Good Morning, New York!

Did you know? On this day in 1935, the city opened the First Houses on the Lower East Side, America’s first federally funded public housing project.

In today’s NYC Newsletter:

Let’s get to it.

– Sofia Kurd.

The correct answer from last week’s question was: A) Van Cortlandt Park

Want to participate? Reply A, B, C or D directly to this newsletter. No cheating!

Question: What was the original purpose of the building that now houses the Chelsea Market?

A) A train depot

B) A biscuit factory

C) A bank headquarters

D) A naval warehouse

Click reply, send me your answer, and the correct answer will be revealed in the next newsletter.

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1. Fri Nov 14 – New York Knicks vs. Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden

2. Fri Nov 14–Sun Nov 16 – New York Comedy Festival: Louis C.K. “Ridiculous”
Comedy headline show part of the festival. Beacon Theatre.

3. Sat Nov 15 – JAPAN Fes New York at Carnegie Hall
Japanese culture festival with food, vendors and performances. 10am.

4. Sat Nov 15 – Free Events & Holiday Market Highlights
Lots of free things: park walks, music, and the seasonal holiday market at Union Square Park (runs Nov 14–Dec 24) .

5. Sun Nov 16 – Times Square Live Music: Sonny Landreth & Cindy Cashdollar
Slide-guitar duo in a landmark jazz venue. At Iridium Jazz Clun (8:30pm).

6. Fri Nov 14 – Union Square Holiday Market opens at Union Square Park
Seasonal market kicking off its run with crafts, food & music.

7. Sat Nov 15 – Free Park Exploration & History Walk
Example event: “Discover the History & Design of One of New York’s Most Unique Parks” — part of free offerings.

8. Sat Nov 15 – Holiday Window Light Show at Saks Fifth Avenue begins
A holiday tradition begins for the season. (611 Fifth Avenue)

9. Sat Nov 15-Nov 23 – 20th Latin American Cultural Week begins
At various locations. Free to $20.

10. Sun Nov 16 — Jewish Book Month 100 Popup Bookstore
81 Hester Street (LES)

This week, we’ve tracked down some of the best hidden gems in the city to try this fall:

• NYC Ferry will roll out a full route redesign on December 8, driven by a 6% ridership increase this year and 35% growth since 2019. New York Post

• Councilmember Erik Bottcher announced a run for Congress, seeking the Manhattan seat vacated by Jerry Nadler in NY-12. New York Post

• NYC Council approved the OneLIC rezoning, unlocking nearly 15,000 new homes and major community investments across 54 blocks in Long Island City. NYC Council

• A push for stricter daylighting rules gains momentum, with advocates arguing that banning cars near crosswalks is a common-sense safety fix for NYC streets. Streetsblog NYC

• More than 50,000 people have applied to join the incoming mayor’s transition team, a surge reflecting interest in the new administration. City & State New York

• Political tensions escalated at NYU, where the College Democrats accused the College Republicans of sabotaging a planned debate, raising questions about campus governance. NYU News

• A new documentary reveals the intense, family-run world of NYC Christmas-tree sellers, chronicling five rival clans navigating mafia history, illness, and seasonal pressure. People

• Zohran Mamdani may move from his $2,300/month Astoria one-bedroom into Gracie Mansion, the 11,000-sq-ft official residence available to the incoming mayor starting Jan 1. House Beautiful

The oldest standing house in Manhattan predates the United States.

The Morris-Jumel Mansion in Washington Heights was built in 1765, on what was then a quiet hilltop farm. During the war it briefly served as George Washington’s headquarters, and later Aaron Burr lived there after his infamous duel with Hamilton. What’s wild is how ordinary it looks from the street today: just another white house with green shutters, yet it is older than America itself.

Keith Haring (1958–1990)
Keith Haring came to New York with almost no money and started drawing on the unused black posters in subway stations. His quick chalk drawings of glowing babies, barking dogs, dancing figures, caught people’s attention fast.

He treated the whole city like his canvas. He painted in clubs, on walls, on the street, even on people’s bodies. His style was bold, bright, and easy to recognize, which turned him into a downtown icon long before museums caught on.

Haring died young, but his art still lives around the city. See 8 places with Keith Haring’s art in NYC.

Participate in this week’s poll for a chance to win a $75 Amazon Gift Card:(must be submitted before Nov 8, 2025 for entry).