FEELS LIKE SUMMER
A bicyclist takes a break from riding to admire the view along the Hudson River in Riverside Park.
Photo by Andrew Schwartz
SCHNEIDERMAN PROPOSES GUN LAW
by Dan Rivoli
State Sen. Eric Schneiderman, chair of the Codes Committee, introduced new gun-control legislation requiring that handgun licenses be renewed every five years.
The bill was introduced, in part, as a response to the slaying of 13 people at a Binghamton, N.Y. immigration center earlier this April.
As the law stands, counties north of Westchester provide lifetime handgun licenses and restrict localities from implementing stricter licensing laws.
“Every other license in New York State imposes renewal requirements,” Schneiderman said at a rally on the steps of City Hall. “How is it that in the State of New York…it’s too dangerous for you to have a cosmetology license without checking up periodically, but to carry a handgun, you have to have a lifetime license?”
Assembly Member Amy Paulin of Westchester is sponsoring the bill in her chamber. Schneiderman is pushing for bipartisan votes on the bill but has yet to gain Republican support, though he has reached out to the Republican senator from Binghamton, Tom Libous.
At the rally, Schneiderman was flanked by several Democratic State Senators, representatives from the group New Yorkers Against Gun Violence and Manhattan District Attorney candidate Richard Aborn.
COLUMBUS CIRCLE STOP NEARS COMPLETION
by Clara Martinez
Construction on the Columbus Circle subway station may be behind schedule, but the project is nearing completion. After an inquiry over the status of the station by Council Member Gale Brewer, MTA President Howard Roberts said the renovation project is 72 percent complete.
In a letter to Brewer, Roberts acknowledged that the project is five months behind schedule, however, the project is expected to be finished by November.
In January, Brewer sent a letter to MTA Executive Director and CEO Elliot Sander about passengers’ safety during construction, which has reduced walkway space between the shed and the tracks.
“[My constituents] report that the construction site encroaches on the pedestrian areas of the station, creating an unsafe environment for subway riders,” Brewer wrote.
Roberts responded, saying that, “safety of our customers is a primary focus of MTA NYC Transit.” He explained that the barricades were necessary to protect the public from large equipment.
MEET THE D.A. CANDIDATES
by Clara Martinez
The three Democrat candidates for Manhattan District Attorney will explain in an April 30 forum why they should replace retiring District Attorney Robert Morgenthau.
Richard Aborn, Leslie Crocker Snyder and Cyrus Vance will participate in the Upper West Side Candidate Forum that will be moderated by Edward-Isaac Dovere, editor of City Hall, a Manhattan Media publication.
The debate will be held on April 30 from 7:30 p.m. at the Goddard-Riverside Community Center, at 593 Columbus Ave. and West 88th Street.
TASTE OF UWS HIRES ARCHITECT
by Clara Martinez
Renowned restaurant and hospitality architect Glen Coben will design the dining environment for the second annual New Taste of the Upper West Side, a fundraising event organized by the Columbus Avenue Business Improvement District.
“We are delighted that a designer with such close ties to New York’s culinary greats has volunteered his services to help us,” said Barbara Adler, the BID’s executive director, in a statement.
Coben has created dining destinations for some of the world’s greatest chefs and restaurateurs, including Mario Batali, Jonathan Waxman and Marcus Samuelsson.
This year’s festival will showcase the talents of more than 30 celebrated chefs with restaurants in the neighborhood and 31 Long Island vineyards. It will be held on May 30 along Columbus Avenue between West 76th and 77th streets. For more information, visit www.newtasteuws.com.
B’WAY MALL CENTER FESTIVAL
by Dan Rivoli
The Broadway Mall Center is holding a street festival on May 3. The festival, which will run from West 86th to 96th streets along Broadway, will feature more than 400 antiques dealers and artists selling their wares. The spring festival will run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
BLACKBOARD AWARDS FOR TEACHERS
by Dan Rivoli
Educators from public, private, religious and charter schools in New York City are eligible for Manhattan Media’s annual Blackboard Awards for Teachers. Nominators must go to www.BlackboardAwards.com to fill out a brief questionnaire about the suggested teacher, which includes a brief explanation about why that teacher is special.
The deadline is May 15.
PARKING GARAGE THEFT
by Dan Rivoli
A man discovered that the car he left at More Than Parking garage was stolen several weeks after he brought in the vehicle. The victim, who lives on West 81st Street, told police that he tried to pick up the car on April 10 at the garage, at 641 W. 59th St. and West End Avenue. The manager allegedly said there was no record or receipt for the black Infinity sedan, which had been parked on March 22.
ATTEMPTED BURGLARY
by Dan Rivoli
A person tried to burglarize a Central Park West apartment building on April 12 at 5 a.m. Police said a 60-year-old resident of the building, which is between West 85th and 86th streets, reported that a person entered the rear door and disabled the phones and alarm system by cutting wires. The building was under construction. Police could not determine if anything was stolen.
RESISTING ARREST
by Dan Rivoli
A woman was arrested on April 13 at 4:05 a.m. when she prevented police officers from dispersing a large, disorderly crowd at 116 W. 72nd St. and Columbus Avenue. Cops said she resisted arrest by flailing her arms. While being subdued, 20-year-old Naomi Veras allegedly kicked the arresting officer in the groin and bit another officer on the arm. Veras was charged with assault.
