Fireworks Tonight at Ellis Island: Best Viewing from Brooklyn, NYC (6/27/2017)

Photo: MK Metz

There will be a fireworks display near south Ellis Island tonight, 6/27, at approximately 10:15 p.m.

The best viewing points in Brooklyn are the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, Brooklyn Bridge Park, the Brooklyn Bridge Walkway. In Manhattan, the best place to see them is Battery Park. (In New Jersey, go to Liberty State Park.)

The display's sponsor is Briggs Inc. Briggs oversees projects including product launches, sales meetings and other corporate functions.

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94 Degrees in NYC Today and Lousy Air Quality

Not only does the forecast call for 94 degree temperatures in the NYC metro area today (Tuesday), the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has issued an Air Quality Health Advisory from 10:00AM until 10:00PM.

Active children and adults, and people with respiratory problems, such as asthma, should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors, according to DEC.

The humidity will make temperatures feel hotter as well.

An approaching cold front will give the area a chance for showers and thunderstorms, mainly from the afternoon into Tuesday night.

For more information, visit the National Weather Service at http://www.1.usa.gov/16w10Sq or the Department of Environmental Conservation at http://www.dec.ny.gov/cfmx/extapps/aqi/aqi_forecast.cfm.


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Navy Leap Frogs Parachuting in Queens Today (Watch Announcement in American Sign Language)

In conjunction with Fleet Week 2017, Thursday, May 25th at 1:00 PM, U.S. Navy Leap Frogs will conduct a practice parachute jump at Citi Field in Queens.

A planned aircraft flyover will therefor take place, according to NYC Emergency Management.

You can watch this announcement in American Sign Language above.

For more info, please visit www.fleetweeknewyork.com.

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Get Ready for More 'Planned Flyovers' Over NYC

A Cessna 208B SKS Caravan by Shawn from Airdrie, Canada

Notify NYC tells us that we can expect "planned flyovers" in the wee hours of the morning (between the hours of 1 a.m. and 6 a.m.) from now until August. The city says  a low-flying Cessna 208 aircraft will be conducting "laser mapping of the NYC shorelines in all five boroughs. The aircraft will be flying at an altitude of approximately 1,475 feet and will be using a laser to measure erosion."

At the same time, Notify NYC also warns us of another set of planned flyovers that started April 8 and will continue until April 15, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., centered over Midtown Manhattan. In this case, the flyover will be conducted by a tan/brown/yellow PA 27 Piper Aztec aircraft with tail #N170TA.

Recent Activity

There have been numerous flyovers in recent months. There was a flyover on March 30: "Three helicopters at low altitudes conducting aerial photography," we're told.

And on March 25, eight Alpha Jets conducted a flyover in the vicinity of the Hudson River and the Statue of Liberty.

Just the day before, on March 24, we were told to expect "three helicopters at low altitudes conducting aerial photography."

Another flyover was set for March 13, this one with 10 military helicopters which were conducting an "exercise over NYC at an altitude of 500-1,000 feet."

And another one on March 5: the same tan/brown/yellow PA 27 Piper Aztec aircraft with tail #N170TA, flying over.

Wow, what a lot of flyovers! (We're assuming that some of this activity has to do with Trump, since it picked up with his election as president.)

So there's no need to be alarmed. If you see a plane buzzing your building, it's likely just your government (and your taxes) at work.


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MTA Fare Hike Goes Into Effect This Sunday

Photo by MK Metz

 The MTA’s MetroCard fare hike kicks in this Sunday, March 19th.

The fare for a single ride will remain $2.75 ... but weekly and monthly MetroCards will see increases. 

- A 7-day pass will increase from $31 to $32.
- A 30-day pass goes from $116.50 to $121. 

More details at BKLYNER.


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De Blasio Declares State of Emergency in NYC, Due to Storm Stella and Blizzard2017

Photo by MK Metz

 Due to winter storm Stella and the blizzard, Mayor Bill de Blasio issued Emergency Executive Order 92, placing NYC in a State of Emergency as of midnight Monday night.

This order means people have to stay off the roads until midnight Tuesday (or longer) and use public transportation whenever possible.

Those who must drive due to an emergency must exercise extreme caution. Vehicles blocking snow plows will be towed.

Here is a partial list of the things that are closed in NYC Tuesday:

Public schools are closed; after school programs and PSAL activities are canceled

CUNY colleges and central offices are closed

Alternate side parking is suspended; meters are in effect

MTA subway express service is suspended

MTA above-ground subway service is suspended starting at 4 AM

MTA underground subway service is running; expect delays

MTA bus service is likely to be suspended; check MTA.info for the latest status

LIRR service is likely to be suspended; check MTA.info for the latest status

MetroNorth service is likely to be suspended; check MTA.info for the latest status

Garbage, recycling, and organics collections are suspended

Post offices are open; mail will be delivered

Courts, including the Office of Court Administration, are closed

Libraries are closed

ACS EarlyLearn Child Centers are closed

DFTA Senior Centers are closed

DPR Recreation Centers are closed

Some IDNYC Enrollment Centers are closed

NYC Business Solution Centers are closed

NYCHA Senior Centers are closed

TLC offices are closed to customer transactions

Workforce1 Centers are closed

NYC government offices are open unless otherwise noted

Some civil service exams are canceled or rescheduled

***DMV offices are open***

For more on what's closed and what's open, visit NYC.gov.


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NYC: Prepare For Winter Storm 'Stella' Bringing Blizzard, Up to 18 Inches of Snow

Snow on Cadman Plaza West. By MK Metz

 If you are short of food, beer, cash, toilet paper, meds or any of the necessities of life, Monday would be a great time to pick them up.

NYC Emergency Management is advising everyone in the NYC area to prepare for a nor'easter*, forecast to bring cold temperatures, 12-18 inches of snow, and winds of 20-30mph with gusts up to 50mph. Winds and the weight of the snow could cause tree damage and power outages.

The mysterious governing body that name storms have dubbed this one "Stella." 

Bullet Points:

○ Heaviest snowfall is expected in the morning through the afternoon, with rates as much as 2 to 4 inches per hour possible.

○ Slippery roads and visibility of one quarter mile or less at times. Avoid driving.

○ Coastal Flood Watch from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Tuesday.

○ Alternate Side Parking regulations are suspended on Tuesday and Wednesday. Meters remain in effect. Garbage/recycling collections will be suspended once snow operations begin.

○ If this thing drags on, check in on housebound neighbors. 

__________
*According to Wikipedia,a nor'easter is a "macro-scale cyclone."Nor'easters differ from tropical cyclones in that nor'easters are cold-core low-pressure systems, as opposed to warm ones.


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NY's Finest ... Subway Technicians

Photo by MK Metz

Seen in a subway station: NYC transit technicians do their job and they're proud of it!


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Brooklyn Weather: Tuesday Nice; Wednesday Thunder, Thunder, Thunder

Photo: Rain in Cadman Plaza Park, by MK Metz

If you have to run around outside in Brooklyn, today is the day. The National Weather Service predicts a high of 57 degrees today, with a 20 percent chance of rain after 2 p.m.

Wednesday, however, is another matter. First, the good news. The high will be around 68 degrees.
Now the bad news:

"Possibly a thunderstorm before 2pm,
then possibly a thunderstorm between 2 & 4pm,
then a thunderstorms after 4pm."

Got that? Possibly thunderstorms before 2pm, between 2 and 4pm, and after 4pm. So, stay inside on Wednesday if you can and make sure you have an umbrella.

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A Foot of Snow to Hit Brooklyn Today; NYC Schools Close for Snow Day

Photo by MK Metz

 Mayor Bill de Blasio and Schools Chancellor Carmen Farina declared that all NYC public schools would be closed on Thursday due to the predicted severe snowstorm, Niko, the Brooklyn Eagle reports. 

It's going to be devilishly tricky to get around at times. According to The Weather Company, snow should become heavy around 8 a.m. in NYC/ Brooklyn. Sustained winds during the heavy snow will likely produce white-out conditions.

Due to the NYC Transit Cold Weather Plan Preparation, certain service changes are in effect, so check with MTA before heading out. 

The National Weather Service says temperatures will fall during the day as northerly winds pick up, drawing colder air southward as the low "bombs."

We take this to mean take the kids (and yourself) out sledding earlier, as it will feel colder as the day goes on.

Hot chocolate for the kids and hot toddies for the grownups in the afternoon!

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City Council Affirms NYC's Status as Sanctuary City, Trump Be Damned

Today the @NYCCouncil of this immigrant city proudly affirms our status as a sanctuary city. The "ayes" have it! https://t.co/2yId8reGBf pic.twitter.com/GGnAlnfyoz

— Brad Lander (@bradlander) December 6, 2016

Here are the sponsors of the City Council's resolution "affirming that despite president-elect Donald Trump's senseless threats, New York City will remain a Sanctuary City for immigrant residents." Brooklyn is well represented:

Melissa Mark-Viverito, Brad S. Lander, Carlos Menchaca, Ben Kallos, Laurie A. Cumbo, Antonio Reynoso, Stephen T. Levin, Jumaane D. Williams, Rafael L. Espinal, Jr., Helen K. Rosenthal, Julissa Ferreras-Copeland, Margaret S. Chin, Rory I. Lancman, Deborah L. Rose, I. Daneek Miller, Ydanis A. Rodriguez, Mark Levine, Mark Treyger, Daniel R. Garodnick, Rosie Mendez, Costa G. Constantinides, Peter A. Koo.

Trump has threatened to cut federal funding to Sanctuary Cities.  Cutting off all federal funds would have a “devastating impact” on the city’s budget, NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer warned.


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Last Minute NYC Voting Guide

- Find your polling site in NYC at the Board of Elections Election Day website.

- You're not just voting for president: Go to Ballotpedia and type in your address to see a complete list of candidates (for Senate, etc.) in your district.

- Know your voting rights!

- Where to complain if you run into voting problems. [Brooklyn Eagle] 

- And if you're in Brooklyn, you can also tweet Borough President Eric Adams about voting problems at @BPEricAdams.

- How to write in Bernie Sanders on your ballot.

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Three Alarm Fire in East New York, Brooklyn

There are no injuries to report at 3-alarm fire at 420 Lincoln Ave #Brooklyn pic.twitter.com/nzGFkdAN9X

— FDNY (@FDNY) November 2, 2016

FDNY posted the video above on its Twitter account showing a three alarm fire at 420 Lincoln Ave. in Brooklyn. No injuries were reported.

NBC is reporting that one person was killed.

NYC posted the video below of the same fire.

#Bomberos del @FDNY enfrentan un #incendio de 3 alarmas ahora en 420 Lincoln Ave #Brooklyn. pic.twitter.com/S24yS5tbLk

— Ciudad de Nueva York (@nycgob) November 2, 2016

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Harley Quinn Top Trending Halloween Costume in NYC, but in Missoula, It's "Pig"

Street art. Photo: MK Metz

Google's Freightgeist trends analysis app confirms what astute Halloween costume prognosticators had predicted: Batman super-villainess Harley Quinn is going to be EVERYWHERE during tonight's Halloween mayhem.

This is true not only in New York City but nationwide, where Harley Quinn rules as the number one costume search on Google. This includes cities as diverse as Miami, Richmond, El Paso and Salt Lake City.

In New York City, the second top-trending costume is the all-inclusive "Superhero." In third place is the "Joker," then "Wonder Woman" and "Witch."

While most of the country is dressing up like superheros or villains,  witches, clowns or cartoon characters like Minnie Mouse (oddly popular), some parts of these United States have some pretty quirky top costumes.

The weirdest state seems to be Montana. For example, the number one costume around Missoula, Montana is "Pig."

What the hell is going on up there?

In Great Falls, Montana, the top costume is "Flamingo."

Have those people ever even seen a flamingo?

Here's one that really has us stumped. The number one costume in Helena, Montana is "Gumball Machine."

We can imagine one or even two clever folks dressing up as gumball machines over in Helena. But the top costume in the whole town? Is there an army of gumball machines getting ready to march tonight in Helena? Should we be doing something about this?

Here are a few more that just seem a bit unusual as number one costume in the whole town:

Kirksville, Missouri: "Old Lady."
Sherman, Texas: "Shark."
Jonesboro, Arkansas: "Gangster."
Utica, NY: "Dalmation."
Tallahassee, Florida: "Disco."

Check out your local Freightgeist here.


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The Thing with Feathers, On a NYC Wall

Photo by MK Metz

“Hope” is the thing with feathers -
That perches in the soul -
And sings the tune without the words -
And never stops - at all ..."

From "Hope Is the Thing with Feathers" by Emily Dickenson


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Today Is Last Day to Submit Ideas for Participatory Budgeting in NYC

 Through Participatory Budgeting, residents can decide how to spend at least $1,000,000 of the public budget in their districts. Today is the last day to submit an idea.

Ideas include protected bike lanes, playground improvements, sound dampening for libraries, tree planting, rat abatement services, covers on LED street lights to direct their glare away from windows, and more.

You can share your ideas on a map on the Participatory Budgeting website.

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FBI Arrests 5 in 'Possile Connection' to Chelsea Bombing

Brooklyn: Belt Parkway near Verrazano Bridge, reports of the FBI takes several people into police custody. #Breaking pic.twitter.com/usxhPvtoyS

— NYC Scanner (@NYScanner) September 19, 2016

The FBI took five people with possible links to the Chelsea explosion into custody Sunday night in Brooklyn, according to multiple sources including the Daily News.

In addition, authorities shut down a busy New Jersey rail station where reports of several bombs were being investigated. Service on the Northeast Corridor line has been suspended, according to AP.

BREAKING: FBI arrests five people late Sunday in possible connection to Chelsea bombing https://t.co/krJaZmrGHr pic.twitter.com/nBAH8lrQ8c

— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) September 19, 2016

According to the NY Times, all or most of the arrested persons may have been from the same family and that they may have been on their way to the airport.

Mayor de Blasio said we should expect to see additional patrols by the city’s heavily armed counterterrorism units.

Mayor Bill de Blasio and Gov. Andrew Cuomo tour 23rd St. and the site of last night's explosion in Chelsea on Sunday. Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office.

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Cursive Writing Coming Back to NYC Public Schools

 So it turns out that cursive writing is not only useful, but it's good for the developing brain. (Interesting article in the Economist about the research on this.)

In a comprehensive interview with the Brooklyn Eagle about this year's school initiatives, one of the most surprising changes Schools Chancellor Fariña announced is the return of the teaching of cursive writing to NYC schools. The change came about after requests from parents, Fariña said.

On top of all the developmental reasons were practical ones, Farina told the Eagle.

“When I do my town hall meetings, the parents say, ‘How are they going to sign a check?’”

Photo by D.L. Musselman Wikipedia

W [Brooklyn Eagle]hat’s new in NYC schools this year? An exclusive interview with Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña

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Post Hermine, Beaches and Pools Reopen in NYC

Photo by Julie Larsen Maher at WCS

 Surf's up! Now that the danger from storm Hermine has passed, NYC Parks has opened city beaches to swimming, bathing, and surfing starting immediately.

Pools will also be open. (In every borough, call 311 for the pool nearest to you.)

For more information: www.nyc.gov/parks.


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NYC Rip Current Risk Still High from Hermine

Map from National Weather Service

Dangerous rip current conditions caused by Hermine still exist at area beaches, according to the National Weather Service:

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM EDT TUESDAY THROUGH
TUESDAY EVENING...
LOCATIONS...ATLANTIC BEACHES OF KINGS AND SOUTHERN QUEENS.

On Tuesday, there's a 20 percent chance of showers after 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83.

Hermine remains a "strong post-tropical cyclone" with high winds, says Dr. Jeff Masters at Wunderground.

The storm, which was 300 miles off the coast early on Monday, appears to be pushing back towards land. Winds "strong enough to knock out power and cause problems near the water will affect eastern Long Island and southeast New England," says Wunderground's Bryan Norcross. Even New Jersey's coast may feel some effects, he adds.

Norcross says Hermine's path was hard for forecasters to predict because it is a slowly moving, meandering storm.

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