New York Kite Festival
The New York Kite Festival is a new annual festival, begun just in 2002. However, it figures to become a tradition in the Rockaways in Queens. http://www.rockawaychamberofcommerce.com/events.htmNew…
Battle of the Badges (Fire vs. Police)
The "battle of the badges" occurs when the fire department fights with the police department, usually on rescue situations. The rivalry has sometimes been fierce. After the 9-11 tragedy,…
Harlem’s Main Street, or the Buckle of Harlem’s Black Belt (125th Street)
125th Street (Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard) has long been known as "Harlem's Main Street." Other terms used less often include "the buckle of Harlem's black…
Parking Card
In 2005, the Department of Transportation introduced "parking cards" to some parking meters in New York City. http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/motorist/parking/municard.htmlWhere to use…
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
"CERTs" are Community Emergency Response Teams. The teams are being expanded for each community board to protect New Yorkers from disaster situations. The Federal Emergency Management…
Slam Gate (agent-operated gate, or AOG)
One subway entrance/exit that is not a turnstile is the "slam gate" or "agent-operated gate" (AOG). It's an easier entrance/exit for the handicapped and others. (Google…
Miracle on Madison Avenue
The annual "Miracle on Madison Avenue" street fair has helped charities (such as the Childrens Aid Society) since 1987. ...Children's Aid Society -- Miracle on MadisonShare in the…
Zagat (Za-GAT)
Eugene and Nina Zagat started publishing their Zagat Survey of restaurants in the early 1980s. It's since grown to other cities, and it's no longer a survey of only restaurants. A rhyme…
Murray Hell (Murray Hill + hell)
The New York Observer has called the Murray Hill section of Manhattan "Murray Hell." The strip of Third Avenue, between 29th and 38th Street, just has too many young people. The horror!…
Subway Alumni
"Subway alumni" are supporters of a college team who have never gone to that college. Notre Dame had powerful football teams in the early 1900s, and the Fighting Irish often played games…
“Lungs of the City” (Central Park)
It's commonly believed that Frederic Law Olmsted coined the term "lungs of the city" in reference to New York's Central Park. Olmsted helped design Central Park in 1858, and the…
Admiral’s Row or Officer’s Row (Brooklyn Navy Yard buildings)
The ten officers' houses built between 1864 and 1901 in the Brooklyn Navy Yard are called "Admiral's Row" or "Officer's Row." The buildings have been abandoned…
MoCA (Museum of Chinese in the Americas) & MoCCA (Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art)
"MoCA" is the Museum of Chinese in the Americas. It was organized in the 1990s. "MoCCA" is the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art. It's a new museum, just opened in 2004. Yes,…
International Dance Festival
The annual International Dance Festival began in 2002. Time will tell if it becomes a New York City institution. http://www.internationaldancefestival.org/mission.htmInternational Dance Festival…
Strawberry One-Act Festival (“American Idol for Playwrights”)
The Strawberry One-Act Festival was started by the Riant Theatre in 1996. The New York Daily News has dubbed it "American Idol for playwrights."…
LoCo (Lower Court) and ‘Hoodwinked (Curbed.com contest)
"LoCo" (as in "loco," Spanish for "crazy") seems like a natural "SoHo" knockoff. It's recently been suggested for "Lower Court" street in…
HOWL! (Festival of East Village Artists)
"Howl" is the title of a 1955 poem by Allen Ginsberg. HOWL! is the Festival of East Village Arts, a week-long August celebration first held in 2003. 2005's festival celebrated the…
Gateway to Queens (Queens Plaza)
Queens Plaza has been called "the Gateway to Queens." A transportation redesign of Queens Plaza was approved in 2002-2003.…
Dyckman Basketball Tournament
The Dyckman Basketball Tournament was founded by Kenneth Stevens and takes place Monsignor Kett Playground on West 204 Street and Nagle Avenue (near Dyckman Street). The Dyckman Games have been…
J & R
J & R is the electronics/music/computer giant on Park Row. It's a favorite of New York City government, located a block away at city hall. (Trademark)Word Mark J & R Goods and Services…