Welcome to a wet Monday! It’s ruined my plans for the day. I’d scheduled a scenic ferry ride from Midtown to Staten Island and then tennis at Pier 76!
Well, I still did the ferry ride — so I am writing this newsletter from the Staten Island Ferry terminal this morning. I was the only passenger who boarded the inaugural ferry just after 7am. When I got to the other side, I got into a slight disagreement with the hawker at the main terminal. When I suggested that she should also say Hell’s Kitchen in her “spiel”, she told me: “It’s not Hell’s Kitchen, it’s actually Hudson Yards!” You can read all about my journey here…
In other news, Governor Andrew Cuomo’s last day in office will be spent wondering why he didn’t keep the roof on Pier 76! I thought that I’d been smart booking a court at midday when the popup tennis center opened today, but rain has stopped play!
Yesterday, French President Emmanuel Macron said «C’est oui!» (“It’s a yes!) to Josephine Baker being honored at the Panthéon in Paris, reports Le Parisien. Baker was known in America as a St Louis-born entertainer and civil rights activist. In France, she was awarded the Croix de Guerre for her work as a French Resistance fighter in World War II. In Hell’s Kitchen, she is known for Chez Josephine. More here…
What we’ve been reading
If you want to eat or drink inside at NYC’s bars and restaurants, read on. (The Infatuation)
How are YOU feeling about the COVID pandemic? (Gothamist)
Signature Theatre has put its planned reopening on hold for now. (New York Times)
Cruise ships are set to return to Piers 88 and 90 at the end of next month. (amNY)
The elevator shaft was invented before the elevator — and it happened right here in NYC. (Viewing NYC)
Freeze Frame
When it’s dried off (and unpacked), a “ball chair” awaits you at Pier 76. So much more comfortable than those concrete benches!