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Top New York City News of the Week (November 13th)

Quote of the Week

"No one is more hated than he who speaks the truth.”

– Plato, Ancient Greek Philosopher

My Goal For The Week

I need to work on “thinking more long-term” instead of short-term, and I am going to start doing that this week.

One Idea For a Better Week

If you have work to do, or you have to study, or you have to do chores, try setting a 60 minute timer, putting all of your devices away, and then working on it until the timer is up. It is a great way to be more productive.

New York City Trivia

Here is your trivia question of the week. The answer will be shown in next week’s newsletter. Which do you think it is? No cheating!

New York City is famously known as 'The Big Apple,' but what is the origin of this nickname?"

A) It was a term used by jazz musicians in the 1930s to refer to NYC's big music clubs.

B) It comes from a horse racing column in the 1920s that referred to the big money prizes at NYC races.

C) It was first used by real estate agents in the early 1900s to attract new residents.

D) It was named after a famous 19th-century tavern shaped like an apple.

Answer to Last Week’s Trivia

The famous New York Public Library lion statues have unofficial names given to them in the 1930’s. What are they?

Answer: Patience and Fortitude

The Best Links of the Week

💼 Business

A recent report finds New York City is among one of the most innovative US metro systems, ranking 2nd place.

The Culinary Workers Union announced a 5-year agreement Thursday that it said covers about 25,000 workers including those at the MGM Grand, New York-New York.

🏦 Finance

Mayor Eric Adams released the November Financial Plan Update for the Fiscal Year 2023, maintaining a balanced $104 billion budget and showcasing fiscal discipline. The city achieved more than $2.5 billion in savings, avoiding service reductions or layoffs, while also setting aside record reserves amounting to $8.3 billion. Moreover, the Financial Plan accounted for a surplus of $705 million, which contributes to reducing future fiscal year budget gaps.

The city has allocated funds for community-enriching programs such as additional support for struggling taxi drivers, cleanliness initiatives across the five boroughs, a Shelter to Housing Action Plan, and a pilot residential organics collection program in Queens.

🏒 Sports

Mitchell Robinson of the New York Knicks impresses fans accross the City with his defensive skills as he shuts down rising talent Victor Wembanyama, holding him to 0-6 FG.

📰 News

NYU Langone Health successfully completed a first of its kind eye and partial face transplant surgery.

Upcoming Events

Here are some events that are happening in our city this week. There is a good mix between sports, entertainment, conferences, concerts, and more.

Sports

🏀 Brooklyn Nets (November 14) Watch the Brooklyn Nets as they face off against the Orlando Magic at the Barclays Center, promising an action-packed game.

🏀 Brooklyn Nets (November 19) The Nets will play another home game on Sunday as they face the Philadelphia 76ers.

Music & Concerts

🎹 Akon (November 13) Akon will be performing live, providing an energetic show at the Irving Plaza.

🎸 AJR Album Signing (November 16) Come see the best Pop and Rock music acts in-person for an album signing at Rough Trade in Brooklyn.

Family

😂 The Rock and Roll Playhouse (November 19) Visit The Rock and Roll Playhouse as they play music from Harry Styles for kids + more.

Events

🏃 Elsa and Mirabel (November 18) Enjoy a night of dancing in a Disney-themed Music and Movement class taught by Elsa and Mirabel from “Frozen.”

Image of the Week

Every week, I have a habit of making some AI art about our city.

This week, I typed in “New York City on Mars” and this is what I got.

Let me know what ideas you have for this. I really enjoy making these types of photos.

New York City History

The Harlem Renaissance (1920s)

In the 1920s, Harlem transformed into a vibrant hub of African American culture, marking the beginning of the Harlem Renaissance. It was a time of extraordinary creativity across music, literature, and visual arts, with jazz clubs and literary salons flourishing in this neighborhood of New York City. This cultural movement was not just an artistic explosion but also a reclamation of African American identity and pride.

The Harlem Renaissance empowered African American voices, bringing the works of writers like Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston to the forefront of American literature. Jazz legends like Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong turned the district into the heart of the jazz world. These artists infused their work with themes of racial pride and challenged the pervading racial stereotypes and discriminations.

Though the momentum of the Harlem Renaissance slowed with the onset of the Great Depression, its impact endured, sowing seeds for the civil rights movements to come. It challenged the American mainstream's perception of African American culture and laid the groundwork for future generations to explore and assert their cultural and artistic expressions. The Harlem Renaissance remains a testament to the enduring power of community and creativity in shaping cultural history.

Famous New Yorkers In History

Jacob A. Riis: 1849-1914

Jacob August Riis was a Danish-American social reformer, "muckraking" journalist, and social documentary photographer. He is best remembered for exposing the squalid living conditions in New York City's tenements, which were home to the city's poor and immigrant populations at the turn of the 20th century. Riis's advocacy led to significant reforms and has cemented his legacy as one of the fathers of photojournalism.

An Immigrant's Journey (1849-1870)

Jacob Riis emigrated from Denmark to the United States in 1870. Arriving in New York City with little more than the clothes on his back, he faced the same harsh conditions as many of his fellow immigrants.

Early Years in Journalism (1871-1885)

Riis found work as a police reporter, which brought him face-to-face with the dire poverty of New York City's Lower East Side. These experiences deeply affected him and shaped his later work.

The Power of Photography (1886-1895)

As he grew increasingly concerned with the plight of the urban poor, Riis began using photography to document the conditions in which they lived. His photographs offered a stark, visceral look at the reality of slum life.

A Landmark Publication (1890)

Riis published "How the Other Half Lives" in 1890, a book that utilized his photographs and descriptions of tenement life to draw attention to the living conditions of the poor. The book had a significant impact on the public and on policymakers.

The Progressive Movement (1896-1905)

Riis's work caught the attention of Theodore Roosevelt, then the police commissioner of New York City. This friendship proved fruitful, and Riis became a prominent voice in the Progressive Movement, advocating for housing reform, child labor laws, and other social causes.

Advocacy and Opposition (1906-1910)

Despite his successes, Riis faced opposition from those who profited from the tenement system and from skeptics who doubted the power of reform. He continued his advocacy, undeterred by the challenges.

A Legacy Cemented (1911-1914)

In his final years, Riis saw some of his reform efforts come to fruition, including the implementation of new housing regulations and greater awareness of urban poverty. He passed away in 1914, leaving behind a legacy of compassion and activism.

Riis's Enduring Impact (1915-present)

The changes in housing and labor laws in the years following Riis's death speak to his lasting influence. He is remembered not only as a catalyst for reform but also as a pioneering journalist whose methods have inspired generations of photojournalists.

Jacob A. Riis's life work had a profound impact on New York City and on the field of journalism. Here are five key achievements that stand out:

His book "How the Other Half Lives" opened America's eyes to the conditions of the urban poor.
Riis was a pioneer in the use of photography as a tool for social reform.
His work significantly influenced Theodore Roosevelt and other Progressive Era reformers.
Riis's efforts led to improved housing regulations in New York City.
He is considered one of the fathers of photojournalism, a testament to the power of images in advocating for change.

Jacob A. Riis's dedication to social justice continues to inspire those who seek to uncover and reform the inequities of urban life. His blend of journalism and activism has left an indelible mark on New York City's history, demonstrating the profound effect one individual can have on the betterment of society.

Connect With Me

If you want to connect, reply to this email and let me know what you think.

I would love to hear from you. Don’t be shy.

-Matthew Larsen

Top New York City News of the Week (November 13th)

Here are the latest news stories and upcoming events in NYC.