Things To Do This Weekend in NYC & Boros
First Day of Autumn began Thursday Evening, Global Citizen Concert Returns Saturday, Fall for Dance Celebration Begins, Feast of San Gennaro ends Sunday; Great Irish Fair, Oktoberest at Fort Hamiltion & Local Play in Brooklyn; Hispanic Day Parade, Bell Blvd Stroll & Oktoberfest and Durga Puja Begin next weekend in Queens; Hip Hop Museum Opens, Native American Festival, Bronx Night Market, Stage Garden Rumba in the Bronx; Local Play on Staten Island; Rosh Hashanah Begins Sunday ... also Farmers Markets, Street Fairs & more
September 23, 2022 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / Gotham Buzz NYC.
NYC Weather. The temperature highs will be in the mid 60's on Friday, about 70 on Saturday, rising to the mid 70's on Sunday. The temperature lows will be around 50 on Friday, rising to the mid 50's on Saturday and to about 60 on Sunday. The winds will be about 15 mph on Friday, falling to 5 - 10 mph the rest of the weekend. The humidity will rise from 40% - 50% on Friday, to 40% - 60% on Saturday, and then up to 60% - 80% on Sunday. No rain is in the forecast until after 4 pm on Sunday, when there's a 50% chance of about a tenth of an inch of rain.
The photo at right was taken earlier this week at the United Nations while President Biden was delivering a speech about protecting our democratic institutions and rule of law. This means helping other democracies, in order to preserve and protect our way of life from autocrats and dictators who inevitably steal power and wealth away from everyone else in society.
The first day of Autumn began Thursday evening 9/22/22 around 9 pm.
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, begins Sunday evening and ends Tuesday evening.
Things To Do This Weekend in Manhattan NYC
The photo at right was taken earlier this week at the United Nations. Those two people traversing the rooftop of the building aren't roof repairmen.
On Saturday, the Global Citizen Concert returns to the Great Lawn in Central Park which lies between 5th Avenue and Central Park West and between 72nd Street and 86th Street. The gates open at 2 pm and the concert begins at 4 pm. You must bring printed tickets as mobile tickets are not being accepted. Admission $250 - $299 via www.ticketmaster.com. For further details on the concert see https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/festival/nyc/2022/
Thursday - Sunday, September 15 - 25, 2022 times vary - The San Gennaro Festival. This is an 11 day Italian festival that runs through Sunday, September 25th. There's a canoli eating contest today 9/16 beginning at 1 pm and tomorrow 9/17 there's a procession through Little Italy that starts at 2 pm. See their website for details of all events - https://sangennaronyc.org/
The Fall for Dance Festival began on Wednesday, September 21 at the NY City Center at 131 West 55th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues. The program runs through next week, ending Sunday, October 2, 2022. Performances begin at 8 pm each night, except this coming Sunday & Monday, September 25th & 26th. Tickets are $20 and performances last about an hour and a half. For details and tickets - https://www.nycitycenter.org/
The NY Film Festival begins next Friday, September 30th at Lincoln Center and runs through Sunday, October 16th.
Things To Do This Weekend in Queens NYC
Sunday, September 25, 2022 from 12 noon - 5 pm - Bell Blvd Stroll - A food and shopping festival with music and entertainment along Bell Blvd from Northern Blvd to 45th Avenue. Street fairs in Bayside Queens NYC.
Sunday, September 25, 2022 beginning at 11 am - Hispanic Day Parade. Begins along 37th Avenue from 69th Street to 86th Street. Parades and street fairs in Jackson Heights Queens NYC. https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Nonprofit-organization/Desfile-Hispano-de-Queens-920602374687827/
Athens Square Park continues to have Greek Tuesday night music, dance & theatrical performances thru September. Athens Park is located at 30th Avenue & 30th Street in Astoria.
Oktoberfest begins next weekend at the Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden in Astoria.
Durga Puja begins next weekend at various locations throughout NYC, but most notably in the Woodside, Jackson Heights, Jamaica and Richmond Hill neighborhoods in Queens. Durga Puja celebrates the goddess Durga, who is a motherhood figure representing the victory of good over evil. The celebrations, which cover a week of activity, are also something of a Hindu harvest festival.
On September 28, 2022 is the Chocolate Factory first Annual Gala Fundraiser. The event begins at 6 pm at their new theater at 38-33 24th Street in Long Island City. Gala tickets are $250 and after party tickets are $30. For details see - https://chocolatefactorytheater.org/gala-2022/
Things To Do This Weekend in Brooklyn NYC
Saturday, September 24, 2022 from 11 am - 9 pm. Annual Great Irish Fair. NEW LOCATION - At the Holy Name of Jesus Parish at 245 Prospect Park West in Prospect Park. Brooklyn fair with an Irish flavor. Tickets are $28 on Eventbrite. This is a Brooklyn street fair with an Irish flavor including music, dance, theater, food and shopping. Organized by the Irish American Building Society.
Saturday, September 24, 2022 from 4 to 9 pm - Oktoberfest. An authentic German Oktoberfest with food, a biergarten & live music. There will be contests including a Stein Hoist, a Bratwurst Eating Contest, a Best Dressed Dirndl and Lederhosen and a Keg Toss. It's open to the public on the Fort Hamilton Army base, but walk on access only. The event is sponsored by St. Joseph University, which does not imply any Federal Endorsement. Admission $5. For details, tickets and registration which is required see - https://hamilton.armymwr.com/calendar/event/oktoberfest/5649924/71185
Friday & Saturday , September 30 - October 1 2022 from 4pm - 8 pm and 11 am - 8 pm respectively - Downtown Brooklyn Arts Festival. In the Plaza at 300 Ashland Place at the corner of Lafayette and Flatbush. This event will feature live music, dance, talks and theater. There might be some shopping, but that doesn't appear to be the focus. Downtown Brooklyn street fairs / festivals nyc. www.dbartsfestival.org/
Things To Do This Weekend in the Bronx NYC
Saturday, September 24, 2022 from 12 noon - 3 pm - Bronx River Alliance Community Paddle - Enter Concrete Park at the Westchester Avenue Park entrance in Longwood. This is a three hour opportunity for adults and kids to try their hand at paddling a small boat on the Bronx River. Free. Not a street fair, but rather community activities - just north of Hunts Point and just west of Soundview.
The Hip Hop Museum is now open Tuesday through Saturday from 12 noon - 7 pm and on Sunday from 12 - 6.30 pm. Their entrance is located on the ground level at 610 Exterior Street, next door to Hostos Community College Media Center. You may also enter from the Lower Level in the parking garage next to Pizza Studio. Proof of vaccination, or a negative COVID-19 test within 24 hours is required for entry. Space is limited.
Saturday, September 24, 2022 from 1 to 8 pm - Bronx Night Market in Fordham Plaza just south of the train station. It's a diversified food fest.
Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays in September of 2022 from 6pm to 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 1pm to 9pm on Sundays - Piazza di Belmont - Outdoor dining on Arthur Avenue which will be closed to vehicular traffic from East 188th Street to Crescent Avenue during the above mentioned times.
Saturday & Sunday, September 24 & 25, 2022 and Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday, September 29 -- October 2, 2022 beginning at 7.30 pm except Sundays when it's from 2 - 3 pm - Monster. At the Bartow Pell Mansion at 895 Shore Road in Pelham Bay Park. The play is an adaptation based on the book Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. The play will take the audience through the Bartow Pell Mansion and include themes of humanism morality, science, death and horror. Tickets are $30 - $35 which you may find at https://www.bartowpellmansionmuseum.org/events/monster/
Sunday, September 25, 2022 from 12 noon - 4 pm. Bronx Native American Festival - In Pelham Bay Park in the south picnic area. Master of Ceremonies Bobby Gonzales [Taino], The Silvercloud Singers and Thunderbird American Dancers [both of latter groups are inter-tribal]. Food, music, dance and storytelling. Street fairs & festivals in the Pelham Bay Park neighborhood of the East Bronx. For details see - https://www.pelhambaypark.org/events/bronx-native-american-festival
Things To Do This Weekend on Staten Island NYC
Saturday, September 24, 2022 from 11 am - 5 pm - 72nd Fence Show at Snug Harbor. At the Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden at 1000 Richmond Terrace in the Randall Manor neighborhood of Staten Island. This is a long-running tradition featuring 140 artists who sell their creations on the Snug Harbor lawn. This year they've added a biergarten, where you can pay $25 for a couple of brews, a German pretzel and and homebrew club tastings [whatever that means].
Saturday, September 24, 2022 from 12 noon - 7 pm - The Rolling Thunder Oktoberfest celebration is being held at William H. Pouch Camp at 1285 Manor Road in the Greenbelt just south of Manor Heights. It was formerly held in Historic Richmond Town. There will be food, beer, rides, games, shopping and live entertainment. Admission is $10. Proceeds go to Veterans in Need and it's organized by Rolling Thunder and the Rotary Clubs of Staten Island. For details see - https://sioktoberfest.com/
Clever Little Lies is a comedy coming to the Victory Theater on Staten Island from September 29th thru October 9th on the weekends. For details see - http://www.littlevictorytheatre.com
Farmers Markets / Street Fairs. And many of the seasonal farmers markets reopened this month, so you use these links to find one in your neighborhood - Bronx Farmers Markets NYC, Brooklyn Farmers Markets NYC, Manhattan Farmers Markets NYC, Queens Farmers Markets NYC, Staten Island Farmers Markets NYC. And the weekend street fairs are updated weekly - Manhattan street fairs, Queens street fairs, Brooklyn street fairs, Bronx street fairs, Staten Island street fairs.
Have a nice weekend and Happy Rosh Hashanah.
News Update NYC
Office Workers & Employers Facing a Choice - Come Back to the Office or -
The UN is Back Live in Session, a look at the Argument for Democracies vs Dictatorships, & What's with the Royalist TV News Groupies?
September 19, 2022 / NYC Neighborhoods / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC.
NYC Weather. The temperature highs will be in the low 80's on Tuesday & Wednesday, dropping to the low 70's on Thursday and the mid 60's on Friday., The temperature lows will rise from the mid 60's on Monday & Tuesday to the low 70's on Wednesday, and then fall into the mid to low 50's on Thursday and Friday. The winds will be 10 - 15 mph all week. The humidity will be 55% - 65% all week, except on Friday when it falls to 45% - 55%. There's a small chance of a small amount of rain in Thursday, with the probability gone by mid afternoon.
NYC White Collar Office Workers Continue to Resist a Full Return to the Office
As we noted last week, in our update, people are returning to mass transit. While weekend ridership on the subways has reached about 90%, weekday ridership lags behind at about 65% of prepandemic levels. One of the main drivers of the lower weekday ridership is that folks haven't yet resumed embraced a full return to the office at anywhere near prepandemic levels.
For about the past six months, only about 10% of white collar office workers in Manhattan, go to the office daily. But the number of people in the office each day has risen from about 38% to 49%, according to Parnership for New York City, a non-profit dedicated to primarily promoting the economic interests of NYC. Also, the percentage of workers staying fully remote dropped from 28% to 16% over the same six month period [April - September]. Nearly four out of five employers [77%] indicated that the preferred business model [demanded per employees] is now ready to accommodate folks who only want to travel to the office three of the five days in a work week.
Nobody is yet saying this, but it's my guesstimate, that over time, employees who are in the office more frequently are going to win out over those who are working remotely. And because of that phenomenon, I also guesstimate that over time, more folks will start spending more time in the office. But this may take years to play out.
There's a flip side of the coin above, which is that employers who accommodate remote workers, especially women who want to spend time rearing their children, could, over time, attract and retain some of the best and the brightest, even if they don't pay top dollar. For some, including myself, money matters - but it isn't everything.
As I look at what I've just written I see a potential lawsuit - discriminatory pay based on gender. But could it be discriminatory pay based on remote working? This discussion might have some parallels to the discussion below about dictatorships vs democracy and about valuing loyalty over talent.
Ultimately, time will tell, and it will be interesting to see how this all plays out. One thing is clear, many of us - if not all - are not going back to the status quo.
Speaking of Working Remotely, How about the United Nations in General Assembly?
Since 2019, the United Nations has met primarily remotely. They missed 2020 and 2021, but this year, they're back in session live. So for the next nine days those who travel up and down the east side in the 40's and above and below, will be heard complaining of the traffic jams. The jams will be most pronounced this week, particulary starting Tuesday, when all the dignitaries travel from the funeral of Queen Elizabeth, to the UN General Assembly Session in NYC.
On Wednesday, President Biden will address the United Nations, to talk about many things including the Ukrainian War and the ongoing threats to democracy worldwide. It is my opinion, that the threats to democracy include most - if not all autocrats. Dictators by any name [such as the Russian and Chinese 'presidents'] are a destabilizing x factor in the world today. Thus, it's no surprise that the two most powerful dictator presidents [how's that for an oxymoron?] won't be in attendance at the United Nations General Assembly this year. Those are Russian dictator president Putin and Chinese dictator president Xi Jinping. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the President of Ethiopia will also not be in attendance. On the latter two, no reasons have been given.
Dictatorships vs Democracies - Sociopathic Loyalty vs Unfettered Talent
I think it's worth noting here, that the difference between dictatorships and democracies is that democracies operate under rule of law, while dictatorships operate under rule by one man's or a few men's decree. In a democracy if someone has a point of view that resonates with the general public it can be heard, while in a dictatorship only a few people's point of view is given any attention. So what happens in a dictatorship is that the truth is suppressed, oftentime by harsh or violent measures, because it lays bare the idiocy of the dictator. Because of that, loyalty - not talent - is how people are evaluated in dictatorships, oftentimes leading to the promotion of the most brutal people in society instead of the most intelligent, most learned, most experienced and most talented. Sad, but true. In dictatorships the morons and the psychopaths are elevated to positions of power.
If you want to know why, for ten million years, mankind lived pretty much similar lives [meaning hand to mouth], and then suddenly in the 1600's onward, mankind flourished, you need only look at the people wresting power away from monarchs, who were and oftentimes still are [Saudi Royals], brutal dictators who hoard all of their society's resources.
Over the Thanksgiving holiday the past few years I began cataloguing the accomplishments of those in our free societies. Their accomplishments represent most of mankind's progress the past few centuries, and one might even say progress the past few millenia and beyond. Copy and paste this link for the full story -
https://www.gothambuzz.nyc/thanksgiving-day---americas-communal-holiday-nyc-cms-1470
Why did the American TV Networks Behave like a Sycophantic Royalist Clique?
The past week of the network TV news organizations' coverage of Queen Elizabeth's death and funeral made me - as I said last week - feel a need to barf. If they spent that kind of money, that kind of energy and that kind airtime on things that really matter, this world wouldn't be as messed up as it currently is. What the TV newsfolks presented this past week was a lot of fluffy pageantry and obsequious nothingness, for a extremely wealthy old woman and her 'royal' family. A family that has so much wealth, that they took from so many of their fellow country[wo]men [and others via the colonial empire], and with which they have done so little that really matters.
That said, I must applaud former Prince Charles for his support in pursuit of remedies for climate change. But Queen Elizabeth seemed to do nothing at all for mankind, and I saw nothing on TV [no facts] that convinced me otherwise.
I reckon the TV announcers have forgotten that this is the same family that America had to go to war with, to obtain its freedom about 250 years ago. King George III, who was defeated in the American Revolutionary War, was the great, great, great grandfather of Queen Elizabeth. Little mention was made of the British royal family's centuries long exploitation of others, while amassing so much of that nation's and their colonies' wealth. Instead of talking about the reality of royalty and royal families, the TV broadcasters gushed with a lot of read-and-repeat, mindless gossip.
Stay tuned. We have some interesting, real news, stories coming your way this fall.
In the meantime have a nice week.
Things To Do This Weekend in NYC & Boros
The Feast of San Gennaro, Steuben Day Parade, African American Day Parade & Mexican Day Parade in Manhattan; the Feast of St Markella, Queens United International Music Fest & Jamaica Harvest Fest in Queens; the Holy Cross Greek Cultural Fest, Flatbush Frolic & a Couple of Local Plays in Brooklyn; Bronx is Rising at BMHC, Stage Garden Rumba & Boogie on the Blvd in the Bronx; and the 1776 Peace Celebration, the Westerleigh Folk Festival, the Fig / Ficus Fest and a couple of Local Plays on Staten Island ... also Farmers Markets & Street Fairs
September 16, 2022 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / Gotham Buzz NYC.
NYC Weather. The temperature highs will be around 80 on Friday and Saturday, climbing into the high 80's on Sunday. The temperature lows will be in the 60's climbing from the low 60's on Friday to the high 60's on Sunday. Winds will range from 4 - 9 mph all weekend. The humidity will climb from 30% - 60% on Friday, to 60% to 70% on Saturday, falling back to 50% to 60% on Sunday. There isn't any rain in the forecast for this weekend.
Things To Do in Manhattan NYC
Little Italy _ Thursday - Sunday, September 15 - 25, 2022 times vary - The San Gennaro Festival. This is an 11 day Italian festival that runs through Sunday, September 25th. There's a canoli eating contest today 9/16 beginning at 1 pm and tomorrow 9/17 there's a procession through Little Italy that starts at 2 pm. See their website for details of all events - https://sangennaronyc.org/
UES _ Saturday, September 17, 2022 - Steuben Day Parade & Oktoberfest. The parade begins at 12 noon from 5th Avenue at 68th Street and marches up to 86th Street. Following the parade there's an Oktoberfest at the Rumsey Playfield in Central Park that runs until 7 pm. Enter Central Park at 72nd St & 5th Avenue. Admission $50, but tickets can sell out by early Sept. https://www.facebook.com/steubenparadeny/
Harlem _ Sunday, September 18, 2022 beginning at 1 pm - African American Day Parade [preparade events 11 am - 1 pm] - The parade begins on Adam Clayton Powell Blvd at 111th Street marching north to 137th Street. Street fairs in Harlem NYC. For details see - https://africanamericandayparade.org/.
UES _ Sunday, September 18, 2022 beginning at 12 noon and followed by a festival in Madison Square Park until about 6 pm - Mexican Day Parade & Festival after parade. The parade begins along Madison at 38th, marching south to 26th Street at Madison Square Park where there's an after parade celebration / social. FB - https://www.facebook.com/Mexican-Day-Parade-Comite-Civico-Mexicano-de-NY-115773021139217
Things To Do in Queens NYC
Thursday through Sunday, September 15 - 18, 2022 from 6 - 10 pm Thursday & Friday, 5 - 11 pm on Saturday and 1 - 10 pm on Sunday - Hellenic Orthodox Traditionalist Church of America [St Markella] celebrates patron feast day with traditional Greek food and unique arts and crafts. Along 22-68 26th Street between 22nd & 23rd Avenues in Astoria.
Saturday, September 17, 2022 - Jamaica Harvest Festival - From 10 am to 4 pm - Along Sutphin Blvd from Hillside to 88th Avenue and from Jamaica Avenue to 89th. Jamaica St Fairs.
Saturday, September 17 2022 from 3 - 9.30 pm - Queens United International Music Party - At Sunnyside Gardens Park at 48-21 39th Avenue. Music, beer, wine food trucks, crafts. Open to the public with suggested donation $15. St fairs in Sunnyside Queens NYC.
Sunday, September 18, 2022 from 12 noon to 6 pm - Carnaval De La Cultura Latina (Queens Edition). A street fair celebrating Hispanic culture including food, shoping, music and dancing. Just off the #7 subway line at Junction Blvd and Roosevelt Avenue in Corona. https://www.facebook.com/events/mta-junction-blvd-station-7/carnaval-de-la-cultura-latina-queens-edition-2022/4318630531539873/
FYI - Athens Square Park continues to have Greek Tuesday night music, dance & theatrical performances thru September.
Athens Park is located at 30th Avenue & 30th Street in Astoria. The photo to your right shows Athens Square Park in the fall in Astoria.
Possibly more Queens coming Friday night.
Things To Do in Brooklyn NYC
Friday, Saturday & Sunday, September 16 - 18, 2022 from 2 - 10 pm, 12 noon - 10 pm & 12 noon - 7 pm respectively. Holy Cross Greek Cultural Festival [please note that these times are from last year and may have changed / no update has been provided prior to this post]. At 8401 Ridge Blvd between 84th and 86th Streets. This is primarily a Greek food and cultural festival. Brooklyn street fairs in the Bay Ridge neighborhood of Brooklyn.
Sunday, September 18, 2022 from 11 am - 6 pm. Flatbush Frolic. Food, music, arts, rides and local shopping. Along Cortelyou Road between Ocean and Coney Island Avenues. Flatbush Ditmas Park. Brooklyn street fairs in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn. https://fdconline.org.
LAST WEEKEND SOLD OUT - Sunday, September 11 - 18, 2022 - Rent. Rent is a musical based on La Boheme, an Italian Opera written in the late 1800's and set in Paris about the life of struggling artists. In the play, Rent, Playwright Billy Aronson wanted to replace the aesthetic of 19th century Paris, with the grit and HIV epidemic of the late 1990's. He also morphs a traditional opera into a rock opera. He died of an unusual health condition [not HIV / AIDs] before the play became a resounding success. At the 14th Street Y at 344 east 14th street in Manhattan. After Work Theater Group is a flexible, multi-space, traveling theater group that both produces and performs in a mix of free / not free productions, and they also do classes. www.afterworktheater.org / Tickets are generally about $25.
Friday, Saturday & Sunday, September 16, 17, 18, 2022 beginning at 8 pm on Friday & Saturday, and at 2 pm on Sunday - The Wizard of Oz. An adaptation by the Narrows Community Theater. The performance take place in the Auditorium of Our Lady of Angels Church 7320 4th Avenue in the Bay Ridge neighborhood of Brooklyn. Tickets $25 / $20 / $15 at www.nctheaterny.com / www.narrowscommunitytheater.com
Things To Do in the Bronx NYC
Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays in September of 2022 from 6pm to 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 1pm to 9pm on Sundays - Piazza di Belmont - Outdoor dining on Arthur Avenue which will be closed to vehicular traffic from East 188th Street to Crescent Avenue during the above mentioned times.
Saturday, September 17, 2022 from 12.30 - 5 pm. Bronx is Rising Discussion of the film Fort Apache the Bronx - Discussion begins at 12.30 pm and from 3.30 - 5 pm there's a meal. At Bronx Music Hall Plaza at 438 East 163rd Street [at Washington], which will be the new home for Bronx Music Heritage Center in Morrisania just north of Melrose. Rsvps not required. Not a Bronx St Fair, but a community event in the Morrisania neighborhood of the Bronx.
Saturday, September 17, 2022 from 2 to 6 pm - Stage Garden Rumba - At Maria Sola Community Greenspace, at East 134th Street and Lincoln Avenue in the Port Morris neighborhood of the Bronx. They describe the event as: "... Presented in partnership with Pregones / PRTT, Stage Garden Rumba is an open invitation for all New Yorkers to experience the cultural riches, regional community gardens and green spaces, and vibrant Casitas of the South Bronx ... The series will again feature extraordinary Artists - actors, singers, dancers, writers; Activists with the pulse of local, national, and international struggle and social justice; and Community Members ... Hyperlocal and universal, Stage Garden Rumba brings together voices of joy and revolution to fuel our collective imagination and propel us into a self-determined future ... " At the following locations primarily in the South / Central. Free.
Sunday, September 18, 2022 from 2 to 4 pm - Boogie on the Blvd - Along the Grand Concourse from 165th - 166th Streets. Music, arts & crafts and possibly some shopping. It appears to be a scaled back version of prior similar events. Bronx street fairs organized by the Bronx Museum in front of the museum.
Things To Do on Staten Island NYC
Saturday, September 17, 2022 from 12 noon - 4 pm. 1776 Peace Conference Celebration - There's an historical reenactment of the effort made by Benjamin Franklin and John Adams to obtain peace with Britain as the war for indepence was breaking out. At the Conference House in Tottenville on Staten Island. Admission $5.
Saturday, September 17, 2022 from 11 am - 7 pm - 15th Annual Westerleigh Folk Music and Art Festival. At Westerleigh Park off Jewett Avenue at the corner of Neal Dow and Maine Avenues in the Westerleigh neighborhood on Staten Island. This Staten Island festival in Westerleigh Park centers around live music on three stages, and includes 40 arts & crafts vendors, an art expo and smart food truck vendors will likely show. Free.
Sunday, September 18, 2022 from 2 pm - 6 pm. Annual Fig / Ficus Festival - At 200 The Promenade at Lighthouse Point in the St. George neighborhood. The festival includes all things fig / ficus related. It's a quirky food festival centered around the fig, but includes music, arts, crafts and other foods. Staten Island street fairs / festivals in St. George. $5 suggested donation.
Saturday & Sunday, September 17 & 18, 2022 beginning at 2 pm - Staten Island Shakespeare Theater presents Troilus and Cressida. Performances will take place in Battery Weed in Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island. The play is about a mix of love and military brinksmanship about in ancient Troy. Tickets free to the public with reservation at https://sishakespeare.org/
Saturday, September 17, 2022 beginning at 2 pm Teacher! Teacher! or P.S. I love you. In Tappen Park at Canal, Bay and Water Streets. They describe the play as follows, " ... a rip-roaring original musical which tells the story of a struggling teacher in an underserved neighborhood who puts her life on the line for her kids ...". Organized by the Parks Dept & Theater for the New City aka TNC at ww.theaterforthenewcity.net. Free summer theater on Staten Island NYC.
Farmers Markets / Street Fairs. And many of the seasonal farmers markets reopened this month, so you use these links to find one in your neighborhood - Bronx Farmers Markets NYC, Brooklyn Farmers Markets NYC, Manhattan Farmers Markets NYC, Queens Farmers Markets NYC, Staten Island Farmers Markets NYC. And the weekend street fairs are updated weekly - Manhattan street fairs, Queens street fairs, Brooklyn street fairs, Bronx street fairs, Staten Island street fairs.
Have a nice weekend.
News Update NYC
Entering the Post Pandemic New Normal in NYC
September 13, 2022 / NYC Neighborhoods / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC.
NYC Weather. The temperature highs will be in the high 70's and the temperature lows around 60. It will be sunny the rest of the week, with humidity ranging from 40% - 60%, which is fairly dry. Winds will be 5 - 10 mph, falling as the week wears on. No rain is expected between now and Friday evening, nor through the coming weekend.
So, a lot has happened since we last posted a news update. At right is a photo of one of the outer borough subway stations this summer. As you can see, mask wearing compliance has diminished.
MTA: Ridership Hits Post Pandemic High of 3.5 Million Weekday Riders on the First Day of the Reopening of NYC Public Schools & Governor Hochul Drops the MTA Mask Mandate
On Thursday, September 8th, the first day of the NYC public schools reopening, the MTA transported 3.6 million people. That's the highest ridership number since the pandemic began two and a half years ago in March of 2020.
In our August 9th report [see below] we suggested the MTA drop the mask mandate or enforce it. At the time we noticed that less than half of the passengers on the subway seemed to be adhering to the mask mandate. On September 7th, NYS Governor Hochul rescinded the mask mandate on the MTA, making masking optional, but still recommended that we continue masking on the MTA as we enter the colder months, when folks go indoors, where the probability of infection by airborne viruses like CoVid and the flu increases. The guidance is particularly relevant to those who are older or have underlying conditions, but it's also not unwise for everyone else too.
Shootings Down in NYC in August - In August 2022 There were 115 Shootings vs 165 in August 2021
This Follows the Passage of Federal Gun Restrictions by Congress in June, Biden's April Executive Order in Requiring Ghost Gun Sales be Handled in the Same Manner as Gun Sales & Mayor Adams & the NYPD's Effort to Remove Illegal Guns from NYC Streets
On June 25th, President Biden signed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. This is legislation that passed both the Senate and Congress earlier in the month. A number of moderate Republicans crossed the aisle in both the House and Senate to vote with the Democrats, on reigning in the gun violence free-for-all that we've been witnessing the past couple of years.
The federal gun legislation was the first of its kind to pass both houses and be signed into law in about 30 years. Among other things it enhances background checks for younger gun owners [under 21], and provides law enforcement with additional authority and responsibility to thwart potential shooters by empowering them to curtail a gun owner's rights if there's reason to believe that person poses a risk to the general welfare of the community. Added funding was also provided to incent law enforcement to pay more attention to problematic gun owners.
The Biden Ghost Gun sale regulations went into effect on August 24, 2022, following a failed court challenge to block the President's April 2022 Executive Order requiring ghost gun sales to be treated the same as other firearm sales.
In addition to the actions taken at the federal level, Mayor Adams has been working with the NYPD to reduce shootings through changes in NYC law enforcement to take illegal guns off the street. Year to date [as of end of August 2022], the NYPD had removed 4,880 illegal guns from the streets of which 405 of them were removed in August.
Other NYC crime statistics rose 31%. And NYS Governor Hochul passed a number gun regulations in response to the Supreme Court ruling overturning a century old NYS gun law.
We'll have a few more items to add, including on NYC public schools, on Wednesday 9.14.22. In the meantime, I hope you're having a nice week.
Things To Do This Weekend in NYC & Boros
Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit & Labor Day Parade in Manhattan, U.S. Open ends this Weekend in Queens, City Island Art Fair & Ferragosto Celebration in the Bronx, Afro Punk Fest & Fort Greene Jazz Fest in Brooklyn & Pig Island Festival on Staten Island, 911 Anniversary Weekend in NYC ... also Free Outdoor Concerts, Movies & Theater, Farmers Markets, Street Fairs
September 9, 2022 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / Gotham Buzz NYC.
NYC Weather. The temperature highs will be in the low to mid 80's and the temperature lows will be in the high 60's. The humidity will be 50% - 70% on Friday, dropping to 50% - 60% on Saturday, and rising again to 60% - 70% on Sunday. Winds will be about 5 mph [gentle breeze] all weekend. Mostly no rain expected, but there's a 75% of about a quarter inch of rain falling late on Sunday. The rain will continue and drop a half inch on Monday.
The photos at right show the World Trade Center / 911 Memorial in downtown Manhattan. It's been 21 years since two hijacked airplanes hit the World Trade Center buildings, toppling both of them, and killing thousands of innocent people. Many more died in the aftermath due to asbestos inhalation. This year is the 21st anniversary of 911. I've heard of one or two small localized events commemorating the date, but I couldn't find the details online. You can always make your own sojourn visit to the WTC memorial in downtown Manhattan which is shown in these two photos.
Opinion: Queen Elizabeth - Had so Much, Gave So Little, Did Nothing
What is wrong with Murdoch's Fox News and the corporate TV networks?
They fuss over a woman who had everything, did nothing, and gave little.
Queen Elizabeth reportedly shirked her daughter-in-law Diana, seemed to nearly disown her grandson Harry when he decided to marry an outsider and forge a new life for himself.
She did nothing to earn her wealth, lived her life amidst fabulous wealth and luxury, and seemed to do little to nothing to better the world. Given all the power and wealth Queen Elizabeth inherited, 'her majesty' is, in my mind, one of the greatest travesties of all.
So why are the corporate TV networks fawning all over that rich, nasty, old woman? Elitest Oligarch Rupert Murdoch - who is constantly calling other elitests - had Fox News and ABC so obsequiously cover the Queen, that it almost made me barf.
Things To Do in Manhattan NYC
Saturday, September 10th, 2022 beginning at 10 am, the Labor Day Parade in Manhattan. It marches along 5th Avenue from 44th Street to 64th Street.
Saturday & Sunday, September 10 & 11, 2022 from 12 noon to 6 pm - the Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit. The show runs along University Avenue from 13th Street down to Washington Square in Manhattan.
Things To Do in Queens NYC
The biggest Labor Day event in Queens, is of course, the U.S. Open which began this week and runs through the Labor Day weekend and following week [see photo at right].
Saturday, September 10 2022 from 10 am - 5 pm - Flushing Street Festival. Along 40th Road and Prince Street in Flushing, Queens. Arts, crafts, music, performance, food and shopping with an Asian flavor. Organized by the Flushing BID.
Things To Do in Brooklyn NYC
Saturday, September 10 from 4 - 7 pm there's the Fort Greene Jazz Festival. Free.
Saturday & Sunday, September 10 & 11, 2022 from 12 noon - 12 midnight - Afro Punk Fest. At Commodore Perry Park in Brooklyn - along Navy Street between Flushing and Park Avenues in the Wallabout neighborhood of Brooklyn. Tickets are $110 - $185 at https://afropunk.com/festival/brooklyn/
Things To Do in the Bronx NYC
City Island _ Saturday & Sunday, September 11 & 12, 2021 from 11 am - 7 pm - City Island Arts & Crafts Fair - Along City Island Avenue between Fordham and Carroll Streets. Hawkins Street Park is the epicenter. Street fairs festivals in the City Island neighborhood of the East Bronx.
Belmont / Bronx Little Italy _ Sunday, September 11, 2022 from 12 noon - 6 pm. Ferragosto Festival. Along Arthur Avenue between Crescent and 187th Street, and along East 186th Street between Arthur & Hughes Avenues. It's an Italian harvest celebration & celebrating 100 years of Arthur Avenue in the Belmont section of the Bronx. Bronx St Fairs in the Belmont neighborhood.x
Things To Do on Staten Island NYC
Saturday, September 10, 2022 from 12 noon - 4 pm - Pig Island Festival - "... this pork-laden festival [includes 20 chefs who] compete for the most delicious porcine dishes. There will also be craft beer, hard cider, spirits and other food offerings – all-included with a general admissions ticket ... " In the South Meadow at Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden at 1000 Richmond Terrace in the Randall Manor neighborhood on Staten Island. Staten Island street fair / festival in Randall Manor - Admission $59 & up. See www.snug-harbor.org for details.
Have a nice weekend.
Click here for free public outdoor movies - Free Things to do NYC / Free Outdoor Summer Movies Bronx NYC, Free Things to do NYC / Free Outdoor Summer Movies Brooklyn NYC, Free Things to do NYC / Free Outdoor Summer Movies Manhattan NYC, Free Things to do NYC / Free Outdoor Summer Movies Queens NYC and Free Things to do NYC / Free Outdoor Summer Movies Staten Island NYC.
Swim Pools. The NYC public park outdoor swimming pools reopen next Tuesday, June 28th. Here are links to those pools in all of the five boroughs: Free public swimming pools in the Bronx NYC, free public swimming pools in Brooklyn NYC, free public swimming pools in Manhattan NYC, free public swimming pools in Queens NYC and free public swimming pools on Staten Island NYC.
Farmers Markets / Street Fairs. And many of the seasonal farmers markets reopened this month, so you use these links to find one in your neighborhood - Bronx Farmers Markets NYC, Brooklyn Farmers Markets NYC, Manhattan Farmers Markets NYC, Queens Farmers Markets NYC, Staten Island Farmers Markets NYC. And the weekend street fairs are updated weekly - Manhattan street fairs, Queens street fairs, Brooklyn street fairs, Bronx street fairs, Staten Island street fairs.
Click here for fireworks displays throughout all five boroughs this weekend -1) Bronx 4th of July fireworks 2022 & Orchard Beach July 4th fireworks BX NYC, 2) Brooklyn 4th of July fireworks 2022 & Coney Island July 4th fireworks BK NYC, 3) Manhattan 4th of July fireworks 2022, 4) Queens July 4th fireworks 2022 & Astoria Park 4th of July fireworks Queens NYC, and 5) Staten Island 4th of July fireworks 2022.
Click here for free public outdoor concerts - 1) Free Things to do NYC / Free Outdoor Summer Concerts Bronx NYC, 2) Free Things to do NYC / Free Outdoor Summer Concerts Brooklyn NYC, 3) Free Things to do NYC / Free Outdoor Summer Concerts Manhattan NYC, 4) Free Things to do NYC / Free Outdoor Summer Concerts Queens NYC, and 5) Free Things to do NYC / Free Outdoor Summer Concerts Staten Island NYC.
Click here for free public outdoor theater - 1) Free Summer Theater Plays Bronx Bx, 2) Free Summer Theater Plays Brooklyn Bk, 3) Free Summer Theater Plays Manhattan Mhtn, 4) Free Summer Theater Plays Queens Qns and 5) Free Summer Theater Plays Staten Island Si.
NYC Catholic Schools Open September 7th & NYC Public Schools Open on the 8th
Ode to Some of the Great Teachers I've Known, Who've Been Guides on the Trail of Life
In Words & Deeds, We are all Students & We are all Teachers, be it Consciously or Not
September 7, 2022 / NYC Neighborhoods / Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC.
On Wednesday, September 7th the Catholic schools in NYC reopen for the new school year.
On Thursday, September 8, 2022 NYC public schools reopen. Many of the CoVid guidelines of the prior public school year have been modified, so copy and paste the following link for an update. https://www.schools.nyc.gov/school-life/health-and-wellness/covid-information/health-and-safety-in-our-schools.
Thinking of Those who Made a Difference
As I contemplated the upcoming school year I thought back to all of the great teachers who made a difference in my life. And so it is to them that I dedicate this column. Generally I'm going to discuss the school teachers as they chronologically entered my life, and discuss the other teachers in my life who taught me things outside of school, in reverse chronological order. Also please note that this is by no means a complete list, but really rather a first attempt at thanking some of the teachers who made a difference in my life, while passing on a few of the golden nuggets I learned from them.
The High School Teachers Who Made a Difference
It started at Abbott Pennings high school in DePere, Wisconsin where I grew up. Father Frigo was our freshman or sophomore history teacher. He was also a coach of the football and basketball teams which won state championships, and as such, was perhaps treated a bit too familiarly, even irreverently, by some of the star athletes in our class. What Father Frigo taught me was that historical narratives change over time, and that, " ... you have to pay attention to whether you're looking at primary sources or secondary sources ... " to truly understand the nature of events.
He taught us that, " ... revisionist history is a secondary source, but also plays an important role in our understanding of the past ...". He noted that pressure to conform to the prevailing cultural norms and narratives of those in power at a given time can distort and obfuscate the truth. But cultural norms and those in power change over time, so that oftentimes, at least in a free speech democracy, the passing of time permits a more honest appraisal of past events. We can see this playing out currently, as the Civil War 'heroes' of the Confederate south are more appropriately treated in historical terms as traitors to the republic, and as champions of a harsh, cruel system of enslavement of a large portion of the American population at the time. Likewise, in dictatorships, narcissitic despots often use and distort history to provide support for their violent aggression. We saw this scenario play out in Nazi Germany in the 1930's and 1940's, and we're witnessing it today in Putin's Russia.
My junior year I came up against a tough nun, Sister Janet, who for some god forsaken reason, took it upon herself to make sure that I understood algebra. I fought her tooth and nail throughout the year, but over time she broke me down and taught me the beauty of the logic inherent in algebraic equations, for which there is no wiggle room between getting it right and getting it wrong.
And lastly, at Abbott Pennings high school, I was taught an even larger lesson by Father Meehan, in religion class. I questioned some of the basic beliefs of Catholicism in class. He patiently answered my questions, and in the end told me something that I will always remember, when he said, "don't stop questioning ... question everything". Little did I know that that was both a blessing and a curse, as I have continued to question everything ever since.
The College Professors who Made a Difference
I first attended college at St. Norbert College, also in DePere, Wisconsin. In what was my first junior year, I ended up in a history class with Doctor Jonathan Webster. At first I found it unfortunate that I was one of only two students in the class, so this meant I actually had to do all of the homework every week, because while Professor Webster lectured us, he also engaged me and the other student in conversations about what we read in each and every assignment. The class was about Tudor Stuart England, and perhaps for the first time, I walked away with a true appreciation for the study of history at a very in-depth level. We had to read about two dozen books during the course of the semester, and during those three person classes, Professor Webster imparted his knowledge of the period, and helped us more fully understand what we were reading.
Here the lesson was that learning things helps you, and oftentimes when you least expect it. My in-depth understanding of history from that class, came up in an interview when I applied to transfer to the University of Chicago, which was then ranked the #3 college in the nation. In a robust, spirited and terribly intellectual conversation with the interviewer, Michael Walker, I was able to handle my own and was subsequently accepted into the University.
The University of Chicago has a well-deserved reputation as a rigorous academic institution. Two professors from there, left indelible impressions upon me. The first was William H. McNeil, also a history teacher, who over the course of three trimesters - a full academic year - took us, his students, through the history of the world. His classes were on Tuesdays and Thursdays. On Tuesdays it was primarily a lecture where he laid out what was happening in various regions of the world during specific periods of time. On Thursdays, he presented slide shows where he showed us photos of art, artifacts, architecture and other cultural and historical items from that time. He would use a light emitting pointer to draw our attention to various details of each artifact that supported his narratives about what was going on during that time. It was through this class that I developed a broader appreciation for the importance of art, culture and architecture; and the important role they play in our understanding of not only our past, but of ourselves.
This was in addition to learning about the history of the world.
But perhaps the most important part of McNeill's teaching happened after class, when I visited him in his office and peppered him with questions, troubled that what he was presenting in class appeared to differ from my understanding of the world, which up until that time, had some religion mixed into my understanding of the world and how it worked. Professor McNeill was a very patient, avuncular man with a good sense of humor, and so while we discussed many things, ultimately he let me make up my own mind about what I wanted to believe, but he also didn't give any ground when it came to the facts. He was an exceptional teacher, and I am sorry that I was never able to properly thank him, nor for that matter, any of the other teachers mentioned herein.
Professor Sam Jaffe, also of the University of Chicago, taught the Humanities. In this class, Jaffe seemed enthralled by James Joyce, an Irish author, whose use of allegory seemed to enthrall Professor Jaffe. Professor Jaffe had us write a short paper every week or two. Somewhere in the early part of the trimester, one of my papers came back covered with red ink. Professor Jaffe told me he wanted me to re-write it, but also told me I didn't have to complete the next writing assignment given to the rest of the class. So, I re-wrote the paper, taking into consideration Professor Jaffe's comments.
My second rendition also came back covered with red markings, so I asked to meet with the professor to better understand what I had done wrong. He made me aware of how I used my words, phrases, (dis)organized my thoughts and paragraphs, and went off on side tangents [like my father] and sometimes repeated myself. He wanted me to eliminate the deviations from the main argument and to stay focused on the primary subject in one continuous flow. I tried to comprehend his guidance as best I could, and made use of his comments in my third try at the same paper which he found to be much improved. But there were still a number of markings on it, so we met and went through it again. On my fourth try, the paper came back fairly clean. And by then I was on my way to understanding how to write a well-organized, well thought out, articulate paper; which if I recall correctly, was about James Joyce's book, The Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man.
I never properly thanked any of them, which shows us two things - one is how important a profession teaching is, and two how thankless a profession it is. My sister is also a teacher who consoled me, telling me that teachers derive satisfaction by seeing their students learn. She said that seeing their students grow through learning, is how they know they've made a difference, regardless of whether the students ever actually circle back around to thank them.
Our Lives are Filled with Great Teachers
But teaching isn't just done at the academic level, so while I'm on the subject I want to share a few other lessons I learned along the way, again recognizing that this is a very incomplete account. As mentioned above, here I'm going to tell the rest of the story in reverse chronological order.
I had a longstanding girlfriend, Karen Cortell, who taught me how to grocery shop by focusing on natural fruits, vegetables, meats and breads, while pointing out the importance of reading the nutrition labels on packages, when we did buy processed / packaged food. And then she taught me how to cook. I cannot tell you how invaluable these lessons have been to my enjoyment of nightly meals, my good health, and enduring financial standing.
I used to have lunch periodically with Bill Peick who was the Director of Facilities at OSI Pharmaceuticals on Long Island. He was a bit of a corporate senior statesman and would periodically tell me, "The world has changed today. Did you notice it?" At first I thought this query was whimsical nonsense, because very little changed from day to day. In fact there were some weeks when life seemed a bit like it was portrayed in the movie 'Groundhog Day' ... meaning terribly uninteresting, and more of the same. But over time I came to realize and appreciate what Bill was saying, which is that the world is constantly changing ... bit by bit and day by day ... and while we may not notice it on a daily basis, the seven billion plus people on the planet, including ourselves, are all doing something that will either benefit or harm humanity over time.
David Sharpe the VP of Marketing at Lever Brothers [a multi-national consumer products company] in NYC, told me that, " ... managing the process of business, is as important as getting business results ...". When he told me this, I had just come off a successful packaging launch where I pushed people hard, so I was feeling pretty good because we accomplished what we set out to do. When he told me that process was as important as results, I resisted the notion at first, as I had grown up near Green Bay, Wisconsin where famed Packer coach Vince Lombardi was often quoted as saying "Winning isn't everything; it's the only thing."
But Sharpe was right, and over time I found what he had told me was true, because one victory is only good for that day / week / month or year. Ultimately you have to keep doing it over and over and over again, and if you don't manage the process well each time you go through it, eventually things will break down and / or people will resist helping - let alone give you their all.
One of my best friends in business school, Michael Murdoch, taught me the importance of friendship. I was at Midway Airport in Chicago - this was near the end of business school - and on my way to an interview with CBS in NYC. I was flying to NYC to pitch the only job that I really wanted, and I had forgotten my plane ticket. On a moments notice, Murdoch dropped everything, took a taxi to the airport and enabled me to get on that plane. It was a heroic deed that I will never forget, because he could easily have talked his way out of making that trip. And as fate would have it, I got the job. Here, it is important to remember that, sometimes, the memory of a heroic deed can last a lifetime.
We can Even Learn from Family Members
My brother Pat would also periodically remind me that, "It's a people world." He would say this because I tended to be more book smart than people smart. I found this pithy advice insightful, as knowing and getting the facts right, oftentimes isn't enough to win the day - as people, with all of their emotional and psychological complexities - are the decision makers. And thus knowing the people is at least as important as knowing the facts, as to crack, hack or make a deal, you have to break the people code in order to achieve your objectives.
And lastly, but not least, there were my parents, who imparted countless important lessons to me throughout my life. Many were conveyed, most assuredly, through their actions as I was growing up. Two of the top verbalized lessons by my parents, were the following.
My mother used to say, "Every generalization is wrong, including this one." This means a lot of things, but the one most appropriate for this day, is that just because someone does something tremendously good or bad, doesn't mean their whole family or whole race or whole gender or whole political party or whole religion deserves the credit or the blame.
And my father would tell me, "Democracy isn't perfect. Democracy takes time. And so far, it's the best system of government we have that works." Papa has been right thus far. Let's hope he continues to be.
So as we enter the new school year, I want all the great teachers out there, to know that while you may not have been, or may not be, properly thanked for all that you do, there are those of us out here [I'm sure I'm not alone in this] who are grateful to you, even if we never made the time to circle back around to properly thank you.
Ultimately in life, we are all both students and teachers. We learn by observing and we teach through what we do or not do, and by what we say or not say. Our presences - good or bad - can make a big difference to others, and oftentimes when we're not even aware of it.
Have a good week.
Things To Do This Labor Day Weekend in NYC & Boros
Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit, Free Nightly Opera at Lincoln Center, West Indian American Day Parade Festivities all Weekend in Brooklyn, U.S. Open all Weekend in Queens, in the Bronx Salsa at Orchard Beach & Yankees Home Game, Concert & the Fabulous Richmond County Fair on Staten Island ... also Free Outdoor Concerts, Movies & Theater, Farmers Markets, NYC Public Outdoor Swimming Pools, Street Fairs, Public Beaches
September 2, 2022 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / Gotham Buzz NYC.
NYC Weekend Weather. The temperature highs will be in the low to mid 80's all weekend. The temperature lows will be around 70 all weekend. The humidity will be between 50% - 70% on Friday, rising to 60% - 70% on Saturday and Sunday, and rising again on Monday to between 70% - 80%. Winds will be a very steady 5 - 7 mph all weekend. There's a 50% chance of a third inch of rain beginning Sunday afternoon and 50% chance of two thirds of an inch of rain throughout the day on Monday.
The photo at right was taken at the West Indian American Day Parade in 2019 where we were rained on pretty hard with pretty warm water. It's possible the same may happen Monday in Brooklyn.
Things To Do in Manhattan NYC
One of the biggest events over the Labor Day Weekend in Manhattan include the Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit which runs from 12 noon to 6 pm on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, as well as the following weekend. The show runs along University Avenue from 13th Street down to Washington Square.
Also, from Friday, August 26th to Monday, September 5th, there are nightly high definition screenings, beginning at 8 pm, of Metropolitan Opera performances shown in the plaza at Lincoln Center at Columbus and 68th Street on the UWS. Copy and paste this link to see what's playing each night - https://www.metopera.org/season/summer-2022/summer-hd-festival/.
And it's worth mentioning that on Friday and Saturday, September 2nd and 3rd, the Metropolitan Museum will host its two final rooftop concerts of the season going from 5.30 - 8.30 pm. Free w/ admission to the Met.
Ironically, the Labor Day Parade in Manhattan is held Saturday, September 10th, after Labor Day in Manhattan. It begins at 10 am on 5th Avenue at 44th Street marching north to 64th Street.
Things To Do in Brooklyn NYC
One of the biggest events of the Labor Day Weekend in Brooklyn is the West Indian American Day Parade and Carnival. While there are events all weekend, the parade begins at 11 am on Monday along the Eastern Parkway departing from Schenectady Avenue and marching down to Grand Army Plaza near the Brooklyn Museum. From 10 am - 6 pm you'll also find food stalls and shopping along the parade route along Eastern Parkway in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn.
Things To Do in Queens NYC
The biggest Labor Day event in Queens, is of course, the U.S. Open which began this week and runs through the Labor Day weekend and following week [see photo at right].
Another of the biggest Labor Day weekend events in Queens are the Rockaway Bazaar concerts, that begin at 5 pm Friday and at 4 pm Saturday, Sunday and Monday at Beach and 97th Street in the Rockaways in Queens.
Things To Do in the Bronx NYC
The Sunday afternoon of Labor Day Weekend, from 1 to 6 pm, is the last Summer Salsa event at Orchard Beach, in Section 5 between the clubhouse and the water. It's casual and free.
One of the biggest event over the Labor Day Weekend in the Bronx is that the Yankees host the Twins beginning at 11 am on Monday, September 5th at Yankee Stadium at River Avenue and 161st Street.
Next weekend, September 10th & 11th, 2022 from 11 am to 7 pm, is the City Island Art Fair. It's held along Main Street, with the epic center at Hawkins Park.
Things To Do on Staten Island NYC
The biggest event of the Labor Day weekend on Staten Island is the Richmond County Fair in Historic Richmond Town which runs from 12 noon - 7 pm daily on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
Sunday, September 4, 2022 from 4 - 6 pm. Music in the Park with the SI Philharmonic - At the Conference House at 7455 Hylan Blvd in Tottenville on Staten Island.
Have a good Labor Day weekend, and the following are links to all sorts of late summer activities in all five boros. Enjoy.
Click here for free public outdoor movies - Free Things to do NYC / Free Outdoor Summer Movies Bronx NYC, Free Things to do NYC / Free Outdoor Summer Movies Brooklyn NYC, Free Things to do NYC / Free Outdoor Summer Movies Manhattan NYC, Free Things to do NYC / Free Outdoor Summer Movies Queens NYC and Free Things to do NYC / Free Outdoor Summer Movies Staten Island NYC.
Swim Pools. The NYC public park outdoor swimming pools reopen next Tuesday, June 28th. Here are links to those pools in all of the five boroughs: Free public swimming pools in the Bronx NYC, free public swimming pools in Brooklyn NYC, free public swimming pools in Manhattan NYC, free public swimming pools in Queens NYC and free public swimming pools on Staten Island NYC.
Farmers Markets / Street Fairs. And many of the seasonal farmers markets reopened this month, so you use these links to find one in your neighborhood - Bronx Farmers Markets NYC, Brooklyn Farmers Markets NYC, Manhattan Farmers Markets NYC, Queens Farmers Markets NYC, Staten Island Farmers Markets NYC. And the weekend street fairs are updated weekly - Manhattan street fairs, Queens street fairs, Brooklyn street fairs, Bronx street fairs, Staten Island street fairs.
Click here for fireworks displays throughout all five boroughs this weekend -1) Bronx 4th of July fireworks 2022 & Orchard Beach July 4th fireworks BX NYC, 2) Brooklyn 4th of July fireworks 2022 & Coney Island July 4th fireworks BK NYC, 3) Manhattan 4th of July fireworks 2022, 4) Queens July 4th fireworks 2022 & Astoria Park 4th of July fireworks Queens NYC, and 5) Staten Island 4th of July fireworks 2022.
Click here for free public outdoor concerts - 1) Free Things to do NYC / Free Outdoor Summer Concerts Bronx NYC, 2) Free Things to do NYC / Free Outdoor Summer Concerts Brooklyn NYC, 3) Free Things to do NYC / Free Outdoor Summer Concerts Manhattan NYC, 4) Free Things to do NYC / Free Outdoor Summer Concerts Queens NYC, and 5) Free Things to do NYC / Free Outdoor Summer Concerts Staten Island NYC.
Click here for free public outdoor theater - 1) Free Summer Theater Plays Bronx Bx, 2) Free Summer Theater Plays Brooklyn Bk, 3) Free Summer Theater Plays Manhattan Mhtn, 4) Free Summer Theater Plays Queens Qns and 5) Free Summer Theater Plays Staten Island Si.
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November 17, 2023 / 
The photo at right, taken at a Thanksgiving Day Parade in a prior year, shows a very famous native New Yorker dressed in costume, floating above the crowd ... like he always does. The parade returns next Thursday.
The photo at right, taken in a prior year, provides some perspective on what's involved in being the human anchors for these huge balloons as they parade down Central Park West and Midtown.
CLICK this link to view this and other current & upcoming 
The photo at right, taken in a prior year, shows that there's a lot more than balloons to watch. Various performance groups participate in the parade. As of Friday, November 17, 2023, the weather forecast for Thanksgiving Day is dry, with a high below 40 and the lows in the high 20's.
November 10, 2023 / 
Sunday, November 12, 2023 from 12 noon - 3 pm - There's a Veterans' Day Parade beginning at 80th and marching down Metropolitan Avenue to Christ the King Church at 69th Street in Middle Village, where there will be a commemorative ceremony ending at 3 pm.
As I conducted my research, I decided that NOT to inquire about the Mayor's - seemingly unappreciated or underappreciated - Herculean effort to manage the huge influx of immigrants into NYC. This situation, turned crisis, began when Texas Governor Greg Abbott began bussing immigrants from Texas border towns, beginning in August 5, 2022, to NYC. Governor Abbott began transporting immigrants here without any communication nor coordination with NYS Governor Hochul or NYC Mayor Adams.
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The Jouvert then marched east along Empire Boulevard before turning south on Nostrand Avenue and terminating at Winthrop. I arrived a bit before noon, at Empire Blvd and Nostrand, where the Jouvert Parade had already passed. The Jouvert Parade involves participants adorning themselves with paint and powder, sometimes sharing it with others in a style that reminded me of the Indian Holi celebration.
Four years ago, on August 31, 2019, I visited the Floyd Bennett Airfield with the intention of doing a story on it, which - until now - I had not had an opportunity to do. On that visit, I biked the airfield, took photos in both the museum and peeked through the dusty windows of the hangars and warehouses on the airfield, to photographed our recent past.
UPDATING August 2, 2023 / Staten Island Neighborhoods / Staten Island Swimming Pools, Parks & Sports / Staten Buzz NYC.
Summer is in full swing. A number of community groups in collaboration with the NYC Parks Department and frequently some measure of government funding, have put together a summer full of free summer movies in the parks. The free movie events listed below are designed for young and old alike and they're FREE.
In 2017 I attended a Community Board meeting in Astoria where our urban planners talked about 
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January 1, 2023 / 
As you likely heard, we are in the midst of experiencing a 'tripledemic'. The triple refers to CoVid, flu and RSV. RSV is short for respiratory syncytial virus, which is a virus that causes symptoms like those associated with a cold, but which can cause serious negative health issues for infants and the elderly. As usual, the TV news teleprompter readers and their writers appear to report whatever they're told, without actually thinking about the information they're conveying. And since they're in the business of attracting viewers' and readers' attention, they seem to have a tendency to sensationalize almost everything they report, including the weather.
So, when I heard that the strike was actually happening on Thursday late afternoon, I dropped everything and headed down to the New York Times office building in Midtown Manhattan. I had a hunch that the strikers would be disbanding - if not gone - by the time the TV news ended at 7 pm. 
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October 26, 2022 / Local Government & Politics / National Government & Politics / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC.
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October 7, 2022 / 
Saturday, October 8, 2022 rescheduled from October 1 [weather] from 10 am - 5 pm The Fall for Arts Festival was to return to Roosevelt Island. In Southpoint Park at FDR Four Freedoms Park on the Rivercross Lawn on Roosevelt Island. A day full of activities for everyone including murals painting, arts & crafts, musical performances and food vendors. Free.
September 30, 2022 / 
Friday & Saturday , September 30 - October 1 2022 from 4 pm - 8 pm and 11 am - 8 pm respectively - Downtown Brooklyn Arts Festival. In the Plaza at 300 Ashland Place at the corner of Lafayette and Flatbush. This event will feature live music, dance, talks and theater. There might be some shopping, but that doesn't appear to be the focus. Downtown Brooklyn street fairs / festivals nyc. www.dbartsfestival.org/
August 26, 2022 / 
