Yom Kippur We wish you an easy fast. —6:33 a.m., October 1
Package pick-ups We’ve had a few deliveries go astray lately, so be sure to double-check the name of the addressee before to take a box. It’s a practical way to get parcels to the person who ordered them. A few other tips:
1. Ensure delivery confirmation with the delivery service (USPS, UPS, Amazon, etc.).
2. Can’t find your package? File a police report with the 32nd Precinct at (212) 690-6311.
3. Notify Michael of your missing package.
We’ve assembled more suggestions under “Delivery Security,” below. —6:28 a.m., September 30
Green retreat Have you visited the refurbished outdoor oasis in Hudson Heights? Thanks to an anonymous donation, the Cabrini Woods Nature Sanctuary, a bird-watching and wildlife refuge in Fort Tryon Park, has a new entrance on Cabrini Boulevard, trail improvements, and more. The space provides a sanctuary for native plants, birds, and other wildlife. —7:28 a.m., September 28
Missing parcel Did anyone pick up an Ulta UPS package on Tuesday? John received confirmation and a photo showing that it was delivered to the cage but couldn’t find it. If you retrieved it, please let him know. —11:14 a.m., September 27
Weekend picks Tonight’s your last chance to camp this year, when the Urban Park Rangers lead the overnight fun in Inwood Hill Park. Tomorrow four new exhibitions open at the American Academy of Arts & Letters, kicking off with a reception in the afternoon on Audubon Terrace. If you prefer to spend a rowdier Saturday, college football returns to Uptown with Columbia’s home opener, right, against Georgetown. Support Inwood Art Works on Sunday afternoon while sipping refreshments at a fundraiser overlooking the Hudson River. —7:02 a.m., September 26
Download the forms you need, posted here as pdf files. If you don’t see what you’re looking for here, please call our property manager, who can also send you any of these forms through the mail.
Pets
The city is helping reduce waste in landfills by accepting material to compost. It’s picked up every week, so have yours set out by Wednesday afternoon.
The Sanitation Department collects all leaf and yard waste, food scraps, and food-soiled paper. That includes meat, bones, dairy, prepared foods, and greasy uncoated paper plates and pizza boxes.
But do not compost trash such as diapers, personal hygiene products, animal waste, wrappers, non-paper packaging, and foam products. Click on the list to the right for details.
And do not compost recyclable materials. Learn more about what to recycle. It’s important to follow the guidelines because the city can impose a fine on the building when a resident puts the wrong material in the compost bin for collection.
Have a question about the House Rules, or how to get a storage cage? Ask one of your directors. This year they are:
Allison Hiroto
Greg Donovan
Jessica Benoit
Contact them at board@thepinehurst.org or just say hi in the elevator or at the mailboxes. They will be happy to help you.
Michael Trainor is the superintendent. You can reach him by calling (646) 372-0092 or by sending an email to Super@ThePinehurst.org. For help after hours and on weekends, please call the Argo emergency line at (212) 896-8660.
While you’re thinking of the building, help us keep your contact information current so you will receive official mail from the corporation and Argo without delay. If you have children moving out or roommates moving in, please tell us. Your information will not appear on this web site. If you do not want it to appear on our internal contact sheet, simply say so.
The secretary is responsible for keeping our records current, so when you have updates to your contact preferecnes please keep us in the loop by
sending them to Secretary@ThePinehurst.org or one of these addresses:
board@thepinehurst.org For general questions
super@thepinehurst.org To reach
the super
secretary@thepinehurst.org To update
your contact details
web@thepinehurst.org Reaches the
webmaster
You may also reach the property manager, John Duff, at (212) 896-8600, or (johnd@argo.com).
Have you lost a box after it was delivered and before you picked it up? You’re not alone: 90,000 of them go missing in New York every day, and residents in some buildings are protecting themselves.
It’s terribly frustrating to have a delivery go missing despite our best efforts. If it happens to you, please follow these steps:
1. Ensure delivery confirmation with the delivery service (USPS, UPS, Amazon, etc.).
2. File a police report with the 32nd Precinct at (212) 690-6311.
3. Notify management of your missing package.
4. The police will contact management to obtain surveillance video. As per the House Rules, security camera footage is not provided to residents.
To keep your delivery from being stolen, follow suggestions from the Wirecutter, or try some of the tips we’ve collected to protect your goods. There’s no guarantee they will work, but any of them will help keep your package yours.
You can help your first-floor neighbors with their deliveries: If you see a package left at their door, put it in the bin.
• Once your package is delivered, pick it up! The longer you wait, the more likely it is to go missing. And when lots of residents leave their packages uncollected, the space fills up and someone’s package has to be left outside the door, where thieves can prey on it.
• Have your package held at the post office, or sign up for informed delivery from the USPS.
• Amazon (and many other businesses) lets you add delivery instructions to your shipping address. Of course, the delivery agent may not follow your instructions, but you can at the very least instruct them leave it by the cage.
• If you’re going to be out of town for more than a few days, the Post Office will hold your mail if you
sign up for the free service.
• Take advantage of “Ship to Store” option when it’s available. Amazon offers a locker feature that allows you to pick up your package from a secure location, whether near home or work. The closest is at the Rite Aid in Lower WaHi, at 4046 Broadway at 171st Street.
• Request signature confirmation for delivery.
• Never buzz in someone whose identity you can’t establish.
• When you see strangers in the building, a friendly “hello” or “can I help you find someone?” will let them know the residents are paying attention to visitors.
• And if you see a package at a neighbor’s door, you could collect it and let them know you have it.
A magazine for co-op apartments suggests being aware of restaurant delivery personnel. The Denver Police Department says one effective deterrent is simply asking a neighbor to accept a package for you.
If you’re clever, you could try what a NASA engineer has up his sleeve for porch pirates, but it involves a lot of glitter and amassing a certain … scent.
Discarded electronics make up the largest growth in household hazardous waste in NYC, but you can recycle them instead.
We have a collection unit in the basement, where you can drop off your unusable items. They will be collected by the city and either repurposed or safely dismantled.
Your efforts make a real difference. In 2021 we recycled 880 pounds of digital detritus, and since we’ve been enrolled in the city’s e-cycling program, we’ve kept 6,447 pounds of it from landfills.
The city will collect these electronics:
Can’t find what you have to get rid of? Look here.
If you’re getting rid of your lithium battery, do not put it in the trash—that’s illegal. It’s hazardous waste.
The easiest option: The store that sold your new lithium battery is required to accept your used one. You can also drop it off at a collection site run by the Department of Sanitation.
Keep in mind that while recharging our devices makes them incredibly convenient to use, the cost of lithium batteries in our cell phones, laptops, scooters is their fire hazard. In just the nine months of 2024, lithium batteries started fires in 30 trash trucks, including a fire down the street in Fort George on Saint Nicholas Avenue at 186th Street in September.
Regular visits from Pest Pro help keep tiny interlopers at bay. The sign-up sheet is available in the laundry room; if you can’t make it there see ask John for a link to the online sign-up. The technician will write the next visit date on the sign-up sheet.
Pest Pro will visit the building on Friday mornings. We hope that having visits on Friday mornings will allow more of you to be home when Pest Pro visits. If you will not be home then, please let Michael know that he can give the technician access to your apartment in your absence.
Before every visit, please clear under your kitchen and bathroom sinks so that there is space for the technician to examine and treat those areas. If you have areas blocked off by furniture or items, prepare to move them so the tech can do a full visual inspection.
Review these gas safety tips from ConEd so you’ll know what to do if you smell something off. And remember that if you notice that rotten egg smell, do not light a match, smoke, flip a switch, ring a doorbell, or touch appliances or electronics, including your phone. Doing so can produce sparks that might cause the gas to explode.
The state mandates inspections of gas meters and piping to keep you and your neighbors safe. If your meter (it’s probably in your kitchen) has not been inspected, call (800) 643-1289 weekdays between 7:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. or send an e-mail to gasinspections@coned.com.
Alternatively, if yours has in fact been inspected and you’re still being asked to set up a time, take a picture of the inspection sticker and email it to the same address.
ConEd bills you for the natural gas you use, typically for your range. Your gas meter is probably in your kitchen and looks like the one on the right. ConEd determines your gas bill by looking at those little dials to find out how much gas you used, and for accurate billing prefers to read your meter monthly.
If you’re home when the gas meter reader knocks on your door, just let him in and he’ll be done in less than a minute. If you miss him more than once, you may receive a letter from ConEd asking for access to your apartment to read your meter. For $19, you can schedule a visit at www.coned.com/en/accounts-billing/how-to-read-your-meter, or you can just follow the instructions and record the meter reading yourself.
Oh, those meters in the basement across from the elevator? They’re for electricity.
Visitors to this website from the European Union have the protection of GDPR 2016/679 which on May 26, 2016, went into effect.
Data collected from on thepinehurst.org are stored on the servers of Ionos, the web hosting service used by 447 Ft. Washington Owners’ Corporation doing business as The Pinehurst. The Controller is the webmaster, who may be reached at web@thepinehurst.org, and the Controller’s Representative is the property manager, John Duff, who may be reached at (212) 896-8600 or at Argo Real Estate, 50 W 17 St, New York NY 10011. The Data Protection Officer is the president of the corporation, Alison Hiroto, who may be reached at 447fwa@thepinehurst.org.
The data we collect are those submitted voluntarily by shareholders to promote notices of sale of their apartments. There is no requirement to submit any information at any time. We store personal data for the duration that an apartment is for sale; once it is sold we delete it within four weeks of being notified of the sale. If a shareholder revokes permission for us to store personal information we shall delete it within two weeks of the shareholder’s notification.
An individual subject to GDPR 2016/679 has the right to request from the Controller access to and rectification or erasure of personal data or restriction of processing concerning the data subject or to object to processing as well as the right to data portability. Such an individual also has the right to make a complaint the supervising authority, which is The Board of Directors. It may be reached at secretary@thepinehurst.org or at 447 Fort Washington Ave, Apt 68, New York NY 10033.
Looking for a place to light up a grill? This resource shows the safe spots in Fort Washington Park and Inwood Hill Park.
Grilling on the Pinehurst’s balconies and fire escapes is prohibited by law — not to mention common sense.
After sprucing up your walls you probably have more paint than you can use for touch-ups. To dispose of them in the trash, let the paint dray out—just be sure you keep a window open. Once the paint is dry you can put it in the trash.
If it’s latex paint (and it’s still wet), you can take up to five gallons to one of the city’s hazardous waste collection points. You can also drop off pesticides, electronics, motor oil and the like. The city also runs occasional Solvents, Automotive, Flammable, Electronics disposal events that are closer to home, but last only a day.
Our building is a community, as well as our home. Residents share the responsibility to ensure a safe and pleasant quality of life at reasonable cost. We count on each other to treat all areas of the building as our home, and to protect and respect the rights of all of the Residents to a safe and comfortable home. A set of guidelines helps us achieve these goals.
Severe weather is an uncommon but dangerous phenomenon. In the summer and early fall, hurricanes may threaten the northeast. If a hurricane is threatening the city, keep on top of the evacuation map found on this page.
Hurricanes are rare but their effects are not. Have a plan in case the weather turns severe.
The late spring and summer can produce tornadoes. Before you hear of a tornado watch (which means that weather conditions could produce a tornado) or a tornado warning (which
means a funnel cloud has been spotted, though it may not have touched the ground yet), please review these safety precautions for you and your family.
In short, go to the lowest level of the building, stay away from windows and remain there until the all-clear sign has been given (by the National Weather Service, typically), and have a first aid kit handy.
Pay for your laundry with your smart phone. Hercules has an app that connects to the washers and dryers so you don’t have to keep track of a card anymore.
Download the Hercules CyclePay App from the Apple Store or Google Play for your IOS or Andriod phone. Full instructions on its use are in the chart on the right, which you can doawnload in the pdf below. It’s also posted in the laundry room.
If you use the app, you can set it up to give you alerts when your laundry is done.
The laundry room is open daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. La lavandería está abierta todos los días de 7 a.m. a 11 p.m.
When you load the machines, it’s easy to feel you need to use more detergent than is necessary. That’s beacause modern cleaning products, including cleaning boosters and fabric softeners, are formulated to require less than in years past. When you put in too much, the washers cannot rinse it all out, leaving chemicals in your clothes—and leaving scents in the washers that your neighbors may not care for. Check the instructions on your detergent, boosters, and fabric softeners, and use only what’s recommended.
After you’re done washing your clothes, use one of the door-propping arms to keep the door open for the next person doing laundry, as in the photo on the right. That way, the tub and door seal dry in the open air, which keeps them from getting smelly and moldy when the door closes before they’re dry.
Hercules maintains the laundry machines, both the washers and dryers. With our dryers, to add five minutes you
must do so when at least five minutes remain in the cycle. If there is less time, you will be given 30 minutes and charged for a full cycle.
If a machine is malfunctioning, note the machine number and then call Hercules at (800) 526-5760, or use Hercules’ website. Alternatively, send an e-mail to service@hercnet.com. If you want to vent on social
media, go ahead—Facebook is the perfect pain sponge. Make
your next step getting in touch with Hercules. If you lost money, you can even ask for a refund. Hercules will need to know:
BUILDING NAME Pinehurst
BUILDING ADDRESS 447 Fort Washington
Avenue
BUILDING LOCATION Manhattan
LAUNDRY ROOM LOCATION Basement; super required for
access
MACHINE MALFUNCTIONING Take note of the
number on the machine, and if you’re asking for a refund, include your apartment number
They undoubtedly make our lives more convenient, but the cost of lithium batteries in our cell phones, laptops, scooters and more is their fire hazard. Do not attempt to build, tamper with, or repair lithium-ion batteries. Purchase them only from verified sources and use certified repair shops if needed.
Lithium-ion battery fires are intense and fast moving, leaving occupants with only minutes to escape. Never leave a battery unattended while charging. The safest place to store them is outside.
Last year, they started fires in more than 30 trash trucks, including a fire down the street in Fort George. If you’re getting rid of your lithium battery, do not put it in the trash—that’s illegal. The store that sold your new lithium battery device is required to accept your used one. You can also drop it off at a collection site run by the Department of Sanitation.
If you see anyone handling lithium-ion batteries in an unsafe manner, contact the FDNY immediately by calling 311 or 212 NEW-YORK (212) 639-9675).
Our fourth look at maintenance fees across Manhattan neighborhoods is available on the On The Market page. The previous survey, the third, compares fees to those in 2006 and 2008. Want to compare? Download a copy of the 2012 report by clicking on the link below.
If you’re specifically interested in Hudson Heights maintenance fees, we have that data too:
Washington Heights is known for its noise. Luckily, Hudson Heights is a bit quieter. However, if you are bothered by loud music, a party, fireworks or other terrestrial sound, please call 311.
If you’re tired of the drivers racing up and down Fort Washington at all hours of the night and day? Sign a petition seeking speed bumps to slow down the traffic.
Other noise comes from the skies. Aircraft fly over our neighborhood en route to LaGuardia Airport or on their way to points
west.
If the sound of aircraft is bothersome, please call the Economic Development Corporation at (212) 619-5000 with your concerns about helicopters, or for airplanes call (718) 533-5615 and press 3 for LaGuardia.
In late 2020 a group of Uptowners formed a task force on noise, which includes drag racing. In the spring of 2021, Council Member Mark Levine came out with a ten-point proposal to address it. One Uptown group, Respectful Decibels, seeks your comments.
New York has a way to keep you informed of emergency information as well as less-critical topics like parking changes. Sign up to receive notifications by e-mail, text, or phone messages. To stay informed, click here: https://a858-nycnotify.nyc.gov/notifynyc/
The city is expanding the types of notifications you can receive from its email and message service. If you’d like to add updates from the 34th Precinct, or about weather that’s dangerous to residents of basement apartments, go to NYC.gov/notifynyc, log in to your account, and update your preferences under the “My Account” tab. From here, the instructions get specific:
• On the right-hand side menu, select “Notification Addresses” to see your enrolled addresses.
• Select the pencil icon next to the address you would like to add notification to.
• At the bottom of the page, select the notifications you would like to receive for that address.
• Select Submit
These groups are also available on the mobile app.
The Pinehurst is committed to recycling in accordance with New York City’s goals. Most paper and plastic (but not all), glass and metal are recyclable in our bins in the garbage area.
Compact fluorescent light bulbs require special recycling because their contents are hazardous. Also known as CFL’s, these bulbs are typically curly in shape. For more information on CFL recycling, click here. And for nearly anything else, look here.
There’s a drop-off point in each borough. For Manhattan, it’s under the Manhattan Bridge at 74 Pike Slip, between Cherry and South Streets. If you have a car, the closer site is in Hunt’s Point, next to the Fulton Fish Market. The sites are open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and at the same time on the last Friday of the month (but check before you haul your stuff). As an alternative, take your CFL bulbs to a retailer that accepts them, such as Home Depot.
As we’ve switched from shopping in stores to shopping online, the delivery boxes and their packaging lead to a substantially larger volume of garbage than before. A cost of the convenience is growing expenses to manage our refuse. Your assistance will help us keep a lid on the budget.
When you clean some clutter you may find yourself with perfectly good things that you don’t have any use for anymore. If you’d like to donate old clothes, electronic, or housewares to a place where they can do some good, take a look at Donate NYC, a site run by the city. It will help you find a place to drop off reusable items for upcycling.
The city accepts a surprisingly wide variety of household items for recycling. They’re on the pdf you can download below. Before taking out bedsprings, a paper shredder, cabinet or other large item, get in touch with Michael. We’re limited in how many large items we can set out each week.
For food items to compost, see Compost Collection, and for hazardous waste, look for that category; just scroll up (they’re listed alphabetically).
When you replace your smoke detectors, you need to upgrade to a 10-year sealed model. A 2019 state law says that all new or replacement smoke detectors must be powered by the long-lasting battery or be hardwired to your electrical system. If you want to sell your apartment, you will need to upgrade your smoke detectors before the sale goes through.
In August 2017 Mayor DeBlasio signed legislation that requires all NYC cooperatives and condominiums to adopt formal smoking policies. The Board adopted a policy in August 2018 and revised it in June 2023 to prohibit smoking within apartments.
BOROUGH 1
Interactive Subway Map
The famous map has been revised and moved online. It shows live updates of train locations, such as the one leaving 181st Street, right.
“A” Train
Scheduled maintenance is posted here by the MTA.
181 Street: Busway
Increasing commuters’ travel along 181st Street has been a goal of everyone for years, and with the busway plan speeds have increase by 30 percent and more. In summer 2022,
the Department of Transportation made permanent its pilot plan to restrict on 181st Street traffic that isn’t a bus, truck, or emergency vehicle—unless you’re turning at the next
intersection.
Traffic is restricted from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Download the department’s presentation to Community Board 12 in July 2022:
A previous review from Department of Transportation’s of 181st Street is here.
Natural gas Although we heat our water with steam, most of us cook on a gas range. Review these gas safety tips from ConEd so you’ll know what to do if you smell something off. And remember that if you notice that rotten egg smell, do not light a match, smoke, flip a switch, ring a doorbell, or touch appliances or electronics, including your phone. Doing so can produce sparks that might cause the gas to explode. —6:43 a.m., September 24
Rosh Hashanah Shana tovah! Our best wishes for the new year. —9:26 a.m., September 22
Autumn arrives The seasons are changing, which is a good time to ask yourself when was the last time you changed the battery in your smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector? The equinox is a good reminder. If you need help, ask Michael. —8:35 a.m., September 21
Missing parcel Did you pick up Diane’s RTR package by mistake? It seems to have been delivered Thursday night. If you’ve got it, she’d be very happy to collect it from you. —7:17 a.m., September 20
Weelemd picks Take your kids to an outdoor screening of the live-action film of Disney’s Lilo and Stitch tonight in Lower WaHi. Put on comfortable shoes tomorrow afternoon so you can take part in a performance of music, dance, and poetry, right, that changes locations throughout Fort Tryon Park. Jazz lovers’ ears will delight in the abundance of concerts on Sunday, starting with the Inwood Jazz Festival, then a concert with a summer theme in Fort Tryon Park, followed by a concert with an autumn theme in Lower WaHi, and capped by a session of parlor jazz, also in Lower WaHi. —6:28 s.m., September 19
Buzzing in We’ve had a few people buzzed in recently who proceeded to look for packages to steal. When someone unexpected buzzes you, ask who they are and why they’re contacting you before you let them in. If you’re leaving and people are waiting in the foyer for entry, ask them to seek entry from their host. —6:03 a.m., September 17
Emergency alert test The New York City Office of Emergency Management will conduct a citywide test of the Wireless Emergency Alert System on Thursday at noon. For more information, please visit: on.nyc.gov/46x1kmn. —3:44 p.m., September 16
Vehicle thefts The NYPD issued a warning yesterday about theives targeting newer Toyota Highlanders. To limit your risk, the police suggest installing anti-theft tools:
1. Steering wheel locks.
2. OBD connector port locks.
3. Third-party GPS tracking.
Newer Toyotas and Hondas are also prime targets for tire and rim theft. Park in well-lit and active areas, park close to the curb, and use wheel locks to prevent theft. Most importantly, call 911 immediately if you observe a vehicle theft in their neighborhood. —6:15 a.m., September 15
Weekend picks Help Eli Yamin and the Jazz Power Initiative celebrate the release of their new album, Squeeze in Tight, tonight in Inwood. Take in a slick version of Shakespeare with Up Theater’s production of Noir Hamlet, right, on Saturday afternoon in Isham Park. Relax on Sunday night with a concert by the prize-winning soprano Gudrun Buhler and Kathryn Olander on piano featuring arias by Puccini, Verdi, Boito, and Lehar in Hudson Heights. —6:25 a.m., September 12
On the market We’d hate to see you go, but if you’re considering moving on let us help you sell your home. Our online page featuring apartments On the Market is among the most-visited on the website. Just send us a link to your listing and we’ll do the rest. —6:24 a.m., September 8
Weekend picks The Hispanic Society continues its show featuring items from its own collection. Open today and over the weekend on Audubon Terrace. Take a class in creating your own reliquary on Saturday afternoon at the Cloisters. Get a free ticket for a screening of the filmed version of Hamilton, which includes a behind-the-scenes documentary on Sunday at noon in Lower WaHi. —6:12 a.m., September 5
C-17 flyover To conduct research, a National Center for Atmospheric Research C-17 aircraft will fly near the Hudson River this afternoon at 4 and 4:30. The large jet will fly at approximately 3,000 feet. —2:14 p.m., September 4
Supporting artists Last week, the White House posted a statement that critcized this painting by the Uptown artist Fego, calling it “woke,” or objectionable. Niria E. Leyva-Gutiérrez, the executive director of the Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance, declared the organization’s support of Fego and of all artwork—particularly those that are condemned by powerful politicians. Read an excerpt of her statement here. —6:31 a.m., September 2
Grilling spots Looking for a place to cook up some burgers on the holiday? This resource shows the safe spots in Fort Washington Park and Inwood Hill Park. Grilling on the Pinehurst’s balconies and fire escapes is prohibited by law — not to mention common sense. —10:20 a.m., August 31
Weekend picks If your kids enjoy science, they’ll love the screwdriver sizzle, not to mention the big burp, at a demonstration of scientific activities at the Fort Washington Library this afternoon. A tale of the Lenape creation story will be staged twice on Saturday in Inwood Hill Park and performed by Native actors. Sunday morning is your last chance of the year to go canoeing on the Hudson, right, for free. —6:38 a.m., August 29
Heights henge If you like outdoor geometry, get outdoors for sunrise and sunset when the shadows line up with the streets. To see the sun shinging down the streets in Hudson Heights, where the street grid is aligned differently from most of the borough, today’s the day to see the solar spectacle, at dawn and dusk. —6:07 a.m., August 26
Mosquito spraying Weather permitting, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene will conduct ground-based spraying of mosquito adulticide in parks to help prevent West Nile Virus on Tuesday morning between midnight and 6. —7:03 a.m., August 25
Buzzing in During warm weather, the unhoused may seek shelter after a day outdoors. That can be a challenge to our security. When you enter the building, be aware of anyone behind you and if you don’t recognize them, ask them to buzz the person they’re visiting. And when you buzz in your own visitor, be sure to establish their identity to keep the building safe for everyone. —7:33 a.m., August 24
A Train delays After a loss of power, you can expect delays and service changes in A Train service in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Consider alternative routes and allow for additional travel time. For updates, check www.mta.info. —12:26 p.m., August 23
Weekend picks College sports return to Uptown this afternoon when Columbia’s women’s soccer team, right, hosts Hofstra in Inwood. A jazz festival fills Roger Morris Park with upbeat music on both Saturday and Sunday afternoons. On Sunday morning in Inwood Hill Park, learn about the Lenape people who were living on Manhatta long before Europeans arrived. —6:57 a.m., August 22
Elevator delivery A neighbor will be having renovation material delivered this morning, around 11:30, using the elevator. You may find the stairs a quicker way up and down. —7:12 a.m., August 20
Package bin Remember to check for deliveries in the bin, even if you aren’t expecting one. You’ll help make space for new parcels and maybe find a surprise for yourself, too. —7:39 a.m., August 17
Weekend picks Kids who enjoy experimenting in the natural world will enjoy learning at the BioBus with its science lessons this afternoon at the Anne Loftus Playground. Take in a different kind of Broadway show tomorrow when Broadway is closed to cars between 110th and Dyckman Street. With more then 300 plant species, the Heather Garden, right, beckons bees and two-footed flower lovers alike during a tour Sunday afternoon in Fort Tryon Park. —6:48 a.m., August 15
Dyckman Farmhouse Uptown’s last remaining farmstead is now the Dyckman Farmhouse Museum. It’s facing challenging times in light of changes to federal funding and seeing significant cuts. The museum’s staff have chose against seeking more federal grants because national priorities no longer align with their mission: to tell inclusive, underrepresented stories of this land and its people. If you would like to help make up the shortfall, donate here. —7:09 p.m., August 12
Air quality The Air Quality Index today is again forecast to reach orange (101–150), unhealthy for sensitive groups. The risk of air quality-related health impacts from outdoor activities remains low for healthy people. For the latest index figure, visit www.AirNow.gov. —7:21 a.m., August 11
Laundry machines Here’s an evergreen tip: If a washer or dryer stops working, call our laundry vendor, Hercules, and the staff will send a repairman. Call the Hercules number, (800) 526-5760, or use its website. Alternatively, send an e-mail to service@hercnet.com. You can even ask for a refund if you lost money. More tips below under Laundry Room, including how to sign up for the Hercules app so you get a notification when your laundry is done. —8:10 a.m., August 10
Weekend picks Step out for a tango lesson this evening in Roger Morris Park, and stick around for a performance by acclaimed dancers. Get your hands dirty when you learn the basics of vegetable gardening, right, in Sherman Creek on Saturday morning. Find out how last year’s forest fires damaged Inwood Hill Park, and how much worse they could have been, on a hike through the park on Sunday morning. —9:44 a.m., August 8
Earthquake notes Did you feel Saturday’s temblor? The U.S. Geological Service would like to know. Submit a report at earthquake.usgs.gov/dyfi. The temblor hit near Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, and caused no significant damage. Want to know what do to during an earthquake? The USGS has a page for that too. —6:39 a.m., August 5
Air quality The Air Quality Index today is forecast to reach level orange (101–150), unhealthy for sensitive groups. The risk of air quality-related health impacts from outdoor activities remains low for healthy people. For the latest index figure, visit www.AirNow.gov. —7:21 a.m., August 4
Fitness room If getting in shape is in the works for you, fill out the fitness room agreement to take advantage of our gym equipment. We revised the document earlier this year and it’s available below, under “Application Forms.” —8:33 a.m., August 3
Weekend picks Check the weather before heading out. See for yourself how the New York Restoration Project is bringing back American Chestnut trees in Sherman Creek this evening; the trees has been wiped out by disease. Head down to Broadway tomorrow to see what New York streets are like without cars. Climb to the top of the Little Red Lighthouse, right, in Fort Washington Park on Sunday afternoon. —7:22 a.m., August 1
Weather advisory The National Weather Service forecasts up to 2 inches of rain per hour today and tomorrow, with total rainfall of 1.5 to 3 inches and locally higher amounts possible. Periods of heavy rain may cause flooding in the city, including streets and basements. A travel advisory is active too. For more information, visit weather.gov/nyc. —7:06 a.m., July 31
Tap water The Department of Environmental Protection is investigating a water distribution issue in WaHi. While not harmful, discolored water should be used for drinking. If yours isn’t clear, file a report here. —7:45 a.m., July 29
Heat wave More broiling weather is here. Heat index values in the next few days will read the upper 90s to low 100s, conditions dangerous to health. Older adults, people with chronic health conditions, and those who work outside are most at risk. Take care of yourself, and if you need a cooling center, they’re open through Wednesday. —10:12 a.m., July 28
Billings Lawn The most popular expanse in Fort Tryon Park is getting some much-needed help. Thanks to Con Edison, there’s $50,000 to repair the eroded lawn and to install water runoff methods. The lawn closed in early May and should re-open in a few months. Alternative spaces in the park include Abby’s Lawn, the Cloisters Lawn, and the Café Lawn. —10:12 a.m., July 27
Weekend picks Ever picked a peach? Cultivated a mushroom? Get some experience in the garden beds of Sherman Creek this morning. Uptown’s most famous annual music event starts tomorrow afternoon when the Stan Michel Jazz Festival opens in Fort Tryon Park. Take in a live performance of The Comedy of Errors on Sunday afternoon in Inwood Hill Park. —7:21 a.m., July 25
Restaurant week In all of Uptown, between Sugar Hill and Marble Hill, only two restaurants chose to take part in restaurant week — which actually lasts a month — and which starts today. They’re both in Hudson Heights, so take a stroll and enjoy their offerings. —8:17 a.m., July 21
Buzzing in Remember, don’t let in visitors you don’t recognize. A contributor to the Hudson Heights page on Facebook identified someone who sneaks in and then steals packages. When you enter the building, if you don’t recognize someone, ask them to buzz the person they’re visiting. And when you buzz in your own visitors, be sure to establish their identity first. —8:03 a.m., July 20
Weekend picks Raise a glass to raise funds for the oldest standing house in Manhattan at tavern night, right, a re-creation of an eighteenth-century drinking house. Enjoy a production of Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors tomorrow and Sunday afternoons in Hudson Heights. Would you like to take a class at Columbia for free? The university opens a few courses for Uptowners to audit. The deadline to apply is Sunday. —7:22 a.m., July 18
Hot weather As if flooding subway platforms weren’t enough, we’re getting extreme heat today.
• The heat index could reach 103, which is dangerous to health.
• The Air Quality Index is forecast to reach Level Orange, between 101–150, considered unhealthy for sensitive groups.
• Cooling centers will be open today and tomorrow. One is in Fort George, and another is in Inwood. To find your nearest cooling center, call 311 or visit maps.nyc.gov/cooling-center/.
• If you use the back gate, check to be sure it closes: The heat makes it sticky.
If you need any assistance, such as running an errand, let us know! For more information, visit: nyc.gov/beattheheat. —7:53 a.m., July 16
Jet flyover You may need to plug your ears: A squadron of four military F-18 aircraft will conduct a flyover of the Hudson River tomorrow morning at 10. The aircraft will fly low, at approximately 2,500 feet. —3:11 p.m., July 15
Lithium batteries They undoubtedly make our lives more convenient, but the cost of lithium batteries in our cell phones, laptops, scooters and more is their fire hazard. Last year, they started fires in more than 30 trash trucks, including a fire down the street in Fort George. If you’re getting rid of your lithium battery, do not put it in the trash—that’s illegal. The store that sold your new lithium battery device is required to accept your used one. You can also drop it off at a collection site run by the Department of Sanitation. —7:21 a.m., July 15
Window balances We’re getting ready to repaid the common-area windows that won’t stay open because their balances need repair. If yours need repair too, let us know. —9:58 a.m., July 13
Weekend picks A new exhibit of Spanish art and artefacts opened yesterday at the Hispanic Society Museum on Audubon Terrace. This afternoon you can join a birthday celebration of St. Frances Cabrini at the shrine in her honor in Hudson Heights. Tomorrow morking, take part in an interactive seining event as part of City of Water Day, right, to learn about the health of the Hudson River estuary. On Sunday morning, join a walk through Fort Tryon Park to discover its natural secrets. —7:37 a.m., July 11
Compost collection Thanks to everyone for helping out with the compost initiative. The Sanitation Department picks up all leaf and yard waste, food scraps, and food-soiled paper. But do not compost trash such as diapers, personal hygiene products, animal waste, wrappers, non-paper packaging, and foam products. More details below, under “Composting.” It’s picked up every week, so have yours set out by Wednesday afternoon. —7:31 a.m., July 10
Bombs bursting in air The Fourth was Friday, but the sounds of celebration just won’t stop. Click on at the map on the right, from The Gothamist, to see which neighborhoods make the most fireworks complaints. (Hint: You won’t be surprised.) Fireworks of all types are illegal in the city, so call 311. Even if your complaint doesn’t lead to a quick change, know that someone is taking it down. We can hope that one day the illegal use of fireworks can be adequately addressed. —7:24 a.m., July 8
Housing inflation Over the decade ending in 2024, home prices in WaHi increased 16 percent (an average of 1.6 percent per year). In Inwood the rate was 30 percent, and it was 17 percent in most of Harlem’s neighborhoods. The data, from Property Shark, doesn’t break out Fort George, Lower WaHi, and Hudson Heights. —8:37 a.m., July 6
Weekend picks Happy Independence Day! If you’re heading outdoors to grill this weekend, here’s a list of spots to cook your burgers and hot dogs in Inwood Hill Park and Fort Washington Park. When you finish your meal, head to the Cloisters at 3 to cool off with a special tour of its collection. Tomorrow afternoon you can climb to the top of the Little Red Lighthouse, under the Great Gray Bridge. Follow expert avian scouts, right, on Sunday afternoon on a birding expedition in Highbridge Park. —8:52 a.m., July 4
Missing keys Did you find a key fob this morning? An Uptowner named Joal lost his keys while jogging this morning and his key fob tracker led him to the Pinehurst. (Could these be his?) If you happened to pick them up, please call Joal at (917) 716-1734. —12:38 p.m., July 3
On the market We’d hate to see you go, but if you’re ready to move on to a new home remember to share your lising with us. Our On the Market page is one of the most-visited pages on the website. You can email a link to the listing or just use the form on the page. —7:37 a.m., July 2
Banishing bugs To schedule a visit from our exterminator, add your name to the sign-up sheet in the laundry room or use the Google form. If you won’t be home when the exterminator is here, please let Michael know if he may give the technician access to your apartment. Before every visit, clear the space under your kitchen and bathroom sinks, and if you have areas blocked off by furniture, prepare to move it so the tech can do a full visual inspection. —2:50 p.m., June 29