By Scott Sieber
On Tuesday the mascot known to children around the city as “Baseball Head,” but more commonly known as Mr. Met, brought a bevy of freebies to Flushing Development Center President Fred Fu in honor of Asian Heritage Month.”People always complain that people never come to Flushing,” said Fu. “This is why I get these tickets so people can come to the game and enjoy the Flushing community.”Asian Heritage Month peaks every year when thousands of predominantly Korean and Chinese Americans from the Flushing community descend on Shea Stadium to celebrate their cultures. This year festivities will begin at 6:35 p.m. before the game starts at 7:10 p.m.Highlights include martial arts exhibitions, traditional musical performances and a comedy stage show from the new off-Broadway production, “Nanta.” The show involves four chefs, decked out in full master chef garb, playing percussion using butcher's knives and other kitchen appliances.”I think we all agree that the diversity of New York City is what makes it great,” said Mets sales manager Mark Phillips. “Just like we want people to come see the new Mets, we want people to come see the new Flushing, which is sort of a renaissance, if you will.”The tickets will be distributed to various sponsors of Asian Night, including former Flushing business Decorama, Korean Channel 76, Happy Dragon Wholesale and the Long Island Business Institute. Each of the sponsors said they will distribute the tickets as they see fit, but representatives from Korean Channel 76 said interested parties can call the network at 718-353-8970 to receive their free tickets.Jimmy Wang of Happy Dragon said he jumped at the opportunity to participate as a sponsor of Asian Night because of the economic boost it can give his business and the Flushing area.”I'll be giving the tickets out to my customers and my friends, so people will come to Flushing, go to the game and stay in Flushing for shopping,” he said. “It will be very good for the Flushing community.”Reach reporter Scott Sieber by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 138.
