The historic Heckscher Playground in the southern end of Central Park was the site where a deceased male was discovered on the morning of Dec. 11. He had multiple lacerations to his body. Photo: NYC Parks Dept Dead Man Discovered in Central Park Playground Is a Suspected Suicide A lifeless body was discovered in a playground in Central Park on the morning of Dec. 11 and police believe the wounds were... News Alert 11 Dec 2023 | 05:32
409 Edgecomb Ave., in the Sugar Hill neighborhood in Harlem, has been surrounded by a “temporary” sidewalk shed for a record setting 17 years. ( Photo via Google Street View ) Spirit of Shed Regs Subverted by Landlords Who Leave Them Up for Years: Report They stretch over, and obscure, more than 380 miles of New York sidewalks, in total. There are now nearly 9,000 of them and... News 11 Dec 2023 | 02:27
Kirsten Agresta-Copely, who started playing harp when she was only five, is now a principal harpist at the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, has been nominated for her first Grammy Award and during a storied career has played with everyone from Beyonce to Lady Gaga. Photo: Courtsey Kirsten Agresta-Copely A ‘Spectacular’ New York Harpist Called Upon by the Music Industry’s Biggest Names Before she settles into her seat on stage at Radio City, Kirsten Agresta-Copely makes sure to visit one of the live animals... News 11 Dec 2023 | 12:28
Lithium-ion batteries, if improperly stored, can cause explosions and outbreaks of fire. Seventeen people have been killed in New York City so far this year from fires attributed to faulty batteries, the FDNY says. ( Source: Office of Council Member Gale Brewer) FDNY Issues Violations on UWS Delivery Center for Dangerous Lithium-Ion Batteries FDNY’s Special Inspection Unit slapped two violations on an Upper West Side quick delivery center for failing to properly... News 11 Dec 2023 | 12:31
A Muslim Student, A Jewish Teacher, A Little Light Peeking Through the Stereotypes I was working as a second-grade teacher in a gritty section of the northeastern Bronx, in 2009, when I got stereotyped. News 08 Dec 2023 | 04:44
Kids and parents braved a driving rain to pick up free books donated by Upper West Side residents. Photo: Courtesy Gale Brewer’s City Council Office Book Fair Pulls in Over 3,000 Donated Titles for Kids The rain fell so hard it turned white on the pavement on Dec. 3 as dozens of children and their parents still lined up at... News 11 Dec 2023 | 12:44
The Snowflake hung 50 feet up in the air at the intersection between Fifth Avenue and 57th street got a big makeover this year. ( Fifth Avenue Association ) Saks Fifth Avenue Snowflake is back! Fifth Avenue’s 30-foot-wide snowflake chandelier is the grandest in the world. Back 50 feet above our heads and brighter... News 08 Dec 2023 | 04:24
Governor Kathy Hochul participates in a menorah lighting on the first night of Hanukkah, alongside Rabbi Shmuel Butman of the Lubavitch Youth Organization. It took place at the world’s largest menorah, located at Central Park South’s Grand Army Plaza. ( Susan Watts/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul) Menorah Lightings Abound In Manhattan, Kicking Off Hanukkah Hanukkah has begun, and with it comes a spate of menorah lightings in Manhattan. NYC, after all, has the largest Jewish population... News 09 Dec 2023 | 05:49
Crime Watch UWS 12.14.23 Mugger Snatches Subway Rider’s Phone A 24-year-old woman told police that at 11:20 p.m. on Sunday, November 26, she was sitting... News 08 Dec 2023 | 02:39
European regulators have banned more than 2,400 hazardous chemicals from cosmetics, the US has banned only 11, primarily for ingredients such as red dye #40, deemed carcinogenic. Photo: Wikimedia Commons US Tightening Labeling Laws on Cosmetics But Regs Still Far More Lax Than Europe Ladies: How safe is your lipstick? Gentlemen: How about your aftershave? It’s not a simple question. European nations have... News 08 Dec 2023 | 01:31
John Lennon and Yoko Ono, seen here performing at the Sinclair Freedom Rally in December 1971, had just released the “Double Fantasy” album in 1980 shortly before Lennon was murdered outside the Dakota apartment building where they lived. Photo: University of Michigan/Wikimedia Commons John Lennon: In My Life Whenever Dec. 8 rolls around, I take time to reflect. It occurs to me that nothing is real and all you need is love and life... Voices 07 Dec 2023 | 07:02
On every Saturday in December, the Subway Nostalgia Train will arrive and depart from the Second Avenue Station on the Lower East Side, starting at 10AM, bound for W. 145th Street, returning back to Second Avenue. Here is the NY Transit Museum’s R1-R9 train, with subway cars built between 1931-1938, arriving for its first trip of the day. ( Ralph Spielman) Nostalgia Train Rides Again On every Saturday in December, subway riders are able to stop, look and listen to charming reminders of New York City’s transit... News 09 Dec 2023 | 09:05
“Slick” is a self portrait by Barkley L. Hendricks that is one of the paintings featured in the Frick’s first ever solo exhibition of an artist of color. Photo: Courtesy American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters. “Slick” Barkley Hendricks is First Artist of Color to Get Frick Exhibit Step off the elevator on the fourth floor of Frick Madison and witness perhaps the most shocking–but in a good way–juxtaposition... City Arts 08 Dec 2023 | 12:55
Governor Kathy Hochul rallying to support congestion pricing at Union Square on December 5, one day before the MTA Board’s full vote on suggested tolls below 60th St. The final tally was 9-1 in favor, with a $15 base levy holding steady. ( Photo via Governor Kathy Hochul on X.com) MTA Board OKs Congestion Pricing Plan, Including $15 Base Toll; Public May Now Comment Congestion pricing has come one step closer to reality, after the full MTA board overwhelmingly voted for toll recommendations... News 11 Dec 2023 | 12:16
