City Site For City Wheelers

There’s a new Internet Web site (Because billions just isn't enough!) that assures New York City bike riders a better chance of getting from “here to there” than ever before. It’s called Ridethecity.com. Before biking away to your destination, click here first to learn the fastest and safest bicycle routes to take and to receive other cyclist’s input which may prove invaluable. Surf before you pedal!

Cheaper Pills For New Yorkers’ Ills

Finally, something for some city residents to feel better about. Drug manufacturers and some participating drugstores including Duane Reade, CVS and Rite Aid are working together to offer New Yorkers without prescription drug benefits, reduced prices on their purchases. Plan participants will receive a “New York Rx card” to get their discounts. You may obtain more information and apply for the card at any Kmart store. You may also go online at newyorkrxcard.com. Get it. Flash it. Save. Swallow. That’s good medicine.

The Gift Of Akituusaq

In the Siberian Yupik language, Akituusaq means, “gift given in return.” Many aquarium-goers have come and gone since the first mammals of this species were displayed over a century ago. It took 112 years for a walrus to successfully deliver the first baby walrus at the New York Aquarium. Though Akituusaq remains his mama's son, he is truly a gift for all New Yorkers. Now 1-year old and a healthy 115 pounds, Akituusaq is a gift that will keep on giving, both to us and our children, many years of enjoyment as he matures. Happy birthday blubbery boy!

Pigeons' Cooing Fanatics

Some bird enthusiasts truly enjoy New York City’s infamous pigeon. Most city residents (and all statues) do not like the bird. They regard it as did Woody Allen when he referred to a pigeon as “a rat with wings.” Nevertheless, a small group of admirers recently gathered together on Pigeon Hill in Central Park to celebrate “National Pigeon Day.” The group praised the bird in song and word. They spoke of pigeons' honorable service during both World Wars as message carriers. When all was said and done though, no plans were mentioned to erect a statue in the pigeon’s honor. I wonder why?

This Old House May Want Yours

After 29 highly successful seasons, PBS’s “This Old House” is about to really make it to the big time. The show’s producers are planning to renovate their very first home in New York City! So far, Brooklyn homeowners have responded more than those elsewhere, but homes in all boroughs are still being considered. The project home must meet certain criteria. 1) Renovations must be able to be completed within 5 months. 2) The home must be at least 50 years old. 3) The home’s neighborhood must have “character,” but probably not characters. Historic districts might be a problem because of the red tape involved in getting approval for improvements and alterations. 4) The producers are looking for homes that are in a neighborhood with history and places to explore. 5) They’d also prefer that renovations include a bit of everything like wiring, heating, cooling, plumbing, landscaping, etc. Now after all of that, think your money pit still qualifies? If so, visit oldhouse-myhouse.thisoldhouse.com by July 4th to apply. Maybe you’ll be fortunate enough to have the bearded one enter your home so you can shout out, “Norm!” Sorry. Wrong television show.

Borough Foreclosures Building Up

A foreclosed home can bring down property values on an entire block … and across the street ... and in the immediate neighborhood. Taking that into account, more than 50% of NYC is now dealing with foreclosures and the ripple effects. Throughout New York City in the first quarter of 2007, there were 554 foreclosures as compared to 918 in the first three months of 2008. Queens had the most with 508. The second quarter looks like we’re in for more of the same. Those who stay up late and purchase one of the Be A Foreclosure Property Shark Millionaire packages as advertised on television may soon be in a "feeding frenzy" gobbling up our neighbor's homes right in our own backyards.

Manhattan Beach Bias Brouhaha

Attorney Gene Berardelli was ticketed while intervening on behalf of several black teens trying to enter a public beach in predominantly white Manhattan Beach. Police claim that they were at the beach and others, in response to “Senior Cut Day,” a day when many New York City high school kids play hooky. However Berardelli claims cops were permitting white kids onto the beach while preventing blacks. The NYPD explained that the white kids were on a field trip while the black kids were cutting classes. Berardelli plans to file a complaint with the Civilian Complaint Review Board. Hopefully this matter won’t prove as black and white as it seems.