Your Non-Weak Weekly Update: June 29, 2026
The TC Fourth, Pools are Open, Remember Some Places, and Fireworks?
Lots to go through this week. First up, www.TudorCityView.com is live now! It’s much easier to remember and share. Also, be sure to subscribe!
Second, Tudor City Fest was last Wednesday. And a great time was had by all. Thanks to the Tudor City Association for bringing people together in a great way.
And finally… a rant! This week, we’re closing in on the Fourth of July. 250 years, eh? Impressive! Sorta? Things are difficult in this country so I’m a bit more selective in what I’m proud of. I’m sticking with the Knicks, the US Men’s National soccer team, New York City, and our home, The TC.
I was enjoying an early evening stroll around Tudor City last week and spent some time on the 41st street overlook. It’s still such a beautiful view even with that dumpster fire of an empty lot. It’s kind of gross now that it is back to what can best be described as a rat free-for-all. So I just kind of stared, still grossed out by its last incarnation: the thinly-applied coat of red, white and blue paint that was meant to convince us to allow a casino in that space.
I mean, really? Poorly-made billboards of Americana that were put in place by people who cheat on their taxes. It was so cheap and so transparent. You might say that it kinda brought out some anger in me.
But then I laughed. That realization had another side to it. The idiotic field of billboards were meant to evoke a comparison between a bunch of greedy people building a casino and the Spirit of the United States. Like, they thought they could fool us or people just passing by. I guess I feel bad for the tourists who thought they were seeing something like the WTC Memorial only to possibly have been exposed to whatever chemicals are still in the ground.
The laughter was a bit of relief because the gift is that this neighborhood, helped by the Tudor City Association and our Murray Hill and Sutton Place siblings, rallied the true American spirit. We stood up to craven billionaires, astroturf campaigns and exploitative morons. We all made sure that there won’t be a casino and all the ancillary misery that comes with it right next door to our homes.
Granted, we do have the fact that when Bo Dietl shows up against you, you are on the winning side of a battle. And of history. I was really proud of the way the neighborhood came together and the people won. When Samuel Johnson said that patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel, I’d like to think he was referring to this whole situation.
So a very happy Fourth of July to everyone who did anything to fight the casino, pat yourself on the back, have an extra beer, and know that you are keeping Tudor City a true neighborhood. Although you might not have laid down in front of bulldozers (more on this in a future update), you came together and gave it your all. That’s what I’ll be proud of this year.
CIVICALLYS
The Tudor City Association was responsible for the great Tudor City Fest. You should definitely take an active role in your neighborhood and donate and/or volunteer: https://www.tudorcityassociation.org. Check out the recap of the Fest last week Here.
Tudor City Confidential always has the best posts about the history of The TC. This post from last week shows ads from 1939 made me really happy.
The July Edition of the Book Club is Happening on July 14th at the North Park. 6 p.m. sharp. The book is Ourika by Claure de Duras. We’re giving you some decent heads up here.
Did you notice any great Tudor City merch at the Fest? Own it yourself! Here’s the Tudor City Store.
The Tudor City Greens is doing a Mini-Series called “Supporting Aging Adults in Our Community”. The first one was this last Sunday and focused on Brain Health and Aging. The second one will be happening on Sunday, July 19th at 5 p.m. It’s called “Cultivating a Dementia Friendly Community”. I’ll post the continued schedule for the rest of the summer next week.
TO DO
Here’s a great way to honor the 250th. The New York Public Library is dong a public viewing of an original copy of the Declaration of Independence. It’s happening from July 1st through the 7th and the details are here.
NYC swimming pools are open! Check out the The NY Parks website for all the information you need to jump in and keep cool. Apparently, it’s a scorcher this week.
The Fourth of July Fireworks are back where they belong - on the East River! But it sounds like they are more downtown than in past East River times. Can you get to the top of 5, 25, & 45 Tudor City Place? If so, thems are your best viewing option. Otherwise, take a subway downtown or head over to Brooklyn Bridge Park!
On Friday, July 3rd, the free Bryant Park Concert is The Knights. Or rather Carnegie Hall Presents: The Nights. Show up early and grab some lawn.
The World Cup continues into the Round of 32. The US Men’s National Team will play Bosnia-Herzegovina at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 1st.
John Zorn’s Simulacrum is playing on Tuesday, June 30th. Going to see live experimental music is a very American thing to do.
REMEMBER SOME PLACES
Lots of great places are gone now. Sometimes I think about them and hope for something better for the future. Sometimes I just want to vent. More importantly, I like being able to give a bit of recognition.
So my personal spot that I really miss is that Chinese Slash Mexican restaurant that used to be next to the Greek place. I miss the ease of jumping over there and making a cuisine decision on the spot. I want a taco! But I also want dumplings! They weren’t super friendly, but the food was good and quick and you got to hang out with a bunch of delivery people. Always felt very New York City to me.
It wasn’t a sit-down spot, but it always nailed it. So the moral of this RSP? We really could use a great Chinese takeout spot in the super-local way.
-TCV