team ciaooo, Author at ciaooo!

CORONAVIRUS & MONKEYPOX

1. HERE’S THE NY SCOOP

THE STATS:

18, 295, 844 vaccines administered across NYC
386 new hospitalizations
7,303 new cases (wear your masks!!!)
4,108 Monkeypox cases in NY

GOOD NEWS

Salary Transparency Laws went into effect today – Starting today, any company with more than 4 employees will have to place a salary range for every open role. Time to check for a raise?

Will Transparency Improve NYPD Accountability? – The Civilian Complaint Review Board investigates police misconduct, and now, they’ll be adding investigations of racial profiling.

BAD NEWS

Bruh…It’s getting dark a LOT earlier now– Daylight saving time ends this Sunday, November 6th, 2022. Sunset this Sunday will be at 4:46pm. Welp..Seasonal depression, here we come.

GIVE US THE SCOOP

2. WHAT’S ON THE BALLOT THIS YEAR?

Y’ALL. SO MUCH IS HAPPENING THIS ELECTION.
This year’s midterm elections are volatile! For the first time in 20 years, it seems NY may be in danger of turning into a…red state! In a post-pandemic city with rising crime, rent and gas prices, New Yorkers are turning to Republican candidates in key districts. That’s why it’s more important than ever that you vote.

FYI: Early voting is happening now and ends Sunday, Nov. 6, two days before Election Day.

WHO’S ON THE BALLOT?

Governor: Incumbent Kathy Hochul (D) is going against Lee Zeldin (R). Polls are showing a close race.
Senator: 5 Time Senator Chuck Schumer (D) is running against Joe Pinion (R).
Attorney general: Current AG, Letitia James, is running against Michael Henry (R). Letitia James is known for filing lawsuits against Trump for lying on his taxes & the sexual assault claims against former Gov Cuomo.
State Comptroller: Thomas DiNapoli, faces a Republican challenger, Paul Rodriguez. DiNapoli discovered $66m in fraudulent purchases by the NYC Ferry system.
State Senate and Assembly Seats – Over 26 seats are up for grabs this election, and in neighborhoods like South Brooklyn, Staten Island and the Hudson Valley, Republican candidates are inching closer to the finish line.

AN ACT TO COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE
You’ll also be asked whether to approve the Environmental Bond Act of 2022, aka The “Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act”. This would allow New York to borrow up to $4.2 billion, through a bond issuance, for projects related to greenhouse gas emissions, flood risk, clean water, land conservation, and other climate-related matters. The last Bond Act was passed over 20 years ago.

Critics argue that NY is already in debt and doesn’t need more. While literally everyone else who has some semblance of care for the planet and the future of NY has approved of it. Even the fiscally conservative state comptroller, Thomas DiNapoli has approved of it.

A BALLOT PROPOSAL FOR RACIAL JUSTICE?
Ballot proposals allow you to vote directly on an issue. They are brought to light by elected officials. This year, you can expect ballot proposals on racial justice that will:

Add a Statement of Values to Guide Government – apreambleto all city charters to add the value “just and equitable city for all”.
Develop a new city agency and commission specifically for improving racial equity.
Measure and create a new “true cost of living” specific to NYC and not the nation (since we all know NYC is much more expensive than say…Charlotte).

SO WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO?
LOTS of big issues are in the midterm elections this year, so make sure you go out and vote!

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OH HEY, HELLO, ciaooo!

3. TIME TO KILL: A SKETCH COMEDY SHOW

Writers and producers at The Drew Barrymore Show, The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, The Tonight Show come together for Time to Kill: A Sketch Comedy Show, a true sketch comedy variety sketch show made up of the best comedians in New York City — with each performance packed with sketches, musical numbers, celebrity impressions, and more!

November features America’s sweethearts Jack Blankenship (The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon), Rachael Burke (The Drew Barrymore Show), McKenna Cox (NBC), Scott Hercman (The Daily Show with Trevor Noah), Sila Puhl (McSweeney’s), Nick Reichheld (NBC’s Bring the Funny) Channing Tookes (The Armory), and more!

Saturday November 5, 8-9 pm ET
The Players Theatre, 115 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012
Ticket link:
https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pe.c/11182038
Website for venue:
http://www.theplayerstheatre.com/

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Community-first. Women-led. ciaooo! is on a mission to empower brands and organizations that make NYC a better place. Learn more!

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CORONAVIRUS & MONKEYPOX

1. HERE’S THE NY SCOOP

THE STATS:

18, 255, 509 vaccines administered across NYC (updates now once a week on Thursday)
313 new hospitalizations
6,467 new cases (wear your masks!!!)
3,984 Monkeypox cases in NY

GOOD NEWS

Biden is Pardoning Marjiuana Posession – Over 6,500 people charged with simple marijuana possession are being pardoned across the nation. In NY, weed is decriminalized but nationally it is still a federal crime to possess small amounts of marijuana.
Statue of Liberty’s Crown is Reopening – Starting today, Tuesday, October 10 – the Crown will be reopened to the public after being shut down due to COVID in 2020.

BAD NEWS

The MTA is Stabby and Sketchy – A seventh person was killed on the subway, in a completely unprovoked attack in the Bronx last week. Compare that to pre-COVID times, when there were only 3 in all of 2019. The MTA claims they will install 2 new security cameras in every train. Stay safe out there folks…

GIVE US THE SCOOP

2. SURPRISE SURPRISE…NEW YORKERS ARE BROKE

ARE NEW YORKERS RICH…OR JUST FINANCIALLY IRRESPONSIBLE?

Last week, NYC Comptroller Anthony DiNapoli released a report on rising consumer debt levels in New York and the nation. Guess what they found? The average New Yorker had a debt of $53,830 in 2021, with student loans and credit card debt making up the bulk of the number. All that avocado toast, amirite?

Comptroller DiNapoli said, “Households across the nation have record levels of debt, after a temporary decline at the onset of the pandemic in 2020. We’re seeing debt rise for New Yorkers with student loans, mortgages, and credit cards.”

YEA, BUT WHAT ABOUT ACROSS THE NATION?
While that number is not too surprising, NY is still doing better than the rest of the nation, where debt has increased by 4% compared to 2% in NY. This is still the highest number on record for New Yorkers, the last time being during the recession of ’08.

On top of that, majority of debt for Americans outside of NY lies mainly in mortgage and car payments cause…well..real estate in NY is pretty damn near impossible.

AT LEAST WE’RE GETTING STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS…RIGHT?
The Biden administration was set to announce an application for student loan forgiveness in “early October”…but a series of lawsuits are delaying that.

A group of 6 state attorney generals including that of Missouri, (which MOHELA, the student loan servicer is based out of) are claiming that debt cancelation would hurt their state revenues. The Biden administration is fighting back claiming they have the authority to do so cause of the HEROES ACT, and that its pretty sketchy of Missouri to defend MOHELA for its own self interests. Peep the official lawsuit here.

Now, they’ve promised the court that no student loan debt will be discharged under the debt relief plan until at least October 23rd. Maybe have some Ramen for dinner, ok?

In the meantime, stay tuned to your emails and our Instagram where we will be posting the latest updates

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OH HEY, HELLO, ciaooo!

3. FILM LOVERS…WHERE YA AT? IT’S THE NEW YORK FILM FESTIVAL

If you’ve never been, the NYFF hosts some of the premier films in the film circuit AND you get to watch showings in the gorgeous theaters of Lincoln Center. The festival runs until this Sunday, October 16th. Get your tickets before they run out!

Some of our selects include:
Is That Black Enough For You – A documentary about the Black revolution in 1970s cinema
She Said – A drama detailing the New York Times‘ investigation that uncovered decades of sexual harassment and assault in Hollywood
A Cooler Climate – A Oscar-winning filmmaker uncovers boxes of film he shot during a life-changing trip to Afghanistan in 1960.

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Community-first. Women-led. ciaooo! is on a mission to empower brands and organizations that make NYC a better place. Learn more!

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CORONAVIRUS & MONKEYPOX

1. HERE’S THE NY SCOOP

THE STATS:

18, 255, 509 vaccines administered across NYC (NYC has not updated since 9/22)
313 new hospitalizations
6,518 new cases (wear your masks!!!)
3,948 Monkeypox cases in NY

GOOD NEWS

Mets are in the Playoffs. Finally, something to celebrate for Mets fans. Playoffs start this Friday! The last time the Mets made the playoffs was in 2016. They’ve been in the playoffs a total of 9 times in 60 seasons.

Election Day is Coming Up – Are you registered? Applications must be postmarked no later than October 14, 2022 and received by a board of elections no later than October 19, 2022 to vote!

BAD NEWS

Republicans are Stirring Up Some Absentee Drama – During COVID, the absentee ballot restrictions were opened up so that anyone could vote by mail. Now, Republican and Conservative Party leaders are SUING to get rid of the practice just weeks before the election. Stirring the pot much?

Teenagers, Yet Again, Proving to be the Biggest Bullies on the Block – This NY Post article says it all, “A band of foul-mouthed, toy gun-waving, pot-puffing high school hooligans are keeping residents of West 13th off 6th Avenue hostage in their own tony homes, terrified denizens told The Post.”

GIVE US THE SCOOP

2. IS CUFFING SEASON UPON US?

CUFFING SEASON
Ahhh yes, the leaves are changing, the season is turning and the cuffs are coming out.

As New Yorkers begin to hunker down in preparation for the cold, so begins the single person’s search for a cuddle buddy to spend the cold winter months with. Urban Dictionary defines “Cuffing Season” as the time period between Fall and Winter, “when new relationships start and old relationships turn into engagements”.

Starting this month (side note: can you believe we’re in October already) and lasting until just after Valentines Day, expect a little more love in the air. If you’re single, or know of someone who’s single, better check out our guide to love, sex and dating in NYC here.

BUT… A MORE IMPORTANT SEASON IS UPON US
Even more important than cuffing season is… Voting Season! The Gubernatorial election is coming up in less than 6 weeks and you NEED to know whats happening. This is the first election where we’ll only see two candidates, current Democratic governor Kathy Hochul versus Republican Lee Zeldin.

Before you go, “Yea, whatever. New York is a blue state, the Dems will win”…that is no longer the case. Midterm elections see some of the lowest voter turnouts, in the last election, less than 25% of voters turned up in Manhattan alone.

“This is one of the bluest states in America, and the Republicans have nominated an entire slate of extremists for statewide offices,” Levine said. “So we should be absolutely dominating, but in fact Democrats are polling in the low 50s. And we want to motivate people who care about the culture of this state to come out and vote.” – Mark Levine, City and State NY

WHAT’S AT RISK?
Both Governor Hochul (D) and Lee Zeldin (R) have their flaws. Hochul for example has been accused of accepting “pay-to-play schemes” including a $300,000 donation to her campaign by a developer of COVID-19 tests in exchange for a NYS deal. Zeldin co-sponsored legislation that would ban most abortions and will most likely follow in the Supreme Court’s decision to ban Abortions in NY as well if he wins.

Who you decide to vote for is up to you, but we encourage you to research and vote this November 8th. And hey…if you’re cuffing someone up, you may as well get them to go to the voting polls with you.

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OH HEY, HELLO, ciaooo!

3. VISIT THE CLIMATE CHANGE POP UP EXHIBIT

On October 8, 2022, the Climate Museum is opening a 3-month pop-up in Soho, presenting the major new work Someday, all this by David Opdyke. This artwork will be paired with a climate action incubator where visitors participate in guided opportunities for reflection, dialogue, and action for better futures.

The Climate Museum creates an inclusive, equity-centered culture for action on climate. Cultural engagement helps people turn away from resignation toward their own courage, connectedness, and agency.

If you’ve wanted to do “something” about climate change, here’s your start!

LEARN MORE

Community-first. Women-led. ciaooo! is on a mission to empower brands and organizations that make NYC a better place. Learn more!

Facebook Conversations

CORONAVIRUS & MONKEYPOX

1. HERE’S THE NY SCOOP

THE STATS:

18, 255, 509 vaccines administered across NYC
325 new hospitalizations
6,467 new cases (wear your masks!!!)
3,895 Monkeypox cases in NY

GOOD NEWS

And the winner of the 5th Annual Meatball Eating Contest is…. Frank Julio! In what can only be explained as the most chaotic, entertaining and quintessentially NYC event we’ve ever witnessed at the San Gennaro Feast…tap the link to watch the recap.

Lucky Lucky Lucky– Jackpot…this couple has a $500 artists loft in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. And they’re never leaving. Consider this a brief shining ray of hope that you may be so lucky one day.

BAD NEWS

Ditching the Big Apple for the Sunshine State- Over 42,000 New Yorkers have left the state this year in search of sunnier days. Can’t wait to see the Florida Man news stories come out now. Bing Bong!

GIVE US THE SCOOP

2. DO YOU NEED ANOTHER BOOSTER SHOT?

WTF IS HAPPENING?
Time passes…oh so fast. Just one year ago, Omnicron was on the rise, and two years earlier NY was just beginning to talk about getting the vaccine.

Meanwhile, last week, President Biden said COVID was over. Gov Hochul dropped the mask requirements for the subway and just about everyone is back to the level of debauchery that a 99 cent pizza shop sees in the Lower East Side sees on a Saturday night.

And yet… medical professionals, and the NY Health commissioner are telling us to hold our horses.

OH ANOTHER NEW BOOSTER?
Vaccines have been working, but for many, the last booster was last year. Doctors are now recommending everyone over the age of 12 to take the new Bivalent booster if it has been more than 2 months since their last shot.

“Updated bivalent boosters can blunt the scale and impact of future waves and will keep our city healthy through the fall and winter, whatever comes our way.” – Dr. Ashwin Vasan, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) Commissioner

The updated boosters will target new variants and will protect New Yorkers in the coming Fall and Winter months. While last year’s Omnicron variant was one of the most contagious we’d seen, experts believe that more resistant strains are on the way, like the newly discovered Centaurus.

AND NOW?
Expect to have to get boosters every year, similar to the Flu shot. If you are interested in getting the newest Bivalent booster, use the NYC Vaccine Finder online for days and times.

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OH HEY, HELLO, ciaooo!

3. A CHINATOWN FAIR IS HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND

Remember Welcome to Chinatown?
It was a nonprofit organization started by 2 millennials to help fledgling businesses in Chinatown during COVID. Since 2020, the group has raised millions of dollars to give back to the community. This weekend, they are throwing a huge immersive fair:

88 East Fair – A free weekend fair to celebrate Chinatown and our big, beautiful community. Come shop, play + immerse at East Broadway Mall. Fri, Sep 30th & Sat Oct 1st at 88 East Mall

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Community-first. Women-led. ciaooo! is on a mission to empower brands and organizations that make NYC a better place. Learn more!

Facebook Conversations

CORONAVIRUS & MONKEYPOX

1. HERE’S THE NY SCOOP

THE STATS:

18, 249,725 vaccines administered across NYC
757new hospitalizations
7,056 new cases (wear your masks!!!)
3, 799 Monkeypox cases in NY

GOOD NEWS

Bridging the Digital Divide Over 300,000 NYC public housing residents will get free internet and cable starting in 2023.

Diversity in the…fireforce – New legislation will require the FDNY to hire more female and minority firefighters to more accurately reflect NYC. Right now, over 75% of firefighters are white men, and less than 1% are women.

BAD NEWS

MTA to install 2 cameras in each subway car – Governor Hochul announced a $5.5 million plan to install 2 cameras in every single subway car to deter crime. While that may help, we’re curious as to exactly who will be watching? What type of privacy are we losing out on? All we can say for sure…is that the Showtime kids are about to get some great footage.

TELL US YOUR THOUGHTS

2. WELP…THERE GOES $200 MILLION

WTF IS HAPPENING?
During the peak of the Pandemic, New York saw the largest drop off in tourism it had ever seen, with hotels at a 39.1% occupancy rate. As mentioned in last week’s newsletter, affordable housing has also been on tight supply due to lengthy permitting for development.

Earlier this year, Mayor Eric Adams followed up on an ambitious plan to convert hotels with low occupancy into affordable housing.

“Affordable apartments can be created for about two-thirds of the cost and in one-third of the time through conversions than through ground-up construction. Passed in 2021, the Housing Our Neighbors with Dignity Act made $100 million available to help facilitate these conversions” – NYC Press Release, May 1, 2022

ONE YEAR, $200 MILLION LATER…
While the plan started spinning its wheels during under Governor Cuomo’s leadership, another $100 million was added to fund the program and not a single apartment has been created.

California on the other hand, has created 12,500 homes in a similar plan within the last two years.

Why? Well, now that tourism is back, hotels are seeing an 81.2% occupancy rate and no longer “underutilized” or selling their properties for cheap. Plus, most of the hotels within the city are unionized and backed by the Hotel Trades Council Union that curiously enough, also backed Mayor Adams’ campaign.

AND NOW?
We’re at a standstill. Hotels in the city won’t sell because business is booming. Even if we are able to get a hotel to sell, the entire permitting process is lengthy, and zoning requirements make it extremely difficult for developers to convert hotels or build affordable apartments from scratch. It’s a Catch 22 that would offend even Yossarian!

While we’re not sure what’s happened to the money just yet, let’s hope it doesn’t fall into negligent hands like the NYC Ferry debacle.

Developers are incentivized to build luxury apartments that will make them significantly more money.

If the city is really going to create affordable housing, then they need to remove obstacles and increase initiative to allow this to happen. We’ll need our representatives to speak up for us. November’s coming elections will be imperative, so make sure that you are registered to vote!

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OH HEY, HELLO, ciaooo!

3. HEY! IT’S CLIMATE WEEK! LET’S CHANGE THE WORLD TOGETHER!

Climate Week NYC 2022, marks its fourteenth year as the biggest global climate event of its kind. Bringing together the most influential leaders in climate action from business, government, and the climate community, in conjunction with the United Nations General Assembly and the City of New York. Climate Week NYC creates an ambitious platform for our mission to drive climate action. Fast.

Check out these two great events this week if you are interested in learning more!

Nest Summit Campus – Meet 70+ Sustainability Experts and Entrepreneurs in this FREE summit at Jacob Javits Center. Wed, Sep 21, 2022, 7:30 AM – Thu, Sep 22, 2022, 5:30 PM EDT (FREE)
Marketplace of the Future – Meet and view exhibitionists from the next generation of sustainable brands, spearheaded by Brooklyn based environmental futurist, Amer Jandali! Friday, September 23rd 3PM – 11PM ($35)

LEARN MORE

Community-first. Women-led. ciaooo! is on a mission to empower brands and organizations that make NYC a better place. Learn more!

CORONAVIRUS & MONKEYPOX

1. HERE’S THE NY SCOOP

THE STATS:

GOOD NEWS

BAD NEWS

GIVE US THE SCOOP

2. WHAT’S ON THE BALLOT THIS YEAR?

OH HEY, HELLO, ciaooo!

3. TIME TO KILL: A SKETCH COMEDY SHOW

CORONAVIRUS & MONKEYPOX

1. HERE’S THE NY SCOOP

THE STATS:

GOOD NEWS

BAD NEWS

GIVE US THE SCOOP

2. SURPRISE SURPRISE…NEW YORKERS ARE BROKE

OH HEY, HELLO, ciaooo!

3. FILM LOVERS…WHERE YA AT? IT’S THE NEW YORK FILM FESTIVAL

CORONAVIRUS & MONKEYPOX

1. HERE’S THE NY SCOOP

THE STATS:

GOOD NEWS

BAD NEWS

GIVE US THE SCOOP

2. IS CUFFING SEASON UPON US?

OH HEY, HELLO, ciaooo!

3. VISIT THE CLIMATE CHANGE POP UP EXHIBIT

CORONAVIRUS & MONKEYPOX

1. HERE’S THE NY SCOOP

THE STATS:

GOOD NEWS

BAD NEWS

GIVE US THE SCOOP

2. DO YOU NEED ANOTHER BOOSTER SHOT?

OH HEY, HELLO, ciaooo!

3. A CHINATOWN FAIR IS HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND

CORONAVIRUS & MONKEYPOX

1. HERE’S THE NY SCOOP

THE STATS:

GOOD NEWS

BAD NEWS

TELL US YOUR THOUGHTS

2. WELP…THERE GOES $200 MILLION

OH HEY, HELLO, ciaooo!

3. HEY! IT’S CLIMATE WEEK! LET’S CHANGE THE WORLD TOGETHER!

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