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When it is as hot outside as it is today, dealing with bees flying around is an unpleasant experience. That being said, the insects—alongside flies, beetles, wasps, butterflies and more—are important parts of the local ecosystem.

A new program series at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden seeks to shed light on the connections between plants and pollinators, underlying the latter’s essentiality and calling on New Yorkers to protect them. 

“Natural Attractions: a Plant-Pollinator Love Story” features a series of programs and exhibit, most on view now through October 20, that are free with general admission. Among the activations is a new pollinator lounge that was built specifically for the insects: 42 wood-carved “hotels” catering to native pollinators in New York are accessible by the general public. 

An interactive exhibit focusing on the relationship between the insects and the vegetation around them is also part of the program alongside a kid-friendly show featuring a larger-than-life American-painted lady butterfly. 

“Pollinators and plants are the ultimate coupling, and our human world—the things we eat, the clothes we wear, and more—thrives on their partnership,” said Adrian Benepe, President and CEO of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden in an official statement.

Benepe’s focus, and the botanic garden’s programming, are clearly necessary: according to a 2022 study, up to 38% of the the local native insect pollinator population is at risk of elimination from New York’s ecosystem. Some estimates suggest that percentage could actually be as high as 60%.

Although the subject of the new exhibition is a valiant one, experiencing the Brooklyn Botanic Garden in the summer (and the spring, for that matter) is a very unique undertaking certainly worthy of any best things to do in NYC list. You can find the full list of exhibits and programs as part of the series right here.

* This article was originally published here

Ocean noise, chemical pollution, climate change and sea level rise are words that often appear in the news. But these important concepts can be hard to make sense of—or to understand at all.

That’s where artist Jenny Kendler comes in. Her new exhibit, Other of Pearl, confronts these pressing environmental issues in ways that feel more accessible with stirring whale songs, incredible pearl sculptures, a crystalline whale eye cast with human tears, and more. You can see these powerful works for free on Wednesdays-Sundays from 10am-5pm now through October on Governors Island. 

RECOMMENDED: The best outdoor art in NYC this summer

Seven intimate, delicate works are displayed in the cavernous, subterranean magazine of historic Fort Jay, a star-shaped fortification built on Governors Island between 1775 and 1776. In darkened rooms that echo with whale song, you’ll get to see pearl sculptures grown inside oysters, bells rung by fossilized whale ear bones, a crystalline whale eye cast of sea salt and human tears, glass vials filled with oil from long-dead whales, and a human nervous system meticulously strung from thousands of tiny pearls.

In the adjoining galleries, two large handblown glass instruments evoke the organs humpback and sperm whales use to communicate, inviting visitors’ sonic activation. The artist considers the oyster and whale as central players in the ecological and economic entanglement between human and nonhuman beings. David Gruber of Project CETI provided the whale recordings that become part of these sound works.

After the exhibition ends, pearl sculptures from the show will be auctioned to raise funds to help create a new oyster reef alongside project partner Billion Oyster Project, redistributing resources in a gesture of ecological restoration.

The artwork, presented by Governors Island Arts and the Natural Resources Defense Council, tells the story of human relationship with the natural world and explores possibilities for ecological restoration. 

“While climate change can be overwhelming, confusing and polarizing—art has a unique ability to reach people and help us process the challenge,” said Kristin Wilson-Palmer, chief communications officer for NRDC. “This beautiful and powerful new exhibit from Jenny Kendler brings people together for reflection and conversation on the most significant environmental challenge of our time—and, hopefully, will inspire them to act.”

Other of Pearl is Kendler’s first solo exhibition in New York City. It’s also the first public art exhibition opening on Governors Island since Governors Island’s new head curator and vice president for arts and culture, Lauren Haynes, began her role in March 2024.

As an interdisciplinary ecological artist, environmental activist, naturalist and wild forager, Kendler focuses on climate change and biodiversity loss as she works to “re-enchant our relationship to the more-than human-world.”

The artwork is supported by the Ford Foundation, the Mellon Foundation, the Charina Endowment Fund, Donald R. Mullen Family Foundation, Stavros Niarchos Foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies, The Gottesman Fund, Donald A. Pels Charitable Trust, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. Additional support for Other of Pearl is provided by the Ripple Foundation as well as Roseate Jewelry.

* This article was originally published here

Everyone and their mother was itching to travel after COVID restrictions lifted a few years back, but anyone that had an expiring passport was met with a rude awakening. Thanks to Passport Office staff reductions and the high demand for travel, it often took well over the typical six to eight weeks to get a new, updated passport. (And remember, anyone traveling abroad needs at least six months left on their passport).

Luckily, things have calmed since then with timelines mostly back to normal. And now, things have gotten even easier with the re-launch of online passport renewal…

Previously, you could only renew your U.S. Passport by mail or in person at an agency — forcing you to print out your photo, print and fill out forms, compile everything and take that inconvenient trip to the post office. But now, the Department of State has once again rolled out online renewal, with a more streamlined process. It’s only in BETA mode right now, so expect some limitations and bugs, but it still is doable!

Here’s everything you need to know about renewing your passport online in the U.S.:

Can a U.S. passport be renewed online?

Yes! There is a new beta online passport renewal program by the U.S. Department of State that has just relaunched as of June 2024. Though there was an online renewal system in the past, it hasn’t been around for a while and this is an updated (and hopefully more streamlined version).

How do I do it?

Though renewing online is easier than renewing by mail, the process is still in its testing phase and isn’t seamless thus far. Here’s how it works:

• Head to the “Renew or Replace a Passport” section of Department of State travel website
• Hit of “Renew Online – Beta Release” tab on the left
• Confirm you meet the requirements, make an account, and begin your application

Some important elements of note:

• You can’t renew your passport at any time. The online system will only open for a limited midday Eastern Time window each day. Once their limit is reached for the day, it will close (so it will only be available for a few hours each day).
• You can only renew online if you meet the requirements listed on the website. Some of them include:
  • being over 25 years old; not needing to change your name, gender, date of birth, or place of birth; not having reported the passport you are trying to review as lost or stolen; being able to pay with a credit or debit car, etc.

The post You Can Officially Renew Your Passport Online Again (Yes, That Means You Don’t Have To Mail It In) appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here

It’s been eight years since former President Barack Obama designated the Stonewall Inn and the surrounding area a national monument, making it the country’s first national park to honor the LGBTQ community. 

After nearly a decade of having no official visitor center attached to it, Pride Live and the National Park Service announced that after several years of construction, the official visitor center is finally opening its doors to the public next Friday, June 28. 

RECOMMENDED: NYC’s best Pride events for 2024, from the marches to concerts

The visitor center will be located at 51 Christopher Street, which is attached to The Stonewall Inn bar and encompass 2,100 feet of space. The center itself used to be part of the bar where the Stonewall Riots first began in 1969, but was later divided by a wall to create two separate smaller businesses, one of which was reverted back to a gay bar in 1990. From the outside, The Stonewall Inn and the visitors center look like the same space, but once inside, you’ll see the wall that divides the two sections.   

The visitor center will include a wall that tells the Stonewall Uprising’s history through pictures and text. The center will also serve as the home base of the Stonewall National Monument’s park rangers, who you might see hanging out behind a counter where the main bar used to be. The space will also include virtual tours, a lecture series, exhibitions, a dedicated theater space, and rotating visual arts displays created by the next generation of queer and trans activists.

The visitor center was spearheaded by two queer women of color, Diana Rodriguez and Ann Marie Gothard. With six years of time and a $3.2 million investment, they were in charge of imagining a center that honored the legacy of Stonewall. To them, the opening date of June 28 was significant because it marks the 55th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising. 

There are several details throughout the visitor center that nod at the original bar. Parts of the ceilings were recreated to mimic the old interior. The room where the screenings will take place used to be the main dance floor, and another room will be adorned with commemorative shovels with the names of the many sponsors that helped fund the visitor center—among them Christina Aguilera. 

“The journey to create the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center has been a truly remarkable and landmark moment,” Ann Marie Gothard, chair of the Board of Directors at Pride Live, said in a press release. “This required the tireless support of countless who are deeply committed to preserving history. With the opening of the Visitor Center, we pay homage to the brave individuals behind the historic Stonewall Rebellion. We hope it stands as an enduring and resilient symbol and serves as a beacon for generations to come, providing the unique opportunity to step foot on the site where history unfolded and where the fight for LGBTQIA+ equality was ignited.”

For more information and updates on the visitor’s center, follow them on Instagram. 

* This article was originally published here

If an Orange Creamsicle was always your go-to order at the ice cream truck, we’ve got great news: Milk Bar, the NYC-born bakery chain from James Beard-winning dessert queen Christina Tosi, is launching a limited-time-only soft serve that conjures up nostalgic memories of that cream-meets-citrus classic. 

RECOMMENDED: The best ice cream shops in NYC include acclaimed, modern parlors and old frozen faves

Just in time for the official first day of summer, Milk Bar is partnering with Tropicana orange juice brand to debut a new dessert dubbed “Orange Squeeze” on Thursday, June 20. Available at all Milk Bar bakery locations nationwide through Saturday, August 31, the new soft serve is made with Tropicana Pure Premium juice—the good stuff, made entirely from oranges picked and squeezed within 24 hours for optimum deliciousness—that gets churned with the bakery’s smooth and sweet soft-serve ice cream. 

“As a life-long OJ enthusiast, I’m so excited to partner with iconic juice brand, Tropicana, to create our new summer treat obsession – Orange Squeeze soft serve,” Tosi shared in a statement. “I grew up racing to the ice cream truck to score my favorite creamy, orange and vanilla-flavored bar. Orange Squeeze is our take on that childhood classic, transporting you back, Milk Bar style, to sweet summer memories of that bright, fresh-tasting combo.”

Along with the Orange Squeeze treats, which you can enjoy in a cup ($7) or a pint ($13), Milk Bar will also have single-serve, no-pulp bottles of Tropicana Pure Premium Original for sale in-store throughout the summer. And the brands are also hosting a giveaway over on social media, starting today through July 21, a.k.a. National Ice Cream Day. Visit @tropicana_juices or @milkbarstore on Instagram and comment on the Orange Squeeze post with your favorite nostalgic ice cream or juice memory, using #TropicanaMilkBar #Sweepstakes, for a chance to win a special prize, including a countertop ice cream maker. 

* This article was originally published here

Although folks from around the world know all about the U.S. Open, not many are aware of the fact that the event’s fan week, which usually takes place a few days before the tournament’s official kickoff, actually offers a wider (and cheaper!) roster of things to do related to the competition.

This year, US Open Fan Week runs from August 19 through 25, offering everyone free grounds admission ahead of the August 26 main draw. 

You can browse through the full list of events right here. Below, we call out some of the week’s most exciting activations:

U.S. Open Qualifying Tournament

If you’ve seen Challengers, you know that a grand slam’s qualifying tournament might be even more exciting than later games in the competition. Add to it the fact that the initial matches are completely free to watch, and you’ve got yourself one of the best things to do in NYC this summer.

A Special Mixed Doubles Contest

The US Open Mixed Madness is a new addition to Fan Week, featuring games between outstanding duos like Coco Gauff and Ben Shelton, Naomi Osaka and Nick Kyrrgios and Stefanos Tsitsipas and Paula Badosa. The tournament is scheduled for August 20 at 7pm and tickets for it are available here. 

A Massive Music Party 

Taking place on Friday night, August 23, at between 7pm and 10pm, the festival-like U.S. Open Block Party happening will feature music from a number of well-known DJs alongside exciting player appearances. No passes are needed to access this free event!

A Family-Friendly Day Out

One the most beloved parts of Fan Week, Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day will take place on Saturday, August 24, starting at 9:30am. Expect family-friendly activities, entertainment options and more all throughout the grounds, which you’ll get into gratis.

A Culinary Extravaganza

You’ll need tickets for this one (which you can find right here), but they’ll be totally worth the price tag. Flavors of the Open is happening on August 22 starting at 6:30pm, when attendees will get to try a diverse array of signature foods and drinks created by chefs like Alex Guarnaschelli, Kwame Onwuachi, Pat LaFrieda and more. The chefs might make appearances as well!

A Unique Exhibition

Stars of the Open is a tennis exhibition focusing on some of the most renowned players in the history of the sport, including John McEnroe, Andre Agassi, the Williams sisters, Andy Roddick, Novak Djokovic and Frances Tiafoe. Tickets for the event, which takes place on August 21 at 7pm, are available here starting $35. 

* This article was originally published here

We’re surprised it took this long but Netflix is officially getting into the immersive experience world: the streaming giant has announced the opening of two massive entertainment venues—one at King of Prussia mall near Philadelphia, about a two-hour drive from midtown Manhattan, and the other at Dallas Galleria in Texas. 

Both scheduled to open in 2025, the 10,000-square-foot Netflix Houses will basically be the company’s version of a theme park, complete with set recreations, themed culinary offerings, shopping possibilities and more. Notably missing from the plans: in-house cinemas. Talk about diversification.

“At Netflix House, you can enjoy regularly updated immersive experiences, indulge in retail therapy, and get a taste—literally—of your favorite Netflix series and films through unique food and drink offerings,” Marian Lee, Netflix’s chief marketing officer, said in an official statement, specifically mentioning the various pop-up experiences that the company has set up throughout the country in the past. Netflix Houses will build on those concepts, serving as marketing tools to support the streaming business, according to Variety. 

If you can’t quite imagine the new spaces, which will be built inside former department store locations that are now empty, this might help: “Imagine waltzing with your partner to an orchestral cover of a Taylor Swift song on a replica of the Bridgerton set—and then walking around the corner to compete in the Glass Bridge challenge from Squid Game,” reads an official press release. “After pretending to fight for your life, you’ve worked up an appetite and want to get a bite. You see a nearby restaurant with food inspired by Netflix shows from around the world; the meal is memorable, but you still want to buy some Stranger Things merch. Luckily, there’s a shop that sells that Hellfire Club T-shirt you’ve always wanted.”

Given the public’s seemingly incessant hunger for all things immersive and the popularity of Netflix productions like Bridgerton and Stranger Things, among many others, we imagine the new Netflix Houses to be sure retail magnets adding sizable business opportunities to the streaming giant’s portfolio, despite the absence of theater-like areas within the plans. Netflix clearly knows what it is doing.

* This article was originally published here