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Summer Jazz Sensations concerts will continue every Wednesday through September 18, and we hope to see you there!

Canto Livens Up Broadway with Pasta and Small Plates

Recently, Canto - a new Italian restaurant - opened at 2014 Broadway (between

West 68th and West 69th Street). The restaurant is located on the east side of

Broadway, next door to Zizi Wine Bar, across from Morton Williams, and a block away from Tempur-Pedic. All of these businesses have opened in the past year and keep this section of Broadway a bustling place to shop or dine. This newcomer is now providing residents and visitors alike with yet another great dining option.

Canto is the second location from restauranteur Djamel Omari, who opened its sister restaurant and café three years ago in the West Village. Omari, who grew up in Paris, has worked in the restaurant industry around the world for the past 30 years. When asked why he chose to focus on Italian food with his restaurants, the answer was simple: “Everyone loves Italian!” But while the cuisine may have been easy to settle on, Canto’s dishes are painstakingly made from scratch. Everything is made in house, including the pasta, bread, sauces, and desserts.

Canto’s dinner options include small seafood and meat plates, salads, secondi like branzino and veal, and pasta dishes. Charcuterie lovers will delight in the establishment’s fine cured meats and cheeses from across the U.S., France, Italy, and Spain. When it comes to dessert, Canto has a wide assortment of sweets, including affogato, soufflés, and limoncello cheesecake. To drink, both cocktails and wine are available. Right now, the restaurant is open for dinner service Tuesday through Thursday starting at 4:00pm and Friday and Saturday starting at 3:00pm.

Learn more about Canto here, or stop by to try it for yourself.

2024 Jazz Sensations Takes Series to New Heights

The 2024 Summer Jazz Sensations concert series is the third iteration of Lincoln Square BID’s signature summer programming, and it has been the most successful series to date. The key ingredient to the series’ success: handpicked talent by curator Eric Person. Person, himself an accomplished musician, works for a full calendar year before the series’ start to identify and attract the best jazz musicians to play at Dante Park. 

Person knows that music is about connection - connection between the musicians themselves, connection between the musicians and the audience, and, perhaps most importantly, connection between the audience and the music. He has used his personal connections as an accomplished musician and music educator to curate a line-up for the 2024 Summer Jazz Sensations concerts that features a remarkable breadth of talent performing music that resonates with the audience. Person spends a great deal of time researching musicians to perform in Dante Park and selects a roster of musicians that represent both established talent, like Lezlie Harrison, and up-and-coming artists.

In addition to the high caliber of performers at the concerts, the Summer Jazz Sensations’ unique setting is paramount to its success. Person, who has curated events in several locations, said that the series’ location in Lincoln Square’s Dante Park (located at Broadway & 64th Street) sets it apart from, and above, other series noting that the park's greenery and amenities allow the audience to be “comfortable, relaxed, and keyed into the music.” Meaningful interactions with music require presence and awareness, and Dante Park provides an atmosphere where audience members can immerse themselves in the jazz and tune out the outside world every Wednesday from noon to 1:30pm. 

One of the most exciting performances of the concert series is coming up on September 11. Lincoln Square is thrilled to welcome Cynthia Scott with special guest Houston Person to perform at Dante Park. Cynthia is known as an outstanding musician in her own right and also for her association with famed jazz musician Ray Charles. Houston Person, who is 89 years old, is one of the greatest tenor saxophone players on the modern jazz scene. To see the two perform together is sure to be an unforgettable experience.

Time flies when you’re having fun, and Summer Jazz Sensations will be over before you know it. Be sure to catch the last three concerts of the series through September 18 and savor every last bit of summer!

Project Renewal & Ethical NYC Bring Free

Mobile Medical Clinic to Amsterdam Avenue

Just to the east of Lincoln Square sits the historic New York Society for Ethical Culture (Ethical NYC). The Humanist organization has been headquartered in a historic building at the corner of West 64th Street and Central Park West since 1876. In 1902, the society constructed a new building at 33 Central Park West to house the Ethical Culture School, which has since expanded to include four campuses, one of which is still located at 33 Central Park West, adjacent to the Society for Ethical Culture (though in 1995, the organization voted to set up the school as its own legal entity with a self-governing board of trustees). While much has changed in the nearly 150 years since Ethical NYC’s founding, the organization remains true to its mission of fostering ethical relationships, social justice, and democracy.

Ethical NYC has initiated a wide array of programs to serve its neighbors, and its most recent project, a collaboration with Project Renewal, is providing free healthcare to neighbors in need. Project Renewal’s MedVan mobile clinic provides a variety of healthcare services to individuals in the community, including visits with a primary care provider and a mobile pharmacy. The medical van is parked on Amsterdam Avenue between West 63rd and West 64th Street on Wednesdays from 9:00am to 11:30am. Services are open to all regardless of insurance status and ability to pay.

The partnership with Project Renewal is just one of a myriad of community engagement initiatives organized by the New York Society for Ethical Culture; Ethical NYC also hosts school supply giveaways in August and January, a turkey distribution event in November, and free back-to-school haircuts for children in the Amsterdam Houses. In addition, the society hosts a diverse array of speakers, discussions, meditations, and opportunities to meet your neighbors at Sunday Platform meetings and Humanist Happy Hours. To learn more about this programming, visit ethical.nyc. To get involved or donate supplies, email Marlene Williamson, Director, Ethical Friends, Amsterdam Community Outreach Coordinator External Partnerships, at mwilliamson@nysec.org. 

LSBID knows that the strongest communities are built by neighbors who look out for one another, and we are proud to have compassionate, engaged neighbors like the New York Society for Ethical Culture.

EVENTS & PROMOTIONS

Traffic Advisories

On Sunday, September 8, there will be a street fair on Columbus Avenue between West 66th and West 72nd Street. The fair will begin at 10:00am, but set-up may start as early as 8:00am, and will conclude by 6:00pm (breakdown may end as late as 8:00pm). The streets will be closed to vehicular traffic for the duration of the event.

On Saturday, September 14, there will be a street fair on the east side of Broadway between West 60th and West 61st Street. The event will start at 10:00am (set-up may start as early as 8:00am) and will conclude by 6:00pm (breakdown may end as late as 8:00pm).

Need to know about upcoming bridge and street closures? Visit DOT’s webpage for the weekly traffic advisory and weekend traffic advisory.

Update on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 

While The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (125 Columbus Ave) is under construction, the information center is free and open to the public Wednesday through Friday from 11:00am until 4:00pm through the end of December. The renovations are predicted to be completed in 2027, after which visitors will be able to tour the temple via an open house before it is blessed and closed to the public.

Sanitation Updates

Composting Begins in October: Curbside composting will be available to all residents beginning October 6, 2024. Service will be year-round every week, and collection is on your recycling day. Learn more about the program here. Then, place your order for a free Brown Bin for your building. Orders must be placed before October 28, 2024. The next information session for property managers and superintendents will be on Thursday, September 5, at 2:00pm. Register here. 

New Trash Containerization Rules for Residential Buildings: The NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) recently announced plans to containerize all residential trash. As of November 12, 2024, properties with fewer than 10 residential units will be required to use bins with secure lids for trash set-out (55 gallons max) before transitioning to the use of an official NYC bin next summer. Eventually, properties with 10-30 residential units will be required to choose either stationary, on-street containers, or smaller wheelie bins, and properties with 31+ units will be required to use stationary, on-street containers for their trash, serviced by new, automated side-loading garbage trucks. On-street containers will be assigned to a specific building solely for residents of that building. Learn more or attend one of DNSY’s virtual information sessions, which will be held on Thursdays throughout September. 

Free Advertising for Small Businesses

LinkLocal is a program that provides free advertisements for small businesses, community groups, and local events. Designed to help business owners and community leaders connect with customers and communities, LinkLocal provides pre-designed advertising templates that can be featured on 1-2 selected Links. Each month, LinkLocal Promo has special promotions tailored to support the growth and outreach of small businesses and nonprofit organizations. Qualifying organizations receive advertising on a total of 4 Links, free of charge: September (Back to School Month), October (Women’s Small Business Month); November (Veterans Small Business Month); and December (Shop Small—all small businesses). Read more about the LinkLocal program and submit requests.

MTA’s Vacant Unit Activation Program

Launched in late 2023, the vacant retail activation program aims to fill vacant retail units in the subway system with creative non-traditional uses, such as art installations or cultural programming that can make currently underutilized spaces more vibrant. If you are a nonprofit, community, or arts organization and would be interested in operating a unit, reach out to mtare@mtahq.org, or learn more here. 

Free Help for Building Energy Efficiency Upgrades 

Whether you are currently undertaking deep building energy upgrades or have not yet explored energy conservation measures, incentive programs can drastically reduce the upfront cost. Some incentive programs can even provide your building with free in-unit LEDs. Unlock cost-saving opportunities for your building projects by working with a NYC Accelerator account manager to explore a curated list of incentive programs, financing options, and tax credits available to your building. Contact NYC Accelerator to get started with free, personalized technical assistance.

Notice of Hearing for Proposed Parking Lot/Garage Rules

The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) is proposing to amend rules related to parking lots and garages. DCWP will hold a public hearing on the proposed rule at 11:00am on September 23, 2024. The public hearing will be accessible by phone and videoconference. The proposed new rules would clarify the requirements with respect to charging customers different rates based on their method of payment; clarify the requirements for a change to a new rate schedule for monthly parking rates; and clarify the required minimum insurance coverage limits for parking lots and garages. Learn more about the proposed changes and hearing here. 

September 11 Tribute in Lights 

To mark the 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum and NYC Tourism are encouraging buildings across the City to illuminate their facades or rooftops in any shade of blue for the annual Tribute in Lights, taking place the evening of September 11, 2024. If you’re interested in participating or have any questions, please contact Allie Gauthier (agauthier@911memorial.org) from the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, then check out these tips on how to participate while minimizing the effects for migrating birds. 

RSVP for Free West Side Flu Shot Day

On Monday, September 30, Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal will hold her annual flu shot day with Mount Sinai Health Systems from 10:00am through 1:00pm at her District Office at 230 West 72nd Street, Suite 2F (between Broadway and West End Avenue). Appointments are required. Please contact Assemblymember Rosenthal's office at 212-873-6368 or rosenthall@nyassembly.gov to RSVP.