Good morning and welcome to the weekend! Those heavy rainstorms yesterday were pretty isolated. We took shelter from one around 2pm, but others reported no rain. Well, the good news is that there are no downpours forecast for the weekend. Enjoy…
The Hell’s Kitchen Community Cupboard is hosting a neighborhood gathering today to mark its first-anniversary milestone. Read more…

Here’s what else has been happening around the neighborhood this week…
As new Hell’s Kitchen Mediterranean eatery Molyvos prepares to welcome customers next month, operators from the Livanos family closed their other West Side spot, Hudson West last night. Read more…

Thanks to Lena Grotticelli for tipping us off that the North River Lobster Company now sails to the Statue of Liberty on its last trip of the day. Take the 7pm cruise and you get a 2-hour trip for your $25 ticket.

As the fight to keep Hell’s Kitchen whole rages on, dozens of legislators and local advocates testified online and at the Schomburg Center in Harlem on Monday against splitting the neighborhood into three separate City Council Districts under the current redistricting proposal. Read more…

Heads up, history buffs! It’s time to tap into a treasure trove of glimpses of New York’s past — and unsurprisingly, Broadway takes a starring role. Read more and view our fascinating photo gallery…

ConEdison could be in hot water, after it was revealed that the utility giant regularly pumps millions of gallons of wastewater heated far above the natural temperature of the river and contaminated with chemicals like selenium, lead, chromium, copper and chloroform into the Hudson River at Pier 98. Hudson River Park Trust (whose duty is to protect the environment) dismissed the issue, saying that the community had been informed 11 years ago. Read more…

Jerry Nadler defeated Carolyn Maloney in the 12th District Democratic primary. We reported from the Congressman’s victory party. Read more…

Is the proposed congestion pricing for Manhattan a blessing or a curse? We asked for reader opinions — and Hell’s Kitchen didn’t hold back! Read more…

New York’s late-summer primary turnout might creep to just above double digits. What can be done to get voters out to the ballot box!? Read more…

The Hudson River and Doritos — what a combo!? VIA57 turned orange for two nights so Hell’s Kitchen and New Yorkers could snack and snap🔺 Read all about it…

As Hell’s Kitchen fills with smoke shops, the city is to initially grant only 22 licenses to open recreational marijuana dispensaries across the whole of Manhattan. Read more…

Busloads of asylum seekers continue to arrive at Port Authority, and West Siders are welcoming their new neighbors at Hell’s Kitchen hotels with community gatherings, donation drives and school supply fundraisers. Read more…

It was the final call for American Retro on 11th Avenue on Thursday night. They closed their doors after a few beers (and Shirley Temples) with regulars — but will reopen on 9th Avenue (where The Distillery used to be) in a couple of weeks. “Thanks for all of the wonderful memories. We’re moving to 785 9th Ave. Let’s make new memories together,” they said on Instagram.

What we’ve been reading
Summer camps could be an option for homeless migrants arriving in New York. (City Limits)
New York fuel levels are so low that it’s triggered a White House warning. (Bloomberg)
A man killed on 8th Avenue was arrested only last week for swinging a hatchet — the suspect who allegedly stabbed him says it was in self-defense. (Eyewitness News)
This downtown “Placard Census” highlights the city’s parking congestion problem. (Streetsblog)
Check out this beautiful building with a history on W55th and 7th Avenue. (Ephemeral New York)
Freeze Frame

We captured this photo while sheltering from the torrential rain on W57th Street yesterday. It’s the moment when you know you are now so wet that you might as well keep walking and enjoy the experience.
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