🌱 NYC Cannabis Dispensary Now Open + Hudson River Tunnel Construction

Good morning, New York City!

• NYC's first cannabis dispensary is now open.
• Construction will begin next year on a tunnel under the Hudson River, according to Schumer.
• One Upper East Side townhouses's "encroaching" vines are causing damage, a lawsuit says.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and mild. High: 54 Low: 45.

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

1. The first legal cannabis dispensary in New York City opened at 4:20 p.m. in the Greenwich Village to massive crowds and a sold-out first day. The dispensary is operated by the HIV/AIDS service organization nonprofit Housing Works. (New York City Patch)
   • While Housing Works and other nonprofits have succeeded in scheduling openings, dozens of entrepreneurs with criminal justice histories are waiting for the state to approve their store locations. (THE CITY)
2. Construction is set to begin in 2023 on a new train tunnel under the Hudson River thanks to a $292 million federal grant, Senator Chuck Schumer announced. The tunnel connecting Manhattan's west side with New Jersey is projected to cost $16.1 billion, and is part of a larger $30 billion project. (Subscription/New York Daily News)
3. Mayor Eric Adams' administration has suggested recently that the city should consider a "Plan B" to its current plans for closing Rikers Island by 2027 and opening four borough-based jails. The plan requires the city's jails to have a total detainee population of 3,300; it's expected to hit 7,000 next year according to Department of Correction Commissioner Louis Molina. (THE CITY)
4. At least a dozen Democratic state lawmakers have announced they will not vote for Hector LaSalle, Governor Kathy Hochul's nominee to lead New York's highest court of appeals, meaning the nomination would likely need the support of Republicans to go through. Some progressives and labor groups have taken issue with past stances LaSalle has taken in favor of crisis pregnancy centers and against unions. (Gothamist)
5. Supporters of Drag Story Hour clashed with (and outnumbered) protestors outside of a Queens Library in Jackson Heights yesterday afternoon. According to LGBTQ advocacy group GLAAD there have been at least 141 "protests or significant threats" against drag events across the country this year. (Pix 11 New York)

New York City pic of the day:

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Today in New York City:

• Baby Shark Live!: The Christmas Show - Kings Theater (6 p.m.)
• Kwanzaa at the Apollo: A Regeneration Celebration - The Apollo Theater (7:30 p.m.)
• Live Music! Roadkill Outlaws (8:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Many government buildings and services will be closed next Monday, Jan. 2, including public schools and sanitation pickup. Costco and Trader Joes supermarkets will be closed on New Year's Day. Here's a complete list of what's open and closed over the holiday weekend. (New York City Patch)
• New Yorkers are already bidding farewell to the city's iconic green mesh trash cans, which are not very rat-proof. (Subscription/Curbed)
• A pop-up diner themed around the viral "Karen" trend is coming to New York City next year. Expect sub-par service, according to reports. (Time Out)
• Citi Bike users will see a major price increase of at least 11 percent for an annual subscription next year, and 26 percent for single-day passes. (AMNY)
• Vines growing on the Upper East Side's famed Pulitzer Mansion have caused thousands of dollars in damages to a neighboring townhouse, according to a new lawsuit which alleges water leaks and cracked and falling bricks. (New York City Patch)

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Events:

• Its not too late to make it right! (December 30)
• GLITZ & GLAM NYE 2023 at The Copacabana Loft 51 party (December 31)
• Stitch NYC New Year's Eve Singles Openbar Party 2023 (December 31)
• Croton Reservoir Tavern New Year's Eve Singles Party 2023 (December 31)
• Tribeca Social NY New Year's Eve party 2023 (December 31)
• La Vibra NYC New Year's Eve party 2023 (December 31)
• Playwright Bar & Lounge New Year's Eve 2023 40s & over (December 31)
• Dream Downtown Gallery New Year's Eve party 2023 (December 31)
• Sony Hall NYC New Year's Eve Party 2023 (December 31)
• Harbor NYC Rooftop New Year's Eve party 2023 (December 31)
• Doha Nightclub New Year's Eve party 2023 (December 31)
• The Ugly Duckling Long Beach New Year's Eve party 2023 (December 31)
• China River New Years Eve 2023 Reveillon Baile do Branco (December 31)
• Amadeus Nightclub New Year's Eve party 2023 Dj Camilo & Dj Lobo live (December 31)
• Grey Lady NYC New Year's Eve Party 2023 (December 31)
• Hotel on Rivington New Year's Eve party 2023 (December 31)
• Guastavino's New Year's Eve party 2023 (December 31)
• Ugly Duckling New Year's Eve party 2023 (December 31)
• Ravel Hotel New Year's Eve Ballroom Bash 2023 (December 31)
• The DL Lounge New Year's Eve party 2023 (December 31)
• The Delancey NYC New Year's Eve party 2023 (December 31)
• 44 Lounge NYC Times Square New Year's Eve party 2023 (December 31)
• Cucina 812 New Year's Eve party 2023 (December 31)
• GARDEN OF COSMIC DELIGHTS │ New Year's Eve at Fandi Mata (December 31)
• Ring in 2023 at the TwoE Lounge with KT Sullivan (December 31)
• Amazura Nightclub New Year's Eve Champagne party 2023 (December 31)
• Hidden Lane NYC New Year's Eve party 2023 (December 31)
• Chelsea Room New Year's Eve party 2023 (December 31)
• New Year's Jazz Brunch with Kaisa Mäensivu Quartet (January 1)
• Cooking Class “French Bistro“ (January 6)
• Stick to Your New Year’s Resolutions with HSS Exercise Classes Starting Jan 9th! (January 9)
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Housing:

• Top Senior Housing and Assisted Living in New York and Florida (Details)
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Job listings:

• Personal Assistant for Older New Yorkers in Manhattan (Details)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Friday. See you all tomorrow for another update!

— Dashiell Allen

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