Welcome to March Madness

Good Morning. 🍀It’s March and we’ve made it through the coldest months of winter in New York! The weather is getting warmer and New Yorkers are looking forward to the first Cherry Blossoms of the year which should start appearing towards the end of the month. The annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade is on March 16^th and March Madness starts on the 19^th . There are no local college teams that are highly ranked but that won’t stop New Yorkers from filling out all those brackets at work!

The News
Cameras Everywhere

🚦Big Brother is about to track and watch our every move. The MTA has installed advanced devices in Manhattan for congestion pricing, aiming to track and toll cars below 60th Street. These devices include E-ZPass readers and cameras to photograph license plates. Unlike the bright flashes used at tolled bridges and tunnels, these devices are designed for efficiency and environmental sensitivity.

The cameras can automatically detect the size and type of vehicle entering the congestion zone, allowing different toll rates for various vehicles. During vehicle entry, the devices capture front plates, scan for an E-ZPass tag, and photograph rear plates to determine vehicle length and size for toll calculation. The MTA is preparing for pricing system in Manhattan which should start sometime this June. The final pricing details are still in debate but you can find out more here.

Safety First

👮Subway crime has been a hot topic in the city and it surged once again in January. The city responded by increasing the number of officers in the subways by over 1,000 cops a day in February. Crime has fallen by 17.7% in February after a 45.4% increase in January.

Expect the same response in Times Square where incidents have been increasing in the last few months after a relative calm period in 2022.

Outdoor Dining Changes

🍽️New York is set to introduce modular outdoor dining sheds, with city officials proposing new blueprints to assist restaurants in erecting outdoor structures that adhere to regulations.

The Department of Transportation recently showcased four of these innovative sheds outside restaurants in Manhattan and Queens. Noteworthy features include wheelchair accessibility and components that facilitate easy disassembly.

The upcoming generation of outdoor dining structures will be simpler to clean, repair, and remove from public spaces between November and April. Although official estimates suggest that the new designs will likely incur costs in the tens of thousands of dollars, they are expected to offer enhanced functionality and efficiency.

Andrew Rigie, the executive director of the nonprofit New York City Hospitality Alliance, commended the new designs for their resemblance to pre-pandemic outdoor dining layouts. He also noted that enclosed sheds, which allowed diners to enjoy meals during cold weather, will no longer be permitted on the streets once the new rules come into effect in November.

Things to do

• New York City Marathon is now accepting applications for the November 2024 race. You have until March 21^st to enter for a chance to run in the most prestigious marathon in the world.

• The Met is hosting Date Night, every Friday and Saturday night from 5:00-9:00pm. You don’t have to have a date; you can go solo and find one there!

• One Art Space gallery, located in TriBeCa, is hosting a contemporary art exhibition that includes comic art, sculptures, photography, animation, NFTs and paintings. Admission is free but you have to reserve your tickets here.

• The Latinx Project at NYU and Cinema Tropical have joined forces to present an exclusive, one-day film series celebrating the works of US Latinx filmmakers. The Latinx Film Showcase will feature three recent films, all of which received nominations at the 14th edition of the Cinema Tropical Awards. Tickets are free but you’ll need to reserve in advance.

• For just three days, Lincoln Center's Josie Robertson Plaza hosts Acupunk, a poetic parade performance starring Théâtre de la Dame de Coeur's towering puppets, Eria and Terrenis.

Let’s Eat

• Greenpoint is becoming a go to foodie destination. One particularly hot spot is Taqueria Ramirez which specializes in Mexico City style tacos. They have a no take-out policy because it’s supposed to be eaten fresh when it’s hot and juicy!

• Shingo Gokan, the man behind The SG Club in Japan brings Sip & Guzzle to New York. Enjoy cocktails, izakaya-style cuisine and Japanese street food at the Cornelia Street bar.

• Beef Jerky fan? They’ve been making it fresh at Malaysia Beef Jerky since 1996. You can watch them grill it right in the front window!

• The Central Park Boathouse has reopened, just in time for Cherry Blossom season. It closed in late 2022 and the new operators, Legends Hospitality, has updated the space as well as the menu.

• Din Tai Fung, a popular dumpling restaurant in Taiwan is opening a branch here in Times Square this spring.

The Hood
Cronuts

🏨For $3,200, you can be just a short walk away from getting a cronut every morning at Dominique Ansel bakery in SoHo. This 2nd floor walkup at 124 Thompson Street is on a nice block and in a pretty safe part of town. Best part is that you’re only a few minutes away from Trader Joe’s!

It’s Back!

🎙️Brooklyn Paramount, a historic performance venue dating back to 1928, is set to reopen on March 27 after a multi-million dollar renovation. The venue has undergone a transformation to accommodate 2,700 guests. The renovation has preserved the venue's iconic Rococo ceiling, Baroque details, and original hand-crafted plaster statues, maintaining its historic charm.

After 60 years, Brooklyn Paramount will once again become a hub for live music, featuring performances by artists such as PinkPantheress, Norah Jones, Mariah The Scientist, and Busta Rhymes in 2024. The Fort Greene theater reopening marks a significant moment in the venue's history, bringing back its legacy as a hotspot for world-famous performers and re-establishing its place in New York City's cultural landscape.

The Escape
Korean Nomad

🎶South Korea, the land of K-pop, stunning islands, and cutting-edge cities, is beckoning you to live out your K-fan dreams with its new digital nomad visa. This visa is your golden ticket to work remotely for up to two years and go to all the K-pop concerts you want.

To qualify, you must be employed by a foreign company as a remote worker, earning at least double South Korea's gross national income per capita from the previous year. For 2023, that magic number was around 85 million won, which translates to roughly $65,000. You'll need to have a minimum of one year of experience in your current industry and provide proof of health insurance, along with a squeaky-clean criminal record.

Spring Blossoms

🌸The first Cherry Blossom blooms in New York usually occur towards the end of March. Washington D.C., however, should see its first blooms in just a few weeks. It's a short drive or train ride away, making it a perfect getaway if you have a couple of days off from work.

D.C. has almost 4,000 Cherry Blossom trees and their own Cherry Blossom Festival. It’s a big event in the nation’s capital with parties, music, parades and even a kite festival.

The Deals

• Skate for free at Bryant Park. If you have your own skates, you can skate for free. Just reserve your time here.

• Jonny Johansson’s Acne Studios is having a sample sale from February 27^th to March 3^rd.

• Patagonia is having a up to 50% off winter sale.

• Apple 96W USB-C Power Adapter, 40% off

• Samsung has a 4K, 32” UHD monitor with a fully adjustable stand on sale.

The Numbers
Back Up

Mortgage rates are up a bit since earlier this year. While they are lower than the peak in the fall of 2023, they are still significantly higher and double where they were in 2021. Some buyers might be waiting for lower rates but when that comes, home prices might go up even further. Great time for sellers in either scenario but likely no relief for buyers even if rates come down. Renting may not be so bad!