April 1, 2014 Edition

Each spring, the Queens Economic Development Corporation is deluged with requests for the "Ask a Queensite!" column. As you know, Queensite is the all-knowing and authoritative expert on the world's most diverse borough -- with the encyclopedic mind of Kew Gardens native Fran Drescher, the provocateur of Jack Kerouac (who began writing his signature book On The Road while living in his parents' Ozone Park house), and the style of John Leguizamo, who studied at I.S. 145 in Jackson Heights before hitting the big time as an actor. Queensite prefers to remain anonymous, but he/she/it (?) is delighted to answer some of the most pressing questions that inquiring minds have sent to the QEDC.

What to eat?

Dear Queensite:

We are planning a family reunion on Tuesday, April 29, and I need some suggestions for where to take my somewhat large and boisterous relations. My husband Lars, is Jamaican-Moroccan. My father is Turkish, and my mother is Chinese. My sister-in-law is Irish, and her wife is from Mexico, but their two children -- adopted from Japan and Malaysia, respectively -- are vegetarians. My cousin Bella is on a high-protein diet, while her boyfriend Tad is on a liquid leaf diet. What am I to do?

Hunger Games from Holliswood

To Hunger:

The Food Gods are smiling at you! Queens Taste 2014 is on Tuesday, April 29, from 6 pm to 9 pm, at the Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel in Flushing. You can bring the entire family because there will truly be something for everyone. Lars can feast on Jamaican-Moroccan fusion goodies from the newly opened Pa-Nash Eurosole in Rosedale. Your father will enjoy coffee and delights from the Turkish Cultural Center. Glendale's Shiro of Japan and Flushing's Mamak Malaysian will provide plenty of high-protein cuisine, while Woodside's La Adelita and Sunnyside's Dog and Duck Gastropub will offer some Mexican and Irish treats. Pescatarians will find joy in Zenon Taverna, an Astoria eatery whose owners hail from Cyprus, while ovo-lacto vegetarians can head to the Artisanal Cheese table. Tad will be happy to know that Rose House Queens Crossing will serve various styles of tea. And of course there will be many wonderful adult beverages, such as Punzone vodka and SquareWine daddy grape juice that will surely turn any family reunion into a family lovefest.

World's Fair 2039?

Dear Queensite:

I heard that planning is underway for a third World's Fair in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. I missed out on the 1939 and 1964 events, so I am very excited about experiencing a third one during my lifetime. Do tell, if it is true!

Fairly Excited from Far Rockaway

To Fairly Excited:

As always, Queensite has the inside scoop...and yes, World's Fair III is in the planning stages. The chair of the committee, Mavis Merman-Bowne (a direct descendant of Astoria's Ethel Merman and John Bowne, signer of the Flushing Remonstrance) has told us that WF3 will be a virtual fair whereby the borough's entire population will be supplied with futuristic glasses that will enable them to "experience" the entire six-month event anywhere, even on the E train, at the gym or waiting in line at the Kew Gardens Duane Reade. But until WF3's details are worked out, we invite you to surf to www.itsinqueens.com/worldsfair and learn about all the great events over the next six months that will commemorate the 1939 and 1964 World's Fairs, including the May 18 Festival in Flushing Meadows Corona Park.

Free Money!

Dear Queensite:

I sleep in every morning and stay up late watching cable TV and eating H�agen-Dazs Dulce de Leche ice cream. I watch these great shows at 1 am telling me the government has free money to help me start my business: a body art parlor for toddlers called "Tiny Tats." Can you help me get this free money? 

Big Dreamer from Bellerose

To Biggie:

I want you to stand in front of a mirror and say three times: "There is no such thing as free money." And then say it another 10 times. The only people who get rich are the producers of those late night advertorials. Instead of staying up until the wee hours watching TV, I suggest you go bed early and enroll in one of QEDC's Business Services classes. For example, the monthly New Idea to New Venture course will provide all sorts of information to help you realize your dream...even your cockamamie delusion of tattoos on toddlers. Won't they all say "Mother?"
QEDC Facebook Sidebar ButtonQEDC Twitter Sidebar ButtonQEDC Flickr Sidebar Button