Tag Archives: NYC

Hurricane Joaquin Is Coming!

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a screenshot of Hurricane Joaquin on a weather map

Its been almost 3 years since Hurricane Sandy hit. 3 years since many lost their homes, power, and many other valuable items. Ever since Sandy, we’ve all been hoping and praying that NY is never hit with such an event ever again.

Now say hello to Hurricane Joaquin! The hurricane that’s being called the new Sandy. Touching down in the Bahamas this past week, it left a huge devastation in its path. It was so big, that the forecast feared that it would hit NY next.

Well you New Yorkers can rest easy…for now at least. Anyone dreading a repeat of Hurricane Sandy can breathe a little easier, since Joaquin is now expected to spin away from the East Coast.

The storm, which weakened to a Category 3 hurricane Friday night, is likely to turn out to sea after hammering the Bahamas, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Even our mayor made a statement. “”We’re going to wait, obviously, for a while to be able to see more information, but at this moment the news is good,” De Blasio said.

But while the news may look good for now, I don’t think we should take any chances. Stock up, remain indoors, and border up. I for one won’t relax until I know this storm has officially passed.

Roosevelt Island

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an aerial view of Roosevelt Island

                  Image by: Alex Katz

An island between Manhattan and Queens, secluded from the loud rush of the city but also an island with so much history. During Spring Break I took advantage of the beautiful weather and walked around the island. My favorite part was the Small Pox Hospital. This is because every time I get driven by the FDR drive, when I look across the East River I always see a gothic architectural style building that looks haunted at night. I always wondered what it was and thought it must have been some kind of asylum but came to find out it was a hospital.

 

Renwick Hospital

Along with this I came across many other historical sites such as the lighthouse which sourced light for boats that were sailing towards Hells Gates Waters which is just north of the island.

 

a lighthouse

 

 

I then visited the new FDR Memorial Four Freedoms Park. This park was opened in 2012. One interesting fact about this park and how it got its name is from Louis Kahn whom is an American Architect and built this park in honor of President Roosevelt and his belief in the four essential human freedom which were freedom of speech and expression, freedom to worship God in one’s own way, freedom from want and freedom from fear. It is a very beautiful and CLEAN park with such an amazing view of the city.

FDR Memorial Park

Finally, what many New Yorkers are familiar with is the Tramway! Although I am what some may call a “punk” for not wanting to go on (haha) I do appreciate the convenience of taking it to and from the city and I’m sure that on the tramway you get an even better view of Roosevelt Island and part of the city.

the Tramway

 

As always, I recommend everyone to go to Roosevelt Island on a beautiful day. There is so much history just on this two mile stretch island. Although there isn’t much to do after visiting the historical sites, it’s a great time to “get away from the city without leaving the city”. Whether it’s you spending the day laying on the CLEAN grass at the FDR Four Freedoms Park or maybe you just want to go for a nice walk this is the perfect place to go! Oh and if you’re scared to get on the Tram just as I was (haha) you can also take the “F” train to the island or drive as well. So what are you waiting for? Pull out your notepad and start making that Summer 2015’ bucket list and add Roosevelt Island to it! I promise you won’t regret it!

a Franklin D. Roosevelt plaque on a wall

Can You Escape?

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Do you have what it takes to put clues together and solve puzzles? Well I’ve got just the place for you! With just 60 minutes on the clock you will be placed in a room (the theme of your choice) with various clues that you must solve in order to find the key to escape!

a magnifying glass

Image taken by:  Kit

Yesterday I visited “Escape the Room” located in Midtown Manhattan (25 W. 31st.) where I was locked in “The Home” (the theme of the room) with six other people and our premise was, as I mentioned before, to gather multiple clues that were inside of “The Home” in order to find the key and ESCAPE! Even though the people I was paired up with were complete strangers, I have to say, our team work was on another level! We all worked together as if we had known each other for years! Every time we found a clue everyone screamed out of excitement and our adrenaline kept rushing as we started to get anxious to find the next clue which would hopefully lead us to the key.

With just six minutes and 24 seconds left on the clock we made it out of the room! Yes we ESCAPED!! Shockling, only 20% of people make it out! Crazy huh? This was such a great experience and I recommend everyone to go! You don’t need to be a brainiac either so don’t be discouraged!

six people

If you’re interested, they have many different themed rooms. As I mentioned before I was locked in “The Home”, but in the Midtown location they also have “The Office” and “The Agency” themed rooms. Their second location is in Downtown Manhattan (107 Suffolk St.) where you can get locked in a “Theater” or an “Apartment”! How great is that!?

I will definitely be returning with a group of friends! Although I am unsure which theme we will choose, I know it will be fun and exciting regardless!

I chose to do this not only because it was an interesting and unique thing to do but also because I’ve come to realize that us New Yorkers take advantage of the City that we live in and how many great things there are to do here. You don’t always have to go to the movies or out to eat even though that’s all that seems to be around.

So expand your horizon, next time you and your friends are bored, go check out “Escape the Room”!! You won’t regret it!

Mayor Bill De Blasio Is Officially Cool!

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The annual Inner Circle show was held this past Saturday in New York City. The Inner Circle show, which is a spin-off of the White House Correspondents Association dinner, is an opportunity for journalists to roast the mayor through different forms, such as song and dance.

Though Mayor Bill de Blasio didn’t wait for any reporters, as he quickly started to poke fun of himself, leaving nothing off the table. He made fun of his frequent tardiness, his low approval ratings, his tendency to leave school open during big storms, and other bumps he has suffered while in office. With the help of celebrities, such as Steve Buscemi and Cynthia Nixon, the annual Inner Circle show was an event to remember.

In one skit, Mayor de Blasio was pitted against the Rev. Al Sharpton, as contestants in Jeopardy. When the host asked “39 and heading down to the teens by tomorrow morning,” Sharpton answered, “The mayor’s approval rating?”

Next was Al Roker, a weatherman for the Today Show. Roker had waged a Twitter war last month with Blasio, over his decision to open schools, despite a heavy snowstorm. In his skit, he was shown on the set of the “Today” show, complimenting him. After someone calls “cut” and they go off the air, Roker then retorts, “Great mayor? What a freaking joke.”

First lady Chirlane McCray was also a part of the show, playing opposite Nixon on a take on “The Honeymooners.” Producers also played several minutes of footage from de Blasio and McCray’s 1994 wedding, with a longhaired de Blasio dancing goofily.

One must love a guy that can so easily pick on himself. Now start to close schools more during blizzards and you might get my vote again during the next election.

Out With The Old, In With The New!

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the de Blasio family

Change has come to the state of New York. Last week, Bill de Blasio, was overwhelmingly elected mayor of New York, becoming the first Democrat to lead New York in twenty years.

With all of the precincts reporting, Bill de Blasio trounced Republican Joe Lhota, who was considered a protege of former mayor Rudy Giuliani, by 73 percent to 26 percent.

De Blasio will take office on Jan. 1 as the 109th mayor of the nation’s largest city.

Though De Blasio was obviously preferred by majority of New York citizens, he has already come under attack.

Outgoing NYPD Commissioner Raymond Kelly was quoted as saying that the newly elected Mayor is “full of s—,” believing campaigning politicians will say or do anything to get elected. Then again, seeing as how this quote came from his interview with Playboy, I’m not sure how much of Mr. Kelly’s word I’d listen to.

And what does outgoing Mayor, Michael Bloomberg, have to say? Well he offered his replacement these words of advice, “If you build the right team and bring in the right people, then you can really make a difference.”

So, were you happy with the results of the election? And what do you think of some people already finding fault in De Blasio before he’s even in office?