When is Leap Year?
Q: When is leap year?A: Leap Year is a year with an "extra" day, and it's generally celebrated on that day, for instance: Wednesday February 29, 2016. Leap years occur once every four years as a calendar correction.
About Leap Year in New York
2016 is a leap year. And there won't be another until 2020!What to do to mark the occasion?
1. Ask Him to Marry Ye
Traditionally (as in, during the previous millennium, and in a reversal of the usual patriarchal order of things) during a leap year a woman could legitimately propose marriage to a man and yet remain within acceptable social norms.2. Get Married
Lots of people get married on leap year's day, February 29th, anyway, because it's unusual and fun. And, in later years the couple can fiddle around with the dates of their wedding anniversary events, or just have a mega-anniversary bash every four years.3. Schedule a C Section
Most babies born on leap year's day just arrive under their own recognizance. However, should an expectant mom schedule a C-section delivery for leap year day, then her newborn will forever have the chance to choose whether, and when to have a birthday party. Children might of course grab the nearest day, February 28 or March 1. But, when this "leap baby" reaches the hoary old age of, say, 39, having an optional birthday date could come in handy — especially for those who just can't believe they're over the hill of age 40.4. Make an Appointment for Some Odious Procedure
Bury it in the sands of time. Schedule an appointment for something you hate to do on February 29th. That way, you don't have to think about it when the anniversary date rolls around. Think colonoscopy.5. Study Astronomy
Of course, school children have lessons in how the calendar works.6. And in Brooklyn, Speculate, Speculate, Speculate! 2016 Versus 2020
Finally, in Brooklyn neighborhoods, people speculate — whether it's leap year or not. Speculate on property values. On sports teams. Or wassup with the neighbors. Or what the latest restauranteur is doing.So, with the limited wisdom of foresight, and in honor of the past Leap Year 2012, here are some speculations on things that just won't be the same in Brooklyn by the next Leap Year, in 2016:
- Flatbush Avenue: This thoroughfare will become increasingly gentrified and occupied by national chains as the Barclays Center opens and a commercial ripple effect takes place.
- Barclays Center will open, bringing the Brooklyn Nets and a lot of other major events to this 18,000 seat stadium and venue.
- Coney Island development will proceed apace, with more entertainment zones and the possible planning of a hotel or casino.
- Downtown Brooklyn will morph as Fulton Mall goes more upscale, and efforts are made to create a high tech zone connecting DUMBO and the universities around Downtown Brooklyn and Brooklyn Heights.
- Williamsburg will become a tourist hot spot, with the opening of the new Two Trees hotel, in addition to the upscale The Williamsburg Hotel.
- Politicians will change their names if not their stripes: Marty Markowitz's term as Borough President will be over, as will Mike Bloomberg's tenure as Mayor.
- Brooklyn Navy Yard: Commercial development, including a supermarket, will be transform the historic Brooklyn Navy Yard.
- Brooklyn Bridge Park will undergo further expansion and development, with a lot of public debate over a hotel and apartment complex.
- The Brooklyn waterfront will see even more development of high rise apartments.
- The population of Brooklyn will increase, with attendant implications for schools, services and traffic.
- The Gowanus Canal will be halfway through the EPA Superfund clean up process.
