Pedal Pushing Forward

A new report claims that thousands more New Yorkers are cycling to work instead of using mass transit. Cyclists account for less than 1% of total NYC commuters now, but that number is expected to grow. In tough financial times, biking helps many make ends meet. Despite the obvious monetary and health benefits, many potential bike riders remain concerned about dangerous vehicle traffic and the shortage of safe bicycle parking places. The city is responding by painting new bike lanes on many thoroughfares. Much more must be done though to encourage home-to-work bike riding.

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Blood Banks Drying Up

Dracula might have a tough time making a blood withdrawal in this town. The New York Blood Center says blood reserves in the NYC metropolitan area are draining away faster than a retiree's 401(k) because of the financial crisis. Financial service companies were among the largest corporate blood donors. Now, many have reduced or canceled their blood drives. Ironic how these financial groups, greedily and without much concern, sucked away some of our life’s investments but can’t donate to the community now. Former Wall Street employees may soon sell their own blood to make ends meet. In the meantime, all New Yorkers are urged to donate blood at their nearest blood collection centers.

Queens-Midtown Tunnel Fizzle-Missile

Arye Sachs, 48, was recently in Federal court facing trademark infringement charges. It’s the way he got there that makes this story memorable. Sachs drove a 25-foot-long “missile” through the Queens-Midtown Tunnel and through the streets of Manhattan numerous times without being stopped! The phony rocket had the words “Viva Viagra” along the side. That didn’t make “little-blue-pill” manufacturer Pfizer Inc. any too happy. The judge, who ultimately ruled against Sachs, seemed more curious about how Sachs did it than what he did. According to Sachs, on September 8th, he simply towed his rocket right past laughing toll booth cops. In fact, Sachs stated that he drove the rocket through the Lincoln Tunnel five times without being questioned. Pfizer also took exception to the entrepreneur's mobile-billboard drive past their corporate headquarters too! A Port Authority spokesperson doesn’t believe Sachs could drive as freely as he did without being pulled over. He vows they’ll look into the matter. With the severe threats New Yorker’s face just by being New Yorkers, it’s pathetic and possibly criminal that the PA needs an investigation now to determine if this happened the way Sachs said it did. Shouldn't they already know for certain that it's impossible? It is impossible, right?

NYC Bans UN-safe Tours

Many believe the United Nations to be a corrupt, anti-American and very dangerous organization for much of the world. Now, city officials say the UN is perilous to New Yorkers because of the UN's failure to resolve fire hazards in their headquarters. When the UN decided to abandon certain mandatory repairs, the FDNY suggested that all public tours be stopped. As a result, all public school trips for the 2008-2009 school year have been cancelled. In 2007, the United Nations east side complex had its first safety inspection since 1952; a checkup they vehemently fought against. Unbelievably, a total of 866 fire code violations were found! Despite the report on their risky buildings, a UN spokesman voiced confidence that the building was safe and that they looked forward to welcoming the world’s delegates. The United Nations isn’t a very popular group with most Americans and for good reason. I’m sure more than one American wouldn’t mind having many of the foreign ambassadors and delegations gathered together in a “firetrap.” UN officials often fail to act quickly enough to protect troubled people the world over. With their care-free attitude regarding their own dangerous Manhattan digs, “it’s déjà vu all over again.”

What's The 911 For 9/11

New York City has a new ad campaign out for those still suffering from medical and psychological effects from 9/11. Some New Yorkers need help according to Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Frieden. Respiratory ailments and post-traumatic stress are the two biggest possibilities. The memories of September 11th will live with most of us the rest of our lives. Physical and mental anguish, should not. If you need help, get it. Click here for more info.

A Pane In The Glass

Many New Yorkers believe that an apartment overlooking Central Park is about as good as an apartment gets in New York City. How about one with wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling views of that scenic park below? Well, there are four elderly tenants in rent-controlled apartments at Lincoln Square who prefer to pass on the possibility. They filed suit against their landlord, the Church of Latter-Day Saints, to prevent installation of those wonderful windows. They’d be irreparably harmed by construction, so they claim. The landlord argued new windows were necessary to transform the property into a “premium building.” The judge agreed with the tenants saying the work wasn’t “necessary.” As of now, only the four tenants who sued will have old windows after renovations are completed. According to the landlord’s spokesperson, the tenants refused $25,000 each, but supposedly agreed to have the work done for $100,000 apiece. The tenants deny they were offered that amount, though it seems one or two might be interested in a higher offer. For that kind of money, they might even agree to live in glass houses!

Meter Man In The Can

New Yorkers hate feeding parking meters. What car driver in any city could possibly be happy about parking meters? Well, Maurice Mizrahi of Brooklyn loves them. He must because he was arrested by the NYPD with 87 of them in his home! It’s believed that they were illegally hijacked in the Gravesend section of Brooklyn. This makes Mizrahi’s eighth arrest for copping these coin collectors. Residents say Mizrahi would go up and down their blocks, shaking meters until he found a full one. It’s believed that later in the evening, he’d back his car up to knock the meter out of the ground. Sometimes he’d simply drill into the meter to take off the top. Meters can carry up to $90 in cash. They cost the city $500 each. DOT has no estimate on the amount of money Mizrahi may have stolen. It’s a safe bet that Gravesend motorists want Mizrahi out of jail and back on their streets again ... before they park again!

Where The Price-Pain Comes From

New York City consumer prices rose 1% for the second consecutive month. This represents the biggest two-month boost in the last 26 years. Household energy was the major culprit. In June, we paid 10.8% more for electricity. That was the biggest increase since 1914! Rents increased .7%. Food increased .2%. Additionally, there’s the price increase on that thing called “gas.” We’re not going into how much that's risen the last few years. Perhaps it’s best we don’t go there ... not making the trip will save gas. Hang in there New Yorkers! Unfortunately, you ain't seen nothin' yet!

Staten Island – NYC Tourist Attraction?

Most tourists stay in Manhattan when visiting New York City. Admittedly, that’s where most of the city’s famous attractions are. However, Gray Line is starting a Staten Island Tour. As a New Yorker, I know there’s much to be seen and enjoyed in every borough. But Gray’s $15.00 ticket price might seem high to most out-of-towners to see an “unfamiliar” place … maybe even to most New Yorkers familiar with Staten Island as just a stepping stone to New Jersey.

Paris We Ain’t

It only happens on TV. Sex in our city is nothing to even make the evening news. Just 11% of New Yorkers had more than one sex partner last year. 89% of us were either faithful … or did without. Only 5% of married partners reported having an affair. 36% of gay lover-boys claimed five or more sex partners but didn’t wear condoms consistently. All of these statistics were released in the city's Health Department annual report. No, this isn’t Swingtown, USA any longer. Perhaps that’s a good thing for religious and social reasons. Perhaps though, New York has become the Lying Capitol of the world!

Cable Competition Coming

Time Warner and Cablevision may have to make room for Verizon’s Fios TV later this year. The city’s Franchise and Concession Review Commission approved Verizon’s plan. It now goes before the state Public Service Commission. Upon receiving their approval, service will begin in each of the five boroughs with service available to every home by 2014. Cable’s "chokehold monopoly" on New Yorkers has been loosened just a bit.