City Living

Late fees canceled at all of NYC’s public libraries

Brooklyn Public Library’s recently renovated Central Branch. Photo by Gregg Richards

October 5, 2021

Late fees canceled at all of NYC’s public libraries

All of New York City's public libraries have permanently eliminated late fees and will not charge for overdue books and other materials starting Tuesday. This shift in policy, which was first established at the start of the coronavirus pandemic last March, aims to create a more equitable and open system for communities in need, according to an announcement by library officials. Combined, the city's three library systems, made up of over 200 branches, are now the largest municipality in the country to eliminate fees.
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7 historic treasures to check out at the new NYPL exhibit

Photo: Max Touhey/ NYPL

September 29, 2021

7 historic treasures to check out at the new NYPL exhibit

By Devin Gannon

More than 250 historic items and artifacts, many of which the public has never seen before, are now on display in New York City. The Polonsky Exhibition of the New York Public Library's Treasures opened at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building last week, showing off just some of the institution's incredible collection of objects, images, letters, manuscripts, and more that spans 4,000 years in history. From a draft copy of the Declaration of Independence written by Thomas Jefferson to the stuffed bear that inspired the Winnie-the-Pooh stories, the library's first permanent exhibition allows the public to connect intimately with history at no cost.
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NYC’s Governors Island will be open year-round for the first time

Photo by Kreg Holt

September 28, 2021

NYC’s Governors Island will be open year-round for the first time

By Devin Gannon

Starting November 1, Governors Island will be open to the public year-round for the first time in its history, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Tuesday. Located in the heart of New York Harbor, the 172-acre island has typically had a limited season that ran between May and October but plans to make the site a 24/7 community have been in the works for nearly two decades. With the island open all year, the city also announced it will make Governors Island a daily stop on NYC Ferry, as well as launch a new route that departs from the Lower East Side.
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City Living

New York’s official fall foliage map is here!

Image courtesy of I LOVE NY

September 9, 2021

New York’s official fall foliage map is here!

By Dana Schulz

Have you been dreaming of pumpkin spice and chunky sweaters all summer long? Well, autumnal bliss is upon us, with the first signs of colorful fall foliage already appearing in upstate New York. To help you keep tabs on peak foliage in your area, the state has released its annual Fall Foliage Report, an interactive map that is updated weekly using on-the-ground observations and reports from a state-wide network of volunteers.
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The 6 best furniture rental companies in NYC

Photo by Alexandra Gorn on Unsplash

September 9, 2021

The 6 best furniture rental companies in NYC

By Devin Gannon

New Yorkers are no strangers to moving, whether it's because they found a new roommate, a better rent deal, or a more convenient neighborhood. Not only is furnishing your apartment expensive, but it's also not guaranteed that the new sofa you bought will fit in your next place. As a result, many nomadic city dwellers are turning to furniture rentals to outfit their temporary abodes. Furniture rental companies offer a cheaper, more flexible, and more sustainable alternative to buying new. Plus, most companies deliver, assemble, and then remove the furniture when your rental term is up, alleviating some of that moving-related stress. Ahead, we take a look at six of the best furniture rental companies that serve New York City and break down each by the products offered, lease terms, and rent-to-buy options.
Full list ahead

What you need to know about NYC’s basement apartments

Photo courtesy of HPD

September 3, 2021

What you need to know about NYC’s basement apartments

By Devin Gannon

This week, Hurricane Ida brought record rainfall and historic flash flooding to New York City, which ultimately led to the deaths of at least 13 New Yorkers. A majority of the people killed lived in basement apartments, where water was able to get in and block the only way out. These "hidden" units have always been prevalent in New York City, which is home to roughly 50,000 basement apartments, although that number is likely much higher as many of them are considered illegal. The tragic events of this last week have renewed calls from advocacy groups and elected officials to legalize basement apartments to make them safe for the more than 100,000 New Yorkers who live in them. Ahead, learn about the difference between a legal and illegal basement apartment, what can be done to protect tenants, and what the future holds for these homes, seen as a critical component of the city's insufficient affordable housing stock.
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New exhibit on NYC photographer Bill Cunningham to open during New York Fashion Week

Credit: ESI Design

September 1, 2021

New exhibit on NYC photographer Bill Cunningham to open during New York Fashion Week

By Devin Gannon

A new installation dedicated to the life of legendary New York City fashion photographer Bill Cunningham will open this month. The immersive exhibit, called "Experience The Times of Bill Cunningham," will feature large-scale reproductions of the photographer's famous photos, audio and video segments, and artifacts, like his trademark Biria bicycle and his blue worker’s jacket. Coinciding with the start of New York Fashion Week, the exhibit opens at the South Street Seaport on September 12 and runs through October 30.
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100 years after WWI, all-Black unit Harlem Hellfighters awarded Congressional Gold Medal

New York’s famous 369th (Old 15th) Infantry Regiment arrives home from France. From the National Archives via Wikimedia Commons

September 1, 2021

100 years after WWI, all-Black unit Harlem Hellfighters awarded Congressional Gold Medal

By Devin Gannon

One of the most decorated all-Black American regiments is finally getting nationally recognized more than a century after World War I. President Joe Biden last week signed into law the Harlem Hellfighters Congressional Gold Medal Act, which posthumously honors the 369th Infantry Regiment. Made up mostly of New Yorkers, the Harlem Hellfighters spent 191 days on the front-line trenches, longer than any other American unit. Despite their courage and sacrifice, the soldiers returned home to face racism and discrimination.
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Shake Shack

August 31, 2021

Shake Shack and Milk Bar team up for limited-edition birthday-inspired shakes

By Devin Gannon

Two New York City companies have announced a sweet new collaboration. Shake Shack and Milk Bar have teamed up on two limited-edition milkshakes: the chocolate birthday cake shake and the cornflake chocolate drizzle shake. The delicious treats combine Shake Shack's famous frozen custard with Milk Bar's unique desserts.
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Original copy of the Bill of Rights, lock of Beethoven’s hair on display at new NYPL treasures exhibit

Photo credit: Jonathan Blanc / NYPL

August 23, 2021

Original copy of the Bill of Rights, lock of Beethoven’s hair on display at new NYPL treasures exhibit

By Devin Gannon

The New York Public Library's much-anticipated permanent exhibition of rotating rare objects and artifacts finally opens to the public next month. First announced in 2018, the Polonsky Exhibition of The New York Public Library's Treasures features 250 unique, historic items from the library's incredible holdings, which includes more than 45 million objects in its research collections. Highlights include Thomas Jefferson's handwritten copy of the Declaration of Independence, Charles Dickens' writing desk, a letter written by James Baldwin to Angela Davis, the 1811 Comissioners' Map and Survey of Manhattan Island, and much more.
More details here

New York City had its rainiest hour ever on Saturday night

By Dana Schulz

On Saturday, between 10pm and 11pm, Central Park saw 1.94 inches of rainfall, the most ever recorded in a single hour in New York City, according to the National Weather Service, which has been keeping weather records since 1870. Just hours earlier, the park was evacuated during the city's massive Homecoming Concert for fears over impending weather brought on by Tropical Storm Henri. August 21st was also the wettest day since 2014.
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City Living

You can ride an 11-story Ferris wheel in the middle of Times Square

Artist rendering by Anthony George

August 20, 2021

You can ride an 11-story Ferris wheel in the middle of Times Square

By Devin Gannon

A new attraction coming to Times Square next week hopes to wheel in tourists. A 110-foot high outdoor Ferris wheel will open next Tuesday on the plaza between West 47th and West 48th Streets, as the New York Post first reported. Dubbed the Times Square Wheel, the limited experience runs from August 24 through September 12. The pop-up attraction is part of a larger effort by the Times Square Alliance to promote the neighborhood as the city continues to recover from the pandemic.
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NYC’s West Indian American Day, Mermaid Parades canceled over Covid

Mermaid Parade 2018; Photo Credit: © Norman Blake

August 19, 2021

NYC’s West Indian American Day, Mermaid Parades canceled over Covid

By Devin Gannon

Two of New York City's most vibrant parades won't take place in person this summer for the second year in a row. Due to the spike in coronavirus cases, organizers of both the Mermaid Parade in Coney Island and the West Indian American Day Carnival along Brooklyn's Eastern Parkway have postponed their in-person parades until next year.
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All the places in NYC requiring proof of vaccination

Photo by Eden, Janine and Jim on Flickr

August 16, 2021

All the places in NYC requiring proof of vaccination

By Devin Gannon

Starting Tuesday, New Yorkers aged 12 and older must be vaccinated against the coronavirus to partake in indoor dining, fitness, and entertainment. The Key to NYC initiative, which applies to bars, fitness centers, movie theaters, museums, and other indoor venues, requires visitors to show proof of at least one dose of the vaccine. The policy will go into effect on August 17 with enforcement beginning the week of September 13.
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Central Park’s famous carousel will reopen with Coney Island’s Luna Park as operator

Photo by ajay_suresh on Flickr

August 11, 2021

Central Park’s famous carousel will reopen with Coney Island’s Luna Park as operator

By Devin Gannon

One of the country's most popular carousels will soon spin again. Central Park's Friedsam Memorial Carousel will reopen to riders this fall after being closed since March 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. As first reported by amNY, the operators of Coney Island's Luna Park, Central Amusement International, will operate the merry-go-round, replacing the Trump Organization, which had its contracts with the city canceled earlier this year after the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
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City Living

Brooklyn Nets are giving away home game tickets this week at pop-up Covid vaccination site

Photo courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

August 10, 2021

Brooklyn Nets are giving away home game tickets this week at pop-up Covid vaccination site

By Devin Gannon

Take a shot and receive a free ticket to a Brooklyn Nets home game. The basketball team is partnering with Maimonides Medical Center and Industry Center to open a coronavirus vaccination site in Brooklyn this week. On Thursday, August 12, individuals aged 12 and older who receive their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine at the Sunset Park pop-up will go home with a complimentary ticket to a game next season and some Nets swag.
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City Living

Here are the ‘Alfresco Award’ winners for NYC’s best open streets and outdoor dining spots

Maiden Korea, 316 5th Avenue; Courtesy of Alfresco NYC

August 9, 2021

Here are the ‘Alfresco Award’ winners for NYC’s best open streets and outdoor dining spots

By Devin Gannon

Over 11,500 restaurants across New York City currently participate in the city's outdoor dining program, which launched last summer to help businesses stay afloat during the coronavirus pandemic. On Monday, seven of them were recognized for being the best examples of outdoor dining setups across the boroughs as part of the first-ever Alfresco Awards. The program, created by a group of local nonprofits, also acknowledged the city's best Open Streets, an initiative that closes streets to cars for pedestrian use.
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CityMD reinstates virtual line for Covid testing as virus cases in NYC continue to rise

A relatively short CityMD line in November 2020. Photo by Eden, Janine and Jim via Flickr cc

August 9, 2021

CityMD reinstates virtual line for Covid testing as virus cases in NYC continue to rise

By Dana Schulz

Back in December 2020, CityMD instituted a "virtual line" for people seeking Covid-19 tests, which allowed patients to check-in at the front desk and then receive a text when their time was close. The move came in response to complaints about hours-long lines as New Yorkers rushed to get tested before the holidays. Now, with the Delta variant causing a steep rise in cases across New York City, CityMD announced that today it would be reinstituting the virtual line, a stark reminder that the pandemic is not yet over.
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All the NYC companies mandating Covid vaccines for employees

U.S. Army National Guard photo by Specialiat Li Ji via Flickr cc

August 3, 2021

All the NYC companies mandating Covid vaccines for employees

By Dana Schulz

New York City is taking the national lead on Covid vaccine mandates. Last week, both city and state governments said they would require employees to be vaccinated. And today, Mayor de Blasio announced that New Yorkers will need to show proof of vaccination to enter restaurants, gyms, and entertainment venues, the first such policy in the U.S. Many private companies, both local and national, are also following suit and requiring employees to be vaccinated. Some, like developers Durst and Related, say they will fire those who do not get inoculated. Others, like Google, Twitter, Lyft, and Uber, have also extended their work-from-home policies. The following list will be updated as more companies implement vaccination mandates.
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New York City recommends vaccinated people start wearing masks indoors again

Photo by Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office

August 2, 2021

New York City recommends vaccinated people start wearing masks indoors again

By Dana Schulz

Following the CDC's new guidance last week on indoor mask-wearing, Mayor de Blasio and Health Commissioner Dr. Dave Chokshi are recommending that even vaccinated New Yorkers start to once again wear masks in public indoor settings. The CDC made their recommendations based on a national rise in cases tied to the Delta variant and findings that vaccinated people can spread the variant. In New York City, the number of new cases has risen by nearly 20 percent in the last month.
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All Broadway theaters will require vaccinations for audiences and actors

Photo by Raph_Ph via Wikimedia Commons

July 30, 2021

All Broadway theaters will require vaccinations for audiences and actors

By Dana Schulz

The Broadway League is the latest group to join a growing number of government agencies and businesses that will implement a Covid vaccine mandate. The League, which represents theater owners and show producers, put out a statement today saying that all 41 Broadway theaters will "require vaccinations for audience members, as well as performers, backstage crew, and theatre staff, for all performances through October 2021." In addition, audience members must wear masks indoors, given the CDC's new guidelines surrounding the Delta variant.
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Pigpen Theatre Co. performs in “The Amph”; Photo courtesy of Little Island

July 28, 2021

Free four-week arts festival with 160 performances headed to offshore park Little Island

By Devin Gannon

A month-long arts festival featuring more than 160 events and 460 artists will take place in New York City's newest public park next month. Called NYC FREE, the celebration will bring a variety of music, dance, and comedy performances to Little Island, the offshore park in Hudson River Park that opened this spring, over four weeks starting in August. The festival is the culmination of the state's "NY PopsUp" initiative, which launched earlier this year to revive New York's art and culture scene.
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July 27, 2021

Kayaking, sailing, jet skiing, and more: NYC’s 8 best water activities

By 6sqft

After last year's summer-that-wasn't, New Yorkers are spending extra time outdoors with beach trips and outdoor sports. And a great way to get the most out of the warm weather is to combine those two activities. Thanks to the city’s long list of available watersports, you have quite a few aquatic choices in the summer months, from kayaking to sailing, to surfing in the Rockaways. Ahead, we've rounded up eight of our favorite options.
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City Living

Andrea Bocelli, The Killers, Wyclef Jean & a dozen more stars to perform at Central Park concert

Global Citizen Festival in Central Park on September 23, 2017.Photo by Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

July 27, 2021

Andrea Bocelli, The Killers, Wyclef Jean & a dozen more stars to perform at Central Park concert

By Devin Gannon

More than a dozen iconic musicians will take the stage in Central Park next month as part of a mega-concert celebrating the city's recovery from the coronavirus. Announced on Tuesday, the lineup for the concert, dubbed "WE LOVE NYC: The Homecoming Concert," includes major stars like Andrea Bocelli, Wyclef Jean, Barry Manilow, Earth, Wind & Fire, Jennifer Hudson, The Killers, LL COOL J, Carlos Santana, Paul Simon, Patti Smith, Bruce Springsteen, Rob Thomas, and more.
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NYC will implement vaccine mandate for all city workers by September 13

Photo by Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

July 26, 2021

NYC will implement vaccine mandate for all city workers by September 13

By Dana Schulz

Last week, Mayor de Blasio implemented a new city policy that will require city health workers to either show proof of vaccination or participate in weekly Covid testing. Today, he announced that the protocol, called the Covid Safety Mandate, will apply to the entire city workforce, including teachers and members of the NYPD and FDNY, by September 13. In addition, any city employee who does not get vaccinated will be required to wear a mask indoors. Though 71 percent of NYC residents have received at least one vaccine dose, the number is lower among some city agencies, and concerns about the Delta variant and a potential third wave are looming.
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City Living

Late fees canceled at all of NYC’s public libraries

7 historic treasures to check out at the new NYPL exhibit

NYC’s Governors Island will be open year-round for the first time

New York’s official fall foliage map is here!

The 6 best furniture rental companies in NYC

What you need to know about NYC’s basement apartments

New exhibit on NYC photographer Bill Cunningham to open during New York Fashion Week

100 years after WWI, all-Black unit Harlem Hellfighters awarded Congressional Gold Medal

Shake Shack and Milk Bar team up for limited-edition birthday-inspired shakes

Original copy of the Bill of Rights, lock of Beethoven’s hair on display at new NYPL treasures exhibit

New York City had its rainiest hour ever on Saturday night

You can ride an 11-story Ferris wheel in the middle of Times Square

NYC’s West Indian American Day, Mermaid Parades canceled over Covid

All the places in NYC requiring proof of vaccination

Central Park’s famous carousel will reopen with Coney Island’s Luna Park as operator

'Secret' live-work compound on Tribeca's skybridge street lists for $30M

Brooklyn Nets are giving away home game tickets this week at pop-up Covid vaccination site

Here are the ‘Alfresco Award’ winners for NYC’s best open streets and outdoor dining spots

CityMD reinstates virtual line for Covid testing as virus cases in NYC continue to rise

All the NYC companies mandating Covid vaccines for employees

New York City recommends vaccinated people start wearing masks indoors again

All Broadway theaters will require vaccinations for audiences and actors

Free four-week arts festival with 160 performances headed to offshore park Little Island

Kayaking, sailing, jet skiing, and more: NYC’s 8 best water activities

Andrea Bocelli, The Killers, Wyclef Jean & a dozen more stars to perform at Central Park concert

NYC will implement vaccine mandate for all city workers by September 13

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