Tag: #brooklyn

Your UNCLAIMED FUNDS await you!

Quick PSA for our fellow New Yorkers: there’s a real chance you (or someone in your family) has money sitting with New York State right now, just waiting to be claimed. Here’s what to know and how to check, in under five minutes.

Wait, the State Has My Money?

It’s more common than you’d think. Banks, insurance companies, corporations, and even the courts are legally required to hand over dormant or forgotten accounts to the New York State Comptroller’s Office. Think old savings accounts, uncashed checks, forgotten security deposits, unused gift cards, insurance payouts, stock dividends, or wages that never made it to you.

Once an account’s gone inactive long enough, it’s considered abandoned property and gets turned over to the Comptroller’s Office of Unclaimed Funds, no fee, no time limit, and it just sits there under your name until someone comes looking for it.

The Numbers Are Wild

The Comptroller’s office reports returning roughly $2 million a day to New Yorkers who file claims, and it’s already sent back over $163 million so far this year alone. Multiply that out over the years and you start to see why so many people have unclaimed cash out there without even knowing it.

How to Check (It Takes Minutes)

This part is genuinely easy:

  • Head to osc.ny.gov/unclaimed-funds and use the free search tool.
  • Enter your last name (or your business name) and hit search.
  • If there’s a match, you’ll see the details and can start a claim right online, most are paid out within 30 days.
  • No luck under your exact name? Try nicknames, maiden names, common misspellings, or old addresses.

It’s also worth searching for family members, since you can flag anything you find and the office will notify them directly. And if a claim isn’t found online but you know it’s out there, you can always follow up by mail.

A Word on Scams

Because this topic involves “free money,” it’s naturally a magnet for scammers. A few things to keep in mind: the Comptroller’s Office will never charge a fee to release your funds, and it won’t ask for sensitive personal or financial info out of the blue over email or a random link. If someone reaches out claiming to be “the government” and wants payment or private details before releasing your money, that’s phishing, full stop. Stick to the official site and you’re safe.

Bottom Line

It costs nothing and takes five minutes to check, so there’s really no reason not to. Go run your name (and your parents’, while you’re at it) through the database. Worst case, you find nothing. Best case, a check shows up in your mailbox.

IPHONE DUO…

Apple finally did it. At yesterday’s “Surprise and Shine” event at Apple Park, the company pulled back the curtain on its first-ever foldable iPhone — and after years of rumors, leaks, and speculation, the real thing is even more ambitious than most of us expected. Say hello to the iPhone Duo.

A New Shape for iPhone

This was also a bit of a milestone moment behind the scenes: it marked John Ternus’s first keynote as Apple’s CEO, following Tim Cook’s exit earlier this month. Fitting, then, that he used the stage to introduce what Apple is calling the biggest change to the iPhone in almost two decades.

The Duo uses a book-style folding design, closed it’s short, wide, and pocketable, but open it up and you get a full 7.6-inch internal display alongside a 5.4-inch outer screen for quick, on-the-go use. Both panels are Super Retina XDR OLED with ProMotion up to 120Hz, always-on support, and serious outdoor brightness. Apple says the unfolded screen is its largest iPhone display ever, offering roughly 50% more screen real estate than the iPhone 18 Pro Max.

Built Like a Tank, Folds Like Paper

The engineering here is the real headline for gadget nerds. The frame and hinge cover are Grade 5 titanium, with a mirror-polished body and a hinge made from over 100 individual components engineered to keep the screen flat when open and stress-free when folding. Apple leaned on its Vision Pro team to help pull it off, and it shows: unfolded, the Duo is just 5.2mm thick, making it the thinnest iPhone Apple has ever made. Folded, it’s a more familiar 11.3mm and weighs 254 grams.

One detail worth calling out: the inner display uses a nano-texture finish specifically designed to cut down on glare and make that dreaded foldable-phone crease far less noticeable. Early hands-on impressions suggest Apple may have actually solved the crease problem that’s plagued every other foldable on the market.

The Trade-Offs

A phone this new comes with some notable departures from the iPhone playbook. There’s no Face ID here, instead, Touch ID is built into the side power button. The rear camera system skips the telephoto lens found on the iPhone 18 Pro, sticking with a 48MP main and 48MP ultra-wide pairing. Under the hood, it runs the same A20 Pro chip found in the iPhone 18 Pro lineup, backed by a dual-battery system built for the two-screen design.

It’s also an eSIM-only device, and while Apple didn’t mention MagSafe on stage, the spec sheet confirms it’s still supported.

Price and Release Date

Here’s the part that might make you wince: the iPhone Duo starts at $1,999 for the base 256GB model, climbing to roughly $3,000 for the 2TB configuration. That’s a real premium over the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, which start at $1,199 and $1,299 respectively. For anyone not ready to pay upfront, Apple’s new Apple Upgrade leasing plan starts at $57.99 a month.

It comes in two colorways, Star White and Night Sky, and unlike the rest of the new iPhone lineup (which ships September 18), the Duo won’t hit shelves until Friday, October 23, in more than 70 countries.

Worth the Wait?

Apple took its time getting here, and it shows in the details, the titanium build, the nano-texture display, the hinge engineering. Whether it’s worth the price tag (or the trade-offs like no Face ID and no telephoto) is going to come down to how it actually feels to use day-to-day, and how that hinge holds up months from now. But as a first swing at a totally new iPhone category, the Duo is easily the most interesting thing Apple has shipped in years.

Will you be lining up for one in October, or sitting this generation out? Let us know in the comments.

Museum anyone?

September in New York means the light gets a little gentler, the crowds thin out just enough, and — best of all — some of the city’s best museums are throwing their doors open for free. Whether you’re a broke-and-proud local or just love a good deal, here’s your full roundup of NYC’s free museum days this September, plus the spots that are always free, every single day.

September Free Days

Weekly & Recurring Free Days

  • Sept 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 — Museum of the City of New York, Free Wednesdays, open to 9 PM
  • Sept 3, 10, 17 & 24 — Museum of the Moving Image, 2–6 PM
  • Sept 3, 10, 17 & 24 — Museum of Jewish Heritage, 4–8 PM
  • Sept 4, 11, 18 & 25 (plus Sept 13) — Whitney Museum, Fridays 5–10 PM, Sunday all day
  • Sept 4, 11, 18 & 25 — Morgan Library & Museum, 5–8 PM
  • Sept 4, 11, 18 & 25 — New York Hall of Science, 2–5 PM
  • Sept 4, 11, 18 & 25 (plus Sept 20) — Poster House, Fridays + third Sunday, all day
  • Sept 4, 11, 18 & 25 — MoMA, 5:30–8:30 PM, NYS residents only
  • Sept 5, 12, 19 & 26 — The Jewish Museum, all day
  • Sept 6, 13, 20 & 27 — Studio Museum in Harlem, all day
  • Sept 3, 10, 17 & 24 — Historic Richmond Town, 2–4 PM

One-Time & Special Free Dates

  • Sept 4 — Noguchi Museum, 11 AM–8 PM
  • Sept 6 — 9/11 Museum, 4–7 PM (NY locals only)
  • Sept 7, 14, 21 & 28 — 9/11 Museum, 5:30–7 PM
  • Sept 10, 11, 17, 18, 24 & 25 — China Institute Gallery, 5–8 PM
  • Sept 17 — Intrepid Museum Astronomy Night, 5:30–9 PM
  • Sept 24 — Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 2–5 PM

Heads up: Whitney, MoMA, the Morgan, New York Hall of Science, and Poster House all recommend reserving your free tickets early — these dates tend to fill up fast.

Always Free

No calendar-watching required for these — they’re free every day of the year.

  • Bronx Museum
  • Derfner Judaica Museum
  • Center for Brooklyn History
  • Coney Island History Project
  • Lefferts Historic House
  • Waterfront Museum
  • Weeksville Heritage Center
  • African Burial Ground National Monument
  • American Folk Art Museum (open through Sept 13)
  • Hispanic Society Museum & Library
  • Museum at FIT (opens Sept 16)
  • National Museum of the American Indian
  • Nicholas Roerich Museum
  • Print Center New York (opens Sept 17)
  • Rose Museum at Carnegie Hall (reopens in September)
  • Skyscraper Museum
  • Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace
  • Center for Jewish History
  • Federal Hall National Memorial
  • Hamilton Grange National Memorial
  • General Grant National Memorial
  • MoMA PS1
  • King Manor Museum
  • Queens County Farm Museum (except ticketed events)
  • SculptureCenter (opens Sept 19)
  • Dia Chelsea
  • New York Earth Room
  • The Broken Kilometer
  • NYPL Treasures Exhibition

However you like to spend a Sunday afternoon — staring down a dinosaur skeleton, wandering a Chelsea gallery, or finally making it to that museum you’ve been meaning to visit for years — September’s giving you plenty of free excuses. Pin this one and plan your month around it.

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Drake Drops Three Albums: Everything You Need to Know About Iceman, Habibti & Maid of Honour

Music · Hip-Hop

Nobody saw three albums coming — but that’s exactly what Drake delivered. Here’s everything you need to know about Iceman, Habibti, and Maid of Honour.

The NA Times  ·  May 2026  ·  5 min read
Drake · May 15, 2026
Iceman, Habibti &
Maid of Honour
Three albums. 43 songs. One midnight drop.

Drake doesn’t do things small. On May 15, 2026, the 6 God dropped not one, not two, but three full-length albums simultaneously at midnight — Iceman, Habibti, and Maid of Honour — stunning fans who had been waiting for a solo project since 2023’s For All the Dogs. Within 24 hours, he became Spotify’s most-streamed artist in a single day for all of 2026.

The rollout was pure Drake theatre. He hid the release date inside a giant block of ice in downtown Toronto, which Twitch streamer Kishka cracked open and delivered to Drake’s house live on stream. He lit up the CN Tower. He teased fans across four Iceman livestreams spanning nearly a year. And then, at the end of Episode 4, he pulled out three hard drives and simply said: “All 3 albums dropping at midnight from the biggest sound.” Nobody was ready.

“I made this so that I could make this.” — Drake, Iceman Episode 4

The Three Albums at a Glance

9th Studio Album
ICEMAN
18 tracks · Hip-Hop / Rap
The main event. Hard-hitting, lyrically confrontational, and deeply personal. Drake addresses the Kendrick beef head-on and looks inward at fractured friendships. Features Future, 21 Savage, and Molly Santana.
11th Studio Album
HABIBTI
11 tracks · R&B / International
The smooth, late-night project. Internationally influenced production with a hazy, melodic feel. Features PartyNextDoor, Sexyy Red, Loe Shimmy, and Qendresa.
10th Studio Album
MAID OF HONOUR
14 tracks · Club / Dancehall
The party album. Club-ready, dancehall-influenced, and TikTok-built. Features Central Cee, Popcaan, Sexyy Red, Stunna Sandy, and Iconic Savvy.

ICEMAN — The One Everyone’s Been Waiting For

This is the album Drake owed the world. His first solo project since the Kendrick Lamar feud rewrote the narrative around him, Iceman is his response — and it’s a strong one. Rather than dodge the controversy, Drake leans in. The album’s title track references the fallout directly, and “Make Them Remember” features thinly veiled shots at Kendrick, JAY-Z, and Pusha T. Even the album artwork — a nod to Michael Jackson’s iconic sequinned glove — feels like a deliberate provocation.

Production is handled largely by longtime collaborator Noah “40” Shebib, and the results are some of the most polished work in Drake’s catalog. Standout tracks include “Ran To Atlanta” with Future and rising star Molly Santana, the already-viral “B’s On The Table” with 21 Savage, and “What Did I Miss?” — which first debuted during Episode 1 of the Iceman livestream series and has been a fan favorite ever since.

ICEMAN — Key Tracks
01 Make Them Cry
05 Ran To Atlanta feat. Future & Molly Santana
09 National Treasures
10 B’s On The Table feat. 21 Savage
11 What Did I Miss?
14 Make Them Remember

HABIBTI & MAID OF HONOUR — Bonus Worlds

The two companion projects are a different kind of Drake — looser, more playful, and clearly aimed at streaming algorithms and dancefloors. Habibti leans into smooth, internationally flavored R&B, with PartyNextDoor reuniting with Drake on the standout “Fortworth.” Maid of Honour is the club album, built around dancehall and Caribbean rhythms, and is clearly riding the energy Drake found with his 2025 hit “Nokia.” “Which One” with Central Cee and “Amazing Shape” with Popcaan are the highlights.

Critics have been mixed on the companion projects — some calling them inspired additions, others viewing them as filler. But what they can’t deny is the ambition. Forty-three songs in one night is a statement, and Drake clearly wanted to flood every streaming playlist on earth simultaneously.

The Bigger Picture

This release arrives at a fascinating moment in Drake’s career. The Kendrick beef of 2024, capped by “Not Like Us” winning multiple Grammys, had shaken his untouchable status. Add in legal battles over streaming fraud allegations and a reported $8 million in gambling losses, and the critics were ready to write his obituary. Instead, he came back with three albums, Spotify records, and a marketing campaign that dominated the internet for weeks.

Whether you think Iceman is a full comeback or just a very expensive distraction depends on what you want from Drake in 2026. But one thing is certain: nobody else in music could have pulled this off. Love him or hate him, the 6 God still knows how to make the whole world pay attention.

Where to start if you’re new to the albums

  • Start with Iceman — it’s the main event and the most complete project of the three
  • Then Maid of Honour — great for background listening, workouts, or a night out playlist
  • Habibti last — it rewards patient listening and is best late at night
  • Can’t-miss tracks: “Ran To Atlanta,” “B’s On The Table,” “Which One,” “What Did I Miss?”
  • All three are streaming now on Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal

Which Drake album is your favorite so far — Iceman, Habibti, or Maid of Honour? Drop your take in the comments.

Filed under
Drake
Iceman
Habibti
Maid of Honour
hip-hop
new music 2026
music review
NYC culture

Affordable Fashion Finds in NYC: Where to Shop Without Breaking the Bank

Fashion · NYC Shopping Guide

New York City doesn’t have to mean New York City prices. Here’s where the savviest shoppers go to look like a million bucks for much, much less.

The NA Times  ·  May 2026  ·  6 min read
Style on a budget
NYC’s Best Affordable
Fashion Spots

Let’s get one thing straight: living in New York City does not mean you have to spend like you live in New York City. The same streets that house Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue are also home to some of the most exciting, affordable, and downright brilliant fashion finds anywhere in the world. You just have to know where to look.

Whether you’re a Brooklyn local, a visitor trying to shop like a New Yorker, or someone who simply refuses to pay full price on principle — this guide is for you. Here are the spots that actually deliver on style without the sticker shock.

“The best-dressed people in New York aren’t always spending the most — they’re just shopping smarter.”

The Thrift & Consignment Scene

New York’s resale market is genuinely world-class. Between the volume of fashion-forward locals constantly turning over their wardrobes and the sheer density of stores, you can find incredible pieces at a fraction of their original price if you put in a little time.

Consignment
INA NYC
Chelsea + multiple locations
One of the city’s top consignment shops since 1993. Only accepts high-quality goods — think Chanel and Pucci at serious discounts.
Resale
Beacon’s Closet
Park Slope, Bushwick, Greenwich Village
A Brooklyn institution. Mix of vintage and modern pieces from mass brands to high-end designers. Prices from $10 tanks to $80 leather jackets.
Vintage
L Train Vintage
Multiple Brooklyn locations
Part of a larger thrift chain with multiple NYC outposts. Known for mint-condition finds at seriously low prices — denim jackets for $5, no joke.
Curated Vintage
Procell
Lower East Side
Staff with an exceptional fashion point of view. Well-curated, high-quality vintage at fair prices. Go here when you want something truly special.

Fast Fashion Done Right

Not every trip calls for hunting through racks. Sometimes you need something on-trend, right now, without spending a fortune. These spots deliver exactly that.

Affordable chain
Primark
8th Ave, Midtown
The UK’s beloved budget fashion chain now has a NYC home. Trendy, affordable, and constantly refreshed. Great for basics and seasonal pieces.
Budget-friendly
Rainbow Shops
Multiple NYC locations
Trend-driven styles added daily, with options for women, plus sizes, and shoes. Great value with strong size inclusivity.
Trendy boutique
Necessary Clothing
Little Italy
Fun, flirty, feminine styles under $50. A great stop if you want something fashion-forward without the department store markup.
Eclectic finds
Think Closet
Williamsburg
Unique, eccentric pieces you genuinely won’t find elsewhere. A mix of Asian-influenced detailing and one-of-a-kind styles at reasonable prices.

Brooklyn’s Secret Fashion Weapon

If you’re based in Brooklyn — or just willing to make the trip — the borough is home to some of the city’s best budget fashion hunting grounds. The combination of a style-conscious population, a strong vintage culture, and neighborhood boutiques that actually care about their community makes Brooklyn uniquely suited for the savvy shopper.

Beyond Beacon’s Closet and L Train Vintage, keep an eye on local markets and pop-ups. Brooklyn Flea, which runs in DUMBO and other spots seasonally, regularly features independent vintage sellers with well-priced finds. And Flatbush’s own boutiques and Caton Market are worth a dedicated visit — you’ll find Caribbean-influenced styles and accessories that are genuinely hard to find anywhere else in the city.

Shopping Smart: Tips From a New Yorker

Knowing where to shop is only half the equation. Here’s how to actually get the most out of every dollar.

Pro tips for budget fashion in NYC
  • Hit the end-of-season sales — most boutiques discount heavily twice a year. January and July are golden months.
  • Shop off-peak hours — thrift stores on weekday mornings are less picked-over than weekend afternoons.
  • Follow your favorite stores on Instagram — flash sales and new arrivals get posted there first.
  • Go with a list, not a mood — knowing what you actually need keeps impulse buys in check.
  • Don’t overlook accessories — a great bag or pair of earrings from a discount store can elevate an entire outfit.
  • DSW for shoes — designer shoes at discount prices, and the selection is genuinely excellent.

The Spring 2026 Pieces Worth Hunting For

This season, the looks to build around are easy to find at budget-friendly price points if you shop strategically. Slouchy denim is everywhere — grab a pair secondhand and save yourself $100 over retail. Linen and lightweight trench coats are trending hard, and Primark and Rainbow both have solid options under $60. For accessories, layered jewelry and glass rings are the moment — and these are exactly the kinds of pieces you can find at market stalls and boutiques for next to nothing.

The key mindset shift for budget NYC fashion: stop thinking about where a piece is from, and start thinking about how it looks. The city’s best-dressed people figured that out a long time ago.

Have a go-to affordable fashion spot in NYC we should add to the list? Drop it in the comments — we’re always looking for new finds.

Filed under
NYC fashion affordable style thrift shopping NYC Brooklyn fashion budget shopping NYC lifestyle vintage NYC

Winter Like weather for the weekend!

We are all in disbelief it is SPRING! It is being reported that this weekend we will experience winter like temperatures and flooding from the heavy rains.Heavy rain is expected to arrive overnight on Friday.

You can expect heavy rain to arrive overnight on Friday. Stay warm and dry everyone.

Forest Whitaker’s Ex-Wife, Actress Keisha Nash, Dead at 51

It has been reported that Actress Keisha Nash, who was married to Forest Whitaker from 1996 until their divorce in 2018, has died. She was 51.

Photo: JIM SPELLMAN/WIREIMAGE

Whitaker and Nash first met on the set of the 1994 film Blown Away after she was cast to play Whitaker’s character’s girlfriend, per CBS News. Whitaker proposed the following year and the couple married in 1996 in Montego Bay, Jamaica. In addition to True, the pair also share daughter Sonnet Noel, 27.

Keisha Nash Whitaker and Forest Whitaker on Aug. 12, 2013. CHARLEY GALLAY/GETTY

We send prayers and condolences to the family.

Rich The Kid

Help us in shouting out Rich The Kid on his birthday!

Rich The Kis who’s real name is Dimitri Roger was born on July 13, 1992 in Queens NYC. He is an Atlanta-based rapper who released his debut EP, Rich Than Famous, on Christmas day of 2014. He released his first solo mixtape titled Been About The Benjamins through Livemixtapes on March 1, 2013.

JETech Wallet Case for iPhone 

I found this awesome phone case for an iPhone. The JETech Wallet Case for iPhone with Card Holder, it has Dual Layer of Shockproof Protective and a Sliding Hidden Slot.

The card slot is such a game changer for when you are on the go and need certain cards with you that are not able to be applied to the electronic wallet.

  • The card holder on the back can hold up to 2 essential cards securely. Always keep your credit card, debit card, ID card or driver’s license at hand without carrying a bulky wallet with you 
  • [Sliding Door Design] The card holder with humanized hidden sliding door is simple to open or close, barely noticeable and it will not open by itself, so never worry you will lose your cards 
  • [Dual-Layer Protection] Built with hard PC back and shockproof TPU inner cover, defend your device against accidental drops, bumps and scratches 
  • [Screen & Camera Safeguard] Raised lips around the screen and camera offer added protection to your device 
  • [Precise Cutouts] Perfectly aligned cutouts allow you to have easy access to speakers, buttons, camera and other ports

Here is a link to where you can pick up one of these for yourself or a gift: https://amzn.to/3nEKZs3