🌱 Sidney Poitier Got His Start In Harlem | Daily Digest

Sidney Poitier's story is a New York story.

Poitier, the groundbreaking actor whose gravitas won him plaudits in films such as "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner" and "In The Heat of the Night," died Friday at age 94. He was just 16 and completely broke when he arrived in New York City in 1943. And it was here in New York City that Poitier made a fateful discovery in the Amsterdam News: the American Negro Theater had placed an advertisement seeking actors. How Sidney Poitier Got His Start In Harlem

A chance encounter with another iconic city publication — Humans of New York — recently changed the life of another New Yorker. Featured in the mammoth of social media, Marco Raco seized the opportunity to promote the love of his life. Inwood Woman's Nonprofit Helped By Husband's Viral Love Story

Chance encounter saved a life this week, only he won't be telling us of his tale. A swan of Prospect Park was rescued by a dedicated preservationist who held the bird in her arms and realized something was badly wrong. City Swan Saved After Swallowing A Fish Hook

First, today's weather:

Plenty of sun. High: 32 Low: 28.

Here are the top stories in New York City today:

1. No Snow Day For You, Get To School: NYC Mayor (New York City Patch)
2. Leasing Opens At Pacific Park Complex As Advocates Urge Overhaul (Prospect Heights Patch)
3. Bayside Council Member Barred From Chamber After Defying Vax Rule (Bayside Patch)
4. Striking Columbia Students Reach Deal With University, They Say (Upper West Side Patch)

Today in New York City:

• 1/8: TADA! Youth Theater Winter Open House (9:30 AM)
• Distribute Food with NYSoM - Hunger No More (12:00 PM)
• Exhibition Opening: 'All in a Day's Work' (5:30 PM)
• Saturday Laugh Party (6:00 PM)
• The Dinner Detective Comedy Murder Mystery Dinner Show (6:00 PM)
• DJ Logic & Friends (8:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Central Park: "Happy first day of big snow, New York! ☃️ Looking to meander through the Park’s winter wonderland this season and take a lot of selfies? Whether you’re a seasoned pro or an amateur wielding a phone, go to our link in bio to see some of o..." (Instagram)
• Columbia University in the City of New York: "Happy Birthday, Zora Neale Hurston (BC’28)! The first Black student to graduate from Barnard College, Hurston is remembered for her role in the Harlem Renaissance and her extraordinary literary contributions to fiction and anthropology. ..." (Facebook)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Alphabet City (E5-A-E3-1st): "Stenographer machine - Hi I am looking to rent or buy a stenographer machine. If you have one and want to rent or sell can you please contact me at 917 4456422. msiwek456@gmail.com Mary Ann" (Nextdoor)

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Events:

• Office & Home Furniture Warehouse Liquidation Sale (January 8)
• OPEN HOUSE - Work in NY, Live in NJ (January 8)
• The Nutcracker... Welcome to New York Suite-y! (January 8)
• The Nutcracker... Welcome to New York Suite-y! (January 8)
• Popped Collar Comedy (Free Show in Bushwick, Brooklyn) (January 8)
• Montclair School of Real Estate Offering IN PERSON or ONLINE Classes (January 9)
• Dr. Steven Novella, Leading American Skeptic Returns, Jan 10 (January 10)
• White Collar Support Group 291st Meeting Online on Zoom (January 10)
• Jazz Vocalist Naama Gheber Live at Birdland (January 10)
• FREE WEBINAR | “Michelangelo and the Terrible Pope” Presented by Dr. Rocky Ruggiero (January 11)
• An Evening with Divorce Specialists (January 11)
• How to Raise Kids Who Aren't Assholes (January 11)
• WEBINAR: 2022 Investment Outlook (January 12)
• The Justin Alexander Signature Trunk Show - Spring/ Summer 2022!!! (January 13)
• Well Appointed Bronxville, NY Online Auction (January 13)
• Success Academy Upper West, In-Person School Tour (January 14)
• Success Academy Washington Heights, Virtual Information Session (January 14)
• Less Hustle, More Flow: Your Guide to Living In Alignment in 2022 (January 17)
• Simon Shaheen and the Near Eastern Music Ensemble (February 25)
• Add your event

Announcements:

• Whitmore's End-Year Media Blitz Features LI's Hospitality Clients (Details)
• Stressed out caring for a loved one with memory issues? (Details)
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For sale:

• Office Chairs High End Preowned (Details)
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Loving the New York City Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Saturday off right. I'll see you around!

— Kathleen Culliton

About me: Kathleen Culliton is the managing editor of the New York City Patch. Most of her selfies are accidental.