* Things to do This Weekend in NYC & Boros

Memorial Day Parades & Commemorations in All Boros, Beaches Open for the Summer - Scroll Down to see Headline Events & Things to Do for Each Boro: Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx and Staten Island

May 23, 2025 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC.

Sunrise 5.32 am. Sunset 8.13 pm. Daylight Savings Time. We're getting 14 hours & 49 minutes of daylight or five hours and 9 more minutes of sunlight than we were getting the weekend of the Winter Solstice, on December 21, 2024, which is the shortest day of the year at 9 hours and 15 minutes of daylight. Spring began Thursday, March 20, 2025, which is also the Spring Equinox, when the day is 12 hours long - half daylight and half dark. The Summer Solstice is coming June 20, 2025 which will be the longest day of this year.

NYC Weather. Excepting about 1/10th inch of rain on Friday between 6 and 10 pm, it's a dry three day weekend. The temperature highs will be in the mid 60's on Friday and Saturday, rising to 70 degrees plus on Sunday and Monday. The temperature lows will be in the high 40's Friday, rising to the low to mid 50's for the rest of the weekend. The winds will be 5 - 10 mph all weekend, except Monday when they will fall below 5 mph. The humidity will fall from 50% - 70% on Friday and Saturday, to 40% - 60% on Sunday and Monday. All in all a great three day weekend weather-wise.

In the photo at right, taken at a Memorial Day Parade in Woodside, Queen in a prior year, folks remember those who sacrificed their lives so that the rest of us could live our lives as free people. Free speech is under attack right now as the Trump Administration has been trying to muzzle the courts, the universities, law firms, protesters, corporations and anyone else who doesn't bow down to him with slavish praise. The Administration has already succeeded in muzzling most of the members of the Republican Party, as well as the billionaire Network TV News, which doesn't seem to spend much time reporting the real news anymore. Most of the broadcasters behave more like gossips and propagandists than journalists. Let us hope the fallen have not sacrificed their lives in vain, because the rest of us don't do our homework on politicians and the media we rely upon to get our news.

Friday Evening Edition @ 8.15 pm. Mostly done. We just have to update some of the related pages which will be done tonite. It looks like a nice weather and busy weekend with plenty of interesting things to do. Enjoy.

Things To Do This Weekend & Next Week in NYC

Beaches Open, Memorial Day Parades & Commemorations, Fleet Week, Primary Elections Coming & a big BOOTY-FILLED BILL

Saturday, May 24, 2025 - NYC Beaches Open for the Summer.

Click here for Memorial Day Parades & Commemorations in all five boroughs of NYC.

• Wednesday - Tuesday, May 21 - May 27, 2025 - Manhattan Fleet Week. Update for 2025 coming next weekend. The details of 2023 are below, including a url.
  • There was a fly over by the U.S. Navy on Tuesday afternoon [5/23/23] over the East Coast Memorial at Battery Park at the southern tip of Manhattan. In addition to three U.S. Navy ships, there will also be ships from Italy, Canada and the U.K. The ships will be docked at Piers 88 & 90 on the west side of Manhattan, as well as at the Homeport Pier on Staten Island. For details of the events see - http://militarynews.com/app/fleetweeknewyork/events.html
  • There does not appear to be any Memorial Day Parades planned in Manhattan BUT there are Memorial Day related events at the Intrepid Air & Space Museum, as well as at Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn and at Port Pier at 305 Front Street in Stapleton on Staten Island. Fleet Week runs from the middle of the week prior to Memorial Day and ends the Tuesday 5/30/23 following Memorial Day. So say hello and greet / salute the visiting members of the U.S. Navy when you see them. For details of the Memorial Day Fleet Week events see - http://militarynews.com/app/fleetweeknewyork/events.html

Saturday, June 14, 2025 is the Deadline to Register to Vote in the NYC Primary on June 24th. Applications must be received by the NY Board of Elections to be eligible to vote in this election. As it's a Saturday, we recommend you make sure they get it by Friday, June 13, 2025. The winner of the Democratic primary is almost always the person who becomes Mayor [Giuliani and Bloomberg were exceptions because of Rupert Murdoch's NY Post & Fox News manipulations & Bloomberg's $$$], as 56% of NYC voters identify as Democrat, and about 26% identify as Republican [other sources say these numbers are 48% & 21% respectively].

One Big BOOTY-FILLED Bill. Republican Majority Leader Mike Johnson, with the help of 215 Republicans in Congress, passed a budget bill which will severely cut Medicaid, and possibly cut over $600 billion from Medicare over the next ten years. The bill is reported to eliminate tax credits for clean energy usage, and give the wealthiest people on the planet even lower taxes compared to the rest of us - netting them trillions in extra wealth, while those earning less than $17,000 will pay $1000 or more than currently. It's a democracy destroying budget bill, that will shift $3 trillion onto the next generation and impoverish them, so that the wealthiest people in the world can contribute at even lower levels to the public good, than they already do.

Veterans Administration Firings. As of early March 2025, the Trump Administration fired over 6,000 veterans working in the government, many of whom had physical disabilities. According to a March 6, 2025 report in American Legion magazine, the Trump Administration is targeting reducing the Veterans Administration by 83,000 positions, leaving these veterans with no means of feeding themselves or their families. See image at right.

The reason the federal government is running a deficit - is because Presidents Reagan, Bush Jr. and Trump all gave the rich huge tax cuts, which they funded by dumping debt on America's children. It's not because the federal government is bloated. After months of telling us waste, fraud and abuse, they came up with about $60 billion in cuts - but those were to the Air Traffic Control System which anyone who's flow into or out of Newark Airport knows wasn't a good idea. They cut investments in clean energy, which anyone who's been paying attention, knows that that is not an intelligent choice if you expect to live more than the next 10 - 20 years. They are cutting the federal government's compliance function like the IRS and 17 Inspectors General who make sure we have little waste, fraud and abuse. Why? So people like Musk, who do business with the federal government don't have to answer to the public. And as you can see by the American Legion headline above, they're going to cut the hell out of the VA.

A government of, for and by The People doesn't work if the people don't pay attention to who is manipulating them with false facts; to who is pretending to inform them, even as they omit a huge number of key facts from their news shows; to those who sensationalize culture war nonsense to distract voters from the things that can make a real difference in their lives [$ issues like the rich], and to those who continually repeating the same nonsense news over and over again via broadcast TV, radio, podcasts or social media in order to drive their distorted world view into the heads of those who will allow them.

A government of, for and by The People doesn't work if the people don't seek out truthful information sources so they know who's who, and what's what, so they can make smart - not manipulated choices - when they go to vote for candidates, so we get government officials who have integrity, unlike so many of them now in office, many of whom have proven track records of cheating their fellow New Yorkers / Americans in order to get rich people's campaign funding and / or fill their own pockets at our expense.

Australian born billionaire Rupert Murdoch and his Fox News Network, Wall St Journal and NY Post are not your friend. They are almost as dishonest as $3 bills. Click this link to see our report series on them, to begin educating yourselves on the man behind the network and learn how the network manipulates the news for his personal gain. Unfortunately, while Murdoch was [one of] the first and the biggest, he's no longer alone and now one of many billionaires who control the news and use it to manipulate / control what New Yorkers and Americans see, so that they can control their perception and get the people they want elected into office. And the people they want elected will work for them - not for us - like Eric Adams has.

I don't think most - or even all Veterans - risked their lives to be governed so disrespectfully, nor to have their rights to government funding and services be cancelled, so that the billionaires can cash in on a major feeding at the public trough, even more than they currently do.

There are protest rallies coming in June - some of which we will post, so stay tuned if you care about what seems to be a diminishing government by, for and of The People.

Things To Do This Weekend & Next Week in Manhattan NYC

• Memorial Day Weekend Commemorations in Manhattan, Manhattan Fleet Week Continues, U.S. vs Ulysses at the Irish Arts Center, The 30th Annual Lower East Side Festival for the Arts & Cultural fair, 38th Annual Losaida Festival, Inwood Film Festival & Buena Vista Social Club

CLICK here for the times, locations and parades routes of the following Memorial Day Parade and celebrations in Manhattan. We plan to update sometime this weekend or coming week.

• Monday, May 26, 2025 beginning at 9.30 am / 10 am or 11 am [the time is UNCONFIRMED] - Soldiers' & Sailors' Memorial Day Remembrance

• Wednesday - Tuesday, May 21 - May 27, 2025 - Manhattan Fleet Week returns. See NYC above for details and a url.

The Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit in the Village didn't return in 2024 and again not returning in 2025.

The photo at right was taken at the Frick Museum before it closed for renovations. After years of renovations, the museum recently reopened this Spring. Check it out.

• Friday, Saturday & Sunday, May 23, 24 & 25, 2025 from 6 pm to 12 midnight - The 30th Annual Lower East Side Festival for the Arts at the Theater for the New City at 155 First Avenue between East 9th & 10th Streets on 1st Avenue in the East Village. Free.
  • On Saturday May 25th there's an outside cultural street fair from 12 noon to 6 pm along East 10th Street, in tandem with youth and poetry programs. Numerous performances by many of the 200 local artists, actors, musicians, dancers and performers associated with the theater. Free admission, donations welcome. Free. For details copy & paste - https://theaterforthenewcity.net

East Village _ Sunday, May 25, 2025 from 12 noon to 5 pm - The 38th Annual Losaida Festival - Along Avenue C between 6th and 12th streets on the Lower East Side. Set up begins at 10 am and the fair includes art, music, food and culture. Street fairs on the Lower East Side. Free. For details see - https://loisaida.org

Inwood _ Thursday - Sunday, May 29 - June 1, 2025 at various times - Inwood Film Festival - at the Campbell Sports Center at 505 West 218th Street in the Inwood neighborhood of Manhattan. There will be 37 films shown. The program includes an opening night benefit where food and beverages will be provided by Kingsbridge Social Club and Dyckman Beer Company. For details and $15 / $50 / $85 / $125 tickets, copy & paste - https://www.inwoodartworks.nyc/

There are also lots of street fairs and farmers markets happening this weekend - see links below.

Wednesday - Sunday, April 30 - June 1, 2025 beginning at 8 pm most evenings [Saturday Matinee] - The United States vs Ulysses - at the Irish Arts Center at 726 11th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. They describe the play as follows, " ... It’s 1933, and James Joyce’s sexually explicit Ulysses has been banned in the U.S. for a decade. But now, a hungry young publisher and an ambitious lawyer have teamed up to take on the Puritans. Can they convince the judge that Ulysses is not obscene? And what will happen when Ulyssesgets under their skin—and Molly Bloom gets into their heads? ...". For details and $25 - $76 tickets see - https://irishartscenter.org

Saturday, February 22 - Sunday, April 13, 2025 [extended to 1.4 2026] - Performances of Buena Vista Social Club - at the Gerald Shoenfiled Theatre at 236 West 46th Street in Midtown Manhattan NYC. For tickets and details see - https://buenavistamusical.com or https://shubert.nyc/theatres/gerald-schoenfeld

• Click here to view the Manhattan Farmers Markets NYC.
• Click here for Manhattan Parades and large Ethnic / Cultural Festivals NYC.
• CLICK here to view Manhattan street fairs and festivals NYC 2025. There are Mom's Day gift markets.
• CLICK this link to view things to do this weekend in Manhattan NYC.

• Click here to read recent OpEds and Editorials on Manhattan Buzz NYC - see top of this report under NYC, for the headlines of them.

MCAL _ MEMBER CALENDAR EVENTS - Use this link for new member sign up and posting - Manhattan Buzz New Member Sign Up. Click this link Manhattan Member Events Calendar to view free posts made by arts, cultural and community groups.

Things To Do This Weekend & Next Week in Queens NYC

• Memorial Day Weekend Parades in Queens, Czeck & Slovak Festival, Sunnyside Gardens Park Memorial Day Fair & Rockaways Beaches Open

Astoria _ Saturday & Sunday, May 24 & 25, 2025 from 12 noon to about 10 pm - Czech & Slovak Festival - at the Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden at 29-19 24th Avenue in Astoria. Czech & Slovak cuisine, beverages and entertainment in the beer garden at one of the oldest beer gardens in NYC. For details, copy & paste - https://www.bohemianhall.com/event/czech-and-slovak-festival-2

Sunnyside _ Sunday, May 25, 2025 from 12 noon - 5 pm - Sunnyside Gardens Park Memorial Day Fair - in the park at 39th Ave at 49th Street in Sunnyside. Free and open to the general public and includes kids activities, arts, crafts, food & rides. For details see - https://sunnysidegardenspark.org/event-5722793

There always seems to be construction going on in NYC, and yet somehow we have an affordable housing shortage. Neither the billionaire Network TV News, nor the pols are being honest about what's really going on.

They keep offering us the same old tired solutions that don't work - which is giving more and more tax breaks to wealthy developers and investors. Their affordable housing 'solutions' aren't designed to solve the affordable housing problem, but rather to enable the pols to raise campaign funds, from the same people to whom they give tax breaks.

The pols then spend their campaign cash on campaign ads that are placed on the billionaire Network TV News. The billionaire Network TV News then continues to distract voters from the real issues by broadcasting long weather reports, ad nauseum crime and accident videos, infommercials about their own TV celebrities and programs, while ignoring the real issues facing the rank and file working class in NYC and NYS.

The only thing the TV campaign ads really tell you - because they are so out of touch with the truth - is who has the most money and therefore who beholden to the selfish interests. Keep that in mind as next month there's an important municipal election on June 24th [see above in the NYC section].

CLICK here for the times, locations and parades routes of the following Memorial Day Parade and celebrations in Queens. This is Queens Memorial Day parades only and provides details for all of the Memorial Day Parades & commemorations noted as follows:

• Saturday, May 24, 2025 from 11 am to 12 noon - Memorial Day Service with the Scouts

• Sunday, May 25, 2025 assembles at 1.30 pm & kicks off at 2 pm - The 104th College Point Memorial Day Parade

• Sunday, May 25, 2025 from 1 to 3 pm - The Maspeth Memorial Day Parade

• Monday, May 26, 2025 beginning at 9 am - Laurelton Memorial Day Parade

• Monday, May 27, 2023 - The Douglaston - Little Neck Memorial Day Parade

• Monday, May 26, 2025 from 11 am - 1 pm - Ridgewood / Glendale Myrtle Avenue 87th Memorial Day Parade

• Monday, May 26, 2025 beginning at 11 am - Whitestone Memorial Day Parade

• Monday, May 26, 2025 begins at 11 am - The Rosedale Memorial Day Parade

• The American Legion Forest Hills Memorial Day Weekend Parade

• Click here to view the Queens Farmers Markets NYC.
• Click here for Queens Parades and large Ethnic / Cultural Festivals NYC.
• Click here to view Queens street fairs & festivals NYC 2025.
• CLICK this link to view things to do this weekend in Queens NYC.

• Click here to read recent OpEds and Editorials on Queens Buzz NYC - see top of this report under NYC, for the headlines of them.

MCAL _ MEMBER CALENDAR EVENTS - Use this link for new member sign up and posting - Queens Buzz New Member Sign Up. Click this link Queens Member Events Calendar to view free posts made by arts, cultural and community groups. This month includes

Saturday, June 21, 2025 from 8.30 am to 2 pm - Joanna's 5K Walk or Run & Festival - in Whitestone. Begins at Holy Cross Church at 150-05 12th Avenue in Whitestone. Charity walk for epilepsy. For details see MCAL link above.

Things To Do This Weekend & Next Week in Brooklyn NYC

• Memorial Day Weekend Parades in Brooklyn, Dance Africa Festival & Bazaar at BAM, & Luna Park & Beaches Open Daily in Coney Island

CLICK here for the times, locations and parades routes of the following Memorial Day Parades in Brooklyn NYC.

• Monday, May 26, 2025 from 10 am - 12 noon - Brooklyn Canarsie Lions Club Memorial Day Parade

• Monday, May 26, 2025 beginning at 11 am - The 158th Brooklyn / Kings County / Bay Ridge Memorial Day Parade

• Monday, May 26, 2025 from 11.30 am to 1.30 pm / 4 pm - 14th Bedford Stuyvesant Veterans' Memorial Day Parade

The photo at right was taken at Coney Island in a prior year. Both the beaches and the park are now open daily effective this weekend. Wear sunscreen and keep an eye out for the sharks both in the water as well as on the beach and boardwalk.

Friday thru Monday, May 23 - 26, 2025 beginning at 7.30 pm, 2 pm & 7 pm, 3 pm & 3 pm by days respectively - Dance Africa FESTIVAL at BAM - At 30 Lafayette Avenue at Ashland Place - in the Peter Jay Sharp Building and Howard Gilman Opera House in the Brooklyn Academy of Music in Fort Greene neighborhood of Brooklyn. It's a performance festival of African culture this year [2025] featuring Mozambique. Tickets start at $25 / $35 for adults and $22 for kids. For details see www.bam.org. This is NOT a street fair, but there is a bazaar day, but it is mostly musical, theatrical and cultural dance performances. For details copy & paste - https://www.bam.org/DanceAfrica

Saturday, Sunday & Monday, May 24, 25 & 26, 2025 from 12 noon to 10 pm Friday & closing at 8 pm on Saturday & Sunday - Dance Africa BAZAAR at BAM - at Ashland Place (between Hanson Place & Fulton St) and Lafayette Avenue (between Flatbush Avenue & Fort Greene Place). Over 150 vendors from around the world selling a wide variety of goods, of which the origin or style is likely to have some African connection. For details see - https://www.bam.org/events/stage/2025/ws25/danceafrica/2025-danceafrica-vendor-application/

Friday, May 23, 2025 - Luna Park opens daily. Currently open Friday evenings and Saturdays & Sundays - Luna Park in Coney Island. For hours, details and tickets see - https://lunaparknyc.com/plan/park-hours-2-2/

FAD Pop Up Market - in Dumbo. Use link below or search - street fairs - for details.

Two Plays - Polonsky & Billie Holiday Theater.

• Click here to view the Brooklyn Farmers Markets NYC.
• Click here for Brooklyn Parades and large Ethnic / Cultural Festivals NYC.
• Click here to view Brooklyn street fairs NYC 2025.
• CLICK this link to view things to do this weekend in Brooklyn NYC.

• Click here to read recent OpEds and Editorials on Brooklyn BLVD - see top of this report under NYC, for the headlines of them.

MCAL _ MEMBER CALENDAR EVENTS. Use this link for new member sign up and posting - Brooklyn BLVD New Member Sign Up. Click this link Brooklyn MCAL - Member Events Calendar to view free posts made by arts, cultural and community groups.

Things To Do This Weekend & Next Week in the Bronx NYC

• Memorial Day Weekend Parades in the Bronx, Orchard Beach Opens & Next Weekend - South Bronx Cultural Festival, National Puerto Rican Day Parade Street Festival / Annual 152nd Street Cultural Festival and the Bronx Night Market

CLICK here for the times, locations and parades routes of the following Memorial Day Parade and celebrations in the Bronx.

• Monday, May 26, 2025 beginning at 12.15 pm - Van Nest Memorial Day Procession, Ceremony & Flower Drop - at Van Nest Memorial Plaza

• AWAITING DETAILS CONFIRMATION by the American Legion as of 5.19.25 _ City Island _ Monday, May 26, 2025 from 2/2.30 - 4 pm - City Island Memorial Day Parade & Festival.

Saturday, May 24, 2025 - Orchard Beach Opens for the Summer.

The photo at right was taken at Orchard Beach in a prior year. The beach, located just north of City Island, opens this weekend.

Friday - Sunday, May 30 - June 1, 2025 - South Bronx Cultural Festival - at Father Gigante Plaza, in front of St. Athanasius Church, at 878 Tiffany Street in the Bronx. Organized by Casita Maria. For details see the MCAL below or https://www.casitamaria.org/south-bronx-culture-festival

Also next weekend the National Puerto Rican Day Parade Street Festival / Annual 152nd Street Cultural Festival and the Bronx Night Market.

• Click here to view the Bronx Farmers Markets NYC.
• Click here for Bronx Parades and large Ethnic / Cultural Festivals NYC.
• Click here to see Bronx street fairs & festivals NYC 2025.
• CLICK this link to view things to do this weekend in the Bronx NYC.

• Click here to read recent OpEds and Editorials on Bronx Buzz - see top of this report under NYC, for the headlines of them.

MCAL _ MEMBER CALENDAR EVENTS. Use this link for new member sign up and posting - Bronx Buzz New Member Sign Up. Click this link Bronx MCAL Member Events Calendar to view free posts made by arts, cultural and community groups.

Things To Do This Weekend & Next Week on Staten Island NYC

• Memorial Day Weekend Parades on Staten Island & Next Weekend - Staten Island Pridefest

CLICK here for the times, locations and parades routes of the following Memorial Day Parades on Staten Island. We plan to update sometime this weekend or coming week.

• Saturday, May 24, 2025 - NYC Beaches Open for the Summer.

• Monday, May 26, 2025 begins at 10 am and kicks off at 12 noon - The Staten Island Memorial Day Parade.

Saturday, May 31 & Friday, June 6, 2025 at 7 pm, 7 pm & 6 pm respectively - Staten Island Pridefest - at different locations. SI Pridefest runs events thru most of May & June. On Saturday, May 31 beginning at 7 pm they're hosting a Pride Fest including food, vendors, arts, crafts and entertainment at Snug Harbor Cultural Center in Randall Manor at 1000 Richmond Terrace [free entry]. And on Friday, June 6th, beginning at 6 pm they're hosting an event at the St. George Theatre at 325 St. Marks Place on Staten Island. For details see - https://www.pridecentersi.org/pridefest-events-2025

• Click here to view the Staten Island Farmers Markets NYC.
• Click here for Staten Island Parades and large Ethnic / Cultural Festivals NYC.
• Click here to see Staten Island street fairs & festivals NYC 2024.
• CLICK this link to view things to do this weekend on Staten Island NYC.

• Click here to read recent OpEds and Editorials on Staten Buzz - see top of this report under NYC, for the headlines of them.

MCAL _ MEMBER EVENTS CALENDAR. Use this link for new member sign up and posting - Staten Buzz New Member Sign Up. Click this link Staten Island Events - Member Events to view free posts made by arts, cultural and community groups. This month includes TBD.

Have a nice weekend.

Things to do This Weekend in NYC & Boros

See Headline Events / Things to Do for Each Borough including Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx and Staten Island by Scrolling Down

Also Stephen Ross and Related Companies Appear to be in the process of Privatizing [or Have?] a Huge Valuable Swath of Property upon which NYCHA Chelsea Stands. But Billionaire Network TV News is Too Busy Distracting You with Celebrity Gossip, Sports, Weather, & Showing Crime and Accident Videos to be Bothered with Real News

Updated May 16, 2025 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC.

Sunrise 5.38 am. Sunset 8.06 pm. Daylight Savings Time. We're getting 14 hours & 36 minutes of daylight or four hours and 56 more minutes of sunlight than we were getting the weekend of the Winter Solstice, on December 21, 2024, which is the shortest day of the year at 9 hours and 15 minutes of daylight. Spring began Thursday, March 20, 2025, which is also the Spring Equinox, when the day is 12 hours long - half daylight and half dark. The Summer Solstice is June 20, 2025 which will be the longest day of this year.

NYC Weather. Coming Soon, but the gist is a nice weekend with highs in the 70's and lows around 60. Splashes of rain early to past midday Saturday, and then mostly good after that. Details coming.

The photo above or at right, taken in an earlier year, shows participants in the Dance Parade marching south along Broadway. The parade returns to Midtown Manhattan and the East Village this weekend.

Sunday Afternoon Edition @ 2.30 pm. Added an important story about Chelsea NYCHA. See DEADLINE below. Done. Busy weekend with plenty of interesting things to do. Enjoy.

Things To Do This Weekend & Next Week in NYC

Friday - Sunday, May 16, 17 & 18, 2025 - Subway Series - Yankees vs Mets - at Yankees Stadium in the Bronx. For tickets and details see MLB website.

DEADLINE _ Monday, May 19, 2025 _ Public Comment Period ends for Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the proposed demolition and redevelopment of the Fulton and Elliott-Chelsea NYCHA campuses in Manhattan. According to sources, " ... The plan would result in 16 to 30 years of construction and inflict significant unmitigated impacts on the surrounding neighborhood—including traffic congestion, noise pollution, stormwater runoff, and potential exposure to toxic soil ...". A residents group is seeking community support to stop the effort, which apparently includes a transfer of ownership of public property to the developer. It appears the people who will profit immensely from this transfer of public property to private ownership are Mayor Adams campaign funders. The community group is asking for you to take a minute to send an email opposing these actions. You can create an email of your own, or just sign and send one they've created. See OpEd page for the template which you can copy and paste into an email and then sign send to NEPA_ENV@hpd.nyc.gov

Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at 10 am - Public Hearing of the City Planning Commission - at the City Planning Commission Offices at 120 Broadway on the Lower Concourse Level. This is to discuss the alleged takeover of NYCHA Chelsea by Stephen Ross and Related Companies and decade(s) of demolition and construction.

• Wednesday - Tuesday, May 21 - May 27, 2025 - Manhattan Fleet Week. Update for 2025 coming next weekend. The details of 2023 are below, including a url.
  • There was a fly over by the U.S. Navy on Tuesday afternoon [5/23/23] over the East Coast Memorial at Battery Park at the southern tip of Manhattan. In addition to three U.S. Navy ships, there will also be ships from Italy, Canada and the U.K. The ships will be docked at Piers 88 & 90 on the west side of Manhattan, as well as at the Homeport Pier on Staten Island. For details of the events see - http://militarynews.com/app/fleetweeknewyork/events.html
  • There does not appear to be any Memorial Day Parades planned in Manhattan BUT there are Memorial Day related events at the Intrepid Air & Space Museum, as well as at Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn and at Port Pier at 305 Front Street in Stapleton on Staten Island. Fleet Week runs from the middle of the week prior to Memorial Day and ends the Tuesday 5/30/23 following Memorial Day. So say hello and greet / salute the visiting members of the U.S. Navy when you see them. For details of the Memorial Day Fleet Week events see - http://militarynews.com/app/fleetweeknewyork/events.html

Saturday, June 14, 2025 is the Deadline to Register to Vote in the NYC Primary on June 24th. Applications must be received by the NY Board of Elections to be eligible to vote in this election. As it's a Saturday, we recommend you make sure they get it by Friday, June 13, 2025. The winner of the Democratic primary is almost always the person who becomes Mayor [Giuliani and Bloomberg were exceptions because of Rupert Murdoch's NY Post & Fox News manipulations & Bloomberg's $$$], as 56% of NYC voters identify as Democrat, and about 26% identify as Republican [other sources say these numbers are 48% & 21% respectively].

Things To Do This Weekend & Next Week in Manhattan NYC

• The United States vs Ulysses - at the Irish Arts Center, 49th Annual St. George Ukranian Festival in the East Village, NYC X Design Show on the UES, the Dance Parade in Midtown / East Village, St. Joseph's School Yorkville 16th Annual Street Fair on the UES, 9th Avenue International Food Festival in Hells Kitchen, Israeli Day on 5th in Midtown / UES, AIDS Walk / Run in Central Park.

Wednesday - Sunday, April 30 - June 1, 2025 beginning at 8 pm most evenings [Saturday Matinee] - The United States vs Ulysses - at the Irish Arts Center at 726 11th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. They describe the play as follows, " ... It’s 1933, and James Joyce’s sexually explicit Ulysses has been banned in the U.S. for a decade. But now, a hungry young publisher and an ambitious lawyer have teamed up to take on the Puritans. Can they convince the judge that Ulysses is not obscene? And what will happen when Ulyssesgets under their skin—and Molly Bloom gets into their heads? ...". For details and $25 - $76 tickets see - https://irishartscenter.org

In the photo at right, taken last weekend, you can see a performance of the United States vs Ulysses at the Irish Arts Center, in an Off Broadway production in Midtown Manhattan. The play takes an intellectually fascinating journey, into the arguments both pro and con, for allowing or limiting free speech, by way of radio show of a real American court room battle in the early 1930's.

East Village _ Friday, Saturday & Sunday, May 16, 17 & 18, 2025 begins 4 pm Friday & at 12 noon Saturday & Sunday ending at 9 pm nightly - 49th St. George Ukranian Festival - At 30 East 7th Street and along 7th Street between 2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue in the East Village. Includes Ukranian shopping, food and entertainment with the proceeds going to St. George Academy, which is a Ukrainian school. Click here to view a map of the Ukranian Street Fair in Manhattan in the East Village at St. George Academy. For details and further information see - https://www.facebook.com/StGeorgesUkrainianFestivalNYC/ . See photo at right.

• NYC Various Locations _ Thursday - Wednesday, May 15 - 21, 2025 - NYC X Design. This is at various venues at various times. It's all about the many facets of design - from workshops to exhibits to markets. Every day is chuck full of events and many events are free. For details see - https://nycxdesign.org/nycxdesign-festival/
  • THIS IS FROM 2024 _ Opening Night Party is at Mercer Labs at 21 Dey Street in Manhattan and $108 tickets.

Chelsea / East Village _ Saturday, May 17, 2025 beginning at 11.45 am - the Dance Parade - begins at 17th Street and 6th Avenue in Chelsea. It marches down along Sixth Avenue to 8th Street where it turns left / east and heads into Tompkins Square Park in the East Village. The Dance Festival follows from 3 to 7 pm with five stages in Tompkins Square Park in the East Village. Free. For details see - https://danceparade.org/

Tribeca _ Saturday, May 17, 2025 the Taste of Tribeca runs from 11.30 am - 3 pm along Duane Street between Greenwich and Hudson Streets in Tribeca. Sometimes up to 80 Tribeca [and nearby] food and beverage vendors come out to serve the public. Now in its 31st year. Proceeds benefit PS 150 and PS 234. Tickets run from $75 on up to $1,200 for a premium table for six. For details see - https://www.tasteoftribeca.com/. See this story about the Taste of Tribeca St Fair. Note that this is a food festival not a street fair per se.

Saturday, May 17, 2025 from 10 am to 6 pm - St. Joseph's School Yorkville 16th Annual Street Fair - at 420 East 87th Street in Manhattan. They describe the fair as follows, "... nonstop fun featuring bouncy houses, inflatable rides, delicious food, unique shops, arts and crafts, and more ...". For details click the MCAL link above or see - https://www.sjyorkville.org/apps/news/article/2038277

Midtown / Hells Kitchen _ Saturday & Sunday, May 17 & 18, 2025 from 10 am to 6 pm - 9th Avenue International Food Festival - Along 9th Ave between 42nd Street & 57th Street. Click here to view a map of the 9th Ave street fair in Manhattan. Midtown street fairs in NYC. For details see - http://ninthavenuefoodfestival.com/

Midtown _ Sunday, May 18, 2025 from 11 am to 4 pm - Israel Day on 5th - Along 5th Avenue from 62nd Street to 74th Street. Upper East Side NYC parades Manhattan. Note that they changed the name of the parade and website url, that they had been using for close to a decade and possibly even far longer. The old name is https://celebrateisraelny.org and the new name is https://israeldayon5th.com | WHAT FOLLOWS IS OLD _ NOTE DATE / YEAR _ UES _ Sunday June 4, 2023 from 11 am - 4 pm - Israeli Parade & Block Party- Along 5th Avenue between 57th Street and 74th Street. This is followed by a block party on 63rd Street between Madison & 5th Avenues. Upper East Side NYC parades Manhattan.

Central Park _ Sunday, May 18, 2025 from 8 am to 12.45 pm - AIDS Walk / Run in Central Park. Meet at the Naumberg Bandshell which is the hub of all activities. It is located just south of the Bethesda Fountain / Terrace [at 71st Street]. Enter the park from east or west at 72nd Street. It's a four mile walk / run around the interior of the park up the east side, across the north meadow and back down the west side. Free to enter. Donations go to support the Gay Men's Health Crisis [GMHC]. For further details see - https://aidswalkny.org/day-of-event/

Saturday, February 22 - Sunday, April 13, 2025 [extended to 1.4 2026] - Performances of Buena Vista Social Club - at the Gerald Shoenfiled Theatre at 236 West 46th Street in Midtown Manhattan NYC. For tickets and details see - https://buenavistamusical.com or https://shubert.nyc/theatres/gerald-schoenfeld

CLICK here for the Memorial Day Parade and celebrations in Manhattan. We plan to update sometime this weekend or coming week.

• Click here to view the Manhattan Farmers Markets NYC.
• Click here for Manhattan Parades and large Ethnic / Cultural Festivals NYC.
• CLICK here to view Manhattan street fairs and festivals NYC 2025. There are Mom's Day gift markets.
• CLICK this link to view things to do this weekend in Manhattan NYC.

• Click here to read recent OpEds and Editorials on Manhattan Buzz NYC - see top of this report under NYC, for the headlines of them.

MCAL _ MEMBER CALENDAR EVENTS - Use this link for new member sign up and posting - Manhattan Buzz New Member Sign Up. Click this link Manhattan Member Events Calendar to view free posts made by arts, cultural and community groups.

Things To Do This Weekend & Next Week in Queens NYC

• The 51st Annual Greek Festival at St Demetrios Church in Astoria, the LIC Arts Open in Long Island City, Verdi's Requiem by the Queens College Choral Society in Flushing, Hell Gate Walking Tour - meeting on Randall's Island & Next Week -  Art Pulse of New York at the Unisphere and Taste of Whitestone

Thursday through Sunday, May 15 - 18, 2025 runs 5 pm - 11 pm Thursday & Friday, and 1 - 11 pm Saturday & Sunday 12 noon to 10 pm - 51st Annual Greek Festival at St Demetrios Church on 31st Avenue and 30th Drive. Old fashioned town fair including traditional Greek food, good rides and prizes for the kids, and Greek cultural music and dance entertainment. [OLD Click here for St Demetrios street fair map. 718.728.1718]. Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/stdemetriosastoria/

In the photo at right, taken in a prior year, is an example of Aegean food found in Astoria. Greek food [not necessarily shown in the photo] is served at the St. Demetrios Greek Festival mentioned above.

• Wednesday thru Sunday, May 14 - 18, 2025 - LIC Arts Open - Details coming.
  • What Follows is OLD _ Note Date / Year _ Open Galleries Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday from 12 noon to 6 pm except Thurs / Fri & Sat open until 9 pm] - LIC Arts Open Studios. LIC Arts Open is an event whereby LIC artists open their studios to the public for a long weekend. As they're artists, they sometimes forge their own hours, so it's best to check the site using the link info that follows. Admission to open studios is free, possibly some exceptions, but not likely. Opportunity to visit artists' studios, attend some performances. For details see - https://licartsopen.com/ and / or https://www.licartists.org/ Also see kick off party above and there are two dance performances on Thursday and Saturday from 6 to 9 pm.

Saturday, May 17, 2025 from 8 - 9.30 pm - Verdi's Requiem by the Queens College Choral Society - at the Kupferberg Center at Queens College in Flushing. It's described as follows, " ... Completed in 1874, Verdi's Requiem is a masterpiece of dramatic power and scope, unrivaled in its beauty, magnitude and intensity ...". For details and $25 tickets see the MCAL link above or - https://kupferbergcenter.org/event/qccs-05172025

Sunday, May 18, 2025 from 12 noon to 2.30 pm - Hell Gate Walking Tour - meeting on Randall's Island. For details use the MCAL link above or see - https://www.purefindernewyork.com/hell-gate

Tuesday, May 20, 2025 from 12 noon to 1 pm - Pulse of New York - at the Unisphere in Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Flushing Queens. A local artist invites people to add their energy mark to her work. Free. For details see MCAL link above.

Whitestone _ Thursday, May 22, 2025 beginning at 7 pm - Taste of Whitestone - at Holy Cross Church 11-05 150th Street in Whitestone, on the Lower Level in the event space. For details and $20 / $10 tickets copy & paste - https://whitestonemerchants.com

CLICK here for the Memorial Day Parade and celebrations in Queens. We plan to update sometime this weekend or coming week.

• Click here to view the Queens Farmers Markets NYC.
• Click here for Queens Parades and large Ethnic / Cultural Festivals NYC.
• Click here to view Queens street fairs & festivals NYC 2025.
• CLICK this link to view things to do this weekend in Queens NYC.

• Click here to read recent OpEds and Editorials on Queens Buzz NYC - see top of this report under NYC, for the headlines of them.

MCAL _ MEMBER CALENDAR EVENTS - Use this link for new member sign up and posting - Queens Buzz New Member Sign Up. Click this link Queens Member Events Calendar to view free posts made by arts, cultural and community groups. This month includes

Saturday, June 21, 2025 from 8.30 am to 2 pm - Joanna's 5K Walk or Run & Festival - in Whitestone. Begins at Holy Cross Church at 150-05 12th Avenue in Whitestone. Charity walk for epilepsy. For details see MCAL link above.

Things To Do This Weekend & Next Week in Brooklyn NYC

• The Atlantic Avenue Art Walk in Boerum & Cobble Hills & Downtown Brooklyn & Heights, the Graham Avenue Fiesta, Governors Island Kicks off 2025 Summer Season, FAD NYC X Design Market, Bayfest and the Norwegian Day Parade in Bay Ridge, the Jazz Empowers Student Showcase at the Roulette Intermedium in Boerum Hill, and Luna Park in Coney Island

Downtown Brooklyn / Boerum Hill / Cobble Hill & Brooklyn Heights _ May 10 - 18, 2025 from noon to 6 pm - Atlantic Avenue Art Walk in Brooklyn - along Atlantic Avenue from 4th Street to the Waterfront in Brooklyn. They describe the event as follows, "... This 1.5-mile, self-guided tour along Atlantic Avenue ... and its immediate side streets, will feature art from different mediums while showcasing approximately 150 emerging and established Brooklyn artists at 70+ participating businesses ... eclectic shops, diverse restaurants, galleries and wide range of vital businesses and organizations ... [along a] tree-lined avenue that stretches through charming Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, and Boerum Hill to Downtown Brooklyn ...". Organized by Atlantic Ave LDC - https://www.atlanticave.org/artwalk

The photo above or at right, taken this Spring, shows a number of people traversing the public walkway near Cadman Plaza East, just north of Tillary Street in Downtown Brooklyn. While we've had some rain this week, the Spring weather has been pretty pleasant.

Williamsburg _ Saturday, May 17, 2025 from 10 am to 6 pm - Graham Avenue Fiesta Brooklyn - Along Graham Avenue from Broadway to Boerum in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn. This is a proudly Puerto Rican neighborhood with Latin culture and Caribbean flavor. Williamsburg street fairs / street festivals in Brooklyn. For details copy & paste FB - https://www.facebook.com/GrahamAvenueBID/ or http://grahamavenuebid.org

Governors Island _ Saturday & Sunday, May 17 & 18, 2025 beginning at 2.30 & 7.30 pm and 3 pm respectively - Governors Island Summer Arts & Performance Series - on Governors Island. Governors Island Arts kicks off the 2025 season with three performances and a new art installation. Free. For details see - https://www.govisland.com/blog/governors-island-arts-announces-2025-season

Saturday & Sunday, May 17 & 18, 2025 from 11 am to 6 pm - FAD NYC X Design Market - in Cobble Hill - use search or link [st fairs] for details.

• BAYFEST RETURNS _ Sheepshead Bay _ Sunday, May 18, 2025 from 12 noon to 6 pm - Bayfest - at Emmons Avenue and East 27th Street in the Sheepshead Bay neighborhood of Brooklyn. Arts, crafts, amusement rides, bands, dance performances along the Brooklyn waterfront. Free. For details see - http://bigbayfest.org | FB - https://www.facebook.com/BIGBayFest/
  • In 2024 Bayfest was cancelled due to lack of funding, volunteers and political / government support. This year they're back. For details copy & paste - https://sites.google.com/site/bayimprovementgrp/ or https://www.bayimprovementgroup.org

Bay Ridge _ Sunday, May 18, 2025 beginning at 1.30 pm - Norweigan Day Parade - The parade steps off at 85th Street marching north along 3rd Avenue in Bay Ridge. The parade then turns right [eastward] on 75th Street [aka Bay Ridge Parkway], before turning left [resumes northward journey] onto 5th Avenue, to 67th Street at which time it turns right [eastward again] marching alongside Lief Ericson Park where it ends between 6th and 7th Avenues where the reviewing stand is. Parades and cultural festivals in Bay Ridge Brooklyn NYC since 1952. For details see - https://17thofmayparadecommittee-brooklyn.org/ . Parades in the Bay Ridge neighborhood of Brooklyn NYC.

Thursday, May 22, 2025 Jazz Empowers Student Showcase at the Roulette Intermedium on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. See MCAL link for details.

Friday, May 23, 2025 - Luna Park opens daily. Currently open Friday evenings and Saturdays & Sundays - Luna Park in Coney Island. For hours, details and tickets see - https://lunaparknyc.com/plan/park-hours-2-2/

FAD Pop Up Market - in Dumbo. Use link below or search - street fairs - for details.

Two Plays - Polonsky & Billie Holiday Theater.

CLICK here for Memorial Day Parades in Brooklyn NYC. We plan to update sometime this weekend or coming week.

• Click here to view the Brooklyn Farmers Markets NYC.
• Click here for Brooklyn Parades and large Ethnic / Cultural Festivals NYC.
• Click here to view Brooklyn street fairs NYC 2025.
• CLICK this link to view things to do this weekend in Brooklyn NYC.

• Click here to read recent OpEds and Editorials on Brooklyn BLVD - see top of this report under NYC, for the headlines of them.

MCAL _ MEMBER CALENDAR EVENTS. Use this link for new member sign up and posting - Brooklyn BLVD New Member Sign Up. Click this link Brooklyn MCAL - Member Events Calendar to view free posts made by arts, cultural and community groups.

Things To Do This Weekend & Next Week in the Bronx NYC

• Bronx Weeks Parade, Fair & Concert, Brady Court Hot Food Market Tuesday, NYC Subway Series Yanks vs Mets @ Yankee Stadium, and coming soon - South Bronx Cultural Festival, National Puerto Rican Day Parade Street Festival / Annual 152nd Street Cultural Festival and the Bronx Night Market.

Friday, May 16, 2025 - Last Call for Nest Music Camp - which runs July 7th - August 15th, 2025. See MCAL link above for details.

The photo at right was recently taken in Bronx Little Italy in the Belmont neighborhood of the Bronx. Bronx Week(s) celebrations come to a close this weekend just north of Belmont in Bedford Park. See below for details.

• Bronx _ May 5 - 18, 2025 - Bronx Weeks - Multiple events at various locations in the Bronx. Parades and street fairs in the Bronx. For details see - https://www.ilovethebronx.com/bronx-week-2025
  • Sunday, May 18, 2025 beginning at 10 pm - Bronx Week Parade & Fair.
  • THESE PRIOR YEAR DETAILS NEED TO BE UPDATED TO 2025. OLD - IGNORE FOR NOW. The parade begins at 11.30 am at Fordham Plaza and marches 2 miles north [I believe along Webster Avenue], ending at the Bronx Week Fair on Mosholu Parkway & Bainbridge. The Bronx Week Fair begins at 12 noon [ends around 6 pm] along Mosholu Parkway between Bainbridge and Van Cortlandt Avenue East. It will include food, music and entertainment.

• Bronx _ Sunday, May 18, 2025 beginning at 10 am - Bronx Weeks Parade - on Mosholu Parkway. For details see - https://www.ilovethebronx.com/calendar
• Bronx _ Sunday, May 18, 2025 from 12 noon to 6 pm - Bronx Weeks Food & Arts Fest - in the southbound lanes of Mosholu Parkway at Van Cortlandt Avenue East.
• Bronx _ Sunday, May 18, 2025 from 12 noon to 6 pm - Bronx Weeks Concert - at Mosholu Parkway at Bainbridge Avenue.

Pelham Parkway _ Tuesday, May 20, 2025 from 11 am to 5 pm - Hot Food & Beverage Market - at Brady Court Community Center - Use link below or search - street fairs - for details.

Friday - Sunday, May 30 - June 1, 2025 - South Bronx Cultural Festival - at Father Gigante Plaza, in front of St. Athanasius Church, at 878 Tiffany Street in the Bronx. Organized by Casita Maria. For details see the MCAL below or https://www.casitamaria.org/south-bronx-culture-festival

Also upcoming events include the National Puerto Rican Day Parade Street Festival / Annual 152nd Street Cultural Festival and the Bronx Night Market.

CLICK here for the Memorial Day Parade and celebrations in the Bronx. We plan to update sometime this weekend or coming week.

• Click here to view the Bronx Farmers Markets NYC.
• Click here for Bronx Parades and large Ethnic / Cultural Festivals NYC.
• Click here to see Bronx street fairs & festivals NYC 2025.
• CLICK this link to view things to do this weekend in the Bronx NYC.

• Click here to read recent OpEds and Editorials on Bronx Buzz - see top of this report under NYC, for the headlines of them.

MCAL _ MEMBER CALENDAR EVENTS. Use this link for new member sign up and posting - Bronx Buzz New Member Sign Up. Click this link Bronx MCAL Member Events Calendar to view free posts made by arts, cultural and community groups.

Things To Do This Weekend & Next Week on Staten Island NYC

• The Great Staten Island Lighthouse Hunt, Cottage Row Curiosities, Port Richmond Banner Celebration and coming soon - Staten Island Pridefest

Saturday, May 17, 2025 from 10 am to 5 pm - Cottage Row Curiosities - at Snug Harbor Cultural Center - use the search box up top & search [st fairs] or use the link below for details.

Port Richmond _ Saturday, May 17, 2025 beginning at 11 am - Port Richmond Banner Celebration - in Veterans' Park - Use search [staten island parades] for details.

In the photo above or at right, taken in the St. George neighborhood in northern Staten Island, you see a large freighter leaving the NYC Harbor earlier this year, with what seems like very little cargo [pretty empty]. Donald Trump's mercurial management of U.S. trade policy, unfettered by any Republican oversight or restraint, has had a chiling effect on trade and investment, as nobody seems to know what will happen from day to day.

St. George & Eastern Side of Staten Island _ Sunday, May 18, 2025 from 10 am - 4 pm - The Great Staten Island Lighthouse Hunt. Begins at the National Lighthouse Museum in St. George at 200 The Promenade at Lighthouse Point or at the Conference House at 298 Satterlee Street in Tottenville. The cost is $35 per carload or $15 per bicycle / motorcycle. Teams of 2 - 3 are recommended to drive, navigate and shoot photos. For details and tickets copy & paste - https://lighthousemuseum.org/event/lighthouse-hunt/

Friday, May 16, Saturday, May 31 & Friday, June 6, 2025 at 7 pm, 7 pm & 6 pm respectively - Staten Island Pridefest - at different locations. SI Pridefest runs events thru most of May & June. Friday, May 16 from 7 - 9 pm they're hosting a Staten Island Ferry Hawks baseball game at 75 Richmond Terrace in St. George. On Saturday, May 31 beginning at 7 pm they're hosting a Pride Fest including food, vendors, arts, crafts and entertainment at Snug Harbor Cultural Center in Randall Manor at 1000 Richmond Terrace [free entry]. And on Friday, June 6th, beginning at 6 pm they're hosting an event at the St. George Theatre at 325 St. Marks Place on Staten Island. For details see - https://www.pridecentersi.org/pridefest-events-2025

CLICK this link for Memorial Day Parades on Staten Island. We plan to update sometime this weekend or coming week.

• Click here to view the Staten Island Farmers Markets NYC.
• Click here for Staten Island Parades and large Ethnic / Cultural Festivals NYC.
• Click here to see Staten Island street fairs & festivals NYC 2024.
• CLICK this link to view things to do this weekend on Staten Island NYC.

• Click here to read recent OpEds and Editorials on Staten Buzz - see top of this report under NYC, for the headlines of them.

MCAL _ MEMBER EVENTS CALENDAR. Use this link for new member sign up and posting - Staten Buzz New Member Sign Up. Click this link Staten Island Events - Member Events to view free posts made by arts, cultural and community groups. This month includes TBD.

Have a nice weekend.

Things to do This Weekend in NYC & Boros

Happy Mothers Day, Clio Art Fair, Greek Jewish Festival, TEFAF - The European Fine Art Foundation, Frieze Art Fair, The 1 - 54 Contemporary African Art Fair, 32nd Annual New York African Film Festival, CUNY Jazz Festival in Washington Heights, Japan Parade, Macy's Flower Show & Buena Vista Social Club in Manhattan; Next Week Taste of Queens, and both St Demetrios Greek Fair & LIC Arts Open begin in Queens; Atlantic Avenue Art Walk begins, Luna Park Open on Coney Island Brooklyn; Bronx Weeks, Bronx Night Market and Bronx Vegan Bazaar in the Bronx; Next Week SI PrideFest begins & the Great Lighthouse Hunt on Staten Island

Updated May 10, 2025 vs 5.9.25 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC.

Sunrise 5.45 am. Sunset 8 pm. Daylight Savings Time. We're getting 14 hours & 23 minutes of daylight or four hours and 43 more minutes of sunlight than we were getting the weekend of the Winter Solstice, on December 21, 2024, which is the shortest day of the year at 9 hours and 15 minutes of daylight. Spring began Thursday, March 20, 2025, which is also the Spring Equinox, when the day is 12 hours long - half daylight and half dark.

NYC Weather. Expect over a half inch of rain Friday, winding down about 6 pm and then dry for the rest of the weekend. The temperature highs will start around 60 on Friday, rising to the low 70's on Saturday and rising again to the high 70's on Sunday. The temperature lows will be in the mid 50's all weekend. The winds will range from 5 - 10 mph on Friday and Sunday, rising to 10 - 15 mph on Saturday. The humidity will start around 80% on Friday, falling to 50% on Saturday and then 40% on Sunday.

The photo above or at right was taken about a month ago on the Upper West Side of a statue in one of the parks.

Saturday Very Early AM Edition @ 2.15 am. Done. Have a Happy Mothers Day Weekend. There are plenty of interesting things to to do this weekend.

Things To Do This Weekend & Next Week in NYC

Saturday, June 14, 2025 is the Deadline to Register to Vote in the NYC Primary on June 24th. Applications must be received by the NY Board of Elections to be eligible to vote in this election. As it's a Saturday, we recommend you make sure they get it by Friday, June 13, 2025. The winner of the Democratic primary is almost always the person who becomes Mayor [Giuliani and Bloomberg were exceptions because of Rupert Murdoch's NY Post & Fox News manipulations & Bloomberg's $$$], as 56% of NYC voters identify as Democrat, and about 26% identify as Republican [other sources say these numbers are 48% & 21% respectively].

Things To Do This Weekend & Next Week in Manhattan NYC

Wednesday - Sunday, April 30 - June 1, 2025 beginning at 8 pm most evenings [Saturday Matinee] - The United States vs Ulysses - at the Irish Arts Center at 726 11th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. They describe the play as follows, " ... It’s 1933, and James Joyce’s sexually explicit Ulysses has been banned in the U.S. for a decade. But now, a hungry young publisher and an ambitious lawyer have teamed up to take on the Puritans. Can they convince the judge that Ulysses is not obscene? And what will happen when Ulyssesgets under their skin—and Molly Bloom gets into their heads? ...". For details and $25 - $76 tickets see - https://irishartscenter.org

In the photo at right, taken this weekend, you can see the cast performing the United States vs Ulysses at the Irish Arts Center in an Off Broadway production in Midtown Manhattan. The play is an historical drama, set in a court room in the early 1930's, which delves into the issues surrounding the limiting free speech.

Thursday & Friday, May 8 & 9, 2025 from 12 noon to 10 pm - CUNY Jazz Festival - in Aaron Davis Hall at [it's either 129 or the flyer says 160] Convent Avenue in Washington Heights Manhattan NYC. For details see - https://jazz.ccnysites.cuny.edu/contact/

Saturday, May 10, 2025 from 11 am to 5 pm - Japan Parade & Street Fair - the parade marches from 81st Street to 67th Street along Central Park West and this is UNCONFIRMED but in prior years the parade kicked off at 1 pm. There's a Japan Parade Street Fair that runs from 11 am to 5 pm along 72nd Street between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West. Street fairs on the UWS in NYC. For details see - https://japanparadenyc.org/

Thursday - Sunday, May 1 - 4 & 8 - 11, 2025 from 12 noon - 8 pm except Thursday when it's 6 to 9 pm and Sunday when it closes at 6 pm - Clio Art Fair - at 528 - 532 West 28th Street in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan NYC. For details and tickets [$35 for two people the first week & FREE the second week] copy & paste - https://www.clioartfair.com

Sunday, May 11, 2025 from 12 noon - 6 pm - Greek Jewish Festival on [the center is at 280] Broome Street between Allen and Eldridge Streets on the Lower East Side [LES]. "Authentic kosher Greek foods, homemade Greek pastries, traditional Greek dancing, live Greek and Sephardic music and ... vendors". LES street fairs on the Lower East Side.* For details see - https://www.kkjsm.org or https://www.kkjfestival.com/

Friday - Tuesday, May 9 - 13, 2025 from 11 am to 7 pm on Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday and Tuesday closes at 6 pm - TEFAF - The European Fine Art Foundation - For details use search - street fairs - or link at top of this page.

Wednesday - Sunday, May 7 - 11, 2025 _ Frieze Art Fair - at the Shed at 545 West 30th Street. From 11 am - 7 pm all days, except Sunday when it closes at 5 pm. For details and $90 / $10 tickets for adults / kids, copy & paste - https://www.frieze.com/

Thursday - Saturday, May 8 - 11, 2025 from 11 am to 7 pm except Saturday closing at 6pm - The 1 - 54 Contemporary African Art Fair- For details use search - street fairs - or link at top of this page.

Wednesday thru Tuesday, May 7 - 13, 2025 at various times - 32nd Annual New York African Film Festival - at Lincoln Center on the UWS of Manhattan. Tickets range from $12 - $17 with volume discounts. For details and to buy tickets see - https://www.filmlinc.org/festivals/new-york-african-film-festival/

This Weekend. CLICK here to find Manhattan Mothers Day Restaurants NYC.

Saturday, February 22 - Sunday, April 13, 2025 [extended to 1.4 2026] - Performances of Buena Vista Social Club - at the Gerald Shoenfiled Theatre at 236 West 46th Street in Midtown Manhattan NYC. For tickets and details see - https://buenavistamusical.com or https://shubert.nyc/theatres/gerald-schoenfeld

Click here to view the Manhattan Farmers Markets NYC.

• Click here for Manhattan Parades and large Ethnic / Cultural Festivals NYC.
• CLICK here to view Manhattan street fairs and festivals NYC 2025. There are Mom's Day gift markets.
• CLICK this link to view things to do this weekend in Manhattan NYC.

• Click here to read recent OpEds and Editorials on Manhattan Buzz NYC - see top of this report under NYC, for the headlines of them.

MCAL _ MEMBER CALENDAR EVENTS - Use this link for new member sign up and posting - Manhattan Buzz New Member Sign Up. Click this link Manhattan Member Events Calendar to view free posts made by arts, cultural and community groups.

Saturday, May 17, 2025 from 10 am to 6 pm - St. Joseph's School Yorkville 16th Annual Street Fair - at 420 East 87th Street in Manhattan. They describe the fair as follows, "... nonstop fun featuring bouncy houses, inflatable rides, delicious food, unique shops, arts and crafts, and more ...". For details click the MCAL link above or see - https://www.sjyorkville.org/apps/news/article/2038277

Things To Do This Weekend & Next Week in Queens NYC

Tuesday, May 13, 2025 from 6 - 9 pm - Taste of Queens - at the NY Hall of Science at 47-01 111th Street in Corona Queens. Taste the food and beverages from around the globe of about 50 food and beverage vendors, many of which are based in Queens. For details and $125 - $200 tickets see - https://queensny.org/

Thursday through Sunday, May 15 - 18, 2025 runs 5 pm - 11 pm Thursday & Friday, and 1 - 11 pm Saturday & Sunday 12 noon to 10 pm - 51st Annual Greek Festival at St Demetrios Church on 31st Avenue and 30th Drive. Old fashioned town fair including traditional Greek food, good rides and prizes for the kids, and Greek cultural music and dance entertainment. [OLD Click here for St Demetrios street fair map. 718.728.1718]. Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/stdemetriosastoria/

Wednesday thru Sunday, May 14 - 18, 2025 - LIC Arts Open - Details coming. What Follows is OLD / Last Year Info _ Open Galleries Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday from 12 noon to 6 pm except Thurs / Fri & Sat open until 9 pm] - LIC Arts Open Studios. LIC Arts Open is an event whereby LIC artists open their studios to the public for a long weekend. As they're artists, they sometimes forge their own hours, so it's best to check the site using the link info that follows. Admission to open studios is free, possibly some exceptions, but not likely. Opportunity to visit artists' studios, attend some performances. For details see - https://licartsopen.com/ and / or https://www.licartists.org/ Also see kick off party above and there are two dance performances on Thursday and Saturday from 6 to 9 pm.

This Weekend. CLICK here to find Queens Mothers Day Restaurants NYC.

Click here to view the Queens Farmers Markets NYC.

• Click here for Queens Parades and large Ethnic / Cultural Festivals NYC.
• Click here to view Queens street fairs & festivals NYC 2025.
• CLICK this link to view things to do this weekend in Queens NYC.

• Click here to read recent OpEds and Editorials on Queens Buzz NYC - see top of this report under NYC, for the headlines of them.

MCAL _ MEMBER CALENDAR EVENTS - Use this link for new member sign up and posting - Queens Buzz New Member Sign Up. Click this link Queens Member Events Calendar to view free posts made by arts, cultural and community groups. This month includes

Saturday, May 17, 2025 from 8 - 9.30 pm - Verdi's Requiem by the Queens College Choral Society - at the Kupferberg Center at Queens College in Flushing. It's described as follows, " ... Completed in 1874, Verdi's Requiem is a masterpiece of dramatic power and scope, unrivaled in its beauty, magnitude and intensity ...". For details and $25 tickets see the MCAL link above or - https://kupferbergcenter.org/event/qccs-05172025

Sunday, May 18, 2025 from 12 noon to 2.30 pm - Hell Gate Walking Tour - meeting on Randall's Island. For details use the MCAL link above or see - https://www.purefindernewyork.com/hell-gate

Tuesday, May 20, 2025 from 12 noon to 1 pm - Pulse of New York - at the Unisphere in Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Flushing Queens. A local artist invites people to add their energy mark to her work. Free. For details see MCAL link above.

Saturday, June 21, 2025 from 8.30 am to 2 pm - Joanna's 5K Walk or Run & Festival - in Whitestone. Begins at Holy Cross Church at 150-05 12th Avenue in Whitestone. Charity walk for epilepsy. For details see MCAL link above.

Things To Do This Weekend & Next Week in Brooklyn NYC

May 10 - 18, 2025 _ UPDATES Coming Later _ from noon to 6 pm - Atlantic Avenue Art Walk in Brooklyn. Along Atlantic Avenue from 4th Street to the Waterfront in Brooklyn. They describe the event as follows, "... This 1.5-mile, self-guided tour along Atlantic Avenue ... and its immediate side streets, will feature art from different mediums while showcasing approximately 150 emerging and established Brooklyn artists at 70+ participating businesses ... eclectic shops, diverse restaurants, galleries and wide range of vital businesses and organizations ... [along a] tree-lined avenue that stretches through charming Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, and Boerum Hill to Downtown Brooklyn ...". Organized by Atlantic Ave LDC - https://www.atlanticave.org/artwalk

The photo at right, taken this weekend, shows a number of carefully selected appetizers served at Symposium Greek restaurant near Columbia University on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.

Friday, May 23, 2025 - Luna Park opens daily. Currently Saturdays & Sundays - Luna Park open in Coney Island. For hours, details and tickets see - https://lunaparknyc.com/plan/park-hours-2-2/

Mothers Day Weekend - FAD Mothers Day Pop Up Market - in Dumbo. Use link below or search - street fairs - for details.

Two Plays - Polonsky & Billie Holiday Theater.

This Weekend. Click here for places to dine at Brooklyn Mothers Day Restaurants NYC.

Click here to view the Brooklyn Farmers Markets NYC.

• Click here for Brooklyn Parades and large Ethnic / Cultural Festivals NYC.
• Click here to view Brooklyn street fairs NYC 2025.
• CLICK this link to view things to do this weekend in Brooklyn NYC.

• Click here to read recent OpEds and Editorials on Brooklyn BLVD - see top of this report under NYC, for the headlines of them.

MCAL _ MEMBER CALENDAR EVENTS. Use this link for new member sign up and posting - Brooklyn BLVD New Member Sign Up. Click this link Brooklyn MCAL - Member Events Calendar to view free posts made by arts, cultural and community groups.

Thursday, May 22, 2025 Jazz Empowers Student Showcase at the Roulette Intermedium on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. See MCAL link for details.

Things To Do This Weekend & Next Week in the Bronx NYC

• Bronx _ May 5 - 18, 2025 - Bronx Weeks - Multiple events at various locations in the Bronx. Parades and street fairs in the Bronx. For details see - https://www.ilovethebronx.com/bronx-week-2025
  • Sunday, May 18, 2025 beginning at 10 pm - Bronx Week Parade & Fair.
  • THESE PRIOR YEAR DETAILS NEED TO BE UPDATED TO 2025. OLD - IGNORE FOR NOW. The parade begins at 11.30 am at Fordham Plaza and marches 2 miles north [I believe along Webster Avenue], ending at the Bronx Week Fair on Mosholu Parkway & Bainbridge. The Bronx Week Fair begins at 12 noon [ends around 6 pm] along Mosholu Parkway between Bainbridge and Van Cortlandt Avenue East. It will include food, music and entertainment.

The photo at right, taken this weekend in Times Square, is of Thomas J. Price's statue entitled Grounded in the Stars. The statue depicts an African American woman whom a considerable number of women seemed to cozy up to, on the eve of Mothers Day.

Saturday, May 10, 2025 from 12 noon to 7 pm - Bronx Night (food) Market - at 161st Street and Grand Concourse. Use link below or search - street fairs - for details.

Wednesday, May 14 & June 18, 2025 from 4 to 9 pm - Bronx Vegan Bazaar - at the Andrew Freedman Home. Use link below or search - street fairs - for details.

This Weekend. CLICK think link to view our report on Mothers Day restaurants in the Bronx NYC.

Tuesday, May 13, 2025 beginning at 7 pm - Bronx DOT Commissioner Perez Speaks - at the Pelham Parkway Neighborhood Association at 990 Pelham Parkway South. Free - see MCAL link below for details.

Friday, May 16, 2025 - Last Call for Nest Music Camp - which runs July 7th - August 15th, 2025. See MCAL link above for details.

Click here to view the Bronx Farmers Markets NYC.

• Click here for Bronx Parades and large Ethnic / Cultural Festivals NYC.
• Click here to see Bronx street fairs & festivals NYC 2025.
• CLICK this link to view things to do this weekend in the Bronx NYC.

• Click here to read recent OpEds and Editorials on Bronx Buzz - see top of this report under NYC, for the headlines of them.

MCAL _ MEMBER CALENDAR EVENTS. Use this link for new member sign up and posting - Bronx Buzz New Member Sign Up. Click this link Bronx MCAL Member Events Calendar to view free posts made by arts, cultural and community groups.

Friday - Sunday, May 30 - June 1, 2025 - South Bronx Cultural Festival - at Father Gigante Plaza, in front of St. Athanasius Church, at 878 Tiffany Street in the Bronx. Organized by Casita Maria. For details see the MCAL above or https://www.casitamaria.org/south-bronx-culture-festival

Things To Do This Weekend & Next Week on Staten Island NYC

Friday, May 16, Saturday, May 31 & Friday, June 6, 2025 at 7 pm, 7 pm & 6 pm respectively - Staten Island Pridefest - at different locations. SI Pridefest runs events thru most of May & June. Friday, May 16 from 7 - 9 pm they're hosting a Staten Island Ferry Hawks baseball game at 75 Richmond Terrace in St. George. On Saturday, May 31 beginning at 7 pm they're hosting a Pride Fest including food, vendors, arts, crafts and entertainment at Snug Harbor Cultural Center in Randall Manor at 1000 Richmond Terrace [free entry]. And on Friday, June 6th, beginning at 6 pm they're hosting an event at the St. George Theatre at 325 St. Marks Place on Staten Island. For details see - https://www.pridecentersi.org/pridefest-events-2025

St. George & Eastern Side of Staten Island _ Sunday, May 18, 2025 from 10 am - 4 pm - The Great Staten Island Lighthouse Hunt. Begins at the National Lighthouse Museum in St. George at 200 The Promenade at Lighthouse Point or at the Conference House at 298 Satterlee Street in Tottenville. The cost is $35 per carload or $15 per bicycle / motorcycle. Teams of 2 - 3 are recommended to drive, navigate and shoot photos. For details and tickets copy & paste - https://lighthousemuseum.org/event/lighthouse-hunt/

This Weekend. CLICK think link to view our report on Mothers Day restaurants on Staten Island NYC.

CLICK this link for Memorial Day Parades on Staten Island.

Click here to view the Staten Island Farmers Markets NYC.

• Click here for Staten Island Parades and large Ethnic / Cultural Festivals NYC.
• Click here to see Staten Island street fairs & festivals NYC 2024.
• CLICK this link to view things to do this weekend on Staten Island NYC.

• Click here to read recent OpEds and Editorials on Staten Buzz - see top of this report under NYC, for the headlines of them.

MCAL _ MEMBER EVENTS CALENDAR. Use this link for new member sign up and posting - Staten Buzz New Member Sign Up. Click this link Staten Island Events - Member Events to view free posts made by arts, cultural and community groups. This month includes TBD.

Have a nice weekend.

Things to do This Weekend in NYC & Boros

5 Boro Bike Ride, Janes Walk History & Architecture Weekend all 5 Boros NYC; Stone Street Cinco de Mayo Festival, Clio Art Fair, Macy's Flower Show & Buena Vista Social Club Continue in Manhattan; Closing Reception 'Free Your Mind' at JCAL, Cinco de Mayo at Kupferberg, 63rd & Myrtle Avenue Spring Fairs in Queens; Church Avenue Festival, Luna Park Opens on Coney Island Brooklyn; Run the Bronx & Gjergj Kastrioti Skenderbeu Fair in the Bronx; Yankee Peddler Day in Historic Richmond Town & Spring Outdoor Market at the Conference House on Staten Island - Next Week Met Gala, Bronx Weeks begin, Bronx Arts Ensemble, FEC No Demolition NYCHA & CUNY Jazz Festival in Washington Heights

Updated May 3, 2025 vs 5.1.25 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC.

Sunrise 6.02 am. Sunset 7.52 pm. Daylight Savings Time. We're getting 13 hours & 58 minutes of daylight or four hours and 43 more minutes of sunlight than we were getting the weekend of the Winter Solstice, on December 21, 2024, which is the shortest day of the year at 9 hours and 15 minutes of daylight. Spring began Thursday, March 20, 2025, which is also the Spring Equinox, when the day is 12 hours long - half daylight and half dark.

NYC Weather. There's a 50% - 60% chance of a half inch of rain after 4 pm on Saturday, and a 40% - 60% chance of over a half inch of rain on Sunday. Definitely manageable. The temperature highs will rise from about 70 degrees on Thursday, to about 80 on Friday and Saturday, before falling back a bit to about 70 degrees on Sunday. The temperature lows will be around 60 degrees all weekend. The humidity will rise from 40% on Thursday morning to 70% later in the day. For the rest of the weekend the humidity will range between 60% - 80%. The winds will range between 5 - 10 mph all weekend.

The photo above or at right was taken earlier this week. Notice the man sitting on a ledge in the top left portion of the photo. Folks were out enmasse, enjoying the unseasonally warm weather.

Saturday Very Early AM Edition @ 2 am. Done. FYI - a few weeks ago we did a major Spring cleaning update to the street fairs and farmers markets to reflect the coming months / season of outdoor activities, which you can find by using the links below. Henceforth we will be updating either weekly or as needed.

Things To Do This Weekend & Next Week in NYC

Friday, Saturday & Sunday, May 2, 3 & 4, 2025 at various times but generally from 10 am to 5 pm - Janes Walk Weekend - at 200 locations in all five boroughs. Various art, culture, history and architectural tours throughout all five boros of NYC. Free. They describe the event as follows, " ... MAS staff organize a fleet of volunteer walk leaders, to create 200+ FREE, in-person, virtual, and on-demand walks with over 10,000 participants ... During Jane’s Walk NYC weekend, the simple act of exploring the city is enhanced with personal observations, local history, and civic engagement."... Organized by the Municipal Art Society. Not a street fair so much as a streets tour. For details including a map of locations, copy & paste - https://www.mas.org/janes-walk-nyc-2025/

In the photo above or at right, you can see a number of shops lined up along the subway and street. Small merchants around NYC and the nation, like Wall Street, are nervous about the prospect that Trump tariffs and disruptions, could have a negative impact on their businesses and livelihoods.

Sunday, May 4, 2025 first wave beginning at 7.30 am & officially over at 6 pm - 5 Boro Bike Ride. It starts between Canal Street and the Battery in Manhattan, depending on the cyclist wave folks are in. And it ends at Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island. Not a street fair per se, but rather a major cycling event. For details, copy & paste - https://www.bike.nyc

Thursday & Friday, May 8 & 9, 2025 from 12 noon to 10 pm - CUNY Jazz Festival - in Aaron Davis Hall at [it's either 129 or the flyer says 160] Convent Avenue in Washington Heights Manhattan NYC. For details see - https://jazz.ccnysites.cuny.edu/contact/

Saturday, June 14, 2025 is the Deadline to Register to Vote in the NYC Primary on June 24th. Applications must be received by the NY Board of Elections to be eligible to vote in this election. As it's a Saturday, we recommend you make sure they get it by Friday, June 13, 2025. The winner of the Democratic primary is almost always the person who becomes Mayor [Giuliani and Bloomberg were exceptions because of Rupert Murdoch's NY Post & Fox News manipulations & Bloomberg's $$$], as 56% of NYC voters identify as Democrat, and about 26% identify as Republican [other sources say these numbers are 48% & 21% respectively].

• CLICK here to read the rest of our report, as well as other Weekend Things To Do in NYC in May 2025 _ NYC events.

Things To Do This Weekend & Next Week in Manhattan NYC

Thursday - Sunday, May 1 - 4 & 8 - 11, 2025 from 12 noon - 8 pm except Thursday when it's 6 to 9 pm and Sunday when it closes at 6 pm - Clio Art Fair - at 528 - 532 West 28th Street in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan NYC. For details and tickets [$35 for two people the first week & FREE the second week] copy & paste - https://www.clioartfair.com

Saturday & Monday, May 3 & 5, 2025 from 12 noon to 10 pm - Stone Street Cinco de Mayo Festival - in the Stone Street Historic District along Stone Street between William Street and Coentis Alley in the Financial District in Manhattan NYC. This is an ethnic food, beverage and entertainment street fair - not a traditional merchandise street fair. Free to enter. For details see - https://www.stonestreetnyc.com

Monday, May 5, 2025 with the Red Carpet Arrivals running from 5.30 to 8 pm - Met Gala - at the Metropolitan Museum of Art at 5th Avenue & 82nd Street on the UES of Manhattan. This year the theme is Superfine: Tailoring Black Style. This is a billionaire, celebrity, high society fashion event that raises funds to support the Metropolitan Museum. By invitation only and the ticket price is $50,000 per person [Tickets range from $350 to $150,000 for a table]. For details about past Met Gala events see - https://www.metmuseum.org.

Upcoming _ May 8, 2025 beginning at [probably 6.30 or 7 pm - TBD] - FEC No Demolition at Fulton Elliott Chelsea NYCHA - on Zoom. The Thursday meeting is about how the rights of the residents of these four NYCHA Housing projects appear to be getting trampled upon by Eric Adams, billionaire Stephen Ross and Related Companies, as they are allegedly short cutting and railroading this project through in favor of a demolition project. Pay attention to WHOM Eric Adams is serving. "Getting stuff done for who?" and "Affordable Housing for who?". The answer to both questions is the same. Hint: It's not middle and working class New Yorkers he says he claims he's fighting for, possibly because they aren't the ones funding his legal bills and political campaigns.

HOLDOVERS -

Sunday, April 27 - May 11, 2025 - The Macy's Flower Show - at Macy's Herald Square in Midtown. Macy's is open from 10 am - 9 pm weekdays, open until 10 pm Fridays & Saturdays, and opens at 11 am on Sundays. For details see - https://www.macys.com/s/flower-show/

Saturday, February 22 - Sunday, April 13, 2025 [extended to 1.4 2026] - Performances of Buena Vista Social Club - at the Gerald Shoenfiled Theatre at 236 West 46th Street in Midtown Manhattan NYC. For tickets and details see - https://buenavistamusical.com or https://shubert.nyc/theatres/gerald-schoenfeld

Gramercy Theater concerts - https://www.thegramercytheatre.com/shows

Next Weekend. CLICK here to find Manhattan Mothers Day Restaurants NYC.

Click here to view the Manhattan Farmers Markets NYC.

• Click here for Manhattan Parades and large Ethnic / Cultural Festivals NYC.
• CLICK here to view Manhattan street fairs and festivals NYC 2025. There are Mom's Day gift markets.
• CLICK this link to view things to do this weekend in Manhattan NYC.

• Click here to read recent OpEds and Editorials on Manhattan Buzz NYC - see top of this report under NYC, for the headlines of them.

MCAL _ MEMBER CALENDAR EVENTS - Use this link for new member sign up and posting - Manhattan Buzz New Member Sign Up. Click this link Manhattan Member Events Calendar to view free posts made by arts, cultural and community groups.

Things To Do This Weekend & Next Week in Queens NYC

Saturday, May 3, 2025 from 7 to 8.30 pm - JCAL Closing Reception of Free Your Mind Exhibit - at the Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning at 161-40 Jamaica Avenue in Queens. Free. For details & to rsvp copy & paste - https://jcal.org

Cinco de Mayo concert at the Kupferberg Center at Queens College - for details and tickets see - https://kupferbergcenter.org

Saturday, May 3, 2025 from 10 am to 6 pm - 63rd Drive Queens Festival - See street fairs link below for details.

Sunday, May 4, 2025 from 10 am to 6 pm - Myrtle Avenue Queens Spring Fair & Festival - See street fairs link below for details.

Next Weekend. CLICK here to find Queens Mothers Day Restaurants NYC.

The photo above or at right, taken earlier this week, shows folks waiting for the arriving subway train on a beautiful, warm sunny day.

Click here to view the Queens Farmers Markets NYC.

• Click here for Queens Parades and large Ethnic / Cultural Festivals NYC.
• Click here to view Queens street fairs & festivals NYC 2025.
• CLICK this link to view things to do this weekend in Queens NYC.

• Click here to read recent OpEds and Editorials on Queens Buzz NYC - see top of this report under NYC, for the headlines of them.

MCAL _ MEMBER CALENDAR EVENTS - Use this link for new member sign up and posting - Queens Buzz New Member Sign Up. Click this link Queens Member Events Calendar to view free posts made by arts, cultural and community groups. This month includes

Saturday, May 17, 2025 from 8 - 9.30 pm - Verdi's Requiem by the Queens College Choral Society - at the Kupferberg Center at Queens College in Flushing. It's described as follows, " ... Completed in 1874, Verdi's Requiem is a masterpiece of dramatic power and scope, unrivaled in its beauty, magnitude and intensity ...". For details and $25 tickets see the MCAL link above or - https://kupferbergcenter.org/event/qccs-05172025

Saturday, June 21, 2025 from 8.30 am to 2 pm - Joanna's 5K Walk or Run & Festival - in Whitestone. Begins at Holy Cross Church at 150-05 12th Avenue in Whitestone. Charity walk for epilepsy. For details see MCAL link above.

Things To Do This Weekend & Next Week in Brooklyn NYC

Sunday, May 4, 2025 from 12 noon to 6 pm - Church Avenue Festival by the newly merged Church Avenue and Flatbush Avenue BIDs. See street fairs link below for details.

Sunday, May 4, 2025 from 10 am to 6 pm - Myrtle Avenue Queens Spring Fair & Festival - see street fairs link below.

Checking for updates. Saturdays & Sundays - Luna Park open in Coney Island. For hours, details and tickets see - https://lunaparknyc.com/plan/park-hours-2-2/

The photo above or at right, taken earlier this week, shows a vibrant street scene on a sunny weekday afternoon in one of the local neighborhoods located in one of the five boroughs of NYC.

• So far No Return in 2025 _ * Sunday, May 5, 2024 from 12 noon - 10 pm - Cinco de Mayo Celebration & Parade in Sunset Park Brooklyn. For details copy & paste - https://www.facebook.com/IndependenciayCincoDeMayoSunsetPark/
  • BUT _ on Saturday, May 3, 2025 from 1 to 10 pm there is a Cinco de Mayo Party being hosted within Industry City at 220 36th Street. It seems like a food, beverage and entertainment (?) event. Free admittance and the rest is paid.

Tastes of Bed-Stuy. Checking for updates.

FAD Pop Up Market. Checking for updates.

Two Plays - Polonsky & Billie Holiday Theater.

Next Weekend. Click here for places to dine at Brooklyn Mothers Day Restaurants NYC.

Click here to view the Brooklyn Farmers Markets NYC.

• Click here for Brooklyn Parades and large Ethnic / Cultural Festivals NYC.
• Click here to view Brooklyn street fairs NYC 2025.
• CLICK this link to view things to do this weekend in Brooklyn NYC.

• Click here to read recent OpEds and Editorials on Brooklyn BLVD - see top of this report under NYC, for the headlines of them.

MCAL _ MEMBER CALENDAR EVENTS. Use this link for new member sign up and posting - Brooklyn BLVD New Member Sign Up. Click this link Brooklyn MCAL - Member Events Calendar to view free posts made by arts, cultural and community groups.

Thursday, May 22, 2025 Jazz Empowers Student Showcase at the Roulette Intermedium on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. See MCAL link for details.

Things To Do This Weekend & Next Week in the Bronx NYC

Saturday, May 3, 2025 beginnning at 10 am - Run the Bronx - at Bronx Community College at 2155 University Avenue in University Heights in the BFor $30 rsvps and event details copy & paste - https://www.bcc.cuny.edu/about-bcc/bcc-foundation/foundation-events/run-the-bronx/

Saturday, May 3, 2025 from 1 pm to 3.30 pm - BrxArts Factory Mothers Day Embroidery Workshop - see street fairs link below for details.

The photo above or at right, taken earlier this week, shows a fresh food market on the streets of NYC. It is one of many, spread throughout the local neighborhoods, in all five boroughs of NYC.

Sunday, May 4, 2025 from 12 noon to 6 pm - Gjergj Kastrioti Skenderbeu Fair - at 610 Crescent Avenue at Arthur Avenue in Bronx Little Italy in the Bronx. A celebration of all things Albanian including food, music, dance and traditional garb. Street fairs in Bronx Little Italy NYC. For details copy & paste - https://bronxlittleitaly.com/events/4th-annual-gjergj-kastrioti-skenderbeu-fair/

• Bronx _ May 5 - 18, 2025 - Bronx Weeks - Multiple events at various locations in the Bronx. Parades and street fairs in the Bronx. For details see - https://www.ilovethebronx.com/bronx-week-2025
  • Sunday, May 18, 2025 beginning at 10 pm - Bronx Week Parade & Fair.
  • THESE PRIOR YEAR DETAILS NEED TO BE UPDATED TO 2025. OLD - IGNORE FOR NOW. The parade begins at 11.30 am at Fordham Plaza and marches 2 miles north [I believe along Webster Avenue], ending at the Bronx Week Fair on Mosholu Parkway & Bainbridge. The Bronx Week Fair begins at 12 noon [ends around 6 pm] along Mosholu Parkway between Bainbridge and Van Cortlandt Avenue East. It will include food, music and entertainment.

Thursday, May 8, 2025 from 6 to 7 / 7.30 pm - Bronx Arts Ensemble & Stars of Tomorrow - at St. Philip Neri Roman Catholic Church at 3021 Grand Concourse in the Bronx. For details and free rsvp see - MCAL link below.

Next Weekend. CLICK think link to view our report on Mothers Day restaurants in the Bronx NYC.

Click here to view the Bronx Farmers Markets NYC.

• Click here for Bronx Parades and large Ethnic / Cultural Festivals NYC.
• Click here to see Bronx street fairs & festivals NYC 2025.
• CLICK this link to view things to do this weekend in the Bronx NYC.

• Click here to read recent OpEds and Editorials on Bronx Buzz - see top of this report under NYC, for the headlines of them.

MCAL _ MEMBER CALENDAR EVENTS. Use this link for new member sign up and posting - Bronx Buzz New Member Sign Up. Click this link Bronx MCAL Member Events Calendar to view free posts made by arts, cultural and community groups.

Tuesday, May 13, 2025 beginning at 7 pm - Bronx DOT Commissioner Perez Speaks - at the Pelham Parkway Neighborhood Association at 990 Pelham Parkway South. Free - see MCAL link above for details.

Friday - Sunday, May 30 - June 1, 2025 - South Bronx Cultural Festival - at Father Gigante Plaza, in front of St. Athanasius Church, at 878 Tiffany Street in the Bronx. Organized by Casita Maria. For details see the MCAL above or https://www.casitamaria.org/south-bronx-culture-festival

Things To Do This Weekend & Next Week on Staten Island NYC

Saturday, May 3, 2025 from 12 noon to 4 pm - Spring Outdoor Market - at the Conference House Park at 7455 Hylan Blvd in the Tottenville neighborhood of Staten Island on the Great Lawn. Items include home decor and trinkets, hand poured candles, sweet treats. From 1 - 3.30 pm there will also be live music. St fairs / art festivals in the Tottenville neighborhood of Staten Island.

Sunday, May 4, 2025 from 9 am to 3.30 pm - Yankee Peddler Day - in Historic Richmond Town on Staten Island. Last year the event is described as "... Whether you are a serious collector, or are completely new to the thrifting experience ... you may just find that hidden piece of Americana that your family will cherish for generations to come ... All proceeds for this event benefit Historic Richmond Town." Street fairs & flea markets on Staten Island. There's a rain date of Sunday, May 18, 2025. For details, copy & paste - https://www.historicrichmondtown.org

Next Weekend. CLICK think link to view our report on Mothers Day restaurants on Staten Island NYC.

Click here to view the Staten Island Farmers Markets NYC.

• Click here for Staten Island Parades and large Ethnic / Cultural Festivals NYC.
• Click here to see Staten Island street fairs & festivals NYC 2024.
• CLICK this link to view things to do this weekend on Staten Island NYC.

• Click here to read recent OpEds and Editorials on Staten Buzz - see top of this report under NYC, for the headlines of them.

MCAL _ MEMBER EVENTS CALENDAR. Use this link for new member sign up and posting - Staten Buzz New Member Sign Up. Click this link Staten Island Events - Member Events to view free posts made by arts, cultural and community groups. This month includes TBD.

Have a nice weekend.

* Things to do This Weekend in NYC & Boros

Car-Free Earth Day All Boros in NYC; Sikh & Persian Day Parades, AIPAD Photography Show, Macy's Flower Show, International Auto Show, Ibsen's Ghosts & Buena Vista Social Club Continue in Manhattan; Astoria Multi-Cultural Festival, Thai New Year at Qns Boro Hall & Climate Arts Fest at the Botanical Garden in Queens; Tastes of BedStuy, FAD Earth Day Market & Luna Park Open Weekends on Coney Island Brooklyn; 1st Bronx Night Market of Season at Fordham Plaza, Brady Court Community Event & Mexican Modernism ending at the NYBG in the Bronx; Sri Lankan New Year Fest, St. Andrew Spring Fair & Eid Festival at Snug Harbor on Staten Island

April 25, 2025 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC.

Sunrise 6.02 am. Sunset 7.46 pm. Daylight Savings Time. We're getting 13 hours & 44 minutes of daylight or four hours and 29 more minutes of sunlight than we were getting the weekend of the Winter Solstice, on December 21, 2024, which is the shortest day of the year at 9 hours and 15 minutes of daylight. Spring began Thursday, March 20, 2025, which is also the Spring Equinox, when the day is 12 hours long - half daylight and half dark.

NYC Weather. There's a sure chance of about a half inch of rain Saturday, mostly in the morning, with a 50% chance of a small amount expected after 2 pm. The rest of the weekend should be dry but cloudy. The temperature highs will be in the mid 60's Friday, dropping to the mid 50's on Saturday and then returning to about 60 on Sunday. The temperature lows will be about 50 on Friday, dropping to about 40 for the rest of the weekend. It's going to be a windy weekend starting on Friday at 10 mph, rising to 17 mph on Saturday and then falling back to 10 mph on Sunday. The humidity will be about 70% on Friday, 80% on Saturday, and falling back into the 65% range on Sunday.

The photo above or at right, was taken earlier this week, at the newly remodeled Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan.

Friday Evening Edition @ 9.30 pm. Mostly done. FYI - three weeks ago we did a major Spring cleaning update to the street fairs and farmers markets to reflect the coming months / season of outdoor activities, which you can find by using the links below. Henceforth we will be updating either weekly or as needed.

Things To Do This Weekend & Next Week in NYC

Saturday, April 26, 2025 from 10 am to 4 pm - NYC DOT Earth Day / Declares 54 Car Free Streets - in all five boroughs of NYC. At various locations around NYC including (locations) in each borough - Bronx (9), Brooklyn (19), Manhattan (16), Queens (8) and Staten Island (2). For details and interactive map of 2025 locations, copy & paste - https://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/pedestrians/earthday.shtml

Saturday, June 14, 2025 is the Deadline to Register to Vote in the NYC Primary on June 24th. Applications must be received by the NY Board of Elections to be eligible to vote in this election. As it's a Saturday, we recommend you make sure they get it by Friday, June 13, 2025. The winner of the Democratic primary is almost always the person who becomes Mayor [Giuliani and Bloomberg were exceptions because of Rupert Murdoch's NY Post & Fox News manipulations & Bloomberg's $$$], as 56% of NYC voters identify as Democrat, and about 26% identify as Republican [other sources say these numbers are 48% & 21% respectively].

Upcoming Next Weekend an explosion of events in NYC including the 5 Boro Bike Ride and the Municipal Arts Society's Janes Walk Weekend - use the links below in each borough to see what I'm talking about.

• CLICK here to read the rest of our report, as well as other Weekend Things To Do in NYC in April 2025 _ NYC events.

* Things to do This Weekend in NYC & Boros

Buried Beneath the City & Baby Bonds in NYC; Winter Jazz Fest in Brooklyn & Manhattan, Mulchfest in NYC, Femme Collective at the 14th Street Y, Mrs. Stern Wanders the Prussian State Library in Manhattan, Digital Illustrations at BAM in Brooklyn; Curators Choice Films at MoMI & last Weekend of the Affordable Art Fair in Queens; Holiday Train Show at the NYBG in the Bronx; Hot Rock Yacht Revue on Staten Island & Year Round Indoor & Outdoor Markets [coming] and Some Open Calls [coming], as we Gear Up Again for 2025, beginning with MLK Day next Weekend, followed by the Chinese New Year of the Snake (c'est appropo?)

January 10, 2025 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / Gotham Buzz NYC.

NYC Weather. Sunrise 7.19 am. Sunset 4.48 pm. The days are longer by 14 minutes of sunlight, versus the week of the Winter solstice in late December. Yahoo?

The temperature highs will be in the mid to high 30's on Friday and Saturday, rising to 40 on Sunday. The temperature lows will be around 30 all weekend. The winds will be 5 - 10 mph all weekend, at the lower end on Friday and Sunday and at the higher end on Saturday. The humidity will generally range between 55% - 65%, except in the latter part of Friday when it will dip into the low 40% range. No precipitation is expected.

The photo at right was taken along Park Avenue near Lever House in Midtown Manhattan, on the last weekend of December. The MetLife Building [renamed in 1992], which was originally erected in 1963 as the PanAm Building, is located in the background, colored in blue light.

Saturday late morning edition at 11.15 am. Mostly done except the markets and open calls which will be updated over the weekend and coming week.

CLICK here to view our report on things to do this weekend in all five boroughs of NYC January 2025 events NYC.

New Years Resolutions 2025: The Road Ahead

A Few Axioms To Keep In Mind Throughout The New Year

January 1, 2025 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Holidays / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC.

For all of us, today starts the beginning of a new year. It's an opportunity to start anew. And even if we don't fulfill our highest expectations, moving the needle in the right direction, is always a good thing.

The rest of this report is about some of the things you can do personally to make 2025 a better year for you.

• CLICK here to read the rest of our report on New Years Resolutions 2025 - The Road Ahead.

City of Yes Passes by a Vote of 31 - 20

Stephen Ross, REBNY Members & the Adams Family Won & NYC Lost

December 6, 2024 / NYC Real Estate & Business / NYC Government & Politics / City of Yes Special Section / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz.

The City of Yes for Housing Opportunities bill passed yesterday afternoon / evening in the City Council Chambers at City Hall. The City of Yes or NYC Municipal Legislative Bill - L.U. 181 & Res 689 - App. N 240290 ZRY (City of Yes Zoning for Housing Opportunity) amendment of the Zoning Resolution of the City of New York, modifying multiple Sections to expand opportunities for housing within all zoning districts, Citywide. *

The photo snapshot at right shows the NYC Council voting on the City of Yes.

City of Yes [Wo]Men - Roll Call Vote Tally 31-20

Voting For the City of Yes Members. Carlina Rivera District 2, Eric Bottcher District 3, Keith Powers District 4, Julie Menin District 5, Gale Brewer M District 6, Shaun Abreu District 7, Diana Ayala District 8, Yusef Salaam M District 9, Carmen De La Rosa M District 10, Kevin Riley Bx District 12, Pierina Ana Sanchez District 14, Oswald Feliz District 15, Althea Stevens District 16, Rafael Salamanca Bx District 17, Amanda Farias District 18, Francisco Moya Q District 21, Tiffany Caban Q District 22, Shekar Krishnan Q District 25, Julie Won Q District 26, Nantasha Williams Q District 27, Speaker Adrienne Adams Q District 28, Selvena N. Brooks-Powers Q District 31, Lincoln Restler District 33, Jennifer Gutierrez District 34, Crystal Hudson District 35, Chi Osse District 36, Sandy Nurse District 37, Alexa Aviles District 38, Shahana Hanif District 39, Rita Joseph District 40, Justin Brannan Bk District 47.

Pay attention to the delineation of NYC Council members by the boroughs noted above by letters. Speaker Adrienne Adams delivered enough Queens council member votes (7) in favor of the legislation, which had they voted as their Community Boards did, would have killed the City of Yes bill.

Did Adrienne Adams and these NYC Council members betray the people of Queens they were elected to represent? Well, if so, keep in mind they are up for re-election in June 2025. So please educate yourself, fact check the statements made herein by using the power of the internet, and then after you've done enough research to know what's true, start spreading the news and get behind people who will represent you, the voters, not the big money that funded their campaigns.

Voting in the Negative. Joann Ariola District 32, Chris Banks District 42, Joseph C. Borelli District 51, David Carr District 50, Eric Dinowitz District 11, James Gennaro District 24, Kamillah Hanks District 49, Robert Holden District 30, Linda Lee District 23, Farah N. Louis District 45, Kristy Marmorato District 13, Christopher Marte District 1, Diane Mealy District 41, Mercedes Narcisse District 46, Vickie Paladino District 19, Lynn Schulman District 29, Sandra Ung District 20, Inna Vernikov District 48, Kalmar Yeger District 44, Susan Zhuang District 43.

We will keep this roll call of the vote on our site indefinitely in the City of Yes Special Report Section, because you, the voters, can use it as one benchmark vote, that helps you understand who is representing you, and how they are representing you. This becomes particularly important as there is the Democratic Primary in June 24, 2025 and the general election is November 4, 2025. Almost all of the elections are decided in the June primary because 56% of NYC is Democratic and only 26% is Republican. The remaining 18% are independent.

* Editor's Note.  The summary of the bill leaves out the part about the NYC Council members forfeiting their power, and because they represent us, they are forfeiting our power and legal rights to weigh in on new developments in our neighborhoods.  The summary also leaves out the part where by rushed passage of the 1,388 bill, the real estate developers and international investors can harvest a huge amount of tax abatements for 'affordable housing' that would be 'affordable' to individuals making up to $141,000 and a family of three making up to $183,00 per year or making rental payments of $4575 per month.  And the summary leaves out the part about the negotiated deal, wherein how Eric Adams is going to miraculously fund the $4 billion, that magically appeared just by Eric Adams promising it, after Eric Adams tried to cut $100 million from the budgets of public schools in January 2024 and cut $22 million from the budget for public libraries as recently as November 2023.  Adams promise of $4 billion is just that, and only that - a promise - as it is NOT IN THE BUDGET. And we all know the value of a politician's promise, especially when it's made by someone like Eric Adams, who has a documented history of lying, and is managing a tight budget that doesn't have $4 billion of funding lying around. He's going to have to take that funding from other places like public schools, public libraries and the NYPD.

Click this link for holiday parties, party venues, party halls and catering halls in Jackson Heights Queens NYC.

Stats & Facts Missing in the City of Yes Proposal

Have Mayor Adams & Daniel Garodnick been Selling Us 108,000 Units of Hooey?

November 12, 2024 / NYC Government & Politics / NYC Real Estate & Business / News & Analysis / Gotham Buzz NYC.

Adams Administration Fails to Provide Straight Answers Two Very Specific & Very Basic Questions - 1) How Many Affordable Housing Units Guaranteed by Passage of this Legislation & 2) a) What Size Units, b) at What 'Affordable' Price and c) in What Borough?

What 'Affordable' Housing Guarantees? It is being sold as a cure-all for NYC's housing crisis, yet when I asked the Adams Administration Department of Planning how many units of affordable housing would we be guaranteed by passage of this legislation, the answer that came back to me was a long-winded form of 'none'.

I'll say this again - No 'affordable' housing units are guaranteed by passage of the City of Yes legislation.

What Size Apartment, at What Price & in What Borough? When I asked the Adams Administration's Department of City Planning to provide me with details of how many units of affordable housing would be built, at what 'affordable' price, for what size apartment, and in what borough - I again received another round-about answer via a link they sent me, to one of their selling pitches on a website, where I found no specifics related to the question above.

Let me say this again - No description of what sized units, at what 'affordable' price and in what borough. I found this hard to believe, since for the past year Mayor Adams and Daniel Garodnick of the Department of City Planning have been publicly selling this legislation, by promising it will result in over 108,000 new units of 'affordable' housing being built.

My papa once told me, "No proof. No sale."

Or as the 1980's Reagan commercial asked, "where's the beef?". In this case 'beef' = 'affordable housing'.

How Believable is Donald Trump's Denial he's not Behind Project 2025?

Quick & Dirty Review of What Trump & Elon Appear to be Planning - Especially #2 & 5

November 3, 2024 / U.S. Government & Politics / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz.

Project 2025 was put together by a group, of very conservative, right wing groups working in concert. This includes, according to a CNN report, 140 Trump affiliates, of which more than a dozen played some role in the first Trump Administration.

To see this yourself, visit https://www.project2025.org.

1. They say they want to secure the border, but when a bi-partisan bill was generally agreed upon by both parties in both houses and ready to be passed into legislation, they / Trump nixed it, so Trump could use it as a campaign issue against Joe Biden. This is just a gimmick, because if they really wanted it, they could have had it over six months ago. As for deporting over 10 million immigrants who are already here ... think long and hard about what that looks and feels like - not just here, but abroad. It will probably look and feel a bit like the Nazis rounding up the Jews, back in the 1930's.

This is a nation of immigrants, and we should be happy that so many people are willing to pick up, and move themselves, to live and work here. In 2023 the U.S. had a population growth of just 1.2%, so we need immigrants to help power the labor force, help pay our retirements, and help pay our national debt. When we no longer look like a destination to move peoples' lives to, we're going to be in big trouble. And deporting over 10 million people, many of whom grew up here, really isn't thinking this thing through.

2. They want to 'de-weaponize the Federal Government by increasing accountability and oversight' of the FBI and Justice Department. Both agencies are already managed by the Executive Branch of government, and monitored and funded by the Senate and Congress. Specifically, the Senate and House both hold hearings, review agency policies, monitor agency enforcement, oversee agency functions, and perhaps most importantly is that they have the power of the purse in terms of reviewing appropriations. So the question here is - TO WHOM - do they want to make them accountable? The answer is to the very rich people who are supporting Trump, like Elon Musk.

It appears to me that they should reword this demand to reflect what they really want, which is to defang / cripple federal law enforcement.

3. Unleash American energy and reduce American energy prices. This is their way of saying 'drill baby, drill'. They don't want more clean energy, they want more dirty energy, by deregulating the oil industry, What we should be doing is taxing this cash cow [fossil fuels] out of existence, and refunneling the higher taxes into clean energy incentives, to accelerate the transition to powering society cleanly, before we run down the clock and it's too late.

4. 'Cut the growth of the federal government to reduce inflation'. First take note that the last time Donald Trump was president, he significantly increased government spending, and super-sized the national debt from $20 trillion to $28 trillon - breaking all records by a landslide. So quite frankly, this is simply not believable.

What makes this statement even more of a lie is that the inflation they plan to reduce is currently running at 2.1%, which isn't much different from the Federal Reserve's target rate of 2.0%. So maybe they want to take credit for reducing inflation, but reducing inflation any more than the Biden Administration already has would probably not be good, as 2% is the Federal Reserve's target rate for a smooth running economy.

Also recognize that inflation was a worldwide phenomenon caused by the pandemic, because worldwide production slowed / stopped for CoVid. Consumers and businesses began to bid up the prices of the things that had already been produced that were available, because they didn't know when production would resume. And after production recommenced, then the international shipping carriers and ports had to catch up on the back orders. Today, all of that has long been sorted out, which is why current inflation, using last month's reading was 2.1%. Again, not believable.

5. Make the bureaucrats more responsible to the President and Congress. They already are.

But this is where the hard right and Elon Musk, emasculate the federal government and make it work for them, and them only. Pushing the pain and hardship as far as the American people will tolerate, without rising up and taking to the streets in rebellion.

I don't have time to do #6 and #7, which are [#6] to move control and funding of education to the states [Education of a society is very complicated, so I haven't the time to properly address this, but local governments and states are already mostly in charge of education, and the Federal Government incentivizes programs and curricula they think are in the national interest [like math & science] which local schools may or may not participate in], and [#7] ban biological males from competing in women's sports [don't know enough about this, except to say that local institutions, if they clearly define who may participate on sports teams, should be able to manage this issue. This as a major point of Project 2025 vis-a-vis the other points, seems more designed to be an attack on the hot button issue of gender identity].

• CLICK here to view the rest of our report on How Believable is Donald Trump's Denial he's not Behind Project 2025?

The Brain-Dead, Kiddie-Hosted, TV News

They Televise Musk Giving Out Millions of Dollars, & None Ask Why

October 31, 2024 / U.S. Government & Politics / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz.

Background Regarding the Crumbling News Foundation, Upon which TV News Once Relied

If you've been reading my work, especially in recent times, you'll notice how increasingly frustrated I have become with TV News. If you want to know why America doesn't seem quite right, it's because the TV folks rarely seem to do any real reporting. In times gone by, the real reporting was done by the journalists working for the newspapers, and then the TV newspeople essentially rewrote and then reread the newspaper journalists' work on air.

Newspapers have been decimated by the search engines, specifically Google, undermining the newspaper business models, by using newspapers' content to create a really wonderful apparatus - internet search. But the problem is that the technologists reap most of the advertising revenue, and virtually all of the profit, so that most newspapers can scarcely afford to do much real news anymore, because their staffs are being cut, and they can't invest in real journalism, which costs money.

Fast Forward to the State of Modern TV News Rooms Today

TV News used to generate much larger audiences, and hence ratings and revenue, than they do today. This is because most folks are spending far more time on their cell phones or on their computers, and thus watching far less TV. Part of the reason is the new technologies, but ...

But the other part of the equation is that the content on TV has growing incredibly old and stale. You can probably find as much content on TV today that was created in the 1950's, 1960's, 1970's, 1980's and 1990's as you can find content created in the first quarter century of this millenium. And moreover, most of the content created for TV in this millenium are those super cheap-to-produce games shows, that some segment of the population has the time, interest and / or boredom to watch. And a lot of the rest of the content produced today is either hospital or law enforcement shows, which really narrows the field in terms of viewing options, if you're interested in anything else.

Back to TV News. If you read our reporting on government and politics the past few months, or over the years, we are constantly in pursuit of the back story. Unfortunately, TV News which reaches a far larger audience than we do, make their living reciting headlines, which is not the same as reporting the news. This brings me to telling you why I'm writing this report.

The Real Swamp & The Real Story of Trump and Musk & Why They 'Need' to Win

Musk Didn't Think Trump was the 'Right Guy' in 2016 & Trump Called Musk a "Bullsh@t Artist"

It takes one to know one.

Back then, they were both right. But things have changed. At present both have a common interest in social media and in that business their respective fortunes seem somewhat aligned, as they are both seek to attract the white uneducated males in our country, to whom they have been feeding misinformation and propaganda, as if it were real news. And while financially, that business model doesn't appear to be working, perhaps they can make it work by getting Trump elected.

• CLICK here to read the rest of our report on what seems Putin's role in why Elon Musk is trying to help Trump win election 2024.

Get it While it's Hot - 'Affordable Housing' Lottery in LIC

150 'Affordable Housing' Units Available for Folks w/ Incomes of 'Only' $99K to $250K

October 23, 2024 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Real Estate & Business / Gotham Buzz NYC.

'Better hurry' to participate in this 'affordable housing' lottery for apartments in the Jasper at 49-20 5th Street in Long Island City, Queens. Studios are renting for the 'low, low price' of $2,900 per month and two bedroom apartments are a 'steal' at only $4,400 per month.

To qualify you 'only' need to be earning between $99,000 and $250,000 per year. These annual incomes, which are an eligibility requirement, are only 'slightly' higher [+50% to +291%] than the median NYC salary of $64,000 per year.

But don't worrry, if you miss this 'great' opportunity for 'affordable housing', because the real estate developers, real estate investors, billionaires, property owners and Mayor Adams, are pushing hard to get through the City of Yes Zoning Law changes, which will provide huge tax breaks to investors, billioinaires and real estate developers to make even more of this kind of 'affordable housing' available all over NYC.

Isn't that 'exciting'? It looks like more 'affordable housing' is finally on its way ...

See related stories below and in our City of Yes Special Report section on Gotham Buzz.

And you still have time to be heard by the NY City Council regarding your opinion of the City of Yes. Written Testimony is accepted for 72 hours after the hearing that was held Tuesday 10.22.24. Use this email address to send them your opinions - landusetestimony@council.nyc.gov. I believe the comment period expires at the close of business on Friday 10.25.24.

Trump Presidency Deficits Cost Each American Household $62,000

Trump Talks about how Great the Economy was While he was President

What he and Network TV Nothingness News don't talk about, are the Deficits he Incurred to Fuel Spending

October 22, 2024 / Government & Politics / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC.

The graphic at right shows your household share of the debt racked up by the federal government while Trump and the Republicans were in charge.

Trump Breaks Record for the Greatest Deficits in American History

Donald Trump keeps heralding the economy during his presidency 2016 - 2020, but what he doesn't talk about is how he put each household in America on the hook for $62,000 within just four years, or $23,188 per person. We know the Billionaires received that and then some via the 2017 tax cut, but most of the rest of us received pennies on the dollar - at best.

So why haven't the TV Networks newspeople talked about this or questioned Trump or Vance about this? Trump and Vance are both Republicans, and much of this debt was incurred while Republicans also controlled both the Senate and House. The Trump presidency $8 trillion deficit incurred within four years, was equal to 40% of all debt accumulated [and still on the books] by America's 44 previous presidents in the prior 225 years of the nation's existence.

The graphic at right shows the federal government debt trendline ending at the end of the Trump Administration.

Trump Calls for the FCC to Revoke TV News Licenses - I Agree, but for Different Reasons

So why aren't the TV Networks newspeople informing the American public and telling people about this when the subject of the 'Trump Economy' arises?

Probably because they are too busy looking in people's backyards in Springfield, Ohio for non-existent bones of the dogs and cats that Trump told their TV audience were eaten by Haitian immigrants. Or because they just had to cover the Donald doing a photo op flipping burgers at a McDonald's, propagandistically showing he's a working man. Or because they've buried their ostrich heads so far in the ground that they can't get them out when it really matters. They've taken the nation along with them into the black hole of nothing-newsworthy-news.

Trump has repeatedly suggested that the FCC licenses of TV News should be revoked. While his reasons are that they didn't give him a sycophantic, slatheringly obsequious interview; one of my reasons is that they have been failing the American public for decades, by not presenting real news, and also when they do, it's not done in a fair and balanced manner.

But my primary reason is that they are not owned by, nor do they represent, the various demographic groups / voices in the nation. Like their news coverage, they put a glossy shine on the appearance of representation, just as they pretend to do real journalism; but when you scratch the surface, it becomes very apparent, that just as it's not real journalism, their broadcasts do not give voice to the various demographic groups within the country.

I think we may be on a roll until election day.

The LIC Summit 2024

The Changing Cultural and Real Estate Landscape in Long Island City

October 8, 2024 / LIC Neighborhood / Queens Real Estate & Business / Queens Buzz.

A. Prelude to Attending the LIC Summit 2024

It was a beautiful, sunny, dry day as I walked over to the Museum of the Moving Image in LIC / Astoria.  I arrived around 11 am to attend part of the second half of the LIC Summit, which is a real estate and business conference which examines in depth, an LIC centric world, but also mindful of the surrounding environment.

After I made my way through a flawless check-in, I found my way into the theater and sat down to listen in on the panel providing a Long Island City real estate update.  These panels are structured such that the moderator serves up a number of questions to the panelists for comment, which is then followed by audience questions, which sometimes are the best, because they are asked by people like you and me, who have lived and worked in the area for a long while and witnessed and have adjusted to the huge changes that have occurred in Long Island City over the past couple of decades.

I.  First Panel - LIC Residential Real Estate Update

This panel included Patricia Dunphy of SVP of Rockrose Development, Eric Benaim CEO / Founder of Modern Space, Dan Mogolesko SVP of the Durst Organization, Peter Papamichael Principal of the VOREA Group and Crystal Xu Director of Business Development United Construction & Development Group.

As I came in at the end of the panel presentation, I only caught the Q&A portion of the program, which follows.

A performance theater / school owner pondered aloud whether the developers were still interested in involving and supporting the arts and culture scene in Long Island City.  At the turn of the century LIC was well known as a thriving artists community, as it offered very competitive rents and good access to mass transit.  In the near quarter century since then many - if not most - of the artists have moved out of the area as they can no longer afford the rents, which have skyrocketed from under $1,000 / month to over $4,000 per month.

One of the panelists said they are interested in supporting the arts and he mentioned Culture Lab LIC as one of the arts institutions that has survived the changes.  But that was pretty much the full extent of the conversation surrounding the arts community.  So I reckon the short answer would be no.

• CLICK here to read the rest of our report on the LIC Summit 2024 - Real Estate Development in LIC Queens NYC.

Coney Island - Final Fireworks of the Summer 2024

August 30, 2024 / Coney Island / Brooklyn / Brooklyn BLVD.

On Friday night, the final fireworks show by the Alliance for Coney Island, started around 10 pm on the Reigelmann Boardwalk just east of the Steeple Chase Tower and adjacent to the Luna Amusement Park. It was a comfortable evening, with a slight, cool breeze coming in off the water. There were hundreds of spectators who came to see the show and enjoy an end of the summer ride and snacks at Luna Park. I shot the 10 - 15 minute show from various locations around the Boardwalk, water and Luna Park and then edited it down to about 2 - 3 minutes, ending with a bit of island music. Enjoy the show.

Things to do This Weekend in NYC & Boros

Last MoMA Summer Sounds Concert & Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit Closed in Manhattan; Oracabessa Festival, Rockaway Beach Music Series, U.S. Open, Sri Krishna Janmashtami, Queens Boro Dance Festival & Queens Jazz Trail Concert in Queens; West Indian American Day Parade & J'ouvert, Battle of Brooklyn, 24th Street Festival and Coney Island Fireworks in Brooklyn; Latin Foto Festival in Hunts Point, Bronx Writers' History at the Bronx Historical Society and Orchard Beach in the Bronx; and Do Portugal Circus at Staten Island Mall, the British are Coming & the Richmond County Fair on Staten Island

August 30, 2024 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / News Analytis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC.

NYC Weather Forecast as of 8.30.24. Sunrise 6.20 am & Sunset at 7.31 pm. Some rain expected Saturday night and early Sunday morning, so it should be a good weekend. Temperatures in the 80's during the day and 70's at night. A gentle breeze and humidity climbs gradually during the weekend, falling again on Monday.

In the photo at right, is one of Historic Richmond Town's finest citizens, doing his thing in the woodwork shop. The man reminded me of, Geppetto, the kind and fatherly woodcarver who created Pinocchio, the fictitious wooden puppet who comes alive.

Saturday 8.31.24 Final Weekend Edition @ 11.45 am. All done. Looks to be a fair weather weekend with plenty of fun things to do as the unofficial end of the summer arrives. Enjoy your three day / end of summer weekend. Fall events to follow in September.

Things To Do This Weekend in New York City

Saturday, May 25 - September 8, 2024 from 10 am to 6 pm - NYC Beaches and public swimming pools are Open all Summer.

• CLICK here to view our weekly reports about things to do each weekend in August in all five boroughs of NYC.

* How Dense are the Self-Defeating, Biden-Denying, Democrats?

Why aren't Democrats Promoting the 'Biden Team' Accomplishments, instead of Undermining the Top of their Ticket?

Updated July 19, 2024 vs 7.18.24 / National Politics / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz.

Democratic Leadership Deeply Disappoints - Schumer & Jeffries et al

I am very disappointed in the behavior of the Democratic Leadership, including U.S. Senate Majority Leader (D-NY) Chuck Schumer, U.S. Congressional Minority Leader (D-NY) Hakeem Jeffries, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), and Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) for making public their calling for Biden to step down, right in the middle of the presidential race.  Note that these Democrats are - like the corporate mass media - urban and bicoastal - not from the Midwest / heartland / swing states.

A day after first posting this, a friend sent along a political cartoon published in The Week [shown at right]. It seems to capture the sentiment expressed above pretty well and shows all of the above named Democrats seated in the train, mentioned in order, from right to left.

Lincoln Said "It's Foolish to Change Horses in the Middle of a Race"

There's an old adage that goes something like this, "never change horses in the middle of the race".  That quote is attributed to President Abraham Lincoln, who is said to have used it to persuade voters to re-elect him, rationalizing that, "... it would be foolish to change leaders in such a turbulent time ...". It seems the same wise advice has some relevance to today.

Since both Biden and Trump became their parties' presumptive presidential nominees on 'Super' Tuesday, March 12, 2024, the presidential race began that day.  And since election day is approximately eight months later, on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, we have already passed the midway mark for this presidential race, which ends only three and a half months from now.

• CLICK here to read the rest of our report on How Dense are the Self-Defeating, Biden-Denying Democrats.

Coop City Fireworks in the Bronx

July 6, 2024 / Coop City / Bronx Buzz NYC. I attended and recorded the Coop City fireworks in the Bronx this year. The fireworks display was launched from the Coop City Field located along the Hutchinson River which empties into the Long Island Sound.

They started around 9.30 pm and went for about 15 - 30 minutes, and I fouind it to be a fireworks display worth watching. Check out a few clips we put together from the show.

Cable TV's Knucklehead News

CNN's SuperFantastic Debate Fiasco

The CNN Presidential TV Debate Between President Joe Biden & "Former" President Donald Trump Showcased how Disinformative Modern TV News can be, Particularly When Moderated by Anchors who Don't Seem to Know Who the Current President is

June 27, 2024 vs 6.21.24 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC.

I was horrified Thursday night, as I watched the CNN TV debate unfold between President Joe Biden and 'FORMER' President Donald Trump. Not only because of Joe Biden's performance, but even more so because of CNN's performance, including Jake Tapper's and Dana Bash's mega journalistic failure, for moderating a show, advertised as news [which is supposed to be about facts], that disinformed their TV audience.

Improper Sound Set Up - CNN Technical Failure?

The horrors started with the sound [wo]man's failure to properly amp or set up Joe Biden's microphone so that it properly projected his soft spoken voice at a level audible to the TV viewing public. I had to ratchet up the volume on my TV to twice the level I normally use, to hear what President Biden was saying.

No Fact Checking the Biggest Liar in Presidential History? Only on TV 'News'

Then there's the incredible failure by the TV anchors to properly moderate the debate. First of all they should NEVER have agreed to moderating a debate where fact checking was not a part of the process. I mean really, how can CNN look itself in the mirror tomorrow morning and tell everyone they are a news organization, when facts don't matter in of all things, a Presidential Debate?

And then add to that, that one of the candidates is known to be one of the biggest liars on the planet. According to a January 24, 2021 Washington Post report, they noted that Donald Trump had lied 30,573 different times, in the four years he was president.

Former President Trump went off on some of his predictable mendacious campaign tirades, about January 6th, abortion, immigration, the economy ... and pretty much everything else - without any corrections - save from President Biden, who quite frankly, in part because of his stutter, and in part because it was difficult to hear him, didn't do a very good job.

• CLICK here to read our report on CNN's News Failure on the 1st Presidential TV Debate of 2024 - Knucklehead News.

Juneteenth - Things To Do NYC

Juneteenth Things to do in NYC, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx & Staten Island

June 17, 2024 / Things To Do NYC / Holidays, Parades & Ethnic Culture / Gotham Buzz.

Over the past ten years or so, interest and awareness of Juneteenth has grown fast. Juneteenth commemorates American slaves obtaining their freedom on June 19, 1865 in Texas, when Major General Gordon Granger ordered the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation, wherein President Abraham Lincoln officially freed the slaves effective January 1, 1863. Unlike today, word didn't travel so fast, and in the Confederate states, the white slave owners did their best to keep the slaves from learning of Lincoln's Executive Order. Juneteenth is a word blend denoting June [nine]teenth. President Biden declared Juneteenth a federal holiday on June 17, 2021, taking effect immediately and in time for folks to first celebrate the holiday two days later, on June 19th, 2021.

In the photo at right is John Watusi, who was a Founder and the Executive Director of the Afrikan Poetry Theatre in years gone by [now deceased]. John was a poet and a civil rights activist who recognized, along with others, the important role that history and culture play in people's lives. So, while Juneteenth is a celebration of an African American liberation day, it is also a celebration of African American culture.

This year NYC Mayor Adams cited a number of NYC cultural and historical sites and tours related to Juneteenth and the African American experience in NYC. In an OpEd he penned and we published Monday, you'll find links to some of the sites and tours he references of interest. Click here to read recent OpEds and Editorials on Gotham Buzz NYC.

Juneteenth Historic Sites in NYC - Brooklyn, Manhattan & Online

Here are a couple of African American Historical Sites in NYC, some of which are referenced in the Mayor's OpEd. Brooklyn Juneteenth Historic Sites - Juneteenth Grove at Cadman Plaza in Downtown Brooklyn. It's there 24/7. Manhattan Juneteenth Historic Sites - African Burial Ground - located at Elk and Duane Streets just a block north of City Hall in downtown Manhattan. Online Juneteenth Historic Sites - African American Landmarks and Historic District Interactive Map & Seneca Village Online - created by the Landmarks Preservation Committee.

• CLICK here to view the rest of our report about things to do on Juneteenth NYC - Juneteenth Events.

Click Manhattan 4th of July fireworks for Manhattan independence day fireworks or click July 4th fireworks in NYC for NYC independence day fireworks in the 5 boros of NYC.

Saying No to the City of Yes

City of Yes is ...

• An Attempt to Overcome NIMBY [Not in My Back Yard] in Favor of YIMBY [Yes in My Back Yard]

• Yes to the Billionaires & Developers Who Created the Plan

• No to the New York City Residents Who Already Live & Work Here

May 15, 2024 / NYC Real Estate & Business / NYC Government Media & Politics / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC.

Since the beginning of the new year I've attended over a half dozen different lectures, presentations and community discussions, about the City of Yes and related topics. Two of them were presentations given by the NYC Planning Department who are selling the plan, one by the Federal Reserve which took a stance that leaned pro business but did not ignore the possible destructive ramifications of passing the legislation, one by a community activist group in Brooklyn, another by a Community Board in Manhattan, and two others by a civic group, also in Manhattan.

I tried to keep an open mind about the pros and cons of the legislation, but I couldn't help but begin forming opinions about the proposed legislation, as I collected, sorted and analyzed the legislation and information surrounding it. Over time, the ramifications of actually passing this legislation have begun to appear.

The Mayor's Rationale for Pushing Legislation Created by and for the Billionaires & International Real Estate Development Community

The legislation was concocted by billionaires, real estate developers and the NYC Planning Department, headed by Daniel Garodnick. As such, it reflects their interests, and seems to almost completely ignore the interests of the communities that the NYC government is supposed to be serving.

The Mayor has been pushing the City of Yes, because he believes it will eliminate the 'Not in My Back Yard aka NIMBY' that many infrastructure projects [including affordable housing] encounter when the government or real estate developers are trying to foist them on a community. Hence this would have the effect of enabling projects to move more quickly from conception to fruition, and at a lower cost to the government, billionaire or real estate developer pushing the project. The Mayor also believes that this will enable the creation of more affordable housing.

It might enable the creation of more affordable housing, and it might not. It could just enhance the bottom lines of the billionaires and developers pushing the plan, which in my mind is the more likely scenario.

The Downside of Passing Legislation that Usurps the Power of the People

But, more importantly, it would usurp the power that the people living in these communities currently have, to voice their concerns about new construction projects like affordable housing, commercial buildings or transit, being built within their neighborhoods. While I appreciate the Mayor's interest in reducing the time and cost of getting things built - like affordable housing - I don't think that taking away the power a community has over what is developed within their midst, is the right answer. And perhaps even more importantly, I think any time you're transferring power from the little people to the rich and mighty, you're moving power in the wrong direction.

City Club of NY - ReThinking the Housing Crisis

So, with this in mind, I'm going to take you into a Zoom conference hosted by the City Club of New York which was entitled ReThinking the Housing Crisis, held on May 7, 2024. While not specifically about the City of Yes, it provides some contextual background which should help in evaluating it. And later this month we'll also have a report on the Federal Reserve's April 25, 2024 conference entitled 'Fostering Neighborhoods: Faith-Based Organizations and the Development of Affordable Housing' which was largely about the proposed City of Yes legislation. At that conference there were several speakers who promoted the legislation, but not without reservations, both of which we'll include in our report.

• Later this week you can - CLICK this link to read the rest of our report on ReThinking the Housing Crisis.

The Queens World Film Festival Mirrors the Changing World

The Queens World Film Festival 2024 Opened Up Deep & It Has Enabled a Number of Queens Youths to Venture into the Wily, Woolly, Whale of a Tale, World of Cinema

April 23, 2024 / Queens World Film Festival / Queens Film Scene / Queens Buzz NYC.

Last Wednesday, April 17, 2024 I headed over to the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria / LIC, to catch the opening night of the Queens World Film Festival. To be perfectly candid, I had a lot of other things on my mind, as I'm in the midst of several big projects that require my full attention.

I entered the museum close to the beginning of screen time and noted a fairly subdued mood relative to the festivals I had previously attended, which were all prepandemic. I then made my way into the theater and found a spot where I could camp out with my camera and notebook, where I wouldn't disturb my fellow viewers.

The festival began with opening remarks by some of the Queens World Film Festival alumni, all from Queens, who talked about their voyages into the world of cinema, led by Captains Katha and Don Cato, the Founders of the Queens World Film Festival.

As a bit of history, the festival began in 2011, some 13 years ago and I'm happy to report that we were there. I covered the festival in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2024. That's seven out of a total of about [I'm guesstimating, pending receipt of confirmation] nine or ten - as the festival went on hiatus during the pandemic, like just about everything else during that time.

We'll have more later on in the week. In the meantime I've aggregated our previous coverage into this report, so you can sift through prior festival reports we published. The festival runs through Sunday, April 28, 2024. Tickets are $23 which you may purchase at https://queensworldfilmfestival.org

CLICK here to read the rest of our report, as well as view a history of the Queens World Festival for 2024 and back to its inception.

City of Yes or Planning Mess? Zoom Conference with City Club NY

Three Presentations [Awaiting a Fourth] About the City of Yes Proposal

April 16, 2024 / City of Yes Special Report Section / NYC Real Estate & Business / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC.

Last Thursday, April 11, 2024, I attended a Zoom Conference Call hosted by the City Club of NY, wherein four zoning experts presented their assessments of the sweeping zoning changes proposed in Mayor Adams' City of Yes zoning legislation.

The City of Yes zoning proposal is being pushed hard, and it is being pushed fast, by the Adams Administration in tandem and with the strong support of the billionaire class and the real estate development industry. These two groups are supportive of Mayor Adams' proposal because it will free them from the time, expense and hassle of answering to us, the locals ... the people who actually live in the places, where the uber rich and real estate developers want to transact business.

Remember - Democracy Doesn't Work on Auto Pilot

So you'd better pay attention before the people's [aka your] input - into the sorts of structures and activities allowed in their [your] communities - is rolled back sixty years, and possibly far further back. The City of Yes legislation will provide the super wealthy and the real estate developers, from all around the world, with the power to dictate to NYC community neighborhoods what structures they're going to erect, in many cases where, and what sorts of activities will take place on the property - within the very lax parameters embedded into the City of Yes legislation.

We've been tracking this legislation for a couple of months now. First via Alicia Boyd of MTOPP [Movement to Protect the People], a community activist in Brooklyn; then via the Mayor's Office of Ethnic & Community Media [MOECM] via Zoom; then via Community Board Meetings in Sunnyside Queens where the NYC Planning Department presented the City of Yes, followed by a Community Board Six in Manhattan Zoom Conference Call; and most recently with the City Club of NY, whose presentations are being published today.

We are thankful to these people and organizations for investing the time to help do the work of a functioning democracy, which is to engage and inform the people about the decisions being made by those in power on their behalf that - may or may not - be on their interest.

• CLICK here to view the slide show presentations given at the City of Yes or Planning Mess NYC Zoom conference call on April 11, 2024.

Solar Eclipse Grazes NYC

There was a Partial Eclipse in NYC & a Total Eclipse in Buffalo

April 9, 2024 / NYC Parks & Environment / NYC Neighborhoods / Queens Buzz NYC.

NYC Weather as of 4.9.24. Sunset 7.30 pm. Sunrise 6.24 am. Other than a forecast of nearly an inch of rain between 8 pm Thursday and 11 am Friday, the rest of the week should be dry. The temperatures will hit 70 today and possibly Sunday, otherwise in the 60's, while the lows will be in the 50's. The winds will range from 5 - 10 mph, except from the evening of Thursday, through Friday, and descending into the weekend. The humidity will rise through the week, until Friday when it hits about 60% and then begins dropping into a very dry Saturday [35%], before climbing on Sunday.

The image at right shows a number of New Yorkers out in the park observing the solar eclipse on Monday.

• CLICK here to read the rest of our report on NYC Solar Eclipse & NYC Earthquake.

City of Yes Text Amendments - Huge Zoning Changes in the Works - Part II.

The Proposed 'City of Yes Text Amendments' will Roll Back Local Community Board [and Hence Communities] Input into What is Built & What Activities are Allowed in Their Communities

April 2, 2024 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Real Estate / NYC Government & Politics / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC.

Just over a week ago I attended a Zoom call, organized by Community Board 6 in Manhattan, regarding the proposed City of Yes Text Amendments Part II being promulgated by Mayor Adams and his Administration. We collectively sat through about an hour long presentation, which I found to be most enlightening as well as a bit disconcerting should the proposed changes pass without significant alteration.

I have obtained permission to publish the slides, which due to technical issues, I have had to publish in the three [vs one] slide shows you see below [they are in chronological order].  I'll post my full report early next week, but in the meantime the slides should give you an idea of how big the changes really are and has been done in such a manner that you can begin to figure out how these changes may affect you.

Whether you are a tenant, landowner or real estate developer - and no matter in which borough you live - these changes, if passed unalterred, are going to significantly change how things are done in NYC. And the more I dig into this, the more it seems to be a roll back of community input, which is - in my mind - an essential / core element of any democratic process.

Isn't it?

While I'm still not done with the research, these changes look to be quite harmful to the people of NYC, in so many different ways, while failing to provide any sure path to growing our inventory of truly affordable housing.

Much more coming next week and over the next couple of weeks.

•  CLICK here to view the slide show presentation made regarding the City of Yes at the Manhattan Community Board 6 Meeting on March 25, 2024.

NYS Primary Voting Tuesday, April 2, 2024

In addition to the presidential primary, there are also NYS primary races on the ballot.

City of Yes Text Amendments - Huge Zoning Changes in the Works

How Much Will the Proposed 'City of Yes Text Changes' Strip Communities of Input into What is Built in their Communities & What Activities Take Place within Each Property?

Updated March 9, 2024 from 3.6.24 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Real Estate / NYC Government & Politics / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC.

On Thursday, February 1, 2024 I attended a Community Board 2 Queens meeting about the proposed City of Yes Text Amendments at the Sunnyside Community Services Center. The presentation was given by the Department of City Planning and the focus was the second piece of the massive, nearly 1,157 page City of Yes Text Amendment proposal.

The photo at right shows two City Planning Department representatives fielding questions from the audience following their presentation of the zoning law changes proposed in the City of Yes Text Amendments - Part II - Economic Development.

What are the City of Yes Text Amendment Zoning Law Changes?

The first segment of the proposal included changes to zoning in order to enable green energy powered buildings. The second segment of the proposal, which was what this meeting was all about, was to make changes to zoning laws to provide more zoning flexibility to enable more economic opportunity. And the third segment of the City of Yes Text Amendments is to address the need for affordable housing. As previously mentioned, for the purposes of this report, we're sticking to the second segment of the three part proposal, which moved front and center following the passage of the green energy initiative passed by the City Council in December of 2022.

City of Yes Text Amendment Changes - Part II - Economic Development

I am including a slide show from the February 1st, 2024 meeting mentioned above. And I have also reached out to Alicia Boyd, a Brooklyn activist in this area, and have obtained her permission to post a slide show she presented on January 16, 2024 at the Richmond University Medical Center on Staten Island. By providing you with both slide shows you'll obtain both a 'Pro' perspective and a 'Con' perspective. The Pro perspective, provided by the City Planning Department, also includes a description of the specific changes to the zoning laws for which they are advocating. We'll have more on this in the coming weeks because we think it is one of the most important issues of the day and the City Council is expected to vote on it in April 2024.

• CLICK here to read the rest of our report, including competing slide shows about the proposed City of Yes Test amendments - Part II - Economic Development. As of this post we've not yet heard back from Alicia Boyd of MTOPP, but expect to hear from her today / tomorrow or by the end of the week. So please stay tuned.

* Updated - How Many Stops Act Veto Overridden & Was the Mayor Justified in Vetoing the How Many Stops Act Bill [586-A]?

And Did Corporate TV News Inform or Distort the Issue by Televising the Yusef Salaam Stop?

Updated February 1, 2024 from 1.30.24 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Law Enforcement / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC.

The NYC Council voted to override Mayor Adams veto of the How Many Stops Act - Bill 586-A by a margin of 42 to override the veto and 9 in support of it, with 0 abstentions. The City Council also revoked the use of solitary confinement at Rikers. A number of the councilmembers stated an interest in working with Mayor Adams on implementation of the changes, to ensure there's no degradation of law enforcement effectiveness because of the change.

Some council members shared negative experiences of their own and their constituents, of being stopped by the police. Many NYC Council members also commended NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams for drafting and pushing the legislation through the council.

The photo at right was taken at City Hall in December of 2023, when the Mayor met with members of the ethnic and community media, to discuss past, present and future issues and efforts.

CLICK here to read our report about why we think the Mayor was right in vetoing the Too Many Stops Act.

What They’re Saying: New York Leaders Continue to Voice Opposition to City Council Bill That Could Make NYC Streets Less Safe

This is a Reprint of a Press Release Issued by the Mayor's Office Regarding the How Many Stops Act

January 29, 2024 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Law Enforcement / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC.

The Following is a Press Release issued by the Mayor's Office

NEW YORK – Following today’s veto on City Council bill Intro. 586-A — which could make New York City less safe by forcing New York City Police Department (NYPD) officers to spend more time filling out reports after Level 1 interactions with the public instead of patrolling the street and keeping the public safe — faith leaders, community advocates, business organizations, district attorneys, law enforcement professionals, and everyday New Yorkers voiced their opposition to the bill.

Here is what New York leaders are saying. What follows is the full reprint of a press release issued by the Mayor's Office on January 19, 2024. 

• CLICK here for a press release by the Mayor's Office regarding community leaders' response to Mayor Adams Vetoing the How Many Stops Act - 586-A in NYC.

* The Federal Reserve in NYC Assesses the Risks due to Climate Change

Climate Change is Real. Its Impact is Already Affecting Economic Investments & Outcomes. The Federal Reserve Shared a Closer Look with us in October 2023.

January 23, 2024 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Issues / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC.

On Monday, October 2, 2023 I headed down to the Federal Reserve Bank in NYC to make a withdrawal. Not a withdrawal of money, but to collect some information about Climate Change, at a Conference they hosted for local media outlets.

Keynote Speaker - Economics Professor Stiglitz

The Keynote speaker was Joseph E. Stiglitz, a professor at Columbia University, who participated in a discussion with John C. Williams, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of NY.

Informational Economics - Investment & Business Decisions are Based on Imperfect Information

The keynote speaker, Joseph Stiglitz, has expertise is in economics, and more specifically, informational economics. Stiglitz was preceded by economist George Stigler [not to be confused with the keynote speaker Joseph Stiglitz] who is credited with first developing 'The Economics of Information' in 1961 while a professor at the University of Chicago. This was the beginning of an entire area of study of how information and information systems affect economic decision making.

In the 1970's three researchers, one of whom was Joseph Stiglitz [the keynote speaker], is credited with developing the theory of 'Asymmetric Information' which posits generally that one of the parties - in a two party transaction - has better information. For example the seller of a used auto knows more about the car than the buyer, or a borrower likely has better information about whether there will be problems in repaying the loan than the lender.

• CLICK here to read the rest of our report on a cursory assessment of the risks associated with climate change at the Federal Reserve Bank in NYC.

* Exclusive: One on One Interview with the Mayor

The Eric Adams Story - Part I

Mayor Adams is a Complicated Man, Who Rose from Poverty, to the Highest Office in NYC

November 6, 2023 / NYC Government & Polltics / NYC Neighborhoods / Gotham Buzz. News Analysis & Opinion by Michael Wood.

This past summer, while working on another story in collaboration with the Mayor's Office of Ethnic & Community Media [aka MOECM], I entered into discussions with the MOECM, about the possibility of an exclusive interview with the Mayor. The Mayor's Office of Ethnic & Community Media was created a couple of years ago, to enhance local media access to the goings on at City Hall, in order to better inform the public. Under the Adams Administration, part of that program included providing greater government official availability to somewhere in the neighborhood of 250 local media outlets.

Famod Konneh, Associate Director for Outreach and Engagement collaborated with me to make arrangements for the interview, which took place on Friday, October 20, 2023. It's worth noting that every reporting story done live, is a collaboration of a sort, between the journalist and the subject(s) covered.

The photo at right shows Jose Bayona, the Executive Director of the Mayor's Office of Ethnic & Community Media [aka MOECM], at the MOEDM operations cener which is in the basement of City Hall, while he was setting up the video conference.

Interview Preparation - Doing My Homework

I did a considerable amount of research into the Mayor's past, while preparing for the interview. I did all this prep work, even though Famod had told me I would be limited to 20 minutes via a Zoom video call, as I was pitching him for more time. When I first first started the research, I did it in preparation for the interview, but, as sometimes happens with the kind of reporting I do, the more I learned, the more I became interested in learning even more about the Mayor and his life story.

Initially I thought I would do a standard hard news interview about key topics of the day including immigration, crime, the public schools and the budget. But, as I journeyed into the Mayor's past, I became more intrigued with the idea of doing a different story.

The Adams Administration's Unheralded Herculean Effort Managing the Immigrant Influx

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.

Nonetheless, Mayor Adams somehow found enough lodging for somewhere between 65,000 - 125,000 immigrants bussed in since then, who arrived in the city within the past year or so. The Mayor also managed to carve enough funding out of the NYC budget to provide security, food, healthcare and logistics for the newcomers, with what - until fairly recently [the past three months or so] - appeared somewhere between scant and lagging help from the likes of U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and NYS Governor Kathy Hochul (D-NY), respectively.

In spite of this gargantuan challenge, Mayor Adams made sure NYC didn't miss a step. His Administration kept the influx of immigrants mostly off the streets, and appeared to ensure they were't coopted into criminal activities by providing for them, in spite of laws which forbade them from earning a living. This nearly heroic effort has mostly gone unheralded by the corporate media.

The photo above right shows the Mayor pondering a question I posed to him, during our Zoom interview. He's in the Mayoral limo enroute to his next event.

CLICK here to read the rest of the story about my exclusive interview with Mayor Adams about his life - profile.

NYC Things to do in November in All 5 Boros of NYC

November Events in NYC by Week

Things to do This Weekend in NYC & Boros

NYC Marathon & Daylight Savings Time Sunday, Dia de los Muertos in Times Square Thurs Nite, Comedy Festival, Park Avenue Art Show, Washington Heights Jazz Fest, NY Comedy Fest & Bryant Park Winter Village Shops & Baltic Film Fest [Nxt Wk] in Manhattan; Diwali Festival in Jackson Heights, Off the Wall Affordable Art Fair and International Food Expo Next Week in Queens; Brooklyn Folk Music Festival and FAD Holiday Market in Brooklyn; Veterans Memoral Event in Van Cortlant Park & Universoul Circus at Orchard Beach in the Bronx; Holiday Market, Cranberry Festival & Fall Retreat on Staten Island

November 3, 2023 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / Gotham Buzz NYC.

NYC Weather. The temperature highs will be in the low 50's on Thursday, rising to the low 60's for the rest of the weekend. The temperature lows will be in the low 40's on Thursday, rising to the high 40's for the rest of the weekend. The winds will be about 4 - 6 mph all weekend. The humidity will be 40% - 60% on Thursday, rising to 50% - 60% on Friday and Saturday, and rising again to 60% - 70% on Sunday. No rain is in the forecast this weekend ... finally.

Sunrise / Sunset Times. On Thursday 11/2/23 the sun rose at 7.27 am & the sun set at 5.51 pm. But note that because of Daylight Savings Time, this Sunday, 10/5/23 the sun will rise at 6.31 am and the sun will set at 4.48 pm.

The photo at right was taken at the 2011 NYC Marathon as the marathoners were coming across the Pulaski Bridge which connects Greenpoint in Brooklyn to Long Island City in Queens.

CLICK here for things to do in things to do in November in NYC - ALL weekends Events NYC in November.

Oktoberfest Parties & Celebrations in NYC including in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx & Staten Island

Oktoberfest Begins Mid September in NYC and run thru October

UPDATED October 7, 2023 from 9.19.23 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / Gotham Buzz NYC.

The official / unofficial kick off to the month and a half of Oktoberfest events in NYC begins in Manhattan with the Steuben Parade. This report identifies a number of Oktoberfest events around NYC beginning mid September and running through the end of October.

The photo at right shows one of the floats in the Steuben Parade celebrating the consumption of bier, which in tandem with consumption of bratwurst, is an integral part of Oktoberest. One thing the photo doesn't show is the music, that also goes hand in hand with Oktoberfest.

A Brief History of Oktoberfest in NYC

Coming with time. We've posted a number of Oktoberfests in this report, but a few more are coming. Also watch the front page, as this year [only] they are likely to be posted there first.

• CLICK here to view the rest of our report on Oktoberfest in NYC, including the boroughs of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island.

911 Commemoration Events & Remembrances in NYC & Boros

911 Commemorations this Weekend and Monday

September 10, 2023 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / Gotham Buzz NYC.

This weekend, there are a number of events around the five boroughs commemorating the losses of 911. The following are a few of those events.

The collection of photos at right shows an cultural performance at Lincoln Center honoring the victims of 911. The performance returns Monday at 8.05 am.

911 Remembrances / Commemorations NYC

Ongoing _ Daffodil Project in NYC Parks. For details see - https://www.nycgovparks.org/highlights/sept-11-memorials

• CLICK here to view our report on 911 Memorial and Commemoration events in all 5 boroughs of NYC.