New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan today made an announcement. Since expanding access to doula and midwifery services two years ago, over 12,000 families have been served with home visits by the New Family Home Visits Initiative. The $34 million initiative offers support services and referrals…
From rent to groceries to transportation, everything seemingly costs more in New York City, and apparently our chocolate-eating habits are not exempt from that fact. (NYC is one of the most expensive cities to be happy in the US, after all, and what sparks more happiness than chocolate?)
According to a new report from consumer resource siteCouponBirds, NYC residents pay more for chocolate than the rest of the country—way more. In fact, a regular old bar of chocolate will cost a New Yorker 20.66% above the national average, per the study’s findings. For example, when compared to the national average, Hershey’s milk chocolate has a 23.11% price premium in New York City; Dove milk chocolate Promises cost 30.62% more here and snack-sized Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are 22.49% higher.
For their report, the CouponBirds team researched the price by ounce of the most popular chocolate products at Target in America’s biggest cities using data from Instacart. They then calculated the average price per ounce for each product by brand for each city and state and compared them to the national average to find the local premium on branded chocolate goods.
So what’s the reason for the price discrepancy between NYC and other major American cities? In New York, the price of cocoa beans reached a record $5,500 per metric ton in February, per the study. Gothamites also have to deal with “grocers that face high rental and running costs in addition to the delivery delays and limited storage space associated with an urban center of this density.”
In fact, New York State overall is the second most expensive state in the country when it comes to chocolate prices, with mark-ups being 10.70% higher than the national average. The priciest chocolate-loving state? That designation goes to Hawaii, with the cost of the sweet treat being 12.90% higher than the national average of $0.75 per ounce. Meanwhile, chocolate is at its cheapest in Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Maine, where it’s 3.64% less than the national average. Lucky!
Buying a new car is a pretty daunting prospect in this high-inflation world we now find ourselves in. It’s especially tricky if you are looking for a new set of wheels that won’t break the bank, is reliable enough to avoid the need to bring it into the garage every other month, and has all…
Medicine bottles are something people tend to keep hidden, tucked away in bathroom cabinets we hope nosy visitors stay out of. These plain orange cylinders chronicle our bodies and minds, serving as tangible tokens of that broken foot or sinus infection.
A powerful new art project on Governors Island, however, brings those empty bottles out from their cramped cabinets and into the light. Called Meditations on Medication: The Pill Bottle Project, this ever-evolving community installation will be constructed on weekends all summer—and all are invited to contribute.
The project is the brainchild of Alyson Vega, an artist with Fountain House Gallery who wants to spark conversation around medication, routine, recycling, plastic waste, insurance and accessibility. The project kicked off this past weekend and runs on weekends through August 11.
Photograph: Courtesy of Fountain House Gallery
This series of site-specific installations is constructed entirely of empty orange prescription bottles arranged in a variety of creative set-ups. One installation looks like a fireplace with glowing orange flames. Another turns pill bottles into twinkling lights. In another, bottles sit in a towering heap, inviting questions about plastic waste.
While the structural works are fascinating to look at, this art exhibit isn’t just about using your eyes. All are welcome to bring their own pill bottles to contribute and can even help construct aspects of the installation alongside staff on-site.
“Please come dance with us on Governors Island. Be a part of the story,” the artist wrote on Instagram, referencing the famed quote, “Diversity is being invited to the party. Inclusion is being asked to dance.”
If you’d like to drop off bottles, there are three sites to do so.
At Fountain House Gallery, 702 9th Avenue in Hell’s Kitchen
At Fountain House Studio, 37-24 24th Street, Suite 012, in Long Island City (call 212-582-0340 x1930 to enter)
At Nolan Park #8B on Governors Island
Be sure to remove the label off your bottles or Sharpie over private information. Sharpies will be provided at all drop-off locations.
In addition to donating empty pill bottles, NYC art fans are also asked to help by asking local pharmacies for bulk donations.
Photograph: Courtesy of Fountain House Gallery
How to see and create the installations
To see the artwork and lend a hand in creating it, head to Governors Island on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11am-5pm now through August 11. Find the setup at Nolan Park #8B. It’s free to enter.
While you’re on Governors Island, use our full guide to make the most of your experience.
Windows plays a crucial role in the energy efficiency and comfort of a building. They are not merely portals for light and ventilation but also significant contributors to the overall thermal performance and ambiance indoors. In recent years, advancements in window technologies have brought about innovative solutions to conserve energy while enhancing occupants’ comfort. Understanding…
This past weekend, over 28,000 very fit New Yorkers participated in the Brooklyn Half, the 13.1-mile-long marathon that starts off at the Brooklyn Museum, proceeds through Prospect Park and ends on the Coney Island boardwalk, a route that turns the feat of physical prowess into a proper tour of the borough.
A bit about the name of the event: organized by New York Road Runners, this specific marathon is actually called Brooklyn Half—a clear distinction from the Brooklyn Half Marathon that is put on by NYCRuns. The two organizations are actually in litigation in connection to their similar moniker: New York Road Runners has sued NYCRuns, claiming its marathon’s name is “misleading consumers and capitalizing on the goodwill in the Brooklyn Half.”
Whatever the name, one thing is for certain: all the folks participating in either run are at peak athletic form, clear examples of what humans can accomplish when putting their mind (and training schedules) to it.
Here are some of the best photos from this weekend’s Brooklyn Half:
