The Woodhaven Blog

Spring is here! Neighborhood staples like Woodhaven Library are kicking off the season with an Adult Sprint Craft on Monday night while Neir’s Tavern and Pop’s Cocina continue to keep the fun going with events like Trivia Tuesdays and Salsa Night Saturdays. Here is some of the best of what’s happening in Woodhaven this week:

• Monday 4/15:
  • Sensory Storytime at Woodhaven Library from 12:15 to 1 p.m.
  • Adult Spring Craft at Woodhaven Library from 6 to 7 p.m.
• Tuesday 4/16:
  
  • Toddler Learning Center at Woodhaven Library from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • Kickoff to Kindergarten: Advanced Class at Woodhaven Library from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
  • Trivia Tuesday at Neir’s Tavern at 8 p.m.
• Wednesday 4/17:
  • Toddler Music at Woodhaven Library from 10:15 to 11 a.m.
  • Mommy or Daddy and Me at Woodhaven Library from 11:15 to 11:45 a.m.
• Thursday 4/18:
  • Adult Movie Matinee at Woodhaven Library at 2 to 4 p.m.
  • Shape Up NYC: Zumba for Adults at Woodhaven Library 6 to 7 p.m.
• Friday 4/19:
  • Game Day for all ages at Woodhaven Library from 4 to 5 p.m.
  • Jay Valera Live at Pop’s Cocina at 8 p.m.
• Saturday 4/20:
  • Our Autism Lifestyle: Parent Support and Informational Meeting at Woodhaven Library from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
  • ISUPK 50th Annual Passover Celebration at Woodhaven Manor starting at sundown.
  • Salsa Night Saturdays with Victor Rosso at Pop’s Cocina at 9 p.m.

Pop’s Cocina & Bar is a Woodhaven staple serving Latin-inspired dished like their ribeye with a chimichurri sauce and seafood mofongo. But the casual Latin restaurant serves more than just delicious food and drinks. Each week, events like Ladies Night with Enniel Ventura connect locals with local musicians through performances, most of which are free.

Jay Valera performs at the bar and restaurant every Friday starting at 8 and admission is free. Valera’s performance is joined by drink specials like pitchers of sangria and pitchers of rum punch for $25. Not to mention their kitchen is open until 1 am so you can soak up all of the punch before heading home.

In addition to Ladies Night with Enniel Ventura and Jay Valera Live, there’s Salsa Night Saturdays with Victor Rosso and Jazz Sundays with Casssandra Nunez. Jazz Sundays includes sets by Cassandra Nunez singing Jazz classics in both English and Spanish. The restaurants brunch menu compliments the live music.

In addition to the weekly performances at Pop’s, the restaurant also hosts shows for other artists. Past performances include Eliacim, Zeo Munoz, Urba Nova and Luis Vagamundo. It doesn’t matter if it’s another Friday night or a special holiday like Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day, Pop’s almost always hosts events for you and your family and friends to celebrate.

The next show will be Pamel Acustico this Friday, April 12 at 9 p.m. It will be an intimate evening with an up-close and personal performance by the artist. Tickets are only $10 and table reservations go for $15 a person. To find out more, check out the event post here.

From early morning prayers to various workshops, there are many reasons to get out into Woodhaven this week and embrace the Spring weather.

• Monday 4/8:
  • S.T.E.A.M! Into The Spiderverse! at Woodhaven Library from 4 to 5 p.m.
  • Yoga Classes at Woodhaven Library from 6 to 7 p.m.
• Tuesday 4/9
  • Toddler Learning Center at Woodhaven Library from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • Trivia Tuesday at Neir’s Tavern at 8 p.m.
• Wednesday 4/10:
  • Toddler Music at Woodhaven Library from 10:15 to 11 a.m.
  • Spring Craft for ages 6-12 at Woodhaven Library from 4 to 5 p.m.
  • Bingo is back! at Neir’s Tavern at 8 p.m.
  • Ladies Night with Enniel Ventura at Pop’s Cocina and Bar starting at 3 p.m. with Happy Hour.
• Thursday 4/11:
  • Early Morning Prayer at Benito’s Home at 8066 88 Ave. at 6:15 a.m.
• Friday 4/12:
  • Jay Valera Live at Pop’s Cocina and Bar at 8 p.m.

Since 1925, Schmidts Candy has operated their family-run candy shop on Jamaica Avenue with handcrafted chocolates, hard candies and everything in between. Started by “Grandpa Schmidt”, the business has remained in the family through decades and is currently ran by Margie Schmidt, who has operated the business for 34 years. Although various family members have operated Schmidts Candy before Margie took over, the coveted recipes and quality ingredients have remained the same.

With Easter approaching, Schmidts Candy has all the Easter treats you need. If you’re making an Easter basket for the kids, craving an infamous chocolate bunny for yourself or have friends and family to gift, Schmidts Candy can fufill your needs. Current Easter goodies include hollow chocolate bunnies, solid chocolate bunnies, creme eggs, jelly beans and more. Check out some of the products below.

If you find yourself around Woodhaven, or if you find yourself craving delicious candies worth the commute, head over the shop located at 94-15 Jamaica Ave. Go to https://schmidtscandy.com/ to shop online and find out more about Schmidts Candy.

If you want to know more about Margie, check out Ed Wendell’s article from 2014 on our website http://www.queensledger.com/view/full_story/25788025/article-WRBA-to-honor-sweets-purveyor-Margie-Schmidt.

Check out these ways to get out of your apartment and into your neighborhood! If you know of something happening in Woodhaven that is not included, let us know!

• Monday 3/18:
  • Yoga Classes at Woodhaven Library from 6 to 7 p.m.
• Tuesday 3/19:
  • DECE March Readiness Workshop at NYC Department of Education from 8:30 to 1 p.m.
  • Reading and Writing Help for 3rd and 4th Graders at Woodhaven Library from 3 to 4 p.m.
  • Basic Guitar Lessons at Woodhaven Library from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
  • Trivia Tuesday at Neir’s Tavern from 8 to 10 p.m.
• Wednesday 3/20:
  • Toddler Music at Woodhaven Library from 10:15 to 11 a.m.
  • Mommy or Daddy and Me at Woodhaven Library from 11:15 to 11:45 a.m.
  • Adult Book Discussion at Woodhaven Library from 2 to 3 p.m.
  • Picture Book Time at Woodhaven Library from 4 to 5 p.m.
• Thursday 3/21:
  • Adult Movie Matinee at Woodhaven Library from 2 to 4 p.m.
• Friday 3/22:
  • Bilingual Birdies Presents Speakin’ Spanish at Woodhaven Library from 10:15 to 11 a.m.
  • Game Day at Woodhaven Library 4 to 5 p.m.
  • Jay Valera Live at Pop’s Cocina at 8 p.m.

From trivia to CPR and first-aid workshops, there is something for everyone to get involved in this week. Do you know of an event happening in Woodhaven that’s not included? Let us know!

• Monday 3/11:
  • Sensory Storytime at Woodhaven Library from 1:15 to 2 p.m.
  • Picture Book Time at Woodhaven Library from 4 to 5 p.m.
  • Adult Craft at Woodhaven Library from 6 to 7 p.m.

• Tuesday 3/12:
  • Trivia Tuesday at Neir’s Tavern from 8 to 10 p.m.
  • Basic Guitar Lessons at Woodhaven Library from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
  • Community Board 9 Monthly Meeting at Queens Borough Hall at 7:45 p.m.

• Wednesday 3/13:
  • CPR and First Aid workshop at Bilingual Child Care Center from 6 to 9 a.m.
  • Toddler Music at Woodhaven Library from 10:15 to 11 a.m.
  • St. Patrick’s Day Craft at Woodhaven Library from 4 to 5 p.m.
  • Bar Bingo at Neir’s Tavern from 8 to 10 p.m.

• Thursday 3/14:
  • Multicultural Karaoke at Woodhaven Library from 1 to 3 p.m.
  • Inspiring Women in Science: My Next Great Big Invention! at Woodhaven Library from 4 to 5 p.m.
  • Shape Up NYC: Zumba for Adults at Woodhaven Library from 6 to 7 p.m.

• Friday 3/15:
  • Bilingual Birdies presents Speakin’ Spanish at Woodhaven Library from 10:15 to 11 a.m.

Nestled on the corner of 78th St. in Woodhaven is Neir’s Tavern, a bar that has a rich history spanning over 180 years. They pride themselves as “the most famous bar you have never heard of”, but we bet you have heard of the many films shot on location. As Neir’s Tavern starts to prepare for their 180th anniversary, check out these movie stills, all shot in New York City’s oldest bar.

Wanna know more about Neir’s Tavern? Check out Ed Wendell’s recent article about the iconic bar on our website.

Embrace the snow of early March by attending these events in Woodhaven:

• Friday 3/1:
  • 4 – 5 p.m. – Game Day for all ages to play board games together, Woodhaven Library, 85-41 Forest Pkwy.
  • 8 p.m. – Jay Valera Live, Pop’s Cocina & Bar, 8522 Jamaica Ave.

• Saturday 3/2:
  • 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Self-Serve craft for ages 6-12, Woodhaven Library, 85-41 Forest Pkwy.
  • 3 – 4 p.m. – Lego Hour, Woodhaven Library, 85-41 Forest Pkwy.
  • 9 p.m. – Salsa Night Saturdays with Victor Rosso, Pop’s Cocina & Bar, 8522 Jamaica Ave.

• Sunday 3/3:
  • 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Knife Instructor Level 1 certification course, Alpha Doce Pares Eskrima Academy, 84-33 Jamaica Ave.
  • 6 p.m. – Jazz Sundays with Cassandra Nunez, Pop’s Cocina & Bar, 8522 Jamaica Ave.

Weekend Weather:

Friday 3/1: Cloudy with a high of 38 degrees.

Saturday 3/2: Rain mixed with snow and a high of 39 degrees.

Sunday 3/3: Rain mixed with snow and a high of 42 degrees.

The Ozone Park Residents Block Association announced a memorial mass for the NYPD Detective that was killed following an attempted robbery in Richmond Hill a few weeks ago.

The Most Reverend James Massa, of the Brooklyn Diocese, will preside over the memorial mass for Det. Brian Simonsen, on Saturday March 2, at 11 a.m. at the Nativity of
the Blessed Virgin Mary Church (101-41 92 St Ozone Park).

He will be joined by Assistant Chief Chaplain Monsignor Robert J. Romano NYPD.

Pastors and priests from churches such as Holy Child, Our Lady of Grace, Our Lady of
Perpetual help, St. Benedict Joseph labre, St. Elizabeth’s, St Helen’s, St Mary Gate of heaven & St. Teresa-St. Antony and St. Thomas were invited to join Father Paul and the priest of Nativity.

The public of the surrounding communities of Kew Gardens, Ozone Park, Richmond Hill and Kew Gardens have also been invited.

“The communities of Kew Gardens, Ozone Park, Richmond Hill and Woodhaven, want to extend and show our support, gratitude, and appreciation for our NYPD while honoring the memory of Det. Simonsen,” the OZPKRBA said in a statement.