Rising Gas Prices Spur Other Increases

As gasoline prices rise, gas thefts are coincidentally on the rise, too. In response, many New York car owners are purchasing locking gas caps to protect their valuable fuel. They won’t prevent all gas crimes, but lucky for those it will safeguard. Too bad we can’t lock up all of the thieves causing the price of oil to rise so quickly or the gasoline entrepreneurs that are opening up shop in our gas tanks.

Women Dress “Smarter” For Driving

Many New York City drivers and passengers are still ignoring the law and not buckling up. According to one study, 90% of the females wore seatbelts compared to only 77% of the men. Perhaps women find it easier to color coordinate their clothing with their auto's upholstery than do men? Maybe men want to be prepared to "bail" when they're confined in a vehicle with a woman. It's probably a genetic or testosterone thing. In any case, to all … “Click It Or Ticket!"

Cursing Cops Can Continue

That's what Andrew Case says (politely). Mr. Case is a spokesman for New York's Civilian Complaint Review Board. He believes that strong language can be an effective tool for a police officer to use in certain situations. Surprisingly, the NYPD guidebook instructs cops to be “courteous and respectful.” It does not explicitly forbid profanity. Of 4,024 complaints, only 6.6% were substantiated. In most of these cases, the officers usually received a stern lecture. That’s unf*ckingbelieveable, no? If strong language from a policeman can prevent the need for additional stronger action, it’s probably a good f*cking thing.

Gowanus Water Paints Unique Pictures

The Gowanus Canal has been a polluted waterway in Brooklyn for over 100 years. Artist David Eustace sees it as more of an automated painter’s palette. He creates original artworks by soaking acrylic spray-painted canvases for up to a month in the canal's toxic-liquid brew. Over time, various stains appear on the canvas. When removed from the water, the canvases are dried and displayed. Like the water itself, this “art” isn’t to everyone’s taste. The unique creativity of his approach and the fact that he himself doesn't get a ticket for polluting with acrylics is what makes this story even more intriguing.

The Fix Is In For Tix

Do orange parking tickets make you see red? If so, maybe Glen Bolofsky of parkingtickets.com can help you keep green; as in holding onto money in your wallet. Simply fill in pertinent details from the ticket into the appropriate boxes on the screen. When you’re done typing, cross your fingers and hope that his program can detect a mistake or inaccuracy that you can use as a legal challenge in traffic court. And remember, should you be fortunate enough to go to court to dispute the ticket, put enough quarters in the parking meter!

When Will They Learn?

Tardy students at Boys and Girls High School in Brooklyn have quite a tale to tell. According to them, they’ve been denied entrance into school for their lateness. School officials have vehemently denied the charges. This high school has an average daily absentee rate of 38%. School attendance and lateness issues here demand an immediate review by those at the highest levels of the Board of Education. Students who come to school to learn should not be dismissed without even setting foot in the school, late or not. Turning your backs on these children now may lead to employers and society turning their backs on them later. Our children MUST LEARN reading, writing and arithmetic. Our children MUST RECEIVE all of the basics in education that they need to succeed; even in the most trying of circumstances. Teach our children that they MUST BE ACCOUNTABLE for their actions in life. For example, if they’re late for class, make them responsible for doing community service for the school, minute for minute, for every minute they're late. Both students and Board of Education civil servants all have much to learn. I suspect the students may long before Board of Education personnel will.

New York City Is Still a "Big Draw"

New York City has always attracted the young and old from all walks of life and from all over the world to fulfill their dreams, right here at the center of the universe. Remember the lyrics, “If you can make it here, You’ll make it anywhere … ”? Well, 25-year old sketch artist Jason Polan (jasonpolan.blogspot.com) of Michigan is here now to succeed. His dream is to sketch EVERY SINGLE New Yorker. A big dream indeed, but why not? He’s not sure what he’ll do once he achieves his goal. Frankly, I’m not sure what he’ll do either. But, I admire him for having the guts and determination to capture New York’s best attribute, it’s people. If nothing else, he's already caught our attention.