It's Opening Day on Thursday

🐣Get ready for Easter Weekend

March 25, 2024

🐰It's going to be a big week ahead with baseball returning on Thursday. Everyone will be looking forward to the three-day weekend and making plans for Easter Sunday. N.C. State broke many March Madness brackets but all the number one seeds survived so most office brackets are still alive. After a rainy and chilly weekend, milder temperatures are back this week. Mega Millions is over $1 billion and Powerball is up to $800 million. It's time to get those office pools going!

The News
City Headlines

🪴There are only 87 legal cannabis shops in New York State and only 30 in New York City. Governor Kathy Hochul has been trying to find a way to combat the 2,000 illegal ones that exist in the state. One solution is to approve more licenses for legal ones. On Friday, March 22nd, the state Cannabis Control Board approved 114 new licenses for over 100 retail stores.

However, despite the doubling of new stores, this move doesn't quite address the cost advantage that illegal shops have, as they are not subject to the same regulations and requirements that legal ones are. So, while this is certainly a step in the right direction, the underlying problem remains. Hopefully, the Governor has more solutions up her sleeve that she's yet to reveal.

☔It seems like we can breathe easy about the possibility of a drought this year, thanks to the record-breaking rainfall on Saturday. March 2024 has already become the 6th wettest in history and this year has had a significant amount of rainfall. More rain is expected in the middle of the week, which could make March 2024 the wettest March in history by the end of the week.

⚾Opening for both the Mets and the Yankees is on Thursday, March 28th. Both New York teams have suffered injuries to their intended opening-day pitchers and will have to go with backup options.

The Yankees seem to be in a better position sending out Nestor Cortes who had a fantastic 2022 season before injuries interrupted his 2023 season. The Mets meanwhile are in a tougher spot and will go with journeyman Jose Quintana who had a less than thrilling 2023 with a 3-6 record and a 3.57 ERA. Hopefully, the Yanknee's Gerrit Cole and the Mets' ace Kodai Senga, can heal up quickly.

Things to do

Let’s Eat
Date Night

According to this article from Self, almost 68% of Americans feel financially stressed when planning a date. With inflation at its highest levels in decades, even a once inexpensive McDonald's Big Meal can now cost up to $18. It's understandable to go broke from dating too much!

Choosing the perfect spot for that special night out can be challenging, but here are some options with great food and atmosphere that won't break the bank.

  • The Odeon, a favorite of both celebrities and locals for over 40 years, exudes a relaxed TriBeCa vibe and serves comforting, familiar food.

  • Jeju Noodle Bar is the least expensive Michelin Star restaurant in the city. Specializing in ramyun, their Korean interpretation of ramen, the small and elegant restaurant is an incredible value in the West Village.

  • Cédric Vongerichten, son of Jean-Georges Vongerichten, blends Indonesian cuisine with a modern French flair at Wayan. The interior has a downtown tropical feel making it perfect for an intimate night out.

The View
3 Body Problem

Image: Netflix

👁️Netflix's sci-fi series, 3 Body Problem, is a highly anticipated adaptation of Cixin Liu's acclaimed Chinese sci-fi novel "The Three-Body Problem." Created by David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, and Alexander Woo, the series delves into mysteries and earth-shattering discoveries spanning continents and timelines, from the 1960s Cultural Revolution in China to present-day locations like Oxford and New York. At the heart of the story is Ye Wenjie, an astrophysicist whose decision during the Cultural Revolution sets off a chain of events that threaten humanity's existence, leading to a gripping narrative that redefines sci-fi drama with its layered mysteries and exploration of human connection.

Since the debut of the series on March 21st, it has sparked controversy due to its portrayal of China's history, but this hasn't detracted from its intriguing exploration of complex themes like history, science, and human resilience. The series offers a unique blend of mystery, drama, and cultural significance, making it a thought-provoking addition to the channel.

The Deals

The Numbers
Exodus

🧑‍🤝‍🧑New York City's population lost 78,000 residents in 2023. According to this report in the New York Times, Manhattan was the only borough to grow adding almost 3,000 residents and the Bronx had the biggest exodus at 25,000. Meanwhile, rents continue to climb in the Big Apple, and recently, Mayor Adams unveiled more plans to build affordable housing.

In summary, people are leaving but rents are going up. Economically, that doesn't add up so something must be missing in the data. One possible explanation for this phenomenon is taxes. You can spend almost half of the year (183 days) in NYC without being considered a resident, and this might be one of the reasons for the population decline. It seems like the new trend is to work from that other home in Florida.