Love, culture, and creativity are everywhere this week. Looking for lasting love this Valentine’s Day? Skip the human drama and adopt a cat at Best Friends. Savor a culinary celebration of Black History Month at the Paley Center. Bring a young theatre lover to Kids’ Night on Broadway. Say farewell to the MetroCard with a vibrant new exhibition at Grand Central. Meet another extraordinary Long Island woman transforming heartbreak into hope. Our roving photographer takes us through a miniature NYC masterpiece at the Museum of the City of New York. And don’t miss exciting new additions to our Renewal Summit program.

 Even More Reasons to Join Us at the Renewal Summit

We’re thrilled to share another exciting program update. Renowned cardiologist Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum will sit down with The Three Tomatoes’ Roni Jenkins for an inspiring conversation on her preventative blueprint for lifelong health, vitality, and longevity—an ideal complement to this year’s theme of resilience and longevity. More updates are on the way. And a reminder: the first 25 people to register will receive an amazing gift bag. Don’t miss out.

Date cats, not humans!

Make it a Valentine’s Day to remember. Best Friends and Fresh Step™ are here to help you adopt a (feline) partner who truly has it all. Best Friends and Fresh Step are teaming up to encourage you to skip the drama that comes with dating humans and try dating a cat instead. From February 13-16, cat adoption fees will be covered*, making it easier than ever to find lasting love on Valentine’s Day. Get the details.

Feb. 17. Chef’s Night: A Culinary Tribute to Black History

Celebrate Black History Month through the artistry of food. The Paley Center’s Chef’s Night: A Culinary Tribute to Black History brings together acclaimed chefs, rich storytelling, and inspired dishes that honor the traditions, creativity, and cultural impact of Black culinary innovators. It’s an evening of flavor, community, and heritage—served with heart.

Tickets: Paley Members: $20 | General Public: $25 Learn more & reserve your spot

Tuesday Feb. 24. Kids’ Night on Broadway

Kids’ Night on Broadway is back this month, offering families a chance to experience the magic of live theatre together. On Tuesday, February 24, 2026, kids and teens 18 and under can attend a participating Broadway show for free when accompanied by a full‑price paying adult. This annual program, created by The Broadway League, is designed to introduce young audiences to Broadway through an evening filled not just with performances, but with special activities, restaurant perks, and neighborhood experiences.

Participating Shows

This year features 18 Broadway productions, including favorites and new hits such as:

• Aladdin
• Hamilton
• The Lion King
• Wicked
• Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
• Moulin Rouge! The Musical
• SIX: The Musical
• Stranger Things: The First Shadow
• The Great Gatsby
• The Outsiders

Note: “The Great Gatsby” and “SIX” hold their Kids’ Night performances on February 25. The Broadway League

Family‑Friendly Extras

Kids’ Night on Broadway includes a variety of in‑theatre experiences such as talkbacks, sing‑alongs, art projects, and activity books. Families can also take advantage of exclusive restaurant deals at 16 participating Theatre District spots, many offering free kids’ meals with the purchase of an adult entrée. The Broadway League

Ticketholders also receive 50% off admission to the Museum of Broadway on February 24, with games, trivia, and interactive experiences available throughout the day. The Broadway League

Full details, participating shows, and ticket information are available at: https://www.kidsnightonbroadway.com kidsnightonbroadway.com

Inspired by MetroCard — New York Transit Museum at Grand Central

A fitting farewell to the MetroCard. This vibrant exhibition celebrates three decades of creativity sparked by the iconic MetroCard. From artist-designed limited editions to unexpected cultural moments, Inspired by MetroCard showcases how a simple piece of plastic became a symbol of New York’s spirit, style, and everyday movement. On view at the New York Transit Museum’s Grand Central Gallery & Store from March 16 through October 2026, it’s a nostalgic, colorful tribute to the city’s most democratic design object. https://www.nytransitmuseum.org/

Meet Allyson Barone Scerri

Our Long Island reporter, Andrea Peponakis, introduces us to Allyson Barone Scerri, who transformed unimaginable loss into a mission of healing. After losing both parents to traumatic brain injuries and becoming her father’s full‑time caregiver, Allyson built New Beginnings Community Center, Brendan House, and three new residences that offer dignity, community, and hope. Her story shows how one woman’s heartbreak became a lifeline for countless families. READ MORE.

Roving in a Miniature NYC

 Nicole Freezer Rubens writes:

Twenty-one years ago, Joe Macken decided to build a tiny version of 30 Rockefeller Plaza. After three tries, he was satisfied and decided to build the next structure in Rockefeller Center. Ever since, Macken has worked his way outward from the center of Manhattan to build a scaled model of all 5 boroughs of the city he loves. Using basic materials such as balsa wood, cardboard, styrofoam, paint and glue he worked tirelessly and consistently for over 2 decades. His obsession turned this truck driver into a museum-worthy artist and TikTok star. Now the 55 x 30 foot work in 350 sections and in a millimeter to 10 foot scale, is on display at The Museum of the City of New York and is a sight to be seen. To help the viewer take it all in, binoculars have been provided and a film zooming in on the neighborhoods runs on a loop.

Macken is a native New Yorker who grew up in Middle Village Queens. This adult passion project harkens back to his first grade class trip to see to see the Panorama model of New York at the Queens Museum. When he constructed his childhood neighborhood and saw it at eye level, he was home again. His model includes both the new World Trade Center and the original Twin Towers, since he grew up in the comfort of their shadow as they were visible from his Middle Village window.

He Built This City: Joe Macken’s Model opened this week and will be on view through the summer, for a true summer in the city experience. GET THE DETAILS.

~Nicole Freezer Rubens is the author of “The Long Pause and the Short Breath”