Wave Hill Weekly Events: Dec 5 – Dec 12 | Winter Haven Opening Weekend, Artisan Market, Wreath Making Workshops & more!

 

Winter Haven at Wave Hill returns this December! Kick-off the season with us at our Opening Weekend, including our annual Artisan Market featuring local artisans and makers. Attend a wreathmaking workshop to make your own stunning, one-of-a-kind decorations. Plus, enjoy music, an ice carving demonstration, a special Family Art Project and scavenger hunt across the grounds. New this year are guided tours of Wave Hill House, highlighting its seasonal décor and history. Special “Nights Out at Wave Hill” and free, evening family events round out the seasonal festivities throughout the month of December. Celebrate the winter season in the natural beauty and serenity of our gardens!   

 

 

Holiday House Tour 

Thu, Dec 5, 1:00PM – 1:30PM 

Sat, Dec 7, 1:00PM – 1:30PM 

Thu, Dec 12, 1:00PM – 1:30PM 

Free, and admission to the grounds is free on Thursdays 

Registration not required 

 

Every December, Wave Hill House is decorated with plants and natural materials to celebrate the winter season. Join a thirty-minute tour highlighting the decorations and brief history of Wave Hill House.  

 

Holiday Wreath Making 

Fri, Dec 6, 1:30PM – 3:00PM 

Sat, Dec 7, 11:00AM – 12:30PM 

Sat, Dec 7, 1:30PM – 3:00PM 

Sun, Dec 8, 11:00AM – 12:30PM 

Sun Dec 8, 1:30PM – 3:00PM 

$70 including admission to the grounds. Wave Hill Members save 10% 

Registration encouraged 

 

Our annual wreath workshop is back! Create your natural wreath using a grapevine base and fresh greens harvested by our Wave Hill gardeners. Designer Hanako Shimamoto shares simple techniques to design gorgeous one-of-a-kind holiday decorations. No experience necessary. All materials provided. Timed tickets are available in 90-minute blocks. 

  

Winter Haven Artisan Market 

Sat, Dec 7, 12:00PM – 6:00PM 

Sun, Dec 8, 11:00AM – 6:00PM 

Free with admission to the grounds 

 

Experience some of the finest goods from local artisans and makers. With more than 25 vendors for a larger-than ever-market. Find gifts for everyone on your list while enjoying a weekend of activities, including music, ice carving, family art activities and more.   

 

Family Art Project: Light Your Holiday Candle 

Sat, Dec 7 10:00AM – 1:00PM   

Sun, Dec 8, 10:00AM – 1:00PM 

Free with admission to the grounds  

Registration not required 

 

Set the mood for a cozy night by making your very own candle, experimenting with the shapes and colors we can create with wax. Let your candle’s glow remind you of the many celebrations of light taking place around the world at this time of year.  

  

At 11:30am families can enjoy a holiday-inspired storytime program in the Gund Theater, all ages welcome.  

 

Winter Birding 

Sun, Dec 8, 9:30AM – 11:00AM 

Free, and admission to the grounds is free on Thursdays 

Registration encouraged 

 

The Hudson River Valley hosts an impressive diversity of bird species, even during the winter months. Explore Wave Hill’s tranquil gardens and woodlands with birding guide, Haley Scott to observe birds in their winter habitat. Birders of all levels encouraged. A limited number of binoculars, monoculars and walking sticks are available to borrow. Ages 10 and older welcome with an adult.  

 

Garden Highlights Walk 

Sun, Dec 8, 1:00PM – 1:45PM 

Free with admission to the grounds 

Registration not required 

 

Join a knowledgeable Wave Hill Garden Guide for a leisurely stroll in the gardens. Topics vary by season and the expertise of the Guide--come back for an encore; each walk varies with the Guide leading it. This walk lasts a half-hour to 45 minutes. Public Garden Walks are most appropriate for adults or young adults.   

 

Pajama Party 

Thu, Dec 12, 4:00PM – 7:00PM 

Free, and admission to the grounds is free on Thursdays 

Registration not required 

 

On a cold winter night, let’s warm up with a pajama party! Enjoy some arts and crafts, snuggle up with a book or dance your energy out before bedtime. Featuring storytimes from Riverdale Public Library and a special mystery guest. Be sure to wear your favorite pajamas for extra fun!    

  

On Thursday evenings, also enjoy self-guided activities outdoors along our lighted pathways. The Café, Conservatory and Shop are open until 7:00PM. The grounds close at 7:30PM.    

 

WINTER HOURS STARTING NOV 1: 10AM–4:30PM, Tuesday–Sunday 

Shuttle Service Free from Subway and Metro-North, Thursday–Sunday 

Information at 718.549.3200. On the web at wavehill.org.  

NEW YORK STATE ANNOUNCES GROUNDBREAKING FOR INTENSIVE CRISIS STABILIZATION CENTER ON LONG ISLAND

 

CN Guidance & Counseling’s Community Crisis Center in Nassau County to Provide New Yorkers Experiencing a Behavioral Health Crisis an Alternative to Emergency Department Care

The New York State Office of Mental Health announced the groundbreaking for an intensive crisis stabilization center to provide voluntary urgent care services for individuals experiencing symptoms of mental health or substance use crises and needing immediate stabilization or treatment. Developed by CN Guidance & Counseling Services in the Nassau County hamlet of Hicksville, the Community Crisis Center will help stabilize individuals in crisis before connecting them other community-based services and supports.

Crisis stabilization centers support and enhance our ability to quickly respond to New Yorkers experiencing a behavioral health crisis so they can avoid higher levels of care and unnecessary emergency room visits,” Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said. “Once completed, CN Guidance’s Community Crisis Center will provide the residents of Long Island with yet another resource they can rely on to get the care they need within their community in a welcoming and supportive environment. This center, like others being developed statewide, reflect Governor Kathy Hochul’s ongoing commitment to helping all individuals access to quality integrated behavioral health care.”

Slated to open in Summer 2025, the Community Crisis Center will provide an expertly staffed, effective, and cost-efficient alternative to often-stressful hospital emergency departments. The center will be dually certified by OMH and the state Office of Addiction Services and Supports.

“It is vital that we help people experiencing a substance use or mental health crisis connect to help as quickly as possible and ensure that they are able to access a wide range of services,” Office of Addiction Services and Supports Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham said. “Working closely with the Office of Mental Health, we are expanding the Crisis Stabilization Center program initiative across the state, including here on Long Island, enhancing our efforts to link New Yorkers to the help and support that they need.”

The center will operate 24-hours per day, seven days per week, providing services including screenings, assessments, therapeutic interventions, peer support, ongoing observation, care collaboration, and discharge and aftercare planning. Once established, the center will coordinate with local mobile crisis providers, law enforcement, and community treatment and support services.

The center will help stabilize individuals in crisis before connecting them to community services and supports. The facility will also maintain collaborative relationships within the state’s system of care to ensure those individuals utilizing the facility can access follow-up services after leaving.

“Our new Community Crisis Center will address a critical need for crisis support on Long Island by enhancing access to care and helping families avoid unnecessary ER visits,” CN Guidance Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Friedman said. “The center will offer 24/7 urgent walk-in care for anyone experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, providing immediate stabilization and connecting individuals to long-term support. We extend our gratitude to the state of New York, including OMH and OASAS, as well as our local governments and regional partners, for their support in keeping the Community Crisis Center on track to open in 2025 and serve those in need. 

CN Guidance was awarded $8.6 million in state aid and start-up funding to undertake the project. In addition, the project was awarded $1 million in capital funding to develop the center.

Crisis Stabilization Centers provide voluntary urgent care services for individuals experiencing symptoms of mental health or substance use crises and needing immediate stabilization or treatment. In total, OMH has awarded more than $95 million to develop 11 intensive crisis stabilization centers statewide, including the Helio Health Crisis Stabilization Center in Onondaga County, which was the first to receive an operating certificate and open in December 2023.

Groundbreaking New Data Shows Fewer Empty Storefronts, Booming Small Business Growth in Pandemic Recovery

 

New Storefront Data and Analysis Shows Nearly 1 in 3 Storefront Businesses Have Opened Since 2020 

New Food, Drink, & Entertainment Businesses, Public Realm Improvements Drive Storefront Health 

Department of City Planning (DCP) Director Dan Garodnick released a groundbreaking new analysis showing New York City’s storefront vacancy rate is down to 11.1 percent, marking the fourth straight quarter of declining vacancy. By comparison, a survey of 24 corridors across the city during summer 2020 showed inactivity rates of over 30 percent. The Queens, Bronx, and Staten Island all have borough-wide vacancy rates below 9 percent, although some higher vacancy rates persist, especially in the Manhattan core. 

The analysis, which provides a granular picture of storefront and corridor health across the five boroughs, also shows that roughly one in three of the city’s storefront businesses opened since 2020. The report shows that policies like public realm improvements, support for local nonprofit partners, and cutting red tape for entrepreneurs can help the city continue its economic recovery. Moreover, data in the report will allow the City to better target these programs moving forward.

“New York isn’t just coming back, we are back," said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. "Our administration is focused on making New York City a safer and more affordable city, and today's announcement demonstrates how we are doing just that. With yet another quarter of storefront vacancy on the decline, we are seeing fewer empty storefronts every day, while small businesses are growing across the five boroughs. By cutting red tape, updating outdated zoning, supporting valued community partners, and fostering an active public realm, we’re growing our city’s economy and creating more vibrant communities that make New York City safer, more affordable, and more prosperous.”

“From the passage of the City of Yes for Economic Opportunity citywide text amendment to the record levels of investment that this administration has made in SBS’s neighborhood development grant programs, we have centered the health of our storefront economy and our commercial corridors in our economic recovery,” said First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer. “As we post another quarter of declining storefront vacancies, it’s clearer than ever that our efforts to support our local small businesses are bearing fruit across all corners of our city.” 

“When we took office, the long-term economic impacts of COVID were an open question. Now, we can safely say that New York City isn’t just coming back—it is back, with our storefront vacancy rate driving down quarter over quarter thanks in part to public realm improvements in every borough. We are supporting the largest permanent outdoor dining program in the country and pushing to get sheds down, among other investments,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. “Ours is a walker’s city, and when people are out and enjoying themselves, local businesses do well. It’s a virtuous cycle that we are proud to support.”

“Vibrant, activated streets and storefronts are the heart of New York City, and this new report shows how much progress we have made to support small businesses and local communities,” said Dan Garodnick, Director of the Department of City Planning. “Building on this progress, we will continue to drive New York’s economic growth and help storefronts and communities thrive in a 21^st century economy.”

“New York City’s prosperity is tied to the vibrancy of our hundreds of miles of commercial corridors,” said NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) Commissioner Dynishal Gross. “Policies and programs that make it possible for small businesses to operate successfully in neighborhood commercial spaces contribute to safety, lead to job creation and help entrepreneurial New Yorkers live out their dreams. SBS programs, such as NYC BEST (Business Express Service Team), the Commercial Lease Assistance program, and financing assistance programs that have disbursed over $290 million in loans to small businesses in the last two years alone support the launch and operation of storefront businesses citywide. This report shows that our efforts are paying off — and we are just getting started.”

“This analysis supports what New Yorkers are already feeling: their streets, parks, and neighborhoods are alive again,” said New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) President & CEO Andrew Kimball. “The declining storefront vacancy rate is the result of this administration’s investments in developing and revitalizing communities across the city. One in eight businesses in New York City started in the last year, showing that small business owners and entrepreneurs are confident in the future of New York City.”

“This report offers another strong example of how Open Streets and public plazas help small businesses thrive. When we reimagine our streets to attract more people, we attract more business—and that's been a key part of the city's economic recovery from the pandemic,” said Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “We are grateful to Mayor Adams and the Department of City Planning for commissioning this groundbreaking research that will continue to inform our work.”

“This report makes clear what pedestrians in New York have known for years – vibrant public spaces are critical to the success of local businesses and storefronts in NYC,” said Ya-Ting Liu, Chief Public Realm Officer. “Through our efforts to expand access to Open Streets, plazas, POPS, and outdoor dining, and our work to reduce the presence of long-standing sidewalk sheds, we are creating more walkable and pleasant spaces for New Yorkers and visitors to enjoy and supporting our small businesses and local economy in the process.”