We greet the New Year with a mixture of optimism, hope and uncertainty due to the spread of the Omicron virus and its impact on our City and our community. We feel optimism and hope because we look forward to again working with an exciting group of new and familiar faces, including our new Mayor Eric Adams – who we hope will eat at our great plant-based eatery Le Botaniste when he visits Lincoln Square!! We are also eager to work with returning elected officials, including our own Gale Brewer who has not missed a beat and is back on City Council, as well as new electeds: Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine who's being very proactive, City Council Member Erik Bottcher, and Comptroller Brad Lander. We also congratulate Kevin Kim, the new Commissioner of SBS, who is already at work helping small businesses with today's Executive Order signed by the Mayor. 

As we look back over the last year, we ended on an up note. Despite many challenges, and with the help of the Parks’ Department, we put up a lovely tree with local decorations and presented the community a taste of culture with a series of wonderful pop up performances (see caption above!). And on a happy final note, we congratulate Arlo Guthrie – a Winter’s Eve favorite – on his marriage.

Due to the Omicron-driven COVID-19 spike in New York City, the MTA is experiencing a shortage of staff, leading to a number of delays and suspensions for subway lines...

WHAT'S HAPPENING

Mayor Adams today signed the “Small Business Forward” Executive Order to reform existing business regulations, ensuring local businesses face fewer needless fines and penalties. Click here to read the Executive Order.

New York State's long-awaited ban on expanded polystyrene foam (aka "Styrofoam") went into effect on Saturday, January 1. Banned items include: Single-use expanded polystyrene foam food service containers used for prepared food and beverages, including but not limited to: bowls, cartons, clamshells, cups, lids, plates, and trays; and packing peanuts or other void-filling, loose fill packaging products made of expanded polystyrene foam. Learn more here.

In response to the recent rise in COVID-19 transmission in New York City, The New York Public Library has paused all in-person programming and events at locations until Monday, January 31, 2022. While branches are still offering general library use and seating, unlimited browsing, laptop and computer access, and more, staffing shortages are impacting some locations. Learn more here.

MTA riders who are 65 and older and/or have qualifying disabilities can now apply for a Reduced-Fare MetroCard online. Click here to learn more and apply.

The NYC Department of Transportation has released its 2022 calendar for Alternate Side Parking Rules Suspension. View it here.

During the annual Homeless Outreach Population Estimate (HOPE), teams of volunteers canvass select areas of the City and count the number of individuals sleeping on the street and in other public spaces, including the subway. HOPE 2022 will take place on Tuesday, January 25 from 10:00pm - 4:00am the following day. You can volunteer to survey homeless individuals if you are: 16 or older (those under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian), willing to work from 10:00pm - 4:00am regardless of the weather, and vaccinated against COVID-19. Learn more and register here.