NYC Magazine

Remember to set your clocks 1 hour ahead on 2 a.m. this Sunday, three weeks earlier than normal. We can all thank the Engery Policy Act of 2005 signed by George W. Bush for the change; Daylight Savings Time (DST) will now begin on the 2nd Sunday in March and end the 1st Sunday in November. The Energy Policy Act was created in hopes to reduce energy use. However, the change in DST definition means that computers, software, and other electronic devices made before 2006 may not properly adjust the time this Sunday.

(2 votes, average: 1.5 out of 5)

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Referred as the largest Lotto cash payout in history, last night’s 390 million dollar lottery drawing was watched across the country as Yolanda Vega called out the winning numbers, 6-22-29-39-42 with a Mega Ball of 20 in Times Square. According to the Mega Millions website, there are two winners, who will split the 390 million dollar. The two winning tickets were from Georgia and from New Jersey. There are actually eight New Yorkers that matched five of the numbers, which means they won $250,000 each. Mega Millions takes place across 12 states, California, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Texas, Virginia and Washington state. The largest previous multistate lottery jackpot was $365 million in 2006, when eight workers at a Nebraska meat processing plant hit the Powerball lotto.

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After giving the Greenwich Village KFC/Taco Bell a passing inspection, the city’s Department of Health had to close the store down after TV camera crews and passerbys videotaped rats roaming around the store after closing. This story brings back memories of the Dunkin Donut rat debacle that occured several years ago in the city, where a rat was photographed in the window front. In the video, several rats are seen climbing and running around the tables and chairs of the restuarant in plain view. This situation has now left New Yorkers wondering about the validity of the Health Department’s restaurant inspections. The Greenwich Village KFC/Taco Bell is one of 20 other such stores owned by ADF.

In response to the video that has been shown all over TV and the internet, Health Commissioner Thomas Frieden said the city’s failure to immediately shut the Greenwich Village KFC/Taco Bell after learning of the rat problem was not acceptable. The inital inspector of that store has now been removed from duty and other inspector’s reports will now be re-examined. ADF has also made a statement that they are embarassed with situation and that they will be ordering reinspections for the other stores in New York City.

(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

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Pinkberry is a popular chain yogurt store which made its debut in Los Angeles and has been doing quite well in there. The first Pinkberry store opened in NYC’s K-town last year and subsequently 3 more stores have appeared, the lastest on Spring Street. Pinkberry only offers two flavors, plain and green tea; I find that the green tea is a little bit too tart for my taste. According to Pinkberry’s website their yogurt is fat-free. It is actually the toppings that give this yogurt an additonal ‘pop.’ Toppings range from nuts, candy, to fresh fruits, in the Los Angeles’ chains I noticed that the most popular topping is mochi (i.e. rice cake). The interior decoration is very unique and offers Alessi kitchen items for sale. Pinkberry is so popular in Los Angeles that a whole bunch of copycats have sprung up with similar names, Chill Berry, Snow Berry, etc…. There are rumors that Pinkberry is actually a copycat of a popular yogurt chain from South Korea (Red Mango), but I cannot confirm this. Unlike the Los Angeles popularity, I do not see long lines out the doors of the NYC chains, maybe it is because New Yorker’s are accostumed to their Tasti-D-Lite.

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If you want a bird’s eye view of New York City go to either the Empire State Building or to the “Top of the Rock.” Both sites offer beautiful views of Manhattan, but each one has its advantages over the other. The Empire State Building’s Observatory now has extended hours (8:00AM - 2:00AM) from Thursdays to Saturday and regular hours (8:00AM-12:00AM) from Sunday to Wednesday. The Empire Building is best for views of downtown Manhattan since it is located on 34th Street and great for night photography because of the extended hours. Tickets to the Empire State Building Observatory are available online as well as in person; adults are $20.00, children are $14.00, seniors are $18.00.

In contrast, the “Top of the Rock” aka the Rockefeller Center Observation Deck offers an unobtructed view of Central Park and is great for viewing the Empire State Building. If you have not heard about the Rockefeller Center Observation Deck it is because it has been closed for the last 19 years. It was reopened in November 2005 and the Observation Deck is open from 8:00AM to Midnight everyday . The “Top of the Rock” is located at West 50th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues and tickets are available online as well as in person; adults are $14, children $9, and seniors $12. In my opinion, the “Top of the Rock” offers a different bird’s eye view of Manhattan than the usual tourist pictures from the Empire State Building, but either site will not disappoint especially if you go at sunset.

(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

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The Transit Authority recently published a Top 10 list of reasons why NYC subways were delayed. Making the Top 10 for 2006 was “Customers Holding Doors,” which on average caused 346 delays each month and “Unruly Customers,” which on average contributed to 313 delays each month. As a New Yorker that regularly uses the subway, I have been on trains that were delayed getting out of the station because another rider decided to hold the door for his/her friends, simply blocked the door because the train was so crowded, or tried to squeeze into a train as the doors were closing. The worst delays happen when riders hold/block the doors at major stations such as 42nd Street or at Lexington Avenue since these stations are usually the most crowded/busy. The MTA stated that more New Yorkers are now taking the subways resulting in more crowded trains and may account for “Customers Holding Doors” as the 5th leading cause of delays, up from 20th place in 2001. The MTA could not explain why there is an increase in “Unruly Behavior,” which placed 8th on the list. I could only speculate the frustration caused by train delays caused by “Track Work,” which is #1 (on average 1,640 delays/month) got on some riders nerves.

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Clarence Norman Jr. who is a former assembly and former head of the Brooklyn Democratic Party was convicted of grand larceny on Feb. 23rd, 2007. Norman was convicted of illegally soliciting and pocketing campagin money. This is not the first criminal case, but the fourth case against Norman. He resigned right after his first conviction. In his previous trials, Norman was charged with stealing $5,000 from his 2001 campaign donation and trying to conceal another $10,000. In another case, although Norman was was not charged directly with selling judgeships, the trial brought needed attention to the process by which judges are nominated and elected, and to the political potency of the Brooklyn Democratic organization.

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Last weekend felt like spring. I went to the west side of central park around 74th Street and sat near the lake looking towards midtown; the sunset was amazing. Even the ducks were out swimming. I hope all of you had a chance to take a stroll without wearing a coat in the middle of winter.

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