Tuesday, October 20, 2026 · No. 64
Good morning. Police are investigating Monday's vandalism at the Capital One branch on East 86th Street as a possible hate crime. Also today: costumed dogs at the Halloween Howl in Carl Schurz Park, two Halloween dates for families coming up, and a break from alternate-side rules on Election Day.
Around the Neighborhood
Police are investigating vandalism at an East 86th Street bank as a possible hate crime
Windows were shattered and pro-Palestinian phrases were painted on the front doors of the Capital One branch at 249 East 86th Street on Monday morning, amNY reports, and the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating. Police said the incident was reported as criminal mischief. Upper East Site reports that the NYPD and Council Speaker Julie Menin described it as a potential antisemitic hate crime, and East Side Feed reports that Menin has urged a hate-crime investigation. None of the reports we saw mention an arrest. Via amNY, Upper East Site and East Side Feed.
via amNY
Costumed dogs turned out for the Halloween Howl in Carl Schurz Park
Upper East Site has a write-up of the park's annual dog-costume contest. The Carl Schurz Park Conservancy listed the Halloween Howl & Healthy Hound Fair for Sunday afternoon, Oct. 18, alongside the Harvest Festival. Via Upper East Site.
via Upper East Site
Schools & Kids
Two Halloween dates for families: this Sunday on East 88th, and Oct. 30 at Asphalt Green
On Sunday, Oct. 25, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Yorkville Community School PTA closes East 88th Street between First and York avenues for its Fall Festival, which has a costume parade, according to the school's event page. On Friday, Oct. 30, from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m., Asphalt Green holds Asphalt Screams at 555 East 90th Street. Admission is free, but every guest needs a ticket claimed online in advance. The first hour is sensory-friendly. Both events are on our events page. Via Yorkville Community School and Asphalt Green.
via Yorkville Community School
Good to Know
Alternate-side parking is suspended on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3
The city's 2026 calendar of alternate-side suspensions lists Tuesday, Nov. 3, Election Day, so you won't have to move the car for street cleaning that day. Parking meters stay in effect, and the DOT's rule is that every other parking regulation does too. Public schools are open that day, but classes are remote. Via NYC DOT.
via NYC DOT
Yorkville, Remembered
Carl Schurz Park's hillside was redesigned to hide a highway
When Robert Moses's East River Drive, today's FDR Drive, was built along the river at Carl Schurz Park, the park was redesigned around it. Landscape architect Maud Sargent reworked the grounds beginning in 1939, laying plantings, boulders and walkways over the new roadway and the slope down from the Gracie Mansion bluff. The next time you walk the promenade, the cars are underneath you.
source: NYC Parks
The dogs had their day on Sunday. The kids' turn comes this weekend and next, and every date is on our events page. Back tomorrow morning.