Big news this week: dueling op-eds about whether “NYC is Dead Forever.” James Altucher, a hedge funder who recently fled NYC for Miami cast the first stone. Jerry Seinfeld clapped right back.

everyone and their mother has weighed in.

But my favorite response comes from comedian Andrew Schulz, a true, born-and-bred New Yorker:

This “New York is done shit” is pissing me off. No real NYers abandon the city the second things get a little sketchy. I’m tired of yuppies saying NY is done.

Andrew Schulz

For more on what Andrew has to say about real New Yorkers, watch the first 20 minutes of his most recent podcast (Flagrant 2).

Schulz, btw, is considered one of the hottest young comics working today. Somebody commented recently: “isn’t it strange that we now make fun of politicians while listening to comics?” So true!

Scroll down for more on who/what made it onto this week’s TOP 10 LIST.

1. In praise of neighborhood RESTAURANTS

Each and every service industry worker, be it an owner, a chef, or a server, deserves our praise and respect these days. And please, let’s tip big! Restaurants are doing yeoman’s work in changing the vibe of cities. They’re almost singlehandedly GETTING NYC BACK ON ITS FEET.

And yet despite what restaurants are doing to restore jobs and a sense of normalcy, our idiotic Mayor is treating restaurant owners like sh*t. Has any leader of this city ever been more clueless than De Blasio (see below)?

“Indoor dining is obviously a very optional activity, which some people do a lot who have the resources and others can’t do at all because they don’t have the resources.”

Bill De Blasio’s F*ck You to NYC’s 160,000 Unemployed Restaurant Workers

2. GALLERY HOPPING IS BACK!

First time I’ve reconnected with the art world in 6 months – and I did it all on Citibike.

Seeing art in real life is where it’s at for me. I’ve tried all the virtual gallery and museum tours and they just don’t do it for me.

Based on this past weekend’s experience, I would say that gallerists are every bit as excited to see us as we are to see them!!

And I totally agree with Artnet that the Two Bridges area is the hottest new art hub in NYC!

September 2nd is the big Fall Season opening day.

• Besides Taittinger Gallery (above) which has a fabulous show of work by Mike Perry (he did the animation for Comedy Central’s Broad City), I also recommend checking out M23 Project (24 Henry Street), Sargent’s Daughters (179 East Broadway) and the big kahuna, ATM Gallery (54 Henry Street)!

Galleries and museums are also opening around the country (and the world).

I’ve received notifications from Houston (Blaffer Museum), Nashville (the Frist), and the Red Door Project in Cincinnati.

I am, however, most intrigued by what’s happening in Berlin where techno clubs are transforming into galleries. Has anyone checked out the “Eleven Songs” installation at Berghain? Looks fabulous (see below).

3. “back to school” with Kith leading the way.

I have seen an unbelievable number of Kith shopping bags while walking around downtown. Midtown, on the other hand, is A/X and Nike territory.

And really killing it for the big spenders? Vuitton!

Their store uptown always has a line outside. Lately, longer than at Supreme.

Rati Levesque, COO of The RealReal, told HypeBeast:

“Louis Vuitton is now the number one brand for the first time, edging its way above Gucci by capturing the greatest share of demand among younger demographics.

Rati Levesque, COO of The RealReal

4. Where is Post-pandemic optimism the strongest? (Source: Bangkok Post)

Answer: in emerging markets and among the young

Here are 5 key takeaways from the Standard Chartered July survey of 12,000 people in 12 global markets including China, India, the United Arab Emirates, Kenya, the UK, and the United States.

• Young people are confident in their skills to thrive despite Covid-19. 80% of 18- to 34-year olds feel they have the digital skills to thrive post-outbreak, compared to 63% of those over 65.
• Younger people are more willing/able to adapt. 75% of 25- to 34-year olds would set up a second income stream vs. 40% of those over 55. 72% of 18- to 44-year olds would reskill compared to 37% of those aged 55 and above.
• Millennials and Gen Z are likely to start a new business. 52% of those aged 18 to 44 compared to 30% of those 45 and above.
• Emerging markets have more hustle than developed markets. More than 88% of people in China, India, Pakistan, and Kenya would prefer to work more to get ahead than reduce their hours for less pay. Meanwhile, the UK and the US had the highest proportion of people who valued free time over more money (38% and 33%, respectively). Emerging markets are going to eat our lunch!
• A global desire for more flexibility when it comes to working arrangements. For those for whom it is applicable, 71% would prefer to continue working from home at least two days a week.

5. Attention is prevention: Listen to your “spidey-sense”

Crime is up around the country.

And yet so many people in my neighborhood, are walking around staring at their phones, oblivious to what’s going on around them.

I notice it particularly among young women (photos above) but a few weeks ago, a young guy wheeling his bike down my street while texting, got walloped on the side of the head by a homeless guy. The punch sent him flying into the street along with his bike. Hopefully, he’s become more attentive to his surroundings.

Don’t become an easy target. Study up on how to stay safe.

1. The Gift of Fear, a book cited by one of Joe Rogan’s guests. It’s from 1997 but based on my Blinkist read, 100% relevant today.
2. From Psychology Today, an article on the science of victim selection. It’s written by a sex crimes prosecutor who has analyzed the kinds of vulnerabilities criminals look for when picking victims. Worth a read.
3. “Spidey-sense.” I was familiar with this concept but not familiar with the term. Andrew Schulz brings it up often. Again, do not underestimate your sixth-sense. Your intuition is important when it comes to keeping you out of harm’s way.

6. Post-Lockdown Lingo: (Source: HospitalityNet)

5 favorites:

Flying the Internest: The feeling of excitement as you leave your lockdown cocoon for your first offline meeting with a real-life person.

Shackleton: The first of your colleagues to go on a business trip, who then reports back every detail from the brave new world including hotel sanitation stations and the layout of the airport. Just like the Arctic explorer, he’s also Earnest.

Flyperventilate: To book a flight and then fret about restrictions changing.

Fattening the curve: Eating too much during lockdown

Zumping: Being dumped via zoom

7. Where’s Travel At?

I’m 100% booked on my next Nat Geo trip – August 2021 (11 months away)!

And Nat Geo’s timing is right on trend per the newest report from the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA):

• 38% of tour operators have seen an increase in bookings in the last 60 days. (24% reported a decrease in bookings).
• 19% have new bookings scheduled for 4Q 2020
• One-third have bookings for 1Q 2021
• Three-fourths have bookings for 2Q 2021
• Eight out of 10 have bookings for 3Q 2021
• 73% of bookings are to international destinations
• Half of tour operators foresee restarting operations to Africa in 1Q 2021.
• Antarctica is starting to gain traction with 24% anticipating they’ll resume operations in 2Q 2021 (way up from June when zero percent said they anticipated returning within that same timeframe).

8. RUTH ASAWA STAMPS – here’s to positive USPS news!

I LOVE Asawa’s work and these stamps are extraordinary. I ordered them the minute Christine Bastoni put them on my radar.

• I was also intrigued to learn that Asawa had died only 7 years ago, in 2013 which is 3 years shy of the USPS’s “sufficiently dead” rule, i.e., anybody honored with a stamp had to have been dead for 10 years (only exception: former US Presidents).
• As some of you know, I served on the USPS Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee starting in 1993 until I stepped down in 2000.
• I was the youth marketing/trends expert charged with creating a new generation of stamp collectors. While I loved being on the committee, I felt obliged to resign once it became clear to me that writing letters and collecting stamps were not coming back, no matter how hard we tried.
• On top of that, the rules at that time for who/what was eligible to be a stamp subject made it virtually impossible to create anything relevant, topical, or cool, e.g., if you wanted to do a classic car series, no companies/brands still in existence could be used. In essence, you could only honor products that had failed and were no longer in business. At that time, the USPS thought that any company or person honored by a stamp would reap too many benefits for having been selected. In fact, it was the other way around. The USPS would have benefited from selecting the right brand or person to put on a stamp. Crazy, right?
• The rules have clearly changed and that’s a good thing because the USPS is apparently essential again and needs to stay in business. At least through the election.
• The year I joined the committee, two “celebs” were also members: Karl Malden and Richard “Digger” Phelps. I loved both, very collegial, down-to-earth, and fun.
• Being on the CSAC committee, and participating in so many stamp launch ceremonies, is absolutely a highlight of my life. Biggest top-of-mind thrills include a NASA visit, the 2nd X-Games, Vince Lombardi stamp launch at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Sonoran Desert series (where I met John McCain), Native American Dances in Oklahoma, and my last series, Frida Kahlo (which would have gotten me booted off the committee anyway because Congress got involved when someone complained that Kahlo was a communist!). But she was also Hispanic and a woman – both of which we were charged with doing more to celebrate.

Membership during my tenure

9. “Ageless” – the new buzzword in advertising (Source: NYPost)

“At long last, companies are realizing that gray is the new black.”

Mauro Guillén, professor at the Wharton School, and author of “2030: How Today’s Biggest Trends Will Collide and Reshape the Future of Everything”

The “ageless” approach of emphasizing attitudes and lifestyles as opposed to age, is yet another acknowledgment that aging is not what it used to be.

I’ve written about this concept several times, most recently in December 2019. I’ve also just celebrated a birthday so I’ve been thinking about what aging is and isn’t these days.

Here are a few “ageless” faves that I follow on Instagram. Plus big shoutout to my friend and hairstylist par excellence, Rodrigo Padillo, who keeps my tresses looking “ageless.”

10. LOve the new Casa Dragones Anejo

BIG thanks to Bertha Gonzalez Nieves for messengering over a bottle.

Bertha is the founder and CEO of Casa Dragones. She is also Mexico’s first female Maestra Tequilera.

Will be savoring and sipping this wonderful gift with friends over the weekend!

And that’s a wrap for this week.

Birthday month has been fantastic. One last celebratory dinner tonight at Pastis (weather permitting). Again, much to be grateful for – most especially for all my friends who made this such a great month.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone.

PS: Can’t believe summer’s almost over. I’m definitely picking up a Fall vibe most mornings as I sip my coffee by the fire escape!