Manhattan

NEW YORK – October 02, 2026 -- Disney Experiences brought a preview of its newest Walt Disney World resort to Manhattan on Oct. 2, installing a 3D street mural at Flatiron Plaza to showcase Disney's Lakeshore Lodge, set to open July 1, 2027.

The mural, on display from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the corner of 23rd Street and 5th Avenue, depicts Daydream River, the resort's lazy river attraction, allowing passersby to step into the artwork for photos.

Street artist Tracy Lee Stum designed the interactive chalk installation

Stum, an American muralist known for colorful, illusion-based 3D chalk art, created the piece. She set a 2006 Guinness World Record for the largest chalk painting completed by an individual.

New York – September 24, 2026 -- National Extra Virgin Olive Oil Day, marked every September 30, turns 10 this year, and Olive Oils From Spain is using the milestone to push American cooks beyond their single go-to bottle.

The campaign, dubbed a Spanish Flavor Renaissance, highlights that Spain grows more than 200 olive varieties across a production history spanning 3,000 years. Flavor profiles range from delicate green apple and almond notes to bold, peppery finishes.

Spain supplies nearly half the world's olive oil

Spain is the top global producer, accounting for close to half of worldwide supply, grown across 360 million olive trees described as the largest man-made forest on Earth. Four signature varieties define the range: the bold Picual, the sweet Arbequina, the balanced Hojiblanca, and the herbaceous Cornicabra.

New York – September 12, 2026 -- The Algonquin Hotel, Autograph Collection, has completed a full renovation of all 181 guestrooms, elevators, and corridors at its Midtown Manhattan property, unveiling a redesigned interior anchored by exclusive artwork from legendary caricaturist Al Hirschfeld. The multi-year, phased project was carried out while the hotel remained fully operational.

Brooklyn-based CRÈME led the design without altering the hotel's historic footprint

Interior design firm CRÈME / Jun Aizaki Architecture & Design worked with LUCID, the design arm of Highgate Hotels, to reshape the guestrooms around their original scale and proportions. Willis Loughhead, General Manager of The Algonquin for six years, said the team aimed to honor the hotel's past "without being beholden to it," building timeless rooms meant to spark creativity.