The air quality in NYC has made us one of the of the worst places on earth with air pollution hurting millions. This is the second day of poor air quality as a result of Canadian wildfire near Quebec blowing smoke in our direction. The city smells like a burning campfire, burning eyes, ears and throats. The air quality index hit 484 at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Adams said. It was believed to be the highest index level since the 1960s.

Prima Facie’s star Jodie Comer stopped her performance about 10 minutes into the show. Comer told the audience she couldn’t breathe because of the air. The show continued with Comer’s understudy Dani Arlington taking over.

Hamilton and Camelot canceled their Wednesday night performances. The Public Theater canceled a planned rehearsal and dress rehearsal of the Shakespeare in the Park production of Hamlet as well as the first two performances on Thursday and Friday. The performances, take place in the open air theater in Central Park, were canceled “due to the ongoing issues of air quality and the added effect it is having on finalizing the production at The Delacorte Theater,” a spokesperson said.

Off-Broadway, the Vineyard Theatre cancelled Wednesday night’s performance of This Land Was Made, saying “in the interest of prioritizing the health and safety of our audience members, performers, and staff.”

The WGA East canceled all picket lines due to the hazardous air blanketing the New York City metro area, “out of an abundance of caution.”

The NYC schools go remote tomorrow with virtually in staff training on what’s known on the school calendar as “Anniversary Day/Chancellor’s Conference Day.”

Gov. Kathy Hochul stated that the smoke could continue for days and described the situation as an “emergency crisis.”

“This is an unprecedented event in our city, and New Yorkers must take precautions,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

SAY: The Stuttering Association for the Young (www.say.org) will host its 21st Annual Benefit Gala, live and in person, on Monday, May 22, 2023. The evening will begin at 6:00 PM at The Edison Ballroom in New York City (240 West 47th Street). It will feature a performance starring the evening’s host Kelli O’Hara, and Brandon Victor Dixon, as well as the young people of SAY, along with dinner and a live auction. This year’s honorees will include award-winning entertainer Wayne Brady, journalist & author John Hendrickson, as well as Mariska Hargitay & Peter Hermann who will be inducted into the SAY: Hall Of Fame, and the Fabric & Craft Store Chain JOANN will be awarded the Budd Mayer Advocay Award.

Mariska Hargitay.Photos by Mikiodo courtesy of SAY-17

Recent recipients of honors from the organization include BBDO, Thomas Kail, Joe Moglia, Kelli O’Hara, Jay Badame & Linda D’Alessandro, Marcia & Bill Withers, and George Springer.

Executive Director Noah Cornman, Peter Hermann and Mariska Hargitay.Photos by Mikiodo courtesy of SAY-17

The Gala performance, written & directed by SAY’s Founder, Taro Alexander, co-written and with Musical Direction by Everett Bradley, will feature Kelli O’Hara, Brandon Victor Dixon, and the young people of SAY in an inspiring, original piece. SAY’s Executive Director Noah Cornman shared, “We are so excited to bring the SAY Gala to The Edison Ballroom, and to be able to celebrate our incredible Honorees this year alongside the inspiring kids of SAY! The evening will be a beautiful, star-studded celebration of the powerful voices of young people who stutter.”

John Hendrickson Photos by Mikiodo courtesy of SAY-17

SAY’s 21st Annual Benefit Gala will honor:

John Hendrickson and his wife Liz Rawson Photos by Mikiodo courtesy of SAY-17

Budd Mayer Advocacy Award recipient JOANN Fabric and Craft Stores. Founded in 1943 as a single retail store, today, JOANN is the nation’s leading fabric and craft specialty retailer. Their retail stores and website feature a variety of competitively priced merchandise used in sewing, crafting, and home decorating projects, including fabric, notions, crafts, frames, paper crafting supplies, artificial floral, finished seasonal, and home decor items. JOANN operates approximately 850 stores in 49 states. JOANN has partnered with SAY over the past couple of years, advocating for the stuttering community and providing donated supplies and services for our programs, helping kids who stutter bring their creative visions to bold, beautiful life!

Kelli OHara Photos by Mikiodo courtesy of SAY-17

Wayne Brady (SAY: Hero Award) Multiple Emmy Award-winning and Grammy Award-nominated Wayne Brady has made his mark on stage and screen as an actor, producer, singer, dancer, songwriter, and television personality. A true multi-hyphenate, Brady’s career path and personal life journey have helped him see the world in a unique way. His aspirations have always gone beyond solely starring in various entertainment projects, and under his Makin’ It Up Productions banner, he’s set out to create new content across different platforms that showcase innovation and inclusivity in a fun and powerful ways.

Peter Hermann and Mariska Hargitay.with their children August Miklos Friedrich, Andrew Nicolas and Amaya Josephine. Photos by Mikiodo courtesy of SAY-17

Mariska Hargitay & Peter Hermann (SAY: Hall of Fame Inductees) Mariska Hargitay is an award-winning actress, director, producer, and philanthropist. She has played the role of Captain Olivia Benson on NBC’s “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” since 1999, which earned her an Emmy and Golden Globe award. In 2004, she founded the Joyful Heart Foundation, which is devoted to domestic violence and child abuse survivors. Mariska’s husband, Peter Hermann, is an actor, producer, and writer who recently starred as Charles Brooks in “Younger.” Mariska & Peter have been long-time champions of SAY and the young people we serve, advocating for and supporting the community in all ways, always.

Everett Bradley Photos by Mikiodo courtesy of SAY-17

John Hendrickson (SAY: Hero Award) John is a staff writer at The Atlantic and the author of Life on Delay: Making Peace With a Stutter, a reported memoir that grew out of his Atlantic feature “What Joe Biden Can’t Bring Himself to Say,” which was read by more than 2 million people and named one of the best stories of 2019 by Longform. John has spoken about stuttering, politics, and journalism on CNN, MSNBC, NPR, PBS, and at colleges and universities across the country. Before joining The Atlantic, he wrote and edited for Rolling Stone, Esquire, and The Denver Post.

Everett Bradley and the kids of SAY Photos by Mikiodo courtesy of SAY-17

Proceeds from the 21st Annual Benefit Gala will help SAY provide vital programming for kids and teens who stutter, including Camp SAY, Camp SAY Across the USA, Speech Therapy, Confident Voices, and Washington DC-based, SAY: DC. SAY Vice President Travis Robertson said “The funds raised by our Annual Gala help keep SAY’s programming available to every child who stutters, regardless of financial constraints. That is SAY’s essential and important legacy, and the need is compelling.”

Cast of Freestyle Love-Supreme.Photos by Mikiodo courtesy of SAY-17

SAY: The Stuttering Association for the Young is a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides support, advocacy, and life-changing experiences for young people who stutter, ages 3-25. For over 20 years, SAY has offered comprehensive and innovative programs that address the physical, social, and emotional impacts of stuttering. Through summer camp, regional day camps, speech therapy, and creative arts programming, SAY builds a community of acceptance, friendship, and encouragement where young people who stutter can develop the confidence and communication skills they need to thrive. To date, no child has ever been turned away due to a family’s inability to pay.

Everett Bradley and the SAY orchestra Photos by Mikiodo courtesy of SAY-17

Kelli Ohara, Everett Bradley and Taro Alexander with the kids of-SAY Photos by Mikiodo courtesy of SAY-17

Kelli OHara and SAY founder Taro Alexandef, Photos by Mikiodo courtesy of SAY-17

Kelli OHara and SAY teens Photos by Mikiodo courtesy of SAY-17

Kelli OHara, Keon Lee Zane Aguirre, Leena Robertson and Brandon Victor Dixon Photos by Mikiodo courtesy of SAY-17

Broadway Favorite Andréa Burns sings songs about her favorite city and the marvelous characters who inhabit it.

This event is part of Lincoln Center Moments, a free performance-based program specially designed for individuals with dementia and their caregivers.

Performances at 11:00 am are Relaxed Performances, designed for a neurodiverse audience. In addition to audiences impacted by dementia, these performances are also open to adults with developmental disabilities.

Performances at 1:00 pm are followed by an hour-long workshop specially designed for audiences impacted by dementia—facilitated by educators and music therapists that explore the work through discussion, movement, music, and art-making.

Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm

This event is part of Lincoln Center Moments. Register to join the community and gain access to this event. Contact access@lincolncenter.org or 212-875-5375 with questions or for registration assistance.

The Spring Gala celebration, featuring breathtaking tablescapes from more than 40 renowned interior designers, was held on Thursday, May 4, at Cipriani 42nd Street. The evening benefits Lenox Hill Neighborhood House, a 129-year-old nonprofit in Manhattan supporting thousands of New Yorkers in need each year.

Using this year’s imaginative theme “All the World’s a Stage” artistic inspiration, from dozens of acclaimed interior designers created majestic floral centerpieces and elaborate tablescapes for this one-of-a-kind event. For decades, designers have lent their talents to this annual Spring Gala, the nation’s premier tabletop event, to support vital programs for thousands who depend on us each day.

At this year’s Spring Gala, we are proud to present the Elizabeth Rohatyn Awards for Community Service to Dr. Soyoun Im (Northwell Health-Lenox Hill Hospital) and Natasha Pickowicz (Chef and Writer). Dr. Im created and leads a health clinic at our Women’s Mental Health Shelter for women experiencing homelessness, and Natasha is a three-time James Beard finalist who offers cooking workshops for our clients.

Designer’s involved include: Celina Wright from Esencial Hogar Dean Yoder Interiors, Debra Zinn Styling, Design Boss by D’Amore Interiors Design by Tula, Eerdmans New York with Thomas Engelhart Emily Hodge Interior Design, Fete Home, Aamir Khandwala Interior Design in Collaboration with Nicolas Cogrel, Alexandra Howard Andrea Stark & Ashley Stark Home Anthony Bellomo of Orangerie, Garden + Home Antonio Deloatch Designs, Byron C. James CD Interiors, Fleurish by Marc Eliot Grace Kaynor Designs Harry Heissmann Inson Dubois Wood Jennifer Dengel JLGoodman, Julie Paulino / Julie & Ev, K.A. Murphy Interiors Kelly + Co Design Kerri Pilchik Design Laila’s Florist, LR Decorative Arts Neffi Walker for Artistic Tile, New York School of Interior Design Students, Sarah Khan Event Styling Stephanie X. Stamas Interior Design The Pretty Boy Effect, Think Chic Interiors, Verde Flowers, Von Gern Home, Paris K Designs, Robert Ventolo of Crain and Ventolo Associates Root Cellar Designs, Roric Tobin Designs and Rudy Saunders of Dorothy Draper & Company.

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You’re not the only one who has trouble affording your medical expenditures. Almost 70 million Americans have unaffordable medical expenditures, making medical debt a widespread issue in the country. Nevertheless, there are ways to manage your debt and learn how to get medical bills forgiven.

Contact a Patient Advocate

If you’re having trouble paying your medical bills, one of the first things you should do is get in touch with a free patient advocate. These advocates can assist you in navigating the healthcare system, comprehending your medical expenses, and determining your eligibility for financial aid. There are many hospitals and healthcare facilities that employ patient advocates, and you can also discover them online and through nonprofits.

Look For Financial Aid

Patients who are uninsured or on a low income will find many hospitals and healthcare institutions offer financial help programs. These programs can aid with paying for your medical expenditures and might even help with other connected costs like travel and hotel. You can speak with the hospital or healthcare provider directly to determine if you’re eligible for financial aid or visit their website to find out more about their offerings.

Work Out a Deal

You might need to think about negotiating tactics if you don’t qualify for financial aid or if your medical costs are still too expensive even with aid. To lower the price of your medical expenses, one tactic is to bargain with the hospital or healthcare provider. If you pay your bill in full, you might ask for a discount or try to negotiate a payment schedule. Include any necessary supporting documentation, such as proof of income or medical bills, and be sure to describe your financial status.

You might also bargain with the people who are in charge of collecting your medical bill. You can still attempt to arrange a payment plan or settlement with the debt collector even if your medical bills have already been turned over to collections. In addition, if the debt collector is pestering you, you can request verification of the debt, contest any billing errors, and request that they cease contacting you.

Seek Debt Forgiveness

Finally, you might be eligible to get your medical debt forgiven if your medical debt is excessive and you are unable to pay it off. There are a few possibilities for getting your medical debts paid off, albeit it’s not a certainty. Applying for medical debt forgiveness through a nonprofit or charitable program is one choice. These programs can aid in covering your medical expenses, but frequently have rigorous eligibility requirements.

Consider Bankruptcy Protection

Bankruptcy filing is an additional choice. Although bankruptcy should only be used as a last option, it can help you get rid of your medical debt and start over. It’s crucial to remember that bankruptcy can have negative long-term effects on your credit score and capacity to maintain your financial stability.

There are choices available to help you manage your debt if you’re having trouble paying your medical costs. To lower the cost of your bills, get in touch with a free patient advocate, check into financial aid programs, and attempt negotiating tactics. Also, you might want to think about applying for medical debt forgiveness or declaring bankruptcy if you are unable to pay your medical payments. You may find the assistance you require to manage your medical debt and regain control of your money with a little bit of work and investigation.