The Briefly for July 2, 2020 – The "Eating Outdoors in the New Eating Indoors" Edition

Today - Low: 76˚ High: 88˚

Clear throughout the day.

The MTA announced normal weekend service for July 4 to meet the expected demand for the city's beaches on a combination of the first weekend with lifeguards and a holiday. (Robert Pozarycki for Bronx Times) The Department of Defense announced a flyover of NYC on July 4 as part of the "2020 Salute to America." Yes, definitely a year worth saluting. (Gillian Smith for Patch) Video: Tuesday's unannounced fireworks show was near the Statue of Liberty at 11 pm. At 11 pm, is there anything distinction between the Macy's and illegal fireworks? (Ben Yakas for Gothamist) Indoor dining is off the proverbial table for phase three, as expected. (Jesse McKinley and Luis Ferré-Sadurní for NY Times) According to the NYC Hospitality Alliance, only one-fifth of bars and restaurants were able to pay their June bills on time. (Emily Davenport for amNewYork)

"Surely, some people will still insist on dining out anyway. Perhaps they’ve assessed that the chances of falling ill are acceptable, or that they’re ready to tough it out if they get sick. So allow me to recount what it’s actually like to catch COVID-19 — and I was one of the lucky ones."

-Ryan Sutton for Eater, Why This Restaurant Critic Isn’t Dining Out Right Now

The argument for tipping 50% when dining outdoors. (Chris Crowley for Grub Street) The NYC budget moves school safety officers from the NYPD's budget to the Department of Educations budget, but it also imposes a hiring freeze on new teachers and reduces the number of school counselors. In the words of City Councilmember Carlos Menchaca, this is "not a people victory." (Annie Todd for Gothamist) "Does it mean I'm less safe? Where do you take the billion dollars from? Does it mean I'm more safe? Does it have any effect on police abuse? I don't know what it means." Governor Cuomo encapsulates the entire conversation coming out of the NYC budget's shifting around of the NYPD budget, pointing out that the city has to "redesign the whole relationship" between the NYPD and its citizens. (Matt Troutman for Patch) Also included in the city's budget is an 11% cut to cultural affairs, which includes after-school programs, funding for the Cultural Immigrant Initiative, the Coalition of Theaters of Color, the Bronx Children's Museum, BAM's arts instruction in schools, the city's four zoos and aquarium, and more. (Julia Jacobs for NY Times) The city's budget cut the Fair Fares program by $65 million, which helps subsidize low-income New Yorkers' mass transit, in a financial hit to low-income New Yorkers and the MTA. MTA Chairpowerson Pat Foye says congestion pricing is a virtual impossibility" thanks to the federal government and the pandemic. (Jose Martinez for The City) It's taken over three years, but the first street in the city's Great Streets pilot program is complete. Atlantic Ave in East New York and Cypress Hills was rebuilt with updates to traffic safety, new curbs, water mains, trees, and fire hydrants, and more quality of life upgrades. (East New York News) "I don’t know what the landlord can do and where the rent strike can take us. It’s frustrating. You’re sitting down with all these things, but you don’t know what to do; you don’t know where to turn and everywhere you turn it’s “Oh, your income is not enough.”" - Five stories from New Yorkers of what it's like not paying rent. (Caroline Spivack for Curbed) How do white people in a mostly white neighborhood stand up for BIPOC? Lessons learned on being an effective ally from a protest in Greenpoint. (Melissa Kravitz Joeffner for Greenpointers) How much does it cost in the first year of dog companionship in NYC? According to a new study, the price of a new best friend is $3,823.05 for the first year and $2,351 for each subsequent year. (Emily Davenport for amNewYork Metro) 2020's most popular dog breed in the city is the Havanese according to the website Rover. I'm not sure this includes mutts, like my Scooter and Pepper. (Gillian Smith for Patch) 227 Duffield Street will be considered for landmark status. The address has been at the center of a preservationist fight for over a decade, as the house was associated with the abolitionist movement and a stop on the Underground Railroad. (Elizabeth Kim for Gothamist) Video: A look back in time at Harry Nugent, the city's most beloved subway conductor. (Matt Coneybeare for Viewing NYC) John Mullaly might be seen as the father of New York City parks, but he's also credited for instigating the notorious Draft Riots of 1863 and for his racist views on Black people. That's why activists are calling for removal of his name from Mullaly Park, a neighbor to Yankee Stadium and in a majority-minority neighborhood. (David Cruz for Gothamist) After spending years as Mayor de Blasio's mouthpieces, Press Secretary Freddi Goldstein and Communications Director Wiley Norvell are quitting. (Alejandra O'Connell-Domenech for amNewYork Metro) How did you celebrate Bobby Bonilla Day on July 1? If you are Bobby Bonilla, you were paid $1,193,248.20 by the Mets to not play for the Mets, just like you have been for nearly 20 years and like you will be through 2035. (Alex Mitchell for QNS) A former Pret A Manger employee filed a lawsuit, alleging that its employees “created and fostered a discriminatory and hostile work environment” against her while she worked in several of the company’s NYC stores. (Luke Fortney for Eater) Info on Wednesday's building collapse in Carroll Gardens. (Matthew Haag for NY Times) New voter registrations were down 50% in NYC in 2020 compared to 2019, creating worries about the November elections and amplifying calls for online voter registration. (Christine Chung for The City) Some Queens NYCHA residents have been living with no gas for cooking since before the pandemic started. (Clodagh McGowan for NY1) Harlem's Marcus Garvey, Jackie Robinson, and Wagner Houses pools will open on August 1. Across the city, 15 pools will open by August 1. (Brendan Krisel for Patch) 11 outdoor bars, parklets, rooftops, and restaurants to chill out at this summer. (Meredith Craig de Pietro for Brooklyn Based) Thanks to reader Victor for today's featured photo from Domino Park