http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/15/nyregion/new-york-today-san-gennaro-little-italy.html 2016-09-15 12:51:18 New York Today: Jubilee in Little Italy Thursday: The Feast of San Gennaro begins, “90210” visits the East Village, and good intentions gone bad. === Buongiorno on this sparkling Thursday. Mulberry Street in Little Italy is decked out in green, white and red as far as the eye can see. No, Christmas has not come early; the decorations are for the New York City has celebrated this festival, which honors the patron saint of Naples, Italy, since 1926. The story goes that in A.D. 305, the Roman Emperor Diocletian beheaded Januarius, or Gennaro, then the city’s beloved bishop. Christian worshipers saved his blood, which has become sacred, as “Every time Neapolitans feel there’s going to be a problem, they ask the cardinal in Naples to take the blood out so they can pray over it,” he told us. “And hopefully, the dried-out blood changes from solid to liquid.” “Don’t ask me how it happens because I don’t know, but it does,” he added. It’s a sign of good luck. Italian immigrants who arrived in New York in the late 19th and early 20th centuries established the Little Italy, which once spanned almost 50 blocks, now runs mostly along Mulberry Street. It’s still crammed with Italian restaurants and shops selling cured meats and cheeses. We suggest exploring the area during the festival. Some highlights: • A grand procession on Saturday. • An opera night on Wednesday. • And how many Here’s what else is happening: Can you feel it? Summer is winding down. But we’re still having some gorgeous weather: A crystalline sky, crisp breeze and a And keep your shades handy; the sun is shining bright. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • The city announced on Wednesday that the Wi-Fi kiosks you’ve probably seen around town — which were meant to help us charge our phones, consult maps or, say, read New York Today — So we now find ourselves wondering: What are some other New York City fails? That is, well-intentioned ideas that have gone awry? (One that comes to mind: The playground equipment installed at Brooklyn Bridge Park and other play spaces that became scorching-hot in the sun. After harming toddlers, the equipment was very quickly What other city fails do you remember? Let us know in the comments or write to us at New York Today is a weekday roundup that stays live from 6 a.m. till late morning. You can For updates throughout the day, What would you like to see here to start your day? Post a comment, Follow the New York Today columnists, You can find the latest New York Today at