The Briefly for July 10, 2020 – The "Everyone Can Hear Your Phone Conversation" Edition
Today - Low: 73˚ High: 78˚
Heavy rain and humid throughout the day.
This weekend - Low: 74˚ High: 86˚
This weekend is your last chance to see Manhattanhenge this year. (Shaye Weaver for Time Out) Video: Looking to turn your apartment into an indoor garden oasis? Here are some tips and tricks to turn your black thumb green. (Matt Coneybeare for Viewing NYC) Predictably, Mayor de Blasio doesn't like Attorney General James' plan to move control of the NYPD under a commission. This might be the biggest endorsement to move forward with this plan. (Erin Durkin for Politico) If you event needs a city-issued permit between now and September 30, it's canceled. All events in the city are canceled, with exceptions for some street fairs, events in parks, and events smaller than one block. (Alejandra O'Connell-Domenech for amNewYork Metro) It used to be that NYC's public spaces were where you could go to take a private phone call. The city's indifference towards any individual person was an asset if you were in a restaurant or at work and needed to have a conversation, Now? Our public space has become more valuable than ever and in the comparative spareness of the streets, you can't find the same level of anonymity. Now, when you're on the phone while waiting outside a Trader Joe's, not only can everyone hear you, they'll make signs to inform you that your conversations aren't private. (Judith Newman for NY Times) Centre Street in Lower Manhattan has been co-named Black Lives Matter Boulevard. (Noah Sheidlower for Untapped New York) The city painted a Black Lives Matter mural in front of Trump Tower, which is a nice gesture, but I worry that the city's government has lost sight of their goals in pursuit of public art projects. (Michael Gold and Daniel E. Slotnik for NY Times)
Many New York City Council members of color say that in their communities people aren’t screaming for police defunding or abolition. One wonders, did they just close their windows each time a #BlackLivesMatter protest marched by their house? It is true that this year’s #BlackLivesMatter protests have engaged far more white people than they did when Eric Garner was killed, but in response to those protests the Council voted through a budget that added 1,300 new police officers. What Black or Latino Council member can honestly say their communities were screaming “Build new jails!“ when they approved billions to do just that in 2019? (None.)
-Andrew J. Padilla, Member of Community Board 11, for Gotham Gazette. Deconstructing the #DefundNYPD Clash with City Council Members of Color
Remember when the NYPD said that the spike in shootings was caused by the city's bail reforms? Well, the data is out and the NYPD lied, again. Only one person released was re-arrested for a shooting. (Sydney Pereira for Gothamist) The MTA is getting back to work in their offices, check out their guide to getting back to work. (Jose Martinez for The City) Here's what to expect when the Museum of the City of New York reopens later this month. (Ben Yakas for Gothamist) Congrats to the winners of the Time Out Time In Awards. (Will Gleason for Time Out) Restaurant Daniel, a Michelin-starred restaurant is jumping into outdoor dining, making it one of two starred restaurants still operating. (Bao Ong for Time Out) Photos: It's been five years since the reopening of the High Bridge, which absolutely gorgeous, connects Manhattan to the Bronx, and is the city's oldest surviving bridge. (Duane Bailey-Castro for Untapped New York) In admiration of the city's restaurants that have gotten creative with their outdoor dining setups. (Pete Wells and Karsten Moran for NY Times) Photos: Michael Che has been hosting regular, outdoor, socially-distanced, pop-up comedy shows in Long Island City outside the Plaxall Gallery, working with The Creek and the Cave. The next show is July 15. (Michael Dorgan for Queens Post) Lots of questions about masks, answered. (Jen Carlson for Gothamist) No matter what the mayor says publicly, the Department of Education says it is too early for a plan to be in place for opening schools in the fall. (Sophia Chang for Gothamist) Take a look at the six finalists announced for the Brooklyn Bridge walkway redesign competition. (Kevin Duggan for Brooklyn Paper) The Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, and the New York Aquarium will reopen to members on July 20 and will open to the public on July 24. (Julia Jacobs for NY Times) Paulie Gee’s is offering takeout pies for the first time since 2014. (Collier Sutter for Time Out) The Citi logo has been removed from One Court Square. (John Bolger for LIC Post) After being temporarily released from prison, Michael Cohen is back behind bars and in custody to serve the rest of his sentence. (Maggie Haberman, William K. Rashbaum and Nicole Hong for NY Times) No matter what safety precautions they're taking, these rooftop pool parties in Long Island City don't look safe. (Ben Yakas for Gothamist) Yes, some beaches are open, but some remain closed because the city has a shortage of lifeguards. (Rose Adams for amNewYork Metro) How to always get your security deposit back. (Localize.City)