Riders Alliance on Monday’s Disastrous Morning Commute

S/b F train stuck for over an hour w/o light and air just rolled up-passengers dripping with sweat begging to get off #mta @MTA #effedtrain pic.twitter.com/NXJ3pDJtji

— Chelsea Lawrence (@chelseahbelle) June 5, 2017

Yesterday morning, the MTA web site listed the following problems:

Delays on the 2, 3, 5, 7, B, D, E, F, J, and M trains.
Signal problems at Wall Street (2/3), Eastchester-Dyre Av (5), Mets-Willets Point (7), and West 4 St—Washington Square (A/B/C/D/E/F/M). And a broken train at Jamaica Yard.
Some F trains were running on the A track. Some F trains were running on the G track. Some 2 trains were running on the 5 track. Some M trains terminated at Chambers.

The video of the trapped F train riders, above, speaks for itself.
_____________

John Raskin, Executive Director of the Riders Alliance, released the following statement:
“This week we couldn’t even make it through Monday morning without the subways breaking down. Governor Cuomo has said he’s responsible for fixing the subway, but he hasn’t said how, or when, or with what funding. Subway riders leave for work in the morning not knowing if or when they will arrive. Meanwhile, the Governor has yet to release a plan to fix our dysfunctional commutes. What is Governor Cuomo’s plan to fix the subways, and when will he let riders in on it?”

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Hurricane Joaquin Update: Gov. Cuomo Says Pack Your Go Bag

Gov. Andrew Cuomo urged residents to prep for the possibility of Hurricane Joaquin heading to New York, in a statement issued on Wednesday.

The National Hurricane Center’s computer models show an increased possibility of Hurricane Joaquin hitting the East Coast of the U.S. on Sunday, then edging up to New York on Monday.

Still, other models predict different trajectories. A European model has the hurricane headed harmlessly out to sea, the Brooklyn Eagle reports.

John Melville, Commissioner of the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services said residents should take preparation seriously.

“Having emergency supplies on hand such as flashlights and batteries, and water and canned goods is essential. Residents should begin monitoring weather conditions through local media reports and broadcasts, and be sure to follow any protective orders issued by emergency officials,” he said in a statement.

Even more telling, Ms. Levi's seventh-grade science class informs us that Joaquim is now a Category 2 hurricane . . .

How many of my 7th graders are following the storm?! We are now at a cat. 2, folks!! Joaquin is strengthening! ☔️☔️☔️ #7thGradeScience

— Mrs. Levi (@MrsCoach_Levi) October 1, 2015

Gov. Cuomo: Get ready for possible hit from Hurricane Joaquin [Brooklyn Eagle]

Hurricane Joaquin poised to hit Bahamas, could target U.S. next [CNN]

Hurricane JOAQUIN Forecast Discussion [National Hurricane Center]

NASA Does Hurricanes [NASA]

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Ten Things We Learned About Anthony Weiner Today

Anthony Weiner, Brooklyn Eagle

With all the stink about Anthony Weiner's private indiscretions, the little details -- like where he stands on the issues -- have been kind of lost.

As of yesterday, Weiner was still intent on running for Mayor of New York City. That being the case, the Brooklyn Eagle interviewed him, and oddly enough, the interview focused on political issues.

Here are ten things we learned about Weiner:

1. He wants to experiment with a city-administered single-payer health insurance plan.

2. He thinks the city never should have closed all those hospitals.

3. You know Bill de Blasio’s plan to save healthcare by forming a Brooklyn Hospital Authority? Weiner says he thought of that first.

4.. He's OK with selling air rights over libraries and senior centers to developers.

5. He's OK with Atlantic Yards, but thinks the affordable housing and public benefits should have come first, before the arena.

6. Brooklyn's Tech Triangle is all well and good, but we really need middle class jobs.

7. He looks forward to "an open and confrontational relationship" with the City Council.

8. Giving Mayor Bloomberg a third term was “a low point in the city’s history.”

9. His administration will be more fun than Mayor Bloomberg's.

10. People are following him.

Read the full interview at the Eagle.


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Fireworks Over Brooklyn and NYC, Wednesday, May 8 -- It's Norwegian Cruise Lines and the Rockettes

Fireworks will be exploding over Liberty Island on Wednesday, May 8, 8:30 p.m., visible from Brooklyn, New York City and New Jersey. And here's why:

Norwegian Cruise Line's Peter Max-decorated cruise ship 'Norwegian Breakaway' has arrived in NYC and is being christened by The Rockettes as the ship’s official Godmothers.

More than 4,000 guests will take part in the ship’s christening ceremony at 2 p.m. on Wednesday.  A live webcast will be available here.  Fireworks will light up the skyline near the Statue of Liberty at approximately 8:30 p.m.

We swear we are not making this up . . . Norwegian Cruise Line is the designated “Official Cruise Line” of the Rockettes and Radio City Music Hall, and the “Official Partner” of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Two Rockettes will be present on board during the first six sailings of Norwegian Breakaway, and then on the first sailing of each month thereafter.

"Active guests" can get fit with the dancers at morning sessions hosted by the Rockettes in the ship’s spa, as well as learn the Rockettes signature choreography in dance classes. Rockettes-inspired spa packages are available on all sailings  (facials, deep tissue massages and conditioning hair treatments). There is a “Rockettes celebratory exhibit” in the ship library.

Guests can order a “Rockettini” cocktail from any of Norwegian Breakaway’s bars and lounges. (There are 28 dining options on the ship.) They can also take home authentic Rockettes-themed merchandise, available for purchase in the ship’s shopping complex.

Aren't you glad you asked? For more information about all this, visit www.breakaway.ncl.com.

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Deadline to Join a CSA in NYC Coming Up Soon

It's high time to join a CSA, which stands for Community Supported Agriculture. Signups started earlier this spring and many CSAs (there are about 100 in New York City) are filling up fast.

How it works: CSA members purchase shares in a farmers' harvest and in return receive weekly deliveries of fresh, locally grown produce all summer and fall. Members share in the risk and rewards of their farmer's season.

Farmers deliver the shares of produce to a drop-off location (like a church or community center) in your neighborhood.

Sweet Pea CSA share

Shares usually include 7-10 types of vegetables or fruit, enough for a family of 2-3 people. (Most CSAs also offer half shares.) A full share costs between $400 - $600, paid in advance. (Some allow members to stretch out their payments.)

The Just Food website allows you to enter your Zip code to find the closest CSA, or just click on the map.

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Brooklyn, NYC, Under a 'Fire Weather Watch' All Day Wednesday, April 3

February's Pratt fire. MK Metz

We didn't even know there was such an alert -- but now the National Weather Service is warning Brooklyn, New York City and the surrounding area that a "Fire Weather Watch" remains in effect from 8 a.m. Wednesday through Wednesday evening.

Low humidity combined with "gusty west winds" and "dry fine fuels" will lead to "increased fire spread if ignition occurs."

From NOAA:

* AFFECTED AREA...NEW YORK CITY...LONG ISLAND...THE LOWER HUDSON VALLEY...SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT AND NORTHEAST NEW JERSEY.

* WINDS...WEST 15 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 35 MPH.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...AS LOW AS 21 PERCENT.

* TIMING...THE STRONGEST WINDS AND LOWEST RELATIVE HUMIDITIES WILL OCCUR WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.

* IMPACTS...INCREASED FIRE SPREAD IF IGNITION OCCURS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A FIRE WEATHER WATCH MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS
ARE FORECAST TO OCCUR.


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TSA Agent Finds Pepper Spray, Shoots It, Sends TSA Squad to Hospital

Curly Howard, Stooge

More antics from those madcap TSA screeners at JFK:

TSA agent Chris Yves Dabel, from Brooklyn, found a pepper-spray container at Kennedy Airport and -- just for fun -- fired the eyeball-melting liquid at five fellow TSA screeners, the NY Post reports.

He told Port Authority cops that he “found the canister on the floor and thought it was a laser pointer.”

All six TSA agents ended up at Jamaica Hospital, and security checks were halted at Kennedy for at least 15 minutes, but likely it was much longer.

Thanks goodness he didn't find a detonator.

More at the Post.

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State Senate Kills 'Speed Cams'

Councilman Stephen Levin’s effort to get the city to install speed cameras has hit a bump, the Brooklyn Eagle reports. The State Senate refused to fund the cams during this week's budget talks in Albany. Without senate support, the cameras won’t be installed.

In blistering language, the mayor singled out for blame state Sen. Marty Golden (R-C-Bay Ridge-southern Brooklyn) and state Sen. Simcha Felder (D-Midwood-Flatbush) for killing the speed camera bill.

Instead of speedcams, Councilman Vincent Gentile wants to hire 200 additional police officers to catch drivers who speed.

(For a technical explanation of speed cams, see here.)

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FEMA Extends Sandy Assistance to April 13

FEMA.gov

The deadline to register for Hurricane / Superstorm Sandy disaster assistance has been extended to April 13. If you need to apply, visit this page soon.

BTW -- FEMA is pretty busy lately -- more than half the states in the U.S. are under active disaster declarations.

These range from the recent declarations of disasters in Maine and Rhode Island -- hit by severe winter storms -- to flooding in Louisiana, tornadoes in Mississippi, and the devastation caused in twelve states by Sandy.

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If You Want to Get Away with Murder in NYC, Hit Them with Your Car

Photo: Edwin Martinez

Who needs an assault rifle? The way to get away with murder in New York City is to run your target down with your vehicle.

Almost any story -- "I dropped my cell phone;" "I got dizzy" -- will get you off with absolutely no charges. Meanwhile the statistics keep rolling in:

According to Streetsblog, there were 2,942 serious injury crashes involving pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists in 2011, with 250 of them fatal. That’s an average of just under nine per day.

Five motorists jumped the curb and killed pedestrians on the sidewalks of New York this month alone, and no charges were filed, as usual.

These include Martha Atwater, killed by a pickup truck driver on the sidewalk at the corner of Clinton Street and Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn in February.

It has since come out that the driver who ran down Atwater was John McKinney, an ex-con with a history of drug arrests, according to the New York Post.

- Much-Loved Martha Atwater Dies Tragically in Brooklyn Heights

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Rally to Protest 'Fire Sale' of Libraries in Brooklyn and Manhattan

Brooklyn Heights branch. Photo: Google Maps

This Friday, before the City Council's preliminary hearing on the Mayor's catastrophic 2014 library budget, a group called Citizens Defending Libraries plans to rally at City Hall to protest budget cuts and the “fire sale” of library buildings, including the Brooklyn Heights and Pacific Street branch libraries.

Where: 250 Broadway, New York, New York (Outside before going in for testimony)

When: Friday, March 8th. Rally starts at 10:30 AM. Public testimony will follow upstairs, New York City Council Committee Room, 14th floor, currently scheduled for 1:00 PM, but might start a little earlier.

UPDATE: Domenic M. Recchia, Jr., a member of the City Council’s Select Committee on Libraries, told the Brooklyn Eagle on Wednesday that there were no library back room real estate deals taking place. More here.

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'Hazardous' Cold Weather in Brooklyn Sunday Night: Wind Chills Below 0

Wear multiple layers and thick gloves because it's cold out there, the National Weather Service says.

A Hazardous Weather Outlook is in effect in Brooklyn and the surrounding New York City areas for Sunday night and into Monday morning.

A Wind Advisory is in effect until midnight, with strong winds and gusts just over 45 mph, bringing down branches. After midnight, temperatures will drop to 15 - 20, and wind chills will be around or below 0. Brrr!

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Thousands Rally for Striking School Bus Drivers in Downtown Brooklyn

Cadman Plaza Park in Downtown Brooklyn was filled with thousands of supporters of striking school bus drivers on Sunday. They rallied in the park and marched across the Brooklyn Bridge to City Hall.

Drivers and many parents are unhappy with Mayor Bloomberg's push to eliminate seniority for long-time bus drivers of special education kids. Parents worry that inexperienced drivers will replace those with years of experience taking care of kids in wheelchairs, with autism and other medical problems.

Long-time drivers say Bloomberg's plan will throw them into poverty.

Marchers included Amalgamated Transit Union, New York Communities for Change, and Parents to Improve School Transportation. 

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Blizzardgeddon in Brooklyn! Nemo To Cause Flooding AND Whiteout Conditions

A February blizzard in 2008. Photo: MK Metz

The great blizzard of 2013 (named Nemo, which means "no man" or "no one" in Latin ) could be starting earlier than previously predicted -- the National Weather Service has set the blizzard alert for New York City to run from 6 a.m. Friday to about 1 p.m. Saturday.

The weather service is forecasting from 10 - 14 inches of snow and winds of 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph in Brooklyn.

Pretty much everything has been cancelled -- planes, trains, and yoga classes.

After some initial snow, freezing rain will probably make everybody miserable from 4 - 8 p.m. Friday, and cause some flooding along the waterfront areas. Tides will be 2 - 4 feet above normal.

A COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY INDICATES THAT ONSHORE WINDS AND TIDES
WILL COMBINE TO GENERATE FLOODING OF LOW AREAS ALONG THE SHORE.

Don't be fooled: The strongest wind and snow will come Friday evening and night, and early Saturday. Don't drive! The weather service warns of near whiteout conditions. And DO NOT walk under snow-laden trees, as limbs will be falling.

IF YOU MUST TRAVEL...
HAVE A WINTER SURVIVAL KIT WITH YOU.
IF YOU GET STRANDED...STAY WITH YOUR VEHICLE.

Dress warmly for the LICH protest at Brooklyn Borough Hall this morning!

More facts about parking, Con Ed, etc. here.

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Near Blizzard Conditions Possible In Brooklyn and NYC Friday Night and Saturday Morning

From the great storm of 2011. By MK Metz

Get your carrot noses and cute button eyeballs ready -- the National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for Brooklyn, New York City and Long Island from Friday evening through Saturday morning.

Right now the prediction is for from 4 - 10 inches of snow, winds from 25 -35 mph with gusts up to 60, and temperatures in the low 30s.

Be careful driving - visibility will be less than a quarter mile at times.

From NOAA:

* TIMING...FRIDAY EVENING INTO EARLY SATURDAY MORNING.

* IMPACTS...HEAVY SNOW WILL MAKE FOR DANGEROUS DRIVING
  CONDITIONS. 

* IN ADDITION...THE HEAVY SNOW AND STRONG WINDS
  COULD RESULT IN NEAR BLIZZARD CONDITIONS...

  BRING DOWN SOME TREE LIMBS... 

  AND CAUSE SCATTERED POWER OUTAGES.

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Bill de Blasio Announces He'll Run for Mayor of NYC, Invokes Tale of Two Cities

Chirlane McCray, Bill de Blasio and son Dante. Photo:.DeBlasioNYC

Democrat Bill de Blasio announced in front of his Park Slope home on Sunday that he will run for Mayor of the City of New York. He'll be making campaign events in all five boroughs today, hitting Boro Park in Brooklyn at 1:10 p.m.

“After nearly twelve years of Mayor Bloomberg’s policies, our city isn’t living up to its potential – not by a long shot," he said in a release.

“Let’s be honest about where we are today – a city that in too many ways has become a tale of two cities – a place where City Hall too often has catered to the interests of the elite rather than the needs of everyday New Yorkers," he said.

"There are some who believe that Mayor Bloomberg’s policies from the past twelve years just need a few tweaks here and there, that his vision should continue more or less uninterrupted for the next four years. There are others who practice a politics of the moment, who are heroic in election years but are not engaged in the day to day fight to save our neighborhoods when their names aren't on the ballot.”

De Blasio, always a strong supporter of public schools, called for:

• Making sure all New York City students receive a great public education

• Asking the wealthiest to help finance an expansion of early childhood education and after-school programs

• Leadership that focuses on creating jobs all five boroughs, not just Manhattan

• Cutting the bureaucracy and red-tape that hurts small businesses

• Fixing the NYPD’s broken stop-and-frisk policy

De Blasio lives with his wife Chirlane McCray and two children, Chiara and Dante, both of whom have attended New York City public schools. More at the NY Times.


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NYC Interactive Dog Map Shows 'Lucy' Most Popular Dog Name in Downtown Brooklyn

We knew we've run into a lot of dogs named Lucy lately, and now there's proof:

WNYC’s Data News team has created DOGS OF NYC, an interactive map that illustrates the popularity of names and breeds depending on neighborhood.

There are actually 23 dogs named Lucy living in the 11201 Zip code -- followed by 10 Maggie's and 10 Lulu's.

Meanwhile, in Williamsburg, Milo and Max tie for first.

You can zoom the map and click on dog names for details.



Other interesting tidbits:
*The most popular female dog name is Bella, and Max is the most popular male dog name.
*There are 26 dogs in NYC named Pepsi, but none named Coke or Coca-Cola.
*There are 14 dogs named Kitty and 31 named Tigger.

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'Hazardous Weather Outlook' Issued for Brooklyn, NYC

The National Weather Service issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for all five boroughs of New York City Wednesday morning, warning that the temperature in the lower teens combined with 15 -2- mph winds will result in wind chill values down to 5 below zero this morning.

Wind chill values may drop below zero Thursday morning as well.

Snow flurries are expected this afternoon.

From NOAA:

"THERE IS A THREAT OF FROSTBITE AND HYPOTHERMIA WITH PROLONGED OVEREXPOSURE. FOR THOSE VENTURING OUT...WEAR A WARM COAT...GLOVES AND COVER YOUR HEAD TO PROTECT AGAINST FROSTBITE AND HYPOTHERMIA. LIMIT AREAS OF EXPOSED SKIN. DRESSING IN LAYERS CAN ALSO HELP PROTECT YOU AGAINST THE COLD. LIMIT TIME OUTDOORS IF POSSIBLE."


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Oh, Oh: Flu Cases Soaring Across Brooklyn / NYC

Influenza cases are soaring across the country -- and New York City is being hit especially hard, according to a story published in the Brooklyn Eagle.

As of January 8, emergency rooms across Brooklyn were being hit with 100 - 150 patients with flu-like symptoms every day, and that number is on the upswing.

A doctor at LICH (Long Island College Hospital) told the Eagle that the ER department was seeing double the usual number of flu patients, many of them children, and strongly urged people to get flu shots.

- Flu cases soaring across NYC; hospital ERs packed  Brooklyn Eagle

- Where to get a flu shot in NYC McBrooklyn

Illustration courtesy of the NYC Dept. of Health, from the cover of the "Cover Your Cough" brochure.

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Thousands of New Yorkers Will Ride the Subway Without Pants this Sunday

Photo: Improv Everywhere

No, it's not the ragged remains of the drunken Santacon revelers -- we're talking about the No Pants Subway Ride, returning to New York City this Sunday at 3 p.m.

The event is staged by the group Improv Everywhere every January, usually on a freezing cold day. This will be the event’s 12th year -- which some say is 11 too many.

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