English Español Consumer alert issued on discriminatory practices ahead of Passover “New York has zero tolerance for antisemitism and discrimination of any kind,” said Attorney General Letitia James (center), here at an April 2nd event with the non-profit Met Council. Holiday alert. New Yorkers are being urged to be careful of potential discriminatory pricing practices at car washes and with other cleaning services in the days leading up to Passover. This year, Passover starts before sundown on Monday, April 22, and concludes after nightfall on April 30. The eight-day holiday is ..read more

English Español Wash and Wear New play focuses on the trials of laundry and migration By Sherry Mazzocchi Photos: Mikiodo The new play Lost Sock Laundry centers on three women: Irene, Micaela, and Dina. After a friend told playwright Ivan Faute his Astoria laundromat was the perfect setting for a play, he paid a visit. Soon after, he had a 10-minute play. Over time, it evolved into the current full-length production presented by UP Theater, Lost Sock Laundry, premiering April 10. The play, directed by Madelyn Chapman, includes three free Spanish language translation performances ..read more

English Español “He loved so hard” Community mourns and celebrates Jerry Christal By Sherry Mazzocchi Local Inwood resident and entrepreneur Jerome Michael Christal-Gattanella passed away in February 2024. It was Jerry Christal’s smile and the photos of him cuddling with his cat Poppins that made Alia Hodge respond to him on a dating app. They clicked immediately. And soon after, the actress and the Inwood-based businessman knew they had a future together. They had a lot in common—a love of animals and of goofy TV shows like The Nanny and Seinfeld. But it was Jerome Michael ..read more

English Español Celestial Safety Get ready to gaze. Be solar safe. New Yorkers are being urged to take precautions ahead of the once-in-a-generation celestial event ahead – the Total Solar Eclipse – on Monday, April 8. On April 8, a total solar eclipse, which is when the moon passes between the sun and the earth, will encompass the western and northern parts of New York State with the roughly 100-mile-wide path of totality entering in the southwestern part of the state at just after 3:15 p.m. and departing northern New York just before 3:30 p.m. The total eclipse is a once-i ..read more

English Español Building a City of Opportunity By Eric Adams  Photos: Benny Polatseck/Mayoral Photography Office As I often say, we live in a city of 8.3 million people — and 35 million opinions. But one thing all New Yorkers can agree on is that people come to our city to make it.  They come here to work, build lives, and fulfill the American Dream. And the Adams administration is committed to creating the conditions for that dream to flourish. This means doing everything we can to protect public safety, rebuild our economy, and make all five boroughs more livable for all New Yo ..read more

English Español Quitting for good Help is available. Crystal G. started smoking menthol cigarettes at 11. It was just a few at first. But by 14, her smoking had increased to a pack a day. She wasn’t alone. Both her parents smoked, and her babysitter even taught her how to make O-shapes when exhaling. But the 63-year-old retiree recently celebrated 18 entire months without a smoke. She had tried to quit before but had not been successful. An unfortunate accident at home prompted a new turn of events – an incident that Crystal now terms “a blessing in disguise.” “In June of 2022, I fell in m ..read more

English Español Holiday Haul Over $27 Million in Unused Gift Cards Recovered in 2023 Cash in your cards. Fresh off the holiday season, New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli is urging New Yorkers to keep track of the gift cards they received during the holidays – and to use them. In 2023, the Comptroller’s Office of Unclaimed Funds (OUF) recovered over $27 million from gift cards. Unused gift card balances can be turned over to the OUF after five years of inactivity. “Many people don’t realize that after 5 years, unused gift card balances are turned over to the Comptroller’s Office ..read more

English Español Spectrum Scholarship Program Opens Selected college students receive $20,000 in aid and professional development opportunities Applications have opened for the Spectrum Scholars program. On your marks, scholars. Applications have opened for Spectrum Scholars, the annual college scholarship program offered by Charter Communications, Inc. Launched in 2020, the scholarships are offered to underrepresented college students with financial need. Each of the rising college juniors selected for the 2024-2025 program will receive a $20,000 scholarship, a Charter mentor and the oppor ..read more

English Español “Game changer” for good Fighting hunger reaches new heights By Sherry Mazzocchi The new food resource site is now open uptown. Photo: WSCAH For decades, West Side Campaign Against Hunger (WSCAH) was located on West 86th Street at the Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew, where the group operated a food pantry. Northern Manhattan and South Bronx residents routinely made the long trek downtown and lined up for food distribution. The ribbon-cutting ceremony held uptown this past January 10th was the culmination of a desire to create positive change while portending a new era ..read more

English Español Culture at the Capitol, Six Years and Counting By Adriano Espaillat Dominicans are the fourth-largest population of Latinos living in the United States, and our political growth and influence continue to grow stronger each year. Dominicans on the Hill, an iconic celebration I am proud to have founded and hosted, is the largest demonstration of Dominican cultural pride in Washington, D.C. This year marks the sixth annual celebration, and I have been honored each year to host this recognition of my heritage at the United States Capitol during Dominican Heritage Month. As the ..read more