Rep Your City with Conversations: Jennifer Ann Smith (Queens, NY)

Rep Your City with Conversations

 

Name:   Jennifer Ann Smith, Esq. 

City/State:  Queens, NY (NYC)

How long have you lived in your city? I was born here, went to high school in nearby north NJ in Bergen County, left for college to go to the University of Michigan, and moved around the country to various military bases for a little bit but came back to NYC for law school.  Been back ever since!  Growing up in NYC, then in very different northern NJ, and then experiencing the military world and small towns across America all provided me with such varied perspectives and an opportunity to experience very different ways of life.  It also served to teach me and help me gain an understanding about what makes a community and how things like socioeconomics, urban planning, and discrimination can impact entire societies and groups of people in disparate ways.  

What makes your city special for you? NYC is a place where you can find and experience every culture and background within one small area.  You get to enjoy cuisines, art, history, culture, traditions, religions etc. from all over the world without leaving home.  Because NYC is inhabited by people from all over the world with all different backgrounds, experiences, and histories it brings a richness and diversity that you cannot find anywhere.   Queens, NY is believed to be THE most diverse place in the world in that more countries and backgrounds are represented here than in any other place.   Especially right now, when it is difficult and unsafe to travel, you can still learn and experience all sorts of cultures and backgrounds and celebrate diversity right here without having to hop on a plane.  

What is your city known for?   Diversity, activism, amazing food & entertainment, and as the city that never sleeps. 

Any best-kept secrets in your city?  The touristy areas are not the places to have real NYC food even though it is advertised as such.  The real food, pizza for example, isn't from a chain. It is from the mom and pop Italian places all over the city, and you won't find it near the tourist attractions. NYC of course has chain restaurants, but real NYers know that the best food here regardless of the type of cuisine is always the mom and pop local places where recipes have been handed down over generations and the owners/workers care and become part of the community.  There is also some really spectacular fine fining with tons of famous chefs all in one place.

   Another tip is to not limit your visit to just Manhattan.  There is so much history and amazing things to see in the rest of NYC (Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx). If you want to get some great views that aren't just an overpriced crowded touristy place like the top of the Empire State Building (which is still lovely but packed!) check out rooftop restaurants/bars especially at night such as The Westlight In Brooklyn or Ravel Hotel rooftop in Queens.  Amazing views! 

Favorite Restaurant:  Christos Greek Steakhouse in Astoria Queens, NY for delicious steaks, lobster mashed potatoes, drinks, and appetizers!   Also tasty, Pho Bac in Elmhurst Queens, NY for authentic, & fresh Vietnamese food.  The Westlight in Brooklyn for tasty bites and the most l incredible 360 degree views both inside and on their rooftop deck.   

Have a favorite 'home away from home' in your city you can share?  Julia's Beer & Wine Bar in Ridgewood Queens. It is that kind of tiny chill place to grab a drink and a tasty snack in an atmosphere where the staff become friends.  Also Domino Park in Brooklyn is a lovely place for a waterside picnic with a view.  

Why should people visit?  NYC has so much history and so much to impart to visitors. Everything has value in experiencing.  Museums, Art both in galleries and even on the street, restaurants, exhibits, monuments...there's so much to learn, see, and do.  Even just walking around and seeing the very different neighborhoods and boroughs there's something new around every corner.  In NYC, you get this unique experience of being able to experience cultures from all over the world which have been incorporated into the fabric of nyc and in many ways are just as much a NY experience as they are authentic and true to their origins.  

Photo: The Westlight Bar & Restaurant, Brooklyn, NY

[BOOK EXCERPT: S.T.O.R.I.E.S. by Tracy Carzell

 IV: The Pea Hens and the Gardener (2014)  Chapter 3

 Mrs. Harrell, Lillian and the lady downstairs were women who frequented 1099 Lawndale. I am not sure if they knew each other but in some way they were acquainted. I am certain they did not meet at Daddy’s annual birthday bashes which lasted for 3 days. They were too refined for that. The women who attended his parties were women he knew from work, women from the University of Pittsburgh, the neighborhood wives and a woman dressed in silver-sequins. She wore the same dress every year. Yet, Mrs. Harrell, Lillian and the lady downstairs had at least three things in common: my mom, the house and death.

Mrs. Harrell and her husband owned the building. They lived on Ferndale directly behind us. Mr. Harrell was exceedingly kind, always smiling and nodding as if to say he approved our playing. He was Mr. Harrell. He always wore a brown suit; hence the name, “Mr. Brown-upside-down”. 

I got in trouble for that, too. Nonetheless, I continued to exercise my dominion.

Mrs. Harrell was old like the building. However, she was petite and dark. Her voice revealed her darkness. It was not evil, only detached. Her voice was deep and authoritative. It mimicked her gait: quick and solid steps. Her carriage dismissed people as she walked: high head and eyes fixed on something far above and beyond the natural eye. Her gaze created an obligation to look forward and only for what she could see. 

Her hands were wrinkled but strong. I am sure they once knew hard work but now they had earned the soft pink colored gloves she often wore. Mrs. Harrell always wore nice Horne’s department store dresses. She was always dressed like Sunday: hat, square-heeled hard-bottom pointy-toed shoes, and gloves. 

Each week she would come to sit with my mother. Mommy invited her into the living room. The kitchen was not for Mrs. Harrell. There was a big blue chair that matched our sofa and Mrs. Harrell would sit there every visit. 

She sat nowhere else. 

The blue throne commanded her to expounded wisdom, self-mastery and spiritual realizations that only she and mommy could discuss. She was in her element, in her rightful place. 

She could sit nowhere else.   No other seat could hold her.

They would sit and talk for what seemed like hours. I would quietly hang around to see if mommy would offer her some tea and cookies. Mommy would put milk in their tea and they would talk some more. 

The bribe to stay quiet and polite was the Archway Lemon bars. Mmmm! They were Daddy’s cookies. No one was allowed to eat Daddy’s snacks except when he wasn’t around.

When Mrs. Harrell left, I would run to the cushy blue throne, plant my face in the cushion and take a deep whiff…

Yep!

Confirmed! 

Stinky, old lady!

Enjoyed this excerpt? Get S.T.O.R.I.E.S. (Spiritual Tales of Real Inccents Events and Such) by Tracy Carzell on Amazon. 

[FOOD] Honey's Perfect Pie Crust

 

THE PERFECT PIE CRUST

( this recipe makes two pie crust)

• 3 cups of flour

• 1 1/2 teaspoon of salt

• 1 cup of cold butter cut into small pieces

• 2 tablespoons of cold shortening also cut into small pieces

•4-6 tablespoons of ice cold water

In a large bowl sift flour and salt together until well combined now using your hands create a well in the middle of your flour  add in your butter and shortening using the tips of your fingers pinched together the flour and butter mixture's until the mixture resembles small piece now sprinkle at least 4 to 5 tablespoons of water over your flour mixture and continue to pinch together until the Dell begins to clump together now turned out out onto a lightly floured surface gently kneading  until the dog comes together (knead your dough together at least 3 to 4 times)

Divide your dough in half shape and flatten each half into a round disc wrap each disc with plastic wrap

Refrigerate and chill for 2 hours up to 2 days

• When you are ready to use your dough unwrapped pie dough place on a lightly floured surface and let stand until it reaches room temperature once your dough is softened sprinkle with a small amount of flour roll the dough out into a 12 inch circle and carefully fit it into a 9 inch deep dish pie plate or pan leaving small amount of dough overhanging so that you can trim it to perfectly fit your pie dish.

Once your dough is fitted to your pan feel free to brush on a small amount of melted butter before adding you're feeling to your pie shell for that extra flaky pie crust.

NOTE; If you don't want to do this recipe by hand simply add the flour and butter mixture into a food processor pulse 4 to 5 times until mixture is combined.

[FOOD] Honey's Southern Pecan Pie

 

Honey's Southern Pecan Pie • 1-1/2 cups of pecans divided ( 1/2 cup pecans finally crashed) ( 1/2 cup coarsely chopped) ( 1/2 whole) • deep dish pie crust • 3 large eggs at room temperature • 4 tablespoons of butter • 3/4 corn syrup • 1/4 cup Maple syrup • 3/4 cup light brown sugar • 4 heavy cream • 1 tablespoon flour • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 1 teaspoon vanilla flavor • a dash of nutmeg   In a large sauce pan on medium high heat melt butter add sugar. Consistently stir until sugar is dissolved be careful not to burn you sugar stir add your corn syrup bring to a light boil turn off the heat add heavy cream and 1/2 finely crushed pecans and flour stir well and allow to completely cool once your mixture is cool add your eggs (make sure you whip the eggs before adding into mixture adding 1 tablespoon of water to your eggs before whipping. Before adding this mixture to your piecrust brush on melted butter add your 1/2 cup of coarsely chopped pecans in the bottom of your pie crust now your mixture top with your whole pecans place on the middle rack in a preheated oven at 350° for 40 to 45 minutes allow to cool for 15 to 20 minutes this pie is delicious served at room temperature or chilled. Serve with ice cream or Cool Whip.   HONEY

[To You, From Me] 3 Reasons Why NOW Is the Perfect Time

When everything seemed to shut down in 2020 many people are just waiting for the time when things are going to be "right" for them to do the things they have been wanting to do. I get it. 2020 was NOT the year many had planned, but as I have said before we can't stop. Now with 2021 here and there still some uncertainty in the air, I want to encourage you to take action. 

Instead of waiting for a time in the future, I'm sharing 3 reasons why NOW is the perfect time to start on the path that can lead you to where you want to go. 

1. IT'S THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED: The main reason why this is the perfect time for you is because there is less competition. Think about it: The majority of those around you are "waiting", right? That is why if you make the decision today to start that project or business you have an opening to fill before things get crowded again. 
   
   
2. THE COST OF ENTRY IS LOW: If this time has shown us anything it is the power of the free tools right at our fingertips, namely social media. With the main cost just being your time and energy, the world is literally in front of you. All you have to do is reach out to them.
   
   
3. TOMORROW IS NOT PROMISED: I have personally lost friends since the pandemic and world upheaval began. Individuals who had no idea that this would be the time their lives ended. With that said, all of us have to be reminded of our mortality. We can't afford to wait for a time that we don't even know we will have. 

In this issue of Conversations Magazine I am excited to present individuals who are making the most of the moment in front of them. They are blazing a trail in their respective industries as well as showing by their perseverance that they are overcomers, not victims. 

My hope is that you are inspired by them and what they have achieved and realize what is possible for you. 

Remember there is no time like the present. The time to act on your goals, dreams and ambitions is NOW. 

Happy reading!

Cyrus Webb, Editor-In-Chief

Conversations Magazine/Mississippi Success Magazine 

[BOOK REVIEW] In JUST AS I AM Cicely Tyson shares her highs, lows and lessons that have made her who she is

 This book has so many amazing layers that allow us to see how Cicely Tyson got to be the powerful force that she is today. JUST AS I AM fills in the blanks of not just her career highs but how even life's low points help to reinforce what she could do and who she could become. 

We get a look at her beginnings, how she learned from her mother the importance of standing up for what matters. She later recounts how dealing with betrayals in her own relationships reminded her of what her parents had taught her and why it was so important to put yourself first. 

When discussing her career she allows us to see how culturally impactful works like ROOTS were bigger than just entertainment. It was a message about the importance of endurance and identity. 

Ms. Tyson also allows us to see the importance of taking care of yourself and realizing that as long as you are here you have work to do, so it's up to us to get about doing it. 

With life lessons and inspiration dripping from each chapter, JUST AS I AM shares Ms. Tyson's highs, lows and lessons that have made her who she is: a force that is impacting individuals around the world.

Get your copy of JUST AS I AM on Amazon.  

Conversations' Top Books of 2020

 Conversations is excited to share its picks for Top Books of 2020. Cyrus Webb, President of Conversations Media Group, reveals the books that stood out to him that he believes you will enjoy as well. 

Enjoy the list and make plans to add some to your reading list. 

Conversations' Top Non-Fiction Books of 2020 (Listed in no particular order)

1. Short Stories by Columbus Short
2. When Time Stopped by Ariana Neumann
3. Demagogue by Larry Tye 
4. Healing Words: Life Lessons to Inspire by Mary Ellen Ciganovich
5. The Answer Is... by Alex Trebek
6. S.T.O.R.I.E.S. by Tracy Carzell
7. From $6 An Hour to a Million Dollar Dream by Cayman Kelly
8. Shifting Shadows by Herman Mendoza
9. We Hardly Knew Them by Pat Morgan
10. 60 Stories About 30 Seconds by Bruce Van Dusen
11. Beyond the Holocaust by Sylvie Heyman 
12. Stepping Stones by Marilea C. Rabasa
13. MS-13 by Steven Dudley
14. The World Looks Different Now by Margaret Thomson 
15. The Drudge Revolution by Matthew Lysiak
16. Shortlisted by Renee Knake Jefferson and Hannah Brenner Johnson
17. The Second Chance Club by Jason Hardy
18. Side-Chick by Jamiah Alexander 
19. She Come By It Natural by Sarah Smarsh
20. Poisoned Water by Candy J. Cooper/ Marc Aronson
21. The Baddest B*tch in the Room by Sophia Chang
22. Educated for Freedom by Anna Mae Duane
23. Say I'm Dead by E. Dolores Johnson
24. A Mother's Grace by Michelle Moore 
25. Abandoned by Anne Kim

Conversations' Top Fiction Books of 2020 (Listed in no particular order)

1. Triumph by Jodi Lea Stewart
2. Final Judgment by Marcia Clark
3. On Ocean Boulevard by Mary Alice Monroe
4. Confessions on the 7:45 by Lisa Unger
5. Lies We Tell Ourselves by Steena Holmes
6. Departure by Joseph Reid
7. Daylight by David Baldacci
8. The Moon Always Rising by Alice C. Early
9. A Good Family by A. H. Kim
10. My Daddy's Baby Too by Charmaine Marie
11. This Won't End Well by Camille Pagan
12. What It Seems by Emily Bleeker
13. The Silent Wife by Karin Slaughter
14. World of Rage by A. Shane Etter
15. Snapshots by Eliot Parker
16. You Can Go Home Now by Michael Elias
17. When I was You by Amber Garza
18. The Unspoken by Ian K. Smith
19. Enduring Times by Betty Godfrey
20. Hide Away by Jason Pinter
21. The Menu by Steven Manchester
22. In the Deep by Loreth Anne White
23. Contempt by Michael Cordell
24. The Wrong Family by Tarryn Fisher
25. Chaos by Andrew Hess

Conversations' Top Reads for Younger Readers and Audiences (Listed in no particular order)

1. The Lemon Tree by Sandy Tolan
2. Becoming Muhammad Ali by James Patterson and Kwame Alexander
3. Sing Like No One's Listening by Vanessa Jones
4. Black Brother, Black Brother by Jewell Parker Rhodes
5. Girls Can! by Marissa Sebastian, Tora Shae Pruden and Paige Towler
6. Skyhunter by Marie Lu
7. We're All Not the Same, But We're Still Family by Theresa Fraser and Eric E. W. Fraser
8. Prince and His Mother's Crown by Shellice Beharie
9. Dancing Monkeys In My Soup! by S. F. Hardy
10. Agnes at the End of the World by Kelly McWilliams
11. Desiree Davenport: Welcome to Treeless Park by Chental Song Bembry
12. Show Me History: Walt Disney by Mark Shulman and Otis Frampton