🌱 Composting Coming To Queens + NY Spotted Lanternflies

Good morning New York City! Here's some exciting news for all the earthworms out there–curbside composting is coming to all homes in Queens this fall. Invasive spotted lanternflies are in the city again, and more buses with asylum seekers are headed to NYC from Texas.

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Now, today's weather:

A t-storm around in the p.m.. High: 94 Low: 77. Be careful out there! The heat index could get as high as 105 degrees.

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Here are the top five stories in New York City today:

1. Curbside composting is coming to Queens starting in October, in a borough-wide initiative that will be the largest of its kind in the nation. Mayor Eric Adams had previously ended a similar program in other parts of the city, stating that he wanted to find a cheaper alternative. The program to collect yard and food waste comes at no cost to residents. (New York City Patch)
2. New York State officials are urging residents to be on the lookout for spotted lanternflies, an invasive species native to regions of Asia that was first identified in the five boroughs in August 2020. The bugs appear to be back in full force this summer, despite previous attempts to quell their spread. (WABC-TV)
3. Doctors, advocates and residents are fighting to prevent the sale by Mt Sinai of a hospital building on 14th street that was featured in a scene from “The Godfather” and was first opened by Helen Keller in 1903. The building could be the site of future luxury development if sold. (New York City Patch)
4. More busses carrying asylum seekers are headed for New York City in the coming days, an aide to Texas Governor Greg Abbott confirmed on Monday, amid accusations that migrants have been mistreated during their journey through the U.S., deprived of food, water, and medical assistance. (Gothamist)
5. A new City Hall hiring policy has come under scrutiny for allegedly requiring applicants to submit pictures of their faces which are collected in a database. Mayor Adams' administration insists it is so they can be more easily recognized, but some employees believe it's influencing hiring decisions. (Politico)

New York City pic of the day:

Remember to submit a photo from your neighborhood to newyorkcity@patch.com for a chance to be featured! We love skylines, bodega cats, coffee shops, streetscapes, parks and everything else that makes this city great. Please include your full name and an optional description.

Today in New York City:

• Open hours at the Vinyl Lending Library at Brooklyn Public Library (11 a.m.)
• Parker’s at Thompson Central Park Live Summer Jazz Nights (6 p.m.)
• Brooklyn Shakespeare Festival: Romeo + Juliet – Industry City (6 p.m.)
• The Harlem Project in Marcus Garvey Park (6 p.m.)
• Peter Shapiro + David Fricke: The Music Never Stops at The Strand Bookstore (7 p.m.)

Crime and safety corner:

• A teenage girl is missing from NYCHA Woodside Houses in Queens as of Friday morning. (New York City Patch)
• A suitcase filled with about $5 million worth of drugs, including fentanyl and heroin, was seized during a raid in The Bronx on August 4. (New York City Patch)

From my notebook:

• New York's laws will no longer use the word "inmate" to describe people in prison, instead referring to them as "incarcerated individuals." (New York 1)
• A Russian oligarch's $90 million jet will be seized as part of ongoing sanctions against the country over the war in Ukraine, according to NYC feds. (New York City Patch)
• Civil rights activist Reverend Al Sharpton is reportedly in a dispute with the landlord of his organization, the National Action Network's, headquarters in Harlem. (New York Post)
• Public Advocate Jumaane Williams endorsed Yuh-Line Niou, a progressive Manhattan Assemblymember, in her bid for Congress in the open 10th district which includes Lower Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn. (Gothamist)
• In other endorsement news, the parents of a 28-year-old woman who was killed while riding a bike in the Upper East Side, are supporting Suraj Patel for Congress, after they became aware that their current Representative, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, had opposed a bike lane that could have saved their daughter's life. (New York City Patch)
• A prominent Korean restauranteur just opened a store, Little Banchan Shop, in Long Island City, which offers a taste of what's inside a typical Korean household's refrigerator. (Eater NY)

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Events:

• Kate invites you to the Opening Reception for an all women's group exhibition (August 9)
• Kate invites you to the opening reception for "Matrixes Small Works", an all-women's art exhibition (August 9)
• Jewel Yacht Summer Moonlight NYC Midnight Yacht Friday Party 2022 (August 12)
• Sunset Summer NYC Wave Cabana Yacht Booze Cruise Party 2022 (August 13)
• NYC Saturday Midnight Cruise Jewel Yacht Hip Hop vs Reggae® Skyport Marina (August 13)
• Hasbrouck Heights NJ Doll, Bear & Miniature Show & Sale (August 14)
• Sunset Edm Techno House Sunday NYC Crowd Control Jewel Yacht Party (August 14)
• FREE Drinks and FREE Comedy! (August 14)
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Announcements:

• Dementia Caregivers Needed for Research Study (Details)
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Housing:

• Co-op For Sale Douglaston, Queens (Details)
• Douglaston Home For Sale (Details)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Tuesday! I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow with another update.

— Dashiell Allen

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming New York City Daily? Contact me at patchnyc@patch.com