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There’s A Perk For Early Voters In NYC This Halloween, But You Have To Act Quickly

If you’re thinking about casting your ballot before November 5th, the spookiest day of the year is the perfect time to exercise your right. Thanks to a sweet early voting perk, we suspect plenty of New Yorkers will be eager to get in line.

The New York City Board of Elections has decided to celebrate October 31st with a special edition Halloween “Vote NYC” sticker — one that’s adorned with a pigeon in costume, trick-or-treat bag in his beak with the words, “Halloween Voter” above him. You’ll have to get to your polling site early, though, as this sticker is only going to the first 300 visitors who show up on Halloween. (Be sure to double check where you can vote early in your neighborhood, as the location might be different than your polling site on Election Day itself.)

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Adorable and spooky, right? (Pigeons are always having a moment in NYC, aren’t they?) If for some reason your subway gets delayed and you’re voter #301 on Halloween, you don’t have to panic. The good news is that there will also be Halloween voter tattoos featuring the festive pigeon, so either way, you can cash in on the sentimental souvenir. However, the New York City Board of Elections did not specify how many tattoos will be provided on-site, so you’ll still want to arrive on the earlier side.

Freebies aside, New Yorkers are particularly anxious to make their voices heard during the 2024 presidential election. After a record-breaking turnout on the first day of early voting — nearly 150,000 early votes, the most EVER in the city’s history — New York doesn’t show any signs of slowing down, sticker or not.

Should you have to wait until the 5th, no problem: our Election Day guide will help you with anything and everything you need to know. And yes, there are voter freebies, too, though we can’t guarantee any are pigeon-related. See you at the polls!

The post There’s A Perk For Early Voters In NYC This Halloween, But You Have To Act Quickly appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here

5 Tips To Choose Gift Baskets For Memorable Celebrations

The #1 source in the world for all things Harlem.

From birthdays to anniversaries, the right gift basket can make any celebration extra special. Gift baskets have become a go-to option for people looking to give something thoughtful, elegant, and versatile. Whether you’re in search of a festive gesture or a way to express gratitude, choosing the right gift basket can elevate the joy of…

The post 5 Tips To Choose Gift Baskets For Memorable Celebrations appeared first on Harlem World Magazine.

* This article was originally published here

A Gofundme has launched to help the brewery cat at Grimm Artisanal Ales

A Gofundme has launched to help the brewery cat at Grimm Artisanal Ales

Simcoe the brewery cat needs our help. 

The snaggletoothed icon at Grimm Artisanal Ales who was recently featured on the popular ShopCats Show and prominently in Time Out New York’s 2023 article on brewery cats is in the ER with severe neurological issues.

Grimm’s Operations and Distribution Manager, Aiyana Knauer reports on her instagram @nobeersnoparents, that after a scary morning yesterday where the beloved working cat was unresponsive, she began to show signs of improvement. Her human coworkers are now trying to raise money to cover the cost of an MRI and another 24 hours in the ICU via a GoFundMe

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Simcoe is known for her impressive prowess, big personality and friendly attitude. She can be found snoozing on the taproom stereo, snuggled in the rain garden in front of the building, or curled up with a brewer keeping them company on an early morning brew. Often, folks flock to the popular brewery just to meet the famous feline. Her image is on stickers, tee-shirts, sweatshirts, and more. 

She was recently featured on the popular TikTok and Instagram sensation, ShopCats Show. In her episode she was declared “The Boss” by a store regular who even showed off handmade Simcoe earrings she was sporting. Employees and customers all agreed that she was the one who was running the place. 

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Simcoe faced a similar situation in 2021. The cause of her illness was unknown, but she pulled through and went on to become even more beloved and well-known in NYC’s beer scene. 

Said Knauer of her condition now, “Simcoe might be at the end of her life. I don’t know. I’m really not trying to prolong a painful existence. But with her improving, it’s important to me and my coworkers that we do some more testing so that we can be better informed in making a decision about her care going forward.”

Donations to the GoFundMe will go to Simcoe’s care and Knauer says that any extra funds will go towards future care for the furry friend. Should the money not be needed it will be donated to Sean Casey Animal Rescue, the rescue that Simcoe came from.

Simco the cat at Grimm
Photograph: Kevin Serrano

* This article was originally published here

Is It True That Belly Fat Is The Last To Go When You Lose Weight?

The #1 source in the world for all things Harlem.

When starting a weight loss regimen, most people become interested in the characteristics of fat loss, especially the ugly concept of fat loss momentum, especially belly fat. The famous phrase that ‘fat in the belly region is the hardest to shed’ is real.  But is this notion accurate? Understanding the science behind fat loss can…

The post Is It True That Belly Fat Is The Last To Go When You Lose Weight? appeared first on Harlem World Magazine.

* This article was originally published here

Delta Is Giving Away $400 Gift Cards Monthly Through Next Spring

When vacation is on our mind sometimes the only thing that holds us back is the price tag (and, well, ensuring we have enough PTO to take days off). Well, Delta is flying in to save the day as they’ll be giving away $400 gift cards every month through April 2025! No, they’re not playing games–but you will be!

Delta is taking us back in time and allowing passengers to play its retro-style Sky Hopper game for the chance to win hundreds in airline gift cards each month–we guess there’s a reason it was named the number one domestic airline in the U.S.! The in-flight game is available exclusively through Delta Sync Wi-Fi to Delta SkyMiles Members.

Delta Sky Hopper game
Source / Delta

Gamers can log in to the Wi-Fi portal with their SkyMiles membership number (signing up is free if you’re not already a member) on their mobile device, find Sky Hopper in the entertainment section, and play their way through the “nostalgic, 8-bit feel” game.

You’ll collect SkyMiles facts–insights about Delta’s loyalty program, partners, and more–along the way, and after you play the game through at least once (until you see the “Game Over” screen), your entry will be submitted to the sweepstakes. The more you play, the more entries you’ll collect (gamers can score up to 10 entries per flight or 30 entries per month)!

Imagine scoring $400 off your next flight simply by playing a game?! A preview of Sky Hopper can be seen below:

Sarah Honeyman, Managing Director of IFEC Engagement & Optimization, stated:

With Sky Hopper, we’re giving our SkyMiles Members something fun and unexpected to look forward to each time they fly with us. We’re committed to evolving the inflight experience with entertainment options that resonate with all of our customers while introducing them to all the great ways they can grow their world with SkyMiles and get rewarded for their loyalty.

The sweepstakes is going on now through April 24th, 2025. Not heading on a flight any time soon? No worries! SkyMiles Members can alternatively enter the sweepstakes by mailing their first and last name and email associated with their SkyMiles account to the following address: The Delta Sky Hopper Game Sweepstakes P.O. box 20706, Atlanta, GA 30354.

The post Delta Is Giving Away $400 Gift Cards Monthly Through Next Spring appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here

Sponsored Love: `Understanding DSS’s Commitment To Privacy

The #1 source in the world for all things Harlem.

In an era where personal data has become the cornerstone of digital marketplaces and online interactions, privacy policies have stepped into the spotlight as guardians of consumer trust and legal compliance. At the heart of such policies lies a commitment to protect individual’s private information – a commitment that Digital School Signs (DSS) takes very…

The post Sponsored Love: `Understanding DSS’s Commitment To Privacy appeared first on Harlem World Magazine.

* This article was originally published here

Yes, There’s A Volcano 1 Hour Away From NYC

Imagine seeing a real-life volcano in person was possible without having to hop on a flight to Iceland, Hawaii, or any other country known for their bubbling volcanoes? Well actually, unbeknownst to many, it is–there’s a volcano only one hour away from NYC…sort of.

Located in Wantage, New Jersey, Beemerville Volcano used to be the state’s very own lava-spouting, geologic hotspot, though you’d never guess–unless you were to have stood there more than 400 million years ago before dinosaurs first roamed Earth! That’s when the volcano (which was roughly the height of Mount St. Helens–aka 8,363 feet tall–and spanned 10 to 20 miles across) erupted and reshaped the landscape forever.

Wantage NJ farmlands at dusk in Autumn with High Point State Park Monument on Kittatinny Mountains aerial
Shutterstock / Rabbitti

Beemerville Volcano is the only remnant of New Jersey’s geologic past. Even more, it sits in the same county as a newly discovered fault line that had everything to do with the intensity of this past April’s earthquake whose rumblings were felt all the way in NYC.

Unfortunately today the crater, known as Rutan Hill, only stretches 1,020 feet into the sky and looks like any other tree and grass-covered hill. Even crazier–there are actually homes built on it now!

The good news: the U.S. Geological Survey classifies volcanoes as active, dormant, or extinct, and Beermerville Volcano is extinct, so we don’t expect it to go bubbling over again any time soon. There is a chance a volcano can “go quiet for thousands of years and then reawaken,” though, but let’s face it, the state may be underwater by then.

Beemerville Volcano , now known as Rutan Hill, in New Jersey
Lithium6ion, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

So sure, it may not look like your typical volcano (or erupt like one), but it’s still cool for those residents to say they technically live on one! And though the volcano itself is long gone, the hill is still home to many volcanic rocks.

But New York is also home to a number of natural wonders itself, many of which are way more interesting to look at, like this 14,000 acre park known as the “Grand Canyon of the East,” this 100-foot underground waterfall, the world’s oldest forest, which was seen by dinosaurs, and the longest single drop waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains.

The post Yes, There’s A Volcano 1 Hour Away From NYC appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here

4-Day Tour From Marrakech To Fes: An Epic Journey Through Morocco’s Heartland

The #1 source in the world for all things Harlem.

A 4-day journey from Marrakech to Fes offers an enchanting combination of cultural immersion, scenic landscapes, and thrilling desert experiences. This route takes you through the High Atlas Mountains, historic kasbahs, lush valleys, and the vast Sahara Desert, ending in the ancient city of Fes. Here’s a complete guide to what you can expect on…

The post 4-Day Tour From Marrakech To Fes: An Epic Journey Through Morocco’s Heartland appeared first on Harlem World Magazine.

* This article was originally published here

From the Halloween parade to ‘Cat Lady nights,’ cats are having a moment in NYC

From the Halloween parade to 'Cat Lady nights,' cats are having a moment in NYC

When this year’s Village Halloween Parade theme was announced, it caused quite a stir—or a purr, as it were. The theme, “Meow,” encourages cat ladies to unite for an evening prowl along the streets of the West Village on Halloween night.

Though long-associated with the holiday, cats are being cast into the spotlight even more this year. With J.D. Vance’s sexist comments about “childless cat ladies” as the backdrop, cats are having a moment in New York City as a symbol of snark and even resistance (and cuteness, of course). In celebration of National Cat Day (on October 29), we decided to chronicle these feline festivities in this burgeoning meow-vment.

RECOMMENDED: A Gofundme has launched to help the brewery cat at Grimm Artisanal Ales

As for the parade, one event director told NBC 4 that, “We’re not being political.” Instead, she said the theme is presented as a sign of the times. Nevertheless, parade organizers encourage all cat ladies to don their tails and whiskers and join the ball—and thousands of them likely will on Halloween night.

“We would gladly have remained aloof – poised and peaceful among the houseplants on the windowsill or stretched out among the books scattered on the daybed,” per the parade’s website. “But we have heard the call, and the time has come to mark our territory. We didn’t ask for this fight, but when feline honor is at stake, Cats and Ladies will rise (…after a languorous stretch) to meet the moment.”

In a much more political sentiment, the crew behind Titanique the musical recently offered Childless Cat Lady Nights with a ticket discount. “No but really. Calling all ‘childless cat ladies,’ join us aboard the Ship of Dreams,” the musical’s team wrote on Instagram. They even tagged Taylor Swift in the comments inviting her to come aboard.

They continued the bit with frequent Childless Cat Lady trivia on Instagram. 

Cats: The Jellicle Ball
Photograph: Courtesy Matthew MurphyCats: The Jellicle Ball

A bit earlier this year, the Broadway musical Cats took to the stage with a fresh new take called Cats: The Jellicle Ball. This summer’s rendition focused on a ballroom runway competition presided over by the regal André De Shields (he’s also the grand marshal for this year’s Village Halloween Parade). The reimagined performance drew praise from critics, including Time Out‘s very own.

“Instead of feline imitation, it is serving pussy realness, honey—always with an underlying understanding, as at the balls themselves, that realness is itself a kind of performance,” Time Out‘s Adam Feldman wrote in a four-star review.

Meanwhile, a walking tour called Cats About Town launched as the self-described first walking tour for cat lovers. The tour, led by cat historian Peggy Gavan, digs into the untold history of New York “where the city’s most enigmatic residents—its cats—shaped the streets with their silent paws.” Believe it or not, there’s enough content for two iterations of the tour, one in Brooklyn and one in the Financial District. 

“From the alley cats of Brooklyn Heights to the cherished companions of Manhattan, you’ll see the city’s history through a new, enchanting lens—one where every cat has its moment in the spotlight,” the tour’s leader promises.

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Finally, we end with the humble bodega cat, the guardian of our snacks, the security detail bouncing rogue rodents back onto the streets. The bodega cat, an icon of New York City since the early 1900s, is now getting extra attention thanks to the viral videos from ShopCatsShow on Instagram, which documents these fabulous felines across the city. From Pumpkin in Williamsburg to Smokey in Bed-Stuy, creator Michelladonna captures each kitty’s personality and panache. 

According to the blog Bodega Cats of New York, having a cat around helps create a warm, welcoming atmosphere that means customers are more likely to linger and chat. Plus, the bodega cat can even serve as a therapy animal providing emotional support during difficult times.

“Bodega cats hold a special place in the hearts of many New Yorkers,” as the blog aptly puts it. “They symbolize the city’s vibrant immigrant history, a reminder of the importance of community, and a source of comfort and companionship for those who need it most. So the next time you visit a bodega, take a moment to say hello to the resident feline — you may just make a new furry friend.”

* This article was originally published here

Left In The Dust: The Failure To Protect New York City Tenants From Lead Dust Hazards During Residential Construction

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Today, Lead Dust Free NYC, a tenant-led advocacy group, TakeRoot Justice and the New York City Coalition to End Lead Poisoning (NYCCELP). “… tenants continue to face harsh conditions during construction …” NYCCELP is a coalition of advocates, doctors, lawyers committed to ensuring that NYC’s lead laws are adequately implemented and enforced, released a new…

The post Left In The Dust: The Failure To Protect New York City Tenants From Lead Dust Hazards During Residential Construction appeared first on Harlem World Magazine.

* This article was originally published here