Photo: Nicole Freezer Rubens

ACC’s urgent dog‑adoption promotion, the final weekend of US Open Fan Week, a heartfelt Coney Island reflection, new event from a Tomato favorite, fall fashion at the Waldorf, and one of the most powerful public art events coming to NYC this year all shape a week filled with compassion, creativity, and classic New York vibrancy. From helping overcrowded shelter pups find homes to watching buffalo puppets roam the city in a sweeping Indigenous‑led spectacle, this week’s NYC Life is packed with reasons to get out, explore, and connect.

ACC Emergency Dog Adoption Promotion

I have two wonderful rescue dogs, and I can’t tell you how special is to take a dog out of a shelter into a loving home. Right now, Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC) is facing critical overcrowding, with dozens of dogs currently living in temporary pop‑up crates. To help these animals find loving homes quickly, ACC has launched an urgent, limited‑time promotion waiving adoption fees for dogs housed in these pop‑up setups.

 Current Promotion Highlights

• Waived Adoption Fees — All dogs currently living in pop‑up crates can be adopted with no ACC adoption fee.
• Bonus Gift — Adopters of these specific dogs receive a $50 Chewy gift card as an added thank‑you.
• Summer Specials — ACC continues its seasonal promotion: $5 adoption fees for adult cats and large dogs.
• Fee Exclusions — Standard NYC dog licensing fees still apply ($8.50–$34), and a $150 spay/neuter deposit may be required if the animal is not yet altered.

 How to Adopt

• Browse Available Pets View dogs and cats in real time through the Animal Care Centers of NYC website or the NYC ACC App.
• Visit a Care Center ACC is operating at full capacity, and adopters should expect wait‑lists and on‑site processing at locations in Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island.
• Out‑of‑State Adoptions ACC welcomes adopters from outside New York, as long as the meet‑and‑greet and adoption are completed in person.

These pop‑up crate dogs are waiting for stability, comfort, and connection. Waived fees and added incentives make now an ideal moment for New Yorkers — and nearby adopters — to step in and make a life‑changing difference.

NYC Insider’s Club Adventures

Our Insider Club members have been having a great time. We just had rooftop cocktails to celebrate the one year anniversary of the club for a few of our members. We have more fun coming up this fall and we’d love you to join us.  GET THE DETAILS. 

US Open Fan Week: This Weekend’s Highlights

The final weekend of US Open Fan Week is when the grounds truly come alive — a festive, family‑friendly, tennis‑loving celebration that feels like New York’s unofficial end‑of‑summer block party. With free admission, cultural performances, player practices, and marquee entertainment, it’s one of the city’s best weekend experiences.

SATURDAY: Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day & All‑Day Entertainment

Saturday is built around one of the US Open’s most beloved traditions: Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day, a joyful mix of tennis, music, and interactive fun honoring Ashe’s legacy of inclusion and community. Families can explore the grounds, meet characters, enjoy hands‑on activities, and watch rising stars and pros take the court. Throughout the day, the Fountain Plaza Stage keeps the energy high with global performances — from dance to live music — reflecting the international spirit of the Open. Player practices are open to the public, giving fans a rare chance to watch top athletes train just feet away.

Food, music, giveaways, and the buzz of thousands of excited fans make Saturday the most vibrant day of Fan Week.

SUNDAY: Stars of the Open Presented by Chase

 Sunday shifts into celebration mode with Stars of the Open, a special exhibition event that blends tennis legends, entertainment, and philanthropy. It’s a chance to see iconic players and personalities share the court in a fun, relaxed format before the intensity of the main tournament begins. The grounds remain open for fan experiences, player practices, shopping, and dining — perfect for visitors who want a more laid‑back day while still soaking in the atmosphere.

The closing weekend of Fan Week is the perfect warm‑up to the US Open itself — festive, free, and full of New York energy. Whether your audience is coming for the tennis, the performances, or simply the joy of being on the grounds, this weekend offers the best snapshot of what makes Fan Week special. GET THE DETAILS.

Oct. 26 & 31. “Call Me Pap”

Our Tomato pal Carmen Matais is producing a new show called “Call Me Papo” Hechter Ubarry’s musical journey of a boy from Harlem with big dreams. As Rico, Paul Hogan’s nemesis in Crocodile Dundee II this show highlights his musical talents adding yet another memorable performance to his diverse acting career.Carmensense Productions (Carmen Matias just another Tomato)

Catch Hechter at Don’t Tell Mama on October 26 and October 31 at 7:00pm located at 343 West 46 Street. For more info go to: hechterubarry.com

Coney Island for All Seasons

Nicole Freezer Rubens writes:

As summer winds down, I try to capture some moments to get me through the long winter, and Coney Island is one of my favorite seaside souvenirs. I visit and write about this enclave at one of Brooklyn’s edges often, as I am continuously fascinated that I can take the subway to this beach on the Atlantic Ocean and not leave New York City. Mostly what draws me to this classically boardwalked strip that includes a great little amusement park and the iconic vintage Cyclone and Wonder Wheel rides is the feeling of the place. The nostalgic Americana vibe radiates pure joy as families gather for a day at the beach and tourists soak up some historic old New York.

My goal this winter is to hop on the subway after a blizzard and check out my favorite urban beach when it’s blanketed in white wonder. I know all of Coney Island’s colors will continue to shine through any storm.

~Nicole is the author of “The Long Pause and the Short Breath” and the soon released book of photo essays, “New York and Not New York.”

Don’t Miss the Trunk Show of the Season

Kick off your fall in style at Gabrielle Carlson’s trunk show at the elegant Guerlain Spa at the Waldorf. Discover beautifully crafted pieces—designed for real women—in sumptuous fabrics and rich, luminous colors that make every outfit feel like a celebration of the season.

Sept. 18-19. The Buffalos Are Coming to Town

Return of the Buffalo: Tatanka Owe Akupi is one of the most extraordinary public art events coming to New York this fall—a two‑day, city‑wide spectacle that blends ritual, performance, and Indigenous storytelling into something both visually breathtaking and spiritually resonant.

Over two days a full herd of life‑size buffalo puppets—designed by the acclaimed Ukwanda Puppets of South Africa—will roam through Downtown Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan. These magnificent creatures move as a collective, grazing, thundering, and pausing at historic sites, accompanied by live music, poetry, dance troupes, gospel choirs, tribal ceremonies, and dozens of celebrated performers.

Created by visionary director Amir Nizar Zuabi in partnership with Elders from the Lenape and Lakota Tribes, Return of the Buffalo honors the buffalo’s real‑world journey—from near extinction to a powerful resurgence—and invites New Yorkers to witness a symbolic return of healing, strength, and communal renewal.

This is one of the largest public art events in the U.S. this year, entirely free and non‑ticketed, with a curated route through parks, plazas, and waterfront spaces. As the herd moves, each stop becomes a moment of ceremony and celebration—an immersive reminder of our connection to land, history, and one another. GET MORE DETAILS.