were TOP TEN SUMMER DAYS (unlike the overcast skies today). If you weren't able to go outside and enjoy the weather, you missed a treat. Low humidity, clear blue skies, cumulus clouds. On those two days, Baisley Pond Park was a great place to be.

Frozen In Time: Rochdale Village Shopping Center

Rochdale Village has two shopping malls. The mall located in Rochdale North is called The Rochdale Shopping Center. It's on Baisley Blvd., right off Guy R. Brewer. The main entrance is between Rite Aid/GNC and the post office.





You can tell that this community mall for "a city within a city" was once in full swing about 30-40 years ago. When the Jewish and white population left, it looks like the finances, cares and concerns left with them. The interior design and space appears to look exactly the way it was when they left, too.

Rochdale residents and surrounding neighbors patronize the independent businesses, but no one remembers the stores by their name. They're known as "the discount store" or "the sneaker store." You can find great deals, but they lack individual personality. There is a West Indian bakery and a Chinese restaurant, but it feels like "take-out," not "eat here and join us." Shop signage for most part is dull.





The L-shaped layout also have a couple of public displays that were removed. You'll see a couple of empty pits with a railing surrounding it. You'll also see a structure which resembles a life-sized birdcage. It sits in a large opened area, which is wasted space. If this is art, no one pays attention to it.



Nevertheless, it's a place to pick up last minute items. Key Food is also one of the main attractions. It also remains to be a meeting place for Rochdale's senior population.

Wild Rabbits???

On a personal note, late Wednesday night in a large grassy backyard on 159th Street, between 137th Ave. and 140th Ave., I spotted a rabbit. Mostly white with a spot of black and it was rather large. I'm not sure if it got loose or what. But I would imagine that if someone had a rabbit, they'd keep closer watch. Just like the time I saw a GUINEA PIG chilling out on a lawn in NOVEMBER on 157th Street.

Would someone let a guinea pig out just to roam wild in late November..in Queens? Now I know we have possum and raccoons that run around wild, but rabbits and guinea pigs??

Beautifying New Jerusalem

New lawn sprinkler installation and horticulture beautification at New Jerusalem Baptist Church today, located on Baisley Blvd. and Smith Street. Thanks for taking care of "God's property!"

Observation: A Real Estate Prediction

HAPPY SUMMER to all! Enjoy what summer has to give in our neighborhood. Don't forget to check out Baisley Pond Park. It's wildlife in your backyard.

Here's a house on the corner of 129 Ave and 160 St. that's for sale and needs some TLC. PREDICTION: By this time next year, this house will be totally renovated and refurbished into a Southeast Queens "McMansion."

South Jamaica's Playhouse: The Black Spectrum Theatre

This summer, there's SO much happening at The Black Spectrum Theatre at Roy Wilkins Park, including the shows above, youth summer camp and their traveling mobile stage. Check out their very informative website, filled with clips and pics.

"Founded in 1970, Black Spectrum Theatre Company produces and presents theatre, films, and videos examining issues of concern to the African-American community, particularly African-American youth. At our 325-seat state-of-art theatre, we serve more than 20,000 audience members annually. We reach many thousands more through our nationally distributed social issue video series and fours and workshops for underserved communities. Black Spectrum is the only professional theatre company reaching out to people of African descent in Queens NY. We serve the large African-American, Caribbean-American, and Latino populations of Jamaica, Hollis, St. Albans, and Laurelton, and diverse audiences throughout the country."

Old Charm: Raised Ranch Split-level (159th St)

What's That Smell?

Cheers to the Dunkin’ Donuts/Baskin Robbins store located on the corner of Guy R. Brewer and 140 Avenue, only because it’s an alternative to the usual bodega or 99 cent discount store. But JEERS to the dumpsters located on the side of the store. Two large dumpsters without lids take up about two or three parking spots, usually overflowing with garbage and debris. On top of that, the dumpsters encourage others to dump their garbage AROUND the bin. Sometimes you can smell a nasty odor during the evenings. Enough for anyone to lose their appetite. You’ll even catch an employee or two taking a break within inches of the dumpsters. Real classy. If you buy your coffee and donuts from here, please let us know how good it is.

Same Trouble on West Outer Drive is Happening Here

You're probably wondering where West Outer Drive is. You're also probably wondering what the trouble is, too. West Outer Drive is a street in Detroit in which several hard working, middle-class Black homeowners are in jeporady of losing their home due to subprime mortgages. Check out this article from The Wall Street Journal: http://online.wsj.com/article_print/SB118047548069017647.html
The article focuses on the 5100 block of West Outer Drive. On this block alone, seven families are struggling to pay their mortgage or risk getting evicted. You'll see pictures of the beautiful Colonial brick homes on the interactive map and you'll read their heartbreaking stories. Some of us can relate. South Jamaica and Southeast Queens is facing the same exact problem. We see new homes built from scratch in just a matter of weeks. We see one family ranch-style or bungalow homes that are turned into "Southeast Queens McMansions."


It's great to see such a great change. We're striving for the American dream to own a home. But at what price?

The JFK Terror Plot: What's Your Opinion?

A few days have passed since the JFK terror plot news was released, accusing four men of Guyanese and Trinidadian descent. Southside has a decent Guyanese and Trini population. What's your reaction. Also, anyone considered that parts of south South Jamaica is only a mile or so away from the airport's epicenter? What are people saying on your block? Shock? Anger? Concern? What are your thoughts? We'd like to know.

Flip This House! Corner Cape

This large Cape Cod corner property beauty has so much potential and is in desperate need of a makeover. A plus that the owner keeps the lawn mowed. When it's not, the house looks totally abandonded.

(134th Avenue and 156th Street)