June 12: Museum Mile Festival

Fifth Ave, between 82nd and 105th St
Tuesday, June 12 from 6 to 9 p.m.
DEADLINE to sign up is Tuesday, June 12 at 9 a.m.

The annual Museum Mile Festival offers free admission to some of the world's finest art collections during extended evening hours. The 23-block stretch of Fifth Avenue is home to seven participating institutions—El Museo del Barrio, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum, the Jewish Museum, Neue Galerie and the Museum of the City of New York. In addition to all the art to see inside, there are plenty of outdoor festivities: face painting, chalk drawing, live music and other block-party-type events. The festival kicks off at 6 PM, rain or shine. 

June 2: Spanish Harlem Food Crawl

Saturday, June 2 from 2 to 5 p.m.
DEADLINE to sign up is Friday, June 1 at 8 p.m.

When was the last time you took a stroll in Spanish Harlem? Took in the people, the food, the sights and colors of the area? Come and explore the rich history of the neighborhood. Jump right in and experience a world not too far from the UES and yet miles away, right in your own backyard. Not to mention your taste buds will thank you for it! Experience the sensation of getting lost in a crunchy and mouth-watering, Chicharron, or the smooth, creamy, sweetness of a Tres Leches Cake.

Come On An Empty Stomach!

June 27: Intro to Civic Engagement

Atwood Sports Bar & Lounge, 986 2nd Ave (btw 52nd & 53rd)
Wednesday, June 27 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

One way to better know, love and serve our neighbors is to participate in our community through civic engagement. Join us to explore how we can engage with local municipalities for the common good. We'll discuss the basics of local civics and present opportunities for involvement.  Registration below is encouraged but walk-ins are welcome, too!

(past event) May 16: CB8 Community Board Meeting

Memorial Sloan Kettering – RRL 117
430 East 67th Street (btw 1st & York)
Wednesday, May 16 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

CB8 represents the Upper East Side of Manhattan, from the north side of East 59th Street to the south side of East 96th Street, Fifth Avenue to the East River, and Roosevelt Island. The Full Board of CB8 meets monthly on the third Wednesday of each month, reviewing recommendations made by committees and voted on for final approval. Each meeting starts with public session, where constituents have 3 minutes to comment on issues coming to the board or express any issues or concerns effecting the community. Also at the Full Board meeting, reports are made by elected officials, the District Manager, and the Chair of CB8. Attending Full Board is an easy way to learn more about what is happening in the Upper East Side and Roosevelt Island.

Margaret – Planting Flowers (Video)

Jeff – Christmas Cookies

I've been living in New York City for 4 1/2 years, and in my neighborhood for about 3. About a year ago, I got married and my wife and I moved into a new apartment on 81st street. We were excited to make it a home and place we would enjoy returning to after work.

Growing up, my wife and her family made baked goods and brought them around to their neighbors during the Christmas season. We decided it would be fun to to do the same thing in our building since we hadn't had the chance to meet all the residents of our 5-floor walk-up. 

We spent a weekend making cookies and writing friendly notes to introduce ourselves and wish each neighbor a Merry Christmas and happy holiday season. We took them door-to-door, leaving most on people's doorsteps to discover when they returned. 

Over the next few days many of our neighbors stopped us in the hall and introduced themselves, asking if we were the ones who left the cookies, and thanking us. We were most amazed when we returned home after vacation and found a note under our door from an elderly gentleman in the apartment upstairs. He wrote us to say that after 35 years living in the building, we were the first to leave anything except misdirected mail at his door. He left us $10 as a token of his gratitude. 

We were overwhelmed that what seemed to us like a fun and simple effort to meet our neighbors could impact one of them so deeply. I hope it encourages you to consider what small things can bring joy to your neighborhood. 

Share Your Neighborhood Story

Stories are a way to share with one another the amazing things happening in our neighborhoods. Do you have a story about how you interact with your neighbors? Did you witness something unique and powerful taking place in your neighborhood?

Share you story with us.