Virginia Smith

New York

co-founder @theNY_Groove, digital editor @marketplace, proud member @mplaceunion @sagaftra (also: @wgaeast and @gmgunion forever)

Articles

The 28 worst things bosses ever did to New York Groove readers

Jan 14, 2025 | nygroove.nyc | Virginia Smith

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PSA: Norovirus is surging, and protocols are very different than COVID

Jan 9, 2025 | nygroove.nyc | Virginia Smith

I did not plan on this being my first published writing of 2025, but this week I’m coming to you straight from the trenches, better known as my bed, where I’ve been utterly incapacitated since Sunday with norovirus. That’s right, while some people out there are compulsively hemming and hawing about the theoretical possibility of bird flu, an outbreak that hasn’t even happened yet, a very real, potent viral evil already walks among us.
Everything to know about City of Yes if you haven’t been paying attention

Nov 21, 2024 | nygroove.nyc | Virginia Smith |Tim Donnelly

If you haven’t locked in on what City of Yes is or why it’s so important — what, you’ve been overwhelmed and busy keeping track of other political news? — today is the day to learn. A would-be policy cornerstone of the Adams administration, City of Yes has the potential to create thousands of badly-needed new housing units every year, mainly through slashing assorted red tape that tends to stand in the way of their construction.
How far will NY's new Equal Rights Amendment protect you?

Nov 7, 2024 | nygroove.nyc | Virginia Smith

You don’t need us to remind you that on the whole, Election Day was a big, fat W for the absolute worst that humanity has to offer. But in the interest of not embracing doomerism, we can take space to appreciate the wins of the day, and New York State had a big one — the long-awaited passage of Prop. 1, or our state-level version of the Equal Rights Amendment.
Inflatables are dead, long live the skeletons

Oct 30, 2024 | nygroove.nyc | Virginia Smith

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Why advocates say Prop. 2 is trash

Oct 24, 2024 | nygroove.nyc | Virginia Smith

All the way back in June — when Eric Adams’ indictment was just a twinkle in federal prosecutors’ eyes — Dave warned us all about the mayor’s sinister efforts to rewrite parts of the New York City Charter, basically our local version of the Constitution, for reasons definitely not to do with expanding his own power and gaining leverage in his feud with the City Council.
All the best spooky season movie screenings right now

Oct 17, 2024 | nygroove.nyc | Virginia Smith

Now listen, I love lounging around on the couch mainlining scary movies as much as the next person. But nothing hits quite like seeing a slasher or a spooky slow-burn in an honest-to-god theater with perfect, expensive popcorn, immersive sound, no impetus to look at your phone, and a bunch of strangers losing their shit right alongside you. For the horror-averse among you, hear me out: seeing a scary movie in a theater is actually far less scary than watching it at home.
I’m walkin’ here to there: The best way to walk the entire length of Manhattan

Oct 3, 2024 | nygroove.nyc | Virginia Smith

So, you want to walk the length of Manhattan, from the tippity top to the tippity bottom. Maybe you were inspired by the 2019 Broad City episode (people online still refer to this walk as “the Broad City challenge” after all), maybe you were inspired by the scores of TikTok and YouTube girlies who’ve documented themselves making the trek, maybe you just really love walkin’ here. However the idea got planted in your head, we strongly support it.
Where to find the services that were just cut from Manhattan’s Planned Parenthood

Aug 15, 2024 | nygroove.nyc | Virginia Smith

Last week, The City broke the news that Planned Parenthood’s Manhattan clinic has “temporarily” stopped offering 20-plus week abortions, as well as deep sedation during procedures, citing ongoing funding issues. The organization will also be closing four clinics across New York State in the fall, including its only clinic on Staten Island. In spite of New York’s self-styled image as a “safe haven” for abortion-seekers since the overturning of Roe v.
With the Astor Place Starbucks closed, what happens to the union?

Aug 1, 2024 | nygroove.nyc | Virginia Smith

Earlier this week, news started whipping around the local news internet that after nearly 30 years, the Astor Place Starbucks would be closing. Initially, the cause was reported as a rent hike, leading to obvious questions about how rent could get so expensive that even literal Starbucks can’t afford it — as well as questions about why so many New Yorkers found themselves sentimental about said literal Starbucks.