All information below is supplied by Dr. Eichenbaum.
- Updated - May 5, 2008
Flushing's Koreatown
May 10, 2008, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Koreans are the premiere small businessmen of contemporary immigration. Their center of gravity has migrated away from Central Flushing and is now sprawling east along Northern Blvd and to a "Korean Village" in the Murray Hill area. See surprising shops and dozens of churches. Ends with lunch suggestions, particularly the new "KFC."
- Meet outside St George's Church (NW corner 39th Ave/Main St).
- LaGuardia Community College Continuing Ed (Discover Queens Program), $20
Richmond Hill Featuring Guyanese Liberty Ave
May 11, 2008, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Immigrants from Guyana (in South America) are already a fascinating mix of African, South Asian, Caribbean, and British culture. Now they are adapting to New York. We'll view much of their commercial strip, a thriving segment of Liberty Avenue in South Richmond Hill. Then we'll ascend Richmond Hill and explore transportation influences.
- Meet at NE corner of 104th St/Liberty Ave (Lefferts Blvd A train to 104th St, do not take Rockaway A) )
- Brooklyn Center for the Urban Environment, 718-788-8500, $13/10/8
Commemorating the 350th Anniversary of the Flushing Remonstrance 2: Religious Freedom in S. Flushing (South of the LIRR)
May 18, 2008, 1-3 p.m. (Also see April 20)
In 1657 residents of Flushing petitioned the Dutch colonial government to uphold freedom of conscience and permit religious pluralism. Today every major religion in the world has a substantial church, mosque, or temple in the vicinity. We'll tour some of the diversity on foot, visit the premiere Hindu Temple, and return via Flushing's South Asian commercial area.
- Meet at Flushing Library steps, Main St & Kissena Blvd.
- Queens Historical Society, $10/12
The Makeover of Long Island City: Featuring the Borden Ave. Bridge Centennial (1908)
May 22, 2008, 6-8 p.m.
During the early twentieth century, the focus of transportation in LIC moved from the LIRR/ferry at Vernon Jackson to the bridge/subways converging at Queensboro Plaza. This reorientation required excavation and drainage (the Sunnyside Yards) as well as landfill (Queensboro Plaza and elsewhere). The Borden Ave.Bridge was the first to cross the new Dutch Kills Canal that drained the Plaza area. New canals, bridges, roadways, railroad sidings, subways, and factories made Long Island City the most modern producer of consumer goods in the nation.
- Meet at "Vernon Mall" a small public area with benches, south of Dorian's Cafe on Vernon Blvd. (#7 to Vernon/Jackson, exit at Manhattan end) Finish at Queens Plaza.
- Sponsored by the NYC Bridge Centennial Commission and Dr. Jack Eichenbaum. Free tour. To guard against possible overcrowding please email Jack Eichenbaum (jaconet@aol.com) if you intend to join this walk.
Changing Ethnicity: Forest Hills to Corona
May 30, 2008, 6-8 p.m.
Bukharan Jews succeed Russian Jews in Rego Park! South Americans surround the venerable Little Italy in Corona Heights! (including the Lemon Ice King of Corona!) Dominicans, Ecuadorians, and Mexicans compete for commercial space in Corona Plaza!
- Meets at Ridgewood Savings Bank, 108th St and N side Queens Blvd. (E,F,R.V to 71Ave/Continental, Forest Hills) Ends with dinner suggestions in the Corona Plaza area (103rd St #7 train)
- Sponsored by Jack Eichenbaum Fee $15
The World of the #7 Train
June 7, 2008, 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
My signature tour. Six walks and lunch break accessed by the "International Express" from Grand Central to Flushing. Includes walking tours of Long Island City, Sunnyside, Woodside, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, Corona, and Flushing.
- Walks are interspersed with rides on the #7, so it's not as tiring as it may seem. Email me -- jaconet@aol.com -- for full description.
- Assemble at western end of #7 platform at Grand Central (near escalators).
- By reservation only - jaconet@aol.com - $35/$20 (Full/Half day)
Changing Ethnicity: Astoria
June 13, 2008, 6-8 p.m.
In this demographically changing neighborhood opposite Manhattan‘s Upper East Side, Central Europeans, Italians, and Greeks are being replaced by Arabs, Brazilians, and Yuppies. We’ll explore Astoria from its major transportation arteries: Steinway St (a former trolley route), 31st St (under the elevated train) and the Grand Central Parkway which bisected the neighborhood 70 years ago.
- Meets at SE corner Broadway/Steinway St (R train), ends at NYC's only remaining beer garden!
- Sponsored by Jack Eichenbaum Fee $15
- More Info? Custom tours? Contact jaconet@aol.com or 718-961-8406.
