By Dana Schulz, Mon, September 21, 2020 Photo © James and Karla Murray
Palomba Academy of Music has been teaching music lessons from its storefront in the Williamsbridge section of the Bronx for 64 years, but they’ve sadly had to close due to COVID-19. However, there’s a piece of this business that photographers James and Karla Murray hope to preserve. They are working with iconic NYC neon shop Let There Be Neon to remove Palomba’s historic, 25-foot neon sign and have it relocated to the American Sign Museum in Cincinatti, Ohio. But they need your help…
Here’s how you can contribute
By Devin Gannon, Wed, September 16, 2020 New York Forever poster designed by Giona Maiarelli; Pizza poster designed by Dr. Crol Bentel
A new citywide poster campaign will launch next month as a tribute to New York City in response to one of the most challenging times in its history. NYCxDesign this week announced the “An Ode to NYC” campaign, a collection of posters designed by local artists that reflect their love for New York. The original artwork will be on display in design showrooms, restaurants, retail stores, and iconic spots across the five boroughs, including the Oculus at the World Trade Center.
Get the details
By Dana Schulz, Wed, September 16, 2020 Photo courtesy of CV-19 ESSENTIAL
It was bound to happen–a store selling solely coronavirus-related products. CV-19 ESSENTIAL opened today in Herald Square, selling everything from masks and cell phone sanitizers to plexiglass dividers and UV lights. There’s even a “Safe Zone” Interactive Experience Center where shoppers can try out the gadgets (we’re assuming they’ll be sanitized between uses).
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By 6sqft, Wed, September 16, 2020 Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels
No matter how long we live in New York City, it’s hard to get used to the sounds of jackhammers, children screaming, or our neighbors getting a little too, um, frisky on the other side of our apartment wall. And with noise complaints up a whopping 300 percent during the pandemic, many of us are actively seeking solutions to help muffle (or hopefully mute) these urban intrusions. From sound-proofing wall panels and curtains to white noise machines, we’ve rounded up some simple soundproofing home upgrades, as well as a couple more robust improvements, that will help you achieve a quieter household.
Get started soundproofing here
By Devin Gannon, Fri, September 11, 2020 Salt-N-Pepa’s “Push It” leather jackets; Photo courtesy of Sotheby’s
Next week, Sotheby’s will host its first-ever hip hop auction with iconic memorabilia from the music movement that got its start in New York City. One of the biggest items of the auction, which will be held live on September 15, is the crown worn by Brooklyn-born Biggie Smalls during the 1997 “King of New York” photo shoot, the last portrait of the rapper before he was killed just days later. Another amazing item at the auction includes over 20 love letters penned by a 16-year-old Tupac Shakur to his high school sweetheart.
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By Devin Gannon, Wed, September 9, 2020 Photo courtesy of Grand Central Terminal
A contest launched on Tuesday that is tailor-made for lovers of tennis and quirky New York City history. Grand Central Terminal’s “Game, Set, & Match” contest will provide one winner and a partner an hour to play tennis at the iconic transit hub’s Vanderbilt Tennis Club, located in a hard-to-find location on the terminal’s fourth floor. In addition to the free match, the winner will receive $300 in gift cards for Grand Central Terminal vendors.
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By Devin Gannon, Wed, September 2, 2020 Photo courtesy of Amazon/ Whole Foods
While new Whole Foods stores in New York City typically open to fanfare from lovers of the grocery chain, a new location in Brooklyn won’t get the same in-person hoopla. The first-ever online-only Whole Foods “store” opened in Brooklyn on Tuesday, dedicated exclusively to fulfilling online grocery orders. The new store, which has been in the works for over a year, will not allow any customers inside.
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By Devin Gannon, Tue, September 1, 2020 Photo by ajay_suresh on Flickr
Two major sports arenas in New York City will serve as polling sites for the general election in November, providing a socially distanced way for residents to vote in person. The city’s Board of Elections announced that Madison Square Garden and the Barclays Center will both be Early Voting and Election Day poll sites, the result of a deal made between players of the National Basketball Association and the league to resume playoffs after teams refused to play following the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The agreement involved several social justice initiatives, including the use of NBA arenas across the country as voting locations for the upcoming election.
Details this way
By Devin Gannon, Mon, August 31, 2020 Photo by Timothy Krause on Flickr
Coronavirus-related budget cuts and an increase in use may be to blame for the growing garbage problem across New York City green spaces. As Gothamist reported, the number of 311 complaints about garbage and litter increased by 120 percent from the same period last summer. To address this increase in green space litter and to encourage New Yorkers to “show your park some love,” the city’s Parks Department launched a new “Toss Your Trash” campaign last week.
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By Devin Gannon, Tue, August 25, 2020 Photo by Art Comments on Flickr
One of fashion’s biggest events will still take place in New York City next month. Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday announced that New York Fashion Week will be held September 13-17 for a mix of live and virtual fashion shows, under stringent coronavirus restrictions and capacity limits. Indoor events will be able to take place at 50 percent capacity and with no spectators, according to the governor.
Details here
