Author Archives
emil mella
These are difficult times, and we’re doing our best to keep Manhattan informed – which is why we’ve been putting out our daily COVID-19 newsletter (sign up here!).
One of the most challenging parts of this crisis have come from how it has impacted education – from college to pre-K, students are going home as families learn how to best grapple with e-learning platforms. We’ve been sending out information… Read more
Visit my Testing & Vaccines webpage for the most recent testing site information… Read more
Manhattan’s 12 community boards are local organizations each composed of 50 volunteer members serving staggered two-year terms. Community boards are tasked with being the independent and representative voices of their communities—the most grass-roots form of local government. The boards are pivotal in shaping their communities and work to enhance and preserve the character of the city’s many unique neighborhoods.
Our annual leadership development classes for Community Board members– and the public–will be held online this year, naturally. The trainings are designed to hone the expertise of Community Board members and the public at large on important local government functions. (Last updated: 6/17/20).
NYC Land use and zoning 101:
Tuesday, June 23 | 6 – 8 pm
This training will provide an overview of the history of land use and… Read more
Primary Day is just three short weeks away, on June 23, encompassing primaries for President, Congress, and state and local races.
The ballot will be two-sided. On page one, Presidential candidates and then all the delegates will be listed (with the candidate that they are pledged to, at the right of their name). Voters can choose up to any seven of the delegates, regardless of which Presidential candidate they are… Read more
( This is the entirety of my Monday COVID-19 newsletter. )
Friends,
It’s Monday, June 1, 2020.
At press time, TheCity.nyc’s COVID-19 tracker shows Manhattan has 25,056 confirmed cases and 2,913 deaths; New York City as a whole has 200,547 cases and 21,569 deaths.
And as we prepared to hit “send” on our regular newsletter, the Governor and Mayor announced a curfew beginning at 11 pm tonight, running until 5… Read more
The State’s New York Forward Loan Fund will make under-$100,000 working capital loans to NYS small businesses, nonprofits, and small landlords of under 20 employees and gross revenues of under $3 million. Applicants are ineligible if they received SBA funding through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) or the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL).
Loan amounts will be the lesser of (a) $100,000 or (b) up to 100% of average monthly … Read more
Who’s Helping New York Reopen?
The Mayor and Governor are announcing many advisory boards of stakeholders and experts working to determine best practices as we adapt to a “new normal.” Here are the boards that I know of…
Blue-Ribbon Commission
Appointed by Governor Cuomo on May 25, the Blue-Ribbon Commission will advise on improving telehealth and broadband access using new, innovative technologies.
Source: governor.ny.gov.
- Chair: Eric Schmidt, former CEO
… Read more
Here’s a list of active grant programs available to freelancers:
Freelancers Relief Fund:
Launched by Freelancers Union, this program offers financial assistance of up to $1,000 per freelance household to cover lost income and essential expenses not covered by government relief programs. This includes: food/food supplies, utility payments, cash assistance to cover income loss. Eligibility:
- Primarily reside in the US
- Must have performed freelance work as their primary source of
… Read more