The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is a world-wide symbol of the holidays in New York City. This year’s tree has arrived at Rockefeller Center and is now being decorated with more than 30,000 multi-colored, energy-efficient LED lights, and crowned by a Swarovski star.

The 2012 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree will be lit on Wednesday, November 28, 2012 with live and taped performances from 7–9 PM, at Rockefeller Plaza, between West 48th and West 51st Streets and 5th and 6th Avenues. Tens of thousands will crowd the sidewalks for the event and hundreds of millions will watch it live across the globe. The tree will remain lit and can be viewed until 11pm on January 7th, 2013.

Apthorp is Ready for Holidays

The Apthorp was getting decked out for the holidays today...beautiful!

Diwali

Today is Diwali, the Hindi Festival of Lights symboling the triumph of good over the evil within a individual.

For Hindus, Diwali is one of the most important festivals of the year and is celebrated in families by performing traditional activities together in their homes.

In New York you can celebrate at the Hindu temple at 20-29 38th Street, Astoria, Tuesday, November 13, 2012, at 7 pm.http://bit.ly/QDU4et

Post-Hurricane Sandy Clean-Up

NEW YORK — Hundreds of volunteers headed to the areas hardest hit by Hurricane Sandy on Saturday morning, where they passed out food and water and cleaned up debris.

After a meet-and-greet with Mayor Michael Bloomberg, one mass mobilization, organized by NYC Service and New York Cares, departed from City Hall just before 11 a.m.

"A lot of people have been donating money and donating blood and donating goods," said Lauren Passalacqua, a spokeswoman for the mayor. "This is just another opportunity for folks to go back out to these areas."

Buses brought volunteers to Staten Island, Coney Island, and the Rockaways, where the projects started at 11:30 a.m.

In Staten Island and Brooklyn, food and water distribution and cleanup began at Miller Field, on New Dorp Lane, and the parking lot at Brighton 4th Street and Brighton Court.

In Queens, food and water handouts, clothing donations, and a kids' carnival were launched from the Beach 41st Street Community Center, 426 Beach 40th St., in Far Rockaway.

Mormon Helping Hands, another volunteer organization, will have volunteer efforts going from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at P.S. 114 in Rockaway Park.

- edits from DNA

Little Miss Matched sale on UWS

A pop-up store of Little Miss Matched has popped up at 2209 Broadway and 79th Street. Great sales of 40% to 70% off of super cute socks, and other things, for girls.

The store will be at this location through the holidays.

Gas Rationing in NYC

Mayor Michael Bloomberg on Thursday called for gas rationing in New York City to begin Friday, saying only 25% of stations in the city were operational and that full production would not be restored for several more weeks.

Vehicles with license plates ending in an even number or zero can purchase gas on even-numbered days. Vehicles ending with odd-numbered plates can buy gas on odd-numbered days. Vehicles with licenses plates ending in a letter or other character can make purchases on odd-numbered days.
Commercial, emergency and paratransit vehicles, medical doctor plates and vehicles licensed by the Taxi and Limousine Commission are exempt.

Much of the city's gas comes from waterfront terminals that transfer fuel from New York Harbor to land. Many of those terminals lost power in the storm, but as their power is gradually restored, the mayor said the rationing programs would held accelerate the recovery of the distribution network and ease disruptions and wait times for drivers.




Crains NY

Parks and Playgrounds Closed Tomorrow, November 7, 2012

 

NYC Parks will close Wednesday, November 7 at noon through to Thursday, November 8 at noon.

Due to the anticipated storm approaching the New York area, NYC Parks is closing all New York City parks, playgrounds, and beaches from Wednesday, November 7 at noon until Thursday, November 8 at noon. Their goal is to keep Park patrons safe during the storm.

Please visit nyc.gov for updates as the storm approaches, or visit the Storm Update page for more information on park closures.

Stand Up for Your Rights - VOTE!

It's Election Day!
Time for every U. S. citizen to get out and vote. Polls will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

As a result of Hurricane Sandy, displaced voters in NY can cast their ballots at any polling station in the state. Please call the NY Board of Elections at 1-855-NYS-SANDY   (1-855-697-7263) if you have any questions.

If you're not sure where you need to go to vote -  this link will help you find your polling station. 

What to Bring:

If this is your first time voting in a federal election in New York, you may have to present ID before voting on Election Day. Identification may include (but is not limited to):

- A current and valid photo ID

- A current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or other government document that shows your current and complete name and current address.

If you’ve previously voted in a federal election in New York, you don’t need to bring an ID to the polls.

If you have additional questions about voting in New York, please contact: Board of Elections: (518) 474-6220 or Voter Hotline: 1-800-311-VOTE; info@elections.ny.gov.

Get out and vote !!

Hurricane Sandy Cleanup Days in Riverside Park

Join Riverside Park Fund staff and volunteers to help with ongoing hurricane cleanup efforts. All are welcome!

Attire: Dress comfortably, must wear closed toe shoes. Note that there will not be a location to store valuables.

For more event info and to register please contact Nya Jackson, Volunteer Program Assistant, at nya@riversideparkfund.org or (347) 287-1114.

Saturday, November 3; 10 am - 1 pm
99th St along the Hudson River (Just north of the 96th St Tennis Courts)
 
Sunday, November 4; 12 - 3:30 pm
91st Street & Riverside Drive