NYC Life: A Week of Celebrations and More Fun to Come
Photo: Nicole Freezer Rubens
It was a week that reminded us why we love calling New York home. From the pure joy of watching New Yorkers unite behind the Knicks to gathering with gifted authors, singers, and performers, the city felt alive in all the best ways—the word of the week was gratitude. And with summer officially arriving tomorrow, there’s even more to celebrate—Father’s Day festivities, the iconic Mermaid Parade, an olfactory playground, 250th‑anniversary moments, and free outdoor music filling the streets. It’s great to be us.
Our Authors’ Roundtable
About three years ago, I thought it would be fun to gather some of the authors whose books we’ve published to celebrate each other. Well, that has grown into a beautiful community of authors supporting each other, and this past Sunday was another wonderful gathering. It was one of those perfect New York afternoons — sunlight on the East River, a gorgeous apartment filled with warmth, music, and conversation with wonderful talented writers. I left feeling inspired, energized, and reminded of why this community of authors matters so much.
We also had a rich and honest conversation about book marketing and how dramatically the landscape has shifted. I love my authors and am so grateful to bring their books to life. Need help bringing your book to life? Learn more here.
A Magical Evening
We were so honored to present this magical evening with Merrill Stone, “the singing therapist,” at the Triad this week. From the moment she stepped onstage, the audience was captivated — from the joyful sing-along to her hilarious “therapy session” with pianist Doyle Newmeyer, followed by a stunning performance from Marieann Meringolo, a heartfelt duet with Merrill, and a surprise appearance by the comedy duo Stone & Stone. The finale, with Merrill and the twins singing together, moved everyone in the room. A special shout-out to Jeff Harner, whose artistry brought the whole show beautifully to life.
The Fathers We Carry with Us: Then and Now
In this beautiful essay about Father’s Day, our Long Island reporter invites us to honor not just the fathers we celebrate today, but the generations whose love, lessons, and quiet sacrifices shaped our families. As we watch our sons become fathers, we witness legacy in motion—values passed down, stories carried forward, and the enduring truth that fatherhood lives on in the memories and moments we hold close. READ MORE.
Bed-Stuy, Knicks in Five!
Nicole Freezer Rubens writes:
On the day New York’s beloved Knicks broke the 53 year spell and won the NBA title, I explored a neighborhood that was also marked by change. Bedford-Stuyvesant is a true neighborhood most notable to me for its collection of Victorian brownstones built before 1900. 8800 historic homes erected at the turn of the century for the upper-middle class remain in all their glory and beautiful classical detail. The residential streets freckled with stoops, stained glass, and gardens are right out of a movie set.
Since the 1930s, Bed Stuy has been a cultural center for Brooklyn’s African Americans, including the 1972 Billie Holiday Theatre and community center, with a mission focused on the Black voice, integrity, equity, and inclusion.
Tompkins Avenue is the main commercial street where the newer spirit is apparent. Older shops are mixed with modern coffee bars and local artisan gift shops. The overall vibe is both quaint and energetic, defining a unique area in Brooklyn. Many of the beautiful late 19th and early 20th century homes are in historic districts that truly preserve the past while keeping it relevant today.
Go New York, go!
The Mermaids Are Back!
Coney Island’s beloved Mermaid Parade splashes back this Saturday, bringing its signature swirl of imagination, artistry, and seaside spectacle to the boardwalk. Expect dazzling handmade costumes, whimsical sea‑creature creations, marching bands, and the joyful, only‑in‑New‑York spirit that makes this the nation’s largest art parade—a vibrant kickoff to summer.
The magic of it is how the whole neighborhood seems to exhale and come alive. The Mermaid Parade isn’t just a procession—it’s a full‑blown creative release, where New Yorkers of every age transform into shimmering sirens, sea kings, pirates, and ocean oddities. The boardwalk becomes a stage, the beach a backdrop, and the crowd part of the show. It’s joyful, irreverent, and wonderfully unpolished—summer in the city at its most iconic. GET THE DETAILS.
Celebrating our 250th at the New York Public Library
A powerful new exhibit has just opened at the New York Public Library: “Declaring America: 1776 and Beyond,” a sweeping, multi‑gallery exploration of the nation’s founding and its evolving democratic ideals. Timed to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the exhibition traces the American Revolution from its earliest sparks through the centuries of protest, debate, and cultural change that followed. Visitors can see iconic founding documents, rare manuscripts, broadsides, maps, protest ephemera, and artworks drawn from across the Library’s vast collections, including the Schomburg Center and the Library for the Performing Arts. The New York Public Library
The show also highlights New York City’s pivotal role as both an intellectual hub and a literal battleground during the Revolution, bringing to life the tense early months of 1776 through letters, maps, and firsthand accounts. Contemporary artworks deepen the narrative, inviting visitors to reflect on how the nation’s promises—fulfilled and unfulfilled—continue to shape American identity today. Expansive, immersive, and free to the public, “Declaring America” offers a rare chance to walk through 250 years of history and see how the fight for democracy has unfolded across generations. The New York Public Library
Indulge Your Senses
A new multisensory pop‑up, The Gallery of Scent, has arrived at the South Street Seaport, bringing an unexpected layer of artistry to the waterfront district. Conceived as a hybrid between an exhibition and an olfactory playground, the space invites visitors to explore fragrance the way they might explore sculpture or painting — through mood, memory, texture, and emotion. Each installation is designed to “visualize” scent, translating notes like citrus, smoke, florals, and woods into color, form, and atmosphere. It’s part perfume lab, part contemporary art gallery, and part immersive experience, offering a fresh cultural moment in a neighborhood already buzzing with creative energy.
Set within the Seaport’s historic cobblestone setting, The Gallery of Scent feels both intimate and transportive. Visitors can wander through curated scent stations, interactive displays, and artist‑designed environments that encourage slowing down and noticing the invisible architecture of smell. It’s a natural fit for the area’s growing roster of experiential destinations — from pop‑ups to design-forward boutiques — and adds a sensorial twist to a day spent by the water. Whether you’re a fragrance lover or simply curious, the pop‑up offers a rare chance to experience scent as an art form in its own right. GET THE DETAILS.
The MTA’s Summer Performance Series
New York City’s streets are turning into open‑air concert halls, with over 50 free outdoor music performances popping up across town. This warm‑weather program brings some of the subway system’s most beloved musicians above ground, giving New Yorkers a chance to enjoy world‑class talent in the sunshine rather than on a crowded platform. From jazz and Latin rhythms to singer‑songwriters and instrumentalists, the lineup reflects the eclectic spirit of the city itself — a reminder that some of the best culture in New York is still completely free.
Through October, the series anchors itself in the heart of Midtown with lunchtime concerts in the Broadway plazas of Times Square and the Garment District. Office workers, visitors, and passersby can settle into a table, grab a bite, and enjoy performances curated by the MTA’s renowned Music Under New York program. It’s a joyful, communal break in the middle of the day — the kind of only‑in‑New‑York moment that transforms an ordinary lunch hour into something memorable. GET THE DETAILS.
The tomato behind The Three Tomatoes.
Cheryl Benton, aka the “head tomato” is founder and publisher of The Three Tomatoes, a digital lifestyle magazine for “women who aren’t kids”. Having lived and worked for many years in New York City, the land of size zero twenty-somethings, she was truly starting to feel like an invisible woman. She created The Three Tomatoes just for the fun of it as the antidote for invisibility and sent it to 60 friends. Today she has thousands of friends and is chief cheerleader for smart, savvy women who want to live their lives fully at every age and every stage. She is the author of the novel, "Can You See Us Now?" and co-author of a humorous books of quips, "Martini Wisdom." Because she's lived a long time, her full bio won't fit here. If you want the "blah, blah, blah", read more. www.thethreetomatoes.com/about-the-head-tomato
