Good morning and happy Tuesday. We wake up to a bit of sun today, but the clouds will move in during the morning. There’s a high of 41 degrees this afternoon. Tomorrow will be sunny, heralding a few days of temperatures in the 50s.

New York City officials are advising patrons of Hell’s Kitchen’s gay bars and clubs to switch off the facial recognition software on their phones and use a passcode as a security measure in response to the deaths of Julio Ramirez and John Umberger and the recent druggings and robberies of others. Read more…

Phone Passcode Julio Ramirez and John Umberger

Neighborhood megastar Alicia Keys has her mind on bringing Hell’s Kitchen to Broadway as a musical — with Manhattan Plaza taking center stage (yes, they are auditioning for Ray, the doorman). Read more…

Alicia Keys Broadway

What we’ve been reading

Gansevoort Beach will open this summer on the Hudson — but no swimming allowed! (Daily Beast)

City officials have launched a hotline to help NYPD officers decide if people can be removed from public spaces for psychiatric evaluation. (Gothamist)

The local Shake Shack is serving up a white truffle menu. (NBC)

Council members can’t seem to make up their minds about outdoor dining. (Streetsblog)

Have you ever spotted these peacocks in the Garment District? (Ephemeral New York)

Freeze Frame

DeWitt Clinton Park Snow Feb 2021

In case you’ve forgotten what it looks like… This was the scene two years ago on February 7, 2021 at DeWitt Clinton Park. What’s a Freeze Frame feature without the occasional chilly pic?!


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