The "One Word the Mayor Shouldn't Say" Edition
The "One Word the Mayor Shouldn't Say" Edition
No one wants to talk about this kind of stuff with their mayor, especially when your mayor is a very weird dude, 40 inexpensive dining locations, a ten-pound pizza bagel, and more.
Thank you to Michele, Claire R, and Sonia for contributing to The Briefly with Ko-Fi!
98% of you thought someone would die looking before a mammoth tusk was found in the East River.
Congrats to regular photo contributor George, whose Manhattanhenge photo was selected for honorable mention for Best Photo Sitting on Your Phone 2022.
• Ed Mullins, noted bigot and former president of the NYPD sergeant's union, can add another title to his resume: criminal. He pleaded guilty to stealing money from members of the SBA. He will be sentenced on May 25. (Jake Offenhartz for Gothamist)
• Governor Hochul's nomination for the chief judge of the state's Supreme Court, Judge Hector LaSalle, was not recommended by the state Senate judiciary committee. Don't expect Hochul to take this loss as a loss, as she's been utilizing the Cuomo playbook when it comes to fighting with Democrats instead of Republicans when it comes to getting what she wants, and for some reason, what she wants is this judge that's on the wrong side of history when it comes to abortion, unions, and due process. (Sam Mellins for New York Focus)
• The City asks an important question: Where the fuck is the snow? (John Homenuk for The City)
• Mayor Adams announced a set of women's health-focused initiatives like free abortion pills from four City-run clinics, a task force to overhaul the city's sex ed classes, and more. Of course, the speech was overshadowed by the mayor being generally weird, saying people are afraid to say the word vagina and commenting about clitoral stimulation. (Hell Gate)
• George Santos opened an office in Queens, so now there's a place to protest and leave poop bags. (Brigid Bergin and David Cruz for Gothamist)
• You can put pizza on a bagel, but you can't eat it without a day's notice. Say hello to Queens' ten-pound, giant pizza bagel that takes over 24 hours to make. (Anna Rahmanan for Time Out)
• The Regal Union Square Stadium 17 on 13th and Broadway is closing following its parent company's bankruptcy. It's been open for almost 25 years. (EV Grieve)
• The DOT says the "Graham Av-Av of Puerto Rico" sign was "mistakenly removed" and replaced the original sign after being caught. While it's just a sign, it's also a symbol of the neighborhood's identity. (Erin Conlon for Greenpointers)
• The Holland Tunnel's New Jersey-bound portion is closing to overnight traffic starting Feb 5 and won't reopen until 2025. The repairs are supposed to fix the damage from Hurricane Sandy. (Anna Rahmanan for Time Out)
• The average rent roommates pay in the city is over $1,500 for the first time after a 20% increase year over year. In Manhattan, it's $1,784. (Emily Myers for Brick Underground)
• The eviction rate in the city continues to rise, with landlords filing 110,000 eviction notices in 2022. (David Brand for Gothamist)
• Apartment Porn: A $20 million Flatiron duplex with 6,000 square feet of living space, four beds, panoramic views, a free-standing soaking tub, and all the amenities you might expect when you pay $20 million for anything. (Michelle Cohen for 6sqft)
• Two dolphins were spotted in city waters this week and it wasn't the Gowanus, where animal-based stories have a typically sad ending. (Shaye Weaver for Time Out)
• It only took 268 years, but Columbia hired its first female president. (Spencer Cain for I Love the Upper West Side)
• The nine types of subway riders you see during rush hour in NYC. Masturbator made the list. (Kristen Perrone for Time Out)
• Coney Island USA (the non-profit that operates the freak show and Mermaid Parade) is raising money to turn its shooting gallery annex into a retro arcade and music venue. A proper arcade is desperately needed in Coney Island. (Jada Camille for Brownstoner)
• Where to ring in the Year of the Rabbit. Chinese New Year celebrations start this weekend and run through February 5. (Aaron Ginsburg for 6sqft)
• The American Society for Psychical Research is selling its Upper West Side townhouse, its parapsychology and paranormal research headquarters. (Bobby Panza for I Love the Upper West Side)
• Say goodbye to the peacock flock of St. John the Divine as they retire to Westchester after twenty years. There will be a carnival this weekend to celebrate their retirement. (Nicole Saraniero for Untapped New York)
• Saks Fifth Avenue proposed putting a casino on the roof of its Midtown flagship store. (Aaron Ginsburg for 6sqft)
• The history of NYC's women-only subway cars. (Eliza Browning for Untapped New York(
• When did Williamsburg lose its H? (Ephemeral New York)
• 49 Brooklyn restaurants participating in Restaurant Week 2023, which is happening now. (Brooklyn Magazine)
• The Governors Ball 2023 lineup is here. Lizzo, ODESZA, and Kendrick Lamar are the headliners. (Rossilynne Skena Culgan for Time Out)
• 40 Inexpensive Dining Destinations. (Robert Sietsema for Eater)
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