What a great week in the greatest city in the world!

The city celebrated (and breathed a collective sigh of relief) last Saturday as Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were called as winners of the presidential election. There were so many highlights to that day, but the one that will personally remain with me is the crowd in Times Square singing “Empire State of Mind”. New York Magic

We reported on “The Second Wave” — a new six-episode pandemic-themed television drama that’s being filmed in a $9million brownstone in Hell’s Kitchen. Stars include Audra McDonald, Taylor Schilling, and Steven Pasquale (who I’m fairly sure that I spotted with a Kahve coffee in hand the other day!)

Our collective relief extended to the news that early trials of a Pfizer vaccine were showing a 90% success rate. We reported on Senator Brad Hoylman’s participation in the trial after his husband and children had contracted COVID-19.

Our West Side Stories profiles continued with Lynnette Blanche who when questioned on Times Square said: “You mean my back yard?”

We shared videos of neighborhood crooner Sal Salomon and the holiday stars lighting up at The Shops at Columbus Circle.

Local businesses told us their frustrations at Governor Cuomo’s new 10pm curfew. “It’s going to be a long, bleak winter,” said Steve Olsen from West Bank Cafe. “We are just trying to survive but are not seeing any light at the end of this terrible COVID tunnel,” Bruce Horowytz from 44 & X told us.

Yesterday, we reported on how two local businesses were facing the challenges of outdoor dining this winter. One suggestion to survive is warm feet and Ugg boots. These “Hell’s Kitchen” design toe huggers might just fit the bill!

Continuing with the warming pandemic theme, we explained how the Spanish Flu in 1918-19 is the reason why New York apartments get so damn hot.

This week, we’ve had our fair share of Christmas trees featured. We reported on the 100-foot monster that’s been selected to come to the Rockefeller Center for the holidays — and took a look at Naty Michele’s early addition to her Hell’s Kitchen apartment.


What we’ve been reading

Out-of-work actors are really struggling for health care. (CNBC)

That monster Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is due to arrive on site today. Time to untangle the five miles of fairy lights! (Untapped Cities)

The Mayoral hopefuls have opened their campaigns. (NY1)

Pondering the future of the NYPD tow pound at Pier 76. (Patch)

Why building designers like to make a great first impression. (Brick Underground)

From today, food scrap collection resumes at Mathews Palmer Park (W45/46th St between 9/10 Ave). Register here.