Great Flushing Expose

The Times ran an article covering all the insane development going on and coming up in the near future in Flushing. Everywhere you look you see construction, and large new projects.

I haven't written in a while, but I couldn't pass up this opportunity to re-amplify the light this article shines on Flushing. One day I may even add some comments and opinion, but in the meantime:

“Flushing is a bridge between China and Korea and the United States..."

Read the full story here: For Flushing and Its Waterfront, Time to Think Big

Americans and Soccer?

Yesterday, I touched on the question of why it is so hard for Americans to enjoy Soccer the way it is enjoyed around the world. Well, coincidentally there was an excellent article in the New York Times yesterday that was published with impeccable timing. The article propounds one theory, and in my opinion, it hits the nail right on the head. The Hands Theory:

The Hands Theory is often invoked by Americans who are spooked by soccer and insist the sport will never get anywhere in the United States because we Yanks only understand games that involve the use of hands.

Sounds about right, eh? Anyway, the rest of the article is excellent. Check it out.

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Congrats to the US team's 1-1 draw against England.
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Here's the World Cup 2010 schedule, broken down into groups.

WORLD CUP 2010! Mundial Fever! Bafana!

Yo, why is soccer such a lame sport in the US? That's the topic of another entry, and anyway who cares?! If you know anything then you will know that football, true football, is the greatest sport in the world. Catch the fever, don't listen to the lamos who call soccer a whack sport. Support a team. Argentina, Brazil, Italy, whoever, just jump on board and soak in the excitement.

Supposedly ESPN offers free matches streaming LIVE on their website espn3.com, formerly ESPN360, but you have to subscribe to an affiliated internet service provider. Otherwise, if your still trying to tune in online for free, check out univision.com. Si no entiendes español (if you don't understand Spanish), then open up a live audio broadcast in English, such as ESPN online radio coverage in English to compliment Univision's live video feed.

The U.S. team is playing a good match against England as I type this. Score is tied at one to one. The U.S. has come a long way, and to be honest, to give credit where credit's due, they're actually pretty good. But as far as giving them my support, well, I'm not quite sure I can, due to the fact I mentioned above--U.S. soccer fans lack the fuel, the passion, la gasolina, that propels the sport around the world. Maybe eventually, I can come out of the closet and support them. In the meantime, let's go Brazil!

Who you think will win the World Cup 2010?


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btw, congrats to Korea (who defeated Greece 2-0 this morning), and Argentina (who won 1-0 against Nigeria).

Fascinating Pics of Dynamic Flushing

Captivating images of Flushing from the 1950's to the present:
Flushing Archives

Snowmageddon's Revenge

Two snow days in one month! This is fantastic. At least for students and offices that were in their right minds to close for the day (sorry city employees). To those who have to work today, all the best to ya!

It's kinda nasty out there with poor visibility. Although I'll take this powdery snow to yesterday's sloppy, wetness any day.

Apparently this blizzard is worse than the original Snowmageddon earlier this month with 17" in Central Park vs. only 10" last time. Closer to home they're reporting 14" in College Point and just over 10" around Laguardia Airport.

Warm up some hot chocolate and kick back or bundle up and head out to the park to make a snowman!

Authorities Discover Four Tigers at Suburban Home

This happened in a Suburban neighborhood in Sumatra, but I thought this story was still perfectly appropriate for the New Year. From the BBC:

They are now trying to establish whether the tigers belong to the endangered Sumatran species, of which there are only about 400 in the wild.

A conservation officer told the BBC they were looking for the homeowner.

He or she could face a heavy fine and a prison sentence of up to five years for illegally keeping the animals as pets.

Photo: Nationaal Archief of Holland, Flickr Commons.

Flushing Lunar New Year Parade 2010

Today, Saturday, February 20, is the big Flushing Asian New Year Parade. It is always a lot of fun since Flushing is home to the largest community of East Asians in NYC, and seeing how spectacular the weather is today--45° & barley a cloud in the sky--it all adds up to a pretty good time.

Route: Begins, Union St and 37th Ave and ends at Main St and 39th Ave.

• When: February 20, 2010, 11 a.m.
• Fireworks - at Queens Crossing Mall (39th Ave and Main St) starting at 12:30 p.m.

Chinese Food and Folk Performances at Queens Crossing Mall:

The Chinese performers in the parade end the procession with a celebration at the Queens Crossing Mall, where there's more cultural activities.

• Queens Crossing Mall: 136-17 39th Ave
• 1 p.m.

Korean Lunar New Year Celebration at Korea Village:

The Korean parade contingent celebrates at Korea Village's Open Center, a cultural space, where there will be Korean food, games, dancing, martial arts, music, and a karaoke contest.

• Korea Village Open Center: 150-24 Northern Blvd at 150th St
• TBD - 718-353-8969

MORE INFO at John Roleke's About.com blog/sight!

Happy New Year!

Welcome to the Year of the Tiger! I hope everyone had a splendid Lunar New Year. May it bring plenty of luck and joy, and in the case of this blog, more diligent updates!

A little info on all you tigers out there:

The Tiger is said to be lucky vivid, lively and engaging. Another attribute of the Tiger is his incredible bravery, evidenced in his willingness to engage in battle or his undying courage. Maybe he’s so brave because he is so lucky. But the Chinese say a Tiger having a Tiger in the house is the very best protection against the evils of fire, burglary.

(Source)

Photo: The Field Museum, Flickr Commons.

Flushing VS Chinatown

This is an interesting article from the Times that I recently found (although it was published a couple years ago), that talks about the differences in culture, food, and shopping between Chinatown Manhattan, and our beloved Flushing. Pretty cool read. Here's an excerpt:

Where Chinatown is shrouded in history, Flushing is bright and contemporary. The broad, flat cityscape of Queens is spiced up with the shiny metal-and-mirror aesthetic popular in industrial East Asia. "In Chinatown, everything is right in front of you," [the author's friend] said, putting her hand right in front of her face. "In Flushing, you can breathe."

Faces & Facts

Here's the brochure for the show mentioned earlier today. The back lists the artists and the third opening date, which is December 10, at the Sylvia Wald and Po Kim Art Gallery in Manhattan.


















(Click to enlarge)