Good morning on this unpredictable Wednesday.
Happy Earth Day.
Like many good ideas, Earth Day has some roots in New York City.
The first Earth Day, 45 years ago, was centered in New York, where hundreds of thousands came out in support.
Mayor John V. Lindsay gave momentum to the fledgling holiday by shutting down Fifth Avenue, and much of 14th Street, for demonstrations.
On Sunday, Earth Day New York held an all-day event in Union Square.
But there are still ways to celebrate today.
For one, a clean-water activist plans to swim the length of the Gowanus Canal to call attention to the stalled federal cleanup.
He’ll be covered head to toe to protect himself against pollution in the canal that has killed dolphins and whales.
We don’t plan to join him, and we (and the E.P.A.) suggest you don’t either. Here are other ways to celebrate Earth Day.
Members of the Sierra Club rally at City Hall for a new energy policy.
Or attend an all-day symposium on green design and environmentalism at the New School.
Head out to one of the parks that is hosting events.
Or learn how to super-green-compost in Brooklyn.
You can pledge support for national campaigns here.
And the state has 50 tips for going greener.
Here’s what else is happening:
WEATHER
Brace yourself: showers today and possibly thunderstorms this afternoon, with a high of 63.
There might even be hail. No more complaints from us about the below-average April rainfall.
Today’s pollen forecast: moderate.
IN THE NEWS
• Mayor de Blasio announces a new version of the city’s environmental program, PlaNYC, now renamed OneNYC, which will focus on income inequality. [New York Times]
• New York’s three public library systems — New York, Brooklyn and Queens — are seeking $1.4 billion over the next decade to modernize their 217 branches. [New York Times]
• A judge ordered a hearing for two chimpanzees said to be “unlawfully detained.” [New York Times]
• In more wildlife news, the police are trying to capture a roaming coyote in Riverside Park. [Daily News]
• A truck crashed on Saturday into a wall where people were installing a memorial to New Yorkers killed in traffic accidents. No one was hurt. [Brooklyn Paper]
• Scoreboard: Yankees cage Tigers, 5-2. Mets gridlock Braves, 7-1. Capitals shipwreck Islanders, 2-1, in overtime.
• For a global look at what’s happening, see Your Wednesday Briefing.
COMING UP TODAY
• Indigenous female leaders address the U.N. on climate change. 1:15 p.m. [Free, registration required]
• Sam Outlaw, a country singer whose mother’s real maiden name is Outlaw, performs at Rockwood Music Hall Stage 2 on the Lower East Side. 7 p.m. [$10]
• Rhythm in Motion and the American Tap Dance Federation perform contemporary tap dance at the 14th Street Y through the weekend. 8 p.m. [Tickets start at $21.99]
• The Long Island Guitar festival begins tonight with a concert at the LIU Post campus. 8 p.m. [Tickets start at $20]
• Who Wants to be a Millionaire? If the answer is you, audition for the show at ABC on the Upper West Side. 5 p.m. [Free]
• “or, The Whale,” a theater adaptation of “Moby Dick,” at WORD bookstore in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. 6:30 p.m. [Free, RSVP required]
• Rangers at Penguins, 7 p.m. (MSG). Nets at Hawks, in the first round of the playoffs, 7 p.m. (my9) Yankees at Tigers, 7:08 p.m. (YES). Mets host Braves, 7:10 p.m. (SNY).
• For more events, see The New York Times Arts & Entertainment guide.
COMMUTE
• Railroads: L.I.R.R., Metro-North, N.J. Transit, Amtrak
• Roads: Check traffic map or radio report on the 1s or the 8s.
• Alternate-side parking: in effect until May 14.
• Ferries: Staten Island Ferry, New York Waterway, East River Ferry
• Airports: La Guardia, J.F.K., Newark
AND FINALLY …
Last week, readers shared on Twitter, in comments and via email where they go for the city’s best black-and-white cookie.
In the spirit of bakery harmony, we wanted to share the results.
William Greenberg Desserts on the Upper East Side received seven votes, while Glaser’s Bake Shop in Yorkville got four and Mother’s Bakeshop in Riverdale had three votes.
Two votes each went to Junior’s cheesecake (now made in New Jersey); Orwasher’s Bakery on the Upper East Side and Pasticceria Rocco in the West Village.
And one vote each was tallied for: Agata and Valentina on the Upper East Side and Washington Square; Blackandwhitecookies.com; Donut Pub in Chelsea; Empire Cake in Chelsea; Moishe’s Bake Shop in the East Village; Nussbaum and Wu on the Upper West Side; Piece-A-Cake on Staten Island; Rockland Bakery in Nanuet, N.Y.; and Zaro’s Bakery, various locations.
Go forth and taste.
Kenneth Rosen contributed reporting.
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