The View From Downtown - A Helping Hand %%page%% %%sep%% %%sitename%%

As the associate editor at Downtown Magazine, there are some initiatives and voices in NYC that we love to share directly. Below is an article from the Downtown Alliance.

Coffee, Wine And Fine Dining For A Very Good Cause

Help the people and animals impacted by the devastating wildfires in Australia by wining and dining in Lower Manhattan. From January 13 to 19, Boundless Plains Espresso, an Aussie-inspired cafe on Rector Street, will donate 100 percent of its profits to help Australia heal. At Crown Shy, on Friday, January 17, and Friday, January 24, the revenue from special seatings of Australian wine dinners will go to the Australian Red Cross and a koala hospital. And starting January 10, Crown Shy will exclusively serve Australian wines in their by-the-glass pours all month long, donating 10 percent of the earnings.

You can also donate directly to the Australian Red Cross here.

Feast At Eataly NYC Downtown’s Winter Wine And Food Festa

Get all the Italian comfort food you want — plus wine, cocktails and more — at Eataly NYC Downtown’s Winter Wine & Food Festa. Each month, this bacchanal gives ticket-holders a chance to enjoy multiple courses of stick-to-your-bones Italian cuisine. The year’s first festa is Friday, January 17, 6-8p. Tickets are $65.

Seesaws At The Seaport

Fend off those winter blues with some actual ups and downs thanks to an experiential art installation lighting up Seaport Square. Eight giant seesaws that glow and create surreal soundscapes when in motion give passersby a chance to interact with the city and one another in a new, quirky way. Try them out anytime between 10a to 9p.

Etsy’s Crafty Approach To Countering Climate Change

On Thursday, January 30, Etsy’s director of sustainability and integrated marketing manager are coming to LMHQ to discuss environmentally-savvy solutions that could change the future of e-commerce’s impact on climate change. Etsy is going the extra mile to offset carbon emissions: for every product it ships, the site invests in projects that reduce carbon emissions by the same amount. 6p. $15.

Turn Back The Clock With Alexander Hamilton History Buffs

Pop into Fraunces Tavern on Thursday, January 16, for a side of history with your post-work pint. The historic watering hole’s museum is hosting Brown University’s Barbara Chernow, an expert on all things Alexander Hamilton, who will discuss the importance of the Founding Father during America’s halcyon days, as well as how historical research impacts our perceptions of the past. 6:30p. $10, $5 for members.

There’s A Lot To Love About The Year Of The Rat

Despite what any seasoned New Yorker might think, there’s a lot to embrace about 2020 being the Year of the Rat. This ubiquitous city inhabitant is super smart and resourceful. And let us not forget how certain famed rodentia (e.g. Pizza Rat, the four-legged chef from “Ratatouille”) have warmed our hearts. So learn more about this year’s animal and the Chinese zodiac calendar at one of the China Institute’s Lunar New Year events.

Book Your Rezzies For NYC Restaurant Week 2020

January 21 through February 9 is your chance to taste some of the best dishes Downtown on the cheap. In Lower Manhattan, 21 restaurants — including The Tuck Room, Temple Court and Manhatta — will be offering up special prix-fixe menus including two-course lunches ($26) and three-course dinners ($42).

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Header image by Grace A. Capobianco

This morning, at 10 am, city officials cut a bright blue ribbon, initiating New York City’s 12th annual City of Water Day. The event, organized by the Waterfront Alliance, incorporates more than 50 activities along the city’s waterfront, with the aim of getting people to, on, and in the water. The Howard Hughes Corporation returns as this year’s presenting sponsor.

The kickoff reception took place aboard the Wavertree, a 19th-century cargo ship restored and run by the South Street Seaport Museum. Speakers included Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer and Council Member Ben Kallos, who each emphasized the importance of “resiliency” against climate change for a city with an extensive shoreline. Resiliency is a primary emphasis of the Waterfront Alliance, and of the politicians who support it.

“I believe climate change is real,” said Kallos, “and in June we passed a climate emergency resolution. We are the largest city in the world to do so. We’re gonna continue fighting every day to fight climate change so that the organization doesn’t have more waterfront in our city.”

“I just also want to say,” said Brewer, “the issue of resiliency is so friggin’ controversial. I know you’re talking about it as the issue, but those of us in the ULURP world have to figure out how high the park will be, how long we’re gonna spend on ULURP and what are we gonna do about keeping all of lower Manhattan safe…it is a long shot in terms of all these discussions, but it’s great because we’re always thinking about what Water Day means and what it means for resiliency. There is a connection between the two. So I wanna thank you also for that.