Making It Here

Not too long ago I was heading home after a trek through Forest Park and saw a swarm of black-colored birds — hundreds of them — in the sky, trees and power lines, on rooftops and lawns and on sidewalks across the street. Fascinated by the super-flock, I consulted a couple bird experts, sharing pictures and a video. 

Paul Sweet, a collection manager at the American Museum of Natural History’s ​​department of ornithology, was one of the experts who confirmed that these weren’t crows, but common grackles. Sweet, a Brooklyn resident, has worked at the museum for 32 years. One of the most common misconceptions he’s heard is the one I brought up.

https://epicenter-nyc.com/mistaking-blackbirds-with-hitchcocks-in-queens/ 

https://www.nycgovparks.org/places-to-go/birding

https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/birding

https://www.nycaudubon.org/events-birding/programs-and-events/local-trips-classes

https://www.feministbirdclub.org/

https://www.instagram.com/latinooutdoors_nyc/

https://www.meetup.com/outdoor-afro-ny/

https://www.amnh.org/research/vertebrate-zoology/ornithology

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On weekend nights, Puerto Viejo in Prospect Heights is packed with New Yorkers and visitors alike. Many stay for hours, sipping morir soñando and eating sancocho while chatting with friends or longtime restaurant staff. In this episode we sit down with Maritza Abreu, the daughter of founders Cristina and Eduardo Abreu. Maritza is now in charge of marketing and events for the family restaurant. And her parents' work has also inspired her to start a business of her own – a hot sauce company called “Pisqueya”. 

https://epicenter-nyc.com/resilience-on-the-menu-at-authentic-dominican-restaurant/

https://www.puertoviejony.com/

https://pisqueya.com/products/pisqueya-smoky-hot-sauce

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As Mets owner Steve Cohen’s proposal to build a casino and entertainment complex at Citi Field is in limbo, some community advocates are questioning whether the harms outweigh the benefits. And during the February casino town hall, several residents, some of whom are of East Asian descent, questioned the casino’s proximity to Flushing’s Asian American community. Two of  them argued that members of the community “tend to gamble a lot.” While some attendees cheered in agreement, others found the comments stereotypical and harmful.

In this episode we sit down with two experts to learn more about where the stereotype of the “Asian problem gambler” comes from, how casino marketing targets Asian Americans, and how communities can address this issue.

https://epicenter-nyc.com/the-truth-behind-the-asian-gambler-stereotype/

https://epicenter-nyc.com/why-critics-of-the-proposed-citi-field-casino-want-you-to-know-more-about-gambling-addiction/

https://nyproblemgambling.org/

https://www.minkwon.org/

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When Lolita Malone was growing up with three younger sisters and their baby brother in rural Jamaica, she and her siblings shared clothes, shoes, and pretty much everything. They had a tiny allowance but big fashion dreams, so they would hit up thrift shops and cut and upcycle clothes.

Now, decades later, Lolita and her daughter, Maui, have launched a Manhattan-based fashion brand of their own: Maui x Lolita. Their designs are for bold, daring women who want to take risks when it comes to what they wear. In this episode we sit down with Lolita to learn about the story behind Maui x Lolita and what’s next.

https://epicenter-nyc.com/a-mother-daughter-duo-creates-the-clothes-the-fashion-industrys-been-missing/ 

https://mauixlolita.com/ 

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In December, reggaeton legend Daddy Yankee announced his plan to dedicate himself to Christianity. He dropped the bombshell on a farewell tour while a drone depicted a giant cross and the message “Christ is coming.” Daddy Yankee’s move follows other icons like Farruko, Julio Voltio, El General. But that’s not the only thing they have in common. So why do reggaeton artists who’ve announced their devotion to religion happen to be middle-aged men? 

In this episode you’ll hear from historians, theologians and experts of the Puerto Rican experience as we answer this question.

https://epicenter-nyc.com/why-are-reggaeton-superstars-ditching-their-music-for-god/

https://twitter.com/jjrodv/status/1734797704146895134?s=46&t=0SNllaIm9HWHZqj9bMYvxA 

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Mirta Rinaldi was 61 years old when she launched her food business, Mendulcina. But her journey with food began long before. Growing up in Mendoza, Argentina, she spent a lot of time in the kitchen, surrounded by family. Cooking was their love language. Then, in 1975 Mirta moved to New York City, and after working a variety of jobs she decided to follow her passion and cook full time.

In this episode Epicenter-NYC’s Danielle Hyams sits down with Mirta and her daughter Paola, who helps run Mendulcina, to learn more about the inspiration behind the company.

https://epicenter-nyc.com/mendulcina-the-sweetness-of-pursuing-your-passion-at-any-age/

https://mendulcina.com/ 

https://www.leagueofkitchens.com/

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Neighborhoods like Cypress Hills and East New York are currently witnessing an alarming trend where house flippers aggressively target homes. They often prey on the vulnerabilities of low-income, Black, and Brown homeowners.

Luckily, community groups like the Coalition for Community Advancement are fighting back with initiatives such as the proposed "flip tax" bill. In this episode we sit down with Maliha Jahangiri, who joined the Coalition for Community Advancement last spring, to discuss the implications of this toxic practice on the fabric of communities and what’s being done to combat the issue.

Read our full story:

https://epicenter-nyc.com/how-nyc-communities-can-fight-home-flipping/

Stay up to date with the Coalition for Community Advancement: 

https://www.facebook.com/CoalitionforCommunityAdvancement

Learn more about the “End Toxic Home Flipping Act”: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2023/S1569/amendment/A

how to protect yourself from deed fraud: https://www.nyc.gov/site/finance/property/deed-fraud.page

Check out this arm of Cypress Hills LDC, which can help homeowners protect themselves from speculators: https://cypresshills.wixsite.com/homeownerhelpdesk/homeowner-resources

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Kyle Depew’s journey into the heart of film photography began long before he opened “Brooklyn Film Camera” in 2015. With a background working for the Impossible Project, which famously acquired the last Polaroid factory, Kyle leveraged his experience and passion to create a space dedicated to the preservation and celebration of film photography. 

From a modest stall at the Brooklyn Flea Market to a sprawling two-level store in Williamsburg, “Brooklyn Film Camera” has become a cornerstone for both the local and global photo community, offering a rare blend of vintage camera repair, film sales, and community events.

https://brooklynfilmcamera.com/

https://epicenter-nyc.com/film-photography-is-alive/ 

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“Public Obscenities” explores the pleasures and pitfalls of living in translation as it follows a queer studies PhD student returning to his family home in India with his Black American boyfriend. The bilingual play boldly navigates the complexities of identity, belonging, and expression.

In this episode Playwright Shayok Misha Chowdhury talks to Epicenter Founder and Publisher S. Mitra Kalita to explore the layers of thought and emotion that shape "Public Obscenities”, and why this three hour performance is one you won’t want to miss.

You might not understand the words in “Public Obscenities” but you’ll feel every single one

Tickets for "Public Obscenities" at Theatre for a New Audience

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Last March, the New York City chapter of the Audubon Society voted to take flight from its past, shedding the name of John James Audubon – a figure intertwined with naturalist art and a legacy of white supremacy. In an effort to embrace inclusivity and reflect the diverse communities across the city, the organization is now looking for a new name. They’re also inviting all New Yorkers to be part of the change.

In this episode we dive into why this name change matters, the history behind it, and how it's shaping the future of bird conservation in New York City.

Rank-vote your favorite names: Input for NYC Audubon's New Name Choices

Read our full article: NYC Audubon Society tries to move past racist legacy with new names

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