Things to do This Weekend in NYC & Boros

Scroll Down to see Each Boro's Headline Events & Things to Do: Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx and Staten Island

August 15, 2025 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC.

Sunrise 6.06 am. Sunset 7.53 pm. Daylight Savings Time. We're getting 13 hours & 47 minutes of daylight or one hour and 19 minutes less of sunlight than we were getting the weekend of the Summer Solstice, on June 20, 2025. The Summer Solstice is the longest day of this year, providing 15 hours and 6 minutes of sunlight in NYC.

NYC Specific Weather - This can be very Different vs TV News Area Weather. No precipitation is in the forecast. The high temperatures will be in the high 80's and the low temperatures will be in the low to mid 70's. Winds will range from 5 - 10 mph all weekend. And the humidity will range from about 80% Saturday to the mid 90% on Sunday.

The photo at right was taken last year at the opening of the Battery Park Dance Festival, which runs this weekend. It's well worth the visit and its free.

Friday Mid Afternoon Edition @ 3.45 pm. Pretty much done. Looks to be another great summer weekend. Have a good one.

Is the FEC Chelsea NYCHA Demolition Project being Railroaded thru by Stephen Ross, Related Companies & Eric Adams prior to a Mamdani Mayoralty?

Tuesday, August 19, 2025 beginning at 6.30 pm - Manhattan CB 4 Meeting - Find out what's going on with NYC owned property that appears Eric Adams is giving away. Attend via Zoom or in person. For details and to rsvp click here - FEC Chelsea NYCHA Demoliton Project. The train is departing the station, so there's little time to waste. Here's some related information we reported about this same subject [generally] a number of years ago - Bloomberg Mayoralty property give aways to Stephen Ross & Related Companies.

NYC News Briefs / News Analysis & Opinion

Stagflation May be Headed our Way

It Looks Like We May be Heading for a Stagflation Economy. According to 8.15.25 Yahoo Finance report, wholesale prices rose faster than expectations, up 0.9% in July, far faster than expectations. The core rate grew 3.7% vs an expected 3%. The Fed target rate is 2%. Services, not goods, were the driving force behind the inflation increase, and services are not tied to tariffs. We might be heading into a stagflation economy, where inflation continues or picks up, while jobs growth slows, as happened this month.

The contributors to a staglationary economy include that the U.S. dollar has lost 10% of its value since the beginning of the year. This means everything purchased outside of the U.S. will essentially cost 10% more to Americans. And tariffs will eventually add further to the inflation problem by increasing the cost of goods further.

TV News doesn't seem to understand that there's a lag time between when changes in the economy occur [like tariffs or currency valuation changes], and when the impact of them shows up at the cash register. Macroeconomic lag times range from three to eighteen months as these changes work their way through the economy. And speaking of TV News, it's worth mentioning that a stagflationary economy would be just the opposite of the 'Trump Economy' touted by Fox News during the Fall 2024 campaign cycle. For details see - https://finance.yahoo.com/news/why-hotter-than-expected-wholesale-prices-make-the-feds-september-rate-cut-decision-harder-155711746.html

Eric Adams Support Seems Fueled by Narrow Self Interests

Is Eric Adams Recycling Faith Based Campaign Endorsements? About a week ago, Eric Adams announced that he was being endorsed by 100 faith based leaders. The endorsements appeared to come from some of the same people who've been supporting Adams all along, some of whom I've seen at various mayoral events, and some of whom I believe stood with him when he announced his re-election bid as an Independent in June of 2025.

Earlier this week Adams also picked up an endorsement from former NYS Democrat Governor Paterson, who is legally blind, and who switched his allegiance from Cuomo in the Democratic primary, to Adams running as an Independent.

A group of police unions also endorsed Adams this week, but notably missing was the largest NYC police union, the NYPBA. The NYPBA had previously endorsed Adams in the 2021 election, reportedly unenthusiastically. This may be why the NYPBA is holding back their endorsement again, or it could be that the NY Patrolmens Benevolent Association union is not happy that Adams has sullied the name of the NYPD, having been charged in a lawsuit with turning the NYPD into his own personal "racketeering enterprise".

Big Real Estate Funding of Adams Continues. Adams continues to rake in big dollar donor cash, topping the field in terms of campaign contributions during this last reporting cycle. Depending on how you count it, and whether Adams obtains matching funds, Adams took in a million $ or more in campaign donations. As you can see by the graphic at right, Adams appears once again to be heavily favored by the real estate and developer community, who are funding him for "getting stuff done" ... for them.

Zohran Mamdani came in second in terms of campaign contributions netting $852,000, fueled in large part by small donors, who helped Mamdani win the Democratic primary and become the leading contender in this NYC mayoral race.

Recent NYC Mayoral Poll. A Siena College poll, released Tuesday, showed Mamdani (D) ahead in the Mayoral race, leading the pack with 44% of the vote. Mamdani was followed by Cuomo (I) 25%, Curtis Sliwa (R) 12% and Eric Adams (I) 7% bringing up the rear. The poll was conducted August 3 - 7, 2025 and has a margin of error of +/- 7%.

On September 8, 2025, NYC Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani will be featured on the cover of Time Magazine, which includes a lengthy background piece on his unlikely rise to prominence since the beginning of this year.

Israel, Funded by U.S. Taxpayers, Takes Steps to Ensure a Palestinian State will Never Exist

According to an 8.14.25 Associated Press report this week, Israel announced more settlements on the West Bank. If approved, which is likely, the settlements will cut the Palestinian West Bank in two. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said that this should put an end to the two state solution, which for decades the U.S. and Europe had supported, which would recognize both an Israeli and Palestinian state. For details see - https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/israel-announces-a-settlement-that-critics-say-will-effectively-sever-the-west-bank-in-two/ar-AA1KvNc0?ocid=BingNewsSerp

An 8.7.25 report by the Times of Israel also informed us that Netanyahu planned to take military control over all of Gaza. He told reporters, 'we don't want to keep it.' To learn a bit more about what Israel is doing with U.S. taxpayer money and weapons that TV News doesn't report [hint - it's not going toward defense, but rather offense], click the following link - Why are U.S. Taxpayers - not Israeli Taxpayers - funding Israeli Aggression?

Things To Do This Weekend & Next Week in Manhattan

Battery Dance Festival, Harlem Week, Summer Streets, Blues BBQ Fest, India Parade & Next Week Anime NYC

Thursday - Sunday, August 7 - 18, 2025 at various times & locations - Harlem Week. Various programs that include model casting, a 5K run [Saturday, August 10, 2025] and a job fair. I believe all are free. They say it's a state of mind. For details see - INST - https://www.instagram.com/harlemweek/ or https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/calendar/percy-sutton-harlem-5k-run

Saturday, August 9 and Tuesday thru Saturday, August 9 & 12 - 16, 2025 beginning at 7 pm [in the past until 9 pm] - Battery Dance Festival - at two locations. The opening night is at 20 Battery Place in Robert Wagner Park in Battery Park City. The rest of the festival is at 75 River Terrace (the North Esplanade) in Rockefeller Park in Battery Park City in Downtown Manhattan. The 44th Annual Dance Festival features dozens of choreographers and dancers from around the city, the nation and parts of the world. Each day features a different group. Free [but donations welcome]. Free summer outdoor dance performances in Battery Place in Downtown Manhattan NYC. For details see - https://batterydance.org/battery-dance-festival/.

Saturdays, August 2, 9 & 16, 2025 from 7 am to 3 pm - Summer Streets - There will be street closures to autos and trucks from Brooklyn Bridge to West 125 Street including the following: Lafayette Street and Park Avenue between Brooklyn Bridge and East 110 Street, East 110 Street between Park Avenue and Broadway, Adam Clayton Powell Jr Boulevard between West 110th Street [Central Park North] and West 125 Street and Broadway between West 110th and Dyckman Street. For details, copy & paste - https://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/pedestrians/summerstreets.shtml

Saturday, August 16, 2025 from 1 - 9 pm - Blues BBQ Festival - at Pier 76 on the Hudson River. Free summer concerts at Pier 76 on the Hudson just behind the Javits Center in Midtown Manhattan NC. Free admission, with food not included and they have some rules / guidelines for attendees. For details see - https://hudsonriverpark.org/visit/events/event/blues-bbq-festival-2025/

Saturday, August 16, 2025 beginning at 10 am* - Indian Parade Flag Raising Ceremony - in Times Square at 44th Street and Broadway. * Editor's Note - This time is from 2024, as no time was provided in 2025. For details see - https://fianynjct.org

Sunday, August 17, 2025 from 12 noon - 6 pm* - India Day Parade begins along Madison Avenue from 38th to 26th Street, followed by an Indian food, shopping and entertainment fair in Madison Square Park in Midtown. Some Bollywood stars may be in attendance. See a prior report we did on the India Day Parade in Manhattan NYC. * Editor's Note - This time is from 2024, as no time was provided in 2025. For more information see - https://fianynjct.org/event/

Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday, August 21 - 24, 2025 from 4 to 8 pm first nite, 10 am to 7 pm Friday & Saturday & ending at 5 pm Sunday - Anime NYC - at the Javits Center at West 34th Street and 11th Avenue in West Midtown. The convention is described as follows, " ... Anime NYC is New York City’s anime convention! A showcase of the best of Japanese pop culture in the biggest city in America, Anime NYC brings anime fans together for three days of unique exhibits, exclusive screenings, and appearances by some of the biggest creators in Japan ...". For details and tickets starting at $51 and up, see - https://animenyc.com

OLD NOTE DATE _ UPDATE COMING SHORTLY _ July 2024 - SummerStage in Central Park & Boros - For details see - https://cityparksfoundation.org.

OLD NOTE DATE _ UPDATE COMING SHORTLY _ June 2024 - the Blue Note Jazz Festival - The Blue Note always has something going. For details see - https://www.facebook.com/BlueNoteNYC

Also a number of upcoming street festivals - see link below.

Public Theater at Delacorte Theater. Gramercy Theater concerts - info coming but in the meantime - https://www.thegramercytheatre.com/shows

• 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.

Mondays in August & September, Democracy Vigil Meeting. Wednesdays & Saturdays - The Outlaws Who Built NYC Tours. See MCAL link above for details.

Things To Do This Weekend & Next Week in Queens NYC

India Parade, Queens Night Market, Legally Blonde, QBoro Dance Fest & Next Week U.S. Open Fan Week

Saturday, August 16, 2025 from 1 - 6 pm - India Day Parade & Celebration - Begins at Langdale & 268th Street and marches down to 249th Street and Hillside Avenue. This year the after party is at Hillside Avenue [northwest corner] and Little Neck Parkway [west service road] in Bellerose / Floral Park. The event includes a parade, Bollywood celebrities, dignitaries, entertainment including song and dance, and food and shopping stalls. This is organized by the Bellerose Indian Merchants Association. For details see FB - https://www.facebook.com/indiadayparadequeens | or FB https://www.facebook.com/people/Floral-ParkBellerose-Indian-Merchants-Association-Inc-F-Bima/100064636723722/

Legally Blonde, the musical, is playing at the Royal Star Theatre in Jamaica beginning at 8 pm on 8/9, 8/16 & 17, 8/22, 23 & 24/ 2025. Tickets are $21 /$23. See MCAL link below for details.

Saturdays, August 16, 2025 from 4 pm to 12 midnight - Queens International Night Market - see street fairs page or - https://queensnightmarket.com. Following the market on Saturday, they go on hiatus until after the U.S. Open.

From Monday through Saturday, August 18 - 23, 2025 at various times _ U.S. Open Fan Week at the USTA complex in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Register for a Fan Access Pass and obtain FREE tickets to wach the Qualifing Matches at the U.S. Open. For details see - https://www.usopen.org/

The photo at right was taken at the USTA tennis center in Flushing Meadows Corona Park in a prior year. Fan Week begins next week.

Auditions for the Queens Choral Society begin August 19th and end August 26, 2025. See MCAL link below for details.

Saturday, June 7 - September 13, 2025 at various times & locations - Queens Boro Dance Festival. The performances are weekly all summer long in numerous locations across the borough. Free. For details see - https://queensborodancefestival.org

See It Big at MoMI / Summer Concerts a LAHM

• 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

Tuesdays & Thursdays in July & August beginning at 9.15 am and 11 am both days - Nature for Young Kids - at Alley Pond Environmental Center. For Adult with child ages 2 - 3 years old. See MCal link above for details and tickets which run $88 for adult / child for four weeks in July & $66 for three weeks in August.

The Hell Gate Walking Tour returns for the first three Sundays in September 2025. See MCAL link above for details.

Things To Do This Weekend & Next Week in Brooklyn NYC

Feast of Santa Rosalia in Bensonhurst, Rum Festival, Pakistani Independence Parade, FAD Market, Coney Isle Friday Night Fireworks

Thursday - Sunday, August 14 - 24, 2025 from about 6 - 10 pm and probably starts earlier on the weekends - Celebration of the 51st Annual Feast of Santa Rosalia - Along 18th Avenue [aka Cristoforo Colombo Blvd] from 68th to 75th Streets in Bensonhurst. Italian food, music, rides, shopping two stages of live entertainment and a canoli eating contest. The procession begins at 2 pm on the last Sunday [8/24] at 18th Avenue and 72nd Street. Organized by FIAO Brooklyn. Brooklyn street fairs in the Bensonhurst neighborhood of BK. For details call Angelo 718.909.3598 or Renato 917.558.2902.

The photo at right was taken at the Santa Rosalia festival in the Bensonhurst neighborhood of Brooklyn in a prior year. The festival returns this week / weekend. See details above.

Saturday & Sunday, August 16 & 17, 2025 from 11 am to 5 pm - FAD Holiday Market - see street fairs link below for details.

Saturday, August 16, 2025 from 1 pm to 6 pm - 6th Annual Brooklyn Rum Festival - at Bkloft26 at 153 26th Street in the Greenwood Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn. Sample 50 rums from the Caribbean Islands as well as food, entertainment and dancing. Food & drink festivals v. street fairs in BK. Tickets $66 for 21 + and no tickets sold at door. For details see - https://www.bkrumfest.com/

Sunday, August 17, 2025 from 11 am to 6 pm _ Pakistani Independence Day Parade & Festival. They march along Coney Island Avenue beginning at Foster / Newkirk ending at Avenue H. There's an after party & cultural celebration that lasted until 7 pm in prior years. The parade was founded in 1990 in 'Little Pakistan'. Parades, festivals and cultural celebrations in West Midwood Brooklyn NYC. Contact - https://www.facebook.com/BrooklynMela | https://www.urdunewsus.com

Fridays, June 20 - September 5, 2025 _ Weekly _ The Coney Island Weekly Friday Night Fireworks - at Steeple Chase Tower off the Boardwalk near Luna Park [see fireworks link that follows for details]. Including July 4th. For details, copy & paste - https://www.allianceforconeyisland.org

(TBD - The Black Joy Film Fest & BRIC Concerts)

Two Plays - Polonsky & Billie Holiday Theater.

CLICK to see Brooklyn 4th of July fireworks 2025 best viewing locations & Coney Island July 4th fireworks 2025 BK 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.

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

Bronx Summer Concert Series & Next Week St. Helena Festival & Summer Streets

Sunday, August 17, 2025 from 12 noon to 5 pm - Bronx Summer Concert Series- at Bronx Park East at Lydig Avenue. For details see - https://bronxboropres.nyc.gov/event/bronx-summer-concert-series-2/

Next Week

Friday - Sunday, August 22 - 24, 2025 from 5 to 10 pm Friday & opening at 11 am Saturday & Sunday - St Helena Festival. It's an old fashioned summer carnival with rides, games, entertainment, shopping, food, beverages [no alcohol], contests and prizes. At the Church of St. Helena in the Parking Lot at 1315 Olmsted in Parchester, near Castle Hill in the Bronx. Tickets are inexpensive w/ volume discounts. Street fairs in Westchester Square neighborhood of the Bronx. For details and ride tickets see - https://churchofsthelena.com

Saturday, August 23, 2025 from 7 am to 3 pm - Summer Streets - There will be street closures to autos and trucks along Eastern Parkway between Grand Army Plaza and Buffalo Avenue in Brooklyn, and along Grand Concourse between East Tremont Avenue and Mosholu Parkway in the Bronx. For details, copy & paste - https://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/pedestrians/summerstreets.shtml

• 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.

September 27 & 28, 2025 - the Bartow Bricante Flea Market - see MCAL link above for details.

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

Sounds of Summer Concert, Cottage Row Curiosities

Saturday, August 16, 2025 beginning at 7 pm - Summer Concert Series w/ Vito Piccone & the Elegants - at Midland Beach Splaza. For details see - https://www.statenislandusa.com/summerconcerts.html

Saturday, August 16, 2025 from 12 noon to 5 pm - Cottage Row Curiosities at Snug Harbor Cultural Center - See street fairs link below for details.

At right are Staten Island Ferry passengers, many of whom are tourists, taking photos of the Statue of Liberty as we traversed the New York City harbor last Sunday.

• 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

Scroll Down to see Each Boro's Headline Events & Things to Do: Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx and Staten Island

August 8, 2025 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / Gotham Buzz NYC.

Sunrise 5.59 am. Sunset 8.02 pm. Daylight Savings Time. We're getting 14 hours & 3 minutes of daylight or one hour and three minutes less of sunlight than we were getting the weekend of the Summer Solstice, on June 20, 2025. The Summer Solstice is the longest day of this year, providing 15 hours and 6 minutes of sunlight in NYC.

NYC Specific Weather - This can be very Different vs TV News Area Weather. No precipitation is in the forecast for the weekend. The temperature highs will be in the low to mid 80's all weekend. The temperature lows will be in the high 60's all weekend. The winds will range between 3 - 8 mph all weekend. The humidity will range from 50% - 65% all weekend. Seems to be a pleasant repeat of last weekend.

In the photo above or at right is a dragon meandering through the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival grouns in Flushing Queens. The festival returns this weekend.

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

Update: Mamdani Wins Ranked Choice Voting, but Final Vote Count Remains

One Final Vote Count Remains as All Mail in Ballots Not Yet Included in the Tallies

Update July 1, 2025 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Politics Media & Government / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC.

Mamdani wins Ranked Choice Voting - Prior to the Final Counting with All Mail in Ballots. The current tabulations show that Mamdani widened his lead to [545,334 or 56%] over Cuomo [428,530 or 44%] in the ranked choice round.

While there are still some mail in ballots to be counted, it is believed that the bulk of the mail in ballots have been included in the count. In the 2021 NYC Mayoral Race [general] there were in the neighborhood of 125,000 - 132,000 mail in ballots.

The graphic above or at right shows the NYC Board of Election vote counts for the June 2025 NYC Mayoral Race following the first and subsequent rounds of ranked choice voting. All of the mail in ballots have not yet been included in the counts.

See related story, for an evolving view of the general election for NYC Mayor, with Eric Adams attacking Mamdani using Murdoch NY Post style labels and little substance.

After Mamdani First Round Ranked Choice Voting Victory, Adams Lashes out at him

Cuomo Decides to Stay in the Race & It's Time for You to Learn More about Adams' Transferring Public Wealth to one of his Supporters, Billionaire Stephen Ross of Related Companies

June 27, 2025 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Politics Media & Government / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC.

Mamdani Decisively Wins First Round of Ranked Choice. Zohran Mamdani [432,000 1st place votes] spooked the billionaires and real estate folks, who funded Andrew Cuomo's [362,000 votes] and Eric Adams' [0 votes as no longer running as a Democrat] campaigns. A number of them profited immensely from dealings with both Cuomo and Adams while in office, but particularly during the Adams Administration's, 'getting stuff done' for them. Contrary to what Adams proclaims, he's been 'getting stuff done' for the billionaires - not the working classes - as a brief look at his record below demonstrates. Also see Zoom Call below noting ongoing Adams transference of great public wealth to one of his campaign funders, Stephen Ross of Related Companies [among others], via transference of control of FEC Chelsea NYCHA.

In the graphic above or at right we've depicted Eric Adams as we see him today, in a money suit, which is what he's really all about. We just didn't know it four years ago. Adams never really had a vision for NYC, and wasn't really committed to anything for the working classes, unless it was something that would enable him to self promote or enrich himself. There's a reason billionaires are funding Eric Adams' campaign. And it's not because of how he looks, but rather because of his actions on their behalf. Follow the guy in the money suit and pay attention where he has it laundered, as the Feds did before the Trump pardon.

Billionaire Funded Fake News & Ads Coming to a TV near You. During the rest of this campaign, you can expect distorted billionaire TV News coverage generally, but particularly from Rupert Murdoch's Fox News, and also from Murdoch's NY Post and Wall Street Journal. They will find different ways to directly or indirectly attack, discredit or undermine Mamdani, using unsupported allegations, rumors and innuendo. Mamdani, like AOC, seems authentic in his desire to help the working classes / families - and not the billionaires - as Eric Adams has done. And should Mamdani win, the Murdoch Ministry of Mass Manipulation will continue to provide distorted reporting, reflecting their master's voice, as they pretty much do every day.

Adams Appears to be Working with and for Republicans. Following the announcement of the first round of ranked choice voting results, Adams re-announced his candidacy as an 'Independent'. But Adams isn't really independent. In fact he seems very 'Dependent' on his uncle Donald Trump, who pardoned Adams for his alleged crimes. Adams looks to be a Republican party proxy pol, who they will use to siphon votes away from Democrat Mamdani.

Cuomo Decides to Continue his Run on the 'Fight & Deliver' Ballot Line. We just learned that Andrew Cuomo has officially decided to stay in the race, as he did not withdraw his name from the 'Fight & Deliver' ballot line. Like Adams, Cuomo is also a 'Dependent' on the billionaires who fund his campaigns, and for whom he appears to 'fight and deliver', not unlike how Adams 'gets stuff done'.

• CLICK here to read the rest of our report about Mayor Adams false accusations of Mamdani and Adams Betrayal of the Working Class in favor of his Billionaire Funders. It's a sad tale of how Eric Adams presided over the most disappointing Mayoralty in modern NYC history.

Primary Election Day, Tuesday June 22, 2025 & Andrew Cuomo's Record

Consider the Source - A Word about Billionaire Bloomberg & Big Real Estate Funding of NYC Mayoral Race TV Attack Ads - Vote for 'Their' Mayor or Vote for One of Ours?

Links Include - Working Family Party Recommendations & Poll Site Locator

June 20, 2025 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Politics Media & Government / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC.

A Word about Billionaire Michael Bloomberg Trying to Impose his Well Funded Will on the NYC Mayoral Race. Former Mayor Bloomberg and Big Real Estate have been spending millions of dollars on TV attack ads targeting NYC Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani. The ads are filled with accusations about things Mamdani may have said, but nothing nothing he has ever acted upon in support of alleged statements.

The billionaires want Andrew Cuomo to win, because Cuomo is 'their guy' who will keep a lid on public spending on transit, education, police, sanitation, the arts and infrastructure, so that NYC billionaires can keep a lid on tax rates and keep more money they don't need, for themselves. The billionaire funded pols, like Cuomo and Adams, will try to keep a lid on public spending so that they can keep giving the super rich lavish tax breaks on their real estate investments in NYC 'affordable housing' ... that's 'affordable' to those making $100,000 plus.

CLICK here to read the rest of our report on the part of Andrew Cuomo's Record as Governor that they don't want you to think about.

NYC Mayoral Race Tightens

Candidates Mamadani & Lander Cross Endorse Each Other

June 13, 2025 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Politics Media & Government / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC.

On Friday, the top two NYC Mayoral contenders to Andrew Cuomo - Zohran Mamdani and Brad Lander - cross endorsed each other for Mayor. This should help both of them as contenders and according to one pundit, reduces Cuomo's sure lock on the Mayoralty from 80% down to 60%. Which means Mamdani and Lander need to reach out to other NYC Mayoral candidates who realistically are no longer contenders, like Zellnor Myrie, Michael Blake, Jessica Ramos, and Jim Walden [running as an anti-corruption Independent] to increase their odds, while detracting from Cuomo's.

The photos above or at right were taken earlier this year at two different debates. On the left is NYC Comptroller Brad Lander and on the right is NYS Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani - the top two contenders for NYC Mayor following Andrew Cuomo. On Friday they cross endorsed each other, which will likely lead to increased TV ad spending by big real estate on their also-ran, straw horse candidates [see below]; as well as increased TV ad spending for attack ads trying to discredit real challengers to big real estate's choice for Mayor - Andrew Cuomo. Most TV political ads are such distortions of the truth, that they seem to be more fake news than informative.

Please do your homework on the candidates, using some of the high quality information sources below, to move up the learning curve on who the candidates are and who's funding them. TV News doesn't cut it any more, as it's controlled by billionaires. A long while ago, they rolled back FCC regulations requiring fair and balanced reporting, which is why what TV News presents today, is no longer consistently credible.

CLICK here to read the rest of our report on Mamdani & Lander cross endorse in NYC Mayoral Race 2025.

Things to do This Weekend in NYC & 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

June 6, 2025 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC.

Sunrise 5.26 am. Sunset 8.23 pm. Daylight Savings Time. We're getting 15 hours & 5 minutes of daylight or five hours and 25 more minutes of sunlight than we were getting the weekend of the Winter Solstice, on December 21, 2024, which was the shortest day of last year [2024] 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.

The photo above or at right was taken a couple of weeks ago in Hells Kitchen, showing a number of air conditioning units geometrically protruding from the sleek wall of a glass and steel skyscraper. Those are likely to come in very handy in the coming months.

NYC Specific Weather - This can be very Different vs TV News Area Weather. Friday is dry but cloudy. Saturday, there's a 30% - 50% chance for a third inch of rain between 8 am and 5 pm. It's the kind of day where an umbrella might (or might not), come in handy. Sunday, there's a 30% - 60% chance of half that amount of rain - but after 7 pm. Temperature highs may hit 90 Friday, falling back to about 80 on Saturday and Sunday. Temperature lows will straddle the high 60's to the low 70's all weekend. The humidity will range from 60% to 80% on both Friday and Sunday, and remain at a steady 70% on Saturday. Winds will range from 5 to 10 mph all weekend. It's definitely a manageable weekend weather-wise - contrary to the billionaire TV News efforts to convince you to stay inside watching TV.

Friday Evening Edition @ 11 pm. Mostly done - if not completely done. it's always possible there might be late additions.

Things To Do This Weekend & Next Week in NYC

50501 Movement Protest in WDC Friday 6/6/25, NYS Primary is 6/24/25, NYC Beaches Open & Next Week is No Kings Protests in NYC & Nationwide

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

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].

Friday, June 6, 2025 in Washington, D.C. - 50501Movement.org Veteran Budget Cuts Protest - at the Mall in Washington, D.C. to protest the Trump / Musk budget cuts affecting U.S. Veterans. For details see - https://www.facebook.com/groups/50501movement/posts/1037489384655057/ | or 50501vets.com

Saturday, June 14, 2025 at various times & locations - No Kings Protest - Nationwide protests against the Trump Administration efforts to take federally funded benefits and services from lower, middle and upper middle income Americans, and transfer it to the richest people on the planet, by enabling them to pay lower tax rates funded by cuts and adding another $2 - $4 trillion in debt on America's children. That would boost America's debt for which Trump would personally be responsible for nearly a third of it, and possibly more. For more information about this, see - https://indivisible.org/statements/indivisible-and-partners-announce-no-kings-nationwide-day-defiance-flag-day-during - and for details of related events happening in NYC, see - https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/

Things To Do This Weekend & Next Week in Manhattan

Tribeca Film Festival has Begun, 116th St Festival, Puerto Rican Parade, St Nicholas Festival, Multi Cultural Festival, Israeli & Independent Film Festivals end & Next Week Museum Mile Festival & Taste of Summer Central Park Fundraiser

Tribeca _ Wednesday through Sunday, June 4 - 15, 2025 - The Tribeca Film Festival - at Spring Studios at [6 St Johns Lane] but generally the entrance on Varick between York and Laight Streets in Tribeca is the most frequently used. There are a multitude of free and paid live and online events and films covering a variety of subjects including but not limited to LGBTQ, LatinX and Juneteenth to view at various venues around the city. For details see - https://tribecafilm.com

The photo above or at right was taken at the Tribeca Film Festial last year. The festival returned earlier this week and will continue through next weekend. See details below.

Saturday, June 7, 2025 from 9.30 am to 5 pm - St Nicholas Avenue Festival - Along St Nicholas Avenue between 181st Street to 188th Street - street fairs in the Upper West Side NYC neighborhood of Manhattan. For details see - https://info.nystateofhealth.ny.gov/ny-state-health-nicholas-avenue-festival-and-carnaval-event

Saturday, June 7, 2025 - Manhattan Art Open at El Barrio - on the UES / East Harlem.

Saturday, June 7, 2025 from 10 am - 5 pm - 40th Annual 116th Street Festival - Along 3rd Avenue from 106th St to 122nd street and along 116th between 2nd and Lexington Avenues in the El Barrio section of East Harlem. Food, shopping & three stages of entertainment. For details see - https://116thstfestival.com/

Sunday, June 8, 2025 beginning at 11 am - The Puerto Rican Day Parade returns. It will kick off at 5th Avenue at 43rd Street marching north to 79th Street on the UES. This is one of the largest parades in NYC and it celebrates various aspects of Puerto Rican culture. For details see - https://www.nprdpinc.org/

Washington Heights _ Saturday, June 7 & 21, 2025 from 11 am to 7 pm & 12 noon to 6 pm respectively - 16th Annual Multi-Cultural Festival - 1st Weekend in the Jackie Robinson Bandshell at 85 Bradhurst Avenue between 147th & 148th Streets in Washington Heights. The 2nd Weekend is held at along St. Nicholas Avenue between 141st and 145th Streets in Washington Heights. This event includes performances, food, vendors and social services. Organized by New York African Chorus Ensemble in collaboration with the NYPD 30th Precinct & the 30th Precinct Community Council. For free tickets [not required per se] and details, copy & paste - https://multiculturalfestival.nyc

Midtown _ Tuesday - Sunday, June 3 - 8, 2025 at various times - Independent Film Festival - at the Producers Club at 358 West 44th Street in Midtown Manhattan. For $22 tickets and details see - https://nycindieff.com/

UWS _ Thursday - Thursday, June 5 - 12, 2025 at various times - The Israeli Film Festival - at the Marlene Meyerson JCC at 334 Amersterdam Avenue [at 76th Street] on level L2- Auditorium on the UWS. For details and $10 - $50 tickets, copy & paste - https://mmjccm.org/

Tuesday, June 10, 2025 from 6 - 9 pm - Museum Mile Festival - Along 5th Avenue from 79th Street to 106th Street on the Upper East Side. All of the exquisite museums along 5th Avenue on the Upper East Side UES are open to the public for free. For details see - https://www.centralpark.com/events/museum-mile-festival/

Wednesday, June 11, 2025 - Taste of Summer in Central Park - on Bethesda Terrace. Fundraiser for the Central Park Conservancy. Tickets are $400 / person or $10K - $15K for a table. For details see - https://www.centralparknyc.org/activities/events/taste-of-summer

• 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.

CLICK here to read the rest of our report about Things to do this Weekend in all 5 Boroughs of NYC.

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.

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.

Things to do This Weekend in NYC & Boros

Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Year Weekend with Holiday Markets, Holiday Events & NYE Parties - are Some of the Top Things to do this Weekend & Next Weekend in NYC

December 26, 2024 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / Gotham Buzz NYC.

NYC Weather. Sunrise 7.18 am. Sunset 4.35 pm. For the first time since June, the days are starting to get longer. We're up 2 minutes of sunlight versus last week.

It looks to be a rainy weekend, on both Saturday [1/3 inch] and Sunday [over 3/4 inch]. There are bound to be plenty of times, during both days, when there's little rain falling; so be brave, and don't let a little water stop you from enjoying your precious time with family and friends.

The temperature highs will rise from about 30 on Thursday, to 34 on Friday, 44 on Saturday, and into the low 50's on Sunday. The temperature lows will rise from the mid teens on Thursday, to the high 20's on Friday, into the low 40's on Saturday and Sunday. The winds will range from 5 - 7 mph on Thursday and Friday, kicking up to 5 - 10 mph Saturday and then again up to 15 mph on Sunday. It's going to be a humid weekend ranging from 70% on Thursday up to 90% on Sunday. These temperature statistics are unusually high for this time of year versus historical norms.

The photo at right, taken in Sunnyside Queens a year ago this week, shows an example of the holiday home decorations one can find in the five boroughs of NYC.

This weekend use the links below to find holiday events, holiday markets and look for things to do over the New Years Eve weekend. We'll be updating the NYE pages over the weekend.

• CLICK here to view the rest of our report about things to do Christmas / New Year week in NYC - Events NYC the last week of December.

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.

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'.

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

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.

The LIC Summit 2024

Photos and Clean Up to Follow

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.

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 here for things to do this weekend Brooklyn NYC or click here for things to do this weekend in Manhattan NYC.

NYS Primary Voting Tuesday, April 2, 2024

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

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.

Triumph of The [Rupert's] Will: How Murdoch Manipulates Voter's Perceptions & Public Policy

Australian born Billionaire Appears to use his Media Outlets to Shape Voter's Views, Loading them with Misconceptions, So They'll Elect Compromised Fox Nation Pols, Who Upon Assuming Office, Seem to Reward Murdoch's Media Support, by Crafting Public Policy to Conform to Murdoch's Will, Favoring his Business Interests

September 4, 2020 / NYC Neighborhoods / U.S. Politics / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC.

As mentioned previously, I've been doing a fairly deep dive into learning as much about the Third Reich and Nazi Germany as time permits, in order to more fully understand what's happening in present day events.

Media Manipulation for Fun & Profit

I began noticing similarities between Australian born billionaire Rupert Murdoch's manipulative use of his large share of Amerian media in 2016, to what Joseph Goebbels, the Reich Minister of Propaganda for the Nazis, did beginning in the 1920's until his end in 1945. On May 1, 1945 Goebbels poisoned his children, his wife and himself as the Allied forces neared his home. Hitler and his companions had committed suicide the day before, as Allied forces invaded Berlin. None of them had the courage to stand trial for their crimes against humanity ... although like Mussolini, they may not have made it to court.

1. Did Fox 'News' Attempt to Protect the Reputation of a Propaganda Asset via Omission?

So today, we're going to look at just a few of Murdoch's media manipulations made in just the past couple of months - and I'm nearly certain that this is just the tip of the iceberg. Unfortunately, I don't have the resource to fact check what is the largest misleading news content producing organization in the nation, and possibly the free world.

Let's start with the first two photos on this page. This story broke in the Guardian on July 7, 2020.

The first photo shows Fox News 'reporting the news' regarding the sexcapades of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislane Maxwell. In the first photo, Fox News conveniently cropped out Donald Trump. In the second photo [at right] we have the 'full picture' aka the truth.

The man who calls everyone else a 'sleezeball' is seen with Melania 'being best', and two of the people alleged to be among some of the sleeziest on the planet [Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislane Maxwell]. Do birds of a feather flock together?

So we must ask why Rupert Murdoch would crop Donald Trump out of the photo? Is it to avoid portraying the Donald in a negative light in order to keep him - a Murdoch asset - in office?

Trump appears to have been a boon to billionaire Murdoch through massive billionaire tax cuts funded by debt to be paid for by America's children and unborn? Or is because Trump's actions in the Middle East vis a visIsrael seemed to serve to legitimize Murdoch's investment in Genie Energy in the illegally occupied Syrian Golan Heights? Or was it because Trump loosened up the FCC ownership limits for mega media companies like Murdoch's thus allowing the few to control our media, which givens them the power to influence the national democratic conversation - and in Murdoch's case - it seems the power to corrupt it in order to profit from it. Or was it because Trump famously fired all U.S. Attorneys, including Preet Bharara - who was investigating Murdoch's companies for sexual harrassment and phone hacking - less than 24 hours after Sean Hannity on Fox News told him to do just that? Perhaps most importantly, Trump's Attorney General Bill Barr, greenlighted the merger of Disney / ABC, which was an inverted takeover resulting in Rupert Murdoch becoming Disney / ABC's largest shareholder.

• CLICK here to read our report on NYPBA police union endorsement of Trump seems out of step with the union rank and file, as well as the NYPD and NYC - but Murdoch's NY Post provides propaganda cover.