Mega Money

Good Morning. ☔Spring doesn’t officially start until March 19th but there’s going to be a lot of spring showers this week. It may be wet out there but I can feel the energy coming back into the city with the warmer weather. Everything and everywhere seems just a bit more busy.

The News
650 Big Ones

💰Looks like no one hit the jackpot in Friday's Mega Millions drawing, so the next one, coming up on Tuesday, March 5th, is going to be a big one—worth at least $650 million. Interestingly, none of the ten largest US lottery jackpots have ever been won by someone from New York.

In fact, no one from the Tri-State area or the northeast has ever claimed the top prize. It’s time to get those office pools going because we’re due for the big one!

Squeaky Clean

🗑️The sidewalks are going to look a lot cleaner now that all businesses in the city are required to place their trash in garbage bins, aligning with standard practices seen in communities worldwide.

This shift is part of the city's broader efforts, led by Mayor Eric Adams' administration, to address the pervasive issue of sidewalk trash attracting rodents. The city initially mandated the use of sturdy trash cans with secure lids for restaurants, convenience stores, and bars in August, expanding the requirement to chain stores the following month. Now, all businesses, including small establishments, must comply, with residential buildings with nine or fewer units set to follow suit in the fall.

While progress is being made in reducing trash from larger residential buildings, further steps are planned. Beginning in spring 2025, a pilot project in select Manhattan neighborhoods will require all buildings to use outdoor receptacles. The city also plans to introduce trucks capable of lifting and emptying large on-street containers, a departure from the manual collection method currently employed.

Things to do

• Crest Collective has a new art exhibition, Peripheral Vision, opening in DUMBO that features drawings from its members.

• New York Road Runners is hosting an Open Run event, on Tuesday at 7:00 PM, it’s open to everyone and you can even bring your dog.

• Colleen Hill, MFIT Curator of Costume and Accessories, will discuss Yves Saint Laurent’s 1965 Mondrian dress series.

• Do you have a library card? If you do, you can get a Culture Pass which will give you access to free passes to cultural institutions across the city. You can use it to get into the MoMA and see this comprehensive survey of classic cartoons by the Fleischer Brothers, the creators of Betty Boop. If you didn’t know, anyone can get a library card for free.

Let’s Eat

• Oiji Mi is one of the most beautiful restaurants in New York.  The Michelin star Flatiron restaurant serves contemporary Korean cuisine and is perfect for that special occasion.

• Ramen Ishida has only 8 seats and they don’t take reservations. The small noodle shop does however make some delicious ramen.

• Dame started as a pop-up but has quickly become one of the city’s best seafood restaurants.

• Cauldron Chicken located at 190 Bleecker Street doesn’t even have a website but this chicken spot is gaining a lot of fans.

The Hood
Just a Few Stairs

🏨For $3,200, this 4th-floor walk up on Spring Street in Nolita could be that apartment that is just right. Good area with a lot of nice restaurants and a Whole Foods just five blocks away. If you are in good shape and can walk up 4 flights, it may be the perfect spot!

Blocked!

🏗️262 Fifth Avenue is another skinny skyscraper that will stand at 860 feet tall upon its completion in 2025. While its design is intriguing, only 26 fortunate owners will enjoy its great views, potentially obstructing the view of the Empire State Building from southern 5th Avenue for others.

It's unclear why the city approved this project, so if you're thinking of relocating to NoMad, Flatiron, or Union Square, it's advisable to check how this building may affect your views beforehand.

The Escape
14 Hour Ramen

✈️This summer American Airlines will be the only U.S. carrier to offer nonstop flights between New York and Tokyo.  The airline has long partnered with Japan Airlines to offer flights from JFK and Tokyo’s Haneda International Airport (HND).  The new service will complement the existing partnership adding more daily flights between the two major international cities.  Great news if you don’t want to head out to Newark  for those United flights.

Winter’s Last Stand

⛷️While spring is just a few weeks away, there are some of us who just love cold weather. Lake Placid is just under 300 miles away and a perfect place for a winter adventure. Home to the 1980 Olympics and named one of the most beautiful small towns by Travel & Leisure, it’s the perfect place for anyone who enjoys snow and winter sports.

The Deals

• AMC is having a $5 ticket deal for Best Picture nominees.

• J.Lindeberg, the Swedish clothing brand, is having a sample sale from March 5^th through March 10^th .

• Get 2 months free of Apple TV+. They are currently streaming Napoleon and Killers of the Flower Moon.

• Southwest Airlines is running a solar eclipse sweepstake with Omni Hotels.

The View
Dune: Part 2

🎬The follow-up to Dune opened with an $81.5 million box office weekend. They might have done more but IMAX ran out of seats. The film features Zendaya, Timothée Chalamet, Florence Pugh and Austin Butler. It has so far gotten rave reviews from those who were lucky enough to see it.