Things to do This Weekend in NYC & Boros

Allegations of More Eric Adams & Associates Corruption, Not the Least of which is What Seems Flagrant Neglect to Maintain Integrity of NYPD Operations; Scroll Down to see Each Boro's Headline Events & Things to Do: Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx and Staten Island

August 22, 2025 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC.

Sunrise 6.13 am. Sunset 7.43 pm. Daylight Savings Time. We're getting 13 hours & 30 minutes of daylight or one hour and 36 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.

The photo at right was taken at the Charlie Parker Jazz Fest in the East Village in a prior year. The festival returned this week / weekend with performances in West Harlem and the East Village. See details in the Manhattan section below.

NYC Specific Weather - This can be very Different vs TV News Area Weather. Weekend weather is coming later this afternoon.

Friday Mid Late Afternoon Edition @ 4.45 pm. Probably done, but will tweak the Adams corruption story below a bit more. Looks to be another great summer weekend. Have a good one.

NYC News & Weekend Briefs

The Scent of More Adams 'Related' Corruptions Continue to hit the Radar - And Network TV News Turns a Blind Eye

Separately, after three and a half years of 'getting stuff done' for billionaires and real estate developers, Adams has finally focused his attention on the working class voters of New York, handing out government money, in a manner that leads me to believe he thinks the public money is his own.

"Show Me The Money" Eric Adams famously used to say. We should have listened. Adams can't seem to shake all of the corruption allegations that surround him, the members of his administration and the Administration itself. Allegations of bribes, numerous staff indictments, including of Eric Adams who is the first sitting NYC Mayor to be indicted in office.

Public Advocate Jumaane Williams sent a letter to the Mayor this week, questioning his management of the oversight of the NYPD. Adams has employed Trump-style tactics in dismantling the checks and balances in the system that have kept American government relatively corruption-free in modern times. Editor's Note. NYC government is far from clean, as you can see by how all of the publicly owned / controlled real estate is transferred, 'legally', to billionaires [and or their real estate companies] who are friends of or have funded two of the last three mayors' campaigns. For further details see - Stephen Ross and Related Companies have been feeding at the public trough.

We'll have more about Adams and the NYPD later today. But in the meantime - For details see - https://comptroller.nyc.gov/reports/letter-to-mayor-adams-re-urgent-concerns-regarding-oig-nypd-staffing-and-oversight-capacity/

In a lawsuit filed July 16, 2025, a former NYPD Commissioner, Thomas Donlon, accused Adams of operating the NYPD as if it was a "criminal enterprise".

THIS IS A WORK IN PROGRESS. We expect to be done by the end of the day.

Things To Do This Weekend & Next Week in Manhattan

Charlie Parker Jazz Festival, Pakistani Independence Parade and Anime NYC at the Javits

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

The photo at right shows a view of Manhattan as seen from the Kosciuszko Bridge, which connects Brooklyn & Queens, in late June 2024.

Harlem & East Village _ 1) Friday, 2) Saturday & 3) Sunday, August 22 - 24, 2025 beginning at 1) 5.30, 2) from 3 to 7 pm and 3) beginning at 8 pm, respectively - SummerStage Charlie Parker Jazz Fest - at 1) Harlem Rose Garden at 6 East 129th Street, 2) Marcus Garvey Park northwest lawn at 6316 Mt. Morris Park West, 3) Nublu at 151 Losaida in the East Village. For details see - https://cityparksfoundation.org/charlieparker/. Free but might want to rsvp.

Sunday August 24, 2025 from 11 am to 6 pm - Pakistani Independence Parade - Along Madison Avenue from 38th to 27th streets. Manhattan street fairs and parades in Midtown Manhattan. For details see - FB - https://www.facebook.com/officalpakistandayparadenyc or https://pakistandayparade.org/

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. See MCAL link above for details.

Wednesdays & Saturdays - The Outlaws Who Built NYC Tours. See MCAL link above for details.

August 30, 2025 - PureFinder Tour of Psychic New York. See MCAL link above for details.

Things To Do This Weekend & Next Week in Queens NYC

U.S. Open Fan Week & Kids Day, Rockaway Beach Surf Music Fest, Legally Blonde, QBoro Dance Fest

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.

Flushing _ Saturday, August 23, 2025 from 9.30 am to 4 pm _ Free Kids Day at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. The event includes things like an autograph session w/ pros, hair braiding, fitness programs, musical acts and the ability to watch the pros practice in the afternoon. Free. For details see - https://www.usopen.org/en_US/fan-week/arthur-ashe-kids-day.html

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/

Friday, Saturday & Sunday, August 22, 23 & 24, 2025 beginning at 5 pm, 4 pm and 4 pm respectively - The Rockaway Beach Surf Music Festival - at the Rockway Bazaar Beach Pavilion at 97th Street by the beach in the Rockaways in Queens [9701 Shorefront Parkway]. A whole weekend of music near the beach. In 2023 the festival was one of the biggest Labor Day weekend events in Queens, last year [2024 as every year] it's a part of the Rockaway Bazaar concerts. Free. For details see - https://www.rockaway-bazaar.com/

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.

Friday, August 22, 2025 beginning at 7 pm - Showtime's Dan Perlman Live - at Grove 34 in Astoria. See MCAL link above for details.

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, Battle of Brooklyn Events, 48th Brighton Jubilee, Brooklyn Summer Streets & 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, August 23, 2025 from 10 am to 12 noon and 3.30 to 6 pm respectively - Trolley Tour of The Battle of Brooklyn Revolutionary War & Revolutionary Spirts - at 500 West 25th Street at 5th Avenue which is one of the main entrances to the Greenwood Cemetery. The first is a trolley tour of the history of the Battle of Brooklyn. The second event begins with a similar trolley tour as in the morning, but ends at the Fort Hamilton Distillery, where 'spirits' are served. Space is limited so it's recommended that you rsvp [recommended donation $15 for the morning tour and $50 for the afternoon tour and drinks] at https://www.green-wood.com/event/the-battle-of-brooklyn-commemoration-and-family-day/

Sunday, August 24, 2025 from 10 am to 1 pm - The Battle of Brooklyn Revolutionary War Commemoration - at 500 West 25th Street at 5th Avenue which is one of the main entrances to the Greenwood Cemetery. There are events that cover George Washington, the Dutch settlers and the Revolutionary War. The events are free with a suggested donation of $5 for the cemetery. This is an historic festival in the Greenwood Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn.

Sunday, August 25, 2024 from 10 am to 6 pm - 48th Annual Brighton Jubilee. Use the street fairs or parades links below for details.

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

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.

September 4, 2025 at 7 pm - Spectrum: A Multidisciplinary Gallery & Reading - see MCAL link above for details.

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

St. Helena Festival & Summer Streets

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

Snug Harbor Dance Festival & Historic Richmond County Fair coming Next Weekend

August 23 & 24, 2025 from 11 am to 9 pm & ending at 7 pm on Sunday - Snug Harbor Annual Dance Festival - at Snug Harbor at 1000 Richmond Terrace in Randall Manor on Staten Island. A full day of dance and other activities. Pay what you can [suggested $10 - $30]. For details see - https://snug-harbor.org/event/2025shdf/?instance_id=8568

Historic Richmond Town _ Saturday, Sunday & Monday, August 30, 31 & September 1, 2025 from 12 noon - 8 pm. Richmond County Fair - At Historic Richmond Town at 441 Clarke Avenue. Food, music, carnival, crafts, living history, entertainment & shopping for families and folks of all ages. Admission $7 kids / $12 seniors / $15 adults & kids age 5 and under are free. Staten Island street fairs / festivals in Historic Richmond Town. One of the biggest events on Staten Island. For details see - https://www.historicrichmondtown.org

At right is a photo of one of the Staten Island Ferries, with folks aboard as if it were the Love Boat, as they head out into the New York harbor on their voyage to distant Manhattan.

• 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 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.

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

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.

In Nearly Four Years has Eric Adams done Anything to Rein in Landlord Harassment & Slumlord Millionaires? Have Privately Controlled TV News Networks Spread & Amplified another seemingly Trump Epstein Big Lie? Why Did Trump Have to Travel to Scotland to Find out that the Palestinians are Starving in Gaza?

August 1, 2025 / NYC Politics & Government / NYC Social Issues / Gotham Buzz NYC.

Eric Adams has Succeeded in Helping Billionaires Build Luxury Housing, but He has Failed to Stop Landlord Harassments of NYC Tenants & the Alleged Cheating of Black & Brown Homeowers out of Their Properties via Deed Theft - Documented in Film Slumlord Millionaire and in an OpEd by FEC NYCHA Tenants

News Analysis, Opinion & Insight. This story is not likely to show up on your TV screen in a timely fashion, because real news stories and real news insights rarely do. And too often, by the time they do, it's far too late to make a difference.

This is the trailer to a recent film that came out regarding landlord harassment in NYC, as well as about black and brown homeowner deed theft - neither of which Eric Adams appears to have done much about, during his nearly four years in office as NYC Mayor - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuuBlQJh86M

If you find the trailer interesting enough, you can watch the full one hour and 22 minute long film on PBS until 8.26.25 - at which time it expires. Viewing the film now is free, but it is preceded by two short PBS promos before the film begins - https://www.pbs.org/video/slumlord-millionaire-3sgi7g/

Eric Adams claims to be a pro housing Mayor. It is true that he's been very supportive of housing projects by billionaires and international investors. But Adams has not advocated much - if at all [eg. the Rent Guidelines Board rent increases during his one term in office] - for tenants. And he's not been a champion of the black and brown people to whom he tells what now seems his phony personal housing insecurity story. You know, the one about him bringing his clothes to school as a child for fear of eviction. This story wouldn't be the first nor the only lie he has publicly told New Yorkers. And Adams appears to be helping multi-billionaire real estate developer Stephen Ross move FEC NYCHA tenants out of their homes, so that Ross can grab even more NYC land than he already has.

But don't take my word for it.

• CLICK here to read the rest of our report about Eric Adams doing nothing to rein in Landlord Harassment & Slumlord Millionaires? Billionaire controlled TV News Networks Spread & Amplify what seems another Trump Epstein Big Lie and Why Did Trump Have to Travel to Scotland to Find out that the Palestinians are Starving in Gaza?

Mamdani Beats out Cuomo for Union Support, While Adams is Facing More Corruption Charges & Trump Tries to Put the Epstein Genie back in the Bottle

July 25, 2025 / NYC Politics & Government / NYC Social Issues / Gotham Buzz NYC.

Eric Adams Facing More Corruption Charges vis-a-vis NYPD & Mamdani Beats out Cuomo for Union Support

News Analysis & Opinion.

Meanwhile former NYPD Captain, Mayor Eric Adams, was hit with yet another set of corruption charges in court, this time alleging that Adams had turned NYPD operations into a criminal enterprise. See graphic above or at right.

We'll provide details sometime later, but in the meantime, take a look for yourself at what kind of a 'law and order' Mayor Adams is - https://www.thecity.nyc/2025/07/16/nypd-donlon-lawsuit-adams-racketeering/

NYC mayoral candidate, Zohran Mamdani, has secured the backing of a number of large NYC unions support, beating out former Governor Cuomo for unions that had previously supported him.

We'll provide details sometime later, but in the meantime here's a video Mamdani did, taking a pre-emptive shot mocking the adolescently edited NY Post, instead of the other way around https://www.facebook.com/reel/1066919915568285

• CLICK here to read the rest of our report about Mamdani Beats out Cuomo for Union Support, While Adams Facing More Corruption Charges & Trump Tries to Put the Epstein Genie back in the Bottle.

Trump, the Epstein Files & the Republican Party's New Value System

July 18, 2025 / U.S. Politics & Government / NYC Social Issues / Gotham Buzz NYC.

The Epstein Files & the Republican Party's New System of Values

News Analysis & Opinion. There was a time when Republicans used to claim they were the party of 'Family Values'. They took umbrage at some of the amorality espoused on network TV, berated single mothers, women who opted for abortions, government officials' sex scandals, dishonesty and pornography. They said they were the party of responsibility, kindness and love. But today, it seems that Republicans have done a 180 on almost everything they once stood for, including fiscal conservatism.

Recently Republicans looked the other way, as their party for the fourth time in the past 45 years, passed a tax cut for the wealthiest people on the planet. And funded it by putting their children, grandchildren and unborn heirs on the hook to pay it. Is giving rich people government money the nation doesn't have responsible? Is dumping huge amounts of debt on your children and their children [and beyond] responsible?

As you can see by reading the graphic above or at right, one of the alleged mobsters who used to visit Trump's casino in New Jersey wouldn't let Trump near his daughter because he likely knew the kind of person Trump was.

As for kindness and supporting families, we need to ask whether they think that pulling food assistance and healthcare support from poor families, to partially fund the cost of the uber rich tax cut, is going to help families stay together, or uplift them? Or step on them and keep them from having a chance at "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness"?

And then there's the Epstein files. Jeffrey Epstein described Donald Trump as one of his "best friends" for decades. Epstein's townhouse, where some of the alleged under age girls parties were held, is only a stone's throw from Trump Tower. Trump was photographed and video recorded numerous different times with his longtime associate Jeffrey Epstein at all kinds of parties [see photos]. Epstein bought a mansion in the Mara Lago neighborhood, where Epstein allegedly threw under age girls pool parties that Donald Trump has been rumored to have attended.

Is it really such a stretch to think that Donald Trump, owner of the Miss America pageant, who apparently felt entitled to walk into the contestants' dressing rooms unannounced, wouldn't cross the line to have sex with underage girls? Trump was also sued numerous times regarding various improprieties with varying outcomes. Keep in mind that Donald Trump is a master manipulator of our legal system, among other things.

• CLICK here to read the rest of our report about Trump, the Epstein Files & the Republican Party's New Value System.

This 4th of July I am Ashamed - Not Proud

Why were the Senate Majority Leader & VP Missing at the Big Beautiful Bill-ionaire Signing? Were They Ashamed Too?

July 4, 2025 / NYC Neighborhoods / U.S. Politics Media & Government / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC.

On July 4, 2025, Donald Trump signed the cynically named, Big Beautiful Bill, into law. After reviewing its contents, I felt compelled to make a few remarks.

The image above or at right shows a photo of the second Trump tax cut signing on the July 4th holiday. Both Republican Vice President J.D. Vance and Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune are missing.

In the photo we posted below of the Trump's first term tax cut photo, Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan and VP Mike Pence were all present. As you can see for yourself, this time around, two of the three leaders - albeit different Republicans - were not present.

Nonetheless, one thing that hasn't changed is that all of the Republicans in the photo are still LAUGHING AT YOU, not with you. They got preferential tax rates and will continue receiving campaign funding from billionaires to keep their jobs, while you, your children, your grandchildren, great grandchildren and so forth all got scr*wed.

This is literally taking money [$3 - $5 TRILLION TO BE EXACT] from BABIES. What kind of parents and grandparents allow this to happen? And what kind of cowards engineer these big steals? STOP THIS STEAL, WHY DON'T YOU?

• CLICK here to read more about how the Republican Party, led by Donald J. Trump, Mike Johnson, John Thune & J.D. Vance, is taking $3 trillion plus dollars from your children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and unborn babies in order to give the richest people on the planet lower taxes ... AGAIN.

Things to do This Weekend in NYC & Boros

July 4th Fireworks & Weekend _ Scroll Down to see Headline Events & Things to Do for Each Boro: Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx and Staten Island

July 4, 2025 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / Gotham Buzz NYC.

Sunrise 5.296 am. Sunset 8.301 pm. Daylight Savings Time. We're getting 15 hours & 1 minutes of daylight or five 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.

The photo above or at right was taken a few years ago, of folks lined up along the East River waterfront in Queens, on a warm summer day, waiting in anticipation of ... This year Queens won't have a front row seat to the Macy's 4th of July fireworks as they are being staged at the south end of the East River, so folks will have to travel to Brooklyn and Manhattan for the front row seats. In prior years some of the fireworks barges were staged around Midtown, whereas this year none will be positioned north of the Brooklyn Bridge. That said, they're trying something new this year, as two launch areas are being positioned atop the Brooklyn Bridge - one at each tower. The height of these two launch areas may make remote viewing more accessible from longer distances.

NYC Specific Weather - This can be very Different vs TV News Area Weather. The temperature highs will be in the mid to high 80's Friday and Saturday, while the temperature lows will be around 70 for those two days. The Sunday high will be about 90 and the low in the mid to high 70's. No rain is in the forecast for NYC this weekend. The winds will be about 3 - 8 mph Friday and Saturday, rising to 5 - 10 mph on Sunday. The humidity will range from 50% - 65% in what appears to be a relatively stable three days, although rising slightly each day. So, all tolled, the weekend looks to be pretty fine.

Friday Early AM Edition @ 3 am. Friday July 4th events are mostly done. We may have one or two additions by about lunchtime. And by the end of Friday will have the whole weekend posted. Have a Happy 4th of July weekend.

Things To Do This Weekend & Next Week in NYC

NYC Beaches and Public Outdoor Swim Pools are Open for the Summer.

CLICK here to see NYC 4th of July Fireworks all 5 Boroughs.

Things To Do This Weekend & Next Week in Manhattan

Macy's 4th of July Fireworks

Macy's 4th of July Fireworks begin at 9.35 in the East River & atop the Brooklyn Bridge. For details use our link below which contains maps and explanations of viewing and restrictions and / or see - https://www.macysinc.com/newsroom/news/news-details/2025/Macys-4th-of-July-Fireworks-Show-Live-From-the-Brooklyn-Bridge-and-the-East-River-With-Sparkling-Displays-and-Electrifying-Musical-Performances/default.aspx

CLICK to see Manhattan 4th of July fireworks 2025 best viewing locations & Macy's July 4th Fireworks 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.

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

Local & National [Primarily Web] News Sources we Currently Trust

7.7.25 Update / Opinion / Work in Progress

We've entered The Disinformation Age. Much of the mass media is controlled by billionaires, especially TV assets. They changed the FCC laws so they are no longer required to behave ethically, accurately and so the billionaire press does what it does best, pursues profits regardless of community collateral damage. They're only sharing information that they want you to know. They omit key facts they don't want you to know or even entirely ignore important stories that may embarass their billionaire friends. They try to manipulate viewers' perceptions in order to get them to vote for candidates representing the billionaires' interests, and provide open mics to the candidates their choice - not fact checked - even when these pols are making numerous false or misleading statements.

Trusted Web News Sources - Gotham Buzz

6.20.25 _ Currently Recommended News Sources to Help You Wean Yourself from Servile Dependence on Billioniare TV News. We currently favor The City, Politico, Axios, Vox, Wikipedia, the Gotham Gazette, Gothamist, City & State, Mother Jones, Wired, the browser Firefox curates a fair news offering, finance.yahoo.com is good for business news, and moderated social media outlets like BSky.app hace an intelligent audience that does a fair job of identifying key news reports, and use the search engines to look things up. Collectively these news sources should enable you to effectively do your civic duty to inform yourself about people and issues before voting. The NON-Billionaire TV News that we currently find reliable, includes left-leaning Democracy Now [on FNX & CUNY TV], PBS News Hour, and PBS Documentaries are also very informative. The Washington Post and New York Times are still fairly reliable, but not as implicitly so as in the past. Both the NYT and Wapo have undergone ownership / top management changes within the past six years. And the new management teams' values appear to differ from their predecessors, so pay attention to editorial changes / impacts. I no longer find any of the Network TV News outlets to be sufficiently informative. I doubt they ever were, but back in the day they used the newspaper reporting to help keep them informed, which today no longer cuts it. But that said, you can still pick up a few leads from TV News, which you can then use to more fully inform yourself, by doing further research on the internet. Also Vox & Axios. 6.20.25 Murdoch Iran War Monger.

• CLICK here to view our list of trusted news sources on the web for local politics and news in NYC and for national politics and news in the USA.

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.

Trump's Booty-Filled Bill - It's an Encapsulation of Republican Values in the 21st Century: Protecting Billionaires, Campaign Funders & Disinformative TV News

This was Originally Embedded in the Memorial Day Weekend - Things to Consider over this Important Weekend

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

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 keep giving the wealthiest people on the planet lower tax rates - netting them trillions in extra wealth, while those earning less than $17,000 will reportedly pay $1000 or more than currently. It's a democracy destroying budget bill, that will shift over $3 trillion in debt onto the next generation and impoverish them, so that the wealthiest people in the world can continue exploiting the middle and working classes, unhindered by federal government oversight.

George Orwell's Animal Farm and Modern Day TV News. Billionaire TV News failure to accurately and comprehensively report the real news, is a huge contributing factor to our failing democracy. Their failed TV News broadcasts contribute greatly to the misguided selection of government officials, particularly by older people who predominantly rely on TV and trust it as if it were the 1960's or 1970's. In the 1980's and 1990's the uber wealthy TV station owners started manipulating voters' perceptions to get their pols elected into government. Once in, their pols began changing the FDR era FCC rules so that they would suit the owners - not the American public.

George Orwell's book Animal Farm captured the malfeasance described above, along with the ignorance of the public in paying attention to the changes, let alone figuring out what the leaders were doing, and fixing it.

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 REAL 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 flown 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 [FCC Rules were loosened by Reagan, Clinton, Bush Jr & Trump, so what you see & hear on TV oftentimes isn't an accurate portrayal of the situation and too often these days, it's one intended to manipulate voters' perspectives]. The People also need to pay closer attention to who is pretending to inform them, as the pretenders omit a huge number of key facts from their TV news shows, newspapers and websites. The billionaire mainstream and conservative media sensationalize culture war nonsense to distract voters from the things that can make a real difference in their lives - like paying attention to money, funding and government service issues like the rich do. Big media today is controlled by billionaires who continually repeat the same nonsense news distortions over and over again via broadcast TV, radio, podcasts and social media, in order to drive their distorted world view into the heads of those who will allow them, so they vote for the billionaires' candidates.

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 the government officials now in office. So many of the current set of government officials and candidates 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.

• CLICK here to read the rest of our report on Trump's Big Beautiful Bill - or Booty-Filled Bill - and betrayal of Trump voters duped into believing him via Rupert Murdoch's Fox News, Wall Street Journal, NY Post and uninformative / disinformative network TV News.

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 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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.