2002 Balloon Inflation & Thanksgiving Day Parade Traffic and Media Advisory

 

The balloon inflation will take place on Wednesday, November 23rd, 2022, from noon to 6 p.m. Spectators may enter the queue at West 72nd Street and Columbus Avenue. Large backpacks, coolers, alcoholic beverages, chairs and umbrellas are expressly prohibited, and participants will be screened prior to entering the viewing route. Once screened, spectators will enter the inflation viewing area at West 72nd Street and Central Park West. The balloon viewing path winds around the American Museum of Natural History. Spectators exit the viewing area at West 82nd Street and Central Park West.

The Thanksgiving Day Parade takes place on Thursday, November 24th, 2022, and will step off from Central Park West and 77th Street at 8:45 a.m. The procession marches to Columbus Circle, turns onto Central Park South and proceeds down 6th Avenue to West 34th Street. It then turns west and ends at 7th Avenue, in front of Macy’s Herald Square.

Heavy traffic conditions are expected, and there will be rolling street closures in Manhattan, so mass transit is strongly encouraged. Remember: No large backpacks, lawn chairs, umbrellas, large coolers or alcoholic beverages will be allowed. Anyone who sees suspicious activity should alert a police officer or call 911. The NYPD’s terrorism hotline is 888-NYC-SAFE.

Traffic Advisory:

Wednesday, November 23rd, 2022 – Gridlock Alert Day (balloon inflation):  

At 6 a.m. West 81st Street and West 77th Street from Central Park West to Columbus Avenue and Central Park West from West 72nd Street to West 86th Street will be closed to vehicular traffic.

At 8 a.m. West 72nd Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenues will be closed to vehicular traffic.

Additional vehicular traffic closures at noon are as follows:

•Central Park West from West 73rd to 85th Streets

•West 74th Street between Columbus and Central Park West Avenues

•West 75th Street between Columbus and Central Park West Avenues

•West 76th Street between Columbus and Central Park West Avenues

•West 77th Street between Columbus and Central Park West Avenues

•West 78th Street between Columbus and Central Park West Avenues

•West 80th Street between Columbus and Central Park West Avenues

•West 81st Street between Columbus and Central Park West Avenues

•West 82nd Street between Columbus and Central Park West Avenues

•West 83rd Street between Columbus and Central Park West Avenues

•West 84th Street between Columbus and Central Park West Avenues

•West 85th Street between Columbus and Central Park West Avenues

•Central Park Transverse Road at Central Park West and West 81 St. (both directions)

After 10 p.m., West 81st Street and West 77th Street from Central Park West to Columbus Avenue as well as Central Park West from West 59th Street to West 86th Street will be closed to all traffic. "Broadcast vehicles only" may park beginning at 9 a.m. on the east side of Columbus Avenue from West 77th Street to West 76th Street. All Broadcast Vehicles must be off Columbus Avenue by 11:30 p.m.  

Thursday, November 24th, 2022 (Thanksgiving Day Parade):

Formation for the parade will begin at 8 a.m. at the following locations:

•West 77th Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue

•West 81st Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue

•Central Park West between West 77th and 86th Streets

The parade will begin at 8:45 a.m. from Central Park West and West 77th Street and proceed on the following route:

•South on Central Park West to Columbus Circle

•South through E/S Columbus Circle to West 59th Street

•East on West 59th Street to 6th Avenue

•South on 6th Avenue to West 34th Street

•West on West 34th Street to 7th Avenue (dispersal area)

Additional closures are as follows:
•Broadway between West 34th Street and West 41st Street- Midnight to 1 p.m.
•6th Avenue between West 23rd Street and West 42nd Street – 2 a.m. to 1 p.m.
•7th Avenue from West 34th Street and West 42nd Street - 2 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
•West 34th Street between 6th Avenue and 8th Avenue - 10 p.m. (Wed) to 5 p.m.
• West 59th Street E/B between 7th Avenue and Central Park West – Midnight to 2 p.m.
• West 59th Street W/B between 5th Avenue and Central Park West – 2 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• West 35th Street between 5th Avenue and 8th Avenue - 2 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• West 36th Street between 6th Avenue and 8th Avenue - 2 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• West 37th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue - 4 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• West 38th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue - 4 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• West 8th Avenue between 34th Street and 40th Street - 4 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
•Broadway between 38th Street and 59th Street - 4 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• West 33rd Street between 7th Avenue and 10th Avenue - 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• West 39th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue - 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• West 40th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue - 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• West 49th Street between 5th Avenue and 7th Avenue - 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• West 50th Street between 5th Avenue and 7th Avenue - 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
•Central Park 65th Street/ West 66th Street Transverse Roads 7 a.m. until conclusion

Please note: From 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. vehicles will not be able to access:
•6th Avenue between West 33rd and West 59th Street
•8th Avenue between West 57th Street and West 59th Street
•8th Avenue between West 33rd and West 40th Streets
•Broadway between West 59th Street and West 57th Street
•Broadway between West 34th and West 40th Streets (only escorted deliveries)
• West 42nd Street between 5th and 8th Avenue
• West 57th Street between 5th and 8th Avenue

Annual Pelham Parkway Turkey Giveaway

 

Sunday was the Annual Pelham Parkway Turkey Giveaway. Over one-hundred turkeys were given away by the PPNA to people from the PPNA neighborhood so they could have a happy Thanksgiving dinner. 

PPNA President Steven Glosser said that he and the members of the PPNA were glad that they could put some joy to over one-hundred families by giving them free Thanksgiving turkeys to have for their Thanksgiving dinner. He added this year the price of turkeys are more expensive than in past years, so it also saves the people who received our turkeys more money for the other items that go with the Thanksgiving turkey. 

PPNA President Steven Gloser is holding one of the free turkeys the PPNA gave away. Front row L - R, PPNA Secretary Loui Lutnick, Marcy Gross, and Jenni Leon. Back row - Lance Zavin, and Treasurer Elio Morales. 

PPNA Treasurer Elio Morales hands off this turkey to a person who did  not want to be photographed as PPNA President Steven Glosser look on.

It was cold outside as the PPNA Turkey Giveaway was held across the street from the Key Food supermarket on Holland Avenue. L - R - PPNA Sergeant of Arms Oscar Ruiz, Secretary Louis Lutnick, Treasurer Elio Morales, and President Steven Glosser. 

Bronx Chamber of Commerce - Winter Wonderland Holiday Party, December 8 - Sponsor & Get Your Tables Today

 

Sponsor & Purchase Tables - Click Here The Board of Directors and the leadership team of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce invite you to attend our signature Winter Wonderland Holiday Party on Thursday, December 8 at Pelham Bay Split Rock Golf Course, 870 Shore Road Bronx, NY. Enjoy an evening where you don't have to plan or shop or clean up afterward! This Bronx Chamber signature event brings together businesses, families, colleagues, and friends for an evening of cocktails, dinner, dancing, and live entertainment while also doing good for our community as we collect toys and contributions for Astor Family and Children's Services. Bring your company's staff - book your tables - and become a sponsor.  This annual event is a lot of fun and celebrates the holidays while also celebrating the amazing people on your team. Sponsor or Purchase Your Tickets - Click Here

NYS OASAS ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF MOBILE ADDICTION SERVICES IN NEW YORK CITY

 

New Mobile Unit Operated by Bridging Access to Care Will Bring Services to High-Need Communities

The New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) announced the launch of a new mobile unit to provide addiction treatment, harm reduction, prevention, and recovery services to residents of New York City. This new mobile unit is being operated by Bridging Access to Care, and is being supported with $225,000 in funding provided to New York State through the federal State Opioid Response Grant, and administered by OASAS.

“Ensuring treatment equity and supporting harm reduction are two critical parts of the work we are doing at OASAS. We need to make sure that everyone has access to care for addiction, whenever they are ready to seek help.” OASAS Commissioner Chinazo Cunningham said. “With this new mobile unit, we will be able to better connect with underserved communities, and improve access to a full spectrum of health care services designed to support overall well-being.”

The new mobile unit is equipped with two exam rooms, two bathrooms, and Wi-Fi capability, and will provide medication for addiction treatment, overdose prevention kits, mental health services, health screenings, and health information and education. 

This new unit will provide services throughout Brooklyn, as well as other underserved areas of New York City, and add to existing mobile units that have reached thousands with critical addiction services since their inception.

The expansion of these services builds on OASAS’ efforts to expand mobile services throughout New York State to reach underserved communities, and meet people wherever they are, as well as the expansion of harm reduction services and health education. This includes the establishment of a new Harm Reduction Division within OASAS, which is working to reduce overdose deaths by improving access to treatment, increasing the availability of naloxone, and eliminating the stigma around substance use and treatment.

“As an organization that invests in community wellness, we are excited to bring life-saving overdose prevention and treatment to all boroughs,” said Nadine Akinyemi, Chief Executive Officer, Bridging Access to Care. “There is a lot of misconception about medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for substance use disorder. Thanks to the funding and support from OASAS, this new mobile unit will enable us to bring substance use treatment and mental health services and distribute the correct information about MAT and other treatment options to neighborhoods that lack established treatment facilities and suffer from high overdose rates, including neighborhoods like Williamsburg, East New York, and Coney Island.”

The New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports oversees one of the nation’s largest substance use disorder systems of care with approximately 1,700 prevention, treatment and recovery programs serving over 680,000 individuals per year. This includes the direct operation of 12 Addiction Treatment Centers where our doctors, nurses, and clinical staff provide inpatient and residential services to approximately 8,000 individuals per year. 

New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling the state’s toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day-a-week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369). 

Available addiction treatment including crisis/detox, inpatient, residential, or outpatient care can be found using the NYS OASAS Treatment Availability Dashboard at FindAddictionTreatment.ny.gov or through the NYS OASAS website. 

If you, or a loved one, have experienced insurance obstacles related to treatment or need help filing an appeal for a denied claim, contact the CHAMP helpline by phone at 888-614-5400 or email at ombuds@oasas.ny.gov.

 

In the fall of 2021, the Associated Supermarket located in Crown Heights, Brooklyn shut its doors due to development. Neighborhood residents, including many seniors, found themselves without access to a grocery store.

Community members were concerned about the lack of access to affordable, fresh, healthy food. That's where GrowNYC stepped in.

GrowNYC's Crown Heights Farmstand now serves the community by bringing a selection of seasonal and affordable produce to the neighborhood every Friday. GrowNYC Farmstands bring fresh fruits and vegetables to under-resourced neighborhoods across New York City while providing workforce development opportunities for young New Yorkers. Historically under-resourced New York City neighborhoods are frequently overlooked by large food distributors and have fewer access points to fresh produce. 60 percent of Farmstand customers use a food subsidy program like SNAP, WIC, or OTC cards, making Farmstands, as well as GrowNYC's Greenmarkets and Fresh Food Box sites, crucial to fighting the inequity in NYC's current food system. Giselle Ladino Perez, one of our Farmstand Youth Staff, shared that "I know that everyone deserves to have food on their table. I want everyone to be able to say 'Yes, food is a human right.'" When you give to GrowNYC you ensure that New Yorkers across the five boroughs have access to fresh, affordable food - no matter their income or zip code. We can't do this work without your support. Thank you for sharing our vision of building a more equitable and sustainable food system throughout New York City.

New York State Parks Reminds Snowmobilers that the State Snowmobile Trail System Remains Closed

 

Trail Grooming Operations Do Not Begin Until Close of Big Game Hunting Season

The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Snowmobile Bureau reminds snowmobilers to exercise caution in this weekend’s snowstorm. Despite the large snowfalls in the Tug Hill and in western New York, snowmobile trails are not open at this time. For public safety reasons, grooming generally may not begin until the closure of Big Game hunting season. Snowmobilers should exercise restraint when operating snowmobiles before the start of the season.

Operators must always wear a helmet, stick to designated trails and avoid riding on ice.

The Snowmobile Bureau advises that snowmobiles should never be ridden on ice. All frozen bodies regardless of rivers or lakes are dangerous. As the thickness of ice is not the same and ice doesn’t even form evenly all over the whole surface of water bodies. When covered by snow, the lake’s surface may appear ridable. It is not. Ice thickness can vary on every body of water or even within the same body of water. The presence of snowmobile tracks or footprints on the ice should not be taken as evidence of safe ice conditions.  Riding on ice that is not thick enough can lead to tragedy.

New York has 10,500 miles of state-designated snowmobile trails. It is a premier destination for snowmobiling. Knowing the safety regulations and following them will help ensure riders and their families have a great time.

Everyone operating a snowmobile should be familiar with safe riding practices and all applicable laws, rules and regulations.  The best way to learn is by taking a snowmobile safety course.  To find a course, go to https://www.register-ed.com/programs/new_york/251-new-york-snowmobile-safety-course.  A safety certificate is required for youth between ages 10 and 18.

Before heading out, riders are reminded to check trail conditions with local snowmobile clubs.  To find a club, visit the New York State Snowmobile Association (NYSSA) website at www.nysnowmobiler.com.  Joining a snowmobile club helps support snowmobiling in New York State.  Club members receive a discounted registration fee, and help support the clubs and volunteers who make up the backbone of the New York State snowmobile trail system.

Top safety recommendations include:

• Check over your snowmobile; make sure it is in good working order and carry emergency supplies.
• Always wear a helmet and make sure you wear the proper snowmobile gear including bibs, jackets, boots and gloves.
• Always ride with a buddy or at least one other person.
• Ride responsibly. Ride within your ability, ride to the right and operate at a safe and prudent speed at all times. Respect landowners, obey posted signs and stay on the marked trail.
• Frozen Bodies of water are not designated trails; if you plan to ride on ice, proceed with caution and be aware of potential hazards under the snow. It is recommended that you wear a snowmobile suit with flotation built in and carry a set of ice picks as a precaution.
• Never drink alcohol or use drugs and ride.

The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) oversees the development, maintenance and oversight of a statewide snowmobile program, which features approximately 10,500 miles of state-designated snowmobile trails. For more information on snowmobiling in New York, visit https://parks.ny.gov/recreation/snowmobiles/

Governor Hochul Holds Virtual Storm Briefing

 

Governor Hochul: "[A]s someone who's from Buffalo and has lived in upstate my entire life, we've seen a lot of snow. But when you hit 80 to 85 inches over the course of, you know, just a couple-of-day snow event, everywhere from Natural Bridge up in the North Country to Orchard Park, that is one to tell your grandkids about. But how you get through it is mostly how we'll be judged."

Hochul: "I also want to thank the residents of Western New York once again, and the North Country. Thank you for just following the directions, staying off the roads, and as a result, all the major thoroughfares are open now in Western New York and in the North Country with some limitation."

Hochul: "We talked to FEMA again this morning. They are in the process of sending the request to the White House. We're hoping to get an answer soon. And within that, we'll also be asking for [Small Business Administration] assistance. As I traveled throughout these areas, there's many, many small businesses still closed - the local pizzerias, the little, you know, mom and pop shops, the retail, the restaurants - and they're taking a financial hit."

 Before I go into an updated storm briefing on what's happening in the Watertown area and in Western New York, I first want to acknowledge, two events: Our hearts are broken over what has happened at the Colorado Springs nightclub, an attack on the LGBTQ community. And [in] New York, this is personal. This is the home of the LGBTQ movement. We have many, many friends who are now just devastated and concerned for their own safety.   
  
I've asked the State Police Superintendent Steve Nigrelli, who's with me here today, to make sure that we have enhanced protections, that we're continuing to do our monitoring of social media sites to be able to identify threats, as happened most recently with also the individual who was apprehended at Penn Station yesterday after surveillance from monitoring his remarks on social media and also other places. And I want to commend the State Police for their efforts on that, the MTA Police who are vigilant, as well as the Joint Terrorism Task Force. 
  
And we are in contact with members of Jewish organizations and synagogues and others to let them know once again, we understand the concern, the fear. Hate crime is real, and that the State of New York is taking every step possible to be in the business of preventing crimes and preventing instances and not just waiting to solve them in the aftermath. So, I wanted to acknowledge those two events at this time. 
  
I'm joined by Steve Nigrelli, as I mentioned, our Acting Superintendent of the State Police. Also, Jackie Bray, the Commissioner of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, and Marie Therese Dominguez, the Department of Transportation Commissioner. I've spent a lot of time with these individuals. We came to Buffalo late night on Wednesday in anticipation of the storm.  
  
I have some updates. I was supposed to be in Watertown giving this briefing. We headed to the airport. We were all ready to depart and received word that because of ice conditions and heavy winds in the vicinity of the Watertown Airport, that it would not be safe to travel. We're hoping to reschedule that, but I just spoke to the Mayor of Watertown, Jeff Smith, to talk to him about concerns that he has. They're expecting more snow, and he says they're accustomed to it. But the snow is heavy, it's wet, and we're sending in more reinforcements there as well. 
  
This has been an historic storm. Without a doubt, it's one for the record books. And as someone who's from Buffalo and has lived in upstate my entire life, we've seen a lot of snow. But when you hit 80 to 85 inches over the course of, you know, just a couple-of-day snow event, everywhere from Natural Bridge up in the North Country to Orchard Park, that is one to tell your grandkids about. But how you get through it is mostly how we'll be judged. And I want to thank everybody, all the agencies that came here and gave the best advice - the Thruway Authority, the DOT, the State Police, Emergency Services, Parks, Department of Health. Countless entities, organizations from the state level working in absolute concert and coordination with county officials - Mayor Byron Brown from the city, but also County Executive Poloncarz doing the work in coordination with their teams. 
  
I also want to thank the residents of Western New York once again, and the North Country. Thank you for just following the directions, staying off the roads, and as a result, all the major thoroughfares are open now in Western New York and in the North Country with some limitation. The 400 is still closed at this time, but we anticipate that'll be opening soon. 
  
So I want to mention a couple other things. We, with respect to the North Country, we did respond to requests for assistance from Fort Drum and in constant communication because they need to have the roads around that base plowed. We helped with Route 11 in particular. So I want to thank the [Department of Transportation] crews for stepping up and assisting there as well. 
  
We have - we're continuing to send more plows up there. They need more help. We're also expecting another two feet of snow in that vicinity as well, especially Oswego County - two more feet of snow by seven o'clock tonight. So rates of four inches per hour are expected there. The band is going to hit Lewis, Oswego and the far Northern Cayuga counties. 
  
Thundersnow is possible. It's kind of exciting to watch, but it is also a dangerous circumstance. We want to make sure everybody's careful. Again, the wind gusts of upwards of 40 miles an hour - that's higher than it's been throughout the duration of most this event. As the wind kicks up, it starts the blowing wind, it makes visibility difficult because of the drifting snow that's on the side of the road. So that's another area of vulnerability. 
  
But all businesses are open in these areas, with the exception of - North Country's open, town of Orchard Park and Hamburg are closed. I know the County Executive is assessing that right now. Thruway - no restrictions at this time. Again, I want to point out the fact that we already contacted FEMA and the White House yesterday to put in for an Emergency Declaration, which will allow for us to have at least partial reimbursements for all the extraordinary expenses. We've had to bring in private contractors, mutual aid from other municipalities, and I'm grateful to them who've sent crews and equipment here as well as our own expenses as well. 
  
And we talked to FEMA again this morning. They are in the process of sending the request to the White House. We're hoping to get an answer soon. And within that, we'll also be asking for [Small Business Administration] assistance. As I traveled throughout these areas, there's many, many small businesses still closed - the local pizzerias, the little, you know, mom and pop shops, the retail, the restaurants - and they're taking a financial hit. And so we'd like to be able to see if we can access a federal small business loan assistance for any of those. And certainly those that have had damage to their facilities is important. 
  
We're continuing to check on mobile home parks throughout Lewis County, Jefferson County, the Western New York counties, to make sure that - these areas are vulnerable. People are living in these homes, many of them are senior citizens, and the biggest fear we have is a roof collapse, so we've already done over 600 checks. We have more parks to cover, but again, this is an area where we're asking neighbors to check on neighbors. And if there's a single sound you hear with respect to the roof, make sure the occupants leave immediately at this time. 
  
So I want to see if there's any other remarks we need to cover. Is there anything I forgot, Commissioners? Rate of snowfall, continual power outages. Given the scale of this storm, I'm really proud of how the utility crews have stepped up. They were pre-positioned. Again, this is all about how you manage something of this scale. It's about being ready in advance - shutting down roads in advance, getting the equipment there and the other part is utilities because there's nothing more frightening for a family or a senior citizen to be in the cold, in the dark without heat and not knowing whether you can get out your driveway because there's six feet of snow, upwards of seven feet of snow, and when the plows come through, sometimes you have 10 feet of snow. One home I know has 15 feet of snow, so that is a dangerous circumstance when you need to get out for emergency purposes, but also it's just frightening. 
  
So, power outages - we have about 300 in Jefferson County, Erie County, fewer than 100, and statewide, about 1,200, some of them concentrated downstate. But that is really a very manageable number. And it's not, no one's been in the dark a long time. This is rotating in and out. Some are going down, some coming back online. 
  
And with that I'll just say, I think we're in a good place. Again, not declaring this is over, given that there's still more snow coming to the Watertown area, and I had hoped to be there with the Mayor and the County Administrator and the elected officials and the DOT crews, emergency crews again to thank them personally, so I'll have to do it this way. I am grateful to all the hours that you've given up over this long, long weekend. I know everybody's getting tired. I spoke to DOT crew operators and plow operators who had already worked 16 hours, and they do it with a smile. You know, they're proud to be out there. These are incredible public servants and I'm grateful for them.  
  
Thanks for everybody for just being smart, making it easier for us to do our jobs and as a result, we see the end in sight. Thank you. 

Huntington Library Food and Turkey Giveaway

 

Saturday, hundreds of people lined up around the corner to the back of the Huntington Library in Westchester Square for the free food and Turkey Giveaway sponsored by State Senator Alessandra Biaggi, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, The Hunts Point Produce Market, Local 79, and State Senator elect Nathalia Fernandez. There were information tables with samples of products and even city agencies including the Mayor's office. 

Two hundred turkeys, bags of groceries, and bags of produce were give out to the people on line not including whatever they picked up from the information and elected officials tables such as Covid home test kits, masks, and other useful gifts from Con Edison, Fidelis Care, and other companies on site. 

The line also stretched around the corner behind this spot.

Fideli Care gave out bags with helpful health products. 

State Senator Biaggi had staff hand out COVID home test kits, masks, and hand sanitizer. 

The AOC tables handed out information and answered questions from the people who passed by.

New 34th State Senator elect, current 80th A.D. Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez (left), and 80th A.D. State Committeewoman and Local 79 Organizer Christine Culpepper De Ruiz (right) stand by the turkeys and bags of groceries. 

Bag of fruit and vegetables await to be given out fresh from the Hunts Point Produce Market.